Southeast Whitetail

A pillar in whitetail conservation, Dr. Bronson Strickland, joins the show for a deep dive discussion into the breeding season.  Dr. Strickland is a professor at MSU and a host of the Deer University Podcast.  He graduated from UGA with a bachelor's in forest resources, master's from Texas A&M - Kingsville and a doctorate degree from MSU.  I love these discussions on deer biology and behavior.  

Topics include:

1.  Buck bedding habits. 

2.  How detrimental are prolonged breeding seasons (unbalanced sex ratios) to a bucks health and future antler development. 

3.  Fawns who hit a heat cycle……..pros & cons.

4.  Receptive doe discussion……

5.  Buck movement in high density areas. 

6.  Doe group movement during the rut.....feeding habit changes?  

7.  Doe calls / sounds during breeding season.  When and why.

8.  Buck grunts / sounds…..how, when, why…..

9.  Rattling.....

Please follow Mississippi State University Deer Lab on all social channels.  They publish incredibly resourceful data for hunters and landowners.   

Cory and I breakdown tactics we use for the whitetail breeding season. Rattling, scent, grunt tubes and locating the most important part of the rut - does in heat! Will we hang some bucks in the walk-in cooler this weekend???

Thanks for listening. Remember to always know you target before releasing a bullet of arrow. Be safe and good luck this weekend.

Gus & Matt from Whiskey & Whitetails join us this week to discuss deer hunting in the South and some of the very best whiskeys available.  This was a fun conversation because after all, the best part of hunting season is spending time with friends and family after a day in the field.  Thanks for listening and please leave a rating and review.  

@whiskeyandwhitetails
www.whiskeyandwhitetails.com

https://www.youtube.com/@WhiskeyandWhitetails

We are back this week to recap the DS2 wknd at the Farm. Cory and I cover everything that we can talk about "on air". We also cover Cory's two customized J. Hamilton Edition rifles that he presented at the cocktail social. He gave one to Joe Hamilton, founder of NDA, and the other will be auctioned off. Stay tuned for details.

Thanks for listening.

Cuz Strickland has been on the forefront of hunting conservation and heritage for over 35 years.  A bona fide legend in the outdoor space.  From Mossy Oak to his involvement with the National Wild Turkey Federation and the National Deer Association, Cuz Strickland is a model land & wildlife steward. 

Cory and I were truly honored to interview Cuz; a conservationist we have looked up to since our youth.  We cover many topics including the introduction of kids to the hunting woods, wild game meals and Southern hunting culture.  

Thank you for listening and please consider leaving a 5 star rating and review.  

Please check out Cuz's podcast:  A Fist Full of Dirt. 

This week Cory and I sit down with Travis Tipps and Jeff Ausloos from Norma Precision. Based out of Norway with over 120 years of high level accuracy and design, Norma has opened an operation plant in Georgia. We cover basic fundamentals and key factors that will help you become a better hunter. Practice and ethical hunting is the way to go to soundly procure venison. Norma offers a vast assortment of bullet options through calibers and grain options. Let us know what you think and thanks for listening!

https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en-us

@normaprecision

Ben joins Cory and I to chat about the upcoming Deer Steward 2 course at my family farm. I highly suggest checking out this course for anyone interested in habitat work, deer management and a high level of hunting knowledge. Speakers include: Dr. Craig Harper, Kip Adams, Matt Ross & Ben Westfall. 8/4 - 8/7.

Thank you for listening and I hope to see you this August at the Farm!

www.deerassociation.com

IG: @westfall_nda | @deerassociation

Hailing from the South, Jeff Lindsey joins us this week to discuss differences of Midwestern and Southeastern whitetails, along with, the two distinct hunting cultures. Jeff is an outstanding hunter and land steward with a strong dedication to preserving wild game and habitat. We cover bow hunting, doe management, Little Debbies, the dense South, and hunting with kids. This was a fun episode to record.

Thanks for listening! Please consider leaving a 5 Star rating and review.

@thelindseyway

https://www.youtube.com/@TheLindseyWay

https://thelindseyway.com/

This week newly joined co-host, Cory Parker, and I discuss summer food plot plans and land prep goals. It's an overall hunting B.S. session. Thanks for listening.

This week - Joseph Monts, a low-key, stone cold killer hailing from the Palmetto State. This was a fun episode to record as it turned into an all around hunting B.S. session. We covered way too many topics to list.

Thanks for giving it a spin and please rate, review & subscribe!

Joseph Monts @_sc_whitetail_hunter_

This week I discuss how I created nesting and brooding cover in undesirable & underproducing timber. Something most landowners have on site including me. Knock-down mulching is a creative and cost efficient route to maximize income and your turkey population. Thanks for listening!

This week I’m joined by Dr. Mike Chamberlain and Scott Rhodes of the Lowcountry Game Bird Foundation. We discuss the recently formed conservation org, turkey hunting culture, recipes and some awesome hunts from Mike and Scott.  I implore everyone to check out the organization and contribute as you can.  It’s an outstanding concept and one that should be supported for the future of wild turkeys.  This episode cover habitat, conservation and wild turkey meat.

Dr. Mike Chamberlain @wildturkeydoc | www.wildturkeylab.com

Scott Rhodes @lowcountry_gamebird_foundation | www.lowcountrygamebirdfoundation.org

This episode I'm joined by Josh Raley to continue the spotlight on Southern Hunting Culture. Josh is a property consultant with Whitetail Partners of Georgia, he hosts the How to Hunt Deer Podcast and Wisconsin Sportsman. Both are featured on the Sportsmen Empire network. Thank you for listening and good luck out there is the turkey woods this season!

Josh Raley

IG: @howtohuntdeer | @whitetail_properties_georgia | @thewisconsinsportsman

This week we continue the spotlight on Southern Hunting Culture. Jacob Barnes joins me to discuss his upbringing in the South Carolina Lowcountry and his current hunting pursuits in Georgia. Thanks for listening.

IG: @jbarnes4126

Zack returns to recap his 2022 hunting season and to discuss off-season client habitat projects.  Zack is a certified wildlife biologist and the owner of Whetstone Habitat.  Please check out his website below and give Zack a follow.  Thank you for listening.  

IG:  @whetstonehabitat

www.whetstonehabitat.com

Hailing from Athens, GA, Ryan Griffiths joins me on the podcast to discuss bowhunting the South and the challenge of mature whitetails.  I very much enjoyed Ryan's prospective and I greatly respect his ability to consistently tag Southern bucks.  It's a great listen and I took away many points that I'll implement myself next season.  Thank you for listening and thank you for the support of Southeast Whitetail.  

Our spotlight on Southern Hunting Culture continues today with Henry Jackson from Georgia.  Henry is a like-minded hunter, conservationist, and land manager that has proven what can be accomplished on 150 acres.  He and I share many goals and beliefs on our Southeastern farms and it shows through this conversation.  I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and it absolutely touches every focal point of Southeast Whitetail: habitat, conservation, & venison.

Thanks for listening and Merry Christmas!

Henry Jackson @theprattsburgproject

This week I'm joined by Cody Altizer and Erich Long from the Dear Hunter Project.  Two passionate conservationists that are not afraid to share their beliefs in the hunting space.  If you don't follow their content, you should.  The Dear Hunter Project is thought provoking and heavily driven on wildlife conservation.  Real discussions on real topics that do not get covered by "mainstream" outdoor media.  Thank you to Cody and Erich for taking time to record with me.  This was a very fun and entertaining episode.  We covered many talking points and I hope to record with them again soon.  

IG:  the_dear_hunter_project

Youtube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DearHunterProject

Hailing from West Tennessee, John Robert is one of the best hunters I know and one of the most skilled land managers.  He and his wife both harvested two incredible Mid-South whitetail bucks last week.  Within days of each other!  We discussed those hunts, John Robert's die-hard pursuit of mature bucks and his work with Tristar Land Management.  Thank you to John Robert for sharing his story and his knowledge of habitat, wildlife and conservation work.      

IG:  @tristarlandmgmt

www.tristarlandmanagementservices.com

Decoys work in the South but you need the right conditions.  A perfect storm of the first does in heat, bucks jacked up and on the move, favorable winds and a gutsy call to swing for the fences.  Somehow, that all came together for this hunt.  I discuss my setup and how this whitetail may be my top buck from the Farm.  Pending jawbone extraction!  Thank you for listening.  

I had a blast talking whitetails with Matt Ross from the National Deer Association.  This is another very timely episode with discussions on deer movement, behavior and how to kill mature bucks right now!  Matt is the Director of Conservation for NDA and also writes incredible articles about whitetail research and piecing together hunt strategies based on just that - research & data!  We re-cap the last time we saw each other and of course, Matt answers the ending 3 questions that I ask every guest.  Thank you to Matt for taking time to record with me; it was a pleasure and an honor.  Check out his articles below.  

Articles:  https://deerassociation.com/author/mross

IG:  @mattross_nda

I'm not going to lie - I was tickled pink to record this interview with Dr. Grant Woods and I thoroughly appreciate his time.  He and I covered very timely topics as we enter pre-rut and on the cusps of the rut in most of the Southeast.  Deer biology and behavior are core focal points of Southeast Whitetail and this episode exemplifies just that.   Dr. Woods is a tremendous resource for hunters and land owners.  Thank you for listening and please leave a rating and review!

Growing Deer TV can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube.  Dr. Grant Woods post a new video every week and his sites are loaded with content.

@growingdeertv

www.growingdeer.tv

https://youtube.com/c/GrowingDeerTv 

This week is jam-packed with Southern hunting culture as I interview Lindsay Thomas, Jr. who's been with NDA for 19 years.  Lindsay is the Director of Communications and editor of Quality Whitetails.  We discuss Lindsay's upbringing into hunting, his multi-generation family farm, Southern whitetails, conservation work, and even SEC football!  Thanks for listening.

IG: lindsay_thomas_jr

NDA articles:  https://deerassociation.com/author/lthomas/

www.deerassociation.com

I spent a week chasing velvet whitetails at my South Carolina farm last month with Josh.  He's a a down to Earth guy and a great hunter.  On this week's episode Josh and I re-cap our hunts, what makes SC August hunting special, what makes it frustrating and some pretty badass First Lite gear!  Thanks for listening and please follow Josh Hillyard and First Lite Hunting.  

@josh.hillyard

@firstlitehunting

This week I sit down with Chef Larry White to discuss wild game cooking.  Larry has an extensive culinary background and runs www.thewildgamegourmet.com.  His recipe dish photos are stunning and include a wide range of wild meat.  We cover everything from field care to getting a perfect backstrap sear.  Thanks for listening and please follow Larry's content.

Larry White IG: wildgamegourmet

www.thewildgamegourmet.com

To become a better hunter or land steward, listen to a wildlife biologist.  Zack is super knowledgeable in wildlife ecosystems and provides high level consulting to his clients.  Thanks for listening and please follow Zack Vucurevich.  

www.whetstonehabitat.com

IG:  whetstonehabitat 

Jake Hofer is a co-owner and Director of Marketing at Exodus Outdoor Gear.  A direct to consumer company focusing on manufacturing trail cameras and the new custom tailored MMT arrows.  Jake is also a licensed broker in Illinois with Land Proz.  He hosts The Exodus Podcast and The Land Podcast.  The latter is a perfect blend of his land broker work and his passion for hunting.  We discuss trail cams, buying land, Jake's two new farms and the upcoming whitetail season.  Thanks for giving it a spin!

Jake Hofer IG:  @jakehofer @exodusoutdoorgear

Land Proz contact:  https://landproz.com/agent/?id=71  |  @landproz

This week I sat down with Ridge Rousseau of Louisiana to discuss his style of hunting in the vast bayou country.  Ridge shares one hell of a big swamp buck story and a killer rabbit recipe that I'm looking forward to trying soon.  Gators, squirrels, whitetails, bass, ducks and turkeys, he pursues them all.  Ridge is a wealth of knowledge in this region and I hope to check in with him throughout the upcoming deer season.  Thanks for listening!

Ridge Rousseau Instagram:  @ridgerousseau   

"Pine farms can be a monoculture or a whitetail mecca.  Why not blend wildlife conservation improvements with leading forestry practices?"  This week is a supplemental episode covering a recent Wired to Hunt/ MeatEater article of mine that was published.  I expand in greater detail about managing your timber crop for income to pay for the farm and to maximize wildlife usage.

https://www.themeateater.com/wired-to-hunt/whitetail-management/how-to-improve-pine-stand-habitat-for-whitetails

www.southeastwhitetail.com

IG: @southeast.whitetail | @markhaslam

This was a fun episode to record with two familiar faces from South Carolina.  Nick Pappas is a land manager at Clarendon Farms, photographer for Over/ Under Clothing and a well experienced hunter.  Jason Hewett managed Clarendon Farms for 10 years before starting his own business - Private Land Management.  Both are entrenched with wildlife habitat and hopefully we'll chat again throughout the season. 

Nick Pappas IG: n_pappas11

Jason Hewett IG: jhewett123

www.privatelandmanagement.com

Bring back the whistle!  But how?  Mike Neiduski of Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever discusses what landowners can do to better upland habitat and improve survival success.  It doesn't take much to provide quality food, cover, and safety for bobwhites.  Many management practices are also beneficial to both turkeys and whitetails.  The future of wild quail depends on conservationists and what better time than now to bring back the whistle!  Plus, Mike shares a killer woodcock recipe!

Connect with Mike and join Quail Forever.  They're available to help landowners and hunters.  

Mike Neiduski 

IG: @mneiduski

mneiduski@pheasantsforever.org

If you own, lease or have hunting rights on private land, this episode is for you.  Hunter Pruitt is the founder of the National Wildlife Cooperative.  A non-profit org created to connect private landowners with common goals of wildlife and land conservation.  We discuss the NUMEROUS benefits of co-ops and the value it will bring you and your land.  

"Our mission at National Wildlife Cooperative is to document and aid growth of wildlife cooperatives across the United States - cooperatives focused on any form of wildlife or habitat management."

EDIT:  Hunter's suggested book read is 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus 

www.nationalwildlifecoop.com

Instagram @nationalwildlifecooperative | @hunter__pruitt

Please leave a 5 star rating & a review!

Dr. Chamberlain is leading the movement to save the eastern wild turkey population.  He’s a professor of wildlife ecology and management at the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.

• Turkey v. deer needs.
• Roosting trees in the South.
• Will my bad turkey hunting ability actual build up the farm population?
• Private land mgnt holds the fate of the bird.
• Predator control.
• Average poult survival.
• When Toms stop gobbling.
• Brooding v. nesting cover.
• Warm & cool season food plots.
• Should hunters consider what age bird to kill?
• Calls.
• Grilled venison & blue cheese sauce!
• Fried turkey recipe.
• The future of wild turkey conservation.
• Anticipated season changes for the Southeast.

Instagram @wildturkeydoc

Twitter @wildturkeydoc

Dr. Marcus Lashley is a professor of game mgnt, director of the University of Florida Deer Lab and the host of Fire University Podcast.  The best way to become a better land steward and hunter is to understand ecosystems and what wildlife prefer for food and cover.  This episode is beneficial to both private and public land hunters.  

Give Marcus a follow!

Instagram/ Twitter:  @drdisturbance & @ufdeerlab

Youtube:   https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=uf+deer+lab

Bio + Publications:  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marcus-Lashley

The first episode covers the focal points of SE Whitetail:  Habitat, Conservation & Venison.  Also, what to expect with upcoming projects.  All things deer hunting in the South and Southeast.