Turkey Call All Access

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes a conversation with the authors and presenters from the following papers included in the "New and Emerging Tools" session: "Investigating diel patterns of predation events in wild turkey using tri-axial accelerometer data" —- Wightman et al.(https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1631) "Use of LIDAR to examine habitat selection by incubating female wild turkeys in South Carolina" — Ulrey et al. (Presented by Nick Bakner) (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1628) "Assessing the potential of unoccupied aerial vehicles and deep learning to survey wild turkey populations" — Schumacher et al. (Presented by Mike Byrnes) (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1639) Additional guest includes the NWTF's Ricky Lackey To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes a conversation with the presenter from the following paper included in the "Tools to Estimate Survival" session: "Evaluating camera survey methods for estimating wild turkey abundance" — Buckley et al (Presented by Nick Bakner) (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1643) Additional guest includes Kyle Hand, Statewide Game Bird Specialist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. While we were not able to sit down and have further conversations with all presenters or authors from the session about tools to estimate survival, please check out the following research papers: "Comparison of methods for estimating wild turkey poult survival estimates" — Quehl et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1617) "A framework for analyzing wild turkey sighting data" — Diefenbach et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1623) To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes conversations with the authors from the following papers included in the "Human Dimensions and Hunting" session: "Hunting impacts male wild turkey movement and resource selection: insights from a hunted and nonhunted population" — Wightman et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1629) "Geographical variation in male eastern wild turkey gobbling activity relative to female nesting chronology" — Moscicki et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1627) Additional guests include the NWTF's Ricky Lackey. While we were not able to sit down and have further conversations with all presenters or authors from the session about human dimensions and hunting, please check out the following research paper: "Reviewing human dimensions of wild turkey hunting research and synthesizing future directions" — Steele et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1645) To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes a conversation with the author from the following paper included in the "Population Dynamics - A Regional Look Around the USA" session: "Comparing nesting rate and space use between extant and translocated eastern wild turkeys" — Argabright et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1626) Additional guests include the NWTF's Annie Farrell. While we were not able to sit down and have further conversations with all presenters or authors from the session about regional population dynamics, please check out the following research papers: "Vital rates and population trajectory of a decline in eastern wild turkey population in southeastern Oklahoma" — Butler et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.70002) "Factors influencing eastern wild turkey population growth in northeastern South Dakota" — Tyl et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1636) "Spring survival of wild turkeys in Delaware" — Holland et al.(https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1624) To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes conversations with authors or presenters from papers included in the "Habitat Selection" session: "Effects of temperature and precipitation on wild turkey brood survival in the southeastern United States" — Boone et al. (Presented by Chris Moorman) (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.70003) "Inter-annual lek fidelity in eastern wild turkey flocks" — Argabright et al.  (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1638) "Decreased female survival may explain wild turkey decline" — Lashley et al.(https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1642) Additional guests include the NWTF's John Burke and Kacie Bauman. To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes conversations with authors or presenters from papers included in the "Habitat Selection" session: "Multi-scale evaluation of eastern wild turkey nest site selection and nest survival" — Moscicki et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1635) "Measuring congruence between available and selected vegetation at wild turkey nest sites" — Bakner et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1626) Additional guests include the NWTF's Ricky Lackey. While we were not able to sit down and have further conversations about the following paper that also was included in the session about wild turkey genetics, please check out the following research papers: "Spatial and temporal variation in female wild turkey roost site selection" — Nieves et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1634) "Is wild turkey habitat selection spatially consistent? A three-decade meta-analysis in Mississippi" — Butler et al.(https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.70000) To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes conversations with authors or presenters from papers included in the "Disease Ecology and Predation" session: "Influence of lymphoproliferative disease virus on behaviors of female easter wild turkeys during reproductive periods" — Chamberlain et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1632) "The Notorious P.I.G.: Wild pigs are not primary predators of wild turkey nests" — Collier and Chamberlain (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1618) Additional guests include the NWTF's Ricky Lackey. While we were not able to sit down and have further conversations about the following paper that also was included in the session about wild turkey genetics, please check out the following research papers: "Our current understanding and research needs for lymphoproliferative disease virus in wild turkeys" — Goodwin et al (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1644) "Environmental influences on development of aflatoxins in supplemental feed for wildlife" — Day et al.(https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.70001) To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes conversations with authors or presenters from papers included in the "Wild Turkey Genetics" session: "Role of kinship in sociality of female eastern wild turkeys" — Chamberlain et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1630) "Genetic structuring and within-flock relatedness of eastern wild turkeys" — Watkins et al. (Presented by Chamberlain) (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1622) Additional guests include the NWTF's Ricky Lackey. While we were not able to sit down and have further conversations about the following paper that also was included in the session about wild turkey genetics, please check out the following research paper titled "Investigating the role of management decisions in subspecies hybridization across the wild turkey's range" — Beckman et al. (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1625) To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes conversations with authors or presenters from papers included in the "Status, Brood Survey and Hen Survival" session: "Status and Distribution of Wild Turkeys in the United States" — Dr. Bret Collier (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1621) "A National Standardized Wild Turkey Brood Survey: The First 6 Years" — Zach Danks (https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1641) Additional guests include the NWTF's Jared McJunkin and Doug Derek Alkire. To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

As we know there is an elevated interest in wild turkey science within the turkey hunting community, we are working to bring you numerous updates and research summaries from the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. This episode includes summary talks from the "Welcome & Introductory Remarks" session that included Eric Kurzejeski's "Wild Turkey Research: A Look Back" and Dr. Bret Collier's "Wild Turkey Research: Present and Future." Additional guests include the NWTF's John Burk and Doug Little. To view the full symposium agenda, visit www.wildturkeysymposium.org.

It is an exciting time in the NWTF Education and Outreach arena, especially as we continue to grow our programs.  The NWTF's vision has always been to unite a nation through the power of the outdoors, and through talking with NWTF education and outreach staff, one can see how far we've come.  To celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day for 2025, we sat down with Mandy Harling, National Director of Education & Outreach Programs, Morgan Evan, the National R3 & Relevancy Coordinator and Jennifer Davis, Hunting and Shooting R3 Coordinator for Michigan about what R3 is, the Hunt for Good Campaign, our amazing volunteers and all things hunting heritage. If you're craving an inspiring, feel-good conversation, tune in and enjoy! 

In this episode of the NWTF podcast, we explore what makes the West unique — and why conservation here matters to all of us. The American West is a region of unmatched beauty and opportunity, but also one of incredible complexity. From rugged mountains to sprawling deserts, its vast public lands provide vital wildlife habitat and unparalleled access for hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. NWTF staffers take us inside the challenges and opportunities of Western conservation, from wildfire and drought to the growing urban–rural divide. Most importantly, we look at how partnerships and people are coming together to ensure that the West's wild places, wildlife, and outdoor traditions remain strong for future generations.

The NWTF has just launched its bold new Roots to Roost Initiative — a groundbreaking, cross-boundary conservation effort set to make a landscape-scale impact across the Midwest.  This initiative bolsters the organization's conservation, policy, and education efforts to increase wild turkey populations and conserve the diverse ecosystems they depend on.    In this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, we're joined by John Burk and Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologists; Tyler Rhodes, NWTF National Forestry Initiative forester; and David Gladkowski, NWTF managing editor - web and media. Together, they dig into the vision behind Roots to Roost, the importance of habitat work on private lands, how landowners can get involved and more! 

In this episode of the NWTF Turkey Call All Access Podcast NWTF staff members from the Great Plains region explore the vital connection between wild turkeys, riparian ecosystems, and NWTF's Waterways for Wildlife Initiative. Together, they break down why riparian corridors—those narrow but powerful “ribbons of life” along rivers and streams—are so important to turkeys, hundreds of other wildlife species and the communities who depend on them. Listeners will hear firsthand how science and research are guiding conservation decisions in the Great Plains, the on-the-ground work NWTF and its partners are doing to restore and protect waterways and the lasting impact this initiative will have on wildlife and people alike. From invasive species removal to landowner collaboration, this conversation highlights how Waterways for Wildlife is shaping a healthier, more resilient future for America's Great Open Spaces.

The NWTF's Habitat for the Hatch initiative just wrapped up its second year, improving nesting and brood-rearing habitat across the Southeast at an accelerated pace.  The initiative is made possible by NWTF state chapters, partners, staff and a shared dedication to the wild turkey.  In this episode of the Turkey Call All Access podcast, we're joined by NWTF district biologists Derek Alkire and Ricky Lackey; Daniel Standly, NWTF National Forestry Initiative forester; Doug Little, NWTF Eastern director of operations; Molly Pitts, NWTF forest management manager; and David Gladkowski, NWTF managing editor - web and media. Together, they discuss the vision behind Habitat for the Hatch, the importance of wild turkey research, how the NWTF's work benefits entire ecosystems, ways private landowners can get involved and more!  

There's always something new to learn when you sit down with a group of NWTF biologists and foresters. Our Forests and Flocks Initiative just celebrated its first successful year of many to come, and we wanted to know what this past year looked like for the Northeast.   For anyone who wants to learn more about the initiative or wants to hear more about regional conservation efforts, regional biologists Mitchell Blake and Kaylee Szymanski have you covered. For those who are interested in the National Forestry Initiative, NWTF Forester Spencer Como has exactly what you're looking for. 

Chris Skates is a freelance writer, former chemist, outdoor writer, political commentator, speechwriter and advisor. Most importantly, though, he is an NWTF member and a long-time turkey hunter. The NWTF's Pete Muller is joined by Skates to chat about the 2025 turkey season, reminisce on Skates' journey as an outdoor writer, past hunting stories  — "The Gobbler of Panther Creek" where Skates bagged a bird in the first turkey season in his Georgia County — his time working in government and some of his other novels currently available on Amazon.  Make sure to tune in! Also check out Skates' article "Turkey Call Magazine Changed My Life."

The Rio Grande turkey occupies a variety of regions across the country thanks to translocation, but it is primarily known as the bird that occupies the more arid regions of the country, spanning from Texas north to Kansas.  This bird also is characterized as being more "gobble-friendly" than its relatives to the east, and for it's caramel colored tips of the primary and covert tail feathers. To close out the four-part series on the main subspecies needed for a wild turkey grand slam, the NWTF's Paul Campbell and Pete Muller are joined by Texas-native and wild game chef Jesse Griffith and wild turkey researcher Bret Collier to talk about all things Rio Grande wild turkey. While recounting some stories from the field, Rio Grande turkey's history, geographic distribution, current research and much more for a podcast you won't want to miss! Also make sure to check out Jesse Griffith's "The Turkey Book" to grab some of the great recipes discussed on the episode. 

To bag a Merriam's wild turkey, hunter must head west to the more mountainous regions of the country. While these birds may be known for weaker gobbles and some of the shortest spurs and beards of all the subspecies, the snow-white tips of the tail fan for Merriam's turkeys keep turkey hunter heading to the high country year after year! On this episode of Turkey Call All Access, the NWTF's Jesse Warner and Chuck Carpenter are joined by Jason Phelps, of Phelps Game Calls, to recap a hunt they shared in the Pacific Northwest. They cover the tactics they used and the challenges met afield, they dive into research that has been conducted about Merriam's wild turkeys in the region and they chat about the outlook of the bird in the future. Learn more about the NWTF's efforts to ensure Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests by visiting www.nwtf.org.

Easterns are the most widely distributed subspecies of the American wild turkey and primarily are found east of the Mississippi River. They are also the most abundant. In fact, you can find them in 38 states and numerous Canadian provinces. Known for their chestnut-brown tip, strong gobbles and longer beards, these birds draw countless hunters to the turkey woods each spring.  To cover many of the things that make this subspecies special, we welcome guests Spring Legion's Hunter Farrior, NWTF Editor Matt Stewart and the wild turkey doc himself, Dr. Michael Chamberlain.

Renowned outdoor writer and Wisconsin-native Brian Lovett received the NWTF's Tom Kelly Communicator of the Year Award at the recent 2025 Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tennessee for his ability to share the message of the NWTF's efforts nationwide.  While chasing turkeys in South Florida, the NWTF's Pete Muller sat down with Lovett to talk about a Lovett's career as an outdoor communicator, the changes that have come to the world of turkey hunting, what aspiring outdoor enthusiasts could do to follow in his steps, the continuing role of communicators to save the sport of hunting and so much more!

In this episode, the NWTF's Paul Campbell sits down with renowned wild turkey biologist Dr. Mike Chamberlain to dive deep into one of the most fascinating developments in modern turkey research — the wildturkeyDNA project. They explore how a casual Super Bowl Sunday conversation sparked a groundbreaking initiative to uncover the origins of odd plumage in wild turkeys and what it could mean for conservation. Dr. Chamberlain breaks down how turkey hunters can contribute to this innovative study, what the team hopes to learn about color variations, hybridization and genetic diversity, and why these findings could help shape the future of wild turkey populations across North America. The two also share some entertaining hunting stories, discuss the influence of legendary biologist Lovett Williams, and talk about the launch of the new 'Spurred' video series coming from Wild Turkey Lab. If you've ever seen a turkey that looked just a little "off," this episode will have you rethinking what might really be behind those feathers. And if you're a turkey hunter, this is your chance to be part of the science. Learn more or get involved: wildturkeyDNA.com  Follow on Instagram: @WildTurkeyDNA

In the lower 48, spring wild turkey seasons begin in early March with the opening of the south Florida zones allowing hunters to chase the Osceola wild turkey.  The dark-winged beauties are one of the five subspecies of the American wild turkey and they occupy the states swamps, pastures, orange groves, oak hammocks and more,. They are a highly desired bird by turkey hunters as they are limited in range and the harvest could mark a completed wild turkey grand slam.  Today, we are joined by Mike Tussey and Bo Meador to talk about the birds, the landscapes they inhabit, the challenges they face and things hunters should consider if they chose to head to Florida to chase these birds. 

Robin Clark of Virginia & Dan Ferraro of Arizona are NWTF award recipients for helping people with disabilities discover or re-discover their passion for the outdoors.   From hunting spring gobblers in Virginia to hunting javelina and doves in the deserts of Arizona, these two gentlemen have gone above and beyond what it means to be a mentor, live the mission of the NWTF and embody what it means to be a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.   Amongst the hustle and bustle of the 2025 NWTF convention, we sat down with Robin, Dan and  NWTF Arizona State Chapter President Roy Crain to discuss the facets of being a disabled hunter in the 21st century. From gear choices, access issues, regulatory issues, how to get involved, how to recruit new hunters with disabilites and more, this is sure to be an entertaining episode. Enjoy!

Renowned conservationist and outdoorsman, Will Primos, recently announced a partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to bring awareness to what conservation is and the role sportsmen and women play through the 'Truth About Conservation.' During the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show, Paul Campbell sat down with Primos to talk about his 'first hunting love,' the roots of the Truth Series, the upcoming auction of the Purdey hammer shotguns and more. Learn more about the Truth About Conservation.

In 2013, John Wallace launched his Wild Game Cook Instagram page as a way to provide everyday outdoorsmen and women with ideas for easy-to-make meals using wild game meat. Nearly 10 years later, he has taken this passion for food and education about wild game cooking, processing and more and made it a full-time gig. At SHOT Show 2025, we sat down with Wallace to chat about raising kids to appreciate wild game, easy wild game recipes for wild turkey legs, the necessity of simplicity in cooking wild game, the role wild game cooking on social media can play in the fight to ensure the future of our hunting heritage and more! To learn more about Wallace's and Wild Game Cook, visit https://wildgamecook.com.

Foster Bartholow, of Rapid City, South Dakota, is an accomplished trap shooter, an avid outdoor enthusiast and also is a talented videographer and photographer. When not spending his time dedicated to any of these pursuits, he also enjoys helping others with shooting techniques and getting kids into hunting. ​At SHOT Show, we sat down to talk about some of the new offerings from Browning and Winchester, which are sponsors of Bartholow's. And, we talk about the shared love of chasing Merriam's turkeys in the Black Hills. Learn more about Bartholow by visiting www.trapshootingbros.com/.

During the 2025 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, we had a chance to sit down with Cody Gill and From Field to Plate chef Jeremiah Doughty to talk food, getting new people involved in the life-changing power of the outdoors and much more! Doughty is known for his recipes and food photography found on his social outlets, as well as Turkey Call magazine. And, Gill is involved with the NWTF mission through his local chapter, but also dedicates his time to getting people outdoors through his project "West Texas Outfitters."

The National Wild Turkey Federation Convention and Sport Show is a celebration of a year of successes in delivering on the mission and bringing people together through the life-changing power of the outdoors. And, this year will be bigger than the last with new events and chances to win, a bigger Sport Show with more vendors and experiences, and more ways to honor and celebrate NWTF volunteers leading the way in their communities.   Join in as the NWTF's Paul Campbell, Pete Muller, Barry Woods and Jesse Warner sit down to talk about a host of events, things that are new for 2025, honoring the NWTF's most dedicated volunteers and supporters, auctions an raffles, and countless other ways to experience the mission of the NWTF.

During SHOT Show 2025, we got a chance to sit down with King Pedford - retired boxer and host of Haymaker Hunting - to talk about his passion for turkey hunting and more.  Pedford's show on Sportsman's Channel is described as a show that is meant "to educate and to share the joys, challenges, excitement, and my passion for hunting and fishing with youth and dedicated hunting fans of all colors.  Even if you've never hunted in your life, it is never too late to start enjoying this sport with your family and friends. We want to bring you "hunting reality" where not every hunt brings a trophy buck or record catch, but builds character and lasting memories." Learn more about Pedford and his show at https://haymakerhuntingusa.com.

This past fall, the NWTF launched its newest landscape-level, conservation initiative, Forests and Flocks. At the heart of this Northestern initiative is the NWTF's dual mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage. On this episode of the Turkey Call All Acess podcast, the NWTF's Paul Campbell sits down with two of the biologists from the Forests and Flocks region — Cully McCurdy and Mitchell Blake — to talk about how Forests and Flocks will establish critical nesting habitat in the spring, brood-rearing habitat in the summer, and practices that benefit hard and soft mast-bearing trees and shrubs that help wild turkeys make it through the winter in good condition. The initiative also focuses on the NWTF's mission to preserve our hunting heritage. This will boost the regional support for hunting and increase our voice against recurring proposed legislation that is antithetical to the NWTF's mission. Photo Credit: Steve Gulledge

Adventures are out there for those who are willing to take the path, or even water, less traveled.  On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, the NWTF's David Gladkowski and Pete Muller sit down with Nashville recording artist and wild game chef Justin Adams to chat about the adventures had on a coastal island adventure, a trip full of fishing, hunting, crabbing, foraging for oysters and mussels, and the life-changing power of the outdoors. 

Christina McGannon Jones, of Oxford, New Jersey, has helped countless women get their start in the outdoors through the National Wild Turkey Federation's Women in the Outdoors outreach program, but she wears many other hats.  Today, she sits down with NWTF Northeastern R3 Coordinator Jess Warner to discuss her start in hunting, her journey to becoming involved with NWTF's education and outreach efforts and much more!

The tradition of telling hunting stories goes back to some of the earliest discovered cave drawings known to man. While the medium for telling these stories has changed over millennia, stories of the hunt are how we share and connect with something that is so fundamentally human. Whether it's the tales of the hunt, the misadventures, our passions for the pursuit or our love of wildlife and wild places, sharing the story is how we connect to something that awakens the soul. On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, the NWTF's Paul Campbell sits down with Brent Rogers, Doc Weddle and Michael Simpson to revisit the Bottomland Book Club seminar from the 2024 NWTF Convention and Sport Show and talk turkey history, literature, hunting and more!

On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, the NWTF's Paul Campbell travels to West Point, Mississippi to visit with the Mossy Oak Gamekeepers crew.  Campbell is joined by Bobby Cole, Lannie Wallace and Dudley Phelps of the Gamekeepers to share a few turkey hunting stories and discuss all things private land conservation, turkey research and the future of our cherished bird.

Programs designed to share the life-changing power of the outdoors are a key component of the NWTF's mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.  On this episode, NWTF R3 Coordinator for the Northeast Jesse Warner sits down with Bre Bashford and Coral Minchey to discuss two programs in Georgia — Artemis Georgia and Academics Afield — that are introducing the outdoors to women and college students.  Learn more NWTF education and outreach programs that are reaching women, youth or those with disabilities.

Hunter advocacy plays a crucial role in preserving our hunting heritage. As threats to public lands, hunting access and wildlife habitats grow, the need to advocate for America's hunters is more important than ever to protect our outdoor traditions. For the final podcast discussion of NWTF Conservation Week, NWTF's Morgan Evans and Jesse Warner join NWTF Storyteller Hannah McKinney to dive into national R3 efforts, the Hunt for Good Campaign, the importance of policy and ways you can get involved to make a difference.

It's NWTF Conservation Week, and today's discussion is about fire. NWTF Storyteller Hannah McKinney is joined by a panel of NWTF staffers — NWTF biologists Dave Nikonow and Ricky Lackey, NWTF Director of Conservation Operations West Patt Dorsey and NWTF Wildfire Crisis Strategy Manager Molly Pitts — for a talk about fire across the landscape and the impacts on turkeys and other wildlife. Check out the whole conversation to learn about the history of fire in this country, implementation of fire in the southeast vs the west and also learn what landowners may be able to do on their own properties in regard to fire.

NWTF Conservation Week continues with a deep five into a topic that will surely pique the interest of turkey hunters — wild turkey reproduction. Ensuring hens are able to successfully reproduce and recruit poults into adulthood is critical for maintaining a stable wild turkey population across the country. For today's discussion, NWTF regional biologists Chuck Carpenter and John Burk join NWTF Managing Editor of Web and Digital David Gladkowski to discuss the nuances of wild turkey reproduction between their two differing regions and all that goes into making sure hens are able to create more turkeys year after year. 

Wild turkeys and a host of other game and non-game species thrive in a patchwork of habitats, including forests, open grasslands, agricultural fields, water corridors and more. For Conservation Week 2024, NWTF district biologists Derek Alkire, Ryan Boyer and Mitch Blake sit down with NWTF Managing Editor of Web and Media David Gladkowski to talk about the NWTF's efforts to ensure the wild turkey's annual cycle needs are met through habitat diversity and how members and landowners can help. 

Who was it that once said, “To talk about conservation and not talk about water is just dry conversation.” As the NWTF celebrates its 4th Annual Conservation Week, we would be remiss to not talk about the incredible importance of water and its integral role to the NWTF's mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.  NWTF regional biologists Annie Farrell and Clayton Lenk, Western Water Specialist Travis Smith and Director of Conservation Operations Central Jared McJunkin sit down with NWTF Storyteller Hannah McKinney to talk about the NWTF's Waterways for Wildlife Initiative and other projects geared toward improving the element that connects us all: water. 

Taking its support of wild turkey research into new territory, the NWTF recently established the first-ever National Wild Turkey Federation Distinguished Professor position with the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Coming on the heels of the NWTF officially naming Dr. Mike Chamberlain as the chair of this position, the NWTF's Paul Campbell sits down with the Wild Turkey Doc himself and Mark Hatfield, NWTF national director of science and planning, to talk about the landmark announcement and what it means for wild turkeys. Learn more about the NWTF's investments in research.

Paul Campbell and Pete Muller of the NWTF are joined by Leslie Thompson, the "Niche to Meet You" podcast host, to talk about her new miniseries that was just launched this past week covering wild turkey conservation.  While Thompson chronicles her journey to learn about the history and conservation of our cherished bird and the people who play an important role in continuing one of America's greatest conservation success stories, there are few spoilers about the story she tells in her four-part series. You'll have to check out the series on your own to learn all the details. Her website teases the series as "a 4-part mini-series about the weird, wonderful Wild Turkey and the effort to conserve it. It's an important story about mending seemingly irreparable gaps and changing the world." Photo Credit: Leslie Thompson

Jesse Warner, the NWTF's Northeastern R3 coordinator, is on location in Mobile, Alabama for the 2024 R3 symposium where more than 220 R3 professionals gathered to engage in and discuss hunting and shooting sports participation.  Warner is joined by Bre Bashford, Georgia R3 coordinator, and Michael Addison, Nebraska R3 coordinator, to recount their spring slates of education and outreach successes, talk about the need to grow the ranks of those who support the outdoors pursuits and more!  Visit www.nwtf.org to learn more about the NWTF's dual mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.  

That's a wrap! Turkey season is over and we're joined by Beau Brooks and Maggie Williams to talk their favorite moments from the season, traveling for turkeys and more.  Cover Photo by Casey Lyon. Become an NWTF member here.

Conservation is contagious! On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast we're talking with the NWTF North East R3 Coordinator, Jesse Warner, NWTF National R3 and Relevancy Coordinator Morgan Evans and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife R3 Coordinator Astrid Huseby about all things R3. R3 stands for recruitment, retention and reactivation. Whether that's outreach through mentored hunts, JAKES days or other efforts, R3 is a core part of the NWTF mission. 

On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, we're talking the 200 year cicada hatch! This convergence of two periodical cicada broods only happens about every 200 years and we are lucky enough to witness it in our lifetimes. Colton Zirkle of the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation and NWTF District Biologist talk the life cycles of cicadas, their impact on turkey recruitment and more.  Learn about MHHF here.  Get connected with NWTF Events here. 

On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, we're talking with Jonathan Wilkins, hunting guide, turkey fanatic, writer and cook. We cover everything from Kentucky Burgoo to DIY hunting vans. He is the owner of Black Duck Revival, a lodge in Arkansas, which you can learn more about here. Get connected with an NWTF Chapter in Arkansas here.

In this episode of the Turkey Call All Access podcast, we're talking with James and Cody Harrison of Harrison Custom Calls about the oldest calling competition in Missouri, insights into the competition calling world and more!  Find local calling competitions here

On this episode we're with the Hunting Public as they talk hunting pressured turkeys. From strategies on how to deal with hunting pressure to calling tips, there's something useful for everyone! 

It's Turkey Week! We're sitting down with Jason Phelps and James Harrison of Phelps Game Calls to talk turkey calling with locator calls, MeatEater's Turkey Week and more.  A special thanks to our partners, Nomad, Sawyer and Bass Pro Shops! Learn more about Phelps Game Calls here and make sure you check out the Turkey Week Episode from the MeatEater Podcast here!   Photo Credit: Monte Loomis