Journal file photo / Mary Murphy
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Anyone who sees wild turkey hens with or without broods is asked to note the date, location and numbers on a turkey brood report form.
The form is available at the Department of Environmental Management's website . Completed forms can be emailed to Brian Teft, principal wildlife biologist, or mail to him at Wild Turkey Project, DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife, 277 Great Neck Road, West Kingston, RI 02892.
The 2012 brood index of 2.6 young per hen surviving until fall was 25 percent below the 10-year average of 3.5 young per hen, the department said in a news release.
The statewide turkey population is estimated at about 3,500 birds. Several years of good productivity is needed to recover.