How to participate in the 2012 Spring Gobbler Hunter Survey

A trio of longbeards the author called in for himself and his nephews on the same morning hunt in Southwest Mississippi. (L-R: Caleb Covington, Cliff Covington, Casey Covington)

The Spring Gobbler Hunter Survey (SGHS) was initiated in 1996 as a means of collecting long-term data on turkey activity and population numbers. The success of the survey is largely due to voluntary participation by hunters who are interested in assisting with turkey conservation within the state.

From this dataset, biologists at the MDWFP gain valuable information on statewide and regional trends in gobbling activity, hunter effort, harvest rates, age structure and sex ratios. This knowledge ultimately helps the MDWFP make management decisions that link the interests of the sportsmen with the wise use of the state’s turkey resource. Participation in this process allows Mississippi hunters a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the conservation and management of turkeys in Mississippi.

If you have never participated in the SGHS, but would like to become involved, contact one of the MDWFP Turkey Program biologists listed below. Your efforts will assist the MDWFP in monitoring Mississippi’s turkeys and making decisions in the best interest of the resource and hunters.

For questions, or to participate in the SGHS, contact Dave Godwin at dgodwin@CFR.msstate.edu or (662) 324-3798, or Adam Butler at butler.mdwfp@gmail.com or (601) 695-6795.

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