Steve Backs is a wild turkey biologist with the department. He tells The (Bloomington) Herald-Times personnel reductions have led to fewer staffers who can survey wildlife in the field, including wild turkeys.

In response, the department is hanging posters in various federal offices, county fairs and conservation clubs asking people who see wild turkeys to report how many online.

Backs says it’s “important to have accurate reports of where the birds are located and how many are living in those areas.” He says that information tells biologists if there are problems for the turkeys, such as lack of habitat.

___