This week we are joined by Jim Ronquest of Drake Waterfowl and Addison Edmonds of Gunner Kennels and talk waterfowl, deer hunting and dogs. One of our favorite ducks, the Wood Duck, gets discussed and we even talk about creating small waterfowl attraction areas on properties that have low ground or beaver ponds. It’s a campfire discussion of some of our favorite topics. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: (1) Gunner Kennels: https://gunner.com/ (2) Drake Waterfowl: https://www.drakewaterfowl.co...
Dec 12, 2023•1 hr 12 min
This week we are joined by Dr. Bronson Strickland of the Mississippi State Deer Lab and he explains deer anomalies. Occasionally at the skinning rack we notice things about our deer that make us wonder everything from what is that, to, is the meat good to eat? Luckily, Bronson knows all and explains it all without getting too gross. You’ll hear about arterial worms, nasal bots, cutaneous fibroma, brain abscess, Bullwinkle syndrome, liver flukes, louse flies and more. It’s an interesting discussi...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 21 min
This week we have a special in-studio guest who evoked a great conversation. Kevin VanDam has been on many podcasts talking hunting and fishing, but we don’t expect you’ve heard him this relaxed and open on an array of relevant topics from stories to management tips. He is a rare individual and we can all learn from him, whether it’s fishing and hunting strategies or how to strive each day to be the best person possible. We spend a lot of time talking deer hunting – and of course fishing. His st...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 22 min
On this BONUS podcast you get to hear the story of 8 year old Saylor Stiglet’s giant Mississippi eight point. It’s a story of a father and daughter that will warm your heart. Also hear Erick Larson’s unbelievable three year quest to kill his target buck. A true 200 plus inch whitetail. Erick is also a PHD/agronomy expert and shares insightful wisdom on the ongoing drought plaguing much of the South. The stories are fantastic and the bucks are even better. We also name the squirrel rifle winner. ...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 9 min
This week we question Mark Drury on aging bucks, with a specific emphasis on aging older, more mature bucks. It’s a conversation where he provides the many tips and tricks he’s learned over the years that will help gamekeepers understand what they are looking at. We also questioned him in detail on his strategies for managing all those trail camera images. Finally we talk about just what it takes for a buck to reach the 200 inch mark, and how rare it actually is. If you want to improve your unde...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 7 min
This week we have the world traveling hunter, conservationist, museum curator and now author – Jim Shockey. It’s a great discussion of his new book and we also asked about his introduction to hunting, his first whitetail, his love of cultural artifacts, his favorite wild game meats, introducing kids to the outdoors and much more. It’s one of our favorite discussions with a man we greatly admire. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: Stay connected with Jim Shockey (1) Website: https://jimshockey....
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 1 min
This week we are joined in studio by deer dog recovery expert Zach Crowley and his legendary tracking dog, Dayah (a beautiful black-mouthed Cur). We hope you never need one, but if you do it’s great to know there is a network of recovery dogs that can make the difference in recovering your deer. Zach explains what steps to take after a nominal shot, and how to get in touch with a blood trailing dog owner in your area. We also talk about how you can typically expect a wounded whitetail to behave,...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 32 min
This week we’re joined by wildlife professors Dr. Will Gulsby and Dr. Marcus Lashley, where we discuss the importance of oak trees and the findings on an acorn production study that debunked a long-time myth about fertilizing oaks and acorn production. We dive deep into some intense conversation trying to wrap our heads around the premise and some interesting ideas bubbles up. It was an enlightening discussion! Listen, Learn and Enjoy!!! Show Notes: (1) Follow Dr. Lashley on Instagram @drdisturb...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 40 min
This week we talk hunting mature bucks with Ben Rising of Whitetail Edge. It’s an in-depth conversation on his whole process and we all learned something as we listened to his explanations. This guy has a trophy room full of big whitetails and more than qualified to lead this discussion. If you’re interested in killing big deer then this one is for you. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: (1) Stay connected with Ben and Whitetail Edge: Instagram | YouTube | whitetailedge.com Send a text message...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 22 min
This week we are joined in studio by Brodie Swisher – a well-known bow hunter, the editor at bowhunting.com. We talk about early season strategies, preferred feed trees, hunting from tree saddles, making important decisions prior to the shot, broadheads, scouting, the joys of a blood trail and just why bow hunting is different. Brodie is a passionate woodsman and is raising a family around his love of the outdoors. From every aspect of bow hunting to introducing his kids to the outdoors, we can ...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 30 min
This week we talk squirrels with master caller and squirrel hunter Jeffrey Wood referred to by his friends as the Swamp Boy. He makes custom calls and he kills over 600 bushytails a year. He sits on the guest couch and he puts on a calling demonstration and explains how his style of still hunting the crafty critters. Jeffrey also has numerous state and the multiple world titles with his squirrel dogs. This guy KNOWS squirrels. If you’re like us, you will be mesmerized by his calling and will fin...
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 19 min
This week we welcome Dr. Craig Harper of UT for a general deer discussion that begins with the severe drought most of us are experiencing. Will it affect acorns or other natural food sources? We sympathize with the many food plotters that, like us, are suffering. It doesn’t take long for the conversation turn to harvesting does, including advice on what doe to shoot, when, bullet placement, understanding access/hunting pressure, the benefit of prescribed burns, early successional habitat and mor...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 17 min
This week we have a world famous musician, Mr. Chuck Leavell. While he’s been the keyboardist for The Rolling Stones for 40 years and now the musical director, he was also with the Allman Brothers in their heydays in the 70’s. There are too many more musical accolades to list. You may be wondering why we had him as a guest? Let us tell you – Chuck has a diverse chunk of land in central Georgia that he manages for wildlife, but he is also a vocal advocate for trees and sustainable forestry and ha...
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 5 min
With deer season now on the brain, we hit up one of our favorite mature buck nerds, Dr. Mike Chamberlain aka The Turkey Doc, for tips and tricks on improving the odds of harvesting mature bucks. Although Mike is widely known for his hands-on and scientific knowledge of all things Wild Turkey, he and his harem of hunting buddies and clients are luckier than most when it comes to actually harvesting the mature bucks they grow. One topic of discussion included tips for encouraging older bucks to se...
Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 28 min
This week we welcome Mitt Wardlaw into the Gamekeeper Studio to talk about his expertise in applying row crop science to food plots. Mitt’s a smart guy who has lots of hands-on experience. We have a lively discussion on planting dates, cereal grains, annual and perennial clovers, myths around lime, the nutritional needs and timing of fertilizer applications, army worms, regenerative agricultural practices and more. It’s a fascinating discussion on the “growing” process of a food plot, understand...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 40 min
This week we open our minds to the possibilities of improving our soils and more through “regenerative” food plots. Dr. Bronson Strickland and PHD grad student Luke Resop provide a deep dive into understanding the whole process. Luke is performing a 4-5 year comprehensive study comparing regen plots to those planted using conventional methods and has much experience on the subject. Will it work or make sense for you? It’s an interesting discussion. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: Stay conne...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 26 min
On this BONUS episode we hear the story of the recently killed Mississippi State Record Alligator. The hunters Don Woods, Will Thomas, Tanner White and Joey Clark join us to tell the exciting story, and former MDWFP gator coordinator Ricky Flynt explains even more interesting details about prior interactions with the same individual. Imagine a 14 foot jon boat and a 14 foot 3 inch 802 pound alligator! It’s an amazing story of four deserving hunters. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this one. Sho...
Sep 02, 2023•1 hr 11 min
During this BONUS episode we talk with world-class wingshooter Tony Rosetti to learn a few tips to help make us better shots and enjoy dove season even more. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just getting started, you’ll walk away with something useful from this one. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. If you enjoy the show, share it with a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! Show Notes [1] Mossy Oak Companions "Flying Dove" Wright Coll...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 6 min
This week we welcome Drs. Dwayne Elmore and Bronson Strickland to school us all on aflatoxin. Aflatoxins are produced by a couple of species of fungi in the genus Aspergillus that can appear in a variety of situations, and when ingested can be harmful to the very birds and mammals we cherish. Our expert guests thoroughly explain aflatoxin, practices we can follow to help prevent it, what to do if we discover molded feed, and then offer some feed solutions that can help. Anyone that feeds corn or...
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr 11 min
This week we have a really interesting and hardcore gamekeeper named Andy Orlando, whose profession is “helicopter wrangler.” Andy works for a private firm contracted by various agencies to safely and ethically capture live animals such as pronghorns, elk, big horn sheep, mule deer, bears, and others via helicopter. From there he bails out of the chopper and performs whatever analysis is needed to fulfill the contract. He recently celebrated his 10,000th successful catch-and-release. Andy talks ...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Put your chaps on, as this week noted herpetologist Jimmy Stiles busts into the Gamekeeper studio with five venomous snakes that any of us could encounter. It’s an amazing podcast of information and education. Jimmy knows snakes, and his explanations help us understand these reptiles a bit better. It’s a fascinating look into something that strikes fear into most people. We learned Jimmy was a big turkey hunter and watches for snakes just like we do. As a professional herpetologist, he demonstra...
Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 45 min
This week we learn more about the “Slab Lab” and the quest to grow a world record class bluegill. Sarah Parvin from The Slab Lab and Shawn McNulty of American Sportfish Hatchery join us to explain the process and help teach us what they have learned. It’s an amazing story of a father and daughter’s shared obsession and a fisheries biologist pushing the science to the edge in an effort to grow a four pound plus bluegill. Can they do it? Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: American Sportfish Hatc...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 24 min
This week we all listen in amazement to the stories that our guest Trapper Mike AKA the @pythoncowboy shares. Southern Florida and the Everglades has become an invasive species nightmare with pythons, monitor lizards, iguanas and even herpes infected monkeys. Trapper Mike, a “Gladesman” is doing his part to protect the wild places he loves. In the process, he has trained an amazing dog named Otto to help him find snakes, snake eggs and retrieve the iguanas. Mikes an interesting guy and his passi...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 15 min
This week Will from @november_south teaches us about the art of flintknapping and building self-bows and arrows similarly to the way the Native Americans did. This talented craftsman amazes us with his arrowhead/knife building skills and thorough explanations of his processes. His award winning handmade bows are some of the most amazing hunting tools we’ve ever seen, and his tapered cane arrows fletched with turkey feathers and hafted with homemade stone points spin like high dollar carbons. We ...
Jul 24, 2023•2 hr 1 min
On this week’s bonus episode of the Gamekeeper Podcast, we re-hash a visit to the gulf coast near Corpus Christi, TX, where we helped document a team of researchers and volunteers as they successfully re-established new oyster reefs with recycled oyster shells. Dr. Jennifer Pollack, from the Texas A&M Harte Research Institute (HRI) in “Corpus,” and Pat Murray, the President of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) joined in on the discussion. We also learn about the program being put on...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 9 min
This week we expand our horizons and spend time with Dr. Colter Chitwood of Oklahoma State University. He is known as the @biggamedoc and has many interesting big game research projects that we learn about including one where they catch Pronghorns with helicopters and later they follow the GPS signals of the does, sneak in to try and capture day old fawns. Colter explains the mystic of the Pronghorns and It’s a fascinating to learn about them. We also learn that you shouldn’t text while flying a...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 39 min
This week, Rob Kinney and Dudley Phelps take over the podcast studio again to hit on a few of the many habitat-related questions we get from our listeners. The questions are short, but in true “Dudley style” the answers are on point yet all over the place at the same time. We wouldn’t have it any other way! Listen, Learn, and Enjoy. Powered by Mossy Oak's Nativ Nursery - check out the nursery for all your tree, wildflower, and habitat needs. Visit the page here . Show Notes: [1] Nativ Nursery Wi...
Jul 14, 2023•47 min
This week we have Hank Parker sitting between the turkeys in the GK studio, to answer our questions and entertain us with stories. We do a in depth discussion on what he has learned through his many years of planting food plots including: how he picks a site, the way he fertilizes, his thoughts on lime, and how he plants his plots. Hank has figured out a system that works for him, and we can all learn from his trials and errors. We ask him which states excite him the most for big deer, he tells ...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 24 min
This week the show goes to the birds. Literally. Our guest, Dr. Adam Rohnke of Mississippi State, explains about all the wild birds that are migrating across the country right now. We all enjoy seeing them and attracting them to our backyards but there is so much about them we never knew. Did you know many birds including the diminutive Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flies all the way across the Gulf of Mexico in one flight? We learn a lot and come away with a new appreciation for the non-consumptive...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 22 min
During this BONUS episode we deal with the timely subject of over-heating working dogs. Training in the summer and hunting in the early dove season can be dangerous if you don’t pay attention to the warning signs. Trusted veterinarian Dr. Matt Ryan aka the @duckdogvet joins us from the Animal Clinic of Oxford along with our own Mr. Bill Gibson, our Director of Gun Dog Operations, from Mossy Oak Kennels . These tips could help save a dog’s life. So, if you have a dog you’re getting in shape for h...
Jun 28, 2023•37 min
