Gamekeeper Podcast

This week Dr. Mike Chamberlain joins us in the studio once again – but in a shocking twist, we DON’T talk turkeys!   Mike is an obsessed, rabid deer hunter and has a knack for killing mature bucks.  We talk deer hunting and learn how he manages his properties for whitetails. It’s an interesting discussion on deer hunting and why we all love it so much. You don’t want to miss this one. Listen, Lear...

This week food plot expert Kenny Thompson joins us in the guest chair to share his knowledge. Kenny has had a plot planting business for the last twenty years and has planted over 14,000 acres of wildlife plots – and currently averages over 700 acres installed a year. Kenny tells us what he has learned and ways to improve the planting and managing process. Specializing in perennial clovers, Kenny’...

This week we discuss gamekeeping with the greatest tournament bass fisherman of all time, Kevin VanDam. Kevin’s 9-5 is obviously the fishing circuits, but we were interested in hearing how he has used his fishing and gamekeeping senses to turn his 300 acre Michigan property in a very high pressure area into an absolute wildlife mecca that hunts easily. Our co-worker Chris Paradise sits in on the d...

This week the Gamekeeper crew welcomes Pat Murray the president of the Coastal Conservation Association and discuss issues around our coastal fisheries. Pat has a lot of hands on salt water guiding experience that helps him understand the resources and its challenges. We all learned a thing or two and gained more great respect for the people managing these special fisheries. Listen, Learn and Enjo...

This week we dive deep into learning about an obscure native chestnut relative that is highly preferred by wildlife, and the grass roots organization we believe will bring it back to its former glory. Our brilliant guest, AJ Hendershott, with the Ozark Chinquapin Foundation, really schooled us on everything to know about the Ozark Chinquapin (Castanea ozarkensis) and what they are doing to get the...

This week we learn from Ian Bartoszek, a biologist with The Conservancy of SW Florida, where he describes the recent capture of an 18 foot, 217 pound Burmese python in the Florida Everglades and more.  Ian and his staff have dedicated their lives to protecting the Everglades from this invasive species, and so far have removed an astonishing 26,000 pounds of these snakes. The stories are crazy! Lat...

This week the Gamekeepers have accomplished waterfowler, Jim Ronquest, sitting between the turkeys and talking ducks, green tree reservoirs, red oaks and how he spots duck bands.  We also talk to Amanda Everaert, of the Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, about the history of the Jack Miner bands, and how he got started with his flying missionaries. It’s an amazing story that not enough people have heard. ...

This week on the Gamekeepers podcast we learn about toxicants and bait delivery systems that are being tested as a method for the control of destructive and invasive wild hogs. Dr. Glen Gentry, of the LSU AG Center, and Dr. Bronson Strickland, of the MS State Extension, tell us about what is on the horizon for Gamekeepers and farmers to protect their habitat and crops.  It’s an interesting discuss...

This week on the Gamekeepers podcast we welcome one of our favorite guests, Dr. Marcus Lashley (@DrDisturbance), from the University of Florida. We begin by discussing summer scouting for desirable plant species, while many are blooming and easier to identify PLUS how to gauge them as indicator species. We also give a tip on an app or two that can help a Gamekeeper ID them. The presence of these p...

This week we had a very special guest sitting between the turkeys. Dr. Craig Harper of UT is a world class habitat specialist and we were fascinated by his insights into improving the huntability of a property. He went into detail explaining the native seed bank and how a Gamekeeper can use it their advantage, what his research has demonstrated is the best way to manage clovers and the very best e...

This week on the podcast we dive deep into more efficient methods of establishing plantings for wildlife, without having to till the soil. Methods such as Throw-and-Mow and Frost or Snow Seeding are increasing in popularity because it’s easy, cheaper, better for soil health and ultimately the critters. The use of implements such as roller-crimpers are explained as a way of cutting back on herbicid...

This week on the podcast we talk about growing big bream. Really big bream, copper nose bluegills over three pounds to be more exact.  Guest Sarah Parvin has proven she and her dad can grow three pounders regularly. She tells how and explains the project she and her father started to grow a world record bream in North Alabama. Their pond is called the Slab Lab and it’s impressive. Also retired fis...

On this week’s Gamekeeper podcast we discuss foliar applied fertilizers with Chris Grantham of AL Liquid Fertilizers. With increasing fertilizer costs, spraying is a great solution to enhance the production of food plots – especially clover fields. We learn just how easy it is, and we were surprised to learn how quickly the plants respond. You’ll learn everything from when to spray to how to calib...

This week the Gamekeepers have Dr. Mike Chamberlain, @wildturkeydoc, in the guest chair recapping the recent season and the topics surrounding the wild turkeys struggle in many places. It’s a frank discussion on the latest info biologists have learned, antiqued game laws, and a very detailed explanation of the first two weeks of poults life that is fascinating. (And you think your kids are a handf...

In this episode the Gamekeeper crew and David Hawley of the @wildturkeyreport begin with a discussion about why we think growing season burns need to be implemented much more often. Next we dig in with Pete Muller, Travis Sumner, and Mark Hatfield of the NWTF to learn more about their “Help the Yelp” program. The wild turkey is facing some serious challenges these days, so as Gamekeepers we HAVE t...

This week Dr. Bronson Strickland of MSU joins us to talk warm season plantings and also discuss some of the interesting findings from their recent cool season plot trials. As always, Bronson delivers information Gamekeepers want to know.  But first the guys test their turkey calling skills against the amazing bird recognition app called Merlin. It’s a competition that leaves some hurt feelings. Th...

This week on the Gamekeepers podcast we have Dr. Mark McConnell of Mississippi State University and grad student Olivia Lappin sitting between the turkeys and talking wild bobwhite quail. We all love to hear him whistle and we lament the fact that there are so few of them on the landscape now. They explain what led to the beloved birds' downfall and what cutting edge research is doing to unde...

This week we have outfitter and waterfowl enthusiast Ramsey Russell from GetDucks.com. Ramsey is arguably the worlds most traveled and accomplished waterfowler, so we sat him down in the studio to hear some very interesting stories from his travels, but also hit on a few theories about the seemingly recent changes in the North American duck migration patterns. It quickly becomes obvious he’s in th...

This week we learn about some interesting wild turkey research led by Dr. Will Gulsby, Associate Professor of Wildlife at Auburn University. We discuss his teams study concerning gobbling frequency on public and private lands across the state and various disease threats including the application of chicken litter.  We also learn about a carcass study he is doing within the state to learn about the...

On this bonus podcast Toxey, Daniel and Neill tell the story of Mr. Fox’s recent turkey kill. By now everyone on social media has seen the fantastic picture of them celebrating the moment, but this podcast tells the emotional story of how it all unfolded. Goose bumps ahead! Listen, Learn and Enjoy! Stay connected with GameKeepers: Instagram: @mossyoakgamekeepers Facebook: @GameKeepers Twitter: @MO...

This week on the Gamekeepers podcast we have Brent Rogers @gobblegitr, who takes us on a fascinating discussion of the history of the wild turkey. Brent is thought to own the largest collection of wild turkey literature in the world, and we would also say his knowledge of turkey history is world class as well. Collectively we do a lot more listening than talking. Brent’s respect and love of the wi...

This week we have Dr. Marcus Lashley (aka @drdisturbance), from the University of Florida, sitting between the turkeys and talking about hen nesting habitat. Everybody wonders what they can do to help improve turkey numbers, and this podcast shines a light on exactly how we can all help. It’s a fascinating discussion about what prime nesting habitat looks like and how we can help create more of it...

This week on The Gamekeepers Podcast:  More turkey talk as previous World Champion caller, Chris Kirby, the owner of the iconic Quaker Boy brand, joins us to discuss his calling style and hunting strategies. He also talks about growing up around the turkey call business, and his dad the legendary Dick Kirby.  At the end, Dudley answers a question about mistletoe. Listen, Learn and Enjoy! Stay conn...

This week we have Mark Drury in the spotlight, where he answers a bunch of questions about turkey vocalizations, his hunting strategies, and calling style. We even get him to show off his turkey calling skills for us– and being a former World Champion you know it sounds beautiful!  Also, our own David McElwain and his friend Olivia Lappin tell the story of how her first turkey hunt played out. Lis...

This week we have Dr. Michael Byrne, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Missouri, and Reina Tyl, Wild Turkey Biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, and we discuss the research they are doing on turkey reproduction. The project is impressive as they are tagging close to 50 hens with GPS transmitters, and plan to attach smaller VHF transmitters to poults to...