Volunteers can participate in state's NWTF project

Although the opening day of Pennsylvania's statewide spring gobbler season is still seven weeks away - Saturday, April 30 - some turkey hunters are already making trips afield with a definite purpose as part of a research project.

A program that was begun by coordinator Jim Panaro of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, it is designed to assist the Pennsylvania Game Commission in wild turkey management by monitoring birds weeks prior to the opening of the season. For many hunters, this has become a social activity involving family members and friends, and, as an added benefit to those who usually prepare breakfasts, often ended with a trip to a local diner.

Participation in the monitoring survey requires a personal computer that is equipped with a program capable to use Excel Spreadsheet. Volunteer cooperators are asked to compile detailed records of birds they hear, birds they see and keep separate records for gobblers and hens.

"Before anyone panics, an Excel Spreadsheet is pretty simple," Panaro said. "It's just a matter of filling in numbers and a little bit of data.

"I would like everyone to try to do all this electronically, but with a large group, it is probable that we have a large range of skill levels in working with these things, and we can work through it.

"Obviously, everyone has e-mail, so that's a good start, and if anyone has questions, all they have to do is contact me. I suggest everyone save the Hunter Coop Survey Daily Record attachment to their computer as is as a master copy and then save it again with a unique name as their personal copy."

Panaro suggests printing out at least two hard copies of the form and keep a handwritten one or multiple copies, with one in their vehicle and one at home. Hand-written data compiled before and during the season should be compiled and the electronic spreadsheet periodically updated.

In addition to the information on the turkeys heard and seen, there is a section for information on hunts for both cooperators and their companions. There is also a section for information about the cooperator, but membership in the NWTF is not a requirement.

"Codes for what to fill in the different columns are shown at the top of the columns, and everyone begins on the same line to record scouting and hunting information, no matter when they start," Panaro said. "Anyone lucky enough to be out there everyday can start a second row.

"I will send out another e-mail to the group in mid-June asking everyone to send their reports back to me. All I ask is that everyone wait patiently while I cut and paste all the information to a master spreadsheet and do some really basic analysis of data.

"I will send a written report back to everyone that participates so they can compare their own findings to the rest of the state. Bear with me if there are any bugs that need worked out, as we are all volunteers learning to do this on our own."

Panaro offered the following tips for those interested in participating in the program:

For those seeing flocks of turkeys, only enter data if there is an accurate count on the number of birds and can provide a good estimate on the split between hens and gobblers. For example, seeing a flock of turkeys while driving and estimating the number should not be done.

Data should be limited to Pennsylvania only for multi-state hunters out there. Information from other states will not help the database.

Do not modify columns or add any columns in the electronic spreadsheet, as there is not time to compile additional data. Anyone who has additional information should send a separate e-mail.

For information on becoming a volunteer cooperator in the PA NWTF Monitoring Program, e-mail Jim Panaro at jpanaro@panwtf.org.