Gamekeeper Podcast

This week we talk to Dr. Brad Cohen of Tennessee Tech about migrating waterfowl and his latest research. Brad is a serious waterfowl scientist and we learn something every time we talk with him. Brad discusses a research project looking at what influences where mallards settle, plus what does a landscape need to look like to get ducks to choose it during winter and then return the next year. We al...

On this episode we’re joined by Dr. Scott McWilliams of URI to discuss a super secretive bird, the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor). There’s a lot to learn here and Scott does a masterful job explaining the idiosyncrasies of this unique species. We discuss their migration habits, breeding displays, peenting, hunting techniques, the difference between a woodcock and a snipe, how they trap them fo...

This week we’re joined by serious waterfowler Chris Paradise and Brendan Shirkey, a research biologist, hunter, and punter with the Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, believed to be the oldest duck hunting club in North America. The Black Duck is a favorite among waterfowlers, yet many hunters feel they don’t see the numbers they once did. We dive into this secretive species, discussing its habitat p...

This week, we release a timely classic on our conversation with Dr. Mike Chamberlain to talk through some of the latest whitetail management techniques he’s seeing. Over the last fifty years, the landscape has changed and whitetails are clearly king! But what’s changed, and what can we learn? His recent trip to South Texas leads us to ask about the story of his buck and what he sees that those int...

On this episode we’re joined by Dr. Emile Gardiner of the US Forest Service and who is a research forester for the Center for Bottomland Hardwood Research.  We talk oak’s, acorns and get an explanation on masting events. Locally we are all seeing more acorns than we have seen in a while and Emile explains this local event that could happen to you one season. It’s a fascinating opportunity to liste...

On this episode we are once again joined by Nutrien’s Weather Wizard, Eric Snodgrass. We ask a lot of questions and Eric masterfully explains high/low pressure, barometric pressure, dew points, early morning and late afternoon thermals and more. We always learn something when we talk to him.  Listen, Learn and Enjoy.  If you enjoyed this Gamekeeper episode, send the guys a message and don’t forget...

On this episode we are talking rattling and calling bucks with Alabama hunter Lance Atkinson. Lance explains his tactic of tickling or clicking antlers to bring bucks out earlier in the afternoon as well as calling with bleats and grunts. It’s always interesting to listen to how other hunter have success.  Listen, Learn and Enjoy.  If you enjoyed this Gamekeeper episode, send the guys a message an...

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. ...

On this episode our 400th episode, we talk about how we wish everyone would behave and we learn how each of us would handle certain situations. Our guest Brent Lochala helps give us some great public perspective from his years of experience. We ask, how do you handle a neighbor with a stand on the fence line? Someone that’s illegally feeding? How do you choose stands at your club? How do you react...

On this episode we’re joined by Brandon Maddox, the CEO of Silencer Central to fully explain shotgun suppressors. The crew spent a full day testing the new product and then discussing its performance.  We worried if the unit would cause line of site issues for a duck/dove hunter.  Would it swing as smoothly? Was it heavy? We discuss what will this mean for turkey hunters and kids learning to shoot...

This week we are joined by world class whitetail biologist, Dr. Mickey Hellickson. Mickey’s career has taken him to some amazing locations studying whitetails and he has been involved in some very interesting research projects. Mickey was the head whitetail biologist for the King Ranch for many years which speaks volumes to his credibility. We talk coyotes and post rut buck mortality, supplemental...

This week we’re joined by Jeff Tarsi—a Mississippi Delta native who grew up chasing wildlife and loving the farm. Jeff now serves as the global leader of Nutrien Ag Solutions, the retail arm of Nutrien and the world’s largest agricultural products and services provider. He oversees more than 23,000 employees and has spent his career learning farming practices from every corner of the globe. Yet th...

This week we’re talking about hunting and managing a unique species, Mountain Lions. These beautiful cats are synonymous with the American West and wild places.  In some states hunting has been taking away which has created its own unique set of challenges. If your like us we love wildlife and learning about them. This week were joined by houndsman Daniel Cornelius, a seasoned lion hunter and Kore...

This week we sit down and talk ducks with Dr. Ryan Askren, a waterfowl ecologist/researcher from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and the legendary Jim Ronquest from Drake Waterfowl Systems.  There is much to learn about the migration habits from the data that GPS transmitters have provided. We also dig deep into habitat, forage preferences, nocturnal instincts, and many other questions d...

On this episode, we are joined by wildlife biologist and renowned writer Bob Humphrey. With a career spanning the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, environmental consulting, and over 40 years of hunting across the continent, he blends scientific insight with real-world experience few can match. Bob is also a prolific outdoor writer and editor, contributing to our very own Gamekeeper magazine. From...

This week we continue to celebrate our love for deer season and the white-tailed deer by telling more deer stories. We have a full slate of guests tell their favorite stories, including Daniel Haas telling the story of Mr. Fox’s deer hunts from last year. You’ll be entertained and learn lessons you can apply to your own hunts. You are not going to want to miss this one.  Listen, Learn and Enjoy. ...

One this episode we are once again joined by Dr. Phil Lavretsky of UTEP to update us on the very important Duck DNA project. As you might recall Phil has dedicated the last five years to understanding the game farm mallards genes that have been present in the Atlantic Flyway but are now starting to pop up elsewhere. It’s a scary situation and much is been done to raise money to fund his research....

This week we are joined by world class archer Levi Morgan and Shawn Lumsden of the Flint River Plantation as they tell the stories of their recent bow kills. Its two giant bucks and two great stories where we see hard work and effort pay off.  Listen, Learn and Enjoy.  If you enjoyed this Gamekeeper episode, send the guys a message and don’t forget to include your contact info so we can reach you...

This week we are joined by Mr. Tio Kleberg and hear about the history of the legendary King Ranch in South Texas. We learn about how it was acquired and assembled to the over 825,000 acres today, and that it is actually larger than the state of Rhode Island.  We also learn about all the wildlife that abounds, and how through visionary management that was occurring before anyone else was thinking a...

This week we are joined by Matt Cox to talk about what food plot plants need from germination through maturity. Matt educated at Mississippi State, is a soil fertility expert for Nutrien and brings his crop knowledge over to the food plot arena to help us understand how to grow better plots. It’s an interesting discussion that helps bring into focus some  of the confusion around fertilizers, soils...

 This week we are joined by Dr. Mark Turner of Oklahoma State University. Mark is an Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist in the Department of Natural Resources, Ecology and Management. Our discussion matches his research focus on applied habitat management practices. We talk about improving properties and some of the limiting factors. The first question we ask though…What would y...

On this episode, we recap two recent elk hunts that the Mossy Oak team experienced. Joined in the studio by Rusty McDaniels, Mac Thatcher, Jon Tatum, Mitchell Carr, and Riker Graham from New Mexico, the stories of two big, mature bulls are incredible. Elk are considered by many to be a bucket-list trip and the pinnacle of big game hunting in North America. Listening to their preparation and the in...

On this episode, we learn about the incredible elk restoration project and the hunting opportunities in Pennsylvania. We are joined by Jeremy Banfield, the elk biologist for the PA Game Commission, who shares the more than 100-year restoration story. We are also joined by 14-year-old elk hunter Sammie Bartlett and her father. Sammie harvested a giant bull and tells a great story.  Listen, Learn, a...

On this episode, we are joined by funnyman and deer/turkey hunter Trent Ellis. His skits on social media have reached viewers all over the world, and his Southern humor often centers around hunting and hunting camp life. It’s a fun episode as we learn about his journey.  Listen, Learn, and Enjoy. If you enjoyed this Gamekeeper episode, send the guys a message and don’t forget to include your conta...

In this episode, expert whitetail hunter Ben Rising shares his insights on deer behavior, hunting strategies around the “scrape traps” traps he sets. Ben and his filming partner Javin Mullet really explain some great strategies. Ben also tells of his experiences with specific deer that he tried to kill name named 'Misery.' It’s a great story.  The discussion also highlights the differenc...