Episodes

  • What to plant for brooding cover | #141

    What to plant for brooding cover | #141
    Jul 21 2025

    We’re bringing back our episode on indicator plants for evaluating successful 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 Ecology 28.6 (2020): 1485-1494.

    We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now!

    Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

    Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

    Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

    UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

    Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

    Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

    Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

    Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

    Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

    Watch these podcasts on YouTube

    Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

    Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

    This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

    Music by Artlist.io

    Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Creating Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat | #140

    Creating Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat | #140
    Jul 14 2025

    Dr. Zach Steele and Dorothy Dick, key creators for our online wild turkey training, join us to discuss the production of the course. Join as they share insights into the research and development, the expert contributors that shaped the course content, feedback received from constituents, challenges faced during filming, and the memorable moments that made the project enjoyable.

    Dr. Zachary Steele Publications

    Dorothy Dick @peep_the_poult

    We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now!

    Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

    Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

    Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

    UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

    Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

    Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

    Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

    Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

    Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

    Watch these podcasts on YouTube

    Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

    Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

    This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

    Music by Artlist.io

    Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
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    55 mins
  • Wild Turkey Manager (Online Course)

    Wild Turkey Manager (Online Course)
    Jul 8 2025

    Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat features experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. This course is intended to be comprehensive, leading you through advanced concepts in habitat management, predator management, disease, and population management.

    The course offers continuing education credits (CEUs) available through The Wildlife Society and the Society of American Foresters. We made the course online so you can take it on your own time, at your own pace, wherever you are!

    Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManager
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    1 min
  • Habitat management IS predator management | #139

    Habitat management IS predator management | #139
    Jul 7 2025
    We're bringing back our episode discussing the multifaceted effects of fire on wild turkey survival and how a new approach could knock off two objectives with one flame. Resources: Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Frequent prescribed burns reduce mammalian species richness and occurrence in longleaf pine sandhills. Forest Ecology and Management, 553, 121596. Fire University #13 - How fire affects predators, ft. Dr. Michael Cherry Jones, D. D., et al. (2004). Prescribed fire and raccoon use of longleaf pine forests: implications for managing nest predation?. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 32(4), 1255-1259. Jorge, M. H., et al. (2020). Fire and land cover drive predator abundances in a pyric landscape. Forest Ecology and Management, 461, 117939. Kilburg, E. L., et al. (2014). Wild turkey nest survival and nest‐site selection in the presence of growing‐season prescribed fire. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 78(6), 1033-1039. Lohr, A. K., et al. (2019). Effects of individual recess behaviors on nest and female survival of Eastern wild turkeys (Doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia). Wann, G. T., et al. (2020). The influence of prescribed fire on wild turkeys in the Southeastern United States: A review and synthesis. Forest Ecology and Management, 455, 117661. Wild Turkey Science #19 - Burning during nesting What does wild turkey nesting cover look like? (Craig Harper Video) Yeldell, N. A., et al. (2017). Nest site selection and nest survival of eastern wild turkeys in a pyric landscape. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 81(6), 1073-1083. Yeldell, N. A., et al. (2017). Prescribed fire influences habitat selection of female eastern wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 81(7), 1287-1297. We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Watch these podcasts on YouTube Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • The dominant poult | #138

    The dominant poult | #138
    Jun 30 2025

    Today’s conversation offers a unique window into the intricate world of poults. We are joined by Eva Noroski, Field Coordinator for the UF Game Lab, as she shares insights into poult development, growth rates, behavior, vocalization, social dynamics, social bonding, and more.

    WATCH this episode here!

    We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now!

    Eva Noroski @eva_noroski, Contact

    Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

    Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

    Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

    UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

    Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

    Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

    Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

    Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

    Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

    Watch these podcasts on YouTube

    Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

    Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

    This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

    Music by Artlist.io

    Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Managing nesting & brooding cover | #137

    Managing nesting & brooding cover | #137
    Jun 23 2025
    We’re bringing back Dr. Craig Harper’s step-by-step guide on how to create quality brooding and nesting cover on your property. 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 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 1(1), 133-141. Johnson, V. M., et al. (2022). Nest site selection and survival of wild turkeys in Tennessee. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 9, 134-143. Kilburg, E. L., et al. (2014). Wild turkey nest survival and nest‐site selection in the presence of growing‐season prescribed fire. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 78(6), 1033-1039. Kilburg, E. L., et al. (2015). Wild turkey prenesting-resource selection in a landscape managed with frequent prescribed fire. Southeastern Naturalist, 14(1), 137-146. McCord, J. M., et al. (2014). Brood cover and food resources for wild turkeys following silvicultural treatments in mature upland hardwoods. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 38(2), 265-272. Powell, B. L., et al. (2025). Changes in Plant Composition Following Disturbance in Restored Native Early Successional Communities. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 98, 480-489. Quehl, J. O., et al. (2024). Assessing wild turkey productivity before and after a 14-day delay in the start date of the spring hunting season in Tennessee. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e11390. We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! Dr. Craig Harper (Website) Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Watch these podcasts on YouTube Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Recruitment is down, decoys are up | #136

    Recruitment is down, decoys are up | #136
    Jun 16 2025

    In this episode, we review trending data across hunter age, hunter recruitment, decoy use, and reaping as Dr. Zach Steele, Post-doctoral associate and interdisciplinary ecologist specializing in human dimensions, walks us through his newest publication.

    Resources:

    Harris, A. (2006). Turkey hunting in 2006: an analysis of hunter demographics, trends, and economic impacts. USFWS Report, 7.

    Maryland Spring Turkey Hunter Survey – Results Summary. August 2017

    Steele, Z.T., & M.A. Lashley. (2025). Reviewing human dimensions of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting research and synthesizing future directions. Zenodo.

    U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

    U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

    We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now!

    Dr. Zach Steele Publications

    Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

    Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

    Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

    UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

    Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

    Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

    Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

    Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

    Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

    Watch these podcasts on YouTube

    Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

    Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

    This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

    Music by Artlist.io

    Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • It’s not just turkeys | #135

    It’s not just turkeys | #135
    Jun 9 2025

    In this episode, we explore the findings of a recent state of the bird report, highlighting the interconnectedness and decline of species across ecosystems.

    Resources:

    Merlin Bird ID

    Rosenberg, K. V., et al. (2019). Decline of the North American avifauna. Science, 366(6461), 120-124.

    Seek app (by iNaturalist)

    State of the Birds Report: United States of America

    We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now!

    Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

    Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

    Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow

    UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!

    Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund

    Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

    Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support!

    Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!

    Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

    Watch these podcasts on YouTube

    Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

    Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

    This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.

    Music by Artlist.io

    Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins