You should be doing this for turkeys | #144

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August 11, 2025

Wild Turkey Science

Wild Turkey Science

Description

In this episode, we discuss what you should be thinking about and implementing on your property for turkeys right now. 

 

Resources:

Guide to Wildlife Food Plots and Early Successional Plants, Dr. Craig Harper

 

00:00 Introduction and Banter

02:55 Habitat-Centric Discussions

05:55 Fishing Adventures and Insights

08:48 Turkey Management Strategies

11:45 Field Management for Turkeys

14:48 Importance of Early Successional Cover

17:36 Burning and Timber Harvest Planning

28:53 Expanding the Burn Window

30:15 Increasing Sunlight for Turkey Abundance

31:44 Optimizing Poults Habitat

34:01 Managing Old Fields for Turkeys

35:55 Evaluating Agronomic Crops for Wildlife

37:46 The Role of Joint Vetch in Habitat Management

39:59 Balancing Ideal vs. Optimal Management

42:23 Practical Approaches to Habitat Management

43:48 Mast Management and Acorn Production

44:50 Identifying and Managing Problematic Trees

46:45 Combatting Ryegrass in Food Plots

50:15 Evaluating Management Practices

 

Fundraising Banquet (To enter the online raffles, click on ‘Get Tickets’ and then scroll down to the ‘Add-ons’)

 

We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! 

 

Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications

Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications

Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow 

UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube

 

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

 

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!

 

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Check out the NEW 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

 

Duration

57:31
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