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Delaware Seeking Volunteers for Wild Turkey Count

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - Wildlife officials in Delaware are looking for volunteers to help with a survey to determine how many wild turkeys there are in the state.

Wildlife officials said Monday they're looking for people to help with Delaware's fifth annual wild turkey survey. The data volunteers collect helps biologists track the health and distribution of the estimated 6,000 birds in the state.

Wild turkeys became extinct in Delaware nearly 200 years ago, but wildlife officials re-introduced them into the state starting in 1984. A hunting season for the birds started in 1991.

Wildlife officials say they want volunteers to, during their day-to-day activities, record and report sightings of turkeys. The survey period began July 1 and continues through Aug. 31. Wildlife officials are asking volunteers to submit their results by Sept. 10.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.