HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is calling on residents to assist in locating turkey flocks for an ongoing research project designed to monitor and manage the state’s wild turkey populations. The initiative, conducted in partnership with Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Futures Program, aims to study turkey population dynamics, movement, and disease prevalence.
Through March 15, Pennsylvanians are encouraged to report turkey flock sightings via an online portal. Contributors are asked to provide details such as the date of the sighting, the location, and the type of land observed. This information will assist Game Commission crews in identifying suitable locations for trapping turkeys.
The project involves placing leg bands on male turkeys statewide to track annual survival and harvest rates. Additionally, in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2D, 3D, 4D, and 5C, female turkeys will also be banded, with approximately 130 hens outfitted with GPS transmitters for long-term monitoring. The captured turkeys will remain in their natural habitats after being tagged.
“The data give us information on annual survival rates and annual spring harvest rates for our population model,” explained Mary Jo Casalena, the Game Commission’s turkey biologist. “In the four WMUs where hens are getting the GPS transmitters, we’re studying turkey population and movement dynamics, disease prevalence, and other aspects that may limit populations.”
Set to conclude in December 2025, the study will gather data from more than 500 hens and 200 male turkeys. Researchers are examining factors such as nesting success, poult survival, predation, habitat use, and the effects of weather and landscape. The disease component evaluates variations in disease prevalence and its influence on survival and reproductive rates. Samples collected during capture include blood, throat swabs, and feces.
This collaborative effort also includes contributions from neighboring states such as Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virginia. Casalena described the project as “the largest turkey project we’ve ever conducted,” hoping it will yield critical insights into the species’ current population dynamics.
Public participation has played a vital role in the success of the project’s early stages. “The public was so helpful the last few years and some even helped with monitoring sites and trapping,” Casalena said. “We look forward to continuing this winter.”
By engaging with residents and leveraging modern tracking technology, the Game Commission aims to support sustainable management practices and address factors impacting turkey populations across Pennsylvania.
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