Wild Turkey Science

The podcast discusses the relationship between hardwood forests and wild turkeys. They explore the impact of hardwoods on turkey diet selection, the importance of a native grass genus in turkeys' diet, and the significant fat content of Acre for turkeys. They also delve into the importance of acorn production on turkey vital rates and the link between hardwood oak production and turkeys. The podcast explores turkeys' use of hardwoods and stream side management zones, the significance of hardwoods in turkey production, and the importance of oak recruitment for turkey management.

Marcus and Will travel back in time with legendary turkey researchers Dr. Larry Vangilder and Eric Kurzejeski. Join as they discuss the early days of restocking and lessons learned, how hunting regulations changed as populations grew, initial assumptions impacting today's regulations, challenges they faced as biologists, and thoughts on why we're seeing declines today. Dr. Larry Vangilder, Eric W. Kurzejeski Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube) Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 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. Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Will and Marcus launch our hardwoods series by discussing oak masting biology. They review studies assessing acorn production variation across and within oak species, discuss study results of wildlife acorn preference, and provide management tools to increase acorn productivity on your land. Resources: Brooke, J. M., Basinger, P. S., Birckhead, J. L., Lashley, M. A., McCord, J. M., Nanney, J. S., & Harper, C. A. (2019). Effects of fertilization and crown release on white oak (Quercus alba) masting and acorn quality. Forest Ecology and Management, 433, 305-312. Boggess, C. M., Strickland, B., Alexander, H. D., & Lashley, M. A. (2019). Mast Seeding in Oaks: A Strategy to Satiate Predators or Strengthen Apparent Competition?. In American Fisheries Society & The Wildlife Society 2019 Joint Annual Conference. AFS. Boggess, C. M., Baruzzi, C., Alexander, H. D., Strickland, B. K., & Lashley, M. A. (2022). Exposure to fire affects acorn removal by altering consumer preference. Forest Ecology and Management, 508, 120044. Downs, A. A., & McQuilkin, W. E. (1944). Seed production of southern Appalachian oaks. Journal of Forestry, 42(12), 913-920. Greenberg, C. H., & Parresol, B. R. (2000). Acorn production characteristics of southern Appalachian oaks: a simple method to predict within-year crop size. Res. Pap. SRS-20. Asheville, NC: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 16 p., 20. Lashley, M. A., McCord, J. M., Greenberg, C. H., & Harper, C. A. (2009). Masting characteristics of white oaks: Implications for management. In Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeast Association Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Vol. 63, pp. 21-26). Minser, W. G., Allen, T., Ellsperman, B., Schlarbaum, S. E., & Eversole, A. G. (1995). Feeding response of wild turkeys to chestnuts in comparison with other mast species. In Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of Southeastern Association of Fish Wildlife Agencies, SEAFWA, Nashville, TN (pp. 490-499). Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube) Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 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. Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

The hosts of this podcast explore the implications of feeding practices for wildlife, discussing positive and negative perspectives. They also delve into the impact of bird feeders on bird ecology and breeding success. A South Texas research paper on turkey nesting and pulp production is discussed, along with the limitations and findings of a bird survey study. The podcast concludes with reception, future topics, and a lighthearted remark about sand spurs in their pants.

While in Nebraska, Marcus and Will discuss the shared challenges they see across states when trying to integrate multiple objectives into working landscapes. Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube) Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 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. Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Marcus and Will discuss the risks of feeding on wild turkeys, including predation, pathogens, and contaminants. They explore studies on nest predation, aflatoxicosis, and disease transmission. The speakers highlight the negative impacts of feeders on turkey nest success and overall species health. They also provide tips on mitigating risks and emphasize the importance of scientific evidence.

Will and Marcus characterize the available data on wildlife feeding across the South and discuss the implications for wild turkeys. Resources: SC 2006 AK 2011 FWC 2019 Land Ethic Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube) Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 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. Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Dr. Kelly Dunning, Associate Professor at Auburn University and Timberline Professor at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, joins Will and Marcus to discuss the complexities associated with conservation policy-making and how we can better integrate wild turkey research and political science moving forward. Listen to Part 1 of this episode here: https://sites.libsyn.com/453219/can-conservation-governance-save-turkeys-part-12-43 Dr. Kelly Dunning (Email) (Website) (@DrKellyHDunning) (Academic Profile) Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube) Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 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. Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Dr. Kelly Dunning, Associate Professor at Auburn University and Timberline Professor at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, joins Will and Marcus to discuss the complexities associated with conservation policy-making and how we can better integrate wild turkey research and political science moving forward. Part 2 of this episode releases next Monday. Dr. Kelly Dunning (Email) (Website) (@DrKellyHDunning) (Academic Profile) Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube) Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 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. Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Dr. Mike Byrne joins Marcus and Will to discuss the ongoing comprehensive private-land wild turkey research project in northern Missouri studying the effects of nest survival. They also cover important topics related to raccoon movements in relation to hen nesting and density dependence in turkey populations. Listen to Part 1 of this episode (here). Resources: Byrne, Michael E. Influences of landscape characteristics on the nesting ecology of female wild turkeys and behavior of raccoons. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, 2011. Byrne, Michael E., et al. "Nest site fidelity and nesting success of female wild turkeys." Wildlife Society Bulletin 46.2 (2022): e1279. Byrne, M. E., Chamberlain, M. J., & Collier, B. A. (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). Dr. Mike Byrne (Academic Profile) (University of Missouri) Dr. Marcus Lashley (DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (turkeysfortomorrow) Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 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. Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak