Gamekeeper Podcast - podcast cover

Gamekeeper Podcast

Highlighting hunters and wildlife, the Mossy Oak Gamekeepers podcast exists to improve your hunting, fishing and outdoor skills by delivering science based wildlife management practices plus hands on hunt/fish strategies and techniques. Our top notch guests will educate and entertain while we celebrate wildlife, discuss the latest research, detail hunting tactics, explore old legends and listen to some great stories. Managing wildlife and habitat can improve your time afield. Listening to the Gamekeeper podcast will give you a new perspective. You don’t want to miss these.

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Episodes

EP:256 | Bonus: Invasive Fish

On this bonus podcast we talk with the Fisheries Extension Professor at Mississippi State, Dr. Wes Neal, about the invasive carp species (including the “jumping” carp we’ve all seen in videos or person) who’s populations have exploded in our U.S. river systems. We talk about them and their close relatives the grass carp, bighead carp, and black carp. We also learn about another well-known invasive fish, the northern snakehead, and how it’s now not necessarily as controversial to some as it used ...

Aug 16, 20241 hr 5 min

EP:255 | Extensive New Fire Data with Dr. Craig Harper

This week we all sit mesmerized by Dr. Craig Harper of UT as he explains his twenty-five-year study of fire and how it affects habitat. We’ve all known the importance of dormant season fires on the landscape but Craig explains the importance of fire at other times of the year and the exact benefits. His long study in conjunction with many other smart minds is now being explained and the results are eye opening. He’s even preaching to burn smaller areas and he thoroughly explains why. Want to imp...

Aug 13, 20241 hr 36 min

EP:254 | Bonus: Eating Crow

This bonus episode we are joined by crow hunting expert and world class caller Sandy Brady. Imagine killing 8,000 crows a year and over 400 in one hunt! Sandy takes it very serious and hunts them hard. He explains his set up style and more importantly explains the black birds vocalizations. He’s also a big turkey hunter and teaches us that the way most folks try to get a turkey to shock gobble is actually the crows alarm call and that may be hurting your chances of seeing that gobbler. That got ...

Aug 09, 20241 hr 18 min

EP:253 | Managing Whitetails and Dealing with Deer Management Fatigue

On this episode we’re joined by Pierce Young, a deer biologist with the MDWFP who specializes in private lands advice. We start off asking a lot of questions about fawns, the birthing process, how they learn to nurse, their scent, how mom moves them and hides them plus more. We learned a lot and we went on to discuss what most folks are doing right and wrong in terms of managing their property. We also learned there’s a term called deer management fatigue that’s a real thing and affects many clu...

Aug 06, 20241 hr 34 min

EP:252 | Bonus: Conservation in Focus

On this week’s bonus episode we walk down memory lane with Rusty McDaniels and Joe White, two guys who have been filming for Mossy Oak for a long time. We ask about what they have seen outfitters do to manage deer and turkeys that we could learn from, how they have seen attitudes about conservation change. We learn about the bonding that occurs in a hunting camp, the work ethic that has to be present and the memorable experiences you can miss if you’re not paying attention. We also hear some gre...

Aug 02, 20241 hr 27 min

EP:251 | Hunting with Thermals

This week we learn about predator hunting with thermal equipment. Two excellent Louisiana outfitters who specialize in hunting pigs and coyotes with thermals at night join us to explain just how it’s done. It’s a fascinating discussion and we all learned that we all want to experience this unique hunt. We know first-hand how devastating pigs can be to a property, but these guys have found a way to keep the pressure on them and help their local farmers AND have FUN! If you have feral pigs in your...

Jul 30, 20241 hr 26 min

EP:250 | Growing Corn for Wildlife

In this BONUS episode Dr. Erick Larson, the Miss State University Extension Corn and Grain Crops Specialist joins us to explain growing corn for wildlife. Everyone readily admits a field of standing corn can attract and hold wildlife and teamed up with cool season plantings can create beautiful areas of green/grain. However for many food plotters, growing corn can be a bit intimidating. We ask Erick to help us understand how to take agricultural knowledge and apply it to growing smaller plots of...

Jul 26, 20241 hr 34 min

EP:249 | They Did What? Duck Hunting Confrontations

This week we are joined by Natalie Krebs, Executive Editor at Outdoor Life. She recently traveled to Australia to learn about the anti-hunting movement that’s vigorously trying to stop duck hunting. We were fascinated to hear about how these groups operated. We’ve never encountered an anti-hunter during a hunt…have you? Her stories are shocking and we thought that every hunter should pay attention to this to understand and help prevent this from happening in our United States. Either through egr...

Jul 23, 20241 hr 5 min

EP:248 | Bonus: Night Killers, Blood Lusting Poachers

This week we are joined by retired Game Warden Tim Flanigan. His new book, Night Killers: Blood Lusting Poachers tells the story of his career operating in the dark of night chasing night hunters. The poaching activity where outlaws utilize bright lights to aid in the unethical harvest of deer goes by many names such as shining, spotlighting, and jacklighting to name a few, and it occurs wherever whitetails live. His stories are shocking to say the least – from the blatant disregard with woundin...

Jul 19, 20241 hr 31 min

EP:247 | Maggie Williams talks Green Heads, Wild Turkeys and the Importance of Dads

This week we’re joined in studio by Maggie Williams, a young lady that proudly calls Arkansas home and ducks hunts 60 days a year and chases turkeys in more than a dozen states. How did she get the passion for hunting? What aspects of the sport drew her in? We asked her a lot of questions and found her to be a very interesting interview. We talk greenheads, wood ducks and wild turkeys and her talent for finding private land access which has Dudley rethinking his. We also talk about being a dad a...

Jul 16, 20241 hr 31 min

EP:246 | Bonus: A Life of Chasing Quail and a Dog Named Puny

This week we’re joined in studio by an old school quail hunter who hunted through and vividly remembers the good ole days of bobwhites. Mr. Tommy Paulk is a larger than life character from Bullock County, Alabama that loves to hunt “pottidges” as he likes to call them. Once a crop duster with over 30,000 acres of private land access, he flushed many a covey and tells us all about it. Who wouldn’t have wanted love to grow up where you whistle for the dogs, take off walking in any direction and be...

Jul 12, 20241 hr 29 min

EP:245 | A Longing for Gentleman Bob

This week we have Dr. Mark McConnell, Asst. Professor of Upland Birds at Mississippi State, to talk about the current status and future of a bird we all love so much. The flush of a wild bobwhite quail is an experience that many younger hunters may never have, and we discuss just how did we get to this scenario and what realistically can be done. It’s a deep subject, and you’ll hear it’s one that evokes frustrating emotions. Mark is a well-spoken knowledgeable expert that loves every aspect of t...

Jul 09, 20241 hr 50 min

EP:244 | Bonus: Everything Crappie with Jimmy Slater

On this week’s BONUS podcast we have crappie fishing legend Jimmy Slater in studio to explain everything crappie/white perch/sac-a-lait. His family has been in the crappie jig business for over 50 years and they’ve kept their finger on the pulse of both old school and new modern techniques. Crappie are a lot of fun to catch and delicious to eat. Listening to Jimmy will help you understand these fish and how to improve your chances. We also talk about the live scope technology and how it’s impact...

Jul 05, 20241 hr 20 min

EP:243 | The Degradation of Wild Mallard Genetics

On this week’s podcast Dr. Philip Lavretsky of UTEP and Dr. Brian Davis of Miss State University join us to explain the frightening scenario of the degradation of wild mallard genetics. Released “game farm” mallards were previously thought to not survive the winters, and certainly weren’t thought to be breeding with wild ducks. Turns out that’s not true as they are having an increasing genetic influence on the Atlantic flyway mallards and the phenomenon is moving west. All we have to do is look ...

Jul 02, 20241 hr 53 min

EP:242 | Bonus: Largemouth Bass and Owning Land with Gerald Swindle

On this week’s BONUS podcast we’re joined by celebrated pro bass fisherman Gerald Swindle. He’s also a very serious hunter and Gamekeeper so we had a lot to talk about. Our plan was to get him to explain a year in the life of a largemouth bass (which he skillfully does), in order to comprehend what they are doing each season of the year. The GMAN’s professional insight into their behavior can help any fisherman. However, we got diverse and talked about the pride of owning property and the challe...

Jun 28, 20241 hr 16 min

EP:241 | Learning from Coyotes with Torry Cook

This week we’re joined in studio by World Champion Coyote caller Torry Cook of Arkansas. Torry, an obsessed hunter, has raised multiple coyote pup litters through the years in order to learn from them. You might wonder if raising pups has made him soft hearted towards them? Trust us, it hasn’t. It was totally a play to get knowledge and use it against them. It’s fascinating to hear him explain what he’s learned and how he applies that knowledge in terms of behavior and understanding vocalization...

Jun 25, 20241 hr 58 min

EP:240 | Bonus: Shades of Gray with the Dove Czar

This week we have Vandy Collins, who just may be the most experienced dove field preparer alive today. If not, he isn’t far behind. He explains what he has learned through his many years of managing fields and hunters. Vandy is a wealth of knowledge and he isn’t shy to share his opinion. His tell it like it is attitude makes him seem crusty, but beneath that veneer, is a guy that deeply loves doves, dove hunting, dove dogs and the culture associated with it. Who doesn’t enjoy a good dove shoot? ...

Jun 21, 20241 hr 40 min

EP:239 | A Shark Discussion with Tom Rowland

This week we have saltwater expert Tom Rowland on to discuss sharks and how they are affecting fishing. It seems social media is full of videos of sharks attacking many different species of hooked fish. It’s really sad to see a big tarpon or any other fish get targeted. Is it the way we fish that is causing this? Are they conditioned to a fisherman’s habits? Is there a solution? Are there more sharks now than ever? Why do we seem to see more now on the beaches? It’s an interesting discussion and...

Jun 18, 20241 hr 27 min

EP:238 | Why Not Bluegills?

On this week’s BONUS podcast we’re joined by Bluegill record chaser and affable fisherman Trevor Fry. Who doesn’t love catching bluegills in the summer time? For many of us, it evokes special memories from our childhood. Trevor has taken his passion to the next level and as he stalks trophy fish in an effort to catch the Louisiana state record. He has come close and the pond he is intensely managing seems quite capable of producing a record fish. We sit back and listen to him thoroughly explain ...

Jun 14, 20241 hr 30 min

EP:237 | Falconry : Under the Hood

This week we’re joined by falconer Jeremy Jones, and his two raptors, Ruben the tiny kestrel and Eagle, the red-tail hawk. We learn about the millennia-old sport of falconry and the many details and hurdles that go into being a falconer. We were amazed to find out it’s all about the hunt and these birds are trained to be hunting partners. It’s a fascinating look back into ancient hunting culture and into what makes a person want to hunt alongside raptors today. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Send a te...

Jun 11, 20241 hr 43 min

EP:236 | Bonus: Chufas

This week’s BONUS episode is a deep dive into understanding chufas. Our expert guests Travis Sumner of SC and Jacob Gray of MS, are two long time Gamekeepers who have literally planted thousands of acres of chufas for turkeys. We talk about where they came from, why turkeys love them, when to plant, how to plant, fertilizer and herbicides. Suffice it to say, we learned a lot. If you’re interested in turkeys and plant chufas or are thinking about it, this podcast will help you. Listen Learn and E...

Jun 07, 202456 min

EP:235 | The Black Bears of Mississippi

This week we welcome Anthony Ballard the MDWFP Bear Coordinator and Dr. Dana Morin a carnivore expert from Mississippi State University to talk about the black bears of Mississippi. The Magnolia State has a long, historic tradition with black bears, dating back to when the Delta region was still massive old growth timber and full of bears! Then of course there is the infamous Theodore Roosevelt hunt that led to the creation of the Teddy Bear. We’ll look to the past, discuss the present and then ...

Jun 04, 20241 hr 36 min

EP:234 | Bonus: Catchin’ Cats

Catfish week continues as we discuss catching cats with more traditional methods than the previous podcast. We ask our catfish experts Geoffrey King, Corey Stout and Ted Swords questions about tight lining, limb lines, jugs and trotlines. There is a lot of good information here for all budgets and skill levels, and their explanations are a lot of fun. You’ll be craving some fried catfish when this one is over. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Send a text message to the show! When does deer season start?...

May 31, 202443 min

EP:233 | Hand Grabbling Giant Catfish

This week we’re talking about grabbling catfish! It’s a crazy sport that has people catching giant catfish with their hands. Would you reach into a hole in the bank and let a big blue cat bite your hand so you can catch it? We are joined by catfish grabbling experts Geoffrey King, Corey Stouts and Ted Swords of North Mississippi who know how to grabble. We ask a lot of questions and they explain how it’s done. Each of these guys have caught catfish over 70 pounds with their hands. We were fascin...

May 28, 20241 hr 29 min

EP:232 | (Timely Classic EP:163) Successful Sunflowers

On this timely classic episode we do a deep dive on planting sunflowers. Whether it’s a legal dove field or an area for your family to enjoy we learn the latest techniques. We’re joined by Twinkie Estes of Nutrien and he explains the details of the modern herbicide resistant sunflowers that enable a Gamekeeper to grow a clean and attractive field. Doves love sunflowers and so do we. Listen, Learn, and Enjoy. Show Notes: Growing and Managing Sunflowers: PDF Send a text message to the show! When d...

May 24, 20241 hr 1 min

EP:231 | A Journey Towards Understanding Hunting

This week we have a very interesting discussion with author Erika Howsare, whose recent book, The Age of Deer, The Trouble and Kinship with Our Wild Neighbors recently caught our attention. It’s a fascinating look at the white-tailed deer and its relationship with man over time. She explains, “deer have been an essential part of human life for millennia and today our relationship is still intimate, yet full of contradictions: we hunt and protect them, we cull them in suburbs while mythologizing ...

May 21, 20241 hr 27 min

EP:230 | Bonus: An Ounce of Prevention

On the latest BONUS podcast, we address the often overlooked step of cleaning your firearms after the season. Longtime gunsmith Ed Sanders teaches us all a thing or two. Do you purposely dry fire your rifle to release the spring pressure? Do you apply a coating of oil in your barrel after the season to prevent pitting? What about the newer guns with applied camo finishes? How do you maintain them? Pat Epling of Mossy Oak joins us to explain all that. Lastly Dr. Ned Miller takes a few minutes to ...

May 17, 20241 hr 7 min

EP:229 | The Wild Hog Dilemma with Dr. Steve Ditchkoff

This week we have Dr. Steve Ditchkoff from Auburn University on to discuss the latest on the exploding feral pig population. He’s studied wild pigs extensively during his career and thinks they are the smartest critters on the landscape. How come we rarely see many wild pig road kills? Did you know De Soto brought over the first pigs in the 1500’s, yet they never exploded until the last 40 years. Why? He explains and we also talk meat, diseases, trapping, their sudden spread and how some states ...

May 14, 20241 hr 34 min

EP:228 | Bonus: Redbeard on Turkey and Turkey Calls

On this bonus podcast we have Dean “Redbeard” Mundhenke on to talk turkeys. Dean was the focus of the film “The Disease,” and is a legendary call maker. We start out asking about his copper calls and the conversation develops from there. We are also joined by Daniel Haas who gives an update on “The Colonel and the Fox” film. It’s an interesting conversation where we learn much about Dean and his love of turkeys. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: Watch The Disease: https://go.mossyoak.com/vide...

May 10, 20241 hr 18 min

EP:227 | More Mark Thomas (Part 2)

This week we continue with part 2 of our interesting discussion with wildlife and habitat aficionado Mark Thomas. He starts off teaching us where to shoot a charging grizzly bear and from there we learn about neonicotinoids and turkeys, how to build a spray rig boom, a liquid liming rig, understanding surfactants, the importance of eventually cutting timber, understanding human psychology, plants he likes to have in ecotones, warm season grasses, how your neighbors influence how you hunt and mor...

May 07, 20241 hr 17 min
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