Help the NYS DEC Count Wild Turkeys in August

Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak a lot of us have been spending more time outdoors hiking and walking around our own neighbors. It has been a necessity being that gyms are closed and our refrigerators are open.

This spring many people in the Hudson Valley reported seeing more wild life. It was as if our quarantined aloud nature to take over. People have reported more birds and even bears. Their have been coyote sighting and don't even get me started on all the snakes.

One of the other animals I have noticed on the roadside besides the chipmunks, squirrels and turtles are all the turkeys. If you are seeing the same thing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants you to be part of their Wild Turkey Survey.

Since 1996 the DEC has tracked local turkeys with the Summer Wild Turkey Sighing Survey. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging those of us out on the trails to be part of this annual survey. It is actually pretty easy to help you just download the form from the DEC website (Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey). There are instructions on what to do.

This could actually be fun for the whole family to do for the month of August.  In a recent press release from the DEC Commissioner Seggos stated, "While New Yorkers are out exploring fields and forests close to home this August, reporting turkey encounters is a beneficial way to partner with DEC in our wildlife management work to monitor the population of this popular game bird and we encourage New York's outdoor adventurers to participate in this annual survey."

Happy Tracking.