Turkey Call All Access

It's been two spring wild turkey seasons since Wild Turkey Lab, The NWTF, Ducks Unlimited, UTEP and Low Country Gamebird Foundation launched wildturkeyDNA — a collaborative project designed to initially uncover the genetics behind unique plumage variations in harvested wild turkeys. And, it has been a little more than a year since the first results were shared on social media accounts from birds submitted through hunter-harvested genetics samplings. In this episode of Turkey Call All Access, the NWTF's Pete Muller sits down with Dr. Michael Chamberlain to recount a year of sharing plumage findings shared on social media, updates from samples collected in year two and also discuss what is in store for year three of the projects. To learn more about the wildturkeyDNA project, visit wildturkeyDNA.com.

Research Continues to Expand What We Know About Wild Turkey Nest Predators  When the National Wild Turkey Federation invested in research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln three years ago, researchers set out to answer a relatively straightforward question: Are predators more active around areas where wild turkeys choose to nest? The answer, however, may prove to be far more complicated — and much more useful for turkey conservation.  On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, NWTF staffers are joined by staff of AWESM Lab to recap the work that was done, get updates on the project and also look at additional work that is being done to help better manage wild turkeys in Nebraska.

While many hunters believe that turkeys were meant to be solely hunted with shotguns, hunters are picking up bowhunting for turkeys to experience something new and challenging. From having to draw birds especially close, to limiting movements while drawing back on the bow, archery for turkeys can surely test your skills as a hunter. At the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show, we sat down with Bill Vanderheyden, founder of Iron Will Outfitters, to talk about his experiences chasing turkeys with a bow, and we discussed tips and tactics that can potentially make you more successful this spring. To read more about Bill and his passion for archery, visit https://ironwilloutfitters.com/pages/our-story.  

Brent Rogers is a wild turkey hunter, historian, author, podcast guest, collector and more. And, he was the recent recipient of the NWTF Tom Kelly Communicator of the Year Award at the 2026 Convention and Sport Show for his communication effort that share the organization's mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.  On this episode of the Turkey Call All Access Podcast, the NWTF's Pete Muller sits down with Rogers to talk about him receiving this honor at convention and hosting a seminar with members of the Primos Hunting focused on old turkey calls. Rogers is also currently celebrating the publication of his co-authored book, "The Origin and Evolution of Turkey Calls," which tells the story of the people, places and methods of early turkey call making. Muller and Rogers discuss a few of the notable stories that readers can expect.

Realtree and the National Wild Turkey Federation recently announced a landmark partnership with Realtree supporting the NWTF's Habitat for the Hatch initiative in the Southeast. Now, during the NWTF's 50th Convention and Sport Show, Realtree is celebrating it's 40th anniversary.  During the final day of the annual gathering of the NWTF flock in Nashville, the NWTF's Pete Muller and newly hired NWTF National Director of Wild Turkey Research Patrick Wightman sat down with Realtree Vice President Tyler Jordan to talk about the company's anniverary, the growth of a brand started by his father that extends beyond just the hunting community and also discuss why  Realtree is coming out big to support the NWTF's mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage. To learn more about Realtree, visit www.realtree.com.