Habitat Podcast #306 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another deer camp round table chat. We sit down in Illinois with longtime podcast friends Jordan Hanks and Dusty Rose. We discuss: Deer camp traditions Doubling up during gun season Impact of habitat on hunting success Evolution of hunting gear and strategies Deer season's wins and trials The evolution of jordans farm The legacy of the elusive buck Smokeless Muzzleloaders: The future of hunting? Noise camouflage T...
Nov 30, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Habitat Podcast #305 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another 2-parter. We are coming to you from the Van Hees deer camp with a round table chat. Part 1 will be premiering over on the.deercamp.podcast! We discuss: E-bikes and hill climbs Buck pole construction saga Thrilling Northern Michigan buck hunt Exciting first buck off new land Opening morning success Food plotting strategies Almost getting stuck on the muddy Camp Road Deer camp is a state of mind Emphasis on ...
Nov 22, 2024•58 min
Habitat Podcast #304 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friends Cory Franceus and Dylan Major. The time has finally come to tell the wild story of my 2024 Michigan buck. Thank you again to Dylan and Cory, without you guys, I would've never found my buck! We discuss: ALWAYS wear a safety harness/lineman's belt! The challenges of tracking non-fatal shots Thinking you missed but hitting low Finding a clean arrow When in doubt back out Don't follow a ...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Habitat Podcast #303 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with a two-parter. We sit down with with Andy from the.deercamp.podcast and my good friend Jake Bollinger talking bad neighbors. The second half will be premiering on the.deercamp.podcast where we talk more in-depth about Jake's 2024 Michigan buck. We discuss: Jake's 20 Feral Dog Dilemma Survey reveals a neighbor's overreach Legal battles with a crazy neighbor When your bad neighbor's driveway is actually...
Nov 08, 2024•36 min
Habitat Podcast #302 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Joesph Coe. Joesph is a dog tracker from southern Michigan and has some absolutely WILD tracking stories to share. We discuss: Growing up in the Venezuelan jungle hunting and fishing with Indians in Venezuela Alaska to Afghanistan with the military Joe's start in training blood-tracking dogs Bloodhounds vs. the toughness of whitetail deer Dispatching a wounded deer with a knife in stan...
Nov 01, 2024•59 min
Habitat Podcast #301 - 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. Cory Franceus, Matt Zahl, Jeff Lipple, and I all sit down to talk about our recent trip to deer camp hosted by Kevin over at the Deerhunter podcast. We discuss: Deer Camp's mix of struggles and bonding Close calls with public land Michigan bucks Deer Camp camaraderie Bumping deer on public land Bigfoot or bear? Beefing up pre-hunt scoutin...
Oct 25, 2024•46 min
Habitat Podcast #300 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are celebrating a milestone, 300 Episodes! When we started this journey 6 1/2 years ago, I had no clue what we were in store for. Fast forward to today and we have built a huge community of like-minded hunters and habitat managers all working towards the same goal. I am still blown away at where we are today with The Habitat Podcast and how many people just like all of us we've been fortunate enough to have on the podcast. I am...
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min
Habitat Podcast #299 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Al Tomechko. Normally when Al and I get together it's to talk about everything seeds and food plots. This time around, Al's freezer is a little more full so we dive into the story of the buck he just killed named Dozer. We discuss: The role edge feathering had in Al's success Cabon load and how well it did in a drought Hunting out of an enclosed blind A squirrel running all of the deer o...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Habitat Podcast #298 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Jeff Pike. Jeff is a land manager from southeast Pennsylvania who also hunts the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. We discuss: Jeff's first velvet buck, 38 years in the making Importance of doe management for a thriving habitat Should you shoot does during an EHD breakout Cover vs. Food The importance of bedding areas Maryland's Deer Management Challenges Sika Deer & Whitetail on ...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 25 min
Habitat Podcast #297 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Jordan Hanks. In this episode, we are reversing the roles and Jordan will be interviewing me. We discuss: The transition from chasing deer to crafting habitat Implications of evolving regulations on hunting Personal tales of first hunts and memorable bucks Impact of modern hunting tech like cell cams The debate around the reality of the Rompola buck Exploring diverse hunting strategies G...
Sep 28, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Habitat Podcast #296 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Kevin Leach of Latitude Outdoors. Today's episode is going to be all about mobile hunting. We discuss: September hunting prep Swamps vs. hill country hunting New latitude platforms and backpacks New bow hanger design Morning vs. Evening setups Stealth tactics for swamp hunting Picking the right tree in the swamp Impact of habitat elements on deer behavior Which swamp trail should you h...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 29 min
Habitat Podcast #295 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Andy from the.deercamp.podcast and my good friend Jake Bollinger. Today we cover a litany of different things but we mainly focus on swamp habitat improvement and bad neighbors. We discuss: Planting Red Osier for deer Stand placement in the swamp Crafting corridors with dogwood Choosing the best cover for deer Ideal tree variety for swampy areas Strategic access routes Impact of Homegrown Habitat Cha...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Habitat Podcast #294 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with a shorter episode talking with Al Tomechko of Vitalize Seed. Al and I get into what he's doing in Ohio right now with his fall food plots to help them make it through to the fall during one of the worst droughts on record for the Ohio River Valley region. We discuss: The worst drought in a century Livestock sales due to hay scarcity No-till drill benefits during a drought Diverse planting strategies for droughts T...
Sep 06, 2024•34 min
Habitat Podcast #293 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with a mini-series on something that doesn't get talked about as much as it should. We are going to be bringing you "The Small Parcel Series" over the next few weeks, deep-diving into habitat management on small pieces of property. On this episode, we sit down with former land plan client David Hoy to talk about his 10-acre piece in Pennsylvania. We discuss: Harnessing small acres for big deer Meticulous scent control ...
Aug 30, 2024•56 min
Habitat Podcast #292 - 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. He sits down with Matt Lehr to talk about chasing an Illinois giant. We discuss: The origins of The Mobile Hunter's Dojo The joy in building a hunting community Creating platforms for hunters to connect and learn Hunting solo versus the deer camp experience The importance of deer camp camaraderie A rollercoaster season across states Chasi...
Aug 23, 2024•49 min
Habitat Podcast #291 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio doing my end-of-summer update on all of the happenings with the numerous habitat projects I have going on and my pre-season checklist. We discuss: Late August means bow season prep Food plots are growing, bucks are browsing Prepping food plots against a dry spell EHD concerns Logging projects wrapping up How logging transformed my property The importance of fall tree planting Strategic trail camera placem...
Aug 23, 2024•37 min
Habitat Podcast #290 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat offenders Brian Halbleib and Cory Franceus talking about the top things you forgot to do before hunting season. We discuss: A Fraudulent Real Estate Listing Scam The importance of building positive relationships with neighbors The challenges of dealing with bad neighbors Tackling last-minute habitat tasks before hunting season Maintaining and revitalizing clover plots Using clethodim for weed ...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Habitat Podcast #289 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Allen messing. Allen is a rep for one of our partners Midwest Lifestyle Properties and also manages several properties for clients. We discuss: Enhancing land value with timber Importance of strategic road systems Profitable land flipping techniques How to choose & work with loggers Ways to boost land value & equity The significance of gates on your property Realtor-client relationship import...
Aug 09, 2024•57 min
Habitat Podcast #288 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Nick Nation. Nick is the owner of the Habitat Hook and has been managing habitat on his home farm for years. We discuss: The Habitat Hook Enhancing a small property for deer Innovating on a 20-acre wildlife playground Utilizing neighboring land features Designing habitat around a centrally located house Developing a central hub for deer movement Overcoming the challenges of a saturated canopy Observi...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Habitat Podcast #287 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Raleigh Galiano. Raleigh lives in southern Louisiana and hunts on his farm in Mississippi where we did a land plan 2 years ago. We discuss: Mastering Habitat in the South Thick habitats change the game Strategic tree cutting is key Using drones for property insights Post-season scouting in the south Hack & Squirt Rookie Habitat Errors And So Much More! PATREON - Patreon - Habitat Podcast Brand ne...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Habitat Podcast #286 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Jordan Hanks and Andy Hutchens. We break down fall food plots from 3 different parts and soil types of the Midwest. We discuss: What equipment did we used starting out Small equipment can yield big results What equipment do we use now Maximizing food plots for all wildlife Designing habitat around deer habits How to save a food plot during a drought What and when to plant Diverse seed mixes ensure gr...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Habitat Podcast #285 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Jake Matelic. Jake is a co-owner of Latitude Outdoors. We discuss: Jake's hunting origin The transition to mobile hunting The evolution of mobile hunting The comfort factor in hunting saddles Effective use of cover in hunting The impact of saddle hunting gear Transition from college football player to outdoor CEO Balancing business with hunting time And So Much More! PATREON - Patreon - Habitat Podca...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Habitat Podcast #284 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Zach Haas. Zach is a friend of the podcast who is a professional aquatic biologist specializing in ponds and water. We discuss: Summer Habitat Management Creating ponds on your property Designing your property around access Food plots and water holes Creating deer doorways Limiting the line of sight for deer Importance of perimeter trail systems Fall food plots Wisconsin Habitat Plan breakdown And So...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Habitat Podcast #282 - In today’s bonus episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are doing something a little different. Repeat guest and friend of the podcast Andrew Hutchens has recently launched his own podcast called The.Deercamp.Podcast where he talks with guys from all walks of life about deer camp-style hunting stories. From time to time we will be premiering a few of his episodes and this week is his recent discussion with Arron Bleise We discuss: Aaron's early season buck Getting humbled on a...
Jun 21, 2024•51 min
Habitat Podcast #282 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Josh Webb. Josh is a friend of the podcast who is an elevator mechanic from Ohio and is a certified big-buck killer. We discuss: Hunting out of necessity Fruit trees trump food plots Staggered pear trees for cover Ground blinds and ozone for stealth Why unconventional tactics work Is Facebook A tool for habitat education? And So Much More! PATREON - Patreon - Habitat Podcast Brand new HP Patreon for ...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr
Habitat Podcast #281 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Al Tomechko. Al is the co-owner of Vitalize Seed Co with me and we are just finishing up our spring plantings. We discuss: The art of effective habitat management How to cultivate a living soil system Vitalize's Clover Chicory Mix Vitalize Seed's new products Carbon load tweaks for fall 2023 Fish fertilizer boosts plant growth Soil test tips for plot perfection Reasons to plant clover in the fall Imp...
Jun 07, 2024•46 min
Habitat Podcast #280 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Doug Holmes. Doug is the owner of Downburst Seeders and recently joined me for a weekend of planting on the northern 70. We discuss: Prepping for the Total Archery Challenge Planting strategies for switchgrass Managing power line habitats Strategies for high-yield food plots Success with no-till planting New Downburst Seeder insights Food plot results in sandy soil Enhancing sandy soil...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Habitat Podcast #279 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Andy Hutchens recapping the first-ever Habitat Day we held this past weekend at Andy's farm. We discuss: Raising $240 for Outdoor Driven The Downburst demo Crimping & planting Selective logging New habitat tools Timber to boost habitat plans. And So Much More! PATREON - Patreon - Habitat Podcast Brand new HP Patreon for those who want to support the Habitat Podcast. Good luck this ...
May 24, 2024•36 min
Habitat Podcast #278 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Matt Zahl. Matt is a fellow Michigander who is a habitat manager in Western Michigan. We discuss: Leveraging cuts for deer Mass crop trees for wildlife Cultivating diverse ecosystems Installing culverts for access Building a sturdy creek bridge Benefits and timing of fall tree planting Balancing family and outdoor life Prepping for deer season in May Fruit orchards as a wildlife magnet...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Habitat Podcast #277 - In today’s bonus episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are doing something a little different. Repeat guest and friend of the podcast Andrew Hutchens has recently launched his own podcast called The.Deercamp.Podcast where he talks with guys from all walks of life about deer camp-style hunting stories. From time to time we will be premiering a few of his episodes and this week is his recent discussion with David Riley Jr. We discuss: The advantages of saddle hunting The emotio...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 14 min
