ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hoping “citizen scientists” will help them monitor turkey populations.

The IDNR said they need volunteers to assist with wild turkey brood surveys. This helps them track population trends and reproductive success. During the summer, turkeys hatch, and by counting the babies and the adult females, the biologists have a better understanding of the survival rate of young turkeys.

The biologists also count male turkeys to estimate the number of wild turkeys, the male-to-female ratio, and to understand the survival rate of adult turkeys.

The participating citizen scientists are asked to report young turkeys, adult male and female turkeys with each observation, along with the county and the date the turkeys were observed. You can submit turkey sightings through the IDNR’s website. If you can’t use the electronic survey, the IDNR said you can have a postcard mailed over.

Over the past five years, the IDNR has noted:

• Increased reproductive success
• Improved young turkey survival
• Higher nesting success
• The male-to-female ratio suggested consistent male carryover from spring hunting seasons and stable winter survival

IDNR said the results show positive indicators for the health of Illinois’ wild turkey population. And, that it is important they continue the survey. To find out more, email the IDNR at DNR.Turkey@illinois.gov.