What happens when habitat quality declines substantially?

The vital rates respond commensurately, and that's often because of elevated predation.

So it makes sense that people would think when they see that, that predators are a problem.

That's a good point.

If you don't take into consideration that habitat quality has declined and that would return

a higher predation rate, then it would look a lot like predators are the problem.

Absolutely.

When it was actually the habitat underlying cause that forced the increase in predation.

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. 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.

Welcome to the world. Well, it's a... Well, it's been an act of January.

Yeah, we've kind of been feeling out what we're going to talk about on wild turkey science in 2024.

I did go back and listen to that other episode where I said,

wait, did I say 2022?

I did not.

Okay.

I'm sure you slept better once you figure that out.

You're already Googling symptoms of early onset dementia.

...