Huntin' Land Podcast

This week on Huntin’ Land, Joe Baya talks with Jody Thrasher, an Alabama landowner, conservationist, and Alabama Wildlife Federation Land Conservationist of the Year, about restoring longleaf pine without clearcutting.

Jody manages land along Hatchet Creek in Coosa County, where he has used thinning, prescribed fire, conservation easements, cost-share programs, and longleaf restoration to improve wildlife habitat, protect water quality, and bring back a more open, fire-maintained woodland.

The conversation centers on a question many Southern landowners are asking: can you transition an existing pine stand back toward longleaf without wiping the slate clean?

Jody explains how his approach has included clearcuts in some areas, but also heavy “quail cuts,” savanna-style thinning, underplanting longleaf beneath remaining canopy trees, and keeping older longleaf, shortleaf, oak, and hickory where they fit the site. He and Joe also discuss the difference between managing for maximum timber return and managing for wildlife, family enjoyment, hunting, aesthetics, and long-term stewardship.

The episode also explores prescribed fire, NRCS cost-share programs, conservation easements, no-till food plots, native plant diversity, and why good wildlife habitat often looks messier than landowners expect. Quail, turkeys, and deer may respond better to diverse, open structure than to a manicured property.

The takeaway is that longleaf restoration does not always require a clearcut. The right approach depends on the property, existing timber, terrain, fire access, and the landowner’s goals.

Sponsors

Southern Seed and Feed

Deep South Crane Rentals

Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

First South Farm Credit

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This week on Huntin’ Land, Joe Baya and Butch Thierry talk with Ian from Chestnut Hill about fall tree planting, common mistakes landowners make, and how to build a better long-term food source for wildlife and family use. The conversation starts with one of the biggest mistakes of all: waiting too long. Ian explains that many landowners put off planting trees because the project feels intimidating, only to realize three or four years later that they could already be seeing fruit, nuts, and wildlife activity if they had started earlier.

The discussion covers how to choose the right trees for your region, including why USDA growing zones, chill hours, native varieties, and proper site selection matter so much. Ian explains the difference between planting improved grafted fruit trees for family harvest and planting hardier wildlife-focused trees like Dunstan chestnuts, American persimmons, native crabapples, mulberries, and native plums. The group also talks through the frustration of planting the wrong variety, waiting years, and then realizing it may never produce where you live.

Joe and Butch also share lessons from their own tree-planting mistakes, including running over young trees with tractors and bush hogs, planting in rows that were hard to maintain, losing sight of grow tubes in tall summer vegetation, and learning the value of planting clusters or orchard-style “sweet spots” around food plots. Ian explains that some tree loss is normal, but landowners can greatly improve success by staying focused on the basics: consistent water, weed control, tree protection, good planting sites, and fertilizer.

The episode also digs into practical details for remote landowners, including how to water young trees, how much water different tree sizes need, how to avoid air pockets when planting, how weed mats protect young trees from competition, when to use grow tubes or cages, and why fall planting gives trees time to establish roots before summer heat arrives. Ian also explains how to tell whether a stressed tree is truly dead, why brown leaves do not always mean failure, and how a tree can sometimes regrow from a healthy root system.

By the end, the episode makes tree planting feel less intimidating and more doable. Whether a landowner wants chestnuts for deer, fruit for the family, better wildlife habitat, or a long-term mast source that improves the property for decades, the core message is simple: pick the right trees, protect them, water them, and get started sooner rather than later.

Sponsors

Southern Seed and Feed

Deep South Crane Rentals

Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This week on Huntin’ Land, Joe Baya and Butch Thierry talk with Justin Ballard of Paragon Aerial Solutions about what he has learned after drone surveying roughly 192,000 acres of deer habitat in one season.

Justin breaks down several major lessons from the drone survey data, including how often mature bucks and high deer concentrations show up in thinned, burned pine plantations with good understory rather than in the places many hunters assume deer should be. He also explains why landowners often overestimate their deer numbers, why buck-to-doe ratios are commonly more out of balance than people realize, and why properties that shoot more deer and keep the herd within the land’s carrying capacity tend to produce better mature bucks.

The episode also covers the importance of sanctuary areas, low-pressure access, bedding cover, food, and overall stress reduction. Justin explains that true sanctuaries—areas landowners rarely or never enter—consistently hold relaxed deer, and that even small or unintentional sanctuaries can make a noticeable difference. The group also discusses predator pressure, rut behavior, neighboring landowners working together, mature bucks with small home ranges, and how drone surveys can help confirm whether a target buck is still using a property.

To close the show, Justin explains how Paragon is also using lidar mapping for duck properties, flooded timber, levee planning, pond work, and water-control decisions. By creating bare-earth models and flood simulations, landowners can see where water will go, how deep it will be, and where levees or duck holes should be placed before spending money on construction. The episode is ultimately a practical look at how better data can help landowners stop guessing, make better management decisions, and leave their property better than they found it.

Sponsors

First South Farm Credit

Southern Seed and Feed

Deep South Crane Rentals

Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

Inherited land can come with emotional weight, family pressure, and a lot of confusion about taxes. In this episode of Huntin’ Land, Joe Baya and Clint Flowers of National Land Realty break down what actually happens when someone inherits land and decides to sell it.

The key question is simple: If you sell inherited land, do you owe taxes? The answer depends on your basis, how the land was transferred, and whether the sale price exceeds that basis. Clint explains the difference between land gifted before death and land inherited after death, including why a stepped-up basis can save heirs from paying taxes on value that existed at the time they inherited the property. He also explains why waiting years to sell can create taxable gain only on the appreciation after inheritance, not the full sale price.

Joe and Clint also cover common mistakes heirs make, including assuming they have zero basis because they didn’t personally pay for the land, failing to establish an accurate historical value, neglecting the property while delaying a sale, and overlooking expenses that may reduce taxable gain. They also discuss when a 1031 exchange can help heirs sell inherited land and roll the proceeds into another investment property, such as a different farm, commercial property, or even a beach condo.

This episode is especially useful for families trying to decide whether to keep inherited property, sell it, or turn it into something that better fits their lives. As Clint points out, good communication, proper valuation, and early conversations with tax and land professionals can make a major difference in how much money families keep and how smoothly the process goes.

Sponsors

First South Farm Credit

Southern Seed and Feed

Deep South Crane Rentals

Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This week on Huntin’ Land, Joe Baya and Clint Flowers of National Land Realty break down the tax advantages of owning land, with a focus on timberland, farm property, recreational land, conservation easements, equipment deductions, and long-term estate planning. The episode is not meant as legal or tax advice, but as a practical guide to the questions landowners should be asking their CPA, attorney, forester, and land professional before tax season.

Joe and Clint start with one of the biggest overlooked advantages of timberland ownership: timber basis. Clint explains why timber income may not be taxable until a landowner has depleted the basis established when the property was purchased, and why a timber cruise, basis letter, or historical appraisal can help landowners avoid paying taxes they may not actually owe. They also discuss how consulting forester fees, property taxes, mileage, farm expenses, equipment, UTVs, tractors, roads, gates, culverts, food plots, cameras, and other legitimate land-management costs may fit into a landowner’s tax picture.

The conversation also covers larger planning tools, including Section 179 equipment deductions, Section 180 soil fertility deductions, cost-share income from programs like EQIP, carbon credit income, conservation easements, working forest easements, 1031 exchanges, reverse 1031 exchanges, and step-up in basis for inherited land. Clint explains how these tools can help landowners reduce taxable income, protect family land, reinvest into better property, or transition from large recreational acreage into other income-producing real estate. The episode closes with a reminder that good tax planning starts before year-end, and that landowners should work with professionals who understand both real estate investment and the specific tax issues tied to timber, farms, and recreational property.

Sponsors

First South Farm Credit

Southern Seed and Feed

Deep South Crane Rentals

Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This week on Huntin’ Land, Joe Baya talks with James Craft of Backwoods Buildings and Truss about a question many landowners eventually face: how to build a practical hunting camp or farm structure without overbuilding the property. Using Joe’s own farm as the starting point, the conversation breaks down whether it makes sense to build a pole barn now and convert it into a cabin or barndominium later. James explains where that idea can work, where it can get expensive, and why landowners need to start with the end goal in mind. He covers the difference between basic agricultural pole barns and livable structures, including engineering, wind ratings, sheathing, post size, treated posts, slabs, wet-set brackets, roof height, lean-tos, utilities, insulation, moisture control, and long-term flexibility. The episode is a practical guide for hunters and rural landowners who want a barn, cabin, camp, or future residence on their property, but want to make smart decisions before pouring concrete, setting posts, or buying a kit.

SPONSORS

First South Farm Credit

Southern Seed and Feed

Deep South Crane Rentals

Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This week on the Huntin’ Land Podcast, Joe Baya and Butch Thierry sit down with Dustin Harding and Keegan Williams of Athlon Optics to make thermal scopes a whole lot less confusing for hunters who are thinking about getting into nighttime predator or hog control.

The conversation breaks down what all those numbers actually mean, including sensor resolution, display resolution, detection range, recognition range, field of view, magnification, battery life, clip-on thermals, thermal monoculars, and laser rangefinders. Dustin and Keegan explain how hunters should think about matching a thermal optic to their real hunting situation, whether that means close-range work around a camp, scanning timber and food plots for hogs, calling coyotes, or stretching shots across bigger fields and clearcuts. They also dig into why humidity, terrain, target identification, and ethical shot distance matter when choosing between entry-level and higher-end thermal options.

For landowners dealing with pigs, coyotes, raccoons, or other problem animals, this episode is a practical guide to picking the right tool without getting lost in the technical jargon.

SPONSORS

First South Farm Credit

Deep South Cranes

Dixie Supply/Baker Metalworks

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This episode of Huntin' Land Podcast takes a hard look at one of the most misunderstood ideas in land management: sometimes the best way to grow more wildlife is to have fewer trees. Dr. Richard Cristan of Auburn University College of Forestry Wildlife and Environment breaks down timber stand improvement in plain terms, showing how thinning, clear cuts, and targeted tree removal can dramatically increase habitat quality without sacrificing long-term timber value.

The conversation challenges that gut reaction a lot of landowners have—walking into a thick, beautiful stand of timber and thinking it’s perfect as-is. In reality, those closed-canopy woods are often biological deserts, with little food or cover for wildlife. Cristan explains how sunlight is the real driver of habitat, and how practices like thinning and crop tree release create the kind of understory that deer, turkeys, and other species actually need.

Along the way, the episode gets practical. There’s a clear breakdown of what timber stand improvement actually is, how it differs from commercial thinning, and how landowners can start making decisions without overcomplicating things. They dig into real-world tactics like hack-and-squirt, herbicide selection, and managing hardwood stands without wrecking future value. The big takeaway is that timber and wildlife goals don’t have to compete—you just have to manage with intention instead of assumption.

SPONSORS

First South Farm Credit

Deep South Cranes

Dixie Supply/Baker Metalworks

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This episode of Huntin' Land Podcast sits down with Dr. Portia Fulford for a deeply personal look at what it really means to own and steward land over the long term. Her journey starts with a 250-acre worn-out cotton farm in Alabama’s Black Belt and evolves into something much bigger—a shift from production-focused agriculture to a relationship-driven approach centered on restoration, sustainability, and generational impact.

Fulford talks openly about early mistakes, including chasing conventional “expert” advice that prioritized output over stewardship, and the hard lessons that followed. What emerges is a philosophy rooted in listening—to the land, to those who knew it before her, and to the deeper rhythms that govern it. She explains how that shift led her toward long-term forestry, carbon programs, and a more holistic model where profit becomes a byproduct of doing things right, not the sole objective.

Along the way, the conversation explores the tension between modern economic pressures and traditional land-based values, the importance of mentorship over expertise, and the challenge of building a life that is both financially viable and deeply connected to place. At its core, this episode isn’t just about land ownership—it’s about redefining success, prioritizing family, and thinking in terms of decades instead of seasons.

SPONSORS

First South Farm Credit

Deep South Cranes

Dixie Supply/Baker Metalworks

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty

This episode of the Huntin’ Land Podcast zeroes in on a question most landowners eventually face: how to control weeds without constantly starting over on food plots. Joe Baya and Clint Flowers set the stage with real-world problems—like battling dog fennel and managing clover stands—before bringing in weed science expert David Russell to help make sense of it all.

Russell reframes the conversation early by challenging the idea that all weeds are bad. Instead, he emphasizes that a “weed” is just a plant out of place, and whether it needs to be controlled depends entirely on your goals for the property. From there, the discussion walks through the main options—mechanical methods like mowing and disking versus chemical control—and why herbicides, when used correctly, can offer a more precise way to remove problem plants without wiping out everything else .

The most practical takeaway is learning how to think about herbicides as tools rather than something to avoid. The group breaks down the difference between selective and non-selective options and highlights common use cases, like using clethodim to remove grasses from clover or 2,4-DB to target certain broadleaf weeds. Timing and plant biology come up repeatedly as critical factors—getting those wrong can make even the right product ineffective .

By the end, the message is clear: food plots don’t need to look perfect to be effective, and you don’t have to start from scratch every season. With the right approach—and a little help from local experts—landowners can manage weeds more efficiently while improving habitat over time.

SPONSORS

First South Farm Credit

Deep South Cranes

Dixie Supply/Baker Metalworks

Chemical Warehouse

Texas Hunter

Black Buffalo

National Land Realty