In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Marcus Lashley (University of Florida and Wild Turkey Science Podcast) discuss turkey habitat, biology, and designing a property for turkeys. Marcus explains the lifecycle of turkey and how they choose habitat types to survive on the landscape. Marcus explains habitat options and preferences that are critical to survival of hens and poults. Marcus explains the importance of research and the related data, and what is being learned as it pertains to the current turkey population.
Jon discusses various goals for clients and examples of nest sites that he has observed on the landscape. Marcus discusses the limiting factors in most forest settings and how to change those on the landscape. Marcus explains how to develop understory plants in a forest setting and ideal setups to create better nest success. Marcus discusses options and vegetation considerations for nest success and how spacing can be critical for hens. Marcus discusses transversable areas, structure, visual observations, overhead cover and limiting predator interest. 
Marcus and Jon discuss brooding areas that provide feeding and cover options for turkeys. Marcus details the timeline and the essentials for poults to survive during the first few weeks after hatching. Marcus and Jon discuss the ability for poults to thermoregulate and how climate is critical for the first few weeks of survival.
Marcus and Jon discuss winter survival. What to look for when it pertains to habitat options and food to ensure turkey populations are less impacted by cold temperatures. Marcus and Jon discuss ideal property layout examples, food plots and preferred habitat types. Marcus explains the benefits of habitat improvement to other small mammals. Marcus explains more about predators and the impact on turkeys. Jon ends with an explanation of what is critical to managing forest stands for turkeys.
Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!
Social Links
https://whitetaillandscapes.com/
https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/
https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en
 
Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance) / Twitter
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=G84D9fQAAAAJ
Marcus Lashley (@drdisturbance) • Instagram photos and videos
Wild Turkey Science on Apple Podcasts
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