Huntin' Land Podcast

This week on Huntin’ Land, Joe Baya talks with James Craft of Backwoods Buildings and Truss about a question many landowners eventually face: how to build a practical hunting camp or farm structure without overbuilding the property. Using Joe’s own farm as the starting point, the conversation breaks down whether it makes sense to build a pole barn now and convert it into a cabin or barndominium la...

This week on the Huntin’ Land Podcast, Joe Baya and Butch Thierry sit down with Dustin Harding and Keegan Williams of Athlon Optics to make thermal scopes a whole lot less confusing for hunters who are thinking about getting into nighttime predator or hog control. The conversation breaks down what all those numbers actually mean, including sensor resolution, display resolution, detection range, re...

This episode of Huntin' Land Podcast takes a hard look at one of the most misunderstood ideas in land management: sometimes the best way to grow more wildlife is to have fewer trees. Dr. Richard Cristan of Auburn University College of Forestry Wildlife and Environment breaks down timber stand improvement in plain terms, showing how thinning, clear cuts, and targeted tree removal can dramatical...

This episode of Huntin' Land Podcast sits down with Dr. Portia Fulford for a deeply personal look at what it really means to own and steward land over the long term. Her journey starts with a 250-acre worn-out cotton farm in Alabama’s Black Belt and evolves into something much bigger—a shift from production-focused agriculture to a relationship-driven approach centered on restoration, sustaina...

This episode of the Huntin’ Land Podcast zeroes in on a question most landowners eventually face: how to control weeds without constantly starting over on food plots. Joe Baya and Clint Flowers set the stage with real-world problems—like battling dog fennel and managing clover stands—before bringing in weed science expert David Russell to help make sense of it all. Russell reframes the conversatio...

Spring is the perfect time to start preparing food plots for next fall’s hunting season—but the most important step happens before you ever plant a seed. In this episode of Huntin’ Land , host Joe Baya sits down with Caleb Weaver from Southern Seed & Feed to break down how soil tests can completely change the way you approach food plots. They start with the basics of reading a soil test and ex...

In this episode, we break down one of the most common—and frustrating—habitat challenges landowners face: how to manage overgrown understory when prescribed fire isn’t working or isn’t an option. Years of fire suppression have allowed midstory vegetation to block sunlight, eliminate native ground cover, and stall wildlife habitat across much of the Southeast. Joe Baya and Butch Thierry are joined...

In this episode, we break down one of the most common questions in whitetail deer management: How many deer—especially does—should you harvest each season? Hunters often rely on guesses, trail-cam photos, or instinct, but Dr. Bronson Strickland, one of the leading experts in deer biology and habitat management, explains how to use forage capacity, herd size, buck-to-doe ratios, and fawn recruitmen...

Join hosts Joe Baya, Nick Williams, and Butch Thierry as they dive into the best hunting gifts and gear for 2025 in this special holiday episode of the podcast. Whether you're searching for the ultimate Christmas gifts for hunters or just want to upgrade your own outdoor gear, our experts review top-rated hunting equipment and share their favorite stocking stuffers. Discover insider tips on hu...

Join host Joe Baya, co-host Butch Theory, and special guest Dr. Bronson Strickland of Wildlife Investments as they dive deep into the science of deer hunting, strategic buck harvest, and effective wildlife management. In this episode, the team discusses actionable strategies for balancing doe and buck populations, maximizing trophy buck potential, and implementing expert food plot and habitat impr...

In this episode, Joe Baya & Butch Thierry welcome Ian Wallace from Chestnut Hill Outdoors to share expert advice on transforming your property into a wildlife haven. Focusing on food plot trees like the Dunstan chestnut, Ian explains how strategic land management boosts deer hunting success, enhances wildlife nutrition, and creates long-lasting habitat diversity. Learn about effective timber s...

Join host Joe Baya and expert guest Dr. James Crowell, aka “Dr. Deer,” as they dive deep into wildlife management, timber stand improvement (TSI), and maximizing land investment for deer and habitat optimization. This episode covers the essential differences between timber stand and wildlife stand improvement, optimal oak tree diversity (60/40 red to white), thinning practices for healthier hardwo...

Join host Joe Baya with co-hosts Butch Thierry and Nick Williams as they welcome Kent Grimm from Duck Hut to discuss innovative strategies for wood duck conservation and waterfowl habitat management. This episode dives deep into the benefits of installing wood duck boxes, the importance of predator guards, and practical tips for improving wetland and hunting land for wildlife. Kent shares his jour...

In this episode of Huntin’ Land, host Joe Baya is joined by Butch and special guest Parker Godwin of Farm Credit of Northwest Florida to explore what it really takes to buy, finance, and manage your own hunting land. The conversation digs into the emotional and practical hurdles of land ownership, from overcoming the intimidation factor and saving for a down payment, to the sense of control and fu...

In this episode of Huntin’ Land, host Joe Baya is joined by Butch and Nick Williams to break down the art and science of early season deer hunting and buck patterning. The conversation dives deep into the practical steps for identifying and targeting mature bucks, from establishing and monitoring food plots to deploying trail cameras and analyzing weather patterns for consistent success. The hosts...

In this episode of Huntin’ Land, host Joe Baya is joined by Butch and special guest Captain CT Meyer for an action-packed adventure on the Ohio River, right on the Kentucky-Indiana line. The crew dives deep into the world of bowfishing, targeting invasive Asian carp and sharing firsthand experiences from a high-energy night on the water. Listeners will get an inside look at the challenges and exci...

In this episode of Huntin’ Land, host Joe Baya is joined by Albert Truesdale to explore the ins and outs of managing clover food plots for better wildlife and deer hunting success. The conversation covers everything from the fundamentals of soil testing and pH balancing to the practical use of herbicides, mowing, and overseeding for establishing and maintaining productive clover stands—even on cha...

In this episode of Huntin' Land, we interview expert whitetail hunter Travis Lee to tackle one of the most overlooked aspects of land management: hunting pressure . Travis, who has harvested over 30 Pope and Young bucks in the Deep South, shares his hard-won wisdom on how to minimize your impact and increase your chances of seeing mature deer during daylight. From entry and exit strategies to...

In this episode of Huntin’ Land, we interview Caleb Weaver with  Southern Seed and Feed  to focus on laying the groundwork for a productive hunting season through smart food plot planning. From the importance of soil sampling and weed control to choosing the right seed blends for your land’s specific conditions, this conversation breaks down the core steps every land manager should take ahead of f...

On this episode of Huntin’ Land, Dr. Will Griffin, Ph. D. in animal science and lead designer for Big & J, joins us to break down the science behind mineral supplementation for whitetail deer. We discuss when it's effective, how it supports herd health and antler development, and why not all products are created equal. Dr. Griffin explains what hunters should look for on product labels, ho...

In this episode of Huntin’ Land , Dr. Bronson Strickland from Mississippi State University’s Deer Lab joins the show to talk all things habitat management and deer movement. The discussion focuses on how landowners—especially in the South—can strategically manipulate food, cover, and pressure to attract and hold deer more effectively. Key topics include minimizing human disturbance, leveraging ter...

In this episode of the Huntin' Land Podcast , Eric Miller of Federal Ammunition joins the show to break down the innovative new 7mm Back Country cartridge. The conversation explores the cartridge’s cutting-edge peak alloy case technology, which allows for higher pressures and increased velocities—even from shorter barrels—delivering magnum-level performance in a standard long action. Eric and...

In this episode of the Huntin' Land Podcast , Clint Flowers joins the show to unpack the tax advantages and income-generating potential of owning land—especially timberland and agricultural property. The discussion covers often-overlooked deductions like mileage, equipment, and improvements, as well as more advanced strategies including conservation easements, 1031 exchanges, and bonus depreci...

In this episode of the Huntin' Land Podcast, Seth Swerczek of Hornady Ammunition dives into the ethics and effectiveness of hunting with subsonic ammunition. Seth breaks down the key differences between subsonic and standard rounds, highlighting how bullet design plays a crucial role in ensuring proper expansion at lower velocities. The conversation covers practical tips on shot placement, ran...

In this episode of the Huntin' Land Podcast , Joe sits down with Bill Thompson of Spartan Forge to discuss how LiDAR technology is revolutionizing hunting. Bill explains how LiDAR maps help hunters scout deer, hogs, and ducks, especially in challenging low-relief areas like river bottoms and swamps. The conversation covers how hunters can use Spartan Forge’s LiDAR data to identify key terrain...