Tennessee – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is calling on residents and visitors to participate in its 2025 wild turkey summer observational survey, open now through August 31. This annual initiative, conducted by the agency since the 1980s, began incorporating public involvement in 2022 to expand its reach and accuracy.
Participants, often described by TWRA as “citizen scientists,” play a key role in helping biologists monitor wild turkey populations across the state. By submitting reports of wild turkey sightings—whether of hens, gobblers, or poults—volunteers contribute valuable data that helps guide wildlife management decisions.
“The summer survey has been very beneficial to help monitor our turkey population and gauge its annual productivity,” said Roger Shields, TWRA Wild Turkey Program Coordinator. “The results feed directly into our adaptive management process, helping us determine the best path forward for wild turkey conservation.”
In the 2024 survey, 1,418 members of the public and 152 TWRA staff recorded a combined 3,785 observations across all 95 Tennessee counties. The average number of poults per hen was 2.4, consistent with the five-year statewide average. However, productivity in the Southeast unit was notably lower compared to other regions.
First-time participants can visit the TWRA website for a full overview of the survey’s goals, a turkey identification guide with a knowledge quiz, and access to submission forms. The agency emphasizes that the more Tennesseans who take part, the more complete and accurate the understanding of turkey population dynamics becomes.
For more information and to get involved, visit the TWRA’s wild turkey survey page.