Natural Resources University

We deep dive into the history and legacy of the Westervelt Company and its iconic hunting school with Kevin McKinstry, Recreation Director for Westervelt Company, and Steven Carroll, General Manager for the Westervelt Lodge.   Resources: Gamekeepers EP 409 | A Discussion of Adventure with J. Wayne Fears Westervelt Lodge   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support...

Predation is the leading cause of mortality in wild turkeys - but does that mean predator control is the answer? We explore the science, case studies, and management implications behind one of the most debated topics in turkey research.   Resources Habitat management = predator management | Ep 66 Has turkey habitat changed? | Ep 21 Johnson, V. M., et al. (2022). Nest site selection and survival of...

This episode is made possible by support from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Wildfire preparedness isn't just a checklist — it's a resilience plan for your ranch, your family, and your community. In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, hosts John Weir and Dr. Mark Turner talk with OSU Extension agriculture and food policy specialist Amy Hagerman Ph. D. about what to do  be...

Jacob and Eric catch up with William McKinley and Kamen Campbell of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to discuss this past deer season. They cover everything from the acorn crop to deer surveys and donating venison to feed the hungry. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series ( here ) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. Yo...

Dr. Karen Hickman sits down with John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner to talk invasive plants across the Great Plains—what's here, what's coming, and why our best defense often starts with a clean pickup, a better plant choice, and a tighter contract. We walk through Callery/Bradford pear's "overnight" takeover, Old World bluestem's misnamed reputation, and how sericea, Johnson grass,...

Fire is an important tool for rangeland and wildlife habitat management, but how does burning large brush piles impact native wildlife? Join Drew and Joe as they discuss the effects of burning brush piles on landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife, and characteristics of brush piles that can affect their cover value for different species. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists...

Drawing from decades of research, Will leads us through a review of historical nesting data from 1970–2022 to assess if nesting success has really changed.   Resources: Take 12 Instagram , YouTube Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2 (2023): e9830. Which vital rates are most important to turkey p...

If you drive across the Midwest, much of the landscape is under production for corn and soybeans. But, it didn't always look like that. Only a couple of generations ago, farmers were planting more diverse fields, many of them including wheat. This month we are joined by Nathan Mueller, Executive Director of Nu Horizon Genetics and producer, to talk about the "third crop" -- winter wheat. Learn how...

Have you ever caught a marine fish that was dressed like a convict and had goofy-looking teeth that made you think you could hear a banjo playing in the distance? Ok, maybe that was unfair to all the banjo-playing fish out there, but you may have caught a sheepshead. Sheepshead can be found along the Western Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia down to Brazil, with high abundance in the Gulf of Mexico....

Pennsylvania state turkey biologist Reina Tyl rejoins us to share updates on the long-term, multi-state Mid-Atlantic Turkey Research Collaborative to better understand differences in hen survival across states. We also discuss the status of turkeys in PA and potential changes to the spring season structure.   Resources: Wild turkey populations in PA (Part 1/2) | Ep 25 Wild turkey populations in PA...

In this episode, James and Ryan Dulaney, manager of Grindle Slough in Arkansas, take a deep dive into the current state of waterfowl management, covering habitat conditions, duck populations, and how weather influences migration patterns. They discuss practical strategies for managing duck ground, including vegetation management, soil disturbance, water management, and the timing of flooding. Jame...

Jacob and Eric get back to the basics of deer management with The Old Biologist, Mr. Lann Wilf. The conversation covers everything from managing expectations to understanding what drives deer herds.   Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series ( here ) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The se...

Kansas is estimated to have 100,000 – 200,000 ponds, and many of these play an important role in supporting livestock operations. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss common risks associated with livestock in ponds, practical strategies for reducing these risks, and steps you can take to maximize the functionality and enjoyment of your livestock ponds. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extensi...

In this episode of Gamebird University, James sits down with Dr. Ryan Askren, Director of the Five Oaks Agricultural Research & Education Center, to refocus the lens on the wintering grounds—where habitat configuration, disturbance, and management decisions shape duck behavior long before spring. James and Ryan dig into what modern GPS/GSM telemetry is really telling us about winter movements, nig...

As last year's poults mature into jakes and jennies, Marcus shares firsthand observations of how behavior, vocalizations, dominance, and personality change with age.   Resources Longer the snood, bigger the brood | Ep 68 Snoods, feathers, and the Turkey Brotherhood | Ep 65   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/U...

In this episode of Gamebird University, hosts James Callicutt and Mark McConnell sit down with Dr. Ben Jones, CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, for a grounded, field-tested conversation about young-forest conservation in the South—and what it really takes to sustain ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and the people who care about them across the range. The crew explores...

In this episode, we explore the impacts of extreme cold weather on wild turkey populations.    Resources: Acorn production post (DrDisturbance IG) Austin, D. E., & DeGraff, L. W. (1975). Winter survival of wild turkeys in the southern Adirondacks. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 1975, 55-60. Brooke, J. M., et al. (2019). Effects of fertilization and crown release on white oak (Quercus alba) masting and...

False information on social media isn't new, but the use of AI generated images can cause it to be more convincing. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss misinformation about wildlife on social media, how to spot it, and reputable sources where you can locate accurate information. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise...

Wild turkey biologist Reina Tyl joins us to unpack her comprehensive study assessing population growth of Easterns in South Dakota.    Resources: Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may explain wild turkey decline. bioRxiv, 2025-05. Tyl, R. M. (2019). Factors Influencing Survival, Productivity, and Population Growth of Eastern Wild Turkeys in Northeastern South Dakota. West Vi...

Jacob and Eric catch up with Dr. Bronson Strickland to discuss what deer managers can do now that deer season is over. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series ( here ) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be...

This month we are joined by Carlie Gizel, Wild Turkey Biologist with National Wild Turkey Federation and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. As a native species of Nebraska, wild turkeys have lived and evolved in the Great Plains for years, at times exploding in numbers and at others succumbing to new threats. Through it all, they have remained an iconic species of the landscape, and hunters f...

Is the cause of quail decline because turkeys are eating them? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Mark McConnell to bust this myth…   Resources:   Check out Dr. McConnell's Gamebird Podcast ( Here )! Dr. Mark McConnell ( Contact ) MSU Gamebird Extension ( Facebook ) ( Instagram ) ( YouTube ) We got bug problems | Ep 73 ( Watch Here )   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to he...

In this episode of Gamebird University, hosts James Callicutt and Brian Davis sit down with Dr. Scott Stephens, Senior Director of Prairie and Boreal Conservation Strategy with Ducks Unlimited, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on duck breeding, population trends, and the future of waterfowl conservation.   The trio explores the sharp declines in duck populations since 2015 and unpac...

Today we discuss arguably the most important topic facing our working forests, that of the excess supply of small-diameter timber. Shaun and Brady are joined by Dr. Matthew Pelkki, Director of the Center for Forest Business at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He discusses the consequences of not finding market outlets for this material, both economic and ecological, and walks us through s...

In this episode of Gamebird University, hosts James Callicutt and Mark McConnell sit down with Dr. Frank Rohwer, President and Chief Scientist of Delta Waterfowl, for a wide-ranging conversation about waterfowl research, management, and conservation. The trio reflects on Frank's long career—from his early academic days at LSU to leading Delta's scientific programs—and explores the questions and ch...