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Where do turkeys roost? | #123

Wild Turkey Science

Release Date: 03/17/2025

Planting trees for turkeys | #149 show art Planting trees for turkeys | #149

Wild Turkey Science

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:   Resources:         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.     Dr....

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Turning sunlight into gobblers | #148 show art Turning sunlight into gobblers | #148

Wild Turkey Science

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 ().   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here:   Resources:    Jordan Nanney Compass South Forestry     We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions...

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Evaluating hardwood timber sales | #147 show art Evaluating hardwood timber sales | #147

Wild Turkey Science

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 ()!   Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here:   Resources:            Jordan Nanney Compass South Forestry     We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and...

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Designing your turkey property | #146 show art Designing your turkey property | #146

Wild Turkey Science

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: WATCH this episode () Resources:   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.     Dr. Marcus Lashley , Dr. Will Gulsby , Turkeys for Tomorrow   UF Game Lab ,  ...

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How to start: Step by step to managing pine timber | #145 show art How to start: Step by step to managing pine timber | #145

Wild Turkey Science

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 Sizemore & Sizemore   Resources:   00:00 Introduction to Forest Management and Wildlife Objectives 03:12 Understanding Landowner Objectives and Initial Steps 05:59 The Role of Thinning and Clear Cutting in Habitat Management 09:03 Timber Harvesting: Economic Considerations and Market Dynamics 11:45 Long-Term Management Strategies for Landowners 14:59 Navigating Timber Sales and...

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You should be doing this for turkeys | #144 show art You should be doing this for turkeys | #144

Wild Turkey Science

In this episode, we discuss what you should be thinking about and implementing on your property for turkeys right now.    WATCH this episode !   Resources: , 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 Management for Turkeys 14:48 Importance of Early Successional Cover 17:36 Burning and Timber Harvest Planning 28:53 Expanding the Burn Window 30:15 Increasing Sunlight for Turkey Abundance 31:44 Optimizing Poults Habitat 34:01 Managing Old Fields...

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All about firebreaks | #143 show art All about firebreaks | #143

Wild Turkey Science

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 !   Resources:   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 – Designing Firebreaks for Habitat & Access 00:08:00 – Common Misconceptions about Firebreaks 00:12:00 – Real-world Examples from the Field 00:20:00 – Regional Variation &...

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Progress on property management | #142 show art Progress on property management | #142

Wild Turkey Science

In this episode, we discuss progress that we’re seeing on private lands management.  WATCH this episode ! Resources:  (to enter into the online raffles, click on ‘Get Tickets’ and then scroll down to the ‘Add-ons’)     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.     Dr. Marcus Lashley , Dr. Will Gulsby , Turkeys for Tomorrow   UF Game Lab ,   Donate to wild turkey research: ,   Want to...

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Which plants for brooding cover? | #141 show art Which plants for brooding cover? | #141

Wild Turkey Science

We’re bringing back our episode on indicator plants for evaluating successful brood field management.  WATCH this episode ! Resources:   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.     Dr. Marcus Lashley , Dr. Will Gulsby , Turkeys for Tomorrow   UF Game Lab ,   Donate to wild turkey research: ,   Want to help wild turkey conservation? to take part in our research! Do you have a topic...

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Creating Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat | #140 show art Creating Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat | #140

Wild Turkey Science

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.  WATCH this episode !   Dr. Zachary Steele Dorothy Dick   We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management...

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More Episodes

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 density dependence in wild turkey productivity in the southeastern United States. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 11, pp. 329-351). 

Chamberlain, M.J., B.D. Leopold, and L.W. Burger. 2000. Characteristics of roost sites of adult wild turkey females. Journal of Wildlife Management 64:1025-1032.

Exum, J. H., et al. (1987). Ecology of the wild turkey in an intensively managed pine forest in southern Alabama. Tall Timbers Res. Sta. Bull, (23).  

Fleming, W.H., and E.G. Webb. 1974. Home range, dispersal and habitat utilization of eastem wild turkey gobblers during the breeding season. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastem Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 28:623-632.

Gross, J. T., et al. (2015). Movements of wild turkey hunters during spring in Louisiana. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 2(127), 130.

Kilpatrick, H. J., Husband, T. P., & Pringle, C. A. (1988). Winter roost site characteristics of eastern wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 461-463.

Kimmel, F. G., & Zwank, P. J. (1985). Habitat selection and nesting responses to spring flooding by eastern wild turkey hens in Louisiana. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 5, pp. 155-171).

Mosby, H. S., & Handley, C. O. (1943). The wild turkey in Virginia: its status, life history and management.

Sasmal, I., et al. (2018). Eastern wild turkey roost-site selection in a fire-maintained longleaf pine ecosystem. Southeastern Naturalist, 17(3), 371-380.

Smith, W.P., and R.D. Teitelbaum (1986). Habitat use by eastern wild turkey hens in south‐eastern Louisiana. In Proc Annu Conf Southeast Assoc Fish Wildl Agencies (Vol. 40, pp. 405-415).

Smith, D.R., G.A. Hurst, J.D.Burk, B.D. Leopold, and M.A. Melchiors. 1990. Use of loblolly pine plantations by wild turkey hens in east central Mississippi. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 6:61-66.

Wakefield, C. T., et al. (2020). Hunting and nesting phenology influence gobbling of wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 84(3), 448-457.

@DrDisturbance IG Post

How to measure turkey nesting cover (Video)

Inside the Turkey Poult Facility (Video)

 

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 [email protected]!

 

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

 

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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

 

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Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak