We've been getting a lot of questions about whether or not Jakes can breed.

However small it is, there is a cost to producing sperm.

So why would they be producing it if there was no chance of reproduction?

Clearly, Jakes can get it done.

Can all Jakes breed all the time? No.

We've got a captive facility full of Jakes right now. And last few times we've been out there, we've actually observed successful mating. And we have multiple jennies that are laying eggs right now that are fertilized and developing in an incubator. And there's nothing but jakes for them to fertilize those eggs. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Welcome to Wild Turkey Science, a podcast made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow.

I'm Dr. Marcus Lashley, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida. And I'm Dr. Marcus Lashley, Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Florida.

And I'm Dr. Will Gulsby, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at Auburn University.

We're both lifelong hunters and devoted scientists who are passionate about hunting, managing, and researching wild turkeys.

In this podcast, we'll explore turkey research, speak to the experts in the field, and address the difficult questions related to wild turkey ecology and management.

Our goal is to serve as your connection to wild turkey science.

To wild turkey science.

I was kind of assuming that you did the deep dive here.

Oh, yeah.

I mean, I've got proof, man.

I don't need any deep dives.

Well, why don't you give the context of what we're talking about today and you can go into your proof and then I'll go into my deep dive.

But the deep dive, I'll admit, is in the shallow end of the pool on this one.

You're in the kitty pool?

You know, it's the deep end of the pool if it's all the same level.

It's like my kids in the backyard, they get their little, they get their little plastic slide and they put it in their little plastic turtle pool.

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