GAME BIRD BROOD OBSERVATIONS CAN BE REPORTED ONLINE

MADISON, Wis., June 14 -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release:

Outdoor enthusiasts and hunters can help the state monitor the brood production of a variety of game birds including ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, turkey, bobwhite quail, gray partridge, prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse by reporting brood sightings to the Department of Natural Resources via an online survey. The 2011 Game Bird Brood survey period runs June 12 through August 20.

"This survey provides the department with an estimate of game bird brood production during the summer and is similar to a survey run by department personnel," said Brian Dhuey a DNR research scientist. "Combined with other spring surveys and harvest information it can help us determine the overall status of game birds in the state."

During the survey period, the DNR is asking citizens to report the type of bird seen, the county it was seen in, and the number of hens and chicks observed on the online survey form. Observers are asked to not include multiple observations if the same brood is being seen repeatedly.

"Observations can be recorded at the end of every day or, for times when you do not have access to the Internet and would like to keep track of your observations, a tally sheet (pdf) has been provided to help record sightings," says Dhuey.

During the summer of 2010, citizens reported 950 observations of wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, prairie chicken, sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge and bobwhite quail broods. The most frequently observed game bird species were wild turkey (765 observations) and ruffed grouse (117 observations).

Questions about the Game Bird Brood Observation survey, accessing the tally sheet, reporting your observation, or the results of the survey, can be referred to Brian Dhuey at (608) 221-6342. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Brian Dhuey, 608/221-6342