Natural Resources University is a podcast network focused on delivering science-based natural resource management. The series within the network include Deer University, Fire University, Pond University, and Habitat University. Funding for this podcast network is generated from the Renewable Resources Extension Act.
The Natural Resources University podcast has completely transformed my perspective on the outdoors. Before I started hunting whitetails in Northern IL in 2020, I never truly appreciated the wonders of nature. However, this podcast has opened my eyes to the intricacies and importance of habitat management and conservation. The hosts provide a wealth of information that is both data-based and unbiased, which is refreshing in a world filled with misinformation. Thanks to this podcast, I have developed a newfound love for the outdoors and am constantly hungry for more knowledge.
One of the best aspects of The Natural Resources University podcast is its comprehensive coverage of various habitats and species. From forests to fields, ponds to fire, and everything in between, this podcast covers it all. Whether you're a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or just beginning to learn about habitat management, this podcast caters to everyone's needs. The hosts are incredibly knowledgeable and back up their recommendations with scientific data, which adds credibility to their discussions.
However, as much as I enjoy The Natural Resources University podcast, there are a couple of aspects that could be improved upon. Firstly, while the hosts do an excellent job at presenting management recommendations based on scientific research, they could delve deeper into practical implementation tips for listeners. It would be beneficial for them to provide more specific guidance on how individuals can actively contribute to habitat management efforts.
In conclusion, The Natural Resources University podcast is an absolute gem for anyone passionate about wildlife conservation and habitat management. It provides an immersive learning experience by presenting scientific data alongside practical recommendations. While there is room for improvement when it comes to practical application guidance, overall, this podcast offers tremendous value and has ignited a newfound passion within me for the great outdoors. Kudos to everyone involved in creating such fantastic content!
With information more accessible than ever, it can be hard to know what's actually good advice for your pond. In this episode, Joe and Drew talk through common sources of misinformation, examples of good spirited bad advice, and how to determine if the guidance you hear is worth listening to. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
Will leads us through a deep dive of the scientific literature on the relative contribution of avian predators to wild turkey predation. Resources: Hughes, T. W., et al. (2005). The impacts of predation on wild turkeys. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2005, 117-126. Palmer, W. E., et al. (2005). Effect of field borders and nest‐predator reduction on abundance of northern bobwhites. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 33(4), 1398-1405. Speake, D. W., et al. (1985). Mortality of wild turkey poults in northern Alabama. The Journal of wildlife management, 49(2), 472-474. Wightman, P. H., et al. (2025). Investigating diel patterns of predation events in wild turkeys using tri‐axial accelerometer data. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 49, e1631. The Westervelt Lodge | #176 When Predator Control Works | #194 MSU Gamebird Program Instagram, Facebook Wildlife Investments Instagram, Facebook Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet Can't attend the banquet but still want to bid on our live auction items? Email c.nowak@ufl.edu or send a DM to our UF Game Lab Instagram or Facebook. Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support! We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Forest inventory and timber cruising provide the information landowners and foresters need to understand what is growing on a property, how much timber is present, and how that timber should be managed or valued. In this episode of Timber University, Dr. Josh Granger from Mississippi State University joins us to discuss the different methods used to measure forests and why a well-designed inventory can be one of the most important investments a forest landowner makes. Dr. Granger is an Associate Professor in Mississippi State University's Department of Forestry, where he teaches dendrology, forest measurements, and forest description and analysis. His work helps students develop the practical skills needed to identify trees, measure forest resources, design timber cruises, and use inventory data to support forest management decisions. In this conversation, we discuss why the purpose of an inventory should determine how it is designed. Dr. Granger explains the differences among fixed-area plots, prism or variable-radius sampling, strip cruises, nested plots, and 100-percent inventories. He also discusses why no single method is best for every situation and how foresters often combine methods to efficiently collect the information needed. We also explain basal area, trees per acre, total height, merchantable height, and the level of precision needed for different types of forestry work. The conversation explores why a diameter measurement to the nearest tenth of an inch may be useful for research, growth monitoring, or carbon accounting, while broader diameter classes may be adequate for some operational timber cruises. The episode also emphasizes the financial importance of obtaining a reliable inventory before buying or selling timber. Without an independent estimate of timber volume, quality, and product composition, landowners may have little basis for determining whether an offer reflects the true value of their timber. Forest inventories can also support property appraisals, timber-basis calculations, casualty-loss documentation, carbon projects, wildlife management, invasive-species monitoring, and long-term assessments of forest growth and condition. This episode is a useful listen for forest landowners, consulting foresters, forestry students, timber buyers, land managers, appraisers, extension professionals, and anyone interested in understanding how forests are measured and valued. Questions for Timber University can be sent to timberuniversity@gmail.com.
Dr. Mark Turner joins us to discuss his newly accepted, peer-reviewed study examining how vegetation around wild turkey nests impacts both nest success and hen survival during incubation. Resources: Turner, M.A., et al. (2026). In Press. Vegetation composition and structure influences female wild turkey survival during incubation. Journal of Wildlife Management. (Not yet published, will link paper once available). Butler, N., et al. (2025). Vital rates and population trajectory of a declining eastern wild turkey population in southeastern Oklahoma. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 49, e70002. Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may help explain wild turkey population decline. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1642. 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. Dr. Mark Turner Publications, @extensionwildlifedoc Check out Dr. Mark Turner's podcast Blazin' Grazin' & Other Wild Things OSU Natural Resources Extension FB, OSU Natural Resources Extension IG Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support! We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Raccoons are smart, adaptable omnivores that can be challenging to manage, because they are very resourceful. Drew and Joe share some insights into solving common problems with raccoons. Drew also shares some valuable insight into the kinds of traps that work best based on location, and why relocating raccoons isn't best for them. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
Will walks us through a recent study assessing the effects of predator removal on a ground nesting bird - the Pigeon Gullimot - and how this translates to managing predators for wild turkey. Resources: Cherry, M. J., et al. (2015). Effects of predation risk and group dynamics on white-tailed deer foraging behavior in a longleaf pine savanna. Behavioral Ecology, 26(4), 1091-1099. Conner, L. M., et al. (2016). Predator exclusion as a management option for increasing white‐tailed deer recruitment. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 80(1), 162-170. Stark, S. B., et al. (2026). Seabird population responses after the removal of an introduced predator. The Journal of Wildlife Management, e70242. The science on trapping | Ep 07 Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support! We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Grizzly bears are making a comeback – and their return is one of North America's greatest conservation success stories. But as bears expand into places they haven't occupied in generations, new questions emerge. Where do bears belong in the modern West? What does it actually take to share a landscape with a large carnivore? And who bears the costs and responsibilities of recovery? This season on Working Wild University, we're traveling from Wyoming ranches to Montana communities, talking with ranchers, wildlife managers, scientists, tribal leaders, conservationists, and the people living and working in bear country every day. The future of grizzly bears isn't just about bears. It's also about us. Working Wild University is a production of Western Landowners Alliance and Dr. Jared Beaver of Montana State University Extension, and a proud part of Natural Resources University podcast network.
Jacob and Eric sit down with Sam Overfors, a recent Deer Lab graduate, to discuss his work evaluating antipredator behavior in fawns. Sam used thermal drones and GPS collars to investigate how fawns move across the landscape. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need 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)
In this episode, we discuss our go-to herbicides for various land management scenarios. Resources: Herbicides | Ep 102 Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support! We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Catfish are among the most popular fish to catch in the Great Plains. Kansas is home to 12 species of catfish including small madtoms and record setting Flathead Catfish. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss catfish diets, habitats, and much more. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
Dr. Andy Little, Associate Professor of Landscape Ecology and Habitat Management and Extension Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, stops by to discuss how deer alter their behavior in response to hunters. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need 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)
Marcus sits down with Tes Randle Jolly - award-winning professional wildlife and turkey photographer extraordinaire - who shares insights from her time spent as a poult mama with our captive turkeys. Tes Randle Jolly @jovtes https://www.instagram.com/jovtes/?hl=en Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support! We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Can forest landowners deduct residual soil fertility as some farmers do? In this episode, Shaun and Brady examine the growing interest in the residual fertility tax deduction, explain the relevant IRS tax provisions, and discuss why these strategies may apply to agriculture but generally not to forestry. They also cover the legal uncertainty surrounding aggressive soil nutrient deductions and what forest landowners should know before pursuing them. Special Thanks to Dr. Yanshu Li at The University of Georgia for providing section code interpretation and Kristine Tidgren, Director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, for her very helpful work in this area that was used for the background and relevant cases discussed in the episode. Have Questions? If you've encountered this issue in practice or have experience with residual fertility deductions in forestry or agriculture, the hosts would love to hear from you. Email: TimberUniversity@gmail.com
In this episode, we chat with Josh Murman and Colton Rathman to explore how PTx Ag is bringing autonomous technology to the farm by transforming compatible tractors into self-operating machines. We discuss how the system works and how it helps farmers tackle labor shortages, improve efficiency, and complete critical fieldwork on time. But we also look beyond productivity, exploring how autonomy could make conservation practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and other stewardship efforts more practical and accessible by reducing the time and labor they require. Whether you're curious about autonomous farming or the future of sustainable agriculture, this episode offers an inside look at the opportunities this technology can create. Resources: PTx Ag: OutRun Retrofit Autonomy Kit PTx Ag: Find a Dealer Josh Murman [LinkedIn] Colton Rathman [LinkedIn] 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! We are dedicated to bringing important information and new ideas to listeners just like you. Help us keep WildAg going by donating to the podcast: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01155570/ Or, learn more about how your organization can sponsor episodes: https://awesmlab.unl.edu/wildag-sponsorship/ Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin
In this episode, we dig into raccoon population densities across the literature, uncovering how food subsidization can push numbers from under 10 to over 300 per square kilometer. 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. Prange, S., Gehrt, S. D., & Wiggers, E. P. (2003). Demographic factors contributing to high raccoon densities in urban landscapes. The Journal of wildlife management, 324-333. Rosatte et al. (2001). Emergency response to raccoon rabies introduction into Ontario. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 37(2), 265-279. Smith, H. T., & Engeman, R. M. (2002). An extraordinary raccoon, Procyon lotor; density at an urban park. USDA National Wildlife Research Center-Staff Publications, 487. A deep dive into coyotes | #96 Blackberries buffer coyote predation | #185 Trap the pigs, folks | #186 Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support! We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Stocking rate sounds simple, but this episode shows why it is one of the most misunderstood and important decisions in grazing management. John Weir, Laura Goodman, Ph.D., and Mark Turner, Ph.D. explain that stocking rate is not just the number of cattle on a pasture. It is the number of animals on a set number of acres for a specific length of time. Leaving out the time component can lead to bad assumptions, overuse of forage and long-term damage to native rangeland. Laura explains why moderate stocking is often the sweet spot for both pasture health and ranch economics. Heavy stocking may seem profitable in good rainfall years, but it can reduce dominant tallgrass species, increase shortgrass or less desirable plants, lower cow breed-up, reduce calf weaning weights and make drought years much harder to survive financially. The group also discusses why continuous grazing is not automatically bad when stocking rate is right, and why rotational grazing cannot make up for simply running too many animals. Listeners will also hear practical ways to estimate forage production and adjust stocking decisions, including grazing exclosures, clipping samples, Web Soil Survey, the Rangeland Analysis Platform and the RAP Production Explorer. The episode closes with a clear reminder for ranchers and land managers: plan for dry years, not just good years, and use stocking rate as the foundation for livestock production, wildlife habitat, prescribed fire and long-term land resilience. Resources - OSU Extension: Stocking Rate Determination on Native Rangeland - OSU Extension: Assessing Potential Forage Production Using Web Soil Survey - OSU Extension: Patch Burning - Rangeland Analysis Platform and Production Explorer - USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey This episode is made possible by support from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
Bronson and Steve take time out of their busy schedules to jump back on the podcast. They chat with Jacob and Eric about everything from how they created the Deer University Podcast to what it's been like to work together for decades. They also fill the guys in on what they're up to now, including how they're still working together to help landowners and what they're up to in their free time. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need 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
Many diseases can be transmitted from wildlife to humans, and one in particular has been making headlines recently. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss what Hantavirus is, how it is transmitted, the wildlife species most commonly associated with it, the habitats where exposure is most likely to occur, and how to avoid infection. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
In this episode, Marcus sits down with the UF Game Lab communications team – Charlotte and Dot – to share insights into the communication and fundraising efforts for a research lab that reaches the public. Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support! We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
This episode is made possible by support from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Wild turkey numbers rise and fall for a lot of reasons, but better brood habitat may be one of the most practical things landowners can influence right now. In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, Dr. Mark Turner, Oklahoma State University Extension Wildlife Specialist, joins John Weir and Dr. Laura Goodman to talk through what turkeys need after nesting season. They cover poult survival, forb-rich brood cover, cedar encroachment, roost trees, grazing, fescue control, prescribed fire, predator pressure, and why landowners can have a bigger impact than regulation changes alone. Resources - Oklahoma Conservation Commission - Oklahoma State University Wild Turkey Fact Sheet
Join us as we explore the life and legacy of Tom Kelly through his daughter Laura Bates. Tom Kelly, Inc. (Website) (Facebook Page) (Instagram) Resources: No Place to Hide Tenth Legion: Bootleg Revival The Colonel and the Fox The Evolution of Turkey Calling: From bone to box | #177 The T.H. Kelly Handbook Wild Turkey Archives Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
The term Extension is often used when discussing the mission of Land Grant Institutions, but we rarely take time to explain what Extension means. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss what it means to be a Land Grant Institution, their approach to reaching a wide array of stakeholders, and their views of what success in Extension looks like. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
We're bringing back our episode where we dig into what the scientific literature actually says about what eats turkeys at every life stage. Resources from the episode: Chitwood, M. C., et al. (2020). Raccoon vigilance and activity patterns when sympatric with coyotes. Diversity, 12(9), 341. Gulsby, W. D., et al. (2017). Landscape heterogeneity reduces coyote predation on white‐tailed deer fawns. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 81(4), 601-609. Kelly, J. D., et al. (2015). Seasonal and spatial variation in diets of coyotes in central Georgia. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 2, 296-302. Nelson, S. D., et al. (2022). Fine‐scale resource selection and behavioral tradeoffs of eastern wild turkey broods. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 86(5), e22222. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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 Q&A episode, Brady and Shaun answer listener and landowner questions on three practical forestry topics: whether diesel or dish soap should be used as surfactants in herbicide applications, what landowners should consider before converting industrial timberland into recreational or early successional habitat, and how soil properties influence which tree species can successfully grow on a site. The episode emphasizes a recurring Timber University theme: forestry decisions depend on objectives. A practice may be silviculturally possible, but that does not mean it is legal, consistent, financially sound, or appropriate for a specific landowner's long-term goals.
We're bringing back our episode with Dr. Chris Moorman on the use of prescribed fire during the nesting season. Resources: 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. Kilburg, Eric L., et al. "Wild turkey prenesting-resource selection in a landscape managed with frequent prescribed fire." Southeastern Naturalist 14.1 (2015): 137-146. Kroeger, Anthony J., et al. "Northern bobwhite non‐breeding habitat selection in a longleaf pine woodland." The Journal of Wildlife Management 84.7 (2020): 1348-1360. Winiarski, Jason M., et al. "Nest-site selection and nest survival of Bachman's Sparrows in two longleaf pine communities." The Condor: Ornithological Applications 119.3 (2017): 361-374. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Invasive species are an issue for many stakeholders across the Great Plains but there are simple steps everyone can take to help limit their spread. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss some of the most common aquatic invasive species, their impact on aquatic ecosystemsz and the best ways to prevent spreading them. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
Mr. Rainer Nichols, National Training Academy Instructor and Founder of Five Cents Fire and Land Management, joins Jacob and Eric to discuss working with landowners to achieve their habitat management goals. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need 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)
Feral pigs are bad news for wild turkeys – but how bad, and what should you actually do about it? In this episode, we break down the latest research on pig population impacts, what pigs are eating, and why it matters for turkeys. Resources: How pig removal affects turkeys | Ep 97 McDonough, M. T., et al. (2024). Population response of eastern wild turkey to removal of wild pigs. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 88(8), e22662. Stoakley, T. E., et al. (2025). Wild pigs impact reproductive season movements and space use of wild turkeys. Movement Ecology, 13(1), 59. Thanksgiving Special | Ep 54 Wilson, K. C., et al. (2026). Seasonal variation in wild pig (Sus scrofa) diet revealed by DNA metabarcoding. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e70019. Youngmann, et al. (2023). Assessing springtime vertebrate prey of sympatric mesopredators in the southeastern United States using metabarcoding analysis. Plos one, 18(10), e0293270. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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, Dr. Grace Schuster joins co-hosts Andy and Nathan to discuss her PhD research on how bioenergy crop production impacts grassland bird communities in southwestern Nebraska. From the feasibility of large-scale switchgrass production to conservation strategies, this episode explores the balance between fueling the future and protecting our wildlife. Can agricultural landscapes support both renewable energy goals and healthy bird populations? Tune in for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of ecology, agriculture, and conservation. Resources: Bioenergy Crop Production: Implications for Grassland Bird Communities in Southwestern Nebraska (Thesis) Further information on this research project (AWESM Lab) Dr. Grace Schuster [website] 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! We are dedicated to bringing important information and new ideas to listeners just like you. Help us keep WildAg going by donating to the podcast: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01155570/ Or, learn more about how your organization can sponsor episodes: https://awesmlab.unl.edu/wildag-sponsorship/ Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin
Jacob and Eric catch up with Dr. Marcus Blum, Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist at Texas A&M University, to discuss deer management in TX. They cover everything from the work he is doing to get students involved with deer management to how management varies across regions of TX. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need 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)
We break down a 2026 coyote diet study to reveal how blackberry availability actually buffers fawns from predation, and what that means for how you should be thinking about your turkey management. Resources: Gulsby, W. D., et al. (2015). White‐tailed deer fawn recruitment before and after experimental coyote removals in central Georgia. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 39(2), 248-255. Jensen, A. J., et al. (2026). An omnivore's options: Altered predator behavior during periods of overlapping resource pulses. Ecosphere, 17(3), e70282. Turkey Predators | Ep 06 Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Geographic information systems, remote sensing, and spatial data are becoming everyday tools for forestry and natural resource management. In this episode of Timber University, Dr. Michael Crosby from Louisiana Tech University joins us to discuss how GIS can help foresters, landowners, students, and natural resource professionals better understand forests, make maps, analyze management decisions, and connect field observations to landscape-scale patterns. Dr. Crosby is an Associate Professor in Louisiana Tech's School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry, where his work connects forestry, spatial modeling, forest health, invasive species, weather, and climate. He has also co-authored Geographic Information System Skills for Foresters and Natural Resource Managers, a textbook focused on helping foresters and land managers apply GIS to real-world data and management problems. In this conversation, we discuss why GIS matters in modern forestry and how mapping tools can move beyond "pretty pictures" into practical decision support. Dr. Crosby explains how spatial data can help answer questions about forest condition, access, disturbance, risk, invasive species, and management planning. The episode also touches on how students and working professionals can build confidence with GIS, even if they are not coming from a technical background. We also discuss the growing role of remote sensing, aerial imagery, and spatial analysis in forestry education and practice. From identifying patterns on the landscape to supporting better field decisions, these tools are increasingly important for foresters, land managers, consultants, researchers, and students preparing to work in natural resources. This episode is a useful listen for forestry students, consulting foresters, land managers, extension professionals, GIS users, and anyone interested in how spatial tools are changing the way we understand and manage forests. You can contact Dr. Michael Crosby at mcrosby@LATech.edu Additional resource: Geographic Information System Skills for Foresters and Natural Resource Managers Dr. Crosby co-authored this GIS textbook for foresters and natural resource managers.
Trapping wildlife is a practice that dates back to ancient history, and remains a particularly important tool for harvesting furbearing mammals. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss modern trapping techniques, reasons to trap, and development of the Best Management Practices for Trapping Furbearers in the United States Learn more about the importance of trapping in the management of furbearers and the Best Management Practices here: https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-inspires/furbearer-management 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
Hurricanes are often seen as purely destructive, but new research reveals their vital role in shaping longleaf pine ecosystems. Dr. Jeffrey Cannon from the Jones Center at Ichauway joins the Timber University podcast to discuss how his research explores how these storms influence forest structure, stimulate reproduction, and act as natural restorers. Discover how hurricanes increase biodiversity, create complex forest structures, and reinforce fire regimes, offering ecological benefits often overlooked. We also discuss how remote sensing tools like LiDAR are transforming our understanding of storm impacts, from tree architecture adaptations to fuel patterns affecting fire behavior. Dr. Cannon provides practical advice on managing forest diversity to bolster resilience against future hurricanes, crucial for landowners and restoration practitioners. This episode is perfect for land managers, conservationists, and anyone interested in the nuanced role of disturbances. It challenges conventional views and sparks innovative thinking about storm ecology and forest resilience. You can contact Dr. Cannon directly at jeffery.cannon@jonesctr.org A tutorial on using Lidar tools for forestry data https://lab.jonesctr.org/cannon/resources/ If you want to hear a broader discussion with Dr. Cannon and others on research needs for hurricane-disturbed forests, click below. https://forestrywebinars.net/webinars/future-directions-for-hurricane-disturbed-forests/?sr=wp~ondemand
In this episode, we discuss how years of turkey research has directly influenced the way that we hunt. Resources: Fist Full of Dirt: Dr. Disturbance Can Flat-Out Hunt (Part 1) Fist Full of Dirt: Dr. Disturbance Can Flat-Out Hunt (Part 2) Home range of gobblers | Ep 125 Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may help explain wild turkey population decline. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1642. Where do turkeys roost? | Ep 123 Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Eastern redcedar control is becoming one of Oklahoma's biggest land, water, and wildfire issues—and this episode explains how the Oklahoma Conservation Commission is turning concern into action. John Weir, Laura Goodman Ph.D., and Mark Turner Ph.D. visit with Trey Lam and Trampas Tripp about the Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Pilot Project, a program designed to reduce invasive woody species, protect rural communities, improve rangeland health, and put more water back into Oklahoma soils and streams. The conversation covers how cedar control moved from years of talk to funded work on the ground, including brush-free zones around towns and infrastructure, prescribed fire training with rural fire departments, cost-share programs for landowners, and research measuring soil moisture, forage recovery, wildlife response, and wildfire risk. The episode makes one thing clear: managing cedars is not just about removing trees—it is about protecting rural lives, homes, grasslands, water supplies, wildlife habitat, and the future of working lands.
In this episode, Brady and Shaun talk about the recent ice storms across much of the Eastern US, with some states reporting substantial timber damage. They discuss how landowners can assess damage from the ice storms and what the next steps are for their forest property. As always make sure to reach out to private consultants, Extension, and your State forestry comission for help in taking those next steps. See the link for some leads on assistance in the wake of the storms https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12644
Gear up for another storytime episode as we swap late-season turkey hunting chronicles in this one. Resources: Turkey Calling Tutorial: Master the Trumpet & Wingbone Call Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Jacob and Eric discuss warm-season food plots with John Gruchy, Coordinator of the Private Lands Program for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need 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).
Research is an important source of scientific information and graduate students are often tasked with collecting data to help answer these questions. On this week's episode, Grace Lansdell, a graduate student in Dr. Gerken's lab, joins Joe and Drew as a guest commentator to discuss fish farms, bird predation, and the luxurious life of a graduate student. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
In this episode, we dive into new research findings on the prevalence and biological impact of REV and LPDV in wild turkeys. Resources: Adcock, K. G., et al. (2024). Lymphoproliferative disease virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus detection and disease in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 60(1), 139-150. Cox, F., et al. (2022). Molecular surveillance for lymphoproliferative disease virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus in Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Texas, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 58(4), 909-913. Edge, A. et al. (2026). Regional Pathogen Surveillance of Free-Ranging Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in North Carolina, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 62(1), 87-100. Goodwin, C. C., et al. (2025). Current understanding of lymphoproliferative disease virus in wild turkeys. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 49, e1644. Haynes, E., et al. (2024). Health assessment of adult male Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) from Western Kentucky, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 60(3), 660-669. Ingram, D. R., et al. (2015). Serologic survey of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and evidence of exposure to avian encephalomyelitis virus in Georgia and Florida, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 51(2), 374-379. Koch, R. W., et al. (2026). Risk factors and coinfection dynamics of pathogens in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from Pennsylvania, USA. Ecology and Evolution, 16(2), e73079. Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may help explain wild turkey population decline. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1642. MacDonald, A. M., et al. (2019). Lymphoproliferative disease virus in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from Manitoba and Quebec, Canada. Avian Diseases, 63(3), 506-510. Ostrander, K. N., et al. (2025). Histomonosis and Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus in Male Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Alabama, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Shea, S. A., et al. (2026). Retroviral Infections Affect Survival and Clutch Size of Female Wild Turkeys. Ecology and Evolution, 16(4), e73383. Stewart, B., et al. (2019). Survey of reticuloendotheliosis virus in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Texas, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 55(3), 689-693. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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're joined by Jake Koenig, Midwest Habitat Program Manager for the Monarch Joint Venture, to explore the fascinating world of monarch butterflies. Jake shares insights into their incredible multi-generational migration, the challenges they face, and what conservation efforts are underway to support their survival and growth. He also takes us along on his recent trip to Mexico, where monarchs gather in breathtaking numbers at their overwintering grounds. From the incredible spectacle of migration to possible ventures in milkweed production, we explore the incredible world of the monarch and the role we can play in it. Resources: Monarch Life Cycle Cards Habitat signs for advocacy Remote sensing Mowing management best management practices Community science opportunities Research reviews Solar synergy program Jake Koenig [website, Instagram, Facebook] 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! We are dedicated to bringing important information and new ideas to listeners just like you. Help us keep WildAg going by donating to the podcast: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01155570/ Or, learn more about how your organization can sponsor episodes: https://awesmlab.unl.edu/wildag-sponsorship/ Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin
In this episode, we discuss practical strategies for hunting and managing turkeys. Resources: Population Dynamics, Manipulative Study of Season Dates in Mississippi ft. Adam Butler | #02 Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Crappie fishing is one of the first signs that spring has arrived for many pond owners. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss different types of crappie, why we fish for them earlier than other fish species, and things to consider when deciding if crappie are a good fit for stocking in your pond. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife
We pull the research to explore the reproductive capabilities of jakes and bust the myth of whether or not they can breed. Resources: Davis, B. D., et al. (1994). Breeding Chronology in Rio Grande Turkey Hens.ob No. 7.07. Federal Aid Project No. W-126-R-2. Small Game Research and Surveys. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Final Report. Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased fevmale survival may help explain wild turkey population decline. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1642. Lewis, J. B., & Breitenbach, R. P. (1966). Breeding potential of subadult wild turkey gobblers. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 618-622. Whitaker, D. M., et al. (2005). A range‐wide meta‐analysis of wild turkey nesting phenology and spring season opening dates. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2005, 351-360. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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 recap our season and swap turkey hunting highlights. WATCH this episode here: https://youtu.be/YUG2gIZc9yQ Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
Feral swine cause billions of dollars in damage to agriculture annually in the United States, and their population numbers can grow extremely quickly. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss the origins, characteristics, and control of feral swine in the U.S. 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 Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSREWildlife
We sit down with Dr. Patrick Wightman, National Director of Wild Turkey Research and Science at NWTF, to hear about his vision for the company's future support of turkey research. Dr. Patrick Wightman - Email, Publications Resources: Habitat for the Hatch NWTF Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
If you grew up on or near a farm, you might think back fondly on summer days spent fishing in your local pond. From small ponds to large reservoirs, water in working landscapes provides numerous opportunities while also facing challenges. This month we are joined by Jeff Jackson, Aquatic Habitat Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, to talk about fishery and pond management in agricultural and working landscapes. From water quality and sedimentation to healthy bass fisheries and beyond, Jeff covers the challenges facing our ponds and lakes and what we can do to ensure healthy waters for everyone. Resources: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Nebraska Game and Parks 2026 Fishing Guide Jeff Jackson [contact] 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! We are dedicated to bringing important information and new ideas to listeners just like you. Help us keep WildAg going by donating to the podcast: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01155570/ Or, learn more about how your organization can sponsor episodes: https://awesmlab.unl.edu/wildag-sponsorship/ Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin
This episode is made possible by support from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, the hosts sit down with Trey Lam and Lisa Knopf-Owen of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to explain how conservation works on the ground in Oklahoma. They break down the relationship between the Commission and local conservation districts, trace the agency's roots back to the Dust Bowl, and share how locally led decisions help landowners tackle real challenges like flooding, brush encroachment, soil health, water quality, prescribed fire, and infrastructure needs. The conversation highlights how practical conservation succeeds when local people shape priorities and partnerships bring resources together. From upstream flood-control dams and water-quality monitoring to simplified cost-share programs and support for prescribed burn associations, this episode shows how voluntary, common-sense conservation can deliver real results for producers, communities, and the state as a whole. Resources - Oklahoma Conservation Commisssion
We chat with wild turkey historian and author Brent Rogers about the fascinating history and evolution of turkey calls. Join as we explore how culture, technology, and conservation shaped the way hunters communicate with wild turkeys. Brent Rogers @gobblegitr The Origin and Evolution of Turkey Calls American Wild Turkey Historical Foundation Wild Turkey Archives Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! 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! 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 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
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