In an effort to bolster its data concerning wild turkey populations, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding the public that their online survey portal is open and seeking contributions. Last year, LDWF introduced this digital tool to enhance their Wild Turkey Population Survey, and they're continuing to push for increased public engagement.
Volunteer surveys starting back in 1994 had suffered in terms of participation, leaving LDWF with diminishingly reliable data. In a maneuver to counteract this trend and gather a larger dataset, the online survey allows anyone to report turkey sightings, providing they have internet access. While in your deer stand come December, or simply lounging on your porch, sighting of these majestic birds is of interest to the LDWF, as stated by LDWF Small Game/Wild Turkey Program Manager Cody Cedotal in a bid to conjure up support for the year-round effort.
To participate, citizens can visit the LDWF website or directly access the survey at a dedicated StoryMaps portal. Here, individuals are prompted to log details such as their name, observation date, location, and specifics on the number and type—adult males, juvenile males, females, or poults—of wild turkeys observed. The process aims to be seamlessly integrated into the various outdoor activities enjoyed by Louisiana residents, befitting their daily routines.
Those with an interest in the unfolding storyline of turkey sightings can also tap into the "Turkey Survey Dashboard" available on the survey site, where live updates on yearly observations are posted, as per the LDWF. With information readily available, including reports by parish and breakdowns by birds' sex and age, one can easily become an amateur ornithologist, tracking the rise and fall of turkey populations within Louisiana's diverse habitats.
