Ohio's game bird biologist seek - and benefit from - input by "citizen scientists" via wild turkey and ruffed grouse observations

 

As imperfect as they may be, late summer counts of wild turkeys and ruffed grouse - and submitted by volunteer observers - remain useful tools in helping Ohio Division of Wildlife decision-makers shape policies and programs for the two species’ benefit.

Each July and August the Wildlife Division conducts these public-supported surveys to help the agency estimate respective population status. They are conducted, says the Wildlife Division during these two months when female birds and their young are most active together.

Biologists have annually tracked summer observations of turkeys since 1962. Grouse were added to the survey in 1999.

Lead Wildlife Division biologist responsible for the annual project is Mark Wiley. A series of questions to Wiley about his work. Here are the questions and Wiley’s responses. They have been edited slightly for length.

Q: How many people usually participate, and are participant numbers holding steady, falling, or increasing?

A: “Over the past five years or so public participation in the survey was gradually waning. The number of wild turkey reports during the months of interest dropped to between 200 to 300 birds. In 2021, our Information and Education section made concerted efforts to increase public participation.”

Q: Likely the reports about turkeys outnumber those for grouse, but is it significant?

A: “Wild turkey reports greatly outnumber ruffed grouse reports for several reasons. Wild turkeys are more widely distributed and can be found in all 88 counties. Turkeys are also more abundant than are ruffed grouse whose distribution is also limited to the most heavily forested areas of eastern and southern Ohio.”

Q: So then, does the counts regarding turkeys reflect the distribution of the species or do you think it's more of a reflection of where birds are being seen?

A: “The number of turkey reports from a specific area of the state is certainly influenced by factors unrelated to turkey abundance, such as landscape and cover type, road density, and human population. Turkeys in a popular urban park are much more likely to be observed than turkeys in a remote forested area. For this reason, among others, we focus on the ratio of poults to hens rather than the total number of observations.

Q: How valuable are the sightings and reports?

A: “Theses sightings and reports are tremendously valuable. Wild turkey reports are used to produce an annual index of reproductive success. This index is one of our most valuable tools in monitoring the status of wild turkeys. This value extends beyond Ohio as nearly all state wildlife agencies across the eastern U.S. conducts the same survey. This helps researchers monitor regional trends in turkey population.”

Q: What about reliability of the counts?

A: “We and other state wildlife agencies using the same protocol consider this survey to be a reliable index of wild turkey population trends. Any survey effort will include some reporting errors resulting from misidentification, incomplete or incorrect counts, typos, etc. We take steps to minimize the occurrence as well as to mitigate their impact on the survey results. The survey’s results are only as good as the data used to produce it, so we hope all participants do their best to provide accurate reports.

Q: Have the surveys ever provided information that came as a surprise to you?

A: “We occasionally receive reports and photos of wild turkey hens with very young poults quite late in the summer. These hens have likely had one or more nest attempts fail earlier in the nesting season but they have tried again in June or July. These late broods offer a reminder for landowners to avoid mowing nesting cover during summer months unless absolutely necessary.”

Q: How many years have the surveys been conducted online?

A: “We have offered an online reporting option since approximately 2009. Online reporting has made it much easier for observers to submit reports and may have also improved the accuracy of reports. With a smart phone in hand, an observer can submit a wildlife report immediately and the observer can include a photo or video with their report quite easily”

Participants are encouraged to submit observations on the Wildlife Division’s  Wildlife Reporting System webpage at wildohio.gov or on the HuntFish OH mobile app. Be sure to record the date and county where the observation occurred.

- By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net

JFrischk4@gmail.com

Ohio offers more than 100 controlled lottery-draw hunts but the odds of being picked are long

 

Sportsmen and sportswomen are being presented with an expansive menu of new options and old delights associated with the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s controlled hunt program.

This program - which begins accepting applications July 1st - features the opportunity to apply for more than 100 hunts, not including possibilities for trapping and the right to erect waterfowl blinds. These hunts cover the entire spectrum of hunting in Ohio: from wild turkey, to archery deer hunting, firearms deer hunting, muzzle-loading deer hunting, hunting for quail, dove, pheasants, squirrels, and waterfowl hunting.

Too, the lottery-controlled system has hunts for mentored pairs, women, youths, mobility challenged, and the general hunting public. The lottery is open to Ohio resident and non-resident hunters.

It’s a far cry from the late 1970s and early 1980s when the Wildlife Division began its controlled hunt program. That is when the offering featured only a quintet of waterfowling possibilities at Mosquito, Magee Marsh, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Killdeer Plains, and Mercer.

Just a word of caution; submitting an application and paying a small fee for each selection is hardly a given that you’re name will be chosen. Odds are long to exceptionally long.

“As the demand goes up, we want to provide as much access opportunity as possible in order to provide each successful applicant to enjoy a quality experience,” says Brian Banbury, executive administrator for the Wildlife Division.”

“And our marketing group works to ensure that people are aware of the program, which is why the Wildlife Division does it best to get the word out.”

And also to not just quantify the hugely varied offerings but likewise to demonstrate the realistic chances of being drawn.

That cold spray of water is addressed for each individual lottery hunt. This is done via the agency’s “Controlled Hunt Page,” which is found within the Wildlife Divisions web site: www.wildohio.gov. Follow the electronic trail to “Hunting And Trapping” and then finish up at the “Controlled Access Lotteries” portal.

This page features a drop-down menu that highlights the 11 main categories. Select which of them you want to look at, click on it for the individual options. Each of these specific choices is highlighted by a “Rules Packet” and a “Results Map.”

That last designation contains the eye-opening part that may make or break one’s decision. Be forewarned, the number of people who applied in 2021 verses the number of available slots can prove discouraging.

Examples abound. For instance, 2,502 people applied for one of the 150 permits available for the Salt Fork archery-only hunt, 4,908 people applied for 132 slots at the James A. Garfield JMTC (formerly called the Ravenna Arsenal) shotgun hunt, and 4,324 applications were processed for 50 permits for the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area’s special muzzle-loading-only deer hunt.

Odds of being selected really were only slightly better for youth-only, women-only and mobility-challenged deer hunts. The one that is designated for women at the James A Garfield site saw 643 applications for only 88 slots. And the mobility challenged hunt at the Castalia Fish Hatchery attracted 202 applications for only eight slots. The youth-only deer hunt for Killdeer Plains attracted 723 applications for just 34 slots.

If for no other reason than for curiosity sake, looking at other hunts can prove sobering. The waterfowl hunt at Magee Marsh, for instance, saw 3,157 applicants for only 124 available permits.

Similarly, small-game hunts saw their fair share of interest as well. At the Indian Lake State Park’s controlled dove hunt, 550 applications were processed for 12 slots, and 705 applications were processed for the Delaware Wildlife Area dove hunt’s 72 slots.

Mind-boggling numbers were especially the rule for the Wildlife Division’s three controlled access pheasant hunts where birds are released. For the Mosquito Creek pheasant hunt, 1,078 applications were submitted for just three openings, while 928 applications were received for the 15 slots awarded at the Urbana Wildlife Area’s stocked pheasant hunt. And though there was just one permit available for the controlled quail hunt at the Crown City Wildlife Area, still 579 people applied.

Even the program’s squirrel hunts attracted a great deal of interest. Eight permits were available for the Hebron Fish Hatchery squirrel hunt but where 347 people applied.

About the best odds seen was for the Caeser Creek youth-only dove hunt. Here, 30 applicants were processed for 10 slots.

But like it’s said for the state lottery: You can’t win if you don’t play.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts by completing the application process online by using the Wildlife Division’s Wildlife Licensing System or via phone at 800-703-1928. There is $5.50 service fee for the phone option. Each hunt requires payment of a non-refundable $3 application fee. Customers may apply for more than one hunt but can only apply to each hunt once per year.

All applicants, youth and adult, are required to possess a valid Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements. Youth hunters must be under 18 at the time of the hunt to participate. Adults must be 18 or older at the time of the application. Those applying for deer hunts will also need a valid deer permit to apply.

The application period is open until July 31. Successful applicants will be notified and provided additional hunt information by Aug. 8, including a permit, rules, and hunting area map.

Each controlled hunt opportunity is unique. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review all site-specific information, including rules and requirements, prior to applying. Application statuses can be viewed through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net

JFrischk4@gmail.com