Changes in weights, measurements, scars and locations can be compared before the turtle is released. Adult females are fitted with transmitters that are epoxied to their carapaces. All turtles are released into the ponds from which they were trapped within hours of capture. The object is to traumatize the turtle as little as possible. Any bullfrogs captured are destroyed.
Telemetry begins as soon as there is a female out with a transmitter.
Her location is checked at least once a day until May 15, when the routine changes. At that point, all females are located every two hours from 0900 until 2100 every day until she has nested or until July 15. If a female is out overnight, she will be checked as early as 0500. Many females are also monitored for double clutching. The females at these sites have abundant to unlimited nesting habitat and will go out in all directions to nest.