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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM ASKS FOR INFORMATION ON WILD TURKEY BROOD SIGHTINGS PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management is asking Rhode Islanders to assist its Division of Fish and Wildlife's wild turkey project by reporting any sightings of wild turkey hens with or without broods of young turkeys, known as poults. DEM biologists need the information to evaluate this year's reproduction of wild turkeys, the survival of the poults, and the population of the state's wild turkey flock.Last year, 157 turkey brood sightings were reported, according to Brian Tefft, principal wildlife biologist at DEM and head of the wild turkey project. 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. "The reported information 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," Tefft says. Weather-related factors dramatically affect brood production in ground-nesting birds like turkeys. Warm dry weather favors the survival of turkey poults and other ground-nesters, while cool and rainy conditions in early summer can reduce survival or threaten entire broods. Last year's brood success was an improvement over the previous year, as a warm dry summer provided good conditions for nesting. However, the 2005 brood ratio was below the 10-year average of 4.4 young per hen. Tefft estimates the overall statewide turkey population at approximately 6,000 birds. "The distribution and density of the wild turkey population has improved in the state following the Division of Fish and Wildlife's successful trap and transfer program, which has improved recreational opportunities and the chances for the public to see a bird," Tefft notes. Wild turkeys were abundant prior to the 1700s but were decimated due to habitat destruction and subsistence hunting. DEM's wild turkey restoration project began in 1980 with releases of wild trapped birds that established new turkey flocks in Exeter, Burrillville, Little Compton, West Greenwich, Foster, Scituate, and Tiverton. The birds are now common to 22 other cities and towns across Rhode Island. Restoration of the wild turkey in Rhode Island was funded by state hunting license fees and the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration program. To report wild turkey sightings of hens with or without broods, participants should record the date, the location, and the total number of hens and poults seen. Send the information to Brian Tefft, Wild Turkey Project, PO Box 218, West Kingston, RI 02892 or via email to brian.tefft@dem.ri.gov, or call him at (401)-789-0281. -30- |
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