How habitat helps turkeys: we did the math | Wild Turkey Science #398
Release Date: 03/10/2025
Decoy use in turkey hunting | Wild Turkey Science #414
Natural Resources University
In this episode, we dive into the controversies and complexities of decoy use while turkey hunting. Join as we discuss the biological implications of using decoys, trends in decoy adoption among hunters, the relationship between decoy usage and hunter success, preliminary results from Will’s study, and more. Resources: Dr. Marcus Lashley , Dr. Will Gulsby , Turkeys for Tomorrow UF Game Lab , Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! -...
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United States of Aquarium | Fish University #413
Natural Resources University
We are homogenizing our animal communities. You can hunt Nilgai in south Texas Reticulated Pythons in Florida, and wild pigs just about anywhere. But did you know things are often worse in the aquatic world? It is true that we have released just about every species discovered into our waterways, and many have taken hold. Some were intentional and part of legal government management, some were accidental, but many are the result of just concerned pet owners that can’t keep Nemo but want to give him a fighting chance. To discuss some of these issues, Wes chats with Dr. Mike Sandel and his...
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Walleye, Darters, and other Percids | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #412
Natural Resources University
Many people are familiar with Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch but did you know that there are a lot of small related fish called Darters? Join Drew and Joe as they discuss the fish in the family Percidae including feeding strategies, reproductive trends, and the best time of year to catch big saugeye in Kansas. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program at Kansas State university. Find out more about the program at
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Status of wild turkeys and research in NC| Wild Turkey Science #411
Natural Resources University
Over 700 birds studied, 400 nesting attempts monitored, 100 broods followed, and in collaboration with over 250 landowners…all on private lands?! In today’s episode, we are joined by Hannah Plumpton and Chris Kreh, Upland Game Bird Biologist and Assistant Chief for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. They disclose preliminary results from their massive statewide turkey research project across North Carolina, and share trends across harvest, population, nesting success, survival rates, and policy regulations. Resources: Donate to wild turkey research: ,...
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Got Nitrates? Clean Water for Healthy Communities | Wild Ag #410
Natural Resources University
This month we are joined by Crystal Powers, Research and Extension Communication Specialist at the Nebraska Water Center, to talk all about nitrates in our water systems. We talk about what nitrates actually are, best practices for keeping them out of our water supply, and how to mitigate them once they are there. Resources: (, ) Crystal Powers [] Dr. Andrew Little [, Nathan Pflueger [] AWESM Lab [, ] Nebraska Pheasants Forever [, ] Watch these podcasts on If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us! Music by Humans Win...
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Home ranges of gobblers | Wild Turkey Science #409
Natural Resources University
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: Donate to wild turkey research: , Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? or send us an email at ! Dr. Marcus Lashley , Dr. Will Gulsby , Turkeys for Tomorrow UF Game Lab , Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout....
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Grasslands Thrive Where Prescribed Fire Lives | BGWT #408
Natural Resources University
In this episode, we're joined by Cole Fagen, the coordinating biologist for the Oak and Prairies Joint Venture, and Ken Gee, a conservation delivery specialist. Together, they work with landowners to implement wildlife habitat management, focusing primarily on upland and grassland birds in southern and northern Oklahoma and central Texas. In this episode, we dive into how technical and financial assistance is helping landowners across Oklahoma and Texas implement prescribed fire and other habitat management practices that restore native grasslands and improve wildlife habitat. The Oak and...
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Effects of Weather on Buck Movements | Deer University #407
Natural Resources University
In this episode Natasha Neary, Luke Resop, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland discuss the MSU Deer Lab's recent analyses that disentangle the intricate relationship between buck movement and weather conditions. They use various metrics of deer activity, like movement rates and bedding percentages, and control for time of day and rut phase to isolate any additive effects of weather conditions. Does a cold front get bucks on their feet and cause them to be more active during daylight hours? Enjoy! Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series () and choose the Natural...
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Squirrels | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #406
Natural Resources University
Tree squirrels are common in cities and rural areas alike. These native rodents can be a source of entertainment and provide a connection to nature for some people, and they can simultaneously be a source of frustration and property damage for others. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss tree squirrel biology, damage caused by the 3 species that occur in the eastern Great Plains, and practical solutions for preventing property damage caused by squirrels. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management...
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What would Lovett do? | Wild Turkey Science #406
Natural Resources University
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: Donate to wild turkey research: , Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? or send us an email at ! Dr. Marcus Lashley , Dr. Will Gulsby , Turkeys for Tomorrow UF Game Lab , - Thank you! Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! for a chance to win free gear! Get a 10% discount at by using the code...
info_outlineWill 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:
Porter, W. F. (1992). Habitat analysis and assessment. The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management, 187.
What does nesting cover look like? Ep 121
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