In this 2022 photo, these three hen turkeys had 10 poults combined – the 3.3 poult average is higher than the overall average biologists noted in 2023. (Trail Cam Photo courtesy Richard Simms)
If you happen to see a turkey in Tennessee this summer, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) wants to hear from you.
TWRA is looking for members of the public to take part in their wild turkey summer observational survey. The survey is open to the public from June 1st through Aug 31st.
Agency staff and cooperators have conducted this survey annually since the 1980s, and was opened to the public in 2022. Participants will have an opportunity to help the TWRA monitor the state’s wild turkey population by reporting wild turkey sightings.
In the 2023 summer survey, 158 different TWRA staff and 742 unique public observers submitted 2,664 wild turkey observations. The data came from all but two of the state’s 95 counties. The 2023 statewide results, which estimated an average of 2.1 poults per hen, were below the 5-year average (2.5 poults per hen). Results showed production was not equal across the state, with West Tennessee seeing higher production than the eastern side of the state.
All turkeys TWRA staff and volunteers observe during the three months survey will be recorded by county and summarized, regionally and statewide.
To take part, visit the survey page here:
https://www.tn.gov/twra/hunting/big-game/turkey/wild-turkey-observation-survey.html
