Wild Turkey Science

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 in relation to hen nesting and density dependence in turkey populations. Listen to Part 1 of this episode ( here ).   Resources: Byrne, Michael E. Influences of l...

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. Part 2 of this episode releases next Monday.   Resources: Byrne, Michael E. Influences of lan...

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 ) ...

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...

How to science | #37   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 t...

We asked and you answered! Join Marcus and Will as they review questions from followers covering brooding cover, disease, decoys, effective trail cam use, timing of fire, and more.   Resources: Wild nesting cover ft. Dr. Craig Harper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6xsKyis404&lc=Ugyq5o49_is0gQOzEQl4AaABAg   Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsb...

Marcus and Will sit down with Adam Keith and Matt Dye, co-owners, consultants, and fellow podcasters of Land and Legacy. Listen as they share from years of habitat consulting experience on what they're seeing across landowner landscapes and which factors are the most limiting for the wild turkey.   Land & Legacy - https://landandlegacy.tv/ Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile )...

Marcus and Will wrap up their time at the Southeast Wild Turkey Working Group conference by discussing their key takeaways, study results from the experts, exciting plans across an array of states, and how you as a hunter can help out.   Resources: Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2 (2023): e98...

Marcus and Will sit down at the Southeast Wild Turkey Working Group Meeting with Nick Oakley, Wild Turkey Biologist for Missouri. Join as Nick discloses the state's turkey history and trends, current status and hunting guidelines, and a breakdown of the ongoing research to assess what's driving production.    Resources: MO Wild Turkey Brook Survey Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Pr...

Marcus and Will recap Dr. Harper's dense episodes by discussing indicator plants to evaluate success in brood field management.  Resources: iNaturalist Seek Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants GeFellers, James Wade, et al. "Seeding is not always necessary to restore native early successional plant communities." Restoration Ecolog...

Turkeys for Tomorrow Legal Council and board member Carter Weeks joins us to discuss how TFT got started, the vision of the organization, and how you can get involved to make a difference. To learn more about TFT, check out turkeysfortomorrow.org .  Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( turkeysfortom...

Dr. Craig Harper joins to disclose step-by-step instructions on how to implement better brooding and nesting cover on your property. This is an episode you won't want to miss.  Dr. Craig Harper ( Website )  Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( turkeysfortomorrow )  UF DEER Lab ( ufdeerlab ) Donate t...

Dr. Craig Harper joins to disclose step-by-step instructions on how to implement better brooding and nesting cover on your property. This is an episode you won't want to miss.  Dr. Craig Harper ( Website )  Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( turkeysfortomorrow )  UF DEER Lab ( ufdeerlab ) Donate t...

FWC Wild Turkey Management Program Coordinator Buddy Welch discloses details on the previous and on-going research conducted on wild turkeys. Then, discussion of Florida landowner resources, cost-share programs, and habitat characteristics unique to the state that are vital for turkey population. This is Part 2 of this episode. Resources from the episode: FWC Wild Turkey Summer Survey (opens June...

FWC Wild Turkey Management Program Coordinator Buddy Welch joins us to disclose details on the state's season frameworks, restocking history, and harvest trends. Then, a look into the previous and on-going research studies conducted on wild turkeys across Florida. This is Part 1 of this episode. Resources from the episode: FWC Wild Turkey Summer Survey (opens June 1) Florida Wildlife Corridor Flor...

PA Game Commission wild turkey biologist Mary Jo Caselena joins us to disclose details on their state's mark recapture study, population trends, and private landowner incentive programs. Then, a look into the largest conducted, multi-state mid-Atlantic hen population study. This is Part 2 for this episode. Resources from the episode: PA Landowner Programs Casalena, M. J., et al. "Understanding the...

PA Game Commission wild turkey biologist Mary Jo Caselena joins us to disclose details on their state's mark recapture study, population trends, and private landowner incentive programs. Then, a look into the largest conducted, multi-state mid-Atlantic hen population study. This is Part 1 of 2 for this episode. Resources from the episode: PA Landowner Programs Casalena, M. J., et al. "Understandin...

Wildlife Biologist John Gruchy gives us his fastball pitch on adjusting old fields, even food plots, into poult-rearing cover. This is Part 2 of Monday's episode. Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( turkeysfortomorrow )  UF DEER Lab ( ufdeerlab ) Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation F...

Wildlife Biologist John Gruchy joins the show to discuss the timeline of landscape changes across Mississippi, consequences of earlier management decisions, and what we've got to eradicate moving forward. Check back Thursday for Part 2 of this episode.  Dr. Marcus Lashley ( DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( turkeysfo...

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...

Dr. Chris Moorman rejoins the podcast to discuss the use of prescribed fire during nesting season. Also, 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 (...