DNREC Asks Public to Report Sightings of Wild Turkeys During Annual Survey
June 24, 2026/
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is once again asking Delawareans to help with the state’s annual wild turkey productivity survey. The survey helps DNREC wildlife biologists monitor turkey populations and reproductive success across the state, helping ensure the continued success of Delaware’s wild turkey restoration efforts. From July 1st through August 31st, volunteers are asked to record sightings of wild turkeys during their normal daily activities, noting the date, location, and number of hens, gobblers, and poults observed. For the first time, participants can submit sightings through a new online survey form available atĀ de.gov/turkeysurvey. Wild turkeys disappeared from Delaware in the late 1800s due to habitat loss and overharvesting, but a reintroduction program that began in 1984 helped restore the population. Information collected through the survey helps biologists monitor population trends and make informed conservation and hunting management decisions.