Authored by: Aubrey Pawlikowski Mike Chamberlain, Ph.D., has spent more than three decades studying the iconic game bird, balancing his role as a leading academic with his passion as a hunter. Last year, he was named the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia—the nation’s first and only endowed position devoted solely to wild turkey research. We sat down with Chamberlain to talk about the honor, the challenges facing turkeys and his vision for the future of research and conservation. 1. You’ve been researching wild turkeys for more than 30 years. What first drew you to the species? I started turkey hunting as a child and was always drawn to ecology and biology. In graduate school, I had the opportunity to choose from several projects, one of which focused on wild turkeys. Given my love of hunting and interest in animal behavior, I chose turkeys. The rest is history, I guess. 2. How does it feel to hold the first-ever endowed professorship dedicated solely to wild turkey research? I’m incredibly honored and humbled. I have thought for many years about the need for such an endowed position. Being able to work collectively with NWTF to make the endowment a reality has been incredibly rewarding both personally and professionally. 3. What does the NWTF Distinguished Professorship enable you to do that wasn’t possible before? This professorship gives me the ability to grow the endowment, which allows me to fund young researchers like postdocs. Recruiting and supporting these professionals to focus solely on wild turkey science is my ultimate aim. My long-term vision is to ensure that, in perpetuity, UGA has someone focused squarely on conducting applied research on the wild turkey while making a concerted effort to communicate the relevance of that work to the public. 4. You’re known for bridging the gap between researchers and hunters — how has that dual perspective shaped your work? I think seeing the wild turkey through the lens of a hunter and scientist offers me unique perspectives about the bird and the landscape it inhabits. I get to apply the science I conduct to the way I pursue the bird in the field, and vice versa, which is gratifying to me. 5. If you had to pick one major challenge facing wild turkeys today, what would it be and what’s the solution? Habitat loss, fragmentation and conversion without a doubt. The solution is complex, but it’s going to take prioritizing wild turkeys and other wildlife over competing land uses to ensure we have sustainable turkey populations decades from now. 6. Do you have a favorite part of turkey season that stands out year after year? My favorite activity related to turkey hunting is simply spending time with friends who have a shared passion. I’m fortunate enough to spend time with incredibly talented and accomplished hunters, but I’m also blessed to hunt with hunters every year with very little or no experience. These shared times are something I cherish and appreciate more and more as I get older.
