Fins, Fur, and Feathers

Ducks and geese are fun to watch and provide exciting hunting opportunities at your pond or stream - but are they okay for your water quality? Join Drew and Joe as they discuss waterfowl ecology, life history patterns, and what to do if you have too many geese waddling around your property.

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Armadillos are a relative newcomer to much of the Great Plains, and can be an aggravating species because of the damage that they frequently cause to lawns and landscaping. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss the history of armadillos in the Great Plains, the recent discovery of new species of armadillos, biology and management of damage caused by this mammal.

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html 

Is your pond too muddy? Do you really want clear water in your pond? Water clarity is an important component of maintaining a healthy pond ecosystem. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss water clarity, factors that increase or decrease water clarity, and what you can do to maintain healthy turbidity levels 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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Prescribed fire is an essential tool for managing wildlife habitat, especially in grassland ecosystems. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss direct effects of prescribed fire on several wildlife species, differences between wildfires and prescribed fire, and some specific responses of northern bobwhite to prescribed fire from recent studies conducted in the Great Plains.

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Establishing and maintaining a balanced fish population will boost fishing opportunities and enhance the ecology of your pond. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss common pitfalls with fish population management strategies and give tips on how to manage pond fish populations. Gain insight into how to develop and implement a plan that will have you on your way to catching bigger fish from 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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Fall is in the air in the Great Plains, and the signs include shorter days, cooler mornings, brilliant yellow sunflowers and dispersing mammals. In this episode, Drew and Joe discuss sunflowers, the value that they provide to wildlife, why we see these beautiful plants in some places and not others. The conversation then takes a turn to focus on opossum biology and management.

Resources discussed in this episode:

KDWP 2023 Summer Roadside Survey Report: https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Research-Publications/Wildlife-Research-Surveys

Virginia Opossum Diet/Ecological Trap Studies:

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2009.1159?casa_token=XMw9PomAH2IAAAAA%3ABGDOWaXUul7IY_9cNhLG44Uontx_dM1zrPdmnWmUaacvYgb02Ucvw7A3OlCO3VSRbRvYusH5r11mk0TC

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cecilia-Hennessy/publication/353264681_Are_Virginia_opossums_really_ecological_traps_for_ticks_Groundtruthing_laboratory_observations/links/60f733642bf3553b29ffba62/Are-Virginia-opossums-really-ecological-traps-for-ticks-Groundtruthing-laboratory-observations.pdf?origin=journalDetail&_tp=eyJwYWdlIjoiam91cm5hbERldGFpbCJ9

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Aquatic invertebrates can be a great indicator of pond health and fill important roles in aquatic ecosystems. Join Joe and Drew for a discussion about the value of aquatic invertebrates and how these critters find their way into seemingly isolated water bodies.

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Bats can be fascinating, frustrating, valuable, and spooky all at the same time.  Join Drew and Joe as they discuss bat ecology, conservation concerns, disease risk, and steps to take if bats are entering your home or other buildings.

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Summer is a great time of year to enjoy your pond but the warmer temperatures and increased sunlight can result in oxygen fluctuations and excessive plant growth. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss how pond ecology changes in warmer months, how animals in the pond react to these changes, and what management strategies you can implement to help ensure your pond stays happy and healthy.

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html

Invasive plants outcompete native vegetation, destroying habitat for many species of wildlife, degrading native ecosystems, and reducing agricultural productivity. Join us as we discuss strategies and important considerations for invasive plant management.

Resources discussed in this episode:

KSRE Chemical Weed Control Guide: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/2024-chemical-weed-control-for-field-crops-pastures-rangeland-and-noncropland_CHEMWEEDGUIDE.pdf

Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants by Dr. Craig Harper: https://nocsopublishing.com/

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 https://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/wildlife-outdoor-management.html