Partners at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are asking for your help monitoring wild turkey reproduction through Turkey Tracker, the state’s annual wild turkey brood and distribution survey. If you’re spending time outdoors this summer, your observations can make a difference.
Each July and August, sightings submitted by hunters, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts provide wildlife biologists with valuable information about wild turkey nesting success, poult survival and population trends across Idaho. Whether you spot a hen leading a brood of poults or a flock of adult birds, every observation helps paint a clearer picture of the state’s wild turkey population.
“Turkey season may be over, but using Idaho’s Turkey Tracker is a fun way to stay connected to wildlife, contribute to citizen science, and help managers track population trends and keep tabs on the next generation of wild turkeys,” said Chuck Carpenter, NWTF district biologist for Utah, Idaho, Arizona and New Mexico.
The information collected through Turkey Tracker helps wildlife managers monitor reproduction, evaluate population dynamics and make informed management recommendations to sustain healthy wild turkey populations throughout Idaho. Since the program launched in 2024, participants have submitted more than 2,100 sightings of over 15,000 wild turkeys, demonstrating the value of citizen science in wildlife conservation.
Whether you’re scouting for fall hunting season, hiking, working on habitat projects or simply enjoying Idaho’s outdoors, keep an eye out for wild turkeys. Sightings can be reported online or through the free Survey123 app. Brood observations made July 1 through Aug. 31 are especially valuable for tracking nesting success and poult survival.
