Land and Legacy and The Hunting Public Share Practical Habitat Management Strategies for Wild Turkeys at NWTF Convention

Presenters, Aaron Warbritton and Zach Ferenbaugh from The Hunting Public and Adam Keith and Matt Dye from Land and Legacy, emphasized the importance of Timber Stand Improvement as a foundational tool for creating healthier forests. By removing low-quality trees, TSI allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor, enhancing understory growth that benefits wild turkeys’ forage, brooding and nesting habitat. Their recommended starting point for TSI is a 30% reduction in trees, an achievable target that yields significant habitat improvements. 

“This stuff is real intimidating starting out, but what we’ve found out is just a little change goes a long way,” Warbritton said. “You don’t have to do everything all at once; it’s a process.” 

Throughout the session, audience members were encouraged to ask questions and discuss their specific land management challenges.  

A key question came up regarding their advice on removing trees: which trees to keep and which to remove? To assist landowners in identifying tree species, the presenters recommended using the iNaturalist app, a helpful tool for determining which trees to keep and which to remove.  

Another key focus of the presentation was the essential role of prescribed fire. Both Land and Legacy and The Hunting Public underscored that burning and thinning work hand in hand to create ideal wild turkey habitat, particularly for brood-rearing and nesting success. 

“Don’t thin unless you plan on burning, and don’t burn unless you plan on thinning,” Dye said. 

Some attendees voiced concerns about prescribed fire due to inexperience and safety considerations. The speakers emphasized the importance of leveraging local resources — including literature, workshops and funding opportunities — to gain the necessary knowledge and confidence to implement safe and effective burns. 

The session concluded with a seasonal breakdown of habitat management techniques, along with essential do’s and don’ts for landowners looking to enhance their property for wild turkeys: 

Seasonal Habitat Management Techniques: 

• Winter: TSI, basal treatment, prescribed fire, discing, edge-feathering. 

• Spring: Prescribed fire, cool-season grass removal, edge-feathering. 

• Summer: Invasive species removal, TSI, prescribed fire, edge-feathering. 

• Fall: TSI, prescribed fire, cool-season grass removal. 

Key Do’s and Don’ts for Wild Turkey Habitat Management: 

• Do: Thin the canopy to allow sunlight penetration and promote a healthy understory. 

• Don’t: Leave excessive debris on the ground; use methods like timber harvest, hack-and-squirt or girdle-and-spray instead of simply cutting and dropping trees. 

• Don’t: Open up the understory without first treating invasive species to prevent undesirable growth. 

Ultimately, the presenters urged attendees to take action rather than overthink their management decisions. 

“Stop over-thinking it, put thoughts into action for the wild turkey,” Keith said. “You can’t overthink your way to making more turkeys — just go to work!”  

For more information on these organizations and their approach to habitat management, visit The Hunting Public and Land and Legacy online.