EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is conducting a wild turkey health assessment this spring, and through collaboration with the Minnesota NWTF State Chapter, all participating hunters will be entered in a raffle to win a Winchester SXP Waterfowl Max 7.
“In fall 2024, the MNDNR Wildlife Health Program received numerous reports of turkeys with lesions on their heads,” said Elizabeth Baker, MNDNR wildlife health specialist. “Several of these turkeys were tested for Avian Poxvirus (which is known to circulate in Minnesotan wild turkeys) and Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV, which was not previously known to be circulating in Minnesota, but a disease of concern in southern US states). Surprisingly, all turkeys tested positive for both Avian Poxvirus and LPDV. While these diseases do not infect humans, they may impact survival and reproduction in both wild and domestic turkeys. These detections heightened the need for a better understanding of what pathogens may be circulating in our wild turkeys, which prompted the DNR to initiate a pilot project to assess turkey health.”
The MNDNR is specifically looking for hunters to submit samples from their harvested birds in Turkey Permit Area 507. If the season is successful, MNDNR hopes to expand to a statewide data collection in 2026.
To participate in the health assessment, hunters can request a collection kit here. If a turkey is harvested in Turkey Permit Area 507 during the 2025 spring hunting season, participating hunters will be responsible for collecting the requested samples by following the kit instructions. Hunters will use the kit to send MNDNR the turkey’s head (with a few inches of neck), a portion of the lower leg bone (just above the spur) and information (GPS point or township data). Detailed sampling instructions will be provided in the kit. Test results from the harvested turkey will be given back to the hunter and used in the project’s summary.
Hunters should note that all testing, shipping and sample collection supplies are provided at no cost to hunters. The kits will begin shipping on March 31 and will be shipped within 3 days of request. MNDNR has 600 kits available.
The raffle drawing will take place at the NWTF Strutting Blackbeards Sponsor Dinner on August 15 at 5 p.m., courtesy of the Minnesota NWTF State Chapter. For more information on the raffle, contact Minnesota NWTF State Chapter President Ralph Warzecha at [email protected] or (320)-766-1692.
“The NWTF is grateful that the MNDNR is doing a health assessment on our wild turkey populations before there are any immediate health concerns to address,” said Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologist for Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. “The information from this health assessment will give us important knowledge about what viruses and diseases might be on the landscape and will also give us great information on how to further protect the great number of commercial turkey producers in the state.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
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