NH Fish and Game Needs Your Help to Count Turkeys
NH Fish and Game is seeking the public’s help in its annual turkey count.
According to WMUR.com, the public is being asked to report wild turkey sightings now through March 31.
The annual wild turkey survey is important for two reasons, the news station reported. One, it gives an accurate count of the wild turkey population. Secondly, it allows Fish and Game to track signs of virus that the turkeys may be carrying.
Those turkeys carrying the viruses have symptoms that include warty protuberances in the head and eye area so they should be easy to spot among the wild turkey population, WMUR stated. Because of relatively little snow, the turkeys have been on the move and more difficult to count.
Fish and Game are looking for information about the turkey population including the count, the habitat they were seen in and what the turkeys appear to be feeding on.
Wild turkeys almost vanished from the Granite State due to overhunting and loss of habitat in the 1800s but have been making a strong comeback, according to the article from WMUR.com.
It is estimated that their numbers are 40,000 strong but an accurate count will help officials understand if their comeback is strong and what effects the environment and development are having on them.
If you would like more information on the study, you can visit Fish and Game’s website.