Brian Teeter, Prescribed Fire Coordinator at Nebraska Pheasants Forever, joins us to discuss prescribed fire on agriculturally dominated landscapes. Resources: Nebraska Burn Associations Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council Brian Teeter [ 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 ra...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 268
Dr. John Carroll, professor of wildlife ecology and management at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins us to discuss predators and predator management in agriculturally dominated landscapes. Resources: Wild Turkey Science Podcast: Habitat Managements = predator management Impacts of Predators on Northern Bobwhites in the Southeast The Pheasant: A Special Report by the Game Conservancy Trust Provision of brood-rearing cover on agricultural land to increase survival of wild ring-necked pheasant P...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 267
Welcome to the WildAg Podcast! WildAg is part of the Natural Resources University podcast network and serves as a connection point for natural resource professionals and landowners who want to integrate conservation with agriculture. Join our hosts, Dr. Andrew Little of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nathan Pflueger of Pheasants Forever, as they introduce themselves and WildAg. Dr. Andrew Little [ academic profile , @awesmlabdoc] Nathan Pflueger [ website ] AWESM Lab [ website , @awesmla...
May 06, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 266
What distinguishes a forest, woodland, and savanna? How does wildlife and plant diversity differ between them? How do we restore woodlands and savannas? Join Jarred as he talks with Dr. Andy Vander Yacht about his research into restoring oak woodlands and savannas and the wildlife that thrive within in. This is a two-part series. In part 1, we discuss the historical context of forests, woodlands, and savannas in the eastern US, and Andy’s research into how fire and thinning influence plant compo...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 265
Adam Butler, Wild Turkey Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, joins us to discuss the turkey trends seen across Mississippi and the Southeast, what may or may not be influencing these cyclical patterns of productivity, and a general rule of thumb for how many gobblers to harvest on your property. Resources: How Many Gobblers Should I Take? (Article) Isabelle, J. L., et al. (2018). Considerations for timing of spring wild turkey hunting seasons in th...
Apr 29, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 264
Over the past few years, brownspot needle blight and an assemblage of other problematic pathogenic species have garnered increasing concern in pine systems across the South. Join us as we discuss these along with current research efforts centered on this problem with Dr. John Riggins, Mississippi State University. For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com Subscribe directly to Timber University and follow NRU on Instagram , YouTube , Twitter , and Facebook ....
Apr 24, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 263
Bobwhite Translocation to Pennsylvania: https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Hunting/Documents/Letterkenny%20Army%20Depot%20Bobwhite%20Quail%20Focus%20Area%20Management%20Plan.pdf https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/outdoors/2024/02/28/where-do-northern-bobwhite-quail-live-in-pennsylvania-game-commisison-letterkenny-army-depot/72766192007/ https://www.dailyamerican.com/videos/sports/outdoors/2024/03/19/northern-bobwhite-quail-released-at-letterkenny-army-depot-game-commission-pheasants-forever/730356...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 262
A recently published note in the journal Neurobiology describing potential human transmission of chronic wasting disease is getting quite a bit of attention. Join us as we discuss the recent publication, chronic wasting disease, and steps you can take to try to limit the spread of this important disease within and among deer 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 Uni...
Apr 23, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 261
Dr. Alan Krakauer joins us to dive into his research on turkey kin selection and breakdown the many strategies gobblers use to pass on genes. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Krakauer, A. H. (2005). Kin selection and cooperative courtship in wild turkeys. Nature, 434(7029), 69-72. Krakauer, A. H. (2008). Sexual selection and the genetic mating system of wild turkeys. The Condor, 110(1), 1-12. Watts, C. R., & Stokes, A. W. (1971)...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 260
Anglers know that many fish species depend on the structure that trees provide. Habitat, such as standing timber, blow downs, snags, and cypress trees are popular places to fish in lakes and streams. But what about when the river leaves the riverbed and enters the bottomland forest? It turns out that this “flooded forest” habitat is critical for many fish species. Most lowland rivers used to seasonally flood into the surrounding forests, which could remain inundated for months at a time. These a...
Apr 17, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 259
In this episode we visit with Dr. Natasha Ellison to review her findings relative to buck use of food plots during the hunting season. How often are bucks visiting food plots pre-rut, peak-rut, and post-rut? When are bucks spending more time on food plots? How does hunting pressure affect these relationships? Natasha is a Mathematical Ecologist and is helping the MSU Deer Lab dig deeper in the buck movement dataset to answer questions about buck behavior relevant to hunters and managers. Check o...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 258
Dr. Dwayne Elmore, Director of the Game Bird Program at Tall Timbers Research Station, joins us to breakdown the reproductive ecology and behavior of wild turkeys, how and why they lek, and if this impacts spring hunting. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Honeycomb Custom Calls Red-capped manakin bird Dr. Dwayne Elmore Tall Timbers , Academic Profile Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance , Academic Profile Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 257
In this episode we visit with Luke Resop to discuss buck beds and bedding areas. How often are they bedding? What’s their affinity to certain bedding areas? What’s the circuit time for returning to a bedding area? Day beds and night beds are all discussed. We also introduce our newest member to the MSU Deer Lab, Dr. Natasha Ellison. She is a Mathematical Ecologist and is helping us dig deeper in the buck movement dataset to answer questions about buck behavior relevant to hunters and managers. C...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 256
The latest Extension publication from the MSU Deer Lab is “Understanding Buck Movement: How, When, and Why Bucks Navigate the Landscape” is now available for viewing and download. You can find the publication here: https://www.msudeer.msstate.edu/results.php?q=deer%20movement In Part 2, Steve and Bronson discuss more of the findings presented in the publication and explain how you can interpret the data and use the information for management and hunting. Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online semin...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 255
New EPA Standards https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes-stronger-standards-harmful-soot-pollution-significantly-increasing#:~:text=By%20strengthening%20the%20annual%20health,to%204%2C500%20premature%20deaths%20and Tall Timbers Fire Research https://talltimbers.org/research-at-tall-timbers/tall-timbers-research/fire-research/ A brief history of humans and fire in the Southeast: https://www.jstor.org/stable/24707703?seq=3...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 254
The Ogallala Aquifer is found underground in parts of 8 states. This vital resource provides groundwater for agricultural producers, wildlife, and citizens in these states. Water use practices have led to declines in the aquifer and recent trends in water use have led to depletion in water levels throughout this region. Join us as we discuss the current status of the Ogallala Aquifer, steps being taken to conserve water moving forward, and what it all means for agricultural producers, citizens, ...
Apr 09, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 253
Marcus and Will sit down under one roof to review the available literature on declining insect populations. They pull from studies across the globe to discuss the implications of insect declines on terrestrial, ground-nesting birds and how we can help mitigate these effects for the wild turkey. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resource: Blösch, S., et al. (2023). A systematic review on the effectiveness of crop architecture-related in-field me...
Apr 08, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 252
Ahead of a forthcoming mini-series on forest management for birds, Adam and Jarred discuss a paper reviewing the state of the science examining bird responses to forest management in the eastern U.S. The paper published last year by Michael Skresh and colleagues presents a compelling case for the importance of managed disturbances in eastern forests to benefit birds of conservation concern. Jarred also foreshadows some conversations he has planned in the coming episodes. Give us some feedback or...
Apr 03, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 251
Mark Turner, PhD candidate in Dr. Craig Harper’s lab at the University of Tennessee, joins us to disclose results from their recent study assessing the effects of canopy reduction and fire seasonality on turkey habitat quality and use in upland hardwoods. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Burning during nesting | #19 Nichols, R. A., et al. (2021). Alter fire timing to recouple forage nutrients with herbivore nutrient demands. Forest ...
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 250
For more information on Dr. Treadwell’s work: https://sanangelo.tamu.edu/people/dr-morgan-russell-assistant-professor-extension-range-specialist/ Texas Prescribed Burn Handbook: https://agrilife.org/rxburn/ More information on the story of how prescribed burns saved the town of Borger, Texas: https://www.newschannel10.com/2024/03/08/prescribed-burn-saves-borger-windy-deuce-fire/ https://wildfiretoday.com/2024/02/29/a-prescribed-burn-stalled-the-huge-texas-fire/...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 249
Working Lands for Wildlife Bobwhite Conservation Pilot: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/crp-conservation-reserve-program/news/usda-launches-new-bobwhite-conservation Wildfires in Texas: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/texas-wildfire-impacting-quail/...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 248
In this episode, we discuss habitat management, and how common habitat management practices for a species in some regions may not be appropriate everywhere a species occurs. 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...
Mar 26, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 247
Dr. Mike Chamberlain, Terrell Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Georgia, re-joins the podcast to walk us through the various life stages of a gobbler. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Goodwin, C. C., et al. (2024). Experimental infection of domestic turkeys with lymphoproliferative disease virus of North American origin. Veterinary Pathology. Krakauer, A. H. (2005). Kin selection and cooperative court...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 246
Dr. Rick Gerhold, Associate Professor of Parasitology/Wildlife Diseases at the University of Tennessee, joins us to breakdown common diseases among turkeys and their symptoms, pathways of transmission, and infected biological effects. He also discusses histomonas and how you can get involved in cutting-edge egg research. Dr. Rick Gerhold ( rgerhold@utk.edu ) ( Academic Profile ) Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Dr. Marcus Lashley ( @DrDisturba...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 245
In this episode, we discuss how to stock fish in your pond, what type of fish are usually recommended, and the best time to add fish to your pond. Discussion includes how to know if you should stock your pond, common issues with newly stocked fish, and some thoughts on adding minnows to your pond that may save you some money! Resources for this episode: Kansas Aquaculture Association: https://www.wildlife.k-state.edu/kaa/ Kansas Pond Stocking Guide: https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Special-Fishing...
Mar 14, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 244
Pine beetle outbreaks are usually not the result of one stress factor, but the cumulative result of several possible variables that lower pine vigor. Join us, along with Dr. John Riggins, Mississippi State University, as we discuss pine beetle biology and environmental conditions leading up to problems with pine beetles. For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com Subscribe directly to Timber University and follow NRU on Instagram , YouTube , Twitter , and Facebook ....
Mar 13, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 243
Tes Randle Jolly, award-winning professional wildlife and turkey photographer extraordinaire, joins Marcus and Will to share her deep insight and perspective into wild turkey behavior from over 25 years of photographing our favorite bird. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Tes Jolly ( @jovtes ) Dr. Marcus Lashley ( @DrDisturbance ) ( Academic Profile ) Dr. Will Gulsby ( @dr_will_gulsby ) ( Academic Profile ) Turkeys for Tomorrow ( @turkeysfortom...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 242
This episode quacks me up. Fisheries management to produce quality fishing often requires actions that are counterproductive to attracting migratory ducks and vice versa. But in this episode, we’ll talk about some ways that you might be able to have the best of both worlds. Wes sits down with two leading experts in the duck realm, and they brainstorm on what can be done to bring more ducks to a small pond without necessarily hurting fishing opportunities. Any you’ll receive wonderful egg-splanan...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Dr. Richard Buccholz, Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research at the University of Mississippi, joins Will and Marcus to shed light on the fascinating world of wild turkey behavior. Learn of the interplay between displayed traits and biological fitness, which traits influence sexual selection, and how this information can help us strategize research for better management moving forward. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fun...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 240
Today on Working Wild U, we're spotlighting, quite literally, one special species that calls the Great Plains home. A small predator that was thought to be extinct.... twice! Meet the black-footed ferret, the most endangered mammal in North America. Thanks to community-driven efforts spanning the Great Plains, from dedicated ranchers in eastern Colorado to the Fort Belknap Indian Community in northern Montana, this elusive predator is staging a remarkable comeback. As always, find our complete s...
Feb 29, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 239
