Travis Lee, an experienced whitetail hunter in Alabama, defines the pre-rut, when bucks start splitting up, working scrapes, and searching for does. He emphasizes the importance of hunting during cold front days, as bucks will often move to green food sources on those days. Travis also discusses the value of using trail cameras to pattern mature bucks and their bedding areas. He is not as focused on scrapes as he is on finding big rubs near bedding areas.

The group also discusses the use of calls and scents during the pre-rut. Travis has had success with using a snort-wheeze call to attract mature bucks, while he is more cautious about using rattling and scents, as he wants to avoid pressuring the deer too much. The conversation highlights the importance of managing hunting pressure, especially on private or leased land, to maximize success during the pre-rut period.

On this episode, we discuss strategies for providing year-round hard and soft mast production on hunting properties to attract and hold wildlife with Iain Wallace from Chestnut Hill Outdoors. The hosts cover the current deer season and challenges with food plots, then dive into the benefits of growing oak trees and other fruit-bearing plants to create a diverse, reliable food source. Iain shares insights on a variety of adaptable fruit tree options for the South, including timing of production, planting best practices, and the advantages of grafted trees. The conversation explores how establishing diverse orchards can increase wildlife attraction and property value, while also providing enjoyment for landowners and their families. Key takeaways include the importance of planning, selecting the right species for the region, protecting young trees, and leveraging grafted varieties to accelerate fruit production. The hosts conclude by highlighting available resources and their vision for creating a true "Garden of Eden" on hunting properties.

The podcast discusses the importance of estate planning for landowners, particularly those with timber or recreational land. The guests, Jeffrey Winick and Scott Pugh from Regions Private Wealth Management, provide insights on the essential elements of an estate plan, including wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations. They emphasize the need for open communication with family members to understand their preferences and avoid potential disputes over the land.

The conversation highlights the challenges of fractional ownership, where land is divided among multiple heirs, and the importance of having a clear management plan to maintain the property's value and sustainability. The guests suggest creative solutions, such as first right of refusal and equalizing assets, to address these issues.

The discussion also covers the cost-benefit analysis of estate planning, noting that while the upfront cost may seem high, the long-term benefits of a well-crafted plan can outweigh the expenses. The guests encourage listeners to work with a team of professionals, including financial planners, CPAs, and estate planning attorneys, to ensure a comprehensive and effective estate plan.

Overall, the podcast emphasizes the critical role of estate planning in preserving the legacy and management of landowners' properties, particularly for those with timber or recreational land. The guests provide valuable insights and guidance to help listeners navigate the complexities of estate planning and ensure their wishes are carried out: This information is general in nature and is not intended to be legal, tax, or financial advice. Although Regions believes this information to be accurate, it cannot ensure that it will remain up to date. Statements or opinions of individuals referenced herein are their own—not Regions'. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and irs.gov for current tax rules. Regions, the Regions logo, and the LifeGreen bike are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank. This information is general education or marketing in nature and is not intended to be accounting, legal, tax, investment or financial advice. Statements of individuals are their own—not Regions’. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation.

This podcast is intended for educational and marketing purposes only.

On this week's episode of Huntin' Land we are joined by Iain Wallace from Chestnut Hill Outdoors who provides detailed advice on when and how to harvest acorns, the best methods for germinating and growing oak seedlings, and tips for protecting young trees from deer and other pests. The conversation focuses on how to successfully harvest acorns and plant oak trees to provide a year-round food source for wildlife. The hosts discuss the importance of having a variety of oak species that drop at different times to keep animals on the property throughout the year. Key topics include the differences between white, red, and swamp oak varieties, the benefits of planting a mix of species, and strategies for establishing new oak stands in both upland and bottomland areas. We also explore the advantages of purchasing pre-grown oak seedlings versus propagating from seed. Overall, the discussion offers a comprehensive guide for landowners looking to enhance their property's wildlife habitat through oak tree cultivation.

This episode of Huntin' Land features an interview with Luke Gerhart, founder of Gerhart Outdoors. Luke shares how he started his business helping people experience the outdoors in remote locations around the world after a disappointing elk hunt early in his career. He discusses how international hunting trips can directly support conservation efforts and local economies in places like Africa and New Zealand. Luke emphasizes the importance of vetting outfitters to ensure clients have a positive experience. The conversation also covers the personal memories and excitement that come with hunting abroad, as well as how Gerhart Outdoors partners with conservation groups like Delta Waterfowl to raise funds for their missions. Overall, the episode provides insights into the logistics, benefits, and personal rewards of international hunting trips.

In this episode, Joe Baya and co-host Butch Thierry dive into the fascinating world of deer vision with Gino D'Angelo, an Associate Professor of Deer Ecology and Management. The discussion centers on how deer perceive their environment and what hunters can do to optimize their camouflage and stand placement. Gino shares insights from his extensive research at the University of Georgia, explaining how deer see differently than humans, particularly in low light and with UV perception. The episode also covers practical tips for hunters on movement, color and pattern selection, and the importance of backdrop in concealment. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just starting out, this episode offers valuable information to enhance your hunting strategy.

On this episode we interview Gino D'Angelo, Associate Professor of Deer Ecology and Management at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. Gino discusses the latest deer vision research. D'Angelo explains how deer have superior night vision and can see in the UV spectrum, but have limited color perception compared to humans. This impacts how deer perceive movement, contrast, and camouflage. The research shows deer have a very wide field of view, around 300 degrees, and poor depth perception. This means hunters need to focus on breaking up their outline and matching their background, rather than just the color of their camouflage. Elevation, sun position, and minimizing movement are also critical for effective deer stand placement. Gino shares advice for students interested in pursuing careers in natural resource management fields like wildlife biology. Overall, the discussion provides valuable insights for hunters to improve their deer hunting strategies based on the latest deer vision science.

On this episode, we discuss the upcoming deer hunting season and getting ready for it. We interview Zach Clark from Big & J Attractants to talk about using deer attractants effectively. Zach shares his background in marketing and sales at the company, as well as his own lifelong experience as a deer hunter.

Zach explains the importance of using nutritional attractants rather than just empty calories like corn. He highlights Big & J's focus on deer nutrition, with a team of PhD nutritionists formulating their products. Zach advises against just dumping out large piles of attractant, and instead suggests starting small and letting deer get accustomed to the new scent. He also recommends mixing attractants with corn to slow down consumption.

The discussion covers common mistakes people make with attractants, the seasonality of different products, and dealing with non-target species like raccoons. Zach emphasizes that attractants are not a silver bullet, and that proper hunting strategy and scouting are still essential. Overall, the podcast provides useful tips for effectively using deer attractants as part of a comprehensive hunting approach.

This podcast discusses the safety and gear considerations of saddle hunting. Van Wilkes, co-owner of Hang Free, provides in-depth advice on selecting safe and reliable saddle hunting equipment. He emphasizes the importance of using gear from reputable manufacturers, properly inspecting and maintaining equipment, and avoiding homemade or modified components. Nick Williams, an experienced saddle hunter, explains how he got into the sport to hunt public land more efficiently. Van covers topics like carabiners, ropes, friction hitches, and ascenders, stressing the need to follow manufacturer guidelines. He also advises new saddle hunters to take a slow, methodical approach when setting up and climbing to prioritize safety over speed. Overall, the discussion highlights the technical aspects of saddle hunting gear and the precautions necessary to hunt safely from a tree.

On this episode of Huntin’ Land we talk with Jake Spears of Ducks Unlimited about Waterfowl Impoundment Planning for Landowners. We discuss the feasibility of creating waterfowl impoundments on recreational properties, even in areas not known as major waterfowl flyways. Clint Flowers emphasizes the importance of managing impoundments well and documenting their productivity to increase property value. The guests explore factors to consider when selecting a site, including choosing low-lying areas prone to natural flooding that are attractive to ducks. Jake advises an ideal impoundment size of 20-30 acres, with multiple smaller impoundments often better than one large one. He stresses the critical role of water control structures to fine-tune water levels. Maintenance and managing natural vegetation are key, as is working with conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited to access expertise and potential cost-share programs. The guests share inspiring success stories of revitalizing old impoundments and creating new ones that attract significant waterfowl. They encourage landowners to reach out to local experts to assess feasibility and develop a plan, while setting realistic long-term expectations for these projects. The overall focus is on providing valuable waterfowl habitat, not just creating a private hunting spot.