The Midwest DNRs need your help monitoring their wild turkey populations. Hunters, landowners, outdoor enthusiasts, conservation professionals, and other members of the public can help monitor wild turkey reproduction this summer.

While some states only ask that you report turkey hens with poults (broods) and hens without poults, others ask that you report all wild turkey sightings, including the number of adult females, young turkeys or poults, adult males, and birds of unknown age or sex.

Several states ask that you report your 2026 observations online from July 1 until Aug. 31. These reports help track annual reproduction, poult survival, and broad population trends across each state.

Summer observations are one of the few statewide sources of information on wild turkey reproduction outside of the spring hunting season. Even a single reported observation helps the DNR evaluate wild turkey productivity and is considered alongside spring harvest, hunter success, permit data, weather, habitat conditions, and other information when assessing wild turkey status and management needs.

Poults began hatching in May and will continue to hatch over the next several months throughout the Midwest. Reporting observations takes only a few minutes, and most states have a simple online form to fill out. Here are the links for several of the Midwestern DNR wild turkey surveys:

Illinois:

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/dab52803edd24b61bfbc6eb8110db0bb

Indiana:

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/wild-turkey/turkey-brood-reporting/.

Michigan:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hunting/turkey/turkey-brood-survey

Minnesota:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildlife/sightings/brood-survey.html

Wisconsin:

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/GameBirdBroodObservations