While economic development and community growth is generally good for the population, the local economy, politicians, and quality of life in general, there is always a cost to nature and wildlife. These losses remind of how important it is to manage and protect the land and wildlife where you can. Also it is a reminder that habitat loss creates scarcity, which drives up the value in recreational land. Florida is arguably one of the clearest examples of urban encroachment destroying wildlife habitat, particularly of the Osceola turkey.

Drones are everywhere, and while some still see them as toys there are some real advantages to them. Our own Brent Lochala has been flying drones for over 10 years and has an FAA part 107 license to operate them commercially. We get into some uses for them for owners and managers, some you are aware of and some you may not have thought of. From deer herd analysis, progression monitoring, flood control and drainage, to pine beetle damage survey, there are great uses for these unmanned aerial vehicles. But as we know, this technology has potential to push the envelope on hunter ethics.

The use of technology and tactics that create a perceived advantage, or shortcut, is one of the most divisive things in the hunting community. It's in every aspect of it whether it is baiting for deer or reaping turkeys. Technology such as cellular enabled game cameras and thermal drones have brought it another level. The use of live scopes for crappie fishing is a great example of that. These tools, in my opinion, make it even more important for us outdoorsmen and conservationists to self regulate in the best interest of the resource. Our good friend and the giver of Woodsman badges, Lennis Crimm joined us to talk about this. He is a lifelong and very accomplished fisherman. Enjoy

Whether you are planning your summer food plots, picking up sheds, or calculating your cost per pound in venison, just about everything in hunting and habitat management comes back to numbers. This is something that we always come back to in our discussions about whatever project we are working on, so we bet that you have too. While at first it can seem to complicate things, especially if math isn't your thing, it actually helps to take the guesswork out and makes us all more efficient.

So whether you are calculating seed rates or trying to decide to drive or fly on the next trip, numbers ultimately determine what you do.

Enjoy

Within the ranks of turkey hunters, there are people who are specialists. We are going to highlight those specialists with a series of podcasts. The first one that we are featuring is "The Technician". We all have one in our circle, at least I hope we all do. Our friend Matt Kilpatrick is a technician. A cabinet builder by trade, he has an uncanny sense of craftsmanship and an eye for detail. He is the type of guy that will not trust the success of his hunt to someone that he doesn't know in a factory loading his shells, or making his mouth yelpers. So, he does it himself. We discuss handloading TSS, making mouth yelpers to specific standards and custom for his pallet. In typical Woodsman Perspective form we tell some stories and have some laughs along the way. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed do in it.

Hardwoods are key to any recreational tract and wildlife habitat.  Dudley Phelps is the resident expert and tree nerd on the Mossy Oak Gamekeeper podcast, and we were excited to sit down with him and talk oaks, acorns, and hardwood management.   Dudley has a wealth of knowledge, not just on these things but all things wildlife and  hunting.   We grilled some venison tomahawks and had a great conversation, even though someone left the front door open and we were freezing by the end of the podcast.

We hope you enjoy!

www.nativnurseries.com  

Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries

www.mossyoak.com/watch-listen/podcasts

Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Podcast 

This throwback Thursday is a great conversation with Steve Brown, owner of Brown & Co outfitters.  Steve is one of the best turkey hunters to ever do it, hands down.   He has killed multiple world slams with archery equipment, guided decades ago at Westervelt lodge, competed in the Grand National calling contest and twice winning the Mississippi state championship.   Turkey hunters will enjoy this one from the archives.  We have killed a few turkeys with our bows, so we know just enough to appreciate the difficulty of it.

Enjoy 

The tools and timing of disturbance will determine the results.   Mitt Wardlaw, serial entrepreneur and land management expert understands this as well as anyone in the world.  On a scientific level and from practical application, Mitt can explain these differences and tactics so that we can all understand them.  

We discuss the fire, tillage, herbicide and what timing will yield what results.  A MSU grad and accomplished crop consultant, as well as one of the founding "Woodsmen" of this podcast, we are glad to have him back in the studio with us.

We also get him to tell us a little about his latest venture, Wildlife Investments.  Mitt, Bronson Strickland, and Moriah Boggess along with some of the best researchers in every field of wildlife and habitat study have come together to offer landowners unprecedented expert consulting.  

@midsouth_resource_mgmt 

@wildlifeinvestments 

The turkey hunting circle is relatively small, and inside is an even smaller circle of turkey callers. This tight knit group is made up of some of the biggest names in the hunting industry, and some names you've never heard unless you follow the calling contests trail. From Matt Van Cise, Ronnie Cuz Strickland, Bob Dixon, the Drury Brothers, to names like Ray Eye, Jami Linder, Paul Butski, Walter Parrot. We are hopeful that there is a resurgence of popularity in competitive calling. Our guest, Terence Williamson has been in this group for over 30 years. He has won Grand National title in Friction calling and Team Calling in Friction. He has worked to bring calling contests back to the NWTF Chapters, and get the Alabama state championship back in the Tuscaloosa Chapter.  @jamilinder1146   @MossyOak   @BoneCollectorTube   @pinhotiproject   @official_NWTF 

As a teaser to an upcoming episode with Mitt, we reached back into the archives and pulled this monologue of Mitt talking disturbance.  Specifically how the timing of disturbance determines what the plant response will be and how to intentionally use this to maximize plants and forbs and still have enough grass to carry the fire that is needed to maintain early successional  habitat.