We sit down for a second time to answer questions from our listeners and followers - ranging from topics on upcoming turkey research, mid-summer land management recommendations, how to increase gobbling on your property by 10-fold, and more! Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Brooding and nesting cover (Part 1/2) | #29 Brooding and nesting cover (Part 2/2) | #30 How does fire affect nest predation? (Video) Year 1 Results: How does fir...
Jul 08, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 298
Often, the term “clearcut” is viewed as a 4-lettered word when it comes to forest or wildlife management. But, can clearcuts provide vital resources for songbirds – including those species typically associated with mature closed canopy forests? Join us for our conversation with Dr. Patrick Ruhl as we explore his research into songbird use of clearcuts in Indiana. Steve Hagenbuch - https://vt.audubon.org/contact/steve-hagenbuch Audubon Vermont - https://vt.audubon.org/ Resources mentioned in epis...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 297
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is reintroducing Alligator Snapping Turtles into Kansas. Join us as we discuss why these turtles need introduced, whether you should be concerned about turtles eating fish in your pond, and the many other roles that all turtles play in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. 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 m...
Jul 02, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 296
In this episode, we recap our recent trip to the annual Wild Turkey Working Group and share major findings from research projects across Southern states. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Byrne, Michael E., et al. (2022). "Nest site fidelity and nesting success of female wild turkeys." Wildlife Society Bulletin 46.2: e1279. Density-dependence in upland game birds | #14 Kurzejeski, Eric W., and L. D. Vangilder. "Population management....
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 295
This month we are joined by Sam Wilson, Furbearer Carnivore Program Manager at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Jason Clark, Conservation Forester at the Nebraska Forest Service, to discuss mountain lions in Nebraska. Resources: Medullary Configurations Illustration Mountain Lion Management in Nebraska ***Updated population estimates in Nebraska (updated 6/27/2024) Sam Wilson [ website ] Jason Clark [ website ] Dr. Andrew Little [ academic profile , @awesmlabdoc] Nathan Pflueger [ website...
Jul 01, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 294
Kim Sash, the Biological Monitoring Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station, joins us to shed light on how fire shapes reptilian and amphibian habitat, the challenges of applying fire regimes to wetland management, and how fire is used to help conserve these fascinating creatures. Resources: Bailey, M. A., et al. (2006). Habitat management guidelines for amphibians and reptiles of the southeastern United States. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Technical Publication HMG-2, Mo...
Jun 29, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 293
In the heart of America's grasslands, a battle for survival is unfolding. The lesser prairie-chicken, an iconic species of the Great Plains, is on the brink of extinction. But there's a growing network of producers and partners across the plains looking to change that. Today on the show, can ranchers and partners work together to save the lesser prairie-chicken while supporting their livelihoods and communities? We’re headed to eastern New Mexico to find out. Learn more about the project: https:...
Jun 27, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 292
In this episode, we take a step away from the scientific literature to ask a regen ag practitioner about their experiences and glean some interesting observations for future study. Jason Snavely, wildlife biologist and founder of Drop-Tine Wildlife Consulting, joins us to dive deep into the microbiology of soil health, trade-offs between conventional and regenerative practices, and how biomimicking nature could help us reach our objectives. Resources: O’donoghue, T., et al. (2022). Regenerative ...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 291
When it comes to conservation, can a group of high school students really make a difference? Join Jared and Hallie as they dive into a story involving the Colorado River, an ancient endangered fish, and a group of high school students who are becoming the next generation of stewards. More on the Upper Colorado Endangered Fish Recovery Program: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/colorado-river-endangered-fish-recovery-nets-some-success/ Epic migration of razorback sucker in the Colorado River Basin:...
Jun 21, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 290
You have surely heard of the flying carp that invaded our larger rivers. Videos of water skiers dressed up like gladiators and armed with dip nets pulled at 30 mph are ubiquitous on the internet. In this episode of Fish University, Wes talks to the leading expert on the invasive carps from Asia, Mr. Duane Chapman. We talk the history, biology, movement, control, and even a recipe or two. Duane shares stories from his decades working on these species, including the time he and colleagues captured...
Jun 19, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 289
Plant and structural diversity is key when managing native grasslands for wildlife. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss the process of promoting diversity and heterogeneity in native grasslands by using disturbances like fire and grazing as tools to manage wildlife habitat in native grasslands. 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 ht...
Jun 18, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 288
Does water on a hen make it more susceptible to predation? In this episode, we comb through the literature on olfactory camouflage, dissecting studies assessing correlations between nest survival, weather, and environmental conditions, and divulging into the complicated web of ecology dynamics. Strap on your science boots for this one, it’s gonna be dense… Resources: Bakner, N. W., et al. (2019). Incubation recess behaviors influence nest survival of Wild Turkeys. Ecology and Evolution, 9(24), 1...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 287
Join Timber University and special guest John Gruchy, a Wildlife Biologist with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. John is the Coordinator of the Private Lands Program, including the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP). John discusses the finer points of managing the forest with prescribed fire and gives some insights for where landowners can go to gain the needed skills to set burns with confidence. John Gruchy john.gruchy@wfp.ms.gov For questions or comments, em...
Jun 12, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 286
Finding an imperiled species on his ranch scared the daylights out of Russell Davis. What he and his neighbors did next may have saved their town. Today on Working Wild U, join us as we return to the high plains of eastern Colorado to learn how a small ranching community transformed a migratory bird’s imperiled status from threat to opportunity. Full show notes available at: workingwild.us
Jun 11, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 285
Brent Rogers, wild turkey historian and collector extraordinaire, joins us to break down wild turkey history through the eyes of early naturalists and literature. Learn how the culture and conservation concerns surrounding the wild turkey developed over time since the 17th century, what impacted transitions in knowledge and observation of wild turkey management, how restocking efforts have shifted throughout the decades, historical hunting practices, and more! Donate to wild turkey research: UF ...
Jun 10, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 284
Co-hosts Andrew Little and Nathan Pflueger discuss how research projects come about including funding, the process, and necessary components. Resources: The Scientific Method – University of Nevada, Reno Extension The Scientific Method – Purdue University Extension How Science Works [Video] - California Academy of Sciences Dr. Andrew Little [ academic profile , @awesmlabdoc] Nathan Pflueger [ website ] AWESM Lab [ website , @awesmlab ] Nebraska Pheasants Forever [ website , @pheasants_quailforev...
Jun 06, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 283
Often, the term “clearcut” is viewed as a 4-lettered word when it comes to forest or wildlife management. But, can clearcuts provide vital resources for songbirds – including those species typically associated with mature closed canopy forests? Join us for our conversation with Dr. Patrick Ruhl as we explore his research into songbird use of clearcuts in Indiana. Dr. Patrick Ruhl - https://ruhlresearch.wixsite.com/patrickjruhl https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UEACzAEAAAAJ&hl=en Reso...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 282
Cyanobacteria, commonly called Blue Green Algae, can rapidly reproduce when conditions are right causing potentially hazardous Harmful Algal Blooms. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss why blooms occur, the risks of toxins from Harmful Algal Blooms on wildlife and livestock, and what you can do to reduce your likelihood of experiencing a cyanobacteria bloom. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program ...
Jun 04, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 281
Today we are joined by Dr. Chad Lehman, senior biologist for the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks, and Dr. Chris Rota, associate professor of wildlife and fisheries resources at West Virginia University. We discuss their previous and ongoing research investigating harvest declines across South Dakota, major variables impacting hen survival and nest incubation, best management practices for SD private landowners, and more. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Au...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 280
Ted DeVos, co-founder of Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services, walks us from ground zero through the various ways in which to manage pine plantations for turkeys. Whether your goal is to increase turkey or timber productivity, this episode is jam-packed with information you don’t want to miss. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services Website , Facebook Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance , Publicati...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 279
In this conversation, Bronson and Steve discuss various topics related to deer management during the summertime. They start by addressing recent concerns about hunters contracting CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) from consuming deer with CWD and emphasize the importance of following public health guidelines and not eating venison from CWD-positive deer. They then move on to discuss deer management tasks for the summer, including getting soil tests and adjusting pH for food plots, moving hunting b...
May 24, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 278
Native warm season plant communities provide valuable food and cover for many wildlife species, and are often missing from properties that are managed for wildlife. Join us as we discuss the process of restoring native warm season grasses and forbs to 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/acade...
May 21, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 277
Dr. Bronson Strickland, co-director of the MSU Deer Lab and founder of the Deer University podcast, joins us to explain regenerative agriculture and break down their new experiment testing the differences in nutrient density and deer use between conventional and regenerative food plots. Deer University Podcast Food plot experiment (Jacob Dykes) Ryegrass is not good Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Dr. Bronson Strickland Website , Publications ...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 276
In Western Missouri there is a lake that doesn’t follow the standard private pond formula. Lake Deanna is a larger private lake with unique habitat, unusual depth, and an experimental fish community. The deep lake has been stocked with largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and sunfish. Bluegill and Redear Sunfish are already pushing a pound, and bass have exceeded 8 pounds in just 4 years! However, the lake is not without its issues. In this episode, Wes discusses Lake Deanna with the Pond Bo...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 275
This episode we are joined by Dr. Morgan Varner from the Tall Timbers Land Trust and Research Center. Dr. Varner discusses the benefits of fire on the landscape, a brief history of utilizing prescribed fire in the US south, and the consequences of using and not using prescribed fire to manage forests. For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com For more, follow NRU on Instagram , YouTube , Twitter , and Facebook ....
May 15, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 274
Dr. Ben Sikes, Associate Professor of Microbial Ecology at the University of Kansas, joins us to shed light on the fascinating relationships between fungi and fire. Learn of the interconnection between plants created by mycorrhizal networks (AKA the “wood wide web”), how fire regimes drive changes in fungal communities, the mechanisms of carrying out fungal research, and much more. Bond, W. J., & Keeley, J. E. (2005). Fire as a global ‘herbivore’: the ecology and evolution of flammable ecosy...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 273
After much feedback from our latest episode, we sit down to review through recent episodes and lay out the available data known to us. Covering season timing and reproduction to the predator-habitat complex, there’s no tiptoeing around the controversy in this one. Isabelle, J. L., et al. (2018). Considerations for timing of spring wild turkey hunting seasons in the southeastern United States. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 5, 106-113. Kurzejeski, Eric W., ...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 272
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. In part 2, we discuss how birds and bats responded to restoration treatments (thinning and fire), and how Andy’s research can inform oak woodland restoration on public and private land. Give us s...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 271
Getting big fish in your pond requires a strong pond management plan. Join us as we discuss steps to consider when managing the fish community in your pond including the importance of habitat diversity, fish genetics, and which fish you should consider harvesting from your pond if you want to catch some lunkers. 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 abo...
May 07, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 270
Dr. Craig Harper and Dr. Dave Buehler from the University of Tennessee join us to discuss results from their seven-year, robust before-after control-impact study assessing the role of experimental season date delays on turkey reproduction. Spoiler alert: Season delays had no effect on any of the 8 vital rates they measured. Quehl, J. O., et al. (2024). Assessing wild turkey productivity before and after a 14-day delay in the start date of the spring hunting season in Tennessee. Ecology and Evolu...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 269
