Andrews credits concerned hunters with aiding the DNR in its investigations. He said hunters who observed the Cheever Lake shootings reported the offense and provided vital information the DNR needed to apprehend the suspects. Andrews said there have been at least 11 known swan shootings in Iowa in the past two years, six in 1997 and five so far this year. After more than five years of successful restoration efforts, Andrews said the killings are a setback to the program. Anyone observing a neck-collared swan is asked to report the date and location of the sighting, numbers or letters on the collar and color to DNR personnel.
Callers can remain anonymous.
Although 1998 wild turkey brood survey counts dipped slightly from last year, figures show the overall wild turkey production remained consistent with the five-year average. Dale Garner, DNR wildlife research biologist, said the statewide survey showed the average number of poults per hen, the percentage of hens with broods and the number of turkeys per flock decreased slightly in 1998. The average number of turkeys per flock dropped from an average 11.7 birds per flock in 1997 to 10.9 in 1998, the number of poults per hen dropped from an average of 5.6 to 4.9 and the percentage of hens with broods dropped from 58 percent to 53. The average number of turkeys per flock this year was 10.9, down 2.7 percent over the five-year average, but the percentage of hens with broods observed this year was up 8.2 percent over that same period. The average number of poults per hen observed in 1998 when compared to the five-year average remained unchanged.