HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission's two-month survey on wild turkey sightings wrapped up on Aug. 31. Any sightings from July and August can be reported through Saturday, Sept. 6 through an online form at https://pgcforms.pa.gov/TurkeySightingSurvey, which can be accessed through the Game Commission’s website.
When reporting, include the number of wild turkeys seen, along with the location, date, and contact information in case agency biologists have follow-up questions. Your specific location is kept confidential and is used only to determine the general area of each sighting.
Game Commission Turkey Biologist Mary Jo Casalena said these data help assess turkey productivity across Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) and contribute to long-term tracking of turkey reproductive success across the state, region and country. Factors such as weather, habitat conditions, predation and turkey food abundance affect turkey productivity.
The 2024 statewide reproductive index of 3.2 poults per hen seen was slightly higher than the previous five-year average of 2.9. At the WMU level, 2024 was the first year since the national standardized survey began in 2019 that all WMU indices were above 2.0 poults seen per hen; from 2.4 poults per hen in WMU 5D to 4.0 in WMU 2E.
In neighboring states, the 2024 reproductive index averaged 2.6 poults per hen, ranging from 2.0 in West Virginia to 3.4 in New York.
Pennsylvania’s survey includes input from both Game Commission personnel and the public. Since public participation began in 2016, the number of reported turkey sightings has doubled, enhancing the survey's accuracy and coverage.
“Thanks to the large sample size from all corners of the Commonwealth, we have high confidence in the results,” Casalena emphasized. “Remember, every summer turkey sighting reported to the Game Commission helps to improve wild turkey conservation in the Keystone State. Public participation enhances our agency’s internal survey by increasing the sample size and providing broader coverage of turkey reproductive success across all WMUs.”