Natural Resources University

Dr. Anthony Taylor, Associate Professor of Forest Management at the University of New Brunswick, joins Carolina to discuss the Canadian wildfires, the implications of climate change on our ecological and human communities, and what tools can help mitigate these effects moving forward.   Resources: Wang, J., Taylor, A. R., & D'Orangeville, L. (2023). Warming-induced tree growth may help offset incr...

Marcus and Will travel back in time with legendary turkey researchers Dr. Larry Vangilder and Eric Kurzejeski. Join as they discuss the early days of restocking and lessons learned, how hunting regulations changed as populations grew, initial assumptions impacting today's regulations, challenges they faced as biologists, and thoughts on why we're seeing declines today.   Dr. Larry Vangilder , Eric...

Will and Marcus launch our hardwoods series by discussing oak masting biology. They review studies assessing acorn production variation across and within oak species, discuss study results of wildlife acorn preference, and provide management tools to increase acorn productivity on your land.    Resources: Brooke, J. M., Basinger, P. S., Birckhead, J. L., Lashley, M. A., McCord, J. M., Nanney, J. S...

Several surveys indicate that non-industrial private forest landowners own land for reasons other than timber production. These reasons include aesthetics, wildlife-related recreation, and other natural resource-based activities. The term multiple use in natural resource management is straightforward: it is the management of lands for more than one purpose. Inherently, this management approach is...

We are joined this week by Matt Ross from the National Deer Association to chat about the importance of private lands and private land management for America's favorite game species, the white-tailed deer. We discuss how whitetails can be a catalyst for private lands habitat management and all the work NDA does to assist private landowners. Resources discussed: National Deer Association – https://...

Marcus and Will wrap up our feeding series by reviewing global drivers of supplemental feeding and breakdown a study reporting positive effects on wild turkey populations from supplemental feed.    Resources: Cox, D. T., & Gaston, K. J. (2018). Human–nature interactions and the consequences and drivers of provisioning wildlife. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences...

Deep in the Sonoran Desert are various fish species that survive in the harshest of conditions. These extremophiles often live in water that is often much saltier than seawater, much hotter than a jacuzzi, much faster than a freight train, and with little or no oxygen. Where did they come from? How do they survive? What is their future? Wes chats with desert fish expert Dr. Scott Bonar of the Univ...

While in Nebraska, Marcus and Will discuss the shared challenges they see across states when trying to integrate multiple objectives into working landscapes.    Dr. Marcus Lashley ( @DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( @dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( @turkeysfortomorrow )  UF DEER Lab ( @ufdeerlab ) ( YouTube )   Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wil...

Marcus and Will dive deeper into the literature surrounding the potential impacts of feeding on wild turkeys. Join as they discuss the data on risks of feeding across species, predation, pathogens, and contaminants and what we can do to mitigate these risks for turkeys moving forward.   Resources: Cooper, S. M., & Ginnett, T. F. (2000). Potential effects of supplemental feeding of deer on nest pre...

What is a deer signpost?  In this episode Steve and Bronson visit with Dr. Karl Miller, the former professor and researcher of deer biology and management at the University of Georgia. Karl and his students and colleagues have studied white-tailed deer signposting behavior for decades and he shares key findings regarding the biology and ecology of this research, and how you can apply it to hunting...

Will and Marcus characterize the available data on wildlife feeding across the South and discuss the implications for wild turkeys.    Resources: SC 2006 AK 2011 FWC 2019 Land Ethic   Dr. Marcus Lashley ( @DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( @dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( @turkeysfortomorrow )  UF DEER Lab ( @ufdeerlab ) ( YouTube )   Watch these p...

After a casualty event, a forest landowner must make many difficult decisions. We discuss topics such as what to do immediately following a casualty event and proper steps to take as you move forward in the salvage process.    For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe directly to Timber University and follow NRU on Instagram , YouTube , Twitter , and Fa...

Dr. Kelly Dunning, Associate Professor at Auburn University and Timberline Professor at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, joins Will and Marcus to discuss the complexities associated with conservation policy-making and how we can better integrate wild turkey research and political science moving forward. Listen to Part 1 of this episode here: https://naturalresourcesuniversity....

If you like to fish, you have probably caught Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass, and maybe you have caught Spotted Bass. But if you are on a quest to catch all the Black Bass (Micropterus spp.), you have a long way to go. In this episode, Wes chats with Steve Sammons, a researcher from Auburn University who has worked with many of the bass species. They'll discuss the 14 described species of bas...

Dr. Kelly Dunning, Associate Professor at Auburn University and Timberline Professor at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, joins Will and Marcus to discuss the complexities associated with conservation policy-making and how we can better integrate wild turkey research and political science moving forward. Part 2 of this episode releases next Monday.   Dr. Kelly Dunning ( Email )...

Dr. Mike Byrne joins Marcus and Will to discuss the ongoing comprehensive private-land wild turkey research project in northern Missouri studying the effects of nest survival. They also cover important topics related to raccoon movements related to hen nesting and density dependence in turkey populations. Listen to Part 1 of this episode ( here ).    Resources: Byrne, Michael E. Influences of land...

Dr. Mike Byrne joins Marcus and Will to discuss the ongoing comprehensive private-land wild turkey research project in northern Missouri studying the effects of nest survival. They also cover important topics related to raccoon movements in relation to hen nesting and density dependence in turkey populations. Part 2 of this episode releases next Monday.   Resources: Byrne, Michael E. Influences of...

Join Shaun and Brady as they offer advice on considerations for marketing your timber at harvest time. We briefly discuss sale preparation, the bidding process, reasons for using a consultant, and other topics in this episode of Timber University. Remember, it is incumbent upon you to ensure you get the most for your timber by employing appropriate marketing strategy. For questions or comments, em...

Marcus and Will are joined by Jason Hardin, Wild Turkey Program Leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Listen to learn details on the status of our favorite bird in the Lonestar State.   Jason Hardin Jason.hardin@tpwd.texas.gov Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( turkeysfortomorrow ) ...

Have you purchased or inherited a property with and old and neglected pond on it? Or perhaps you've lived on the property with a pond for your whole life, but life simply got in the way of proper management? Either way, tune into Fish University to hear Wes discuss how to restore ponds that have been let go for far too long. His guest is Mark Griffith, a private pond consultant and owner of Ichthy...

Will and Marcus discuss what not to do on your property when managing for wild turkey.    Resources: Wild nesting cover ft. Dr. Craig Harper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6xsKyis404&lc=Ugyq5o49_is0gQOzEQl4AaABAg Wild Turkey Habitat Improvements for Leased Land: https://huntinland.libsyn.com/wild-turkey-habitat-improvements-for-leased-land   Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profi...

Marcus and Will discuss the origins of hypotheses related to timing and intensity of spring harvest and how they may affect reproduction. They also discuss the challenges landowners face when establishing property level harvest decisions.   Resources: Isabelle, Jason L., et al. "Considerations for timing of spring wild turkey hunting seasons in the southeastern United States." Journal of the South...

Dr. Istvan Kereszy joins Marcus and Carolina to discuss his company: Fire Neural Network. Learn how artificial intelligence is used to detect high-risk lightning, how it is currently being applied to fight wildfires across the globe, and how we can continue to benefit from this technology moving forward.   Dr. Istvan Kereszy  ( info@fireneuralnetwork.com ) Fire Neural Network ( https://www.fireneu...

In this episode, Marcus and Will break down the research process. Join as they discuss the nuts and bolts of experimental design, identifying objectives, how to generate funding, which agencies are involved, financial expenses, isolating and controlling variables, and how you as a citizen can influence research in your state.   Interested in helping the wild turkey? Donate to our research funds to...

When natural regeneration options are off the table, artificial regeneration methods are the only option available to the landowner wanting to establish a hardwood forest. Join us as we discuss planting stock choices and what research tells us about their use. For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe directly to Timber University and follow NRU on Inst...