Jared Van Hees

Habitat Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 396 episodes

The Habitat Podcast is a podcast for land and wildlife habitat managers, and for hunters who learn and utilize different types of habitat in their hunting strategy. We interview hunters and habitat managers from across the country, picking their brain to learn their success's and failures. We are different in the fact that we are not the experts. This podcast is for us and the listeners to learn a thing or two, from the experts we analyze.

Author

Jared Van Hees

Episodes

319: Everything You Need To Know About Trees and Ordering Trees For Your Property, What Cutting Should You Be Doing Right Now, and The Springtime Habitat Checklist with Matt Zahl and Andy Hutchens 28.02.2025 1:08:50

Habitat Podcast #319 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guests Matt Zahl and Andy Hutchens. We discuss: Selecting the right trees for wet areas Creating strategic deer bedding through cutting Using an auger for effective tree planting Crafting a bridge for enhanced property access Benefits of targeting selective cuts Electric vs gas chainsaws Benefit...

315: The Complete Guide To Switchgrass for Habitat Management: Everything You Need To Know with Roger Sampson 28.02.2025 58:46

Habitat Podcast #315 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Andy Hutchens my good friend Roger Sampson. We discuss: Rogers' 30 years of experience in native grasses Regenerative agriculture Food Security in South Sudan The potential of switchgrass as a solution to the US energy crisis Planting 350 acres of switchgrass without government subsidies The ease of gr...

318: Lincoln Rohn - Food Plotting in Some of The WORST Soil Imaginable, Fighting The Drought, and The Best Damn Food Plot Implement I've Ever Used 21.02.2025 1:08:47

Habitat Podcast #316 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Lincoln Rohn. We discuss: Maximizing limited soil quality Balancing hunting with habitat work Benefits of cultipacking for growth Soil type and moisture management Insights on overcoming soil & drought issues Effective use of cult packers on food plots Switchgrass for wildlife habitat Enha...

317: Mark Kenyon - Regenerative Agriculture for Food Plots, Adding More Native Grasses, and The Past, Present, and Future of Fish and Wildlife Across The Country 14.02.2025 59:14

Habitat Podcast #316 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Mark Kenyon of MeatEater. We discuss: The importance of protecting wild places and wildlife for future generations The significant loss of species The importance of hunters and anglers in addressing these issues How to stay informed about environmental and wildlife-related issues The role...

316: New Vitalize Seed Mixes! New products from Vitalize, New Website, and Spring Food Plot Plan with Al Tomechko 07.02.2025 53:00

Habitat Podcast #316 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Al Tomechko. We've both been working hard behind the scenes on some new products that we dive into on this episode. We discuss: Frost seeding a warm spell New Vitalize website New bundles Food plot starter kits Fertility bundle New Seed Products Premium Clover+ Brassica Seed Mix Annual Clover Mix The i...

314: The Small parcel series: Fixing habitat mistakes made on 10 acres in Pennsylvania with Lucas Jones 24.01.2025 1:15:29

Habitat Podcast #314 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Lucas Jones. We discuss: Habitat management on Family property that you don't own Don't get rid of thick underbrush Fixing bad access Using the neighbors select cut to your advantage The role of terrain in deer movement The top fruit trees he will be adding Re-establishing bedding where...

313: Creating a deer hunters dream farm in Ohio hill country, Removing Autumn Olive, and The Ohio Forest Tax Law program with Cody Jarrett 17.01.2025 1:01:30

Habitat Podcast #313 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Cody Jarrett. We discuss: Selling his Illinois properties to buy a larger piece in Ohio The challenges of managing the deer population When is the best time of year to shoot does Battling EHD Older bucks have smaller ranges Passive vs aggressive on private property Planting corn fields in...

312: What you need to be doing right NOW for habitat management! January habitat management, compartmentalizing your property, and strategic infrastructure with Matt Zahl 10.01.2025 58:14

Habitat Podcast #312 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with HP team member and friend of the podcast Matt Zahl. We talk all things January habitat management. We discuss: Habitat wins and future plans Timber management boosts wildlife activity Successful deer hunt with heartwarming father-son moment Enhancing land access via strategic infrastructure A d...

311: Start your engines (Chainsaws)! Off season timber stand improvement and new habitat podcast segments for 2025 with Corey Sullivan 03.01.2025 59:51

Habitat Podcast #311 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are starting off 2025 back in the studio talking with long-time friend of the podcast Corey Sullivan. This episode is the kick-off to some new things that we are rolling out on both the podcast and our YouTube this year. We discuss: Cutting maples to rejuvenate habitats Planting cedars for crucial cover Spraying invasives for nat...

310: A Complete Guide to Infrastructure and Erosion Control with Chris Howell 27.12.2024 1:01:23

Habitat Podcast #310 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with Chris Howell. Chris is the owner of an excavating business where he is moving dirt 24/7 and we get into everything Infrastructure and Erosion Control on your property. We discuss: Understanding erosion & controlling it DIY vs. professional solutions Seeding roads & slopes Erosion control equals...

309: The Small Parcel Series: Control burns and screening on 6 acres in North Carolina! 20.12.2024 1:13:55

Habitat Podcast #309 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another installment of the small parcel series. Today we talk with a friend of the podcast and land plan client Jason Rogers. We discuss: Strategic use of limited space for effective wildlife habitat Burning for better cover & fewer ticks Strategic screening in small areas The success of native tree wildlife cuts Th...

308: 60 years of Michigan deer camp: The ponderosa deer camp with the.deercamp.podcast 13.12.2024 1:18:02

Habitat Podcast #308 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another bonus episode with my good friend Andy over at the.deercamp.podcast. Andy traveled to the Ponderosa deer camp hosted by my good friend Matt Zahl to talk all things deer camp. We discuss: 60 years of deer camp legacy Pranks and deer camp camaraderie Life lessons from seasoned hunters The culture of Michigan d...

307: Deer Camp in Wisconsin with Janis Putelis of MeatEater! Habitat improvements for Wisconsin big woods! 06.12.2024 1:00:21

Habitat Podcast #307 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another deer camp episode with a very special guest. We sit down in Wisconsin with the Lativian Eagle himself, Janis Putelis of MeatEater. We discuss: Developing a sustainable habitat plan Cutting hard for future oak regen Preserving hunting land for future generations Deer camp tradition and habitat talk Exploring...

306: Doubled up in Illinois! Deer camp recap with Jordan Hanks and Dusty Rose. 30.11.2024 1:23:30

Habitat Podcast #306 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another deer camp round table chat. We sit down in Illinois with longtime podcast friends Jordan Hanks and Dusty Rose. We discuss: Deer camp traditions Doubling up during gun season Impact of habitat on hunting success Evolution of hunting gear and strategies Deer season's wins and trials The evolution of jordans fa...

305: Deer Camp at the Nothern 70! Recapping the world famous Van Hees deer camp 22.11.2024 58:29

Habitat Podcast #305 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another 2-parter. We are coming to you from the Van Hees deer camp with a round table chat. Part 1 will be premiering over on the.deercamp.podcast! We discuss: E-bikes and hill climbs Buck pole construction saga Thrilling Northern Michigan buck hunt Exciting first buck off new land Opening morning success Food plott...

304: My 2024 Michigan Archery Buck and the WILD story behind it! Finding your buck still alive, organ blood vs muscle blood, and always trim your shooting lanes with Dylan Major and Cory Franceus 15.11.2024 1:02:33

Habitat Podcast #304 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friends Cory Franceus and Dylan Major. The time has finally come to tell the wild story of my 2024 Michigan buck. Thank you again to Dylan and Cory, without you guys, I would've never found my buck! We discuss: ALWAYS wear a safety harness/lineman's belt! The challenges of tracking non-fatal sh...

303: When your neighbors dogs attack you on your own land, learning you own more than you thought from a land survey, and changing strategies when the corn and beans come off early with Jake Bollinger and Andy Hutchens 08.11.2024 36:51

Habitat Podcast #303 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with a two-parter. We sit down with with Andy from the.deercamp.podcast and my good friend Jake Bollinger talking bad neighbors. The second half will be premiering on the.deercamp.podcast where we talk more in-depth about Jake's 2024 Michigan buck. We discuss: Jake's 20 Feral Dog Dilemma Survey reveals a ne...

302: Fixed vs Mechanical: What broadhead has a dog tracker had the most tracks with? Swimming into the middle of a river to dispatch a deer and tons of other WILD dog tracking stories with Joesph Coe 01.11.2024 59:31

Habitat Podcast #302 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Joesph Coe. Joesph is a dog tracker from southern Michigan and has some absolutely WILD tracking stories to share. We discuss: Growing up in the Venezuelan jungle hunting and fishing with Indians in Venezuela Alaska to Afghanistan with the military Joe's start in training blood-tracking...

301: Deer camp recap with the.deercamp.podcast: A weekend at a michgian deer camp! 25.10.2024 47:13

Habitat Podcast #301 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back with another bonus episode with my good friend Andy over at the.deercamp.podcast. Cory Franceus, Matt Zahl, Jeff Lipple, and I all sit down to talk about our recent trip to deer camp hosted by Kevin over at the Deerhunter podcast. We discuss: Deer Camp's mix of struggles and bonding Close calls with public land Michigan...

Episode 300 special! The first 3 things you need to do with a new farm with Skip Sligh and Cory Franceus 18.10.2024 1:27:37

Habitat Podcast #300 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are celebrating a milestone, 300 Episodes! When we started this journey 6 1/2 years ago, I had no clue what we were in store for. Fast forward to today and we have built a huge community of like-minded hunters and habitat managers all working towards the same goal. I am still blown away at where we are today with The Habitat Podc...

299: Opening weekend success for Al Tomechko! The story of Dozer, a wide 6 1/2 year old buck with 14 scoreable points, and breaking down the hunt and farm! 11.10.2024 1:19:19

Habitat Podcast #299 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Al Tomechko. Normally when Al and I get together it's to talk about everything seeds and food plots. This time around, Al's freezer is a little more full so we dive into the story of the buck he just killed named Dozer. We discuss: The role edge feathering had in Al's success Cabon load an...

298: Should you shoot does during an EHD outbreak, balancing the buck to do ratio, and habitat management in maryland's eastern shore with Jeff Pike 04.10.2024 1:25:22

Habitat Podcast #298 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Jeff Pike. Jeff is a land manager from southeast Pennsylvania who also hunts the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. We discuss: Jeff's first velvet buck, 38 years in the making Importance of doe management for a thriving habitat Should you shoot does during an EHD breakout Cover vs. Food...

297: Deer season is here! How much hunting has changed over the years, new hunting rules and regulations, and is private land hunting just as hard as public land hunting with Jordan Hanks 28.09.2024 1:21:18

Habitat Podcast #297 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with repeat guest Jordan Hanks. In this episode, we are reversing the roles and Jordan will be interviewing me. We discuss: The transition from chasing deer to crafting habitat Implications of evolving regulations on hunting Personal tales of first hunts and memorable bucks Impact of modern hunting tech lik...

296: Kevin Leach: An in depth guide to hunting swamps, new Latitude gear for 2024, and the announcement of the Habitat Podcast giveaway! 20.09.2024 1:30:02

Habitat Podcast #296 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend Kevin Leach of Latitude Outdoors. Today's episode is going to be all about mobile hunting. We discuss: September hunting prep Swamps vs. hill country hunting New latitude platforms and backpacks New bow hanger design Morning vs. Evening setups Stealth tactics for swamp hunting Picking th...

295: How to improve your swamp habitat, getting literally chased out of your property by the neighbors dogs, and the top things handicapping your property with Jake Bollinger 13.09.2024 1:31:26

Habitat Podcast #295 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Andy from the.deercamp.podcast and my good friend Jake Bollinger. Today we cover a litany of different things but we mainly focus on swamp habitat improvement and bad neighbors. We discuss: Planting Red Osier for deer Stand placement in the swamp Crafting corridors with dogwood Choosing the best cover...