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Game Commission updates multi‑year wild turkey research: hen study, gobbler survival and fall season model revisions
Summary
Staff described three linked studies—hen population dynamics, gobbler survival/crippling‑loss assessment and a revised fall season decision model—aimed at improving turkey population estimates and season recommendations; results are expected through 2026–2027.
Commission staff outlined an interconnected set of research projects designed to refine Pennsylvania’s wild turkey management and season setting, including a large Mid‑Atlantic collaboration to study hen survival and productivity.
Andrew Ward, game bird section supervisor, presented three projects that will inform season recommendations: a hen population dynamics study (completion estimate mid‑2027), a gobbler survival and hunting mortality study (estimated completion mid‑2026) and a fall season‑setting decision‑model revision (estimated completion fall 2026). “These results will allow us to manage turkey populations more effectively going forward,” Ward said.
The hen study (started in 2022) traps and fits hens with GPS transmitters and collects biological samples to assess habitat use, movement, survival, nest success and disease influences; it is being conducted as a Mid‑Atlantic Wild Turkey Research Collaboration with neighboring states and university partners handling regional analysis. Ward said the collaboration increases sample size and comparability across states.
The gobbler study is examining pre‑season survival and the possibility of crippling loss (when a bird is wounded, not retrieved, and later dies). Over 200 male turkeys have been fitted with GPS transmitters across three years; Penn State also ran a field experiment with volunteer hunters to estimate the frequency of crippling loss in realistic hunting scenarios. Ward said no crippling loss has been detected so far among tracked birds but that the combined methods will allow the team to estimate whether the factor needs integration into population models.
The fall season‑setting decision model will be updated with results from the hen and gobbler work and evaluated using simulation and historical variability to improve fall season recommendations by wildlife management unit.
Ending: Ward said study results will guide habitat recommendations and sampling protocols, and that technical reports and final results will be available as analysis concludes in 2026–2027.
