The Woodsman Perspective

Precision shooting has become a popular off season sport among hunters. Many of the traditional hunting rifle manufacturers now offer models specifically for long range shooting in calibers that are very versatile for hunting. Pair that with affordable high quality optics, and you can be ringing steel at 500 yards with an over the counter package. This isn't just for the off season though, there are plenty of good applications for this in deer hunting and management. We discuss this and more with our guest Matthew Dalton. Matthew works the gun counter at Outlaw Sporting Goods in Columbus Ms. He...

While economic development and community growth is generally good for the population, the local economy, politicians, and quality of life in general, there is always a cost to nature and wildlife. These losses remind of how important it is to manage and protect the land and wildlife where you can. Also it is a reminder that habitat loss creates scarcity, which drives up the value in recreational land. Florida is arguably one of the clearest examples of urban encroachment destroying wildlife habitat, particularly of the Osceola turkey.

Drones are everywhere, and while some still see them as toys there are some real advantages to them. Our own Brent Lochala has been flying drones for over 10 years and has an FAA part 107 license to operate them commercially. We get into some uses for them for owners and managers, some you are aware of and some you may not have thought of. From deer herd analysis, progression monitoring, flood control and drainage, to pine beetle damage survey, there are great uses for these unmanned aerial vehicles. But as we know, this technology has potential to push the envelope...

The use of technology and tactics that create a perceived advantage, or shortcut, is one of the most divisive things in the hunting community. It's in every aspect of it whether it is baiting for deer or reaping turkeys. Technology such as cellular enabled game cameras and thermal drones have brought it another level. The use of live scopes for crappie fishing is a great example of that. These tools, in my opinion, make it even more important for us outdoorsmen and conservationists to self regulate in the best interest of the resource. Our good friend and the giver...

Whether you are planning your summer food plots, picking up sheds, or calculating your cost per pound in venison, just about everything in hunting and habitat management comes back to numbers. This is something that we always come back to in our discussions about whatever project we are working on, so we bet that you have too. While at first it can seem to complicate things, especially if math isn't your thing, it actually helps to take the guesswork out and makes us all more efficient.

So whether you are calculating seed rates or trying to decide...

Within the ranks of turkey hunters, there are people who are specialists. We are going to highlight those specialists with a series of podcasts. The first one that we are featuring is "The Technician". We all have one in our circle, at least I hope we all do. Our friend Matt Kilpatrick is a technician. A cabinet builder by trade, he has an uncanny sense of craftsmanship and an eye for detail. He is the type of guy that will not trust the success of his hunt to someone that he doesn't know in a factory loading his shells...

Hardwoods are key to any recreational tract and wildlife habitat.  Dudley Phelps is the resident expert and tree nerd on the Mossy Oak Gamekeeper podcast, and we were excited to sit down with him and talk oaks, acorns, and hardwood management.   Dudley has a wealth of knowledge, not just on these things but all things wildlife and  hunting.   We grilled some venison tomahawks and had a great conversation, even though someone left the front door open and we were freezing by the end of the podcast.

We hope you enjoy!

www.nativnurseries.com  

Mossy O...

This throwback Thursday is a great conversation with Steve Brown, owner of Brown & Co outfitters.  Steve is one of the best turkey hunters to ever do it, hands down.   He has killed multiple world slams with archery equipment, guided decades ago at Westervelt lodge, competed in the Grand National calling contest and twice winning the Mississippi state championship.   Turkey hunters will enjoy this one from the archives.  We have killed a few turkeys with our bows, so we know just enough to appreciate the difficulty of it.

Enjoy 

The tools and timing of disturbance will determine the results.   Mitt Wardlaw, serial entrepreneur and land management expert understands this as well as anyone in the world.  On a scientific level and from practical application, Mitt can explain these differences and tactics so that we can all understand them.  

We discuss the fire, tillage, herbicide and what timing will yield what results.  A MSU grad and accomplished crop consultant, as well as one of the founding "Woodsmen" of this podcast, we are glad to have him back in the studio with us.

We also get him to...

The turkey hunting circle is relatively small, and inside is an even smaller circle of turkey callers. This tight knit group is made up of some of the biggest names in the hunting industry, and some names you've never heard unless you follow the calling contests trail. From Matt Van Cise, Ronnie Cuz Strickland, Bob Dixon, the Drury Brothers, to names like Ray Eye, Jami Linder, Paul Butski, Walter Parrot. We are hopeful that there is a resurgence of popularity in competitive calling. Our guest, Terence Williamson has been in this group for over 30 years. He has won Grand...

As a teaser to an upcoming episode with Mitt, we reached back into the archives and pulled this monologue of Mitt talking disturbance.  Specifically how the timing of disturbance determines what the plant response will be and how to intentionally use this to maximize plants and forbs and still have enough grass to carry the fire that is needed to maintain early successional  habitat.  
  You can find more on Mitt by following  @MidSouthResourceManagement  
and on Instagram Midsouth_resource_mgmt as well as Wildlife Investments

As a teaser for an upcoming episode with Mitt, we are pulling one out of the archives with Mitt.   This monologue shows some of Mitt's expertise on disturbance and how the timing of it will determine what plant response is achieved.  Enjoy

You can find more on Mitt by following Midsouth Resource Management on Instagram and Facebook, as well as Wildlife Investments.

@midsouth_resource_mgmt 

@wildlifeinvestments

Pat Davidson is not only a tax expert, but he is also a hunter and landowner. Chris helped Pat purchase and set up a tract that would serve as a multi-use property for his family.   We talk about that process and then we get Pat to discuss several things that land owner should consider when buying or selling.   He covers 1031 exchanges, Capital gains, and basis.   This one is full of good information if you are in the market as a buyer or seller. 

Behind almost every grip and grin hero photo of a hunter with a giant whitetail there is usually a string of hurt feelings, strained relationships, and sometimes even criminal activity.   The bottom line is that giant whitetails will make otherwise good people do things they would not normally do.   This often results in damaged relationships, lost leases, and in some cases more trouble than the deer was worth.  We have a guest with a story about how a giant buck came between friends, family, and cost them a lease that they had for more than 2 decades.   

  We also tel...

The rut has passed and now bucks are coming in recovery mode.   Now it's time to protect those bucks that you've been watching and hopefully they don't leave for a late rut doe or for food and get shot in the last few days of season.   Chris employees what he calls "Defensive feeding" to hold deer on his property and keep them fed and in a low stress situation so that they don't have to leave.  Fertilizing food plots, increasing supplemental feed, and reducing pressure, and ramping up camera surveys are part of this late season practice.  

On this episode we talk with Dave Owens of the Pinhoti Project about his approach to turkey hunting, traveling, and trends. We don't get too deep into techniques, because each situation is different with turkeys. But we do talk about some of the similarities that are found in turkey hunters. Me, Chris, and Hunter took Dave on a trap line with us before we recorded, so he had gotten to see Hunter in his element trapping coyotes, bobcats, and beavers. He also got to see Chris in his, observing foodplots, getting sick about ruts in roads, and telling stories...

We are back at Hunter's shop to talk coyote trapping.  Hunter walks us through what you need to get started and some tactics to help you be successful.  

You can find all of the products we talk about at F&T Fur Harvester's  www.fntpost.com 

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On this episode we have our good friend, neighbor, and all around woodsman Caleb Westmoreland in to talk about a doe he took on a bowhunt this year. It will blow your mind how old this deer is, and the story of how we know exactly how old she was.

Our good friend Dr. Kenny Edwards is on the show today. Kenny's passion for hunting whitetails began at an early age on the farm in Crawford, MS and grew throughout his time in the Navy, med school and through his career as an orthopedic surgeon. A few years ago he was looking for a farm to buy and develop as hunting tract. We discuss that process with Kenny and get some great insight on the details and relationships that make the difference when buying (or selling) a tract of land.

Late summer droughts in the south stress our deer, arguably as much as the long cold winters in the midwest and northern states. Planting and feeding during this time becomes somewhat of a toss up, or maybe an art. We talk about some of those challenges and more. Thanks ‪@HRAgriVideos‬ for the hat. We mention a few of our friends on this one, I hope I don't miss anyone but thanks ‪@MidSouthResourceManagement‬ and Mitt, Lowndes farm supply, ‪@MossyOakGameKeepers‬ ‪@farmingforwildlife‬ ‪@Kubotatractorcorp‬ ‪@GOSeed‬

On this episode we cover the "other" method of dove hunting. You don't hear much about this because there is a perceived gray area as far as legality. The regs allow for hunting doves on areas that have been top seeded for wildlife food plots or for erosion control. There are some things that you can not do, and probably shouldn't say, but you can have a great hunt without the expense of planting acres of sunflowers or other crops. Check your local regs, and we certainly do not condone breaking or stretching any laws, you can do this...

On this episode we are joined by Jared Lewis and Boomer Brown with Apex ammunition.  We get some background on the Apex beginnings as well as their growth.   But what we really wanted to talk to them about is how they have revived an area NWTF chapter and banquet.  It's a good story about taking initiative and making it happen.  Check out @Apex_ammunition and @j_lewisphoto on Instagram for more. 

On this bonus episode we talk with Steve Brown and Scott Branton to find out the history behind the annual gathering of The Tenth Legion. This group was started by a dozen turkey hunters and named after the unofficial cult that Tom Kelly created in his book, The Tenth Legion. The group has grown to approximately 75 members. This invitation only event is special to all of these members, and I see why. This is a group of conservationists, woodsmen, callers, call makers, writers, story tellers, all passionate about the wild turkey. I hope you enjoy this episode.  @springlegion   @turkeysfortomorrow 

Killing big, trophy whitetails or any other species requires that you hunt them where they live.  We spend the majority of our time developing properties to grow big whitetails.  The other side of that coin is for the hunter to travel where big whitetails live.  Doing so can be intimating if you are new to it.  Trey Williams has been helping hunters make that hunt of a lifetime a reality for a long time.  With properties in nearly every midwestern state and Canada, Trey has seen more than most of us will in a lifetime.  He doesn't advertise, he doesn...

This week we invited our good friend and lifelong bow hunter Slade Fancher.  Slade made his living for nearly 2 decades selling, tuning, fixing, and setting up bows.  From hunting whitetails in central Mississippi to Elk out west, Slade has a lifetime of experience in bowhunting and archery.   We cover a lot of bowhunting history and stories in this one.  We'll have a follow up with Slade and get really technical soon. 

Waterfowl impoundments are a great way to add value to your property, not to mention that shooting ducks on your own private spot is one of the most fun things you can do.  Chris tells some basics from seed varieties and timing of draining and adding water as well as some experiences that he's had over the years. 

On this episode we recap turkey season and discuss early summer work.  From foodplot planting, plant varieties including natives with their crude protein content to the frustration that many of us are feeling with unhulled vetch. 

On this episode we sit down with Bart Chancellor and Chad Smith.  They are handlers for two of the most famous and skilled dogs in Mississippi.  Bart's dog, Smoke and Chad's dog Si are known all over state and are legendary in many camps.  With over 2000 recoveries between them they have seen more big bucks and happy hunters than most of us ever will.  We were glad to get them in to talk with us about the blood tracking services, these two great dogs, and tell a few stories along the way.  

These days with the technology available most of us have an intimate knowledge of the deer on our hunting tracts.  We are always hoping watching for the deer that is an all-star, or has the potential to become one if we can keep him alive a few more years.  When we identify that special deer, we find ourselves making decisions and planning around that one single deer.  From working as hard as we can to protect and nourish him, to eventually working to pattern and kill him.   It can be a roller coaster, and some are better at it than...

On this episode we talk about the Noxubee Farm Supply racoon round up. We discuss our strategy, the acres we covered, and our opinion on the backlash not only from nonhunters, but most vehemently from the coon hunting community. We have coon hunters that hunt the ground we trapped and hunted during the round up, there are still plenty of coons to tree. We all have our particular species that we are passionate about, and we should respect each other as well as nature and the resources. The teams in the roundup were spread out across more than r 20,000...

Our friends at Noxubee Farm supply in Macon, MS are putting on a Racoon Roundup later this month so Chris and I went down to get more info.  We ended up setting up in owner Ryan Bostick's office and filming a podcast.  Ryan is a lifelong conservationist, hunter, and a veteran.  We think you'll love this conversation.  

Get more details on facebook at www.facebook.com/noxubeefarmsupply

A short podcast on the annual debate of whether trapping is an effective means of turkey predator management.  Especially when compared to efforts in the area of habitat improvement.  Sometimes trapping might be the only thing that a lease holder, club member, or someone hunting by permission can do.   

Good friend and exceptional turkey hunter, Hunter Crimm joins us to talk about trapping and his efforts to help improve his turkey numbers on leased lands that he hunts and manages.  Hunter has trapped for  years and shares his experience and stories with us.

Last episode we had former game warden Bo Harris in to talk about poachers.  As often happens, we got to telling stories and went down a few rabbit trails.  I saved a few of the stories and insights and patched them back together for a follow up episode.  Hope you enjoy. 

Whether you own land or lease land, you have an investment of time and money in making it the best that it can be.   One of the most frustrating things is to have a poacher sneaking around taking advantage of your land and efforts.  Get to know your local game warden and have a line of communication with them.  On this episode we talk with a former warden from our area, Bo Harris.  We hit on the frustrations of having poachers, and some stories from the past that we can all relate to and Herring story with a goat that...

Our friend and logger Tim O'bryant AKA Cotontop3 on the socials sits down with us and we talk past, present, and future of logging particularly in the Southeast.   Tim and his family have logged in Mississippi and Alabama for 4 decades.   Like we always do, we go back in history for stories as well as discuss what the future looks like for the industry.  On this episode you get an inside look from a logger, a timber buyer, and a realtor, and all three of us are hunters and conservationists.  We discuss the challenges for landowners when they need to get sm...

On our 20th episode we sit down with Jason and Brian Hollis of Hollis Farms.  The Hollis family has been growing and killing big whitetails and longbeard turkeys for more than 4 decades.  We talk about how it started, with their dad Joe Hollis and his vision, not only for land and deer management but his vision for raising boys and creating a legacy.   Jason and Brian are passing this legacy on to their own sons now.  They also have a successful Youtube channel with more that 80K followers.   They are on facebook and Instagram, Hollis Farms 

Follow them her...

Chris and Brent talk about a project that Chris did back in 2015.  Although his farm was producing great deer numbers and some quality bucks, Chris felt like it was lacking in cover nesting habitat.  Listen as he talks about the process of identifying the right area and taking on a project that would seem counter intuitive to most hunters and landowner, especially almost a decade ago.

For episode 18 we talk with GO Seed cofounder Risa Demasi about the incredible attributes their patented seed, Fixation Balansa clover.  We have been growing it in places for several years and it is one of our favorites.  Fixation's tolerance for wet feet, nitrogen fixing properties, tonnage and palatability make it an exceptional whitetail forage option. 

You can learn more at www.goseed.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSeedCo

MLB MVP Roy Oswalt sits down and talks with us about developing hunting tracts, killing giant whitetails, with a few stories in between.  He and Chris even share a tale about a road trip in Argentina.   Roy's approach to land development and whitetails is similar to his major league baseball career. He is intense, and constantly raising the bar.