Wild Turkey Science

01:05:03

Home ranges of gobblers | #125

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/03/31

How much area are these gobblers using? What does the literature say? Join us as we dive into the published science on home ranges for each subspecies and share preliminary results from our research tracking Osceola movement. Resources: Cohen, B. S., et al. (2015). Space use, movements, and habitat selection of translocated eastern wild turkeys in northwestern Louisiana. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 11, pp. 165-174). Craft, R. A. (1986). Characteristics and use of wild

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01:01:04

What would Lovett do? | #124

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/03/24

Welp, he would sit in the blind for hours on end next to a nesting hen to collect intricate details about her every move and behavior. Listen in as we cover all aspects of his pioneering nest behavior work. Resources: DrDisturbance #WildTurkeyHistory (video series) Ideal Nesting Cover | Ep 121 Illumination in the Flatwoods, by Joe Hutto Little House in the Flatwoods | Ep 87 The Book of the Wild Turkey, by Lovett Williams You Need to Monitor Nesting Cover (video) Donate to wild turkey research:

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01:10:17

Where do turkeys roost? | #123

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/03/17

Will leads us on another deep dive, this time focused on roosting behavior. Join as we journey through the available literature on roost site habitat preferences, roosting behavior, factors influencing roost site selection, roosting patterns, roost site fidelity, and the impact of habitat quality on their movements. Resources: Adey, E. A., et al. (2023). Seasonal roost selection of wild turkeys at their northern range edge. Wildlife Biology, 2024(1), e01133. Byrne, M. E., et al. (2015). Potential

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43:36

How habitat helps turkeys: we did the math | #122

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/03/10

Will walks us through a thought experiment, pulling from his Wild Turkey Management Academy presentation, to portray the magnitude effect that quality habitat has on gobbler populations. Join us for napkin math as we break down the numbers on how comprehensive habitat quality affects nesting success, brood survival, and wild turkey populations. Resources: Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2

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53:27

What does nesting cover look like? | #121

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/03/03

Strap in for another research review as we dive into scientific studies assessing characteristics of effective nesting sites. We discuss the critical aspects of nesting cover for wild turkeys, the dilemma of habitat preference versus availability, and the implications of these factors on turkey population success. Resources: What does wild turkey nesting cover look like? (video) Crawford, J. C., et al. (2021). Wild turkey nest success in pine‐dominated forests of the southeastern United States. The

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01:14:40

Fire timing and turkeys ft. Dr. Craig Harper | #120

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/02/24

Dr. Craig Harper re-joins the podcast to share preliminary results from his on-going research comparing dormant, early-, mid-, and late-growing season fire treatments and assessing their effects on plant communities and wildlife, including turkeys and deer. Resources: Gruchy, J. P. (2007). An evaluation of field management practices to improve bobwhite habitat. Gruchy, J. P., & Harper, C. A. (2014). Effects of field management practices on northern bobwhite habitat. Journal of the Southeastern

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58:42

Citizen science for turkeys | #119

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/02/17

Dr. Corey Callaghan, Assistant Professor of Wild Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, joins us to discuss the dynamics of citizen science and how data collected by bird watchers and turkey hunters can contribute to wildlife research. Be sure to download the eBird app in the show notes below to help us double the turkey observations this season! Resources: Callaghan, C. T., et al. (2021). Global abundance estimates for 9,700 bird species. Proceedings of the National Academy of

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01:07:20

Status of the wild turkey in MD | #118

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/02/10

Bob Long, Wild Turkey and Upland Game Bird Project Manager for the Maryland DNR, joins us to share insights on the state’s turkey populations, historical trends, current challenges, and details on their on-going comprehensive, multi-state wide turkey research project. Resources: Maryland Department of Natural Resources Maryland Turkey Hunting Season and Regulations MD Wild Turkey Information (including Summer Survey) Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation

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01:03:27

Status of the wild turkey in GA | #117

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/02/03

Emily Rushton, Turkey Program Coordinator for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, joins us to discuss the current status of turkey populations in the state, as well as trends in hunting and harvest data. Resources: Avid Hunter/Harvest Card Survey (fill out after each hunt) Interactive Turkey Harvest Dashboard Poult Production Survey (record all turkey observations, with or without poults, in June, July, and August) Poult Survey Dashboard Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey

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01:00:52

Are you a turkey advocate? | #116

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/01/27

In this episode, we discuss the importance of turkey advocacy and conservation efforts within the hunting community. Join as we explore the various actions that you can take to support wild turkey populations, resources for hands-on training and workshops, and the importance of engaging with the next generation to ensure the future of the wild turkey. Resources: Ducks Unlimited I lease land…what about me? | #12 National Deer Association National Wild Turkey Federation NWTF Gator Gobblers Quail

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49:13

Lighting the spark: Everything you need to know to...

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/01/20

John Gruchy re-joins the podcast to break down the steps and requirements you need to get fire on your property. We discuss the essential equipment needed, legal liability considerations, resources and financial support available, tips for success, and why burning is imperative for the wild turkey. Resources: Martin, J. A., et al. (2012). Wild turkey habitat use in frequently-burned pine savanna. Forest Ecology and Management, 285, 179-186. MDWFP Private Lands Programs National Deer Association

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01:01:09

Listener questions | #114

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/01/13

In this episode, we answer your questions. Join as we discuss the ecological impacts of hurricanes on turkeys survival rates and nesting success, ideal fire return intervals for nesting cover, the impacts of deer on vegetation and how this affects turkey populations, the importance of fire timing in habitat dynamics, and the challenges of recruiting young hunters into the turkey hunting culture. Resources: Byrne, M. E. (2013). Nesting ecology of wild turkeys in a bottomland hardwood forest. The

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56:25

Reflections & Ambitions: Big ideas for turkey science...

Wild Turkey Science ·

2025/01/06

In this episode, we reflect upon our experiences and insights from 2024. We share our top episodes, theme highlights, the emergence of new research in turkey science, and our ambitious wild turkey goals for 2025. We’re calling on audience engagement to help shape future content! Let us know what you want to hear and how you want to engage with us by emailing wildturkeyscience@gmail.com. Resources: Has turkey habitat changed? | Ep 21 Habitat vs. predator control | Ep 63 Snoods, feathers, and the

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31:33

Managing for gobbling habitat | #112

Wild Turkey Science ·

2024/12/30

We continue the gobbling activity conversation as Will walks us through the available research on the complex dynamics between habitat management, gobbling activity, and the overall health of turkey populations. We explore the significance of early successional cover, the impact of vegetation composition on gobbling rates, the challenges of researching gobbling, and our upcoming research that can help address some of these questions. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this episode, we recommend

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01:10:07

Where my gobbles at? | #111

Wild Turkey Science ·

2024/12/23

Grab a notepad and pen, because today we’re diving into the complex factors influencing gobbling activity. In this Part 1 segment, Will walks us through the available literature on the seasonal patterns of gobbling, the relationship between gobbling activity and reproduction, the influence of weather and environmental conditions, the impact of hunting pressure, and more. Stay tuned for Part 2, releasing next Monday. @davidfolker5850 please email wildturkeyscience@gmail.com to claim your signed

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01:03:52

Population Ecology for Dummies | #110

Wild Turkey Science ·

2024/12/16

Dr. Colter Chitwood is back on to break down the unique population dynamics of the wild turkey. Join as we explore which vital rates are significant to turkey population trajectories, impacts of boom bust cycles on reproductive success, the interplay between reproductive parameters and hen survival, why high reproduction rates may not compensate for low hen survival, what this all means for wild turkey management. Resources: Bieber, C., & Ruf, T. (2005). Population dynamics in wild boar Sus

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01:04:59

Remembering the passenger pigeon | #109

Wild Turkey Science ·

2024/12/09

By popular demand, we sit down to explore the significance and functional role of the passenger pigeon. Join as we dive into the available literature on the history and ecological importance of passenger pigeons, learning how they shaped ecosystems and oak forest dynamics, how these historical disturbances can give insight into our management practices today, what this means for turkeys, and more. Resources: Blockstein, D. E., and H. B. Tordoff. 1985. Gone forever: a contempo-rary look at the

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01:11:18

Turkeys in Kentucky | #108

Wild Turkey Science ·

2024/12/02

We are joined by Zak Danks, Wild Turkey & Ruffed Grouse Program Coordinator for the state of Kentucky, to discuss the state’s wild turkey status. Join as he walks us through restoration effort history, harvest rate trends, ongoing research (including unpublished poult-per -hen data), impacts of cicada hatches, habitat challenges, season structures, and more. Resources: Filson, J. (2017). The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucky (1784) Zak Danks zak.danks@ky.gov Kentucky

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01:07:29

If you own land, cost shares are available to you | #107

Wild Turkey Science ·

2024/11/25

Today we are joined by Nick Thomas and Weston Thompson from Steward Link, a consultation company focused on helping landowners gain access to USDA conservation programs. Join as they breakdown the application process, eligibility requirements, available financial assistance, regional differences, common barriers to entry, complexities of government contracts, and much more. If you’re a landowner, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Resources: NRCS Programs & Initiatives Steward Link Phone:

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01:01:26

The American Chestnut: Restoring ecological function...

Wild Turkey Science ·

2024/11/18

In this episode, we delve into the ecological significance of the American chestnut tree with Sara Fitzsimmons, Chief Conservation Officer for The American Chestnut Foundation. Join as we explore its 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. Resources: Diamond, S. J., et al. (2000). Hard mast production before and after the chestnut blight. Southern Journal of

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