Habitat Podcast - podcast cover

Habitat Podcast

Jared Van Heeshabitatpodcast.com
The Habitat Podcast is a podcast for land and wildlife habitat managers, and for hunters who learn and utilize different types of habitat in their hunting strategy. We interview hunters and habitat managers from across the country, picking their brain to learn their success's and failures. We are different in the fact that we are not the experts. This podcast is for us and the listeners to learn a thing or two, from the experts we analyze.
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Episodes

336: Fall Food Plot Time Is Almost Here: Till vs No Till, New Vitalize Seed Products, and Putting In Food Plots No Matter What Equipment You Have with Al Tomechko

Habitat Podcast #336 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we sit down with friend of the podcast and Co-Owner of Vitalize Seed Co Al Tomechko to talk about fall food plots and more new products coming from Vitalize! We discuss: Vitalized Seed's new fall mix revealed Innovative no-till fertilizer products Soil enriching amino acid-based boosters Jumpstarting Plant Recovery and Soil Biology Naturally A a next-generation concentrated biological fertilizer Strategies for microbe-rich soil st...

Jun 27, 20251 hr 11 min

335: Northern 70 Update: Cleaning Up The Mess (Still) From The Ice Storm, Improving Roads With A Bulldozer, and The Importance of Safety and Caution with Pat Cross and Greg Van Hees

Habitat Podcast #335 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are coming to you from the field at the northern 70 with my dad Greg and my good buddy Pat Cross. We discuss: Dozer operation by Josh for road and tree clearing Safety emphasized while cutting trees Cutting trees under tension Discussion on affordable chainsaw options Importance of teamwork and communication Water drainage management discussed for future New apple trees caged to protect from deer Excitement about future plantin...

Jun 20, 202558 min

334: Michigan Food Plot and Logging Update, Pennsylvania Deer Camp Traditions, and Being a Better Woodsman: the.deercamp.podcast with Beau Martonik

Habitat Podcast #334 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Andy sits down on the.deercamp.podcast with Beau Martonik of the East Meets West Podcast. We discuss: The Ins & Outs of Outdoor Podcasting Reviving the Legacy of Deer Camps Building a Brand in the Hunting Industry Struggles and triumphs of elk hunting Celebrating the “Make Deer Camp Great Again” spirit The joyous grind of Timber Ninja's revival And So Much More! PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Pa...

Jun 13, 20251 hr 6 min

333: Southern Illinois Food Plots, Logging A New Piece of Property, and Spring Plots vs. Fall Planting Strategies with Jordan Hanks

Habitat Podcast #333 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared and Andy are joined by Jordan Hanks We discuss: From trail cams to close encounters Spring plots vs. fall planting strategies Taxidermy as an art form Old-school bow-hunting revival Deer camp camaraderie highs CRP program struggles & solutions Summer food plot adaptation plans And So Much More! PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Patreon for those who want to support the Habitat Podcast. Good luc...

Jun 06, 20251 hr 47 min

322: Habitat Improvement On Family Land That Doesn't Want Habitat Work Done with Nate Rozeveld

Habitat Podcast #331 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared is joined by Nate Rozeveld. We discuss: Exploring deer hunting family traditions Importance of good habitat and neighbor relations Striking a balance between hunting and family The joy of hunting from blinds and saddles Must-have tools for habitat work Impact of neighbors on hunting success The power of diverse cover Saddle vs. blind hunting And So Much More! PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Patreon...

May 30, 20251 hr 10 min

331: Spring Habitat Checklist: What You Should Be Doing NOW!

Habitat Podcast #331 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared is joined by co-host Andy Hutchens. We discuss: Planting 100 Norway Spruces with an auger The benefits of no-till planting An eagerly-awaited logger update Recent turkey hunting success Strategies for tree growth in sandy soil Experimenting with no-till switchgrass Heavy rains during farming updates The impact of logging on growth And So Much More! PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Patreon for those wh...

May 23, 202553 min

330: Habitat Land Plan Before and After: 5 Years Of Results From Habitat Management on 80 Acres In Northern Michigan with Bobby Roop

Habitat Podcast #330 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared is joined by Bobby Roop, one of Jared's first ever habitat land plan clients way back in 2019. We discuss: Habitat management on an 80-acre parcel in northern Michigan Habitat improvements over five years The importance of food sources for deer Implementing access roads for better hunting Using forestry mulchers for efficient habitat work A giant michigan 10-point buck named Goliath Deer population increased due to habitat e...

May 16, 202548 min

329: Shawn Luchtel of Heartland Bowhunter: Adding Water and Native Grasses to his Missouri and Kansas Farms

Habitat Podcast #329 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared is joined by Shawn Luchtel of Heartland Bowhunter. We discuss: Importance of open-canopy for wildlife food Native grasses are key for habitat screens Addressing invasive species is top priority Water sources essential in deer management Building Heartland Bow Hunter's niche Balancing hunting with family and farm life Shawn's roots in bow hunting and videography Native grasses and TSI And So Much More! PATREON - ⁠⁠Patreon - H...

May 09, 20251 hr 4 min

328: When Is The Best Time To Plant Your Spring Food Plots and What Amendments Should You Use With Your Food Plot Seeds with Al Tomechko, Jake Bollinger, and Andy Hutchens

Habitat Podcast #328 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared is joined by Andy, Al Tomechko, and Jake Bollinger. We discuss: Planting tree cuttings The importance of timing planting with rain The benefits of natural fertility coatings for food plot seed Prioritizing quality and effectiveness over simplification and cost-cutting Creating a thriving habitat for turkeys The importance of soil tests before applying amendments Creating a custom cattle grazing mix And So Much More! PATREON ...

May 02, 20251 hr 6 min

327: Habitat Land Plan Recap: Managing 40 Acres in the Wisconsin North Woods and Building An Off Grid Solar Powered Cabin!

Habitat Podcast #327 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared is on the road again with Andy from the deercamp.podcast over in Wisconsin. They sat down with land plan client Jeff at his off grid solar powered cabin to talk habitat. We discuss: Off-grid cabin living & solar usage Navigating hunting on thick lands Balancing apple trees with wildlife Strategic habitat management plans The challenge of a densely wooded hunting land Introduction of diverse food sources for wildlife The ...

Apr 25, 202554 min

326: Using NRCS Contracts To Pay For Habitat Improvement, Manipulating Deer Movement With Chainsaws, and Cutting To Create Better Bedding with Al Tomechko of Vitalize Seed Company

Habitat Podcast #325 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared is back in the studio with Al Tomechko of Vitalize Seed Company. We discuss: Cleaning up the mess at the northern 70 Invasive species removal and midstory removal NRCS contracts for timber work The importance of patience and collaboration with foresters Advantages of herbicide treatments for invasive species Creating diverse bedding areas The importance of maintaining some open deer trails while strategically blocking others...

Apr 18, 20251 hr 14 min

325: The Small Parcel Series: Hinge Cutting on 40 Acres, Creating Travel Corridors, and Using Aerial Maps To Better Understand Your Property with Lee Vandenbrink of Aerial Wildlife Solutions

Habitat Podcast #324 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, Jared and Andy are back in the studio with Lee Vandenbrink of Aerial Wildlife Solutions. We discuss: Achieving success with small parcels Timber management before leaf-out Hinge cutting and bedding area basics Using terrain hand in hand with hinge cutting Timbering can optimize deer movement Making deer corridors work Manipulating deer movement Thermal drone ban sparks habitat mapping business Mapping service insights for landowne...

Apr 11, 20251 hr 19 min

324: Holding Deer on 30 Acres, Adding Fruit and Chestnut trees, and the ethics of crossbow hunting with Matt Zahl and Andy Hutchens

Habitat Podcast #324 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with some more familiar faces. This week Andy from the.deercamp.podcast sits down with friend of the podcast Matt Zahl. We discuss: Big plans for a fruit orchard & chestnuts A DIY buck bed attracts a shooter Introduction to late-season fruit orchards Strategic chestnut ridge plans for deer season The heritage & future of hunting culture The ethics of crossbows discussed Getting into Bowhunting later in life Vie...

Apr 04, 20251 hr 1 min

323: Iowa Shed Hunting On A DREAM Whitetail Farm

Habitat Podcast #323 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are out of the studio in Iowa with some familiar faces. Brian hosts this episode with friends of the podcast Chris Hanbury and David Hamm. We discuss: A dream shed hunting trip in Iowa The joy of finding match sets Benefits of strategic deer fencing Gratitude for supportive wives & friends Preparing for the chance at a tag draw The importance of setting goals Anticipating an Iowa hunt with tags And So Much More! PATREON - P...

Mar 28, 20251 hr 25 min

322: How to Enhance Land Value and Profitability, Getting Started With Homesteading, and Creating a Community Around A Business with Chase Burns

Habitat Podcast #322 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Chase Burns. Chase is the host of a podcast called Land Your Ground where he dives into the subject of land ownership. We discuss: Transitioning from wildlife biology and habitat management to becoming a land specialist in real estate Having high ethical integrity in real estate The importance of being knowledgeable and prepared to become a landowner, The importance of long-term timber management Cre...

Mar 21, 20251 hr 17 min

321: PROOF That Hinge Cutting Is The Best Way To Create and Improve Deer Bedding Habitat with Thomas Rovery

Habitat Podcast #321 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Thomas Rovery. Thomas is from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and works closely with Dr. Craig Harper. We discuss: The practice of hinge cutting and its effectiveness in creating deer bedding Effective hinge cutting techniques The importance of creating clear paths and bedding areas for deer Strategically laying trees to form V-shaped structures Achieving at least 50% sunlight penetration in be...

Mar 14, 20251 hr 4 min

320: Why You Should Be Using E-Bikes To Hunt Your Property with Dieter Kochan of Faceoff E-Bikes!

Habitat Podcast #320 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Dieter Kochan of Faceoff E-Bikes. We discuss: E-bike's role in efficient habitat management Custom-built e-bikes for hunters E-bikes for stealthy, scent-free access Setting up a farm entirely for E-bike access Powerful motors conquer hills The tech behind e-bikes' climbing power Features designed for hunter's needs Accessories that make e-bikes hunting-ready And So Much More! PATREON - Patreon - Habi...

Mar 07, 20251 hr 4 min

319: Everything You Need To Know About Trees and Ordering Trees For Your Property, What Cutting Should You Be Doing Right Now, and The Springtime Habitat Checklist with Matt Zahl and Andy Hutchens

Habitat Podcast #319 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guests Matt Zahl and Andy Hutchens. We discuss: Selecting the right trees for wet areas Creating strategic deer bedding through cutting Using an auger for effective tree planting Crafting a bridge for enhanced property access Benefits of targeting selective cuts Electric vs gas chainsaws Benefits of battery-powered chainsaws Raccoon trapping for habitat balance Trapping skunks without getting ...

Feb 28, 20251 hr 8 min

315: The Complete Guide To Switchgrass for Habitat Management: Everything You Need To Know with Roger Sampson

Habitat Podcast #315 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Andy Hutchens my good friend Roger Sampson. We discuss: Rogers' 30 years of experience in native grasses Regenerative agriculture Food Security in South Sudan The potential of switchgrass as a solution to the US energy crisis Planting 350 acres of switchgrass without government subsidies The ease of growth with switchgrass Switchgrasses role in the dairy industry The development of a new, improved va...

Feb 28, 202558 min

318: Lincoln Rohn - Food Plotting in Some of The WORST Soil Imaginable, Fighting The Drought, and The Best Damn Food Plot Implement I've Ever Used

Habitat Podcast #316 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Lincoln Rohn. We discuss: Maximizing limited soil quality Balancing hunting with habitat work Benefits of cultipacking for growth Soil type and moisture management Insights on overcoming soil & drought issues Effective use of cult packers on food plots Switchgrass for wildlife habitat Enhancing food plots with strategic cover Balancing hunting goals with land stewardship And So Much ...

Feb 21, 20251 hr 8 min

317: Mark Kenyon - Regenerative Agriculture for Food Plots, Adding More Native Grasses, and The Past, Present, and Future of Fish and Wildlife Across The Country

Habitat Podcast #316 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Mark Kenyon of MeatEater. We discuss: The importance of protecting wild places and wildlife for future generations The significant loss of species The importance of hunters and anglers in addressing these issues How to stay informed about environmental and wildlife-related issues The role of private landowners in addressing the broader spectrum of environmental challenges Adopting regene...

Feb 14, 202558 min

316: New Vitalize Seed Mixes! New products from Vitalize, New Website, and Spring Food Plot Plan with Al Tomechko

Habitat Podcast #316 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Al Tomechko. We've both been working hard behind the scenes on some new products that we dive into on this episode. We discuss: Frost seeding a warm spell New Vitalize website New bundles Food plot starter kits Fertility bundle New Seed Products Premium Clover+ Brassica Seed Mix Annual Clover Mix The importance of Natural Amendments Looking ahead to spring food plots Expanding food plots on the North...

Feb 07, 202552 min

314: The Small parcel series: Fixing habitat mistakes made on 10 acres in Pennsylvania with Lucas Jones

Habitat Podcast #314 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Lucas Jones. We discuss: Habitat management on Family property that you don't own Don't get rid of thick underbrush Fixing bad access Using the neighbors select cut to your advantage The role of terrain in deer movement The top fruit trees he will be adding Re-establishing bedding where it once was Witch Hazel Fighting a Sumac tree infestation Human presence vs hunting pressure Adding ...

Jan 24, 20251 hr 15 min

313: Creating a deer hunters dream farm in Ohio hill country, Removing Autumn Olive, and The Ohio Forest Tax Law program with Cody Jarrett

Habitat Podcast #313 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Cody Jarrett. We discuss: Selling his Illinois properties to buy a larger piece in Ohio The challenges of managing the deer population When is the best time of year to shoot does Battling EHD Older bucks have smaller ranges Passive vs aggressive on private property Planting corn fields in Ohio hill country How thermals can impact farm layout Removing autumn olive The importance of native...

Jan 17, 20251 hr 1 min

312: What you need to be doing right NOW for habitat management! January habitat management, compartmentalizing your property, and strategic infrastructure with Matt Zahl

Habitat Podcast #312 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with HP team member and friend of the podcast Matt Zahl. We talk all things January habitat management. We discuss: Habitat wins and future plans Timber management boosts wildlife activity Successful deer hunt with heartwarming father-son moment Enhancing land access via strategic infrastructure A different way of planting switchgrass Compartmentalizing your property Building better doe bedding Cu...

Jan 10, 202557 min

311: Start your engines (Chainsaws)! Off season timber stand improvement and new habitat podcast segments for 2025 with Corey Sullivan

Habitat Podcast #311 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are starting off 2025 back in the studio talking with long-time friend of the podcast Corey Sullivan. This episode is the kick-off to some new things that we are rolling out on both the podcast and our YouTube this year. We discuss: Cutting maples to rejuvenate habitats Planting cedars for crucial cover Spraying invasives for native growth The strategic benefits of hybrid willows The impact of historical flooding Introducing th...

Jan 03, 202559 min

310: A Complete Guide to Infrastructure and Erosion Control with Chris Howell

Habitat Podcast #310 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with Chris Howell. Chris is the owner of an excavating business where he is moving dirt 24/7 and we get into everything Infrastructure and Erosion Control on your property. We discuss: Understanding erosion & controlling it DIY vs. professional solutions Seeding roads & slopes Erosion control equals investment protection Habitat work blending with land development DIY tips for property roa...

Dec 27, 20241 hr 1 min

309: The Small Parcel Series: Control burns and screening on 6 acres in North Carolina!

Habitat Podcast #309 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another installment of the small parcel series. Today we talk with a friend of the podcast and land plan client Jason Rogers. We discuss: Strategic use of limited space for effective wildlife habitat Burning for better cover & fewer ticks Strategic screening in small areas The success of native tree wildlife cuts The story of 'Peg Leg' the buck Surprising Benefits of holly trees Trees for future cover & fo...

Dec 20, 20241 hr 13 min

308: 60 years of Michigan deer camp: The ponderosa deer camp with the.deercamp.podcast

Habitat Podcast #308 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another bonus episode with my good friend Andy over at the.deercamp.podcast. Andy traveled to the Ponderosa deer camp hosted by my good friend Matt Zahl to talk all things deer camp. We discuss: 60 years of deer camp legacy Pranks and deer camp camaraderie Life lessons from seasoned hunters The culture of Michigan deer camps The quacking buck story Father-son hunting traditions Hunting mishaps & mayhem Preserv...

Dec 13, 20241 hr 17 min

307: Deer Camp in Wisconsin with Janis Putelis of MeatEater! Habitat improvements for Wisconsin big woods!

Habitat Podcast #307 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another deer camp episode with a very special guest. We sit down in Wisconsin with the Lativian Eagle himself, Janis Putelis of MeatEater. We discuss: Developing a sustainable habitat plan Cutting hard for future oak regen Preserving hunting land for future generations Deer camp tradition and habitat talk Exploring the logging impact on habitat Creating strategic wildlife openings Utilizing water holes for attract...

Dec 06, 20241 hr
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