Wild Turkey Science Dr. Marcus Lashley & Dr. Will Gulsby

Will provides us with updates on his ongoing, hunter-led AL project quantifying fertility indexes in wild turkeys and how it relates to behavior and disease. Then, an update from Marcus on the FL genetic study assessing habitat connectivity and gene flow made possible by hunter-donated feathers. And finally, a look into Will’s next project inspired by our listeners.
 
Resources:
AL Update: Is there a dominant gobbler?
Status of turkeys in FL (Part 1/2)
Status of turkeys in FL (Part 2/2)
FL Wildlife Corridor
NY Times: Wild Turkey Decline
 
Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)
Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)
Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) 
UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube)
 
Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube
 
Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 
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. 
Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. 
 
Music by Artlist.io
Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
 

Marcus and Will kick off the holiday season by reviewing a newly published predator-prey diet selection study, discussing fall diets for turkeys during poor oak masting years, and touching upon the American tradition of fall turkey hunting. 
 
Resources
Youngmann, et al. (2023). Assessing springtime vertebrate prey of sympatric mesopredators in the southeastern United States using metabarcoding analysis. Plos one, 18(10), e0293270.
DrDisturbance IG Reel
 
Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)
Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)
Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) 
UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube)
 
Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube
 
Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 
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. 
Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. 
 
Music by Artlist.io
Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak 
 

Marcus and Will pull from the literature to discuss the science-based management strategies across fire, silviculture, herbicide, and more, that can help turn your hardwoods into turkeys. Listen to Part 1 of this episode here: https://sites.libsyn.com/453219/WildTurkeyScience/managing-hardwoods-for-turkeys-part-12-52
 
Resources:
Bogdziewicz, M., Crone, E. E., Steele, M. A., & Zwolak, R. (2017). Effects of nitrogen deposition on reproduction in a masting tree: benefits of higher seed production are trumped by negative biotic interactions. Journal of Ecology, 105(2), 310-320.
Dey, D. C., & Schweitzer, C. J. (2018). A review on the dynamics of prescribed fire, tree mortality, and injury in managing oak natural communities to minimize economic loss in North America. Forests, 9(8), 461.
FOOD PLOTS, FEED OR FIRE: THE REAL COSTS PER POUND OF DEER FORAGE
Lashley, M. A., McCord, J. M., Greenberg, C. H., & Harper, C. A. (2009). Masting characteristics of white oaks: Implications for management. In Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeast Association Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Vol. 63, pp. 21-26).
Lashley, M. A., Harper, C. A., Bates, G. E., & Keyser, P. D. (2011). Forage availability for white‐tailed deer following silvicultural treatments in hardwood forests. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 75(6), 1467-1476.
Mann, D. P., Wiedenbeck, J. K., Dey, D. C., & Saunders, M. R. (2020). Evaluating economic impacts of prescribed fire in the Central Hardwood Region. Journal of Forestry, 118(3), 275-288.
Marschall, J. M., Guyette, R. P., Stambaugh, M. C., & Stevenson, A. P. (2014). Fire damage effects on red oak timber product value. Forest Ecology and Management, 320, 182-189.
McDaniel, J. K., Alexander, H. D., Siegert, C. M., & Lashley, M. A. (2021). Shifting tree species composition of upland oak forests alters leaf litter structure, moisture, and flammability. Forest ecology and Management, 482, 118860.
Stanis, S., Wiedenbeck, J., & Saunders, M. R. (2019). Effect of prescribed fire on timber volume and grade in the Hoosier National Forest. Forest Science, 65(6), 714-724.
Turner, M. A., Gulsby, W. D., Harper, C. A., & Ditchkoff, S. S. (2020). Improving Coastal Plain Hardwoods for Deer and Turkeys with Canopy Reduction and Fire. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 44(4), 705-712.
Turner, M. A., Gulsby, W. D., & Harper, C. A. (2021). Mixture of triclopyr and imazapyr more effective than triclopyr alone for hardwood forest stand improvement. Forest Science, 67(1), 43-48.
Wiedenbeck, J. K., & Schuler, T. M. (2014). Effects of prescribed fire on the wood quality and marketability of four hardwood species in the central Appalachian region. In In: Groninger, John W.; Holzmueller, Eric J.; Nielsen, Clayton K.; Dey, Daniel C., eds. Proceedings, 19th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2014 March 10-12; Carbondale, IL. General Technical Report NRS-P-142. Newtown Square, PA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 202-212. (pp. 202-212).
Wolgast, L. J., & Stout, B. B. (1977). Effects of age, stand density, and fertilizer application on bear oak reproduction. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 685-691.



Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)
Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)
Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) 
UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube)
 
Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube
 
Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 
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. 
Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. 
 
Music by Artlist.io
Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
 

Marcus and Will pull from the literature to assess various management strategies across fire, silviculture, herbicide, and more, that can help turn your hardwoods into turkeys. Part 2 of this episode releases next Monday.
 
Resources:
Bogdziewicz, M., Crone, E. E., Steele, M. A., & Zwolak, R. (2017). Effects of nitrogen deposition on reproduction in a masting tree: benefits of higher seed production are trumped by negative biotic interactions. Journal of Ecology, 105(2), 310-320.
Dey, D. C., & Schweitzer, C. J. (2018). A review on the dynamics of prescribed fire, tree mortality, and injury in managing oak natural communities to minimize economic loss in North America. Forests, 9(8), 461.
FOOD PLOTS, FEED OR FIRE: THE REAL COSTS PER POUND OF DEER FORAGE
Lashley, M. A., McCord, J. M., Greenberg, C. H., & Harper, C. A. (2009). Masting characteristics of white oaks: Implications for management. In Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeast Association Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Vol. 63, pp. 21-26).
Lashley, M. A., Harper, C. A., Bates, G. E., & Keyser, P. D. (2011). Forage availability for white‐tailed deer following silvicultural treatments in hardwood forests. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 75(6), 1467-1476.
Mann, D. P., Wiedenbeck, J. K., Dey, D. C., & Saunders, M. R. (2020). Evaluating economic impacts of prescribed fire in the Central Hardwood Region. Journal of Forestry, 118(3), 275-288.
Marschall, J. M., Guyette, R. P., Stambaugh, M. C., & Stevenson, A. P. (2014). Fire damage effects on red oak timber product value. Forest Ecology and Management, 320, 182-189.
McDaniel, J. K., Alexander, H. D., Siegert, C. M., & Lashley, M. A. (2021). Shifting tree species composition of upland oak forests alters leaf litter structure, moisture, and flammability. Forest ecology and Management, 482, 118860.
Stanis, S., Wiedenbeck, J., & Saunders, M. R. (2019). Effect of prescribed fire on timber volume and grade in the Hoosier National Forest. Forest Science, 65(6), 714-724.
Turner, M. A., Gulsby, W. D., Harper, C. A., & Ditchkoff, S. S. (2020). Improving Coastal Plain Hardwoods for Deer and Turkeys with Canopy Reduction and Fire. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 44(4), 705-712.
Turner, M. A., Gulsby, W. D., & Harper, C. A. (2021). Mixture of triclopyr and imazapyr more effective than triclopyr alone for hardwood forest stand improvement. Forest Science, 67(1), 43-48.
Wiedenbeck, J. K., & Schuler, T. M. (2014). Effects of prescribed fire on the wood quality and marketability of four hardwood species in the central Appalachian region. In In: Groninger, John W.; Holzmueller, Eric J.; Nielsen, Clayton K.; Dey, Daniel C., eds. Proceedings, 19th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2014 March 10-12; Carbondale, IL. General Technical Report NRS-P-142. Newtown Square, PA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 202-212. (pp. 202-212).
Wolgast, L. J., & Stout, B. B. (1977). Effects of age, stand density, and fertilizer application on bear oak reproduction. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 685-691.



Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)
Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)
Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) 
UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube)
 
Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube
 
Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 
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. 
Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. 
 
Music by Artlist.io
Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
 

Will and Marcus comb through the available literature to analyze the relationships between hardwood forests and wild turkeys. 
 
Resources:
Alexander et al. (2021). Mesophication of oak landscapes: Evidence, knowledge gaps, and future research. BioScience, 71(5), 531-542.
Burk et al. (1990). Wild turkey use of streamside management zones in loblolly pine plantations. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 6, pp. 84-89).
Byrne, M. E. (2013). Nesting ecology of wild turkeys in a bottomland hardwood forest. The American Midland Naturalist, 170(1), 95-110.
Davis et al. (2018). Landscape-abundance relationships of male Eastern Wild Turkeys Meleagris gallopavo silvestris in Mississippi, USA. Acta ornithologica, 52(2), 127-139.
Marable et al. (2023). Seasonal Resource Selection and Use of Hardwood Regeneration by Translocated Wild Turkeys in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Diversity, 15(9), 1007.
McShea et al. (2007). Forestry matters: decline of oaks will impact wildlife in hardwood forests. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 71(5), 1717-1728.
Nelson et al. (2022). Fine‐scale resource selection and behavioral tradeoffs of eastern wild turkey broods. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 86(5), e22222.
Nelson et al. (2023). Age‐based shifts in habitat selection of wild turkey broods. The Journal of Wildlife Management, e22494.
Norman & Steffen (2003). Effects of recruitment, oak mast, and fall-season format on wild turkey harvest rates in Virginia. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 553-559.
Norman et al. (2022). Hunting and environmental influences on survival of male wild turkeys in Virginia and West Virginia. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 46(2), e1284.
Schemnitz, S. D. (1956). Wild turkey food habits in Florida. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 20(2), 132-137.
Thogmartin, W. E. (2001). Home-range size and habitat selection of female wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Arkansas. The American Midland Naturalist, 145(2), 247-260.
 
Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)
Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)
Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) 
UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube)
 
Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube
 
Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 
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. 
Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. 
 
Music by Artlist.io
Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
 

Marcus and Will travel back in time with legendary turkey researchers Dr. Larry Vangilder and Eric Kurzejeski. Join as they discuss the early days of restocking and lessons learned, how hunting regulations changed as populations grew, initial assumptions impacting today’s regulations, challenges they faced as biologists, and thoughts on why we’re seeing declines today.
 
Dr. Larry Vangilder, Eric W. Kurzejeski
Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile)
Dr. Will Gulsby (@dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile)
Turkeys for Tomorrow (@turkeysfortomorrow) 
UF DEER Lab (@ufdeerlab) (YouTube)
 
Watch these podcasts on YouTube: Wild Turkey Science YouTube
 
Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund 
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. 
Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family. 
 
Music by Artlist.io
Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak