IDAHO, USA — Idaho Fish and Game staff are launching a special project to understand wild turkey populations in North Idaho.
That project includes strapping leg bands and GPS tracking backpacks to the turkeys to understand their nesting, habitat use and survival. According to Idaho Fish and Game, while some turkey populations are in decline across the United States, the opposite appears to be happening in the Panhandle region.
"By gathering information while turkey populations up here are doing well, we will be better positioned to respond should things change with wild turkeys in the Panhandle," said Micah Ellstrom, regional wildlife manager in the Panhandle Region. "Ultimately, the information gained will better inform harvest and population management of the species into the future.”
Officials said wild turkeys were captured in different locations within Bonner and Kootenai County. Thirty adult hens were outfitted with GPS backpacks and leg bands while more than 120 turkeys were given leg bands.
The hens will be tracked over the next few years to gain a better understanding of their nesting habits and how successful they are. Also, the turkeys' survival methods will be assessed through leg bands encountered by hunters.
During hunting season for wild turkeys, Idaho Fish and Game is reminding hunters to report birds with leg bands to the Panhandle Regional Office at (208) 769-1414. Hunters can keep the band and also learn where their harvest was banded. That information will help Fish and Game better manage the turkeys and provide more hunting opportunities.
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