Southern U

By Okayest Podcast NetworkSports Wilderness

Southern U episodes

September 24 EP 79 : The Mental Side Of Bowhunting with Allen Connor
What happens when a world champion archer steps off the tournament range and into the deer woods?
In this episode of Southern U, we sit down with a national and world champion archer—and avid bowhunter—to talk about the human side of bowhunting.
With archery season right around the corner in Alabama, we dive into what it really takes to be ready when that one opportunity finally presents itself. We talk preseason practice, building confidence with your bow, arrow and broadhead selection, realistic hunting distances, shot discipline, and how tournament-level shooting translates to hunting situations.
But being accurate on a target is only part of the equation.
We also get into the mental side of bowhunting: controlling nerves, dealing with adrenaline, making good decisions under pressure, knowing when to take a shot—and having the discipline to let down when the shot isn't right.
How do you prepare for a moment that's almost impossible to recreate in practice? Does a world champion still get nervous when a mature buck walks into bow range? And what's the difference between being capable of making a shot and knowing you should take it?
Whether you're a lifelong bowhunter or preparing for your first archery season, this conversation is about becoming a better, more confident, and more disciplined hunter when it matters most.
Subscribe to Southern U for more conversations about bowhunting, whitetails, wildlife habitat, land management, and life outdoors across the South.
#Bowhunting #Archery #WhitetailHunting #DeerHunting #AlabamaHunting #SouthernU #BowHunter #WhitetailDeer

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1 hr 39 min
September 10 Early Season Isn't The Same Everywhere: Bowhunting The Southeast with Parker McDonald
Early season bowhunting looks a lot different depending on where you hunt in the Southeast.
In this episode of Southern U, we sit down with a seasoned bowhunter to break down how opening dates, weather, food sources, and terrain can completely change your approach to hunting mature whitetails.
From early-opening states where bucks may still be holding onto summer patterns to later openers where bachelor groups have broken up and food sources are changing, we talk about how to recognize the window you're hunting—and adjust accordingly.
We also dig into hunting different types of Southern ground, including agricultural fields, hardwoods, pine plantations, cutovers, river bottoms, and hill country. Where should you start? How aggressive should you be? And when you've located a mature buck, how do you know when it's time to make your move?
Along the way, our guest shares lessons learned from years of bowhunting and the stories behind some of the mature bucks he's been fortunate enough to put on the wall.
If you're chasing whitetails anywhere in the Southeast this fall, this one's for you.
Subscribe to Southern U for more conversations about hunting, land management, wildlife habitat, farming, and rural life across the South.
#Bowhunting #WhitetailHunting #DeerHunting #EarlySeason #SouthernU #LandManagement #WhitetailDeer #SoutheasternHunting

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1 hr 30 min
August 27EP 77: Beyond The Photo (Successful Trail Camera Scouting with Brian Dunn)
Can a trail camera do more than just capture photos?
Brian Dunn of Wise Eye Technology joins the show to talk about how trail cameras have transformed deer scouting and what hunters can do to get more useful information from every camera they hang. We cover camera placement, patterning mature bucks, minimizing hunting pressure, common scouting mistakes, and how AI is shaping the future of trail camera technology.
Whether you're getting ready for deer season or looking to improve your scouting strategy, this episode is packed with practical tips that can help you make better decisions in the woods.
In this episode:
Best trail camera placement strategies

How to pattern mature bucks

Common trail camera mistakes

Cellular trail cameras and hunting pressure

The future of AI in deer scouting
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and let us know your favorite trail camera tip in the comments.
#TrailCameras #DeerHunting #Whitetail #WiseEye #Scouting #HuntingPodcast

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1 hr 40 min
August 13 EP 76: Aporkalypse Round Table
Welcome to Aporkalypse 2026.
In this special episode of the Southern U Podcast, we loaded up with our friends from Tethrd, First South Farm Credit, and WiseEye Technologies and headed to South Alabama for a late-summer feral hog hunt. With the number of wild hogs we expected to encounter, the trip earned a fitting nickname before we ever arrived: Aporkalypse 2026.
But this episode is about much more than pulling the trigger.
Around the truck, at the lodge, and over great meals, we dive into the conversations that define Southern hunting culture. We talk about chasing feral swine, the challenges they create for landowners, conservation, hunting traditions, good food, and the friendships that are built when people spend time outdoors together.
This is what Southern U is all about—bringing together hunters, land managers, industry partners, and storytellers to celebrate the people, places, and traditions that make the South special.
Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a landowner battling hogs, or someone who simply enjoys authentic stories from the outdoors, we think you'll feel right at home.
In this episode:
A late-summer South Alabama feral hog hunt
Why we dubbed the trip "Aporkalypse 2026"
Hunting with friends from Tethrd, First South Farm Credit, and WiseEye Technologies
Southern food, culture, and campfire conversations
The impact of feral hogs on farms, wildlife, and land management
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with a hunting buddy.
#SouthernUPodcast #Aporkalypse2026 #FeralHogs #HogHunting #Alabama #SouthernHunting #Tethrd #WiseEye #FirstSouthFarmCredit #Conservation #Outdoors #HuntingPodcast

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1 hr 31 min
July 30 EP 75: Open Fields Doctrine Debate
The Open Fields Doctrine has sparked passionate debate across the country. Supporters say it's an essential tool for protecting wildlife and stopping poaching. Critics argue it infringes on private property rights and the Fourth Amendment.
In this episode, we hear directly from a former conservation officer who spent years enforcing wildlife laws in the field. She shares real-world experiences, clears up common misconceptions, and weighs in on the legal challenges that could reshape conservation law in the Southeast.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about hunting, conservation, constitutional rights, and the outdoors, don't miss this episode.
Subscribe for more conversations about hunting, wildlife conservation, outdoor policy, and the people working to protect our natural resources.

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1 hr 23 min
July 16 EP 74: Inside A Habitat Consultation
Every great wildlife property starts with a plan—but what does that process actually look like?
In this episode of the Southern U Podcast, four wildlife biologists take you behind the scenes of a property consultation and explain how they develop a customized wildlife management plan for landowners.
From the very first conversation, the focus is on understanding the landowner's goals. Are they managing for trophy whitetails, wild turkeys, quail, waterfowl, or simply improving the overall health of their property? The biologists discuss how a property's location, habitat, acreage, existing resources, and budget all influence the recommendations they make.
They also break down the realistic financial investment and long-term commitment often required to achieve meaningful results, helping landowners understand what to expect before work ever begins.
Whether you're considering a consultation for your own property or you're simply interested in learning how professional wildlife management decisions are made, this episode offers valuable insight into the science and strategy behind building a successful management plan.
**In this episode you'll learn:**
* What biologists evaluate during an initial property consultation
* Why clearly defining your goals is the foundation of every management plan
* How location, habitat, and property size shape recommendations
* What improvements may be needed to achieve your objectives
* How to think about budgeting and long-term investments in wildlife management
* Why every property requires a customized approach
If you've ever wondered what happens after you make that first call to a wildlife biologist, this episode answers the questions every landowner should ask before beginning their habitat improvement journey.

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59 min
July 02 EP 73: Archery Season Prep
The dog days of summer are here. It's hot, humid, and the mosquitoes seem to have a personal vendetta against you. But while most hunters are thinking about staying cool, the serious ones are already preparing for fall. Getting yourself ready—physically, mentally, and behind the bow—can be the difference between filling the freezer and watching opportunities walk away. Let's talk about getting ready for bow season in the South.

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1 hr 30 min
June 18 EP 72: Ranting and Raving 2.0
We went all over the place in this one. We covered dove season planting, how snakes are generally misunderstood by outdoorsmen, The World Deer Expo, and whole lot more. We tried to keep it from going off the rails, but we can't make any promises.

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1 hr 10 min
June 04 EP 71: Story Time "Hunting Stories From the Field"
Sometimes the best conversations happen when there's no agenda.
In this episode of Southern U, we're swapping notes, reliving memories, and sharing some of our favorite hunting stories from years spent in the woods. From close calls and missed opportunities to unforgettable hunts and lessons learned along the way, this episode is all about the experiences that keep us coming back season after season.
Whether you're driving to work, headed to the farm, or sitting in a deer stand, pull up a chair and join us for a good old-fashioned storytelling session.
What's the best hunting story you've ever been a part of? Drop it in the comments—we'd love to hear it.
#southernu #huntingstories #whitetaildeerhunting #turkeyhunting #duckhunting #outdoors #HuntingPodcast #southernlifestyle #conservation #storytime

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1 hr 41 min
May 21 EP 70: Depredation Permits "Who Qualifies and How To Get One"
Depredation permits are one of the most misunderstood tools in wildlife management — especially here in the Southeast.
In this episode, we sit down with two wildlife biologists to break down what depredation permits really are, why they exist, and how they impact landowners, farmers, hunters, and conservation efforts across the region.
We cover:
• The science behind wildlife population control
• Feral hogs, predators, deer, and nuisance species
• How permits are issued and regulated
• Common misconceptions surrounding wildlife management
• The balance between conservation and protecting property
• Ethical questions surrounding depredation practices
• The future of wildlife management in the Southeast
Whether you’re a hunter, landowner, outdoorsman, conservationist, or just curious about how wildlife policy actually works, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the realities biologists face every day.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy conversations about wildlife, conservation, hunting culture, and land stewardship.
#WildlifeManagement #DepredationPermit #Conservation #FeralHogs #Hunting #WildlifeBiology #LandManagement #Outdoors #SoutheastHunting #ConservationTalk

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1 hr 12 min

About Southern U

From the publisher's feed

Southern U seeks to provide knowledge and education for all things land related. Big deer, fish, timber, and crops all start with being good stewards of the land.