The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking the public to contribute to its annual survey of wild turkey flocks. People who see groups of five or more turkeys from now until the end of March are encouraged to submit information on the N.H. Fish and Game website.

Wildlife biologists say this public input helps them get a read on wild turkey behavior, health, and habitat. Last year, volunteer turkey watchers submitted nearly 500 reports of nearly 10,000 turkeys. Some of the flocks were as large as 150 turkeys.

Mark Ellingwood, chief of Wildlife at New Hampshire Fish and Game, says the data can't be used statistically, but it’s still an important part of their monitoring process.

“It provides us with a broad general understanding of what the public is experiencing and provides us with some insight as to how the winter is treating our turkey flock,” he says.