Our partners at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are asking for help monitoring wild turkey reproduction through their annual summer brood survey, and we encourage anyone spending time outdoors this summer to participate.
Each summer, observations from hunters, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts provide wildlife biologists with valuable information about wild turkey nesting success and poult survival across the state. Whether you spot a hen leading a group of poults through a meadow or encounter a lone hen, your observation can help contribute to a better understanding of New Mexico’s wild turkey population.
“Summer turkey surveys are a nationwide effort to monitor wild turkey population status,” said Casey Cardinal, turkey and upland game biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “Observations from the public help expand our understanding of turkey productivity in New Mexico. The department of wildlife appreciates the public’s assistance in gathering this valuable data.”
Summer brood surveys help wildlife managers measure reproductive success, identify population trends and better understand how factors such as weather, habitat conditions and other environmental influences affect annual turkey production. These observations complement other monitoring efforts and provide a broader picture of how wild turkeys are faring across New Mexico’s diverse landscapes.
Whether you’re scouting for fall hunting season, working on habitat projects or simply enjoying time outdoors, keep an eye out for wild turkeys. Your sightings can help biologists collect important data and make informed conservation decisions for the future of the species.
The survey is open July 1 through August 31, and sightings can be submitted through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s reporting system.
