IDNR Asks Public to Report Turkey Sightings

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is calling on hunters, landowners, conservation professionals, and the public to help track wild turkey populations statewide. Through the Illinois Wild Turkey Survey, residents can report sightings of hens, poults, and other turkeys observed in the field. Those reports help biologists measure annual reproduction, poult survival, and long-term population trends across Illinois. The data gives wildlife managers a clearer picture of how turkeys are doing and where conservation efforts may be needed. The survey remains open through August, giving outdoor enthusiasts plenty of time to contribute observations from farms, forests, and rural roadsides.