For many, early season hunting starts with high hopes, only to end in the disappointment of empty fields and fading daylight. But with the right design, food sources, and setups, your property can stand out in those crucial first weeks of the season.

In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh and Sam dig into what makes a stellar early season property. From shaded summer bedding cover to strategic waterholes and low-pressure stand locations, they walk through the key features that give hunters consistent early season opportunities.

Whether you’re hunting big ag or big timber country, this episode will help you see your land with fresh eyes and set it up for success when those September and October hunts roll around.

Ready to take the next step on your property? Visit WhitetailPartners.com for free resources and to schedule your initial consultation.

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As deer season approaches, it’s easy to feel like you’ve run out of time. But the truth is, there are still critical steps you can take right now to make this season more successful. In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh and Sam break down five last-minute deer chores that actually move the needle.

If you’ve got habitat or hunting questions of your own, head over to whitetailpartners.com and reach out through our contact page. We’d love to help you prioritize your next steps and set you up for success.

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Every year, well-intentioned hunters and land managers pour time, sweat, and money into food plots only to watch them struggle or fail. In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., we break down the most common reasons food plots underperform and the steps you can take to avoid the mistakes. From soil prep mistakes to poor seed selection and timing errors, this episode is full of actionable tips to help you grow vibrant, attractive food plots.

If you’re ready to stop guessing with your food plots and start seeing real results, head over to WhitetailPartners.com and get in touch!

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In this episode, we’re breaking down the whitetail habitat plan for Greg’s personal property in Ohio. This one’s a little different—Greg isn’t just a landowner, he’s also part of the Whitetail Partners Network. That means the expectations were high, the goals were personal, and the design had to deliver on all fronts: hunting strategy, wildlife habitat, and year-round usability for Greg and his family.

We walk through the layout of the land, discuss the key challenges it presented, and share how he approached bedding, access, food plots, and stand placement with a long-term vision in mind. You’ll hear why Greg’s Ohio property became a blueprint for balancing personal hunting preferences with proven design principles—and how he's phasing the implementation to make it realistic and efficient.

Whether you're managing your own land or just love learning how great hunting properties come together, this episode gives you a detailed look at the process, priorities, and decisions that shaped Greg’s whitetail setup.

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On this episode of the Design. Build. Hunt. podcast, host Josh Raley is joined once again by Whitetail Partners founder Sam Bilhorn for a deep dive into a real client property design—one that blends smart planning, custom goals, and phased implementation.

Josh and Sam walk through a 120-acre Wisconsin property, discussing its strong mix of ag land, diverse cover, and a tornado-altered ravine that provides outstanding whitetail habitat. This design highlights what it looks like when a landowner wants to partner on the process—taking on some of the work while letting the Whitetail Partners team handle the rest. It’s a great example of how we phase improvements, keep things budget-conscious, and stay aligned with the landowner’s unique goals.

Whether you’re managing your own property or just curious about how we approach a real design, this episode is full of takeaways for hunters, landowners, and DIY habitat managers alike.

Want your own property tailored for deer movement, hunter access, and long-term success?

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This week on Design. Build. Hunt., Josh is joined by Tim Kaiser to tackle a question that’s been stirring debate: are water holes overrated? With some consultants saying to skip them and others swearing by them, we break down when—and where—they really matter. From construction tips and placement strategies to runoff considerations and common mistakes, this episode is packed with great info.

If you’re thinking about adding water to your whitetail design—or want to fix an underperforming setup—this conversation is for you.

If you're thinking about adding a water hole or improving one that’s underperforming, we’d love to help you get it right the first time. Visit www.whitetailpartners.com to schedule a consultation, check out more habitat resources, or reach out with your questions.

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In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh and Tim Menoher dive into one of the most overlooked yet impactful areas on a property when it comes to habitat management—field edges. They unpack how a sharp edge between open ground and timber can limit deer use and how subtle improvements like edge feathering, native browse regeneration, and strip disking can transform these dead zones into dynamic habitat features.

Learn why edge diversity matters, what mistakes to avoid, and how to time and scale your improvements for maximum benefit. Whether you're managing an ag field, a food plot, or an open clearing, this conversation offers practical fixes you can implement now to shape better deer movement come fall.

If you're ready to take your proeprty to the next level, head over to whitetailpartners.com and get in touch.

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You can have the best food plots, bedding cover, and stand locations—but if your access is wrong, it won’t matter. In this episode, Josh Raley and Sam Bilhorn dig into the hidden cost of poor entry and exit strategies. Learn how to recognize when your access is hurting your hunts and what changes you can make this summer to fix it—before deer season is here.

What You’ll Learn:

👉 Need help dialing in your access?

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You’ve got your whitetail habitat plan in hand—now what? In this episode, Josh is joined by Sam Bilhorn to walk through how landowners can move from vision to execution. They break down how to prioritize summer tasks, stay on track with implementation, and avoid the common trap of doing a little bit of everything with no real impact. Whether your plan is brand new or a few years old, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to take meaningful steps this season.

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Understanding what’s possible on your hunting property is the key to long-term success. In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., host Josh Raley is joined by Brenon Maynard from Whitetail Partners New York to discuss hunter expectations. They dive into the realities of land management, how to set achievable goals based on your area’s potential, and why managing your expectations leads to a more rewarding hunting experience. Whether you’re looking to buy land or improve the property you already own, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you make informed decisions.

Thinking about buying hunting land or optimizing your property for better results? Visit www.whitetailpartners.com to learn how our expert consultants can help you design, build, and hunt more effectively!

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