We continue our discussions of predator impacts on deer herds with Dr. Marcus Lashley, a researcher in the MSU Deer Lab. Marcus will discuss a study he recently completed in North Carolina where coyotes were undoubtedly limiting the deer population by reducing fawn survival. He has some valuable information about habitat management to improve fawn survival. Also, he will tell the audience how to avoid an "ecological trap" when improving fawning cover to reduce coyote impacts. Last but not least, wait until you hear how far a coyote can travel! then information WILL impact coyote trapping effectiveness.

Coyotes and other predators are routinely blamed for reduced deer sightings and deer population declines. But how do you know if predators are really problem where you hunt? In this episode we review the most recent scientific studies to inform you about potential predator impacts, and what to do about it.

In the second episode on culling we discuss a form of selective buck harvest that is rarely practiced for the right reason. We call this strategy "managing the standing crop of bucks." For most people, this is the only form of culling, or selective harvest, that will have any positive impact on your deer population.

Ever heard this? "I killed that buck to get him out of the gene pool." Or, "That buck has bad genetics, and I don't want him breeding." We hear these statements all too often. On this episode we will explain the why and how of culling. When can you make progress, and when you can't.

Who's your daddy? In the first technical episode, we explain buck breeding success. There are so many misconceptions about which bucks do the breeding. For years, biologists and hunters alike thought the old, mature buck did all the breeding; then, DNA testing came along. We will bring you up to speed on the latest research and tell you how this information may affect your management program.

In this first episode, we explain what the Deer University podcast is all about. What topics will be covered in subsequent episodes and who will benefit from listening. We will also tell the audience a little about our backgrounds and how we got to Mississippi State University.