Wild Turkey Science

We explore the myths surrounding fire ants and their negative impacts on nests, hens, and poults.   Resources:   Allen, C. R., et al. (2004). Red imported fire ant impacts on wildlife: a decade of research. The American Midland Naturalist, 152(1), 88-103.   Brennan, L. A. (1993). Fire ants and northern bobwhites: a real problem or a red herring?. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006), 21(3), 351-3...

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....

In this episode, we review papers that stood out to each of us from the 2025 Wild Turkey Symposium.   Resources:   Collier, B. A., & Chamberlain, M. J. (2025). The Notorious PIG: wild pigs are not primary predators of wild turkey nests. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1618.   Danks, Z. D., et al. (2025). A national standardized wild turkey brood survey: The first 6 years. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1...

Wisconsin gamebird ecologist Taylor Finger joins us to breakdown the status of turkeys in the state. Join as he shares details on how Wisconsin has achieved successful turkey populations unlike any other state in the country.    Resources:   Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may explain wild turkey decline. bioRxiv, 2025-05.   Legends of turkey research | #50   Pollentier, C...

Dr. Ben Jones, CEO of RGS & AWS, joins us to explore how active forest stewardship - from prescribed fire to targeted timber harvests and new wood markets - can restore age-class diversity and habitat for ruffed grouse and wild turkey across eastern forests.   Resources: EQUIP Food Plots, Feed or Fire: The Real Costs Per Pound of Deer Forage (NDA article) Ruffed Grouse Society   Dr. Ben Jones benj...

Strap in for a philosophical episode as we sit with Dr. Dwayne Elmore and explore the complex nature of critically evaluating information in an age of information overload.   Resources: Pre-Print: Lashley et al. (2025) Female Wild turkey survival meta-analysis   Dr. Dwayne Elmore - Tall Timbers , Publications   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, p...

We've launched our SECOND online training course focused on wild turkey biology, history, and heritage! Enroll now:    https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio   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 launched our second online wild turkey course  ! Enroll in  Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History...

We dive into Will's recent research assessing the effects and prevalence of Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV) in wild turkeys in Alabama.   Resources:   Alger, K., et al. (2017). Risk factors for and spatial distribution of lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in New York State, USA. Journal of wildlife diseases, 53(3), 499-508.   Goodwin, C. C., et...

In this episode, we discuss our recent paper quantifying turkey abundance, highlighting the Florida Wildlife Corridor and exploring how this project preserves turkey habitat amidst increasing development pressures. Paper will be linked as soon as it is released.   Resources:  Sibiya, M. D., et al. (2025). Data integration reveals that a statewide corridor initiative maintains greater wild turkey r...

We're bringing back our episode exploring the American chestnut's 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.    Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab   Resources:   Diamond,...

In this episode, we discuss how management scale and arrangement influence turkey behavior and productivity.    Resources: Chitwood, M. C., et al. (2015). Do biological and bedsite characteristics influence survival of neonatal white-tailed deer?. PloS one, 10(3), e0119070.    Day, M. S. (2024). Factors impacting gobbling chronology and activity of male wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Alabam...

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...

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...

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:   Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may help explain wild turkey populat...

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...

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 longle...

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...

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....

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 dona...

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. (201...

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...

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 O...

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 Managemen...

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 –...

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...