June 24, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 219

For more information, contact Matt DiBona, Fish and Wildlife, 302-735-3600, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC seeking volunteer birdwatchers
to report sightings of wild turkeys for 2010 survey

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is looking for volunteer birdwatchers to assist the Division with an annual productivity survey on the location and number of wild turkeys in Delaware. This data will help biologists track the health, distribution and reproductive success of the state’s wild turkeys with the goal of ensuring a sustainable harvest of this treasured game species.

Today, Delaware has a thriving wild turkey population that allows for an annual turkey season, but this was not always the case. The reintroduction of the wild turkey back into Delaware, nearly 200 years after it became locally extinct, remains one of the Division’s greatest success stories.

Beginning in early 1984, with support from the National Wild Turkey Federation, Division biologists released 34 wild-trapped turkeys from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Vermont into Sussex and Kent counties. Reintroductions continued through the 1990s, and once the population had successfully established a foothold in Delaware, a limited hunting season was started. The last release of wild-trapped turkeys occurred in 2002 in New Castle County. Today, turkeys can be found in every corner of our state.

To help ensure the continued success of wild turkeys in Delaware, the Division needs information on their distribution and annual reproductive success. One simple and cost-effective method is to have volunteers record and report sightings of turkeys during their day-to-day activities. The 2010 survey period will begin on July 1 and continue through Aug. 31. Upon sighting turkeys, participants are asked to record the date, county and number of adult hens, gobblers and poults (young of the year) they observe. Participants are asked to submit their results to the Division by Sept. 10, 2010.

A data sheet and set of instructions is available for volunteers to download by clicking here.