Wild animals have a variety of life history strategies to adapt and thrive in colder weather. However, the arrival of colder winter temperatures and snowy conditions can affect fish and wildlife in many ways. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss the effects of snow on aquatic ecosystems, the detriments and benefits of winter fish kills, and the importance of snowmelt on fish and wildlife populations.

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

Wild pigs. Feral swine. Wild hogs. Whatever you call them, invasive wild pigs are rapidly spreading across the US and Canada – destroying crops and spreading disease along the way.  Experts are calling them one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in the country. What can we do about it? 

To find out, we’re talking with the show’s own Dr. Jared Beaver to find out the dirty details (and solutions!) regarding wild pigs. 

Please take our listener survey: https://montana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b7bDYRyUKs8j2pU 

Learn more about Montana’s Squeal on Pigs campaign. 

Feral swine fact sheet – Montana State University 

Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode, we answer your questions. Join as we discuss the ecological impacts of hurricanes on turkeys survival rates and nesting success, ideal fire return intervals for nesting cover, the impacts of deer on vegetation and how this affects turkey populations, the importance of fire timing in habitat dynamics, and the challenges of recruiting young hunters into the turkey hunting culture.

Resources:

Byrne, M. E. (2013). Nesting ecology of wild turkeys in a bottomland hardwood forest. The American Midland Naturalist, 170(1), 95-110.

How do hurricanes affect birds?

How do hurricanes affect deer?

How do hurricanes affect wildlife? 

Moscicki, D. J. (2020). Evaluation of Space Use and Movement by Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) During Extreme Climatic Disturbances and Annual Phenological States.

What does wild turkey nesting look like?

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

Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at [email protected]!

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! 

Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

Get a 10% discount  at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

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

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

In this episode, Dr. Heath Hagy rejoins James and Brian for an insightful discussion on the complexities of managing duck habitat, with a particular focus on the role of sanctuaries. Together, they delve into what defines a sanctuary, its historical development, and the challenges of measuring its effectiveness.

The conversation explores the critical role private lands play in supporting ducks, how duck behavior and movements influence management strategies, and the ongoing need for research to address these dynamic relationships. Dr. Hagy and the hosts emphasize the intent of balancing hunting opportunities with sanctuary availability to sustain waterfowl use and benefit their survival. They also highlight the need for collaboration among researchers, agencies, and private landowners to ensure effective conservation efforts.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the science and strategy behind sanctuary management and its impact on waterfowl conservation

In this episode, we reflect upon our experiences and insights from 2024. We share our top episodes, theme highlights, the emergence of new research in turkey science, and our ambitious wild turkey goals for 2025. 

We’re calling on audience engagement to help shape future content! Let us know what you want to hear and how you want to engage with us by emailing [email protected].

Resources:

Has turkey habitat changed? | Ep 21

Habitat vs. predator control | Ep 63

Snoods, feathers, and the Turkey Brotherhood | Ep 65

Habitat management = predator management | Ep 66

Longer the snood, bigger the brood | Ep 68

Up close and personal with wild turkeys | Ep 69

We got bug problems | Ep 73

Conventional vs. Regenerative Ag | Ep 79

Managing pine rotations for turkeys | Ep 80

Fly, float, and mate | Ep 83

Food plotting in nature’s image | Ep 84

Little House in the Flatwoods | Ep 87

100th episode special | Ep 100

The American Chestnut: Restoring ecological function | Ep 106

Wild New World: The Epic Story of Animals and People in America, by Dan Flores

Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History, by Dan Flores

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

Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at [email protected]!

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! 

Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

Get a 10% discount  at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

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

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

This month we are joined by Luke Meduna, Big Game Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to talk about all things deer-related, from hunting and disease to the inside scoop on management.

 Resources:

• Big Game Guide

• 2024 Big Game Recommendations

• River Anterless Nebraska Unit Map

• Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Luke Meduna [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!

Music by Humans Win

Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin

Beavers are a fascinating species that can transform forests and prairies into wetland ecosystems, but their ingenuity is not always welcome and can lead to devastating property damage in some situations.  Join Drew and Joe as they discuss beaver biology and management of this fascinating species 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

We continue the gobbling activity conversation as Will walks us through the available research on the complex dynamics between habitat management, gobbling activity, and the overall health of turkey populations. We explore the significance of early successional cover, the impact of vegetation composition on gobbling rates, the challenges of researching gobbling, and our upcoming research that can help address some of these questions. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this episode, we recommend listening to Episode 111 before returning to this episode. 

@davidfolker5850 please email [email protected]  to claim your signed potcall! 

Resources:

Bevill, W. V., Jr. 1973. Some factors influencing gobbling activity among turkeys. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 27:62–73.

Chamberlain, M. J., et al. (2018). Gobbling activity of eastern wild turkeys relative to male movements and female nesting phenology in South Carolina. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 42(4), 632-642.

Grehan, Janelle, "Spring Gobbling Chronology and Turkey Habitat Use In Upstate South Carolina" (2022). All Theses. 3880. 

Hoffman, R. W. 1990. Chronology of gobbling and nesting activities of Merriam’s wild turkeys. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 6:25–31.

Kienzler, J. M., et al. 1996. Effects of weather, incubation, and hunting on gobbling activity in wild turkeys. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 7:61-68.

Lehman, C. P. (2005). Ecology of Merriam's turkeys in the southern Black Hills, South Dakota. South Dakota State University.

Lehman, C. P., et al. (2007). Gobbling of Merriam's turkeys in relation to nesting and occurrence of hunting in the Black Hills, South Dakota. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium. 9: 343-349.

Lint, J. R., Leopold, B. D., & Hurst, G. A. (1995). Comparison of abundance indexes and population estimates for wild turkey gobblers. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 164-168.

Miller, D. A., Hurst, G. A., & Leopold, B. D. (1997). Chronology of wild turkey nesting, gobbling, and hunting in Mississippi. The Journal of wildlife management, 840-845.

Norman, G. W., et al. (2001). Reproductive chronology, spring hunting, and illegal kill of female wild turkeys. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 8:269–279.

Palmer, W. E., et al. (1990). Effort, success, and characteristics of spring turkey hunters on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 6, pp. 208-213).

Palumbo, M. D., et al. (2019). Latitude and daily-weather effects on gobbling activity of wild turkeys in Mississippi. International journal of biometeorology, 63, 1059-1067.

Pollentier, C. D., et al. (2021). Gobbling across landscapes: Eastern wild turkey distribution and occupancy–habitat associations. Ecology and Evolution, 11(24), 18248-18270.

Wakefield, C. T., et al. (2020). Hunting and nesting phenology influence gobbling of wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 84(3), 448-457.

Wightman, P. H., et al. (2019). Gobbling chronology of eastern wild turkeys in South Carolina. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 83(2), 325-333.

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

Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at [email protected]!

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! 

Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

Get a 10% discount  at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

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

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Grab a notepad and pen, because today we’re diving into the complex factors influencing gobbling activity. In this Part 1 segment, Will walks us through the available literature on the seasonal patterns of gobbling, the relationship between gobbling activity and reproduction, the influence of weather and environmental conditions, the impact of hunting pressure, and more. Stay tuned for Part 2, releasing next Monday.

@davidfolker5850 please email [email protected]  to claim your signed potcall! 

Resources:

Bevill, W. V., Jr. 1973. Some factors influencing gobbling activity among turkeys. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 27:62–73.

Chamberlain, M. J., et al. (2018). Gobbling activity of eastern wild turkeys relative to male movements and female nesting phenology in South Carolina. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 42(4), 632-642.

Grehan, Janelle, "Spring Gobbling Chronology and Turkey Habitat Use In Upstate South Carolina" (2022). All Theses. 3880. 

Hoffman, R. W. 1990. Chronology of gobbling and nesting activities of Merriam’s wild turkeys. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 6:25–31.

Kienzler, J. M., et al. 1996. Effects of weather, incubation, and hunting on gobbling activity in wild turkeys. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 7:61-68.

Lehman, C. P. (2005). Ecology of Merriam's turkeys in the southern Black Hills, South Dakota. South Dakota State University.

Lehman, C. P., et al. (2007). Gobbling of Merriam's turkeys in relation to nesting and occurrence of hunting in the Black Hills, South Dakota. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium. 9: 343-349.

Lint, J. R., Leopold, B. D., & Hurst, G. A. (1995). Comparison of abundance indexes and population estimates for wild turkey gobblers. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 164-168.

Miller, D. A., Hurst, G. A., & Leopold, B. D. (1997). Chronology of wild turkey nesting, gobbling, and hunting in Mississippi. The Journal of wildlife management, 840-845.

Norman, G. W., et al. (2001). Reproductive chronology, spring hunting, and illegal kill of female wild turkeys. Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium 8:269–279.

Palmer, W. E., et al. (1990). Effort, success, and characteristics of spring turkey hunters on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 6, pp. 208-213).

Palumbo, M. D., et al. (2019). Latitude and daily-weather effects on gobbling activity of wild turkeys in Mississippi. International journal of biometeorology, 63, 1059-1067.

Pollentier, C. D., et al. (2021). Gobbling across landscapes: Eastern wild turkey distribution and occupancy–habitat associations. Ecology and Evolution, 11(24), 18248-18270.

Wakefield, C. T., et al. (2020). Hunting and nesting phenology influence gobbling of wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 84(3), 448-457.

Wightman, P. H., et al. (2019). Gobbling chronology of eastern wild turkeys in South Carolina. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 83(2), 325-333.

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

Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at [email protected]!

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube

Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! 

Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube

Watch these podcasts on YouTube

Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear!

Get a 10% discount  at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience’ at checkout!

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

Music by Artlist.io

Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak

Fisheries managers have a wealth of information available on how to manage small ponds, and there has been substantial research directed at managing large reservoirs that impound substantial rivers. However, there is a scarcity of information on reservoirs that are too big to be ponds and too small to be major reservoirs. These mid-size systems appear to be biologically distinct from their larger and smaller cousins. In this episode, Wes discusses these intermediate systems with biologist Hayden Funk, who just completed his master’s degree on management of mid-size southern impoundments. They discuss the fish, the habitat, and the people that make up the management triad of these lakes, and some of the management opportunities that are available. 

Do you have questions or comments? Follow the Fish University Facebook community and chat with Wes or suggest future episodes!