Wild Turkey Science

In this episode, we are joined by forest manager Michael Heatherly who walks us through the steps landowners should take when managing pine timber on their properties.    Michael Heatherly mheatherly@sizemore1949.com Sizemore & Sizemore https://sizemoretimber.com/   Resources: Association of Consulting Foresters Society of American Foresters   00:00 Introduction to Forest Management and Wildlife Objectives 03:12 Understanding Landowner Objectives and Initial Steps 05:59 The Role of Thinning and Clear Cutting in Habitat Management 09:03 Timber Harvesting: Economic Considerations and Market Dynamics 11:45 Long-Term Management Strategies for Landowners 14:59 Navigating Timber Sales and Contracts 17:45 Ensuring Compliance and Quality During Harvesting 20:41 The Importance of Consulting Foresters 23:33 Building Long-Term Relationships with Landowners 36:43 Maximizing Timber Revenue 39:30 Landowner-Forester Collaboration 44:30 Navigating Market Challenges 50:26 Best Practices for Thinning 54:24 The Importance of Professional Guidance 59:22 Finding the Right Forester   Fundraising Banquet (To enter the online raffles, click on ‘Get Tickets’ and then scroll down to the ‘Add-ons’)   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   Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!   Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!   Watch these podcasts on YouTube   Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!    Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance 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!   Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!   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  

In this episode, we discuss what you should be thinking about and implementing on your property for turkeys right now.    WATCH this episode here!   Resources: Guide to Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants, Dr. Craig Harper   00:00 Introduction and Banter 02:55 Habitat-Centric Discussions 05:55 Fishing Adventures and Insights 08:48 Turkey Management Strategies 11:45 Field Management for Turkeys 14:48 Importance of Early Successional Cover 17:36 Burning and Timber Harvest Planning 28:53 Expanding the Burn Window 30:15 Increasing Sunlight for Turkey Abundance 31:44 Optimizing Poults Habitat 34:01 Managing Old Fields for Turkeys 35:55 Evaluating Agronomic Crops for Wildlife 37:46 The Role of Joint Vetch in Habitat Management 39:59 Balancing Ideal vs. Optimal Management 42:23 Practical Approaches to Habitat Management 43:48 Mast Management and Acorn Production 44:50 Identifying and Managing Problematic Trees 46:45 Combatting Ryegrass in Food Plots 50:15 Evaluating Management Practices   Fundraising Banquet (To enter the online raffles, click on ‘Get Tickets’ and then scroll down to the ‘Add-ons’)   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   Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!   Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com!   Watch these podcasts on YouTube   Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you!    Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance 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!   Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!   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  

We discuss the importance of firebreaks for turkey hunting and habitat management, exploring the various types of firebreaks, their strategic uses, and practical tips for effective management.     WATCH this episode here!   Resources: What would Lovett do? #124   00:00:00 – Intro  00:01:18 – Chitter chatter  00:02:00 – Choosing Firebreaks 00:04:00 – Wildlife Value of Planted Firebreaks 00:06:00 – Designing Firebreaks for Habitat & Access 00:08:00 – Common Misconceptions about Firebreaks 00:12:00 – Real-world Examples from the Field 00:20:00 – Regional Variation & Turkey Use 00:26:00 – Seasonal Management & Prescribed Fire 00:34:00 – Integrating Firebreaks into Larger Management Goals   Fundraising Banquet (to enter into the online raffles, click on ‘Get Tickets’ and then scroll down to the ‘Add-ons’) 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   Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund    Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research!   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  

In this episode, we discuss progress that we’re seeing on private lands management.  WATCH this episode here! Resources:  Fundraising Banquet (to enter into the online raffles, click on ‘Get Tickets’ and then scroll down to the ‘Add-ons’) Has turkey habitat changed? | #21 Turner, M. A., et al. (2021). Mixture of triclopyr and imazapyr more effective than triclopyr alone for hardwood forest stand improvement. Forest Science, 67(1), 43-48. Which plants for brooding cover? | #142    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   Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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

We’re bringing back our episode on indicator plants for evaluating successful brood field management.  WATCH this episode here! Resources: iNaturalist Seek Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants GeFellers, J. et al. (2020). Seeding is not always necessary to restore native early successional plant communities. Restoration Ecology, 28(6), 1485-1494. Powell, B. L., et al. (2022). Vegetation structure and food availability following disturbance in recently restored early successional plant communities. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 46(5), e1372.   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   Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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

Dr. Zach Steele and Dorothy Dick, key creators for our online wild turkey training, join us to discuss the production of the course. Join as they share insights into the research and development, the expert contributors that shaped the course content, feedback received from constituents, challenges faced during filming, and the memorable moments that made the project enjoyable.  WATCH this episode here!   Dr. Zachary Steele Publications Dorothy Dick @peep_the_poult   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   Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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  

Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat features 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 population management. The course offers continuing education credits (CEUs) available through The Wildlife Society and the Society of American Foresters. 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

We're bringing back our episode discussing the multifaceted effects of fire on wild turkey survival and how a new approach could knock off two objectives with one flame.  WATCH this episode here! Resources: Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Frequent prescribed burns reduce mammalian species richness and occurrence in longleaf pine sandhills. Forest Ecology and Management, 553, 121596. Fire University #13 - How fire affects predators, ft. Dr. Michael Cherry Jones, D. D., et al. (2004). Prescribed fire and raccoon use of longleaf pine forests: implications for managing nest predation?. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 32(4), 1255-1259. Jorge, M. H., et al. (2020). Fire and land cover drive predator abundances in a pyric landscape. Forest Ecology and Management, 461, 117939. 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. Lohr, A. K., et al. (2019). Effects of individual recess behaviors on nest and female survival of Eastern wild turkeys (Doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia). Wann, G. T., et al. (2020). The influence of prescribed fire on wild turkeys in the Southeastern United States: A review and synthesis. Forest Ecology and Management, 455, 117661. Wild Turkey Science #19 - Burning during nesting What does wild turkey nesting cover look like? (Craig Harper Video) Yeldell, N. A., et al. (2017). Nest site selection and nest survival of eastern wild turkeys in a pyric landscape. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 81(6), 1073-1083. Yeldell, N. A., et al. (2017). Prescribed fire influences habitat selection of female eastern wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 81(7), 1287-1297.    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   Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! 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  

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  

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