Public encouraged to take part in summer turkey survey

The public is invited to participate in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s annual summer turkey brood survey July 1-Aug. 31.

The survey provides useful estimates about annual production by wild turkey hens and how many poults, or young turkeys, survive the summer brood-rearing period. These records lend insight into population indices and trends, which inform management decisions regarding wild turkeys.

During July and August, survey participants are asked to record all turkeys they see. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search for “turkey brood survey” for instructions and the survey link. The link can be bookmarked on a phone for easy use in the field, or all observations can be written on a printable form and submitted together at the end of the survey period.

“Brood surveys enrich our understanding of the wild turkey’s population dynamics across the state, particularly regarding reproduction,” said Carlie Gizel, Game and Parks’ wild turkey program manager. “These results, in turn, can help us estimate the population trajectory and what to expect in future hunting seasons.”

The Commission recently approved shifting the spring turkey season openers to later starts beginning in 2027. The changes move the start of:

• spring archery season from March 25 to the Saturday closest to April 8.
• spring youth shotgun season from the Saturday closest to April 8 to the Saturday closest to April 15.
• spring regular shotgun season from the Saturday closest to April 15 to the Saturday closest to April 22.

The later starts better align the seasons with the timing of turkeys’ dispersal from their winter flocks and breeding and nesting activities, reducing the likelihood of harvest negatively affecting reproductive success.

Gizel said continuing the summer brood survey will provide long-term information into how the spring season changes affect the population, ideally increasing the poult-per-hen ratio over the next few years.

She said the brood survey is purely incidental and not meant to take any extra time from normal activities in which one might see wild turkeys, such as farming or driving.

View the 2025 summer survey results at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search for “wildlife surveys.”