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If you happen to observe a flock of wild turkeys this winter, the Pennsylvania Game Commission would like to know about them.
Last month, the Game Commission activated a special web page to encourage the public to report the locations of their wild turkey sightings until March 15 to support several ongoing turkey studies. The online address for the web page is pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/TurkeyBroodSurvey. It can also be accessed from the Game Commission's website, pgc.pa.gov. On the homepage, click on the "Wildlife" tab and scroll down the menu and click on "Wildlife Species." That will take you to the "Wildlife in Pennsylvania" page. Under the "Wild Birds" section, click on the "Wild Turkey" link. Under the 2024 Winter Turkey Sighting Survey" on the "Wild Turkey" page, click on he large green "Submit a Survey" box to access the survey page.
The survey appears to be very user friendly. Some of the information requested will be the date and location of the turkey sighting and whether the birds were on public or private land. Information on the makeup of the flock with estimates of the number of hens, jakes and gobblers is also desirable. It is requested not to report the same flock multiple times to avoid inaccurate results.
Wildlife managers will use the information obtained from the surveys to find potential sites to live-trap turkeys this winter to provide data for several large-scale turkey research projects. No turkeys trapped will be moved from their capture site. The birds will be fitted with leg bands and released immediately. Anyone who finds one of theses banded turkeys dead, either by hunter harvest or some other cause is asked to report the band number by calling a toll-free number or online.
"The data give us information on annual survival rates and annual spring harvest rates for our population model and provides the person reporting information on when and approximately where the turkey was banded," Mary Jo Casalena, the Game Commission's turkey biologist, said.
In Wildlife Management Units 2D, 3D, 4D and 5C, approximately 150 hens and 100 males will be fitted with backpack-style GPS transmitters as part of a more comprehensive research project. One part of project will study how landscape and weather impact hen nest rates, nest success, poult survival, predation, habitat use and movement. Blood and samples of other bodily fluids will be collected to study how disease prevalence varies based on landscape and impacts things like the survival and nesting rates of hens of different ages.
"We're studying turkey population and movement dynamics, disease prevalence, and other aspects that may limit populations" Casalena said. "It is the largest turkey project we've ever conducted, with the hope of answering many questions regarding current turkey population dynamics. The public was so helpful the last two years and some even helped with monitoring sites and trapping. We look forward to continuing this winter."
Wild Game Feast
It's always my pleasure to announce the popular Wild Game Feast hosted by the Altoona Alliance Church.
This year marks the 17th Wild Game Feast, which will be held on Saturday, March 16 at the church, located at 3220 Pleasant Valley Boulevard next to Planet Fitness. The buffet style meal will include a variety of delicious wild-game dishes that typically includes elk, moose, bear, deer, rabbit, pheasant and fish.
The exact makeup of the fish and game dishes included on the buffet depend on the generous donations from hunters and anglers sharing their harvest from hunting and fishing adventures. Pastor Tim McGarvey has hinted that some steelhead trout might be on the menu this year. And there are always some "regular" foods like store-bought turkey and hot dogs, along with sides, desserts and drinks.
The featured speaker for the evening will be Zeke Stroupe, who will share some hunting and fishing stories and talk about his work with the Fishers of Men bass fishing tournaments. Stroupe is from the Pittsburgh area where he is a high school teacher and varsity wrestling coach and last year was the director of Game Changers Fishing Camp.
Doors for the Altoona Alliance Church Wild Game Feast will open at 4 p.m. for access to displays from various outdoors-related vendors. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., followed by Stroupe's presentation, a special recognition of veterans, and the awarding of a generous selection of door prizes. Space is limited, however, and tickets are required for admission. A suggested donation of $15 per ticket is requested to help cover the costs of the event.
Getting your tickets early is encouraged to avoid disappointment because they tend to go rather quickly once the word gets out. Tickets will be available starting this Monday at the church office (please, don't call the church this weekend!). Tickets are limited to ages 10 and older. To obtain tickets or for more information, call the church office at 814-944-0171 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.