PODCAST EP. 163: Univ. of North Dakota’s Dr. Susan Felege on Game Bird Research

Host Bob St.Pierre talks with Dr. Susan Felege, an associate professor at the University of North Dakota, the newest member of PF & QF’s National Board of Directors, and a hardcore waterfowl & upland bird hunter. Dr. Felege shares her story growing up as an avid bird hunter in Pennsylvania and knowing at an early age that she was going to grow up to be a wildlife biologist. Episode Highlights: • Dr. Felege also talks about her PhD research while at the University of Georgia in which she spent five years studying bobwhite quail, predator, and habitat relationships at Tall Timbers Research Station. • The conversation then moves to North Dakota where Dr. Felege and her students are working in partnership with North Dakota Game and Fish Department to study the state’s greater prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. It seems each prairie grouse species is responding differently to changing grassland habitat in the eastern portion of the state and the two species are even crossbreeding to create odd sharpie/chicken hybrids. • Bob also asks Dr. Felege for insight into the emerging concerns around avian influenza. • The conversation wraps with Dr. Felege’s perspective of her new role on PF & QF’s National Board and the unique talents she brings to the group.