Natural Resources University

Dr. Mike Muthersbaugh, Upland Gamebird Biologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, joins us to disclose the status of turkey populations in the state, management challenges, and ongoing research efforts to improve hunting experiences and conservation strategies.

Resources:

Wild Turkey Data Dashboards: Fall, Spring

Fink, D., et al. (2024). eBird Status and Trends, Data Version: 2023; Released: 2025. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York.

Dr. Mike Muthersbaugh - Email, Publications

We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey...

White-tailed deer management is not just a fall conversation. In this episode, John Weir, Laura Goodman Ph.D., and Mark Turner Ph.D. explain why summer is one of the most important seasons for deer nutrition, especially when bucks are growing antlers and does are producing milk for fawns. The discussion moves beyond acorns and food plots to focus on the plants deer depend on most: forbs, fresh browse, soft mast, and young regrowth.

The crew breaks down why many plants landowners call weeds can be some of the best deer food on the place. Ragweed, pokeweed...

Mark Wiley, Forest Gamebird Biologist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, joins us to share insights on wild turkey populations, management strategies, and recent policy changes in the state.

Resources:

Debunking the Drowning Poults | #168

Legends of turkey research | #50

Ohio Fall and Spring Hunting Season Reports

Smith, C. R., et al. (2026). Annual survival and resource selection of juvenile male wild turkeys in central Tennessee. The Journal of Wildlife Management, e70255.

What Affects Jake Survival? | Ep 199

Wild turkey populations in PA (Part 1/2) | Ep 25

Bats play a vital role in our ecosystems, providing natural insect control and contributing to healthy environments. However, when bats enter homes, buildings, or other occupied structures, they can present unique challenges for wildlife managers, pest management professionals, and property owners. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss bat habitat, exposure, and exclusion.

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

Watch the...

In this episode, we dive into the literature to explore the complex relationship between body condition, reproductive success, and population dynamics in wild turkeys.

Resources:

Badyaev, A. V., et al. (1996). Habitat sampling and habitat selection by female wild turkeys: ecological correlates and reproductive consequences. The Auk, 113(3), 636-646.

Healy, W. M., & Nenno, E. S. (1985). Effect of weather on wild turkey poult survival. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 1985, 91-101.

Lashley, M., et al. (2026). Wildlife feeding increases risk of male wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to hunter harvest. bioRxiv, 2026-04.

Lashley, M. A...

Jacob and Eric discuss the largest whitetail culling study ever conducted with Dr. Randy DeYoung. They talk about the monster project and the unexpected findings.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

Dr. Alex Potash joins us to explore the ecological role of squirrels, focusing on their impact on oak regeneration and how animal behavior influences forest management strategies.

Resources:

Chester, M., Beck, J., & Potash, A. D. (2025). Observation of a grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) suggests that some rodents can vomit. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 103, 1-4.

Horn, C. C., et al. (2013). Why can't rodents vomit? A comparative behavioral, anatomical, and physiological study. PloS one, 8(4), e60537.

Potash, A. D., & McCleery, R. A. (2026). Predation risk alters prey caching behavior and resultant tree establishment patterns.<...

Emerald ash borer continues to spread across the South, threatening ash trees in forests, urban areas, and important bottomland hardwood ecosystems. In this episode of Timber University, Dr. Colin Bonser, an entomologist with Forest Health Protection in the USDA Forest Service, joins us to discuss emerald ash borer, how it is detected and monitored, and what its continued spread could mean for southern forests.

Dr. Bonser explains how emerald ash borer attacks ash trees by feeding on vascular tissue beneath the bark, eventually girdling and killing the tree. We discuss common signs of infestation, including crown dieback...

In this episode, Dr. Gino D'Angelo and Lisa Jorge from the UGA Deer Lab join Jacob and Eric to discuss innovative research on deer fencing and urban deer management. They share insights into how fences affect deer behavior and how science is informing fence design.   Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.   Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

In this episode of Gamebird University, James Callicutt and Mark McConnell catch up on fall habitat management for waterfowl and upland game birds. They discuss how timing, scale, and landscape context influence management decisions, from prescribed burning and fall disking to crop harvest, vegetation control, and water management.   The conversation covers habitat diversity, quail cover, food availability, waterfowl migration, and how birds respond to changing conditions across the landscape. James and Mark also discuss the importance of monitoring habitat response, adapting management when aggressive plant species become a problem, and recognizing that the same practice may produce very different results d...

Jacob and Eric sit down with Jason Sumners, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, to discuss deer management, landowner collaboration, and adaptive strategies to address CWD.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

Much like terrestrial landscapes, ponds and aquatic environments change over time. Management plans can help support and drive how many of the processes in the pond play out over time. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss changes that occur in a pond over time, how to identify if these changes are occurring, and what you can do to help manage your pond for long-term success.

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...

Jacob and Eric catch up with Luke Resop, PhD student in the MSU Deer Lab, to discuss food plots. They cover the basics of cool-season food plots and what you can do to increase your chances of success.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

We deep dive into the complex mechanisms of sex determination in birds, focusing on how environmental and physiological factors influence sex ratios.

Resources:

Aslam, M. A., et al. (2014). Effect of corticosterone and hen body mass on primary sex ratio in laying hen (Gallus gallus), using unincubated eggs. Biology of Reproduction, 90(4).

Curry, J., et al. (2023). Dietary fat supplements influence weight gain and egg production, but not offspring sex ratios in Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Journal of Avian Biology, 2023(5-6), e03081.

Dorr, B. S., et al. (2014). Geographic segregation and evidence...

What happens when floods, fish and farms all connect? Flooding is a natural process, but it can cause major problems for farms and residential areas alike. Joining us this week is Mitch Paine, Flood Risk Policy and Planning Specialist with the Washington Department of Ecology and lecturer for University of Washington's Urban Planning program, to walk us through how conservation, agriculture and flooding can all work together. From the history of flood policy in the US to modern approaches, we discuss a collective move away from trying to strictly control rivers to a more integrated and holistic flood management...

Jacob and Eric chat about what summer looked like for the Deer Lab and some of the less discussed aspects of academia.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

To kick off Oaktober, we break down the genetics behind why some oak trees are reliable acorn producers and others aren't, and how you as a landowner can use that variation to guide forest stand improvement decisions that benefit both turkeys and deer.

Resources:

Boggess, C. M., Strickland, B., Alexander, H. D., & Lashley, M. A. (2019). Mast Seeding in Oaks: A Strategy to Satiate Predators or Strengthen Apparent Competition?. In American Fisheries Society & The Wildlife Society 2019 Joint Annual Conference. AFS.

Lashley, M. A., et al. (2009). Masting characteristics of white oak: implications for...

Implementing a wildlife management plan is not cheap and the associated costs may be a barrier for many landowners to start improving their land for wildlife. Fortunately, there are a number of resources and financial assistance programs that can substantially reduce the technical and cost barriers that many landowners encounter. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss sources of technical assistance, cost-share programs, and the advantages of some of these programs that are available to landowners looking to improve wildlife habitat on their property in the Great Plains and beyond. 

Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Dr...

In this episode, we discuss the difference between anecdote and research in wildlife science, limitations with unreplicated site-specific studies, how meta-analyses narrow the direction of an effect, and why seemingly conflicting results can each be right within their own context.

Resources:

Londe, David W., et al. "Review of range‐wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory." Ecology and Evolution 13.2 (2023): e9830.

Wann, G. T., et al. (2020). The influence of prescribed fire on wild turkeys in the Southeastern United States: A review and synthesis. Forest Ecology and Management, 455, 117661.

We break down native early successional (old field) management for turkeys — how to identify the plants that really matter, when and why to use fire versus spot-spraying, and how to keep a field cycling through the diverse structure that makes great brooding cover.

Resources:

iNaturalist

Seek App

We manage DEER food plots for TURKEYS (video)

Enter our raffle for a chance to win a Wild Turkey Science hunt with Dr. Will Gulsby and Dr. Marcus Lashley at the historic Westervelt Hunting Lodge: https://e.givesmart.co...

Fish kills can result in detrimental losses in ponds but dead fish are just part of the bigger story. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss how to identify a fish kill, common fish kill causes, and how to prevent fish kills in your pond.

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

Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com...

We step back to synthesize what's changed in wild turkey science since the show began and where the biggest open questions still remain.

Resources:

Huang, M. H., Demarais, S., Brookshire, W. C., & Strickland, B. K. (2022). Analysis of supplemental wildlife feeding in Mississippi and environmental gastrointestinal parasite load. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 995437.

Huang, M. H., Demarais, S., Strickland, B. K., & Brookshire, W. C. (2022). Identifying aflatoxin exposure risk from supplemental feeding of deer. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 58(2), 384-388.

Impacts of vegetation structure on hen survival and nest success | Ep 195

Implementing conservation practices like prairie strips or cover crops on your farm might feel like an overwhelming or confusing process. But private lands biologists and other conservation professionals are an invaluable resource to help farmers and landowners navigate the process and choose the best options. This month, we are joined by longtime Nebraska farmer Ed Olson along with Rob Peterson, a Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist with Pheasants Forever. From decision-making and motivations to mishaps and problem-solving, we get a unique inside look into the working relationship between a farmer and biologist. Whether you are a farmer, landowner, conservation professional...

Forest management decisions are made under biological, financial, and market conditions that can change considerably during the life of a stand. In this episode of Timber University, Dr. Adam Polinko, formerly of Mississippi State University (now at Northern Arizona University), joins us to discuss two applied research projects examining how landowners and foresters can respond to those challenges: chemical thinning in overstocked pine stands and the long-term development of mixed cherrybark oak and sweetgum plantings.

Dr. Polinko's research focuses broadly on silviculture and forest stand dynamics, including how forests respond to disturbances such as thinning, harvesting, and...

Dr. Craig Harper of the University of Tennessee rejoins us to share results from recent research assessing annual survival and resource selection of juvenile males in Tennessee.

Resources:

Bones, J. T., et al. (2026). Vegetation response varies by season of burning in pine woodlands across the southeastern US. Fire Ecology, 22(1), 19.

Pollentier, C. D., et al. (2014). Survival and productivity of eastern wild turkey females in contrasting landscapes in Wisconsin. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 78(6), 985-996.

Quehl, J. O., et al. (2024). Assessing wild turkey productivity before and after a 14-day delay in...

Mourning doves are a popular migratory game bird to hunt in Kansas and many other states in the U.S. Kansas alone accounts for about 630,000 harvested mourning doves per year. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss population trends, diet, habitat, and hunting of doves.

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

Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com...

In this episode, we dive into turkey reproductive physiology, focusing on how photostimulation and photorefractoriness influence turkey breeding cycles.

Resources:

Dawson, A., et al. (2001). Photoperiodic control of seasonality in birds. Journal of biological rhythms, 16(4), 365-380.

Turkey Predators | Ep 06

Enter our raffle for a chance to win a Wild Turkey Science hunt with Dr. Will Gulsby and Dr. Marcus Lashley at the historic Westervelt Hunting Lodge: https://e.givesmart.com/events/Qam/

We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey...

Join us in celebrating the 100th year of pheasant hunting in Nebraska! In this episode of the WildAg Podcast, we welcome Lonnie Shafer, hunter and author of Shafer's Nebraska Pheasant Hunting Almanac, to explore the history of the Ring-necked pheasant in Nebraska and across the United States. Schafer traces the bird's origins in Asia, its introduction to North America, and the events that led to its establishment as one of the nation's most iconic game birds. The conversation also examines the evolution of pheasant hunting in the U.S., highlighting how changing landscapes, wildlife management, and conservation efforts have...

We're bringing back the episode where we dig into decades-old crop-content studies to quantify exactly how much of a turkey's diet is acorns, and what the trends in declining oak forests mean for the future of 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...

With information more accessible than ever, it can be hard to know what's actually good advice for your pond. In this episode, Joe and Drew talk through common sources of misinformation, examples of good spirited bad advice, and how to determine if the guidance you hear is worth listening to.

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

Watch the podcast o...

Will leads us through a deep dive of the scientific literature on the relative contribution of avian predators to wild turkey predation.

Resources:

Hughes, T. W., et al. (2005). The impacts of predation on wild turkeys. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2005, 117-126.

Palmer, W. E., et al. (2005). Effect of field borders and nest‐predator reduction on abundance of northern bobwhites. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 33(4), 1398-1405.

Speake, D. W., et al. (1985). Mortality of wild turkey poults in northern Alabama. The Journal of wildlife management, 49(2), 472-474.

Wightman, P. H., et al. (2025). Investigating diel pa...

Forest inventory and timber cruising provide the information landowners and foresters need to understand what is growing on a property, how much timber is present, and how that timber should be managed or valued. In this episode of Timber University, Dr. Josh Granger from Mississippi State University joins us to discuss the different methods used to measure forests and why a well-designed inventory can be one of the most important investments a forest landowner makes.

Dr. Granger is an Associate Professor in Mississippi State University's Department of Forestry, where he teaches dendrology, forest measurements, and forest description...

Dr. Mark Turner joins us to discuss his newly accepted, peer-reviewed study examining how vegetation around wild turkey nests impacts both nest success and hen survival during incubation.

Resources:

Butler, N., et al. (2025). Vital rates and population trajectory of a declining eastern wild turkey population in southeastern Oklahoma. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 49, e70002.

Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may help explain wild turkey population decline. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1642.<...

Raccoons are smart, adaptable omnivores that can be challenging to manage, because they are very resourceful. Drew and Joe share some insights into solving common problems with raccoons. Drew also shares some valuable insight into the kinds of traps that work best based on location, and why relocating raccoons isn't best for them.

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

Wa...

Will walks us through a recent study assessing the effects of predator removal on a ground nesting bird - the Pigeon Gullimot - and how this translates to managing predators for wild turkey.

Resources:

Cherry, M. J., et al. (2015). Effects of predation risk and group dynamics on white-tailed deer foraging behavior in a longleaf pine savanna. Behavioral Ecology, 26(4), 1091-1099.

Conner, L. M., et al. (2016). Predator exclusion as a management option for increasing white‐tailed deer recruitment. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 80(1), 162-170.

Stark, S. B., et al. (2026). Seabird population re...

Grizzly bears are making a comeback – and their return is one of North America's greatest conservation success stories.

But as bears expand into places they haven't occupied in generations, new questions emerge. Where do bears belong in the modern West? What does it actually take to share a landscape with a large carnivore? And who bears the costs and responsibilities of recovery?

This season on Working Wild University, we're traveling from Wyoming ranches to Montana communities, talking with ranchers, wildlife managers, scientists, tribal leaders, conservationists, and the people living and working in bear country every da...

Jacob and Eric sit down with Sam Overfors, a recent Deer Lab graduate, to discuss his work evaluating antipredator behavior in fawns. Sam used thermal drones and GPS collars to investigate how fawns move across the landscape.   Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.   Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)

In this episode, we discuss our go-to herbicides for various land management scenarios.

Resources:

Herbicides | Ep 102

Get your tickets to our 2nd Annual UF Game Lab Banquet here: https://tinyurl.com/UFGameLabBanquet

Can't attend the banquet but still want to support us? Please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab. Thank you in advance for your support!

We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food...

Catfish are among the most popular fish to catch in the Great Plains. Kansas is home to 12 species of catfish including small madtoms and record setting Flathead Catfish. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss catfish diets, habitats, and much more.

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

Watch the podcast on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@KSEWildlife 

Dr. Andy Little, Associate Professor of Landscape Ecology and Habitat Management and Extension Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, stops by to discuss how deer alter their behavior in response to hunters.

Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.

Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)