Concealment, accuracy, and pressure are the main factors to control with stand setup. I discuss 5 simple tactics to minimize presence and maximize deer observed and harvested. Implement now for success this Fall.

Thanks for listening. Instagram: @southeast.whitetail

If your goal is to grow and harvest the best antlers your land can yield, this topic is for you. Doe management is crucial to every whitetail program and effectively filling tags is vital. I discuss issues and mistakes that interfere with management goals and disrupt deer movement. Topics that directly impact growing, observing and filling buck tags.

Thanks for listening!

Jacob & Nick return to the show for a high level breakdown of dove fields.  From soil samples and seed beds to prepping the field to hunt and everything in between.  This is a deep dive by two highly experienced land managers to better your fields, produce higher quality food and attract more birds.  

We cover planting equipment, sprayers, seed selection, soil bed prep, weed control, deer depredation management, desiccating fields, and many proven techniques from years of experience from Nick & Jacob.  

Thank you for listening and good luck on opening day.   

This week I breakdown my skinning shed from backing in with a deer to quartering up the carcass after hanging in the walk-in cooler.  A place to hang and skin game is one of the best investments and value-add improvements you can make for your property.

Over time we've added tools and various methods to streamline the process, yield better results all while recording herd data to more efficiently harvest and manage deer.  

Thanks for listening and please consider leaving a 5 Star review.   

Trial and error is how you become proficient with managing your land. Experiment with seeds and planting practices but you must always ask why things didn't go as planned.

On this episode I cover 10 ways I failed at producing successful food plots. Thanks for listening and please subscribe, follow and leave a 5 Star review!

Whether you have 20 or 2,000 acres, growing and selling timber is an excellent route to generate cash. Funds for capital improvements and property carrying costs. Tree farms don't have to be wildlife wastelands. You can easily blend active timber rotations with healthy wildlife populations while increasing your huntability.

Develop a working forestry plan and build value, along with robust game usuage. I cover navigating foresters, timber / land consultants, direct sales, contracts, diversifying age classes and many more topics.

Thanks for listening.

Rick joins the show this week to discuss his passion for bowhunting on both public & private land.  Rick hunts Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Illinois.  I'm pumped to showcase his content as it's a different perspective from my own.  Rick is a highly successful hunter and thoroughly enjoys the grind of the pursuit.  

Rick is the host of the Southern Game & Tackle Podcast and is on the Board of Directors for Project Savior Outdoors.  Read his article and his full bio at www.southeastwhitetail.com.  

https://www.southerngameandtackle.com/

https://www.projectsavioroutdoors.org/

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

Release mallards have become increasingly popular throughout the Southeast.  But what detrimental effects do these farm raised & genetically altered birds cause for wild ducks?  How is this style of "hunting" negatively impacting waterfowl conservation?  A wildlife geneticist, Dr. Philip Lavretsky from the University of Texas at El Paso joins the show to discuss these topics and his passion for duck hunting.   

Jacob Lazarus from last week's episode is also on the call as he brought this topic to light.  

Let us know your thoughts.  What have you noticed with your local ducks?  Do you think there should be regulations for farm raised mallards? 

Lab: https://www.utep.edu/science/lavretskylab/

Donations page: https://givingto.utep.edu/conservation

Thanks for listening and please leave a 5 Star rating and review.  It greatly helps the show going forward.  

A private land manager in Lowcountry South Carolina, Jacob shares his success with regenerative food plots mixing both cool and warm season plantings.  He has kept meticulous observational notes from his years of trials and experiments.  

If you plant supplemental food plots in the South, you need to listen to Jacob's results.  Truly remarkable and I will certainly be implementing this setup on my farm.  

We also cover off-season scouting, an upcoming National Deer Association event and a very impactful waterfowl conservation issue on the East Coast.  

Thank you for listening and please consider leaving a rating and review.  It helps keep this show going.  

Reeves Knight is an inspiration for parents wanting to keep kids engaged in the outdoors. He began shooting one arrow with his son for every new follower and was overwhelmed with support and followers. His YouTube Channel & IG account documents their progress. We discuss raising kids in the outdoors and the importance of life lessons learned from hunting. Reeves' idea to shoot bows is ideal for most people to do wherever they live. This is a truly meaningful interview for any parents wanting to establish values and respect for the outdoors. Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@raisingknights IG @reevesknight

This week Grant Fisher from SC joins the show to discuss his passion for pursuing birds across the South. From private to public land, Grant consistently kills turkeys using his perfected hunt tactics and knowledge of terrain features. This was a great conversation with a conservation minded hunter.

Thanks for listening and please leave a 5 Star rating & review.

This week Jordan Szustwal from SC joins the show for a deep dive into how he consistently kills both public and private land birds in multiple states. Jordan shares many tips and tactics for highly pressured turkeys and those stubborn henned-up Toms.

Thanks for listening and please consider leaving a 5 Star review!

@switz_6

@palmetto_pursuit

Joe Hamilton, Legend of Conservation.  Part 2 of 2.

The profound success story of whitetail conservation could not be told without Joe Hamilton.  He spearheaded a movement in the South that expanded across the country forever changing the landscape of herd health and habitat quality.  The ripple effect of Quality Deer Management and Mr Joe’s career work is staggering.

Joe has a long and storied history in the outdoors which is well documented in his book: "Firepot Stories".  A fascinating read and highly informative of the revered white-tailed deer.  

Cory and I review the 2023 season; what went well and what didn't work. Off-season management plans, gear changes and turkey season ahead.

Thanks for listening!

This week I cover the consultation services I offer; benefits & cost. My rate is a fraction of a Redneck Blind. One will allow you to make all the noise you want and still fill a deer tag. The other provides a sustainable wildlife, hunting & forestry mgnt plan that'll be a foundation to pass your farm to the next generation. Why not maximize the huntability of your land and wildlife potential?

As long as we have deer on the landscape, we'll need to regulate doe populations. Healthy herds and quality habitats start with doe management. This week, Cory and I discuss the many benefits and how to determine harvest numbers. It all depends on your region and your land goals.

This week Dr. Andrew Little of the University of Nebraska joins the show to discuss the effects of human and hunter movement and habitat use.  Dr. Little is the Director of the Applied Wildlife Ecology and Spatial Movement (AWESM) Lab and has a long list of published research projects in the South that are available through the website below.  We cover a slew of topics that will make you a better hunter.  

Please follow & connect with Dr. Little and the AWESM Lab

www.awesmlab.unl.edu

Social accounts (X, Instagram, Facebook)

@awesmlab

@awesmlabdoc 

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.

This is a powerful and heavy episode discussing what every hunter and conservationist should be doing - sharing the land and natural resources to those wanting the experience of God's creation.  Cory and I had the pleasure to interview Marty Brunson from the Catch a Dream Foundation.  I ask everyone to visit their website and consider a donation.  Large or small, it all helps.  

Please consider supporting their mission.

www.catchadream.org

IG:  @catchadreamfoundation

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. 

Joe Hamilton, Legend of Conservation - Part 1 of 2.

The profound success story of whitetail conservation could not be told without Joe Hamilton. He spearheaded a movement in the South that expanded across the country forever changing the landscape of herd health and habitat quality. 
I met Mr. Joe years ago at Rose Hill Plantation sometime in the early 2000's. I was thrilled to shake his hand and to be invited on such a hunt by the Morrison family. I've never been one to follow hunting media shows or celebrity type hunters. QDMA was the content I consumed and Joe is a figure that I've always admired and respected.  
Several years ago I connected with Joe Hamilton again.  Joe joined us for a mentored hunt at my family farm for a memorable weekend and since then we have stayed in touch. When I started Southeast Whitetail, Joe was at the top of my list to interview and showcase his dedication and career work with conservation. Thus, I asked Joe to film the first episode of Southeastern Sit-down Series: Joe Hamilton, Legend of Conservation.  
Joe has a long and storied history in the outdoors which is well documented in his book: "Firepot Stories".  A fascinating read and very informative of the revered white-tailed deer.  
Thank you for listening to the interview and a very special thank you to Mr. Joe Hamilton. He opened his home to me and I greatly appreciate his time. 
Below are career highlights and the numerous recognition awards.  
Career:
Native of Elizabethtown, NC.
BS Degree in Forest Resources 1971 - UGA
MS Degree in Wildlife Biology 1978 - UGA
SC DNR 1979 - 1995
Founded QDMA in 1988 and has been involved with various roles & positions still to this day.
Ducks Unlimited 1996 - 2000
Awards & Achievements:
1975 - NC Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year.
1982 - Julian C. Greene Award presented by the White Lakes Chapter NC of Ducks Unlimited.
1984 - SC Wildlife Federation Harry Hampton "Woods & Water" Conservation Memorial Journalism Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Reporting.
2000 - Deer Management Career Achievement Award presented by the Southeastern Section of the Wildlife Society.  
2004 - Inducted into "The Keepers of the Hunting Spirit" in Melbourne, Australia. 
2005 - Outdoor Life Conservation Award.
2005 - Professional Wildlife Management Award by the SC Chapter of the Wildlife Society. 
2011 - Budweiser Conservationist of the Year. 
2012 - Induction into Gary Mason's "Legends of the Outdoors".
2013 - The 2013 Award for Extraordinary dedication to Preserving & Protecting South Carolina's Environment & Natural Resources. Presented by the Governor and General Assembly.  
2015 - UGA's Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources Distinguished Alumnus Award.  
2021 - Outdoor Life listed Joe as one of five individuals who have most influenced how sportsmen hunt & fish on a national scale.  
2022 - The Order of the Palmetto Award presented by SC Governor Henry McMaster.

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.

Dr. Marcus Lashley returns for an episode all about wild turkeys.  We discuss habitat, biology and his hunting stories from this season.  A good friend of mine, Cory Parker, has joined as a co-host which has created a very fun dynamic on the show.  Thank you all for listening and I would greatly appreciate a 5 Star rating & review.  

Dr. Marcus Lashley | @drdisturbance

Wild Turkey Science & Fire University Podcasts

Cory Parker | @coastalempirenda

Southern Land & Wildlife Outdoor Workshop June 3rd - Midway, GA.  Check out the Instagram acct for details.  

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

Hailing from North Carolina, Daniel Hinshaw joins me to continue the Southern Hunting Culture series.  Daniel shares his hunting background and his love for the outdoors.  I need to make a hunting trip to the Tarheel state at some point. Thank you for listening!

IG:  @dhinshaw2013

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

What can cameras actually tell us about movement and herd dynamics? This week I discuss feed vs. passive sites. The pros and cons of each and how to establish a camera program to meet your hunting goals throughout the season. Thanks for listening!

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

Our month-long interview series of Southern hunting culture continues today with Morgan Harrell from South Carolina.  Morgan is a lifelong hunter with a rich history in the outdoors. She also volunteers time with Artemis Sportswomen.  We discuss her upbringing, hunting style, yearly goals of hunting for wild meat and a Florida iguana hunt!  Thank you for listening and Merry Christmas.    

This week I'm joined by a friend and fellow whitetail fanatic - Robbie Pace. Bow hunting, land management, food plots, hunt setups and new hunter recruitment were all discussed.  Robbie consistently kills mature bucks with a bow on his Georgia farm year after year.  That is a testament to his management and hunting skills.  Thanks for listening!

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

Hunt clubs are the backbone of southern hunting culture. The Southeast is private land dominated and thus will always maintain clubs throughout each state. Topics discussed - hunter & deer management, land work, penalties & fines, when hinge cutting works, how to kill more deer on leases and consistently see more bucks.

Thanks for listening.

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 

Cale Lewis from Charleston, SC joins me this week to discuss his hunting strategies, chasing public land whitetails and a very badass Lowcountry mature buck kill with his good buddy Parrish Hoover.  The buck story is loaded with highly impressive, aggressive moves that ultimately sealed the deal on their target Southeastern buck.  Cale will be joining Crosby Land Company soon so give him a follow.   Thanks for listening! Instagram: @cale__lewis  |  @parrish_hoover11   

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