Ohioans urged to report wild turkey, grouse sightings

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — Have you seen a wild turkey this summer? ODNR is requesting the public’s help with their annual population surveys.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is asking for Ohioans to report sightings of wild turkeys and ruffed grouse this summer as part of their annual survey.

Community scientists — which can be anyone in the public — should report the number of gobblers, hens and young turkeys seen, along with the number of adult ruffed grouse and their young. In each report, observers should include the date and county of observation, along with any additional details.

Observations can be submitted on the Wildlife Reporting System webpage or on the HuntFish OH app .

Wildlife biologists use public sighting reports observed in July and August to estimate population statuses. Biologists have tracked summer observations of wild turkeys since 1962 and grouse since 1999.

Surveys from 2021, 2022 and 2023 showed increases in turkey populations after several years of below average results. Turkeys are typically seen in the southern and eastern portions of Ohio.

Ruffed grouse are game birds that are chicken-like in appearance. They typically inhabit Ohio’s heavily forested regions, specifically in young, regenerating forests less than 20 years old. Populations have been on the decline, and surveys like this help biological studies.

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