The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has begun its annual turkey brood surveys that will last through Aug. 31.

Wildlife biologists and volunteers seek to make 3,000 brood observations with a minimum of 25 per county to keep track of changes and growth in the number of birds.

The department is particularly focused on receiving sighting information in southeastern Indiana.

"Some of the better turkey habitat in the state exists" in that region, according to state biologist Steve Backs. However, "Turkey populations appear to have declined in recent years," he said.

That means special note will be taken of the brood survey in that region.