Habitat Podcast

Habitat Podcast #394 - In today's episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Al Tomechko of Vitalize Seed Co! We discuss: Grass pressure is higher than usual this year, even in Albert's no-till fields. Two exclusion fences 250 yards apart show drastically different deer browse pressure. A Kentucky agronomist's study found early-terminated cover crops outperformed planting green...

Habitat Podcast #393 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Cory Franceus! We discuss: Corey explains why he walked away from a 15-year corporate career. What pushed him to pursue a career in the hunting industry. How years of habitat work prepared him to help land buyers. The massive road project transforming Jared's hunting property. Why sunlight and drainage...

Habitat Podcast #392 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Brent Davis! We discuss: Habitat mistakes often become your greatest teachers. Property-specific habitat beats one-size-fits-all advice. Chainsaw work produced Brent's biggest habitat improvements. Direct-seeding acorns can outperform planted trees. Thick woody cover consistently attracted more mature...

Habitat Podcast #391 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Doug Holmes! We discuss: The Downburst 960 is the 9th generation design after years of testing. The original idea came from ruining a food plot due to seeding errors. Native seeds require a completely different planting approach. Drop seeding is often ideal for small-seeded habitat plantings. The new 9...

Habitat Podcast #390 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Dave Hoy! We discuss: Dave harvested his biggest buck ever—a 145" deer—from 10 acres. The property's "mullet" design prioritizes access and deer security. Strategic screening allows stand access without alerting deer. Heavy cutting accelerated habitat improvements and bedding cover. Small properties al...

Habitat Podcast #389 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Jake Bollinger! We discuss: Jake's 82-acre farm is transitioning from ag production to habitat. Miscanthus screens are being used to create visual barriers. Hybrid willows are helping create bedding and screening cover. Switchgrass has been the highest-impact habitat improvement. Air-pruning beds produ...

Habitat Podcast #388 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Cory Franceus and Matt Zahl! We discuss: Tree tubes are easy, but cages may protect better long-term. Apple trees can struggle when tubes hold leaf debris. Mouse guards help prevent young trees from being girdled. Weak trunks can get damaged after tubes come off. Fruit trees need yearly maintenance, no...

Habitat Podcast #387 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Cale Giddens of Plot Blaster! We discuss: Plot Blaster was built to solve common ATV sprayer frustrations. A boomless sprayer can reduce broken nozzles and bent booms. Staggering food plot planting can spread out weather risk. Small sprayer setups make it easier to manage plots in phases. Liquid fertil...

Habitat Podcast #386 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Al Tomechko of Vitalize Seed Co! We discuss: Protecting young trees properly is just as important as planting them. Native grasses and diverse cover improve bedding and soil health. Splitting fertilizer applications improves nutrient efficiency. Weed matting can drastically reduce maintenance around tr...

Habitat Podcast #384 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Max Wierda! We discuss: Ugly properties often hold massive habitat potential. Cover can matter more than food on pressured land. Food plots are often the gateway into habitat work. Waiting to learn a property before over-improving can help. Electric fencing small plots can dramatically improve success....

Habitat Podcast #384 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Lincoln Rohn! We discuss: Simple food plot setups can outperform expensive systems. Seed-to-soil contact is critical for germination. No-till methods improve long-term soil health. Most beginners skip important soil testing steps. Sprayers are essential for weed management. Hunting pressure changes mat...

Habitat Podcast #383 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Travis Owen and Ethan Strunk! We discuss: Prescribed fire restores native habitat fast Honeysuckle destroys understory vegetation Turkeys need visibility to survive predators Burning improves turkey nesting habitat Fire helps control invasive plant species Healthy habitat supports more wildlife diversi...

Habitat Podcast #382 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Josh Tanner! We discuss: Small parcels fail because of pressure—not size If the wind isn’t perfect, don’t hunt your property Water holes can stop every deer on small land Switchgrass creates instant security cover You don’t need equipment—just effort and consistency Bedding cover is more valuable than...

Habitat Podcast #381 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Randy Birdsong of HeadHunters TV and The Raven Project! We discuss: Food plots aren’t enough—they must be positioned strategically “Bridge food” (like clover) is critical during late winter stress Micro bedding areas (150–200 yards away) increase daylight movement Access can make or break your entire s...

Habitat Podcast #380 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and Lee Vandenbrink! We discuss: Deer daylight movement skyrockets when they feel completely secure Access routes matter just as much as stand placement Most hunters overlook how they enter and exit stands Habitat work is about giving back, not just taking from the land Aerial maps reveal...

Habitat Podcast #379 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and Will Hastings! We discuss: Mock scrapes can shift bucks from passive movement to aggressive daylight behavior Water holes create consistent stopping points for mature bucks during pre-rut Dividing fields forces bucks to move instead of observing from safe edges Screening cover increase...

Habitat Podcast #378- In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and Matt Bullins! We discuss: Overhunting the same spots quickly pushes mature bucks into nocturnal movement Poor entry and exit routes alert deer before you ever reach your stand location Mature bucks avoid main trails and use subtle, low-pressure travel routes Hunting the wrong wind can r...

Habitat Podcast #377- In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and Ryan Lawrence of Antler Anchor Co! We discuss: Finding shed antlers is a strong indicator of quality winter habitat. Green food sources like clover often produce the most shed finds. Shed hunting reveals bedding areas and late-season deer patterns. Edges between food and cover are prime...

Habitat Podcast #375 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and Waylon Meyer of Earth Blinds! We discuss: Water sources often become social hubs for whitetail deer Mature bucks may only visit specific areas they feel safe Water holes create predictable movement opportunities Strategic placement near bedding or transition zones can be deadly Water s...

Habitat Podcast #375 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and Cory Godar of Latitude Outdoors! We discuss: Weight savings matter most deep into multi-day hunts. Saddle hunting isn’t just for public land — it’s a lethal private land tool. Frame packs purpose-built for whitetail are filling a huge gap in the market. Efficient packing systems reduce...

Habitat Podcast #374 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and Sam Tumberg of Purpose Filled Habitat Management! We discuss: Most hinge cuts fail because they aren’t aggressive enough Flush cutting is often more reliable than hinge cutting in northern timber Mature bucks are nomadic — focus on security cover, not “buck beds” Half-acre bedding cuts...

Habitat Podcast #373 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Al Tomechko of Vitalize Seed Co! We discuss: New Alfalfa Edge = 75% alfalfa, high browse tolerance Designed to grow in suboptimal soils Ideal for frost seeding perennial fields Premium Clover + Alfalfa Edge combo strategy New soil fertility consult service launched Up to 3 soil tests + written plan + p...

Habitat Podcast #372 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Joel Williamson! We discuss: Buying and managing a small mountain hunting property Timber cutting vs waiting “to learn the property” Big-woods deer movement and terrain hunting Food plots on rocky, steep ground Growing trees from seed vs nursery stock Late-season hunting advantages in the mountains Bui...

Habitat Podcast #371 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Dave Skinner! We discuss: Habitat transformation can happen faster than most people think Government conservation programs can fund major habitat work Mature bucks require discipline, not just opportunity Topography dictates strategy more than food plots Paying for access isn’t the same as building wea...

Habitat Podcast #370 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Bobby Kendall! We discuss: Bobby left pharmacy school to chase a gut feeling Guiding accelerated his learning curve fast The Midwest shaped his whitetail mindset Experience matters more than theory Early mistakes became long-term lessons Saying yes created unexpected opportunities Big deer come from un...