Land & Legacy - Habitat + Hunting

Rules are made for a reason, and it’s usually out of necessity. Unfortunately, these rules prohibit or limit activities, but often that isn’t a bad thing. Most successful hunting clubs have rules that have to be followed to maintain the quality of hunting that everyone expects, otherwise these private lands end up no better than public. Today we dove into several issues we constantly see on various areas and how to avoid them.

We discussed the competing interests in the fall and how social media can cause folks to spend time pursuing something to the point it isn’t even fun anymore just due to the pressure to make a post or tell their buddies at work. Whether it’s trying to kill 100 ducks in a season, or the need to kill your “buck”, or even disallowing some family time at a farm for fear of disturbing wildlife. Hunters need to ask themselves, if they couldn’t tell anyone about their hunt or harvest, then what hunts would they spend time on? Whatever the answer is should be what a person goes out to enjoy. It’s all about spending time outdoors in the wonderful season called fall. It shouldn’t be a grind, it should be rejuvenating.

The deer hunting season is about to change, are you ready for these incoming strategy changes? Ditch the food plots you've been hunting all early season and start getting back to the cruising locations! We break down 6 different key points to consider when it is time to hunt during the pre-rut. Some of these considerations include ways to blow your wind in favor of a buck and not directly the hunter. In addition, what scrapes specifically to hunt and what pinch points are truly important during this window. Entry and exit routes are always critical no matter the time of the year, but also consider the most recent pulse in deer activity based on your cellular trail cameras. These and several other key considerations are what we elaborate on during this week's podcast. You need to be prepared for this window of time! Do not be reactive, anticipate the activity that will be happening. We hope this podcast gives you the edge you need to be successful during the pre-rut phase.

These procedures might not be what you’re thinking. This week we stray from habitat work a little to take care of other things. But hey, sometimes you’ve just got to stop and take care of life so you can stay on track.

This podcast will cover in depth the why and the how to in creating the dominant mock scrape in the area. We discuss the do's and dont's and top locations for these scrapes. If you want to learn how to gain valuable information and pattern mature bucks you need to listen to this podcast. Trail cameras are great tools if you know how to use them appropriately. Ask yourself if you are getting the most out of these tools? There is not a fall that goes by that we don't have 90% of all trail cameras deployed over scrapes, they are that important! Learn how by downloading this podcast.

This podcast has a purpose! Our goal is to clearly define the similarities and differences between supplemental feeding programs, baiting, and food plots for wildlife. This topic can be highly debated among hunters and is fueled by the various perspectives that everyone can have based on their personal experiences. Despite these challenges we wanted to address the hot and highly debated topic ourselves. The terms are important to define and critical to establish that there are often mis-uses and abuses with these terms, so we are trying to set the record straight for people to use. It is important to remember that it is each hunters responsibility to follow ALL the local rules and regulations. Keep everyone accountable and on a level playing field. Listen to this podcast carefully and completely. We’d love to hear your feedback on your perspectives.

Chainsaw Chad strikes in southern Missouri with an aggressive strategy during the early season. We often say early season is a time to be patient but when a great pattern develops it can be time to strike! Matt and Chad discuss the strategy of his early season buck.

On this podcast we sit down all together! Adam and Matt are joined by fellow consultants, Kyle Hedges, Frank Loncarich, Alan Summerford, and Brady Bradley to discuss our strengths and how we can help landowners across the country. This isn't your everyday group of deer hunters. #Forloveoftheland

It’s that time of year when our focus shifts from habitat work to hunting. But can hunting have a bearing on your habitat? Join us as we discuss how and why we manage our deer herds on the properties we manage and what we hope to accomplish from that each year.

We've been rolling with timber stand improvement through late summer and today we're discussing how we did it!

Technology has allowed us to have a wealth of information at our fingertips as well as “better” equipment to make a lot of our tasks easier than it once was. However, it doesn’t come without a cost. The cost varies from conflicting information to equipment that not many can repair.

Understanding bedding, historical movement, and individual personalities led to the game plan and execution.

In today’s episode we tackle unconventional methods we use to plant fall food plots based on weather conditions as well as the topic of conformation bias. It seems pretty common practice these days for folks to discount information and cherry pick what they want to hear. We can all be guilty of it from time to time, but how much does it influence our daily practices in managing for wildlife.

Why do I have all this equipment and my plots look worse today than they did five years ago when I was disking my plots? All these questions have answers and solutions! Tune in!

This podcast is going to hit home and right in the feels for a lot of listeners. As the hunting season opens up around the country, consider taking this podcast to heart. Remember "it is more important to know when not to hunt then when to hunt". This is a phrase we commonly share, it is critical to take this to heart. Hunting discipline is often lacking among many hunting camps, this discernment can save you from educating deer and keeping the farm secure. In addition to discussing hunting discipline, we also discuss in great detail the fact that many farms only need to have a small handful of treestands to hunt deer adequately. Each farm has a select few spots that create a weakness for deer, but a strength for a deer hunter. These are your prime hunting locations. These areas should have distinct habitat surrounding them to increase the frequency of their use. If hunted correctly, these areas usually only add up to about 5-10% of the farm. There is no need to hunt and pressure the whole farm, when the best spots provide all of the opportunity when you hunt with discipline! Be sure to share this podcast with your too excited buddy!

It’s that time of year when our work starts shifting toward hunting preparations, but there is still a lot to do. Join us this week as we discuss things we have been involved with here in Arkansas and the great results we hope to see for the wildlife we love to pursue.

Land & Legacy consultants Allan Summerford and Brady Bradley discuss everything dove hunting. With season right around the corner they discuss management techniques they implement throughout the year that increase their odds of a successful dove hunt. Whether it be techniques strictly for dove or other management practices that inadvertently benefit the dove population, they cover it here. Dove season can be a great way to get the whole family involved so get out this season and enjoy!

During this podcast, we discuss the importance of the 3 year old age class for various goals in whitetail deer management. The focus of most deer hunters when pulling trail cameras is always on mature deer. They tend to take a quick glance at a decent 3-year old deer, but then keep on scrolling. This age class needs way more attention than that! We discuss various case studies and scenarios within this podcast that will be applicable to most listeners! We hope you enjoy and learn! #ForLoveoftheLand

With several free options available these days, a lot of folks wonder why they should have to pay a consultant to help them with a plan for their property. This week we tackle this question and discuss several instances we have encountered where hiring a consultant would have saved a lot of money, time and confusion; not only in the beginning but for years to come. It’s not a simple as you might think. Like a great employee, an awesome consultant doesn’t actually cost you in the long run, it saves you.

We encourage landowners to create a vision for their farm. With that being said, this long term goal is something to strive for, but many people get caught up in the long term vision and forget to set realistic and achievable goals along the way to reach the vision. If we are being honest, many fall short of the vision due to poor planning and setting unrealistic goals that guide them. Big dreams are fun, we all love living in those day dream scenarios when it comes to land management. We all can paint the picture of what 10 years down the road should look like, but few can stay the course year in and year out. This week, we answer and address why that is and how to establish the goals or schedule along the way to allow you to create the vision! Share this podcast if you find it hits home! #ForLoveoftheLand

During this podcast we share with you the pros and cons, use case scenarios, and the differences between Basal Treating, Hack-n-squirt technique, and the Girdle and spray technique. These three techniques all have their place, but knowing their differences will make you a more effective and efficient land and wildlife manager. Today we walk you through the different options land managers have to use herbicide on woody vegetation to effectively terminate it. We cover the different herbicide cocktails, or solutions you should use to effectively terminate the intended vegetation. Time is of the essence, so be sure to use the right technique for your situation. We describe at great lengths when to use each one. We hope you have learned useful information that you can easily apply to your farm to improve your hunting and habitat offering on your farm.

Today we are joined with Land & Legacy’s Alan Summerford and neighboring property owner Lee Skinner to talk about which bucks make the hit list and improvements they have made to keep these bucks using the property.

On this episode we discuss where some recently purchased ribeye steaks came from as well labor shortages driving prices for things and how this fits into our everyday lives as habitat and wildlife managers. And we finally get around to discussing some food plots.

There is plenty to do on your farm before season opens up that isn't about the traditional hunting strategy.

The Onx app has more to offer than you already think, listen to all the new features to help make your life easier on the farm.

We just wrapped up our first ever brood habitat contest and it turned out unbelievably well. A huge thanks to everyone that donated and all the awesome entries.

As with a lot of positions, it’s often who you know that gets you the position. But in managing habitat, it’s what you know that spells the difference in success. Today we discuss various positions available for someone starting out in this career path and steps you can take to learn your way to success. We even discuss a job opportunity in the private sector with Luke Terry, Custom Forestry Applications Robinson, KS.

What does organic matter and deer forage have in common? What does the long term management of no herbicide and weed control look like? We're unpacking the newest research project with MSU Deer lab to see what this project will look like and what they're hoping to find out.

Today we discuss some recent pond management that we’ve done and how it relates to managing for wildlife. A lot of the principles are the same; spawning habitat, brood habitat, escape cover, food sources, managing against predation, providing food sources and setting yourself up for productive fishing are all things that we apply under water but it’s very similar to what we do for wildlife.

A few weeks ago we discussed the importance of understanding the future of pine management in regards to whitetail deer. The future is bleak for many people, but we didn’t want to leave you with no next steps or suggestions to help combat this issue. In this episode we chat about not replanting with pines and the proper way to manage early successional stages for diversity. Pines can be utilized or managed for dead zones and visual screens to limit visibility on farms as well. All deer hunters need a place to blow their wind during the fall. Pine corridors will also be used when deer transition between the successional areas. We dive deep into the How-To of pine management for folks in the south east. Keep an open mind when listening to this one!

We sat down recently with the Dr. Will Gulsby and Dr. Marcus Lashley from the Wild Turkey Science podcast to discuss our finding across the country and things we can do to help the turkey.

On this episode we are joined with NWTF Biologist Will Rechkemmer from Missouri to discuss what happens when fire is removed from the landscape, how this impacts wildlife and measures that need to be taken to correct it. Here we are talking about the Ozark area of Arkansas and Missouri, but the same is happening across vast portions of the US and it’s having negative effects on the wildlife we love.

It's official, the deer season preparations are on! The anticipation is high as velvet photos are strolling in, but what does that actually mean for deer season? Most folks get too amped up to only realize that these patterns often end right about the time season opens up. So this week, we discuss the difference between what you see during the summer versus the fall and how you can still plan successfully for fall time patterns. Testosterone in bucks ramps up during the later portion of August and increases throughout the rut, only then to decrease and signal to shed antlers during winter. This increase during August breaks up the bachelor groups therefore redistributing bucks across the landscape and not all huddled up around one single food source. This makes what you see during summer not translate well to bow season. So, we caution everyone to say, be careful what you see and how you prepare right now, because it is all subject to change! Take a listen and enjoy the velvet photos rolling in!

Having the correct tool of the job saves time, money and headaches. This week we discuss implements and equipment that we commonly use, some we made, some we modified and some we bought but all have a specific purpose in our day to day jobs.

Al better known as Al James on the social media world has been passionate about finding solutions to food plots and soil health. He's devoted himself to trying to understand soil health, food plots, and all this crazy talk about no herbicide and how it can apply to his plots. It's an interesting chat with lots of great realist ideas for your farm.

This week Thomas and Hunter are discussing cheap & easy food plots, a big reason that clover plots fail, how to figure pure live seed, sprayers and the brood habitat contest coming to an end. And of course we are discussing this Arkansas heat and drought.

For 50 years pines have dominated the southeast region. We’ve been told that you can manage for whitetails and grow pines. But at the end of the day, pine management does not produce enough forage and cover for adequate whitetail management to offer year round resources. Thinning and burning sometimes isn’t even enough! There are many challenges that the pine market faces moving forward, so be wise! Take a listen to this podcast with an open mind. Remember goals are important to consider when making long term and short term decisions. Be wise!

Today we are joined with guests Chuck Mays, a law enforcement officer and phenomenal habitat manager from North Mississippi and Caleb Traugh with Traugh Ag Services in South Georgia to talk about lime, fertilizer and food plot seed as well as a lot of the marketing myths around them that folks commonly fall victim to.

This term is thrown out without realizing what is actually meant by it. Often times, people say they want to maximize a farm, but what they really mean is they want to sacrifice certain aspects of the property to balance their interests and goals. If you don't have a single focus of interest for a farm, then you can't maximize anything. You can raise the bar greatly, but maximizing just isn't possible. For instance, most people want to manage for better wild turkeys and deer, yet they say they want to maximize each of them. Neither could be maximized, but both could be managed for and see some great increases in populations, usage of the farm, observations, and harvests. The point of this podcast is to clearly understand the relationship between the land management you are doing and how wildlife use the landscape. Without having this knowledge then you are asking for increased nearly impossible results.

On this weeks podcast's we're discussing the regenerative food plotting trend. We've covered it before but not like this! Fresh off of a recent consult, we're seeing more and more plots filled with weeds and limited success. Lets unpack it this week! #Forloveoftheland

Combined they have over 45 years of experience managing public lands. This includes grasslands, woodlands, forests, glades, old fields and wetlands. They both manage their own farms as well. They discuss their interests in hunting and trapping and how that has also helped them when conducting consults.

This week we are joined with Missouri Forester and Wildlife Manager Daric Denny to discuss what deer eat, how to create more of it and the nutritional value it can provide. Are you providing everything your deer need to thrive?

In this episode we discuss getting involved in classes, PBA’s, cost share programs, and start the journey to a better understanding of managing habitat with a wholistic approach.

Bedding thickets and need for providing secure cover is the backbone of a solid hunting property. In the timber it takes a distinct strategy to create these dense thickets. However they can’t be too thick that only the edges are used. These units also have to have 80-100% sunlight allowed in. So this week we answer the question of how to manage the canopy while managing the debris load of each unit.

Not every consultation is created equal. Recently we travel to North Mississippi to work a bottom land floodplain forest property. These sites always have their challenges but we were in for a exciting spin on managing Bottomland forest this week. After spending several hours on the property, we were stumped the time being. Understanding the function of a property is critical to then making quality recommendations, but the function of this farm was way out of sorts. We break down how we approached this challenging farm and determined how to best strategize access and plan. We stuck to the Land andLegacy habitat management principles and these guiding principles revealed the next best steps.Not every farm is going to be clear, cut, and dry. This farm requires extra attention to detail to realize its full potential. It also requires a landowner to be humble and work with Creation in their pursuit of reaching their goals.

In this episode we discuss what to do when the typical approach doesn’t work, when it doesn’t make sense to spend the money to fight what you have, working with your property instead of against it & managing your time and money for a higher return.

We talk habitat management 365 days a year because it’s critical to optimizing a landowners success. However, so is a well developed and executed hunting strategy for that specific farm! We tour farms weekly and find most hunters are hunting a farm all wrong! This can easily derail even the highest quality habitat or decrease your success in a great neighborhood with ample mature deer to chase. During this podcast, we urge you to balance your habitat management strategy with an equally solid hunting strategy. You have to be able to determine when not to hunt. The best days of the year are east to figure out with forecasts and increased deer behavior, but knowing when to stay out is critical! Give the three pronged approach a try for 5 years, you will see a notable improvement in reaching your goals!

They are known as man’s best friend and quickly become a part of the family, they love us unconditionally and their only goal is to spend more time with us. Today we pay tribute to Piper as Hunter talks about his recent loss with her as well as many other four legged friends that have gone too soon.

Kyle and Frank discuss a few herbicides that should be kept on hand at all times for landowners. They also get into the specifics of various herbicides and different times and ways to utilize them. They examine the issues with not only invasive species, but also thick grass, stump treatment and more. Tune in for some tips that might help on your farm this summer.

Creating Brood Rearing habitat in ways other than dormant season fires and disking!