Natural Resources University

Latest Episodes:

Introducing Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things! | #403 Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Get to know the hosts of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things in this introductory episode! Join Oklahoma State University Extension Specialists John Weir, Laura Goodman, and Mark Turner as they discuss fire ecology, rangeland management, and wildlife across the southern Great Plains.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://www.blazingrazinwildthings.com/classes

Where do turkeys roost? | Wild Turkey Science #402 Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

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 wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

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

Lunar Table Fables - Does the Moon Affect Buck Activity? | Deer University #401 Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Natasha Neary, Luke Resop, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland delve into the relationships between moon phases, positions, and their potential effects on buck movement and bedding behavior. They review their research findings from a complex and exhaustive analysis of GPS-collared bucks to determine if moon phase and/or position has any relationship with buck movement behaviors. They emphasize the importance of accounting for individual buck personalities and behaviors during the rut and highlight the challenges in drawing definitive conclusions. The discussion also includes insights from a survey of hunters to gauge beliefs and expectations of the moon's role in stimulating buck movement, and the implications of various lunar theories. The conversation highlights the complexity of deer behavior and the importance of data-driven insights to understand these patterns.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu. You will have to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

Timber Market Outlook | Timber University #400 Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Today we discuss what's happening in the US south timber markets. We cover what drives lumber consumption, what to keep an eye on for housing, and discuss stumpage drivers and price expectations.

For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com.

Bluegill Sunfish | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #399 Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Bluegill sunfish serve many important functions in ponds and reservoirs. Their ability to thrive in multiple environments, grow quickly, and reproduce multiple times per year make them a great addition to any pond. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss Bluegill sunfish, the important functions they serve in your pond, and a tip or two on their favorite way to cook the ones you catch.

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 http://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

How habitat helps turkeys: we did the math | Wild Turkey Science #398 Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Will 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:

Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2 (2023): e9830.

Porter, W. F. (1992). Habitat analysis and assessment. The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management, 187.

Speake, Daniel W. "Predation on wild turkeys in Alabama." 4th National Wild Turkey Symposium. Little Rock, Arkansas (USA). 2-5 Mar 1980.. 1980.

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 wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!

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

What does nesting cover look like? | Wild Turkey Science #397 Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Strap in for another research review as we dive into scientific studies assessing characteristics of effective nesting sites. We discuss the critical aspects of nesting cover for wild turkeys, the dilemma of habitat preference versus availability, and the implications of these factors on turkey population success.

Resources:

What does wild turkey nesting cover look like? (video)

Crawford, J. C., et al. (2021). Wild turkey nest success in pine‐dominated forests of the southeastern United States. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 85(3), 498-507.

Everett Jr., D. D. (1982). Factors limiting populations of wild turkeys on state wildlife management areas in north Alabama. Auburn University.

Habitat Management = Predator Management | #66

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, Eric L., et al. "Wild turkey nest survival and nest‐site selection in the presence of growing‐season prescribed fire." The Journal of Wildlife Management 78.6 (2014): 1033-1039.

Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2 (2023): e9830.

Porter, W. F. (1992). Habitat analysis and assessment. The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management, 187.

Porter, W. F., et al. (1983). Effects of winter conditions on reproduction in a northern wild turkey population. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 281-290.

Speake, Daniel W. "Predation on wild turkeys in Alabama." 4th National Wild Turkey Symposium. Little Rock, Arkansas (USA). 2-5 Mar 1980.. 1980.

Thogmartin, W. E., & Johnson, J. E. (1999). Reproduction in a declining population of wild turkeys in Arkansas. The Journal of wildlife management, 1281-1290.

Wild Turkey Management Academy (March 8th) Get your tickets now!

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!

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

No Lazy Coyotes: Why Messy Habitat is Good | Wild Ag #396 Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

This month we are joined by Chris Helzer, Director of Science and Stewardship at The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, to talk about the importance of habitat diversity. Whether you have a small urban yard or 10,000 acres with cattle, Chris walks us through why messy, shifting habitat is ideal and how to create it.

Resources:

Chris Helzer [website, @prairieecologist]

Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc]

Nathan Pflueger [website]

AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab]

Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!

Music by Humans Win

Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin

Starlings | Fins, Fur, & Feathers #395 Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Starlings were introduced to North America by European settlers who missed wildlife that reminded them of home. Today, European starlings cause more than a $1 Billion in property damage in the US annually, spread zoonotic disease, and create quite a mess in North America and throughout the world. On this episode, Drew and Joe discuss damage caused by European Starlings in North America, and control options available to reduce or mitigate the problems associated with this invasive species.

Fire timing and turkeys ft. Dr. Craig Harper | Wild Turkey Science #394 Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Craig Harper re-joins the podcast to share preliminary results from his on-going research comparing dormant, early-, mid-, and late-growing season fire treatments and assessing their effects on plant communities and wildlife, including turkeys and deer.

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.

Harper, C. A., et al. (2016). Fire effects on wildlife in the Central Hardwoods and Appalachian regions, USA. Fire Ecology, 12, 127-159.

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.

Turner, M. A., et al. (2020). Improving coastal plain hardwoods for deer and turkeys with canopy reduction and fire. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 44(4), 705-712.

Turner, M. A., et al. (2025). Effect of growing season fire timing on oak regeneration. Fire Ecology, 21(1), 6.

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!

Dr. Craig Harper Website, Publications

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

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