loader from loading.io

Where do turkeys roost? | #123

Wild Turkey Science

Release Date: 03/17/2025

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.    Resources:   (To enter 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 our...

info_outline
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...

info_outline
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...

info_outline
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 &...

info_outline
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...

info_outline
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...

info_outline
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...

info_outline
Wild Turkey Manager (Online Course) show art Wild Turkey Manager (Online Course)

Wild Turkey Science

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: 

info_outline
Habitat management IS predator management | #139 show art Habitat management IS predator management | #139

Wild Turkey Science

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.  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...

info_outline
The dominant poult | #138 show art The dominant poult | #138

Wild Turkey Science

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 ! 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.     Eva Noroski , Dr. Marcus Lashley , Dr. Will Gulsby , Turkeys for Tomorrow   UF...

info_outline
 
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

 

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