On today’s episode of Buck Junkies, the guys talk about deer genetics, but first, what’s Mark been up to in Illinois (00:10)? Is the EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease) outbreak dangerous for the deer population (01:00)? What’s been happening on the farm for the guys (03:54)? Mississippi’s bow season is just around the corner (06:10)! Are deer genetics affected by property care and region based factors (08:18)? Bacteria are largely responsible for changes among genetics in deer (10:20). Are spike deer considered “spike for life” (13:05)? Do protein and nutrition affect the size of antlers a deer will have (15:24)? A lot of deer activities on the farm (16:33). Is it possible to accurately track and record deer growth (22:49)? Mark talks about his special fact with deer nuts… (25:20) Are you able to control genetics among deer populations (26:18)? Is it legal to tag and track your own deer on your property (29:32)? The guys talk about their experience with hunting “traveling deers” (31:35). Does size matter with a dominant buck’s antlers (35:09)? What can you do to improve the genetics among deer populations (38:35)? You should always watch out for the old doe among a group of deer (41:04)! Malcom is looking to start a “foster care” business for deer (44:28). The guys talk about the cons of deer trophy mentality among hunters (49:09). In the end, nutrition is the most important factor in deer genetics (51:08)! What are the guys cooking at deer camp and upcoming recipes (58:38)? 

On today’s episode of Buck Junkies, the guys dive into rifle experiences and lessons, but first, where has Mark been (00:20)? How did the shooting contest between the guys go (01:03)? Mark explains Indiana’s rifle season, deer population, and dove hunting (01:30). Mikey and Jamie run into chigger problems on the farm (03:46). Mikey explains how bad deer lice really is (05:38). What’s been going on the farm (07:00)? The wasps have been terrorizing Mark and Jamie, but seem to be nowhere for Malcom (09:16). The guys each explain their preferred rifles and why they use them (11:12). The guys are faced with a rapid fire deer hunter (17:12). What were the guys first rifles and kills (18:40)? These rifles are the most HATED among the guys…(21:22) Mikey talks about his worst gun experience on a hunt (23:00). Understanding shot placement is the key to hunting, not the gun itself (25:50). Jamie talks about “Marksman Mark”, who took an unbelievable shot during their youth (26:24). Malcom tells of his shooting experience with the Mosin-Nagant (27:06). Mark’s love-hate relationship with the .35 Whelen (29:20). The guys discuss encore barrel style rifles (30:53). What type of rifle is the best to start your kids out on (32:07)? Knowing the importance of scope relief for starters can go a long way for improvement and growth in shooting (39:52). How should you help your friends in their first year of hunting (41:58)? This is the MOST important factor when owning a gun or planning on buying one…(43:20) Do your research when buying a gun (46:59)! What are the guys top 5 rifles (52:31)?

On today’s episode of Buck Junkies, Malcom introduces special guest Hunter Williams (00:23), owner of Final Approach Taxidermy (00:54), who explains what taxidermy really is. What are the guys doing on the farm for Fall Prep (02:10)? Malcom talks about his bird hunting experience with the kids (03:15). How do you become a Taxidermist (05:35)? How long does it take to complete a Taxidermy piece (07:35)? Hunter explains some of the worst Taxidemy jobs he’s ever had to do (09:35), and he discusses his apprentices and what they do (10:34). Prices of taxidermy are going up every year (11:58). What goes on during the tannery process in taxidermy (13:45)? These are the WORST animals to get Taxidermied (14:22). What is the lifespan of a taxidermy piece (15:02)? Hunter talks about the process of deer form and size measurements for each mount (16:42). There is always an issue of shortages of supplies and materials for taxidermy (17:21). The biggest deer mount Hunter has created or seen in Taxidermy (18:38). What are some common and exotic taxidermy Hunter has made (19:31)? The guys talk about Velvet Season and its regulations and rules (21:57). CDC testing is demanded in taxidermy (26:12). Are there differences in deer between Mississippi counties (30:37)? There is an issue of overpopulation and diseases in hunting (33:50). What are Arkansas’ hunting restrictions and regulations (35:27)? Do deer from different states taste different (40:31)? Hunter explains his meat donations and contributions to the Palmer Home (42:28). Understanding the fat process in meat (45:10). How much does Meat Processing ACTUALLY cost (52:10)? THIS is how you Taxidermy birds of prey (53:55), and Hunter talks about the hardest animal to taxidermy (56:52).

On today’s episode of the Buck Junkies Podcast, the guys reminisce on a successful Dove Hunting weekend (00:10), and we are clearly not professionals at this (09:30)... Everyone got really down and dirty working on the farm this weekend (10:30), and it’s time to start planning for those Fall Plots (12:50). Preparing your soil can be tricky, so using your states’ resources is super important (26:50). Once you get a plan in action, this is how to prepare your soil for growing seed (32:59). This is everyone’s ‘Top 5’ seeds to plant in your food plots, this Fall (38:18). How to Food Plot on a budget (47:53).

On today’s episode of the Buck Junkies Podcast, the guys are getting geared up for dove hunting and preparing the farm for the fall season by implementing a new heavy disk for the tractor (00:50). This year, the guys created a natural edge, around 30-35 feet of tree line, used as a buffer zone for deer food plots (03:16). A wall of vegetation was grown by the guys to provide cover and sight for any wildlife nearby (05:45). This wall of vegetation also provides a chance of managing micro food plots, also known as deer buffet (07:18). Mikey’s experience with the power of a Milwaukee pole saw was INTENSE (07:58). Johnson grass trouble near the farm (09:22). What’s happening on the cameras around the farm (11:17)? The deer no longer want vetches, they want clovers instead (14:12)! The guys explain in detail about the free resources and programs Mississippi has to offer when it comes to the conservation of property, management of wildlife, renting tools, and more (15:45). Big private organizations are paying in carbon credits for using your land (27:56). You can get a check by working together with local organizations through conservation programs (30:30). What are the Top 5 Shotguns to use for Dove Hunting (36:40). What type of shotgun shells should you use for doves (50:48)? What type of shotgun gauge should a youth use (52:36)? The evolution of automatic shotguns (55:00). Should you pattern your shotguns (55:55)? What’s on the menu for dove season (59:38)?

On today’s episode of Buck Junkies, the guys are getting ready for dove season and recapping their deer habitat lessons from John Gruchy (02:10). Mikey brings in a variety of plants, such as Persimmons and Muscadines, to show and tell (03:55). The guys explain that a Persimmon seed can actually predict the condition of winter based on the shape of the seed (06:42). What’s happening at the farm (09:25)? What makes a Dove Field ILLEGAL (15:40)? Mikey and Jamie got a visit from the Game Warden (19:20). Mikey’s experienced a crazy run-in with a super illegal Dove Field (21:25). How do Game Wardens catch you “in the act” (23:30)? Should you be Bush Hogging your Sunflower beds (26:20)? The guys reminisce on their past dove hunting experiences (29:00). The communal love for dove season, and the joyful times hunting brings (34:00). Malcom wants to know what everyone’s WORST Dove Hunts were (37:10), and if Pigeon Hunting is fair game, this season (42:00). Malcom and Mark’s new fancy hunting chairs are a MUST-HAVE (42:58). What’s on the menu for dove season (45:40)? What’s been on the deer cameras around the farm (52:31)?

On today’s episode of Buck Junkies, Malcom introduces special guest, John Gruchy, a Wildlife Biologist of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, who explains wildlife management from a hunters’ point of view (01:24). John then talks about how he got his start as a Wildlife Biologist (04:20). What are John Gruchy’s Primary Duties as a Wildlife Biologist (6:30)? You can obtain a free property assessment from a Biologist in town (09:20). How can you attract deer to your property (12:02)? What does a Biologist search for when assessing properties (14:00)? Are deer browsers or grazers (17:00)? What are the top 5 deer foods to use on your food plot (18:45)? How can you improve your forage and management as a landowner (25:36)? Are the habitat trends still the same for Mississippians since the early 1900s (29:20)? What is the ideal ratio of food, land, and bed for your property (34:08)? Why should you practice working and talking with your neighbors (36:05)? What is the American Joint Vetch (39:06)? What should you be planting on your food plot for deer (40:40)? Is it important to keep and manage cages on your food plot (45:30)? Will a deer herd move to bad soil (48:40)? A new Velvet Hunting Season was introduced to Mississippi (49:44). John talks about how hunters can provide samples for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) (52:52). What is John Cooking (55:40)?

On today’s episode of Buck Junkies, Mikey gives a much needed update on the farm after a few months hiatus (00:10), and getting back into it, we talk about the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY of our food plot program (01:15). We used a BIG drill... and it didn't work (03:48). That Vetch we planted is really feeding those deer (07:10). What exactly is the Buffalo System (08:44)? Mikey’s takeaways from farm experiments (10:28). What did the Buffalo System help us accomplish on the farm (11:49)? The weeds taking over the farm are just not cutting it (13:20). Mark discusses why Browse Pressure is important to watch on the farm (17:41). How is our deer activity around the farm (19:10)? We have had a BAD cow problem (20:41), and do deer like White Clover or Vetch more (25:49)? What are we doing on the farm to get ready for Dove huntiing (28:12)? Plant control and protection is important (34:20). The hack and squirt method really brightened up the land (37:13), and technology for farming has really come a long way (42:35). What new equipment do we have around the farm (46:47)? Is the Buffalo System sustainable (53:27)? Malcom has been frying up some fish (58:25).

On today's episode of the Buck Junkies Podcast, Mikey gives a big update about plans moving forward at the farm (01:05), and how they'll be testing some new clover plots for the next season (07:10). What ATVs are the best for riding out to the stand (12:46)? THIS is how you put the ALL-TERRAIN in ATV (14:10). The guys discuss various ways to upgrade your ATVs, and how to do it right (18:03). How do you deal with wasps in deer stands (28:55)? There is no other ladder on the market you should be buying for your stands, except this one (32:34). Malcom debates whether homemade stands are better than store-bought ones (37:30), and what to do about a lady bug infestation (41:38). Don't build permanent stands in temporary locations (49:55). Mikey tells a story about the IMPORTANCE of safety when setting stands (52:35). A couple of the guys had a crawfish boil (58:42).

00:00 - Intro

00:41 - Mikey Went Fishing This Weekend

02:14 - Mark’s Turkey Sausage Jambalaya

03:03 - “Can’t Eat Meat” Disease

06:19 - Are Ghosts Real? 

11:52 - How To Judge A Crawfish Contest Right

15:36 - Cooking Pasta In The Crawfish Pot? 

16:36 - Anatomy Of A Seed Drill

23:13 - What Is A “Vetch” Plant?

30:37 - Eating GREEN Venison

32:43 - What Is Elk Even Good For, Anyways?

34:39 - Mikey’s ‘Coon Recipe

39:05 - Back To Basics With Jamie Williams

41:12 - Frog Gigging Is Legal… Usually

44:33 - Grilled Frog Legs Recipe

47:15 - The Worst Meat Ever

49:35 - You Can’t Freeze Your Fish And Eat It Too

50:50 - Vinegar And Motor Oil Deer Steak 

52:28 - BEST Advice For Cooking Game

56:46 - Dry Aging Your Meat

59:52 - The Guys Will Be Back Soon…