Amanda Beckman is a PhD student in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program at Texas A&M. She is interested in studying Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (RGWTs) for her dissertation.
One project she’s working on is collecting RGWT feathers from across the United States to extract DNA. They can use the information contained in DNA to look at genetic differences between turkeys in different regions and hybridization with other subspecies.
Beckman is looking for individuals that are planning on hunting wild turkey this season that are willing to collect and mail breast feathers and provide some basic information about the bird (date, county/state of hunt, and sex). She will provide all the supplies and postage needed to mail in the samples.
If you, or your family and friends, would be willing to assist in this project please get in contact with Amanda to discuss the procedures. akb13@tamu.edu
