Is density dependence operating on wild turkeys? Dr. Bret Collier walks us through his point of view on density dependence and whether it is responsible for observed changes in turkey populations. We cover a lot of ground and discuss various aspects of wild turkey biology from many studies and regions. 

Papers 

• Byrne, M. E., Chamberlain, M. J., & Collier, B. A. (2015). Potential density dependence in wild turkey productivity in the southeastern United States. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 11, pp. 329-351). 

• Collier, B. A., Melton, K. B., Hardin, J. B., Silvy, N. J., & Peterson, M. J. (2009). Impact of reproductive effort on survival of Rio Grande wild turkey Meleagris gallop intermedia hens in Texas. Wildlife Biology, 15(4), 370-379. 

• Randel, C. J., Aguirre, R., Jones, D. A., Schaap, J. N., Willsey, B. J., Peterson, M. J., & Silvy, N. J. (2005). Nesting ecology of Rio Grande wild turkey in the Edwards Plateau of Texas. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 9, pp. 37-243). 

• Schwertner, T. W., Peterson, M. J., & Silvy, N. J. (2007). Effect of precipitation on Rio Grande wild turkey poult production in Texas. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 9, pp. 127-132). 

Dr. Bret Collier (drshortspur) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Marcus Lashley (DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)

Dr. Will Gulsby (dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)

Turkeys for Tomorrow (turkeysfortomorrow) 

UF DEER Lab (ufdeerlab)

Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 

This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. 

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Produced by Charlotte Nowak