CONTACT:
Dan Ellingwood: (603) 352-9669
Andrew Timmins: (603) 271-2461
June 2, 2025
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking for the public’s help by reporting wild turkey brood sightings this spring and summer. It’s easy to participate and the survey is now open. If you observe groups of turkeys with poults (juvenile birds) between June 1 and August 31, please report your sightings by visiting: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccqVseueruWrcojzF_AeDCpSHMjfK9WCvmf_YOUGQt9X2MdA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105127225889990019250.
“This summer marks the 17th year of Fish and Game’s annual brood survey,” said NH Fish and Game Turkey Project Leader Dan Ellingwood. “The information that is collected through this survey is used to measure the annual reproductive success of New Hampshire’s turkey population. Data collected through this survey is also shared as part of a national effort to monitor turkey population trends across the country.”
In 2024, Summer Brood Survey participants reported 832 broods with an average of 3.9 poults per hen in August, the highest since 2018. These findings represent a significant increase from 2023, a season with record rainfall resulting in reduced nesting success and poult survival.
“Brood sightings this summer are as important as ever,” said Ellingwood. “New Hampshire’s turkey population is still rebounding from the negative effects of a poor nesting season in 2023. After an improved nesting season in 2024, we’ll closely watch this year’s survey results to set expectations for the population’s growth trajectory in the year ahead.”
The term “brood” refers to a family group of young turkeys accompanied by a hen. Hens in New Hampshire generally lay eggs from mid-April to mid-May. Incubation lasts for 28 days, and most eggs hatch by mid-June. If their initial clutch is not successful, hens often renest, prolonging the hatch season. It is common for broods to combine as the season progresses, resulting in larger “mixed broods” with multiple adult hens.
Many factors can affect turkey productivity. Poults are sensitive to cool temperatures and rain which can weaken their condition and adversely affect insect populations, a critical source of protein during early development. Because spring weather can be highly variable, annual nesting success and poult survival rates are unpredictable.
Given the relatively short lifespan of turkeys, a large annual increase of young turkeys is needed to sustain populations over time. A robust sample of turkey brood observations reported throughout the summer provides valuable insight into the size of the “graduating class” of turkeys that will go on to become adults.
To learn more about the Turkey Brood Survey, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wild-turkeys-new-hampshire/turkey-surveys.
Wild turkey management and research is made possible by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Restoration Program, a user-pay, user-benefit program supported by purchases of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
