Land & Legacy - Habitat + Hunting

Sometimes the best way to learn is to look back in history at what worked and most importantly, what didn't work. During this podcast we discuss some of the biggest failures we've ever committed on our family farm and some of the most common we see people making. If you're looking to make an impact on your farm without it costing a fortune don't miss this podcast.  We're walking through techniques...

During this weeks podcast we bring you an update from the owners of Bur Oaks Bluff. This 280 acre property is getting a habitat facelift.  Since the owners took possession earlier in 2020, many things across the property have changed. We cover topics such as cedar removal, food plot expansion, TSI, edge feathering, tillable acres expansion, fishing pond improvements, and more! This property is wel...

It’s been coming for a while, the wool revelation for the typical eastern whitetail hunter. Wool has been used for hundreds of years as a premium fabric for all kinds of clothing. This week, we speak with Kevin Harlander of First Lite to learn about the company and the secrets of wool based hunting gear.  Are your tired of the overheating on your way to the treestand, but freezing your tail off as...

During this week's podcast, Matt and Frank discuss one of the largest and overlooked  fundamental aspects of land management, location! Your specific region matters. The east is not the west and the north is not the south. Despite bobwhite quail living in all of these regions and despite it being the same animal you are managing for, the management will be different!  The region you live in and ma...

Are you ready for fall like we are? Ready or not here it comes. During this week's podcast we discuss how fall food plots actually work. We start at the basis with the understanding of how seeds germinate. Germination of seeds starts when adequate moisture is available, yet, most food plots start off with a practice of removing all the soil moisture, like discing.  In addition, after discussing ho...

Here it is! Finally the wait is over, after a few years of development, Hunter Pruitt the founder of the National Wildlife Cooperative is ready to release his baby. We are thrilled to be a part of the launch of this project. If you are a landowner or lease ground, turn your ears all the way up, this podcast and organization is for you.  Research strongly supports the need for landowners joining fo...

We would be hypocritical if we didn't implement cooperatives in our region. These cooperatives are wide ranging in the structure, some will be very organized while others will be fresh and new. However, the important thing is they will be started and communication can begin between landowners.  This week we have two interviews during the podcast, one with Matt Dye and Seth Harker who was before hi...

Over the course of several years we have worked closely with Stratton Seed Company to develop many different blends for food plotters across the country. Without fail, we always get the question, what food plot blend should I plant? This broad question leads to many other questions. So this podcast addresses the benefits of each fall annual blend that Stratton Seed company offers. In addition, Kei...

How's the weather in your part of the world? It's the middle of the summer so most of us are experiencing the severity of summer heat. If the summer rains have missed you, you're probably looking at a drought. As a deer manager we've likely been told to hate droughts and that "wet weather means bigger, healthier deer." Although that statement may have some truth, the natural world doesn't revolve...

This podcast is one for the ages! We take a light hearted approach this week to land management information. Disclaimer, these "research" points are just fun jokes to show the importance of diversifying the landscape is. These are not true, but humorous to imagine if they were true, just how much valuable work would get done.  From the title of the podcast, you can tell that the topics in this pod...

Our land, public or private is showing clear signs of warning. In many places the land is degraded and in need of assistance. How do we know this? Well, the clues are everywhere, we just need to be looking and observing to see these clear indicators.  The health of our landscape is greater than chasing a mature whitetail or gobbling turkeys in the spring. Stress on the landscape has revealed itsel...

Do you dream of owning your own property one day? Do you have a complex understanding of what that buying process looks like? During this podcast you will be enlightened on how the world of buying and selling recreational real estate work. Our goal with every client is to work on behalf of clients to help them reach their goals whether they contact us when they already own a property or are just e...

During this podcast you will hear how two Land & Legacy listeners used us to help find them the perfect property to reach their goals. Oftentimes we find folks enter into real estate transactions on an emotional basis. This emotion can cloud judgement and cause buyers remorse months later.  Wil Perry and his father contacted us to find them the right recreational property in the mid-west. Even bei...

Oftentimes the debate of food versus cover has caused heated discussions among hunters. Here is the quick and simple explanation, the answer is both. Why would you attempt to manage for either one without the other? That does not make sense. Great food without quality cover in close proximity is useless. In comparison, only having cover and no food is severely limiting!  After a recent trip to the...

During this podcast, we break down a contract on an existing Land & Legacy project. These are real numbers applied to real habitat management projects. We encourage everyone to listen to the podcast who has had interest in enrolling in these types of programs. These cost-share programs help conserve and pay landowners to implement sound management practices on their property.  Page by page we cove...

Hope you are ready for a passion-filled podcast! This week we fly off the cuff and provide listeners with an in-depth look at why we love land. Being passionate about something requires devotion and deep understanding. This hour is filled with countless reasons why we are so devoted to learning as much as we can about land and being the best land managers and landowners as we can be.  The first pr...

On a recent trip to the mid-Atlantic region, Matt was able to spend time reviewing success from a client who planted diverse natives as well as met with a new landowner who has converted just 1.5 acres into a food production mecca! You will hear about both wonderful stories on this week's podcast.  It is a joy to share with everyone the success that those who implement the plans have. These real-l...

Grab your pen and paper for this podcast! After many months of debating this podcast topic, we release the truths behind the knowledge that will take you deeper in the understanding of your property. The foundation of habitat management is a detailed knowledge of the resources that comprise habitat offered on the property. This foundation is simply, what vegetation is growing?  Without being able...

Where did all the quail go? This is a recurring question that begins in the eastern United States and ends in western United States with many ideas and opinions. Like many complicated questions, it has a very complicated answer that we do our best to break down and discuss some of the biggest factors in the decline of the Bobwhite Quail. From habitat loss, to predators, to farming practices, to ti...

If we could sum up food plots in one question or phrase it would likely be, "How can we maximize our food plot production with as little time and money as possible?" We strive to always find the best products for the money and allow us to have the best return on our investment. It is no different with food plots and we've fortunately been planting and testing for a long time. During that time we'v...

On this week’s podcast we cover all things summer and heat. It’s been heating up in the Midwest and a recent consulting trip to Texas reinforced the need for thermal cover. Yes, thermal cover for the summertime. The heat and potential for drought are something land managers should consider.  Can you imagine what summer thermal cover looks like? How do you create it? Why is summer thermal cover eve...

In this podcast, Frank and Matt discuss the foundation and start of life for many of the game species we all enjoy chasing. We address rumors and common misunderstandings that revolve around nesting, brood rearing, lactation and fawning.  One of the common thoughts is that spring rains destroy nests from flooding or even flood and wash turkey poults into the mighty Mississippi River. This idea has...

The best tool a land manager can have is their own two eyes! Chainsaws, prescribed fire, tractors, drills, sprayers are all great, but if you don't see what needs to be seen, then the tools we do have will be misused.  One of the largest problems we see when we tour farms is the lack of knowledge the landowner has of their given property. In many cases, the most time a landowner spends on the prop...

This Spring has been one to remember from chasing turkeys to burning down the roads on consulting trips. Two recent trips took Adam to the hills of Central Pennsylvania and Matt to the lakes of Minnesota. These two northern regions created some important field observations and similar management strategies.  When traveling and working in different regions of the country it is important to recall t...

Back on the road again, Matt and Frank discuss a recent trip to the heart of deer country in SouthEast Kansas. Working with new landowners is always enjoyable, but these two, a father and son, have an incredible work ethic and desire to improve habitat the right way. They aren't looking for quick fixes, they know the work before themis going to be tough, but rewarding. So we developed a plan for t...