Blazing Trails for Quail Across the Great Plains | BGWT #429
Release Date: 05/22/2025
Stratification | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #436
Natural Resources University
Ponds can naturally separate with warm oxygenated water near the surface and a cooler, unoxygenated layer in deeper areas. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss pond stratification, summer fish kills, and how aeration may help maintain a thriving pond ecosystem. 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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Illumination in the Flatwoods (Lashley edition) | Wild Turkey Science #435
Natural Resources University
In this episode, Marcus shares insights from his personal experience being imprinted upon by a brood of turkey poults. Join as he shares details of the imprinting process, critical factors affecting the survival and growth of poults, rapid behavioral changes as they grow, what has surprised him the most so far, and more. Check out the footage in this episode's YouTube video: 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...
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From Habitat to Land Taxes: A Landowner's Conservation Journey | Wild Ag #434
Natural Resources University
Joining us this month on the podcast is a local Nebraska landowner, Merlyn Nielsen, to talk about his experiences implementing conservation practices on his farmland. From creating habitat to hunt pheasants and improve sustainability to a tip for reduced land taxes, Merlyn shares the joys and benefits of his conservation projects as well as some of the barriers encountered along the way. Resources: 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...
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Managed Chaos: Fire & Grazing Unite In The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve | BGWT #433
Natural Resources University
In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we travel through the story of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve with Bob Hamilton from The Nature Conservancy. Bob shares how this iconic Oklahoma landscape transitioned from a failed federal park plan to a flagship private conservation project. He recounts the acquisition of the land, the reintroduction of bison, and the development of a dynamic management model that utilizes fire and grazing to simulate natural prairie processes. Joining Oklahoma State University’s John Weir and Dr. Laura Goodman, Bob discusses how fire behaves...
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Thinning for Wildlife Objectives | Timber University #432
Natural Resources University
In this episode, Dr. Tanger and Dr. Self are joined by Dr. Bronson Strickland as they consider how wildlife objectives can influence thinning regimes in forest management. Dr. Bronson Strickland, the Godfather of Timber University and co-Host of Deer University, our sister program. Dr. Strickland is the St. John Family Endowed Professor of Wildlife Management at Mississippi State University. For questions or comments, email us at .
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Fire, predators, & nesting success…oh my! | Wild Turkey Science #431
Natural Resources University
In this episode, we walk through Will’s new publication researching the effects of prescribed fire on artificial wild turkey nest survival. Join as we dive into the complexities of nest predation, the impact of fire management on nesting success, the relationship between canopy cover and fire, limitations of study designs, and more. 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 , ...
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Dire Wolves | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #430
Natural Resources University
Recent claims about “de-extinction” of dire wolves have resulted in an abundance of headlines, memes, and discussion about the biology and ethics of what was happening. To contribute to the discussion, Drew and Joe invited their video production specialist, Danny, into the studio to ask questions and discuss genetics, ethics, and the current state of wolf populations. 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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Blazing Trails for Quail Across the Great Plains | BGWT #429
Natural Resources University
In this fiery new episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we bring the heat with special guests from Quail Forever—Tanner Swank and Adam Ray. They join hosts John Weir and Dr. Mark Turner to discuss how fire, community collaboration, and science-based management are revitalizing Oklahoma's native grasslands and Cross Timbers. Learn how Quail Forever's landscape-level work benefits not only game species like bobwhite and pheasant, but also pollinators, deer, and the entire ecosystem. Whether you’re a land manager, extension professional, or outdoorsperson, you’ll leave with...
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Big Rivers (with guest, Dr. Mike Eggleton) | Ep 428
Natural Resources University
The central United States is known for its big rivers. From the mighty Mississippi to its tributaries that include the Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas River, these large rivers drain about 41% of the U.S. including 31 states. They are important for our economy as corridors for transportation, and they are important as recreational fisheries. But they are facing many threats. From river modification, to urbanization, to invasive species, to changing precipitation patterns, these rivers aren’t the same as they once were. Wes discusses these impacts with Dr. Mike Eggleton, a fisheries professor at...
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Status of Rios, Merriam’s, & Easterns in OK | Wild Turkey Science #427
Natural Resources University
Today we’re talking turkeys in Oklahoma with Marcus Thibodeau and Eric Suttles, wild turkey biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Join as they disclose the status of subspecies across the state, harvest rates, seasons dates, habitat challenges across the state, successful and unsuccessful restocking efforts, on-going research, assistance for landowners, and more. 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...
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