Wild Turkey Science

In this episode, we walk you through the steps on managing your fallow fields for turkey and deer. We cover the plants we're after and those we want to manage against, as well as herbicide preparation, broadcast application, timing of management, and more.

Resources:

iNaturalist

Seek App

We manage DEER food plots for TURKEYS (video)

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

We've laun...

Dr. Craig Harper returns to share insights on how sloped topography affects plant communities, wild turkey use, and management strategies for both turkey and deer. 

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Dr. Craig Harper (Website)

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! 

Dr. Ma...

In this episode, we reveal results from our latest research analyzing the role of hen survival in turkey population dynamics.

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

WATCH this episode (here)!

Resources:

Pre-Print: Lashley et al. (2025) Female Wild turkey survival meta-analysis

Byrne, M. E., et al. (2015). Potential density dependence in wild turkey productivity in the southeastern United States. In Proceedings of the National Wild...

In this conversation, Will leads us through the available research on the effectiveness of predator bounty programs.

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Resources:

Bartel, R. A., & Brunson, M. W. (2003). Effects of Utah's coyote bounty program on harvester behavior. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 736-743.

Ditchkoff, S. S., et al. (2017). Effectiveness of a bounty program for reducing wild pig densities. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 41(3), 548-555.

Gosli...

Join as we explore and critique ChatGPT's answers to why wild turkeys are declining. Submit your prompt to wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! 

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Resources:

Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Frequent prescribed burns reduce mammalian species richness and occurrence in longleaf pine sandhills. Forest Ecology and Management, 553, 121596.

Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Robust assessment of associations between weather and eastern wild turkey nest success. The Journ...

In this episode, we discuss the overlaps and tradeoffs between managing your property for both deer and turkey. 

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Resources:

Auburn TFT Habitat Management Day

Turner, M. A., et al. (2024). Influence of mowing and herbicide application on white-tailed deer use of perennial forage plantings. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 11, 76-82.

We've launched a comp...

We've brought back our episode with Dudley Phelps, Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries plant expert and co-host of the Gamekeeper Podcast, to learn about his go-to species and successful strategies for planting trees to attract turkeys.

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Resources:

Boggess, C. M., et al. (2021). Facultative seed predators drive community-level indirect effects of mast seeding. Forest Ecology and Management, 502, 119713.

Harper, C. A., et al. (2021). Plan...

Forester and wildlife biologist Jordan Nanney continues the conversation on hardwood timber sale evaluation. He breaks down the first steps landowners should take, common mistakes made, what to avoid, and ways landowners can protect themselves. Check out the first part of this conversation (here).

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Resources: 

NRCS Programs & Initiatives

Jordan Nanney Jordan.Nanney@CompassSouth.com

Compass South Forestry https://compasssouthforestry.com/ 

We are joined by forester and wildlife biologist Jordan Nanney for an overview of hardwood timber markets and a breakdown of how landowners can sell their timber under various product classes. 

WATCH this episode (here)!

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

Resources: 

Brooke, J. M., et al. (2019). Effects of fertilization and crown release on white oak (Quercus alba) masting and acorn quality. Forest Ecology and Management, 433, 305-312.

 <...

We're bringing back a popular episode where we boiled down the key areas of focus for improving turkey habitat and connectivity on your property. 

Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab

WATCH this episode (here)

Resources:

Conventional vs. Regenerative Ag #79

Food plotting in nature's image #84

I lease land…what about me? #12

Which plants for brooding cover? #141

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring expe...

In this episode, we are joined by forest manager Michael Heatherly who walks us through the steps landowners should take when managing pine timber on their properties. 

Michael Heatherly mheatherly@sizemore1949.com

Sizemore & Sizemore https://sizemoretimber.com/

Resources:

Association of Consulting Foresters

Society of American Foresters

00:00 Introduction to Forest Management and Wildlife Objectives

03:12 Understanding Landowner Objectives and Initial Steps

05:59 The Role of Thinning and Clear Cutting in Habitat Management

09:03 Timber Harvesting: Economic Considerations and Market Dyna...

In this episode, we discuss what you should be thinking about and implementing on your property for turkeys right now. 

WATCH this episode here!

Resources:

Guide to Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants, Dr. Craig Harper

00:00 Introduction and Banter

02:55 Habitat-Centric Discussions

05:55 Fishing Adventures and Insights

08:48 Turkey Management Strategies

11:45 Field Management for Turkeys

14:48 Importance of Early Successional Cover

17:36 Burning and Timber Harvest Planning

28:53 Expanding the Burn Window

30:15 Increasing Sunlight for T...

We discuss the importance of firebreaks for turkey hunting and habitat management, exploring the various types of firebreaks, their strategic uses, and practical tips for effective management. 

 WATCH this episode here!

Resources: What would Lovett do? #124

00:00:00 – Intro 

00:01:18 – Chitter chatter 

00:02:00 – Choosing Firebreaks

00:04:00 – Wildlife Value of Planted Firebreaks

00:06:00 – Designing Firebreaks for Habitat & Access

00:08:00 – Common Misconceptions about Firebreaks

00:12:00 – Real-world Examples from the Field

00:20:00 – Regional Variation & Turkey Use

00:26:00 – Seasonal Management & Prescribed Fire

00:34:00 – Integrating Firebreaks into Larger Mana...

In this episode, we discuss progress that we're seeing on private lands management. 

WATCH this episode here!

Resources: 

Fundraising Banquet (to enter into the online raffles, click on 'Get Tickets' and then scroll down to the 'Add-ons')

Has turkey habitat changed? | #21

Turner, M. A., et al. (2021). Mixture of triclopyr and imazapyr more effective than triclopyr alone for hardwood forest stand improvement. Forest Science, 67(1), 43-48.

Which plants for brooding cover? | #142 

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that spec...

We're bringing back our episode on indicator plants for evaluating successful brood field management. 

WATCH this episode here!

Resources:

iNaturalist

Seek

Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses

Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants

GeFellers, J. et al. (2020). Seeding is not always necessary to restore native early successional plant communities. Restoration Ecology, 28(6), 1485-1494.

Powell, B. L., et al. (2022). Vegetation structure and food availability following disturbance in recently restored early successional plant communities. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 46(5), e1372.

Dr. Zach Steele and Dorothy Dick, key creators for our online wild turkey training, join us to discuss the production of the course. Join as they share insights into the research and development, the expert contributors that shaped the course content, feedback received from constituents, challenges faced during filming, and the memorable moments that made the project enjoyable. 

WATCH this episode here!

Dr. Zachary Steele Publications

Dorothy Dick @peep_the_poult

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in hab...

Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat features experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. This course is intended to be comprehensive, leading you through advanced concepts in habitat management, predator management, disease, and population management.

The course offers continuing education credits (CEUs) available through The Wildlife Society and the Society of American Foresters. We made the course online so you can take it on your own time, at your own pace, wherever you are! 

Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManager

We're bringing back our episode discussing the multifaceted effects of fire on wild turkey survival and how a new approach could knock off two objectives with one flame. 

WATCH this episode here!

Resources:

Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Frequent prescribed burns reduce mammalian species richness and occurrence in longleaf pine sandhills. Forest Ecology and Management, 553, 121596.

Fire University #13 - How fire affects predators, ft. Dr. Michael Cherry

Jones, D. D., et al. (2004). Prescribed fire and raccoon use of longleaf pine forests: implications for managing nest predation?. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 32(4), 1255-1259. Duration: 01:16:41

Today's conversation offers a unique window into the intricate world of poults. We are joined by Eva Noroski, Field Coordinator for the UF Game Lab, as she shares insights into poult development, growth rates, behavior, vocalization, social dynamics, social bonding, and more. 

WATCH this episode here!

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! 

Eva Noroski @eva_noroski, Contact

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_guls...

We're bringing back Dr. Craig Harper's step-by-step guide on how to create quality brooding and nesting cover on your property. 

Resources:

Gruchy, J. P. (2007). An evaluation of field management practices to improve bobwhite habitat.

Gruchy, J. P., & Harper, C. A. (2014). Effects of field management practices on northern bobwhite habitat. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 1(1), 133-141.

Johnson, V. M., et al. (2022). Nest site selection and survival of wild turkeys in Tennessee. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 9, 134-143.

Kilburg, E. L., e...

In this episode, we review trending data across hunter age, hunter recruitment, decoy use, and reaping as Dr. Zach Steele, Post-doctoral associate and interdisciplinary ecologist specializing in human dimensions, walks us through his newest publication. 

Resources:

Harris, A. (2006). Turkey hunting in 2006: an analysis of hunter demographics, trends, and economic impacts. USFWS Report, 7.

Maryland Spring Turkey Hunter Survey – Results Summary. August 2017

Steele, Z.T., & M.A. Lashley. (2025). Reviewing human dimensions of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting research and synthesizing future directions. Zenodo.

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fis...

In this episode, we explore the findings of a recent state of the bird report, highlighting the interconnectedness and decline of species across ecosystems.

Resources:

Merlin Bird ID

Rosenberg, K. V., et al. (2019). Decline of the North American avifauna. Science, 366(6461), 120-124.

Seek app (by iNaturalist)

State of the Birds Report: United States of America

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! 

Dr. Mar...

In this episode, Marcus shares insights from his personal experience being imprinted upon by a brood of turkey poults. Join as he shares details of the imprinting process, critical factors affecting the survival and growth of poults, rapid behavioral changes as they grow, what has surprised him the most so far, and more.

Check out the footage in this episode's YouTube video: https://youtu.be/j9aO4WzAd1s

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now!  Duration: 01:03:26

In this episode, we walk through Will's new publication researching the effects of prescribed fire on artificial wild turkey nest survival. Join as we dive into the complexities of nest predation, the impact of fire management on nesting success, the relationship between canopy cover and fire, limitations of study designs, and more.

Resources:

Burning during nesting | Ep 19

McInnis, M. G., et al. (2025). The Effects of Prescribed Fire on Artificial Wild Turkey Nest Survival in Closed‐Canopy Mixed Hardwood Forest. Ecology and Evolution, 15(5), e71410.

Quehl, J. O., et al. (2024). Assessing wild turkey pr...

Today we're talking turkeys in Oklahoma with Marcus Thibodeau and Eric Suttles, wild turkey biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Join as they disclose the status of subspecies across the state, harvest rates, seasons dates, habitat challenges across the state, successful and unsuccessful restocking efforts,  on-going research, assistance for landowners, and more.

Resources:

Online Prescribed Fire Course

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! 

Marcus Thibodeau (Conta...

Dr. Kelly O'Neil breaks down details of our latest research project focused on poult behavior and development. Join as she walks us step-by-step through a poult's life - from egg collection to incubation, hatching, imprinting, and development until flight.

Watch this episode (filled with poult footage) on our YouTube!

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! 

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Tu...

We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. This course is intended to be comprehensive, leading you through advanced concepts in habitat management, predator management, disease, and overall population management. We made the course online so you can take it on your own time, at your own pace, wherever you are! 

Enroll Now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManager

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

Today, we are covering the Florida Wild Turkey Cost-Share program. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Forest Service, and National Wild Turkey Federation have teamed up to put millions into improving turkey habitat on over one million acres of public hunting ground in the state.

Resources:

Wild Turkey Cost Share Program

Florida's Wild Turkey Cost-Share Program

New, comprehensive online wild turkey course launching - Pre-enroll now!

Juliana Ofalt (Contact) 

Ricky Lackey (Contact)

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gul...

Join us by the campfire as we swap hunting stories from this year's season - discussing hunting strategy, gear reliability, density index for gobbling activity, and reflecting upon what it means to make the most of a close call. 

New, comprehensive online wild turkey course launching - Pre-enroll now!

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have a...

In this episode, we dive into the controversies and complexities of decoy use while turkey hunting. Join as we discuss the biological implications of using decoys, trends in decoy adoption among hunters, the relationship between decoy usage and hunter success, preliminary results from Will's study, and more.

Resources:

Butler, A. B., & Wang, G. (2022). Connecting hunt outcomes to the demographics, behaviors, and experiences of wild turkey hunters in Mississippi. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 46(2), e1268.

Deer & Turkey Hunting Survey (Dr. Zachary Steele)

Pre-enroll for our online wild turkey training course!

Ep 65 | Snoods...

Over 700 birds studied, 400 nesting attempts monitored, 100 broods followed, and in collaboration with over 250 landowners…all on private lands?!  In today's episode, we are joined by Hannah Plumpton and Chris Kreh, Upland Game Bird Biologist and Assistant Chief for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. They disclose preliminary results from their massive statewide turkey research project across North Carolina, and share trends across harvest, population, nesting success, survival rates, and policy regulations.

Resources:

Game and Furbearer Program

Highlights from the North Carolina Wild Turkey Ecology Research Project 2020–2024

How to measure turkey nesting cover...

How much area are these gobblers using? What does the literature say? Join us as we dive into the published science on home ranges for each subspecies and share preliminary results from our research tracking Osceola movement. 

Resources:

Cohen, B. S., et al. (2015). Space use, movements, and habitat selection of translocated eastern wild turkeys in northwestern Louisiana. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 11, pp. 165-174).

Craft, R. A. (1986). Characteristics and use of wild turkey roost sites in southcentral South Dakota.

Davis, A., et al. (2018). Landscape-abundance relationships of male E...

Welp, he would sit in the blind for hours on end next to a nesting hen to collect intricate details about her every move and behavior. Listen in as we cover all aspects of his pioneering nest behavior work.

Resources:

DrDisturbance #WildTurkeyHistory (video series)

Ideal Nesting Cover | Ep 121

Illumination in the Flatwoods, by Joe Hutto

Little House in the Flatwoods | Ep 87

The Book of the Wild Turkey, by Lovett Williams

You Need to Monitor Nesting Cover (video)

Donate to wild turkey r...

Will leads us on another deep dive, this time focused on roosting behavior. Join as we journey through the available literature on roost site habitat preferences, roosting behavior, factors influencing roost site selection, roosting patterns, roost site fidelity, and the impact of habitat quality on their movements. 

Resources:

Adey, E. A., et al. (2023). Seasonal roost selection of wild turkeys at their northern range edge. Wildlife Biology, 2024(1), e01133.

Byrne, M. E., et al. (2015). Potential density dependence in wild turkey productivity in the southeastern United States. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 11, p...

Will walks us through a thought experiment, pulling from his Wild Turkey Management Academy presentation, to portray the magnitude effect that quality habitat has on gobbler populations. Join us for napkin math as we break down the numbers on how comprehensive habitat quality affects nesting success, brood survival, and wild turkey populations.

Resources:

Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2 (2023): e9830.

Porter, W. F. (1992). Habitat analysis and assessment. The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management, 187.

Speake, Daniel W...

Strap in for another research review as we dive into scientific studies assessing characteristics of effective nesting sites. We discuss the critical aspects of nesting cover for wild turkeys, the dilemma of habitat preference versus availability, and the implications of these factors on turkey population success.

Resources:

What does wild turkey nesting cover look like? (video)

Crawford, J. C., et al. (2021). Wild turkey nest success in pine‐dominated forests of the southeastern United States. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 85(3), 498-507.

Everett Jr., D. D. (1982). Factors limiting populations of wild turkeys on st...

Dr. Craig Harper re-joins the podcast to share preliminary results from his on-going research comparing dormant, early-, mid-, and late-growing season fire treatments and assessing their effects on plant communities and wildlife, including turkeys and deer.

Resources:

Gruchy, J. P. (2007). An evaluation of field management practices to improve bobwhite habitat.

Gruchy, J. P., & Harper, C. A. (2014). Effects of field management practices on northern bobwhite habitat. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 1(1), 133-141.

Harper, C. A., et al. (2016). Fire effects on wildlife in the Central Hardwoods and Appalachian...

Dr. Corey Callaghan, Assistant Professor of Wild Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, joins us to discuss the dynamics of citizen science and how data collected by bird watchers and turkey hunters can contribute to wildlife research. Be sure to download the eBird app in the show notes below to help us double the turkey observations this season!

Resources:

Callaghan, C. T., et al. (2021). Global abundance estimates for 9,700 bird species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Deer University

eBird

Florida Wildlife Corridor 

iN...

Bob Long, Wild Turkey and Upland Game Bird Project Manager for the Maryland DNR, joins us to share insights on the state's turkey populations, historical trends, current challenges, and details on their on-going comprehensive, multi-state wide turkey research project.

Resources:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Turkey Hunting Season and Regulations

MD Wild Turkey Information (including Summer Survey)

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or...

Emily Rushton, Turkey Program Coordinator for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, joins us to discuss the current status of turkey populations in the state, as well as trends in hunting and harvest data. 

Resources:

Avid Hunter/Harvest Card Survey (fill out after each hunt)

Interactive Turkey Harvest Dashboard

Poult Production Survey (record all turkey observations, with or without poults, in June, July, and August)

Poult Survey Dashboard 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Do you have...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of turkey advocacy and conservation efforts within the hunting community. Join as we explore the various actions that you can take to support wild turkey populations, resources for hands-on training and workshops, and the importance of engaging with the next generation to ensure the future of the wild turkey.

Resources:

Ducks Unlimited

I lease land…what about me? | #12

National Deer Association

National Wild Turkey Federation

NWTF Gator Gobblers

Quail Forever

Turkeys for Tomorrow

...

John Gruchy re-joins the podcast to break down the steps and requirements you need to get fire on your property. We discuss the essential equipment needed, legal liability considerations, resources and financial support available, tips for success, and why burning is imperative for the wild turkey. 

Resources:

Martin, J. A., et al. (2012). Wild turkey habitat use in frequently-burned pine savanna. Forest Ecology and Management, 285, 179-186.

MDWFP Private Lands Programs

National Deer Association

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NRCS Programs & Initiatives

Tall Timbers

In this episode, we answer your questions. Join as we discuss the ecological impacts of hurricanes on turkeys survival rates and nesting success, ideal fire return intervals for nesting cover, the impacts of deer on vegetation and how this affects turkey populations, the importance of fire timing in habitat dynamics, and the challenges of recruiting young hunters into the turkey hunting culture.

Resources:

Byrne, M. E. (2013). Nesting ecology of wild turkeys in a bottomland hardwood forest. The American Midland Naturalist, 170(1), 95-110.

How do hurricanes affect birds?

How do hurricanes affect deer?<...

In this episode, we reflect upon our experiences and insights from 2024. We share our top episodes, theme highlights, the emergence of new research in turkey science, and our ambitious wild turkey goals for 2025. 

We're calling on audience engagement to help shape future content! Let us know what you want to hear and how you want to engage with us by emailing wildturkeyscience@gmail.com.

Resources:

Has turkey habitat changed? | Ep 21

Habitat vs. predator control | Ep 63

Snoods, feathers, and the Turkey Brotherhood | Ep 65

Habitat management = predator management | Ep 66

We continue the gobbling activity conversation as Will walks us through the available research on the complex dynamics between habitat management, gobbling activity, and the overall health of turkey populations. We explore the significance of early successional cover, the impact of vegetation composition on gobbling rates, the challenges of researching gobbling, and our upcoming research that can help address some of these questions. If you haven't listened to Part 1 of this episode, we recommend listening to Episode 111 before returning to this episode. 

@davidfolker5850 please email wildturkeyscience@gmail.com  to claim your signed potcall! 

Resources:

B...

Grab a notepad and pen, because today we're diving into the complex factors influencing gobbling activity. In this Part 1 segment, Will walks us through the available literature on the seasonal patterns of gobbling, the relationship between gobbling activity and reproduction, the influence of weather and environmental conditions, the impact of hunting pressure, and more. Stay tuned for Part 2, releasing next Monday.

@davidfolker5850 please email wildturkeyscience@gmail.com  to claim your signed potcall! 

Resources:

Bevill, W. V., Jr. 1973. Some factors influencing gobbling activity among turkeys. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Game and...

Dr. Colter Chitwood is back on to break down the unique population dynamics of the wild turkey. Join as we explore which vital rates are significant to turkey population trajectories, impacts of boom bust cycles on reproductive success, the interplay between reproductive parameters and hen survival, why high reproduction rates may not compensate for low hen survival, what this all means for wild turkey management.

Resources:

Bieber, C., & Ruf, T. (2005). Population dynamics in wild boar Sus scrofa: ecology, elasticity of growth rate and implications for the management of pulsed resource consumers. Journal of A...

By popular demand, we sit down to explore the significance and functional role of the passenger pigeon. Join as we dive into the available literature on the history and ecological importance of passenger pigeons, learning how they shaped ecosystems and oak forest dynamics, how these historical disturbances can give insight into our management practices today, what this means for turkeys, and more. 

Resources:

Blockstein, D. E., and H. B. Tordoff. 1985. Gone forever: a contempo-rary look at the extinction of the passenger pigeon. American Birds39:845–851

Ellsworth, J. W., & McCOMB, B. C. (2003). Potential effects of pas...

We are joined by Zak Danks, Wild Turkey & Ruffed Grouse Program Coordinator for the state of Kentucky, to discuss the state's wild turkey status. Join as he walks us through restoration effort history, harvest rate trends, ongoing research (including unpublished poult-per -hen data), impacts of cicada hatches, habitat challenges, season structures, and more. 

Resources:

Filson, J. (2017). The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucky (1784)

Zak Danks zak.danks@ky.gov

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, YT, FB, IG

Donate to wild turkey rese...

Today we are joined by Nick Thomas and Weston Thompson from Steward Link, a consultation company focused on helping landowners gain access to USDA conservation programs. Join as they breakdown the application process, eligibility requirements, available financial assistance, regional differences, common barriers to entry, complexities of government contracts, and much more. If you're a landowner, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Resources:

NRCS Programs & Initiatives

Steward Link 

Phone: 662-535-0233

FB, IG, X

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Don...

In this episode, we delve into the ecological significance of the American chestnut tree with Sara Fitzsimmons, Chief Conservation Officer for The American Chestnut Foundation. Join as we explore its history, ecological importance, challenges faced due to habitat change and disease, on-going conservation efforts, and how you can get involved in its ecological restoration. 

Resources:

Diamond, S. J., et al. (2000). Hard mast production before and after the chestnut blight. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, 24(4), 196-201.

The American Chestnut Foundation

The American Chestnut Foundation: Growing Chestnuts

Tree Snapp Ap...

In this episode, we review the available research on wild pig competition for acorns and their impact on competing wildlife species. We discuss the concept of competitive exclusion, the role of acorns in the diets of various species, the implications of pig removal on ecosystem dynamics, and what this means for turkeys.

Resources:

Anderson, W. M., et al. (2018). Using DNA metabarcoding to examine wild pig (Sus scrofa) diets in a subtropical agro-ecosystem. In Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference (Vol. 28, No. 28).

Bieber, C., & Ruf, T. (2005). Population dynamics in wild boar Sus scrofa: ecology...

You asked and we listened. In this episode, we are joined by Luke Garver, Wild Turkey Project Manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to discuss the current state of the wild turkey in Illinois. We dive into long-term population trends, environmental factors impacting reproduction, predator-prey dynamics, habitat challenges posed by invasive species, on-going research initiatives, and more. 

Resources:

IL DNR Wild Turkey Survey

IDNR Turkey Survey App

huntillinois.org/turkey

Parker, C., et al. (2021). Pyrodiversity matters: wild turkey habitat selection in a fire managed landscape. Fo...

In this episode, we dive into the available literature on wildlife preferences for acorns. We review the dietary composition of turkeys, factors influencing acorn consumption, how various wildlife species select for specific acorns, and highlight the complex interconnectedness of these ecological processes. 

Resources:

Barras, S. C., et al. (1996). Acorn selection by female wood ducks. The Journal of wildlife management, 592-602.

Boggess, C. M., et al. (2022). Exposure to fire affects acorn removal by altering consumer preference. Forest Ecology and Management, 508, 120044.

Oak Forest Ecosystems

Pérez-Ramos, I. M., et al. (2007). Acorn re...

Will leads us on a detailed dive into the intricacies of herbicide management. Join as we delve into the uses and applications of selective herbicides for habitat management and forest stand improvement, associated risks with herbicide use, specific chemicals for invasive species, proper application techniques, mitigating nutsedge, and more.

Resources:

Managing hardwoods for turkeys (Part 1/2) | #52

Managing hardwoods for turkeys (Part 2/2) | #53

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a r...

Marcus walks us through his comprehensive oak study quantifying seasonal oak masting patterns and wildlife response. Join as he breaks down the methodology, findings, and implications of the research, and learn how oaks play a critical role in wildlife management.

Resources:

Demeny, K. M., et al. (2024). Intra-annual variation in oak masting affects wildlife feeding behavior. Current Zoology, zoae026.

Tree plantings for turkeys | #95

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a...

For our 100th episode, we review (and react to) some memorable moments recorded throughout the last few years. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Here's to 100 more!

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a...

For the first episode in our Oaktober mini-series, we discuss the general biology of oaks. Listen as we breakdown the definition of mast seeding, the proximate and ultimate causes of masting, the direct and indirect effects it has on wildlife, local and regional scale masting effects, the differences in quality between oak species, the squirrel death games, and more.

Resources:

Bogdziewicz, M., et al. (2023). Maximizing the Moran effect: summer solstice orchestrates the subcontinental-scale synchrony of mast seeding.

Bogdziewicz, et al. (2023). Mechanisms driving interspecific variation in regional synchrony of trees re...

Our producer Charlotte drops by to read us some questions and comments from our YouTube audience. Be sure to leave us a comment on this episode's YouTube video for a chance to win a turkey call! Signed by yours truly.

Resources:

1st National Wild Turkey Symposium (1959)

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

Dr. Marc...

Matt McDonough, PhD student at Auburn University, walks us through his master's project assessing how wild pig densities impact turkeys and their poults. Join as he breaks down his study's experimental design and results, and learn of Matt's key takeaways for landowners curious about the efficacy of pig removal on turkey populations across their property.

Resources:

McDonough, M. T. (2023). Population response of eastern wild turkeys and white-tailed deer to removal of wild pigs (Master's thesis, Auburn University).

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

In this episode, we dive deep into the literature on coyotes and explore the impacts of their interactions with turkeys. Join as we delve into the science of coyote predator-prey dynamics, the expansion of coyote populations across North America, their diets and impacts on turkey populations, research conducted on the efficacy of trapping, and more. 

Resources:

Cherry, M. J., et al. (2016). Coyote diets in a longleaf pine ecosystem. Wildlife Biology, 22(2), 64-70.

Conner, L. M., et al. (2016). Predator exclusion as a management option for increasing white‐tailed deer recruitment. The Journal of Wild...

Dudley Phelps, Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries plant expert and co-host of the Gamekeeper Podcast, joins us to dish out details on tree plantings for turkeys. Learn of Dudley's go-to species - both early and late successional - for attracting turkeys,  what landowners should take into account when planning their plantings, ideal tree care and maintenance, the importance of diversifying tree species to attract turkeys, timing of acorn production across various oak species, and much more. 

Resources:

Harper, C. A., et al. (2021). Plant community response and implications for wildlife following control of a nonnative perennial grass. Wi...

In this episode, Will takes us on a deep dive of best recipes and recommendations when food plotting for both deer and turkey. Landowners won't want to miss the science-backed recommendations for plantings, region-specific species recommendations, best timings for plantings, what to search for when scouting plot areas, and more. 

Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

In this episode, we discuss upcoming episodes on the horizon, including how cattle grazing affects turkey management, food plotting for turkeys, how much coyotes influence turkeys, bringing back Dr. Craig Harper to update us on his fire season study assessing plant response and turkey use, the importance of oaks for turkeys, and more. Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Dr. Marcus Lash...

Want to join the team?

We are recruiting a videographer to focus on developing video content to help wild turkeys. 

Apply here!

In this episode, we begin with a more philosophical discussion evaluating outcomes rather than techniques in turkey management. Then, we jump into details of our upcoming studies addressing current gaps in turkey research. Finally, we finish up with an exciting announcement that will enhance our understanding of turkey populations across the state of Florida in unprecedented ways.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby,

In this episode, we respond to audience questions around fire management for turkeys. We discuss the importance of timing diversification, dive into general guidelines and parameters for fire regimes, dig into the details on why fire return interval is the primary filter influencing vegetation outcomes from your wild turkey management, and deliver fire training resources for landowners and practitioners.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Resources: 

2 year vs. 4 year Fire Return Interval (video)

Stoddard Plots: How Varying Fire Return Intervals Aff...

In this episode, we review a recent Wisconsin study focused on restoring native woodlands and introducing fire to promote higher insect abundance, species richness, and plant and bird biodiversity. We highlight key points of the study and infer how the same methods can be used to promote high insect abundance at the time that poults need it most. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Resources:

Habitat management = predator management | Ep 66

Kilburg, E. L., et al. (2014). Wild turkey nest survival and nes...

In this episode, we boil down the key areas of focus for improving turkey habitat and connectivity on your property. Which grasses to target, when, and with which herbicides; how to ensure connectivity across your property for brooding and nesting cover using road systems with daylighting; how much sunlight is needed; how frequent of a fire return interval to use; maximizing food plots for both deer and turkey, and more!

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Resources:

Brooding and nesting cover (Part 1/2) | #29

In this episode, we discuss the various ways in which landowners can estimate poults per hen, monitor trends in reproductive success, and improve turkey habitat on their property. From standardized data collection using trail cameras to back-dating incubation for specific management practices, this episode will give you a sneak peek into our everyday thought experiments on the wild turkey.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Burning during nesting | #19

NC research update: Largest private land turkey study | #10

Wild Tur...

Heather Keane Thomas joins us to shed light on her non-traditional upbringing with her father and renowned turkey researcher Dr. Lovett Williams. From childhood experiences imprinting poults on their family farm to attending national turkey conventions for family vacations, this is a story time you won't want to miss.

Resources:

Lovett Williams (Website)

Real Turkey Calls

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow

We sit down for a second time to answer questions from our listeners and followers - ranging from topics on upcoming turkey research, mid-summer land management recommendations, how to increase gobbling on your property by 10-fold, and more!

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources: 

Brooding and nesting cover (Part 1/2) | #29

Brooding and nesting cover (Part 2/2) | #30

How does fire affect nest predation? (Video)

Year 1 Results: How does fire affect nest predation? (Video)

Dr. Marcu...

In this episode, we recap our recent trip to the annual Wild Turkey Working Group and share major findings from research projects across Southern states.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Byrne, Michael E., et al. (2022). "Nest site fidelity and nesting success of female wild turkeys." Wildlife Society Bulletin 46.2: e1279.

Density-dependence in upland game birds | #14

Kurzejeski, Eric W., and L. D. Vangilder. "Population management." The wild turkey: biology and management. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA (1992): 165-184.

...

In this episode, we take a step away from the scientific literature to ask a regen ag practitioner about their experiences and glean some interesting observations for future study. Jason Snavely, wildlife biologist and founder of Drop-Tine Wildlife Consulting, joins us to dive deep into the microbiology of soil health, trade-offs between conventional and regenerative practices, and how biomimicking nature could help us reach our objectives. 

Resources:

O'donoghue, T., et al. (2022). Regenerative agriculture and its potential to improve farmscape function. Sustainability, 14(10), 5815.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fun...

Does water on a hen make it more susceptible to predation? In this episode, we comb through the literature on olfactory camouflage, dissecting studies assessing correlations between nest survival, weather, and environmental conditions, and divulging into the complicated web of ecology dynamics. Strap on your science boots for this one, it's gonna be dense…

Research papers referenced:

Bakner, N. W., et al.  (2019). Incubation recess behaviors influence nest survival of Wild Turkeys. Ecology and Evolution, 9(24), 14053-14065.

Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Robust assessment of associations between weather and eastern wild turkey nest success. The Jou...

Brent Rogers, wild turkey historian and collector extraordinaire, joins us to break down wild turkey history through the eyes of early naturalists and literature.. Learn how the culture and conservation concerns surrounding the wild turkey developed over time since the 17th century, what impacted transitions in knowledge and observation of wild turkey management, how restocking efforts have shifted throughout the decades, historical hunting practices, and more! 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Brent on MossyOak Gamekeepers Ep 88: History of the Wild Turk...

Today we are joined by Dr. Chad Lehman, senior biologist for the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks, and Dr. Chris Rota, associate professor of wildlife and fisheries resources at West Virginia University. We discuss their previous and ongoing research investigating harvest declines across South Dakota, major variables impacting hen survival and nest incubation, best management practices for SD private landowners, and more. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Lehman, C. P., et al. (2022). Factors influencing rate of decline in a...

Ted DeVos, co-founder of Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services, walks us from ground zero through the various ways in which to manage pine plantations for turkeys. Whether your goal is to increase turkey or timber productivity, this episode is jam-packed with information you don't want to miss. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services Website, Facebook

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby,

Dr. Bronson Strickland, co-director of the MSU Deer Lab and founder of the Deer University podcast, joins us to explain regenerative agriculture and break down their new experiment testing the differences in nutrient density and deer use between conventional and regenerative food plots. 

Deer University Podcast

Food plot experiment (Jacob Dykes)

Ryegrass is not good

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Dr. Bronson Strickland Website, Publications, @MSUDeerLab, @MSUDeerLabTV

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr...

After much feedback from our latest episode, we sit down to review through recent episodes and lay out the available data known to us. Covering season timing and reproduction to the predator-habitat complex, there's no tiptoeing around the controversy in this one. 

Isabelle, J. L., et al. (2018). Considerations for timing of spring wild turkey hunting seasons in the southeastern United States. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 5, 106-113.

Kurzejeski, Eric W., and L. D. Vangilder. "Population management." The wild turkey: biology and management. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA (1992): 165-184.

Dr. Craig Harper and Dr. Dave Buehler from the University of Tennessee join us to discuss results from their seven-year, robust before-after control-impact study assessing the role of experimental season date delays on turkey reproduction. Spoiler alert: Season delays had no effect on any of the 8 vital rates they measured. 

Quehl, J. O., et al. (2024). Assessing wild turkey productivity before and after a 14-day delay in the start date of the spring hunting season in Tennessee. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e11390.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Adam Butler, Wild Turkey Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, joins us to discuss the turkey trends seen across Mississippi and the Southeast, what may or may not be influencing these cyclical patterns of productivity, and a general rule of thumb for how many gobblers to harvest on your property.

Resources:

How Many Gobblers Should I Take? (Article)

Isabelle, J. L., et al. (2018). Considerations for timing of spring wild turkey hunting seasons in the southeastern United States. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife A...

Dr. Alan Krakauer joins us to dive into his research on turkey kin selection and breakdown the many strategies gobblers use to pass on genes.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Krakauer, A. H. (2005). Kin selection and cooperative courtship in wild turkeys. Nature, 434(7029), 69-72.

Krakauer, A. H. (2008). Sexual selection and the genetic mating system of wild turkeys. The Condor, 110(1), 1-12.

Watts, C. R., & Stokes, A. W. (1971). The social order of turkeys. Scientific American, 224(6), 112-119.

D...

Dr. Dwayne Elmore, Director of the Game Bird Program at Tall Timbers Research Station, joins us to breakdown the reproductive ecology and behavior of wild turkeys, how and why they lek, and if this impacts spring hunting.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Resources:

Honeycomb Custom Calls

Red-capped manakin bird

Dr. Dwayne Elmore Tall Timbers, Academic Profile

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Academic Profile

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby,

Marcus and Will sit down under one roof to review the available literature on declining insect populations. They pull from studies across the globe to discuss the implications of insect declines on terrestrial, ground-nesting birds and how we can help mitigate these effects for the wild turkey. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resource:

Mark Turner, PhD candidate in Dr. Craig Harper's lab at the University of Tennessee, joins us to disclose results from their recent study assessing the effects of canopy reduction and fire seasonality on turkey habitat quality and use in upland hardwoods. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Burning during nesting | #19

Nichols, R. A., et al. (2021). Alter fire timing to recouple forage nutrients with herbivore nutrient demands. Forest Ecology and Management, 500, 119646.

Turner et al. (2024). Canopy reduction and fire seas...

Dr. Mike Chamberlain, Terrell Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Georgia, re-joins the podcast to walk us through the various life stages of a gobbler. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Resources:

Goodwin, C. C., et al. (2024). Experimental infection of domestic turkeys with lymphoproliferative disease virus of North American origin. Veterinary Pathology.

Krakauer, A. H. (2005). Kin selection and cooperative courtship in wild turkeys. Nature, 434(7029), 69-72.

Nelson, S. D., et al. (2023). Age‐based shifts in habitat selection of wild tur...

Dr. Rick Gerhold, Associate Professor of Parasitology/Wildlife Diseases at the University of Tennessee, joins us to breakdown common diseases among turkeys and their symptoms, pathways of transmission, and infected biological effects. He also discusses histomonas and how you can get involved in cutting-edge egg research. 

Dr. Rick Gerhold (rgerhold@utk.edu) (Academic Profile)

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (

Tes Randle Jolly, award-winning professional wildlife and turkey photographer extraordinaire, joins Marcus and Will to share her deep insight and perspective into wild turkey behavior from over 25 years of photographing our favorite bird.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Tes Jolly (@jovtes)

Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (A

Dr. Richard Buccholz, Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research at the University of Mississippi, joins Will and Marcus to shed light on the fascinating world of wild turkey behavior. Learn of the interplay between displayed traits and biological fitness, which traits influence sexual selection, and how this information can help us strategize research for better management moving forward.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Hill, G. E., et al. (2005). The effect of coccidial infection on iridescent plumage coloration in...

Dr. Patrick Wightman, Research Scientist at UGA, joins Marcus and Will to reveal results from a recent region-wide collaborative project - across 4 states, 8 study sites, and with over 900 banded birds - assessing the effects of hunting pressure on male survival. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Wightman, P. H., et al. (2024). Survival and cause‐specific mortality of male wild turkeys across the southeastern United States. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 88(2), e22531.

Dr. Patrick Wightman (@WildTurkeyNerd) (Academic Profile) (Wild Tu...

New data brings to light more pieces of our habitat-predator puzzle. Join as Marcus and Will pull from recent studies to discuss the multifaceted effects of fire on wild turkey survival and how a new approach could knock off two objectives with one flame. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Resources:

Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Frequent prescribed burns reduce mammalian species richness and occurrence in longleaf pine sandhills. Forest Ecology and Management, 553, 121596.

Fire University #13 - How fire affects predators, ft. Dr. Michael Cherry

Dr. Geoff Hill, professor of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, joins Marcus and Will to break down the unique evolutionary biology of our favorite bird. Learn which characteristics hens select for, what make decoys effective, if gene selection is impacted by hunter harvest, the intricacies of the turkey brotherhood, and much more. 

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

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Dr. Geoff Hill (Website) (Academic P...

Marcus and Will explain why our current data on turkeys supports both sides of this ongoing debate and what is needed to determine whether habitat or predation is to blame. They also discover another interesting link between supplemental feeding and predation, and discuss four studies that would answer most of our questions related to the current decline in wild turkey populations.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

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Will and Marcus discuss why they and other biologists are more likely to endorse habitat management, versus predator control, to increase turkey populations. They also cover a study showing trapping can effectively reduce raccoon populations by up to 90% and discuss why that may or may not translate into more turkeys on the landscape.

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

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Resources:

How ef...

Mark Hatfield, National Director of Science and Planning for NWTF, joins Marcus and Will to discuss how their organization has helped wild turkeys through research involvement, areas of focus throughout the decades, and ongoing programs and events. 

Resources:

Habitat for the Hatch

Women in the Outdoors

Wheelin' Sportsman

JAKES Program

Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.

Cocktails and Conversation (FB Live)

2024 NWTF Convention

www.nwtf.org

Mark Hatfield

X @TheBeardedBio IG @thebeardedbio

...

Jason Lupardus, Director of Business Operations and Partnerships for Turkeys for Tomorrow, joins Marcus and Will to reveal TFT's vision, solution, and strategies for addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the wild turkey. Learn how you can get involved with Turkeys for Tomorrow's citizen-science land management today.

TFT: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

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Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will...

Marcus calls Will from the road to reflect upon and breakdown their recent site visit to a landowner managing for deer and turkey, the primary factors weighed when juggling multiple objectives, and when to use which strategies.

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

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Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)

Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) 

UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (

Marcus and Will wrap up our first year of production by reflecting upon the most memorable moments from recording, favorite segments from the season, unexpected feedback from listeners, and our plans for the show moving forward.

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey below. Thank you in advance!

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Resources:

I lease land…what about me? | #12

Has turkey habitat changed? | #21

Brooding and nesting cover (Part 1/2) | #29

Brooding and nesting cover (Part 2/2) | #30

...

Duck Locascio, Forestry Program Manager for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, joins Marcus and Will to demystify and provide actionable steps to managers interested in improving turkey habitat in bottomland hardwood forests.

Resources:

Desired Forest Conditions document

Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture

Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)

Turkeys for Tomorrow (