
Wild Turkey Science
Wild Turkey Science is a science-based podcast bringing you the latest research on wild turkey ecology and management. This podcast is part of the Natural Resources University podcast network and made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow.
Latest episodes

Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 4min
The dominant poult | #138
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 here! 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. Enroll Now! Eva Noroski @eva_noroski, Contact Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 11min
Managing nesting & brooding cover | #137
We’re bringing back Dr. Craig Harper’s step-by-step guide on how to create quality brooding and nesting cover on your property. 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. 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. Quehl, J. O., et al. (2024). Assessing wild turkey productivity before and after a 14-day delay in the start date of the spring hunting season in Tennessee. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e11390. 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. Enroll Now! Dr. Craig Harper (Website) Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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

Jun 16, 2025 • 60min
Recruitment is down, decoys are up | #136
In this episode, we review trending data across hunter age, hunter recruitment, decoy use, and reaping as Dr. Zach Steele, Post-doctoral associate and interdisciplinary ecologist specializing in human dimensions, walks us through his newest publication. Resources: Harris, A. (2006). Turkey hunting in 2006: an analysis of hunter demographics, trends, and economic impacts. USFWS Report, 7. Maryland Spring Turkey Hunter Survey – Results Summary. August 2017 Steele, Z.T., & M.A. Lashley. (2025). Reviewing human dimensions of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting research and synthesizing future directions. Zenodo. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. 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. Enroll Now! Dr. Zach Steele Publications Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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

Jun 9, 2025 • 41min
It’s not just turkeys | #135
In this episode, we explore the findings of a recent state of the bird report, highlighting the interconnectedness and decline of species across ecosystems. Resources: Merlin Bird ID Rosenberg, K. V., et al. (2019). Decline of the North American avifauna. Science, 366(6461), 120-124. Seek app (by iNaturalist) State of the Birds Report: United States of America 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. Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 3min
Illumination in the Flatwoods (Lashley edition) | #134
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: https://youtu.be/j9aO4WzAd1s 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. Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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

May 26, 2025 • 1h 1min
Fire, predators, & nesting success…oh my! | #133
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: Burning during nesting | Ep 19 McInnis, M. G., et al. (2025). The Effects of Prescribed Fire on Artificial Wild Turkey Nest Survival in Closed‐Canopy Mixed Hardwood Forest. Ecology and Evolution, 15(5), e71410. Quehl, J. O., et al. (2024). Assessing wild turkey productivity before and after a 14-day delay in the start date of the spring hunting season in Tennessee. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e11390. 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. Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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! Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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

May 19, 2025 • 1h 12min
Status of Rios, Merriam’s, & Easterns in OK | #132
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: Online Prescribed Fire Course 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. Enroll Now! Marcus Thibodeau (Contact) Eric Suttles (Contact) Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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! 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

May 12, 2025 • 1h 25min
A poult’s life | #131
Dr. Kelly O’Neil breaks down details of our latest research project focused on poult behavior and development. Join as she walks us step-by-step through a poult’s life - from egg collection to incubation, hatching, imprinting, and development until flight. Watch this episode (filled with poult footage) on our YouTube! 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. Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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! 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

May 5, 2025 • 41min
Online Wild Turkey Training | #130
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. This course is intended to be comprehensive, leading you through advanced concepts in habitat management, predator management, disease, and overall population management. We made the course online so you can take it on your own time, at your own pace, wherever you are! Enroll Now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManager Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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! 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

Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 3min
FL Wild Turkey Cost-Share program | #129
Today, we are covering the Florida Wild Turkey Cost-Share program. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Forest Service, and National Wild Turkey Federation have teamed up to put millions into improving turkey habitat on over one million acres of public hunting ground in the state. Resources: Wild Turkey Cost Share Program Florida’s Wild Turkey Cost-Share Program New, comprehensive online wild turkey course launching - Pre-enroll now! Juliana Ofalt (Contact) Ricky Lackey (Contact) Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! 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! 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