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> Forwarded message from "N.H. Fish and Game" ---
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>
> News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
> Phone: (603) 271-3211
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> For information and online licenses, visit http://www.wildnh.com
>
> * * * * * * *
>
> CONTACT:
> Ted Walski: 603-352-9669
> Jane Vachon: 603-271-3211
> August 5, 2013
>
>
> PUBLIC ASKED TO REPORT AUGUST WILD TURKEY SIGHTINGS
>
> CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is  
> urging people to report sightings of hen turkeys, with or without  
> young, from now through the end of August through its web-based  
> turkey brood survey at http://www.wildnh.com/turkeybroodsurvey.
>
> $E3August tends to be the most important month in the summer survey, 
> $E4 said Fish and Game biologist Ted Walski. $E3By August, those  
> young who have survived are likely to become adults, so these  
> sightings provide the best index to the summer breeding productivity. 
> $E4
>
> Most sightings will be of $E3multiple hen$E4 broods during August.	 
> It is common for hen turkeys to join together with their young later  
> in the summer.  This joint brood flock will often have poults of  
> various sizes.  Also, hens that have not successfully nested or that  
> have lost their young will join a brood flock and act as a foster  
> mother.
>
> $E3Don't be surprised to observe some broods in August and September  
> with small poults the size of quail or pigeons," explained Walski.   
> "Re-nesting is common with wild turkeys.  If something causes nest  
> destruction or abandonment during May/June, the majority of hens  
> will go and lay another clutch of eggs and hatch out in July or  
> August.$E4
>
> Last summer's survey yielded a total of 1,119 turkey broods reported  
> from all parts of the state between May and August. So far, more  
> than 400 turkey brood sightings have been reported.
>
> "We're probably going to see fewer poults per hen this year because  
> of the wet weather during the nesting period," said Walski. "Another  
> factor is that frequent rains have delayed the hay harvest in some  
> areas, making turkeys harder to spot in the fields."
>
> Some helpful background for turkey observers: The term $E3brood$E4  
> refers to a family group of young turkeys accompanied by a hen. New  
> Hampshire hens generally begin laying eggs from mid-April to early  
> May and complete their clutch of about 12 eggs in early to mid-May.
>
> Incubation lasts for 28 days, and most nests hatch from late May to  
> mid-June. If incubating turkey eggs are destroyed or consumed by  
> predators, hens often lay a replacement clutch of eggs that hatch  
> late June through late August.
>
> Many thanks to all who have reported hens with young turkeys so far  
> this year! NH Fish and Game appreciates all turkey brood  
> observations reported by volunteers, as the information helps  
> greatly in determining how successful turkey nesting was for the  
> year, and also helps in determining the distribution and abundance  
> of wild turkeys throughout the state.
>
> The reporting period runs until August 31 and results will be posted  
> on the Fish and Game website this fall. To report your turkey brood  
> observations, go to http://www.wildnh.com/turkeybroodsurvey.
>
> Wildlife research and management in New Hampshire is funded in part  
> by Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, a user-pay, user-benefit  
> program supported by your purchase of firearms, ammunition and  
> archery equipment.
>
> - ### -
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