Public Encouraged to Report Sightings of Wild Turkey
 

CONCORD, N.H. -- If you see a flock of wild turkeys in New Hampshire this
winter, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department would like to hear about
it.*Report sightings of turkey flocks seen from now through the end of March
2009 by filling out a simple electronic survey form at
http://www.wildnh.com/turkeysurvey. Please do not report multiple sightings
of the same flock.

The Winter Flock Survey will bolster Fish and Game's understanding of the
abundance and distribution of turkeys during the challenging winter
months.*The survey asks participants to report the number of turkeys in the
flock; location where they were seen; the type of habitat the birds were
observed in; and what the turkeys were feeding on (seed at birdfeeders;
silage at farms; fruits such as barberry, rosehips, sumac, apple, etc.).*

Each winter, wildlife biologists from Fish and Game's four regional offices
record information about wintering turkey flocks they encounter during the
course of their normal fieldwork. Members of the New Hampshire Wild Turkey
Federation also provide sighting information.*However, gaps remain in Fish
and Game's data collection efforts.

"For parts of the state, especially eastern and northern New Hampshire, we
could benefit by additional information," said Ted Walski, Turkey Project
Leader at Fish and Game.*"This new reporting system will allow the public to
contribute important information to our understanding of winter turkey
status in an inexpensive, efficient and, hopefully, enjoyable way."*

The Winter Turkey Flock Survey allows biologists to assess the relative
abundance and status of wild turkeys in different regions of the
state.*Winter is the best time to census the birds because turkeys gather in
large flocks at this time of year.*Knowledge of the status of wintering
turkeys is particularly important in New Hampshire, because of the
challenges of severe winter weather and limited natural food supplies.

For more information on the flock survey, write to Turkey Project Leader Ted
Walski at Fish and Game Region 4 Office, 15 Ash Brook Court, Keene, N.H.
03431; or call 603-352-9669.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's
fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats.*Visit
http://www.wildnh.com.

they are all over belmont NH
 

I see them constantly in Belmont, Gilford and Gilmanton. Neighbors feed them so they are around all year long.

Seen them in my back yard in Meredith, but I can not remember if when snow covered times.