Public participation wanted for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife turkey brood survey

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for the public to get involved in an important survey dedicated to protecting animal populations.

Hunters and non-hunters are wanted to participate in the Summer Turkey Brood Survey. These surveys help Fish and Wildlife understand the population of turkeys across the state. The survey, which first started in the 80s, is simple. If you see a wild turkey, Fish and Wildlife asks you to pull over to a safe area and record what you see on their website.

The information that the public provides helps biologist keep an eye on population totals to ensure that everyone and enjoy wildlife for years to come.

“If we want to keep seeing those turkeys, and similarly for all the other plethora of wildlife species, we need information to know how those species are faring through time,” said Zak Danks, Turkey Program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“If we see an individual animal, it’s another mental leap that we as biologist think about to go from an individual to a population. We want to make sure people can still, just incidentally on their drive, see turkeys for perpetuity.”

In the 1970s, turkey populations reached critical levels, only being found in the Land Between the Lakes region and sparsely throughout eastern Kentucky. To combat that, the state brought in turkey’s from different states to help repopulate, which has proved successful.

Since then, populations have declined after reaching a peak about a decade ago, making surveys like these all the more important.

To be apart of the survey, you can click here.