Nature Lab at Work

The Missouri Department of Conservation team is diverse and dedicated to conserving, protecting, and improving our fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
By Angie Daly Morfield

Nick Oakley, MDC’s wild turkey program coordinator, facilitates wild turkey research and monitors turkey populations using a variety of data sources, which he uses to provide regulation recommendations to the Missouri Conservation Commission. He also works with public and private land managers to improve turkey habitat across Missouri.

A Typical Day

Nick’s typical day depends on the season and his current research project.

“You may find me working in the office, in the field, or with a landowner,” Oakley said. “I spend a lot of time discussing turkeys with fellow turkey enthusiasts. I genuinely enjoy talking with folks who are passionate about wild turkeys. Their passion and excitement are contagious.”

Notable Projects

Oakley says working on the Turkey Habitat Initiative (THI) has been one of the best projects he has ever been a part of. 

Starting in the early 2000s, turkey numbers in Missouri began to decline due in large part to a lack of specific nesting and brooding habitat. 

The THI gives landowners the necessary tools to start to reestablish high-quality nesting and brooding cover for turkeys. The results of this project should help to stabilize the population and move it in the right direction so that future generations can enjoy the resource. 

“We are fortunate to have a strong tradition of conservation and turkey hunting in Missouri, so my goal is to continue to foster both and hopefully, through sound management and data-driven decision making, pass it to the next generation,” Oakley said.

How You Can Help

If you are interested in playing a role in turkey management, visit MDC’s Turkey Habitat Initiative page online at mdc.mo.gov/MOTurkeys. Here you will find a whole suite of resources that can help you make a positive difference to turkeys in Missouri.