An eastern wild tom turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) struts with tail feathers in fan through a grassy meadow.
Researchers at Auburn University will continue to stay on the cutting edge of wild turkey research thanks to funding from Alabama-based wildlife conservation organizations.
Will Gulsby, Auburn College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment associate professor of wildlife management, and his laboratory are answering questions for wild turkey enthusiasts across the country. This research, funded by the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF), Alabama State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Turkeys for Tomorrow (TFT) will allow the research team to continue uncovering more mysteries about wild turkeys—fueling more effective management for this popular game species.
Wild turkey populations are being threatened, and learning more about their behavior, reproduction, health and predator pressure is imperative to mitigating risks to their well-being. TFT, established in 2021, supports its mission by backing science and those who carry out systematic approaches to turkey conservation. Their alignment with Gulsby’s ongoing research made their partnership an easy fit.
“TFT is a science-based conservation organization that is actively engaged to stabilize wild turkey populations,” said Jason Lupardus, chief executive officer of TFT and certified wildlife biologist. “We are honored to support Dr. Gulsby and his students to help us come up with solutions for wild turkey decline while we create a pathway for young professionals who will be our future conservation leaders. We invest in others that share our core values—and if not you, then who?”
Gulsby and his graduate student, Reese Stogner, are focusing on the relationships existing between turkeys and predators by analyzing traps, feeding regimens, and gobbling frequency within a designated 100-acre research area. To acquire this data, the team established study sites on private property where feeding had not occurred in the previous five years. Once granted access by the landowner, they set out to tag predators to track their behavior and impact on turkey nesting sites. Simultaneously, the team is deploying surveys to see who truly benefits from the use of feeding: turkeys or their nest predators.
“The wild turkey research led by Dr. Gulsby has been cutting-edge,” said Tim Gothard, executive director of the AWF, Alabama’s largest and oldest non-profit conservation organization. “His ongoing work on the relationship between supplemental feeding, turkey predator populations and hen nest success will provide another round of useful information that landowners and land managers can utilize to refine their habitat management strategies to benefit this important game species. The AWF appreciates Dr. Gulsby’s dedication to expanding the knowledge base for managing wild turkeys and for the opportunity to support his work.”
The increasing use of bait by hunters could potentially be negatively impacting turkey nests by attracting some of their most prominent nemeses, such as raccoons. It is Gulsby and Stogner’s hope that the completed project will provide clarity on this nutrient-predator relationship. This practical research serves as a worthwhile investment for the state’s wildlife research supporters.
“Since the start of the NWTF in 1973, science-based management has been a pillar of the organization,” said Derek Alkire, NWTF director of conservation operations. “Funding ongoing research like this project remains a priority, as it helps resource professionals tackle today’s most challenging questions around wild turkey conservation.”
Gulsby says the ultimate goal of this research is to provide landowners with data-driven guidance to better manage their properties for wildlife conservation.
“Armed with this knowledge, hunters and land managers can make more informed decisions to balance their conservation goals with hunting practices,” he said.
