Wisconsin Sportsman - Turkeys for Tomorrow with Jason Lupardus

In this episode of Sportsmen's Empire, host Mike Pierce interviews Jason Lupardus, CEO of Turkeys for Tomorrow (TFT), a rapidly growing, mission-driven nonprofit focused on the long-term sustainability of wild turkey populations across the United States. Lupardus shares his journey from a chemical engineering student to a wildlife biologist and passionate turkey conservationist, highlighting his diverse experience managing species from black bears to elk and working with state agencies and the National Wild Turkey Federation. He emphasizes that managing for turkeys is fundamentally different from managing for deer, stressing the importance of private landowner cooperatives, science-based habitat management, and citizen science. TFT’s core initiatives include a multi-state predator-turkey interaction study, habitat field days, and a national data collection app through Hunt Regs that incentivizes hunters to report turkey sightings. Lupardus also discusses the critical role of nesting and brood range habitat, the impact of overharvest and predator pressure, and the surprising influence of cicada hatches on turkey population dynamics. He concludes with three golden rules for turkey hunting: patience, knowing your area, and calling less. The episode underscores the urgent need for proactive, science-backed conservation to prevent the decline of wild turkeys, especially in the Southeast, and positions TFT as a vital, grassroots force in the movement. The episode closes with a strong call to action for listeners to get involved with TFT through donations, volunteering, or using the Hunt Regs app to contribute data. Lupardus’ passion, combined with TFT’s innovative approach—bridging science, community, and technology—offers a compelling blueprint for modern wildlife conservation. The host, Mike Pierce, expresses deep appreciation for Lupardus’ work, noting Wisconsin’s current turkey boom as a testament to what’s possible when hunters and landowners care and act. The episode serves as both an educational deep dive into turkey ecology and a rallying cry for sustained, collaborative stewardship of America’s wild turkey heritage.