Natural Resources University

Marcus and WIll jump back on to correct literature data on exotic grasses from Monday's episode, clarify a few points on CRP and burning during nesting, and swap turkey hunting stories.  Referenced paper: Barnes, Thomas G., Stephen J. DeMaso, and Matt A. Bahm. "The impact of 3 exotic, invasive grasses in the southeastern United States on wildlife." Wildlife Society Bulletin 37.3 (2013): 497-502. G...

In this episode, we discuss the large-scale habitat changes that may have contributed to wild turkey decline, key management strategies that shifted the landscapes, what changes contributed to habitat loss, and what we can do to save the poults moving forward.  Papers: Barnes, Thomas G., Stephen J. DeMaso, and Matt A. Bahm. "The impact of 3 exotic, invasive grasses in the southeastern United State...

Dr. Colter Chitwood re-joins the podcast to give us an update of the on-going turkey research in the state of Oklahoma. Learn details of the hunter-led work estimating vital rates to increase poult per hen ratios, and learn how state-wide genetics can help us understand turkey movement across the landscape. Dr. Colter Chitwood ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Pr...

When it comes to getting boots on the ground for private lands conservation, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever is a leader. This episode we are joined by Quail Forever Tennessee State Coordinator, Brittney Viers, to discuss all the work PF & QF does for wildlife on private lands. From Farm Bill Biologists to Precision Ag & Conservation Specialists, tune in to learn about the wide-ranging roles of...

Dr. Chris Moorman rejoins the podcast to discuss the use of prescribed fire during nesting season. Plus, gain inside details on the studies Dr. Moorman has led concerning burn timing as it relates to ground nesting birds.  Papers: Kilburg, Eric L., et al. "Wild turkey nest survival and nest‐site selection in the presence of growing‐season prescribed fire." The Journal of Wildlife Management 78.6 (...

Dr. Colter Chitwood re-joins the podcast to give us an update of the on-going turkey research in the state of Oklahoma. Learn details of the hunter-led work estimating vital rates to increase poult per hen ratios, and learn how state-wide genetics can help us understand turkey movement across the landscape. Dr. Colter Chitwood ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Pr...

Today, Alex and Jared explore how livestock producers and researchers are working together to adapt old world tools into new world technologies to help reduce conflicts. They'll look at how innovative solutions can often be simple, and how new tools can help keep people, livestock, and wildlife safe. Full show notes: https://workingwild.us/season-one/12-co-producing-technology-to-reduce-conflict/...

Did you know that fish much larger than you with a mouth full of sharp teeth might be swimming just below the surface of your favorite swimming hole? Don't worry, these ancient creatures do not have a taste for humans. In this episode, Wes interviews Matt Wegener (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission) and Kayla Kimmel (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) about the biology and conservation of one of N...

In this episode, Alex and Jared dive into techniques that can help ranchers reduce conflicts between wolves and livestock. They'll explore how a new spin on an old tool increases the effectiveness of fencing, how putting riders back on the range can have a multitude of benefits, and how one valley in Montana is working together to compost carcasses to reduce attractants on the landscape. But apply...

We review our recent episodes on the density dependence hypothesis, what we learned from conversations with experts, and implications this may have on management of the wild turkey moving forward.  Papers: Bond, Bobby T., et al. "Thirty-year case study showing a negative relationship between population and reproductive indices of eastern wild turkeys in Georgia." Georgia Journal of Science 70.2 (2...

In this episode, we give you an update on the ongoing projects in Alabama including preliminary results on which gobblers can breed, the most common predators of nests, effects of hunting on gobbling, and more.  Paper: Proportion of tom's had testes large enough that they could breed Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) T...

In this episode, we take on the difficult subject of casualty loss. This is a subject no landowner looks forward to, but planning for the worst is sound planning. Join us as we discuss what the IRS considers a casualty, how to determine your loss in the eyes of the IRS, and how best to move forward, from a Forest Tax perspective, after one occurs.   Resources: Tips for Landowners Attempting to Sal...

Is density dependence operating on wild turkeys? Dr. Bret Collier walks us through his point of view on density dependence and whether it is responsible for observed changes in turkey populations. We cover a lot of ground and discuss various aspects of wild turkey biology from many studies and regions.  Papers  Byrne, M. E., Chamberlain, M. J., & Collier, B. A. (2015). Potential density dependence...

Seems like you either love dog hunting, or hate it. There's no in between.  But what does the research say about the effects of dog hunting on deer herds? In this episode we visit with Dr. Gino D'Angelo, a professor at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia.  Gino is one of the few biologists that has studied a deer population routinely hunted with dogs....

What is density-dependence and could it be driving the patterns we're seeing in declining populations? Dr. Mark McConnell joins Marcus and Will to pull knowledge from research on density-dependence in upland game bird species and how these factors may affect wild turkey populations. Papers: Byrne, Michael E., et al. "Nest site fidelity and nesting success of female wild turkeys." Wildlife Society...

In this episode, we wrap our mini-segment on approaches to private lands habitat management with a visit to a state with only about 30% private land: Idaho! Sal Palazzolo is the State Wildlife Habitat Program Manager for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. He works with staff and partners to manage habitat throughout the state on private and public lands and took Adam on a tour of the state and i...

What does the available wild turkey research tell us and what gaps need to be filled moving forward? Dr. Chitwood walks us through 50+ years of published literature on eastern wild turkey vital rates. They literally incorporated all of the vital rates published on easterns into a model, to determine the status of population trajectories, and identify which factor was most important in driving thos...

It's obvious that we need to do something about poult-rearing cover. What are the opportunities for you to help on land you don't own? Join Marcus and Will as they discuss what desirable brooding cover looks like, how to achieve it, and how and where our listeners have improved turkey habitat on the places they hunt. This is a bonus episode for the tremendous feedback and questions received relate...

Join us in this episode of Timber University as we discuss the pros and cons of site preparation in forestry. Many forest managers are familiar with the various mechanical and chemical site preparation methods available, but may not know how they compare with each other in implementation and effectiveness. This episode is intended to familiarize you with the most commonly encountered treatments cu...

So far this season, we've been spending a lot of time in the Northern Rockies, in the states where grey wolves first returned to the West – whether by reintroduction or recolonization. But in 2008, dispersing wolves from Idaho denned in both eastern Oregon and Washington, where they hadn't been seen since the 1940's.  In this episode, Alex and Jared explore how different geography, politics and ma...

While at the Southeast Deer Study Group, Marcus and Will sit down to reflect on the recent predation episodes. They discuss key takeaways, lessons learned, and where mindsets began to shift. Paper: Palmer, William E., et al. "Effect of field borders and nest‐predator reduction on abundance of northern bobwhites." Wildlife Society Bulletin 33.4 (2005): 1398-1405. Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance...

When wolves disperse, they are increasingly moving through human-dominated landscapes where they often get into trouble.  In today's episode, Alex and Jared explore where wolves are, where different people think they should be, and the tricky business of managing and living with wolves in a changing world. Links from the episode: Gray Wolf Spotted 3 Times In Ventura County Believed To Have Travele...

200 private landowners, 25,000+ acres of private land, years of data… on hundreds of birds!?! If you live or hunt in North Carolina this episode is a must-listen! Dr. Chris Moorman joins Marcus and Will to reveal details on a unique, multi-regional wild turkey research project taking place in the state of North Carolina. Stay tuned for a later NC research update for details on how the project is p...

The world of fishing, and especially bass fishing, has changed considerably in the past 50 years. In this episode, Wes sits down with retired fisheries expert and active angler Dr. Hal Schramm to discuss how the techniques, science, and management of bass fishing has evolved over the past 50 years and what the next great challenges may be.   Do you have questions or comments? Follow the Fish Unive...

Dr. Bret Collier joins Marcus and Will to challenge the status quo of how we view wild turkey nest predation. Bringing a new perspective to how we define predators, Dr. Collier breaks down our conventional approach, while proposing a few new methods, to controlling wild turkey predation. Resources from the episode: Byrne, Michael E., and Michael J. Chamberlain. "Seasonal space use and habitat sele...