The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking Hoosiers to report turkey broods. 

Sharing observations of turkey hens with and without poults (young turkeys) can be done quickly and provides meaningful data for DNR to track and manage populations around the state.

Why count turkeys?

Brood surveys provide useful estimates about annual production by wild turkey hens and the survival of poults (young turkeys) through the summer brood-rearing period. Summer brood survival is generally the primary factor influencing wild turkey population trends. Information on summer brood survival is essential for sound turkey management. Information gathered through the brood survey includes:

Average brood sizes (hens + poults). For example, in the photo above there is one hen with eight poults, for a brood size of eight.

Percentage of adult hens with poults.

Production Index (PI) = total number of poults/total number of adult hens

What is a wild turkey brood?

A wild turkey brood is composed of at least one adult hen with young (poults). As the summer progresses, multiple broods may gather into what is termed a “gang” brood with several adult hens and multiple broods of poults of varied ages. During summer, adult gobblers (male turkeys) play no role in raising a brood and either forms small male-only “bachelor” flocks or are observed as single gobblers.

No gobblers should be reported.

What should I report if I see a turkey brood or some turkey hens without poults?

The Indiana DNR is interested in the following observations of turkeys from across the state:

Number of adult hens with the number of poults or

Number of adult hens without poults and

County and date of each observation.

Please provide as accurate a count of both hens and poults as possible. It is also just as important to record observations of hens without poults. Don’t compile multiple observations as one report, instead report each different observation separately, even if observations of different broods are made on the same day in the same county. Understand that by mid to late August, turkey poults are normally about two-thirds the size of an adult, and a juvenile gobbler (jake) can be about the same size as an adult hen. Suspected repeat observations of the same turkeys during the same month should not be recorded.

Need help identifying male and female turkeys?

Females are generally smaller in body size, about the size of a Canada Goose (8-12 lbs), and their coloration is duller brown to buff with no obvious iridescence. In general, female wild turkeys do not have a visible beard. In contrast, males have larger bodies, much larger than a Canada Goose (18-28 lbs), and their general coloration is very dark, appearing black with an iridescent sheen. Most adult male wild turkeys have a visible beard.

If you have questions about the turkey brood survey, please email Scott Johnson, Wildlife Science Supervisor, at sjohnson@dnr.IN.gov.

DNR appreciates your help supporting wild turkey populations in Indiana.