Iowa’s annual wild turkey survey is now underway to help the Department of Natural Resources estimate nesting rates and track population trends. Jim Coffey, a forest wildlife biologist with the D-N-R, says participants simply record the number of adult hens and any offspring they see, along with the date and county, on the agency’s website. Coffey says Iowa has had several years of strong turkey hatches, but there’s concern across the Midwest about long-term population declines.
Coffey says the agency shares the turkey survey results with other Midwestern states to understand regional trends.
During extremely wet years, Coffey says young turkeys spend a lot of energy just trying to maintain their internal temperature, while researchers are exploring other factors, like predators and disease.
The Iowa wild turkey survey is underway during July and August. Coffee says more data could help wildlife officials identify what turkeys need to thrive. Check out the survey at www.survey.alchemer.com/s3/7386463/iawildturkeys.
