The Wildlife Resources Section and the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) conduct an annual survey of spring gobbler hunters each spring.  The survey is conducted entirely by volunteer sportsmen that donate their time and effort to gather information to help the DNR manage the wild turkey resource in the State.  The West Virginia Chapter sends survey forms to its members, pays for printing of the survey, and the Wildlife Resources Section of the DNR compiles the data and writes a report which is sent to cooperators.

 

During 2002, results were compiled from 305 hunters.  Cooperators hunted 11,217 hours and heard 5,082 gobblers. The gobbling rate (45 gobblers heard per 100 hours) was lower than 2001 (77), and was 18% lower than the 20-year average.  The survey showed that the best gobbling in 2002 occurred in the western and Eastern Panhandle counties.

Cooperators in the survey learn about gobbling and hunting conditions each year.  The survey also provides DNR biologists important data not only on wild turkeys but also ruffed grouse, coyote, overwinter losses of wild turkeys and white-tailed deer, and a host of other information.  The survey continues to provide an important forum for hunters to express their opinions and ideas.  Each year questions proposed by hunters are surveyed, and a report is prepared and provided to each cooperator. 

Any hunter wanting to receive a copy of the annual report needs to participate in the survey.  Spring gobbler hunters wanting to help with the survey are encouraged to contact Jim Pack, Wildlife Biologist, P. O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241; telephone (304) 637-0245, fax (304)637-0250, or E-mail   Those wanting to participate will be sent the necessary forms and a questionnaire prior to the spring hunting season.  As mentioned in the past, the survey is easy to conduct.  A hunter does not have to harvest a gobbler to provide useful  data.  Most of the information collected deals with what a hunters hears, sees, or has an opinion on.

Written by James C. Pack