Wild Turkey Science

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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...

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 practit...

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 Donati...

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 de...

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.   Donat...

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 @D...

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 a...

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. Densi...

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 biomimickin...

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....

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 shifte...

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 practic...

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     Bac...

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 resea...

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. J...

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 an...

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)...

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...

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...

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: B...

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....

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 Nor...

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 wil...

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 ) ( Academi...