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June 6, 2006

DEM needs help counting turkeys

PROVIDENCE -- The state Department of Environmental Management issued a statement today calling on Rhode Islanders to help wildlife biologists count wild turkeys.

The state wants to know of any sightings of turkey hens "with or without broods of young turkeys, known as poults," according to the release.

"The reported information [last year] helped us determine the number of young birds that survived after various mortality factors, such as predators, poor weather, road kills, or domestic cats and dogs took their toll," Brian Tefft, principal wildlife biologist at DEM, said in the statement.

Last year, 157 turkey brood sightings were reported. The total number of adults reported was 208, while 782 poults were reported, for a brood ratio of 3.8 young per hen surviving until fall.

To report turkey sightings, people should record the date, the location, and the total number of hens and poults seen and contact Tefft via email to brian.tefft@dem.ri.gov, or phone at (401) 789-0281.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 1:14 PM | Permalink

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