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LINCOLN — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is inviting the public to participate in its annual summer wild turkey brood survey, which runs July 1 through Aug. 31 and helps biologists track turkey reproduction and population trends across the state.
The survey is used to estimate annual production by wild turkey hens and the survival rate of poults, or young turkeys, during the summer brood-rearing period. Wildlife officials say the data helps inform long-term management decisions.
Participants are asked to record all turkeys they observe during the survey period. Instructions and the survey link can be found by visiting OutdoorNebraska.gov and searching “turkey brood survey.” Users can bookmark the link for use in the field or record sightings on a printable form and submit them 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, wild turkey program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “These results, in turn, can help us estimate the population trajectory and what to expect in future hunting seasons.”
Gizel said the survey provides an important long-term data set that helps biologists evaluate how management decisions may affect turkey populations over time.
The commission also recently approved changes to spring turkey hunting season start dates beginning in 2027. Under the adjustments, the spring archery season will open on the Saturday closest to April 8, the youth shotgun season will open on the Saturday closest to April 15, and the regular shotgun season will open on the Saturday closest to April 22.
Officials said the later start dates are intended to better align hunting seasons with turkey breeding and nesting cycles and the birds’ movement out of winter flocks, reducing the likelihood that harvest could affect reproductive success.
Gizel said continued participation in the summer brood survey will help researchers measure how those changes influence population trends, including poult-to-hen ratios in the coming years.
She added that the survey is designed to be incidental, encouraging participants to simply report turkeys they already encounter during normal daily activities such as driving or farming, rather than making additional trips to observe wildlife.
2025 summer survey results can be viewed by visiting OutdoorNebraska. gov and searching “wildlife surveys.”
