About
Land Management | Conservation | Hunting
Committed to creating the best access to the latest scientific research on wild turkeys and the landscapes they inhabit, the Wild Turkey Lab serves as the definitive communication platform for science-driven information to benefit wild turkeys. By distributing content led by Dr. Mike Chamberlain, the Wild Turkey Lab provides the most comprehensive collection of current research and meaningful historical works focused on wild turkeys. The focus of the Wild Turkey Lab is to communicate findings to managers, landowners, and hunters in a way that positively influences the future of wild turkeys and the landscapes they call home. Featuring individuals and organizations dedicated to conserving, studying, and working towards ensuring sustainable wild turkey populations for future generations, the Wild Turkey Lab provides those interested in wild turkeys a dynamic commonplace for dialog on the management, conservation, and enjoyment of the bird we all love to pursue.
Dr. Michael Chamberlain
Dr. Mike Chamberlain is the Terrell Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. He has conducted research on wild turkeys for the past 30 years during his time at the University of Georgia, Louisiana State University, and Mississippi State University. Mike is a passionate turkey hunter as well, having hunted wild turkeys all over their range. He also is the founder of the Austin Hunter Chamberlain Memorial Foundation, which you can learn about at austinsway.org.
Contact: mchamberlain@warnell.uga.edu
Dr. Patrick Wightman
Dr. Patrick Wightman is a post-doctoral research associate in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. He earned his M.S. from Louisiana State University and B.S. from Paul Smiths College. Patrick completed his Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural resources at UGA in 2022. His graduate research focused on different aspects of male wild turkey ecology and management. Patrick grew up in Steuben County, New York where his love of the outdoors and wildlife originated via hunting, fishing, and volunteering with local wildlife biologists. He is a passionate turkey hunter who believes science based management is critical for conserving the species for future generations.
Contact: patrick.wightman@uga.edu
Nicholas Bakner
Nicholas Bakner is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia. Upon graduating from Pennsylvania State University in 2013, he began working with wild turkeys for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Nick received his master’s degree from Louisiana State University working with wild turkeys across the southeastern United States. Prior to his work in Georgia, he was the assistant wild turkey biologist for the state of Florida. Nick is an avid trapper and wild turkey hunter.
Erin Ulrey
Erin Ulrey is a Ph.D. student in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, where she’s studying an unhunted population of wild turkeys. She obtained a B.S. of Zoology at Northern Michigan University where she first developed her interest in gamebird management. She worked on a variety of avian research projects across the United States before completing her M.S. degree at Louisiana State University where she evaluated the reproductive phenology and ecology of eastern wild turkey females in west-central Louisiana.
Nick Gulotta
Nick Gulotta is currently a PhD student at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, and he is working with eastern wild turkeys in the Piedmont region of Georgia. He completed his Master’s work at the University of Alberta studying animal personalities. His work during his PhD will largely focus on 1) quantifying the fitness and survival consequences of personality types of toms (shy vs risky, fast vs slow explorer), 2) quantifying differences in responses to predation risk and hunting pressure.
Paige Goodman
Paige Goodman is currently working on her Master’s research at the Warnell School of Forestry of Natural Resources studying eastern wild turkeys in the Piedmont region of Georgia. Her research interest is on the reproductive ecology of wild turkeys. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in biology at the College of Saint Benedict before spending a few years working as a wildlife field technician on upland game bird projects before returning to academia to pursue her graduate degree.
Cody Scarborough
Cody Scarborough began his Master’s research in 2022 the Savannah River Site project in South Carolina. His research interest is focused on roost site selection and movement of gobblers on an un-hunted site. Cody earned his Bachelor of Science in Forest Resour degree from the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia in 2020. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he has worked as a wildlife technician on numerous projects throughout the southeast, focusing on various species ranging from coyotes, bobwhite quail, and white-tailed deer.
