Ready to spot wild turkeys?
For folks in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for help counting wild turkeys this summer.
The Michigan wild turkey brood survey runs from July 1, 2026 through August 31, 2026 and is part of a multi-state initiative to track the health of wild turkey populations.
What to Know
Now in its fourth year, the Michigan DNR wild turkey brood survey is a community science effort for people statewide to report sightings of wild turkeys and turkey broods (family units with at least one adult hen and her young, which are called poults).
Wild turkeys nest in late spring and mid-summer is when many broods are visible along roads, fields, and woods.
Here’s how folks in Michigan can participate:
- Watch for wild turkeys in Michigan from July 1, 2026 through August 31, 2026
- Submit your wild turkey sightings in the seven-question online survey (You’ll be asked for your email address as well as the date seen, county, number of turkeys including number of males, hens, and poults)
- Tell your friends, family members, co-workers, and colleagues about the survey and encourage them to participate!
Hope you consider participating!
I’ve submitted my wild turkey sightings to the survey for the past three years and am looking forward to sharing what I find this year.
