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.
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399: Turning 40 Acres of Worthless Swamp Into a Big Buck Sanctuary with Joe Allera
Habitat Podcast #399 - In today's episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Joe Allera! We discuss: -Joe buys 40 acres of wetland because 40 acres of tillable ground was priced out of reach. -Joe cuts over 100 deer beds into his swamp transitions with a weed whacker and a saw blade. -Joe reads marsh elevation off the vegetation: phragmites highest, reed canary the deepest.…
398: Is Some Rain Worse Than No Rain At All For Food Plots? with Lincoln Rohn
Habitat Podcast #398 - In today's episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Lincoln Rohn! We discuss: -Lincoln pulled about 50 stumps out of an acre-and-a-half plot near Free Soil and left three on purpose. -Why Lincoln leaves stumps and pine pods standing in a plot — deer hold to structure the way bass do. -The stump bucket serration that laid Lincoln's knee open, and why he…
397: Does Killing a 170" Buck in Iowa Make You a Better Hunter?
Habitat Podcast #397 - In today's episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Adam Miller! We discuss: -Why Adam says killing a 170 in Iowa Zone 7 wouldn't make him a better hunter. -How Adam drew Iowa Zone 7 with three points and is going mostly as Joe's cameraman. -Why out-of-state deer forgive mistakes that Michigan deer would never let you make. -Adam missing the same buck…
396: The Real Reason Michigan's New Baiting Law Doesn't Make Sense with Josh Arborgast
Habitat Podcast #396 - In today's episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Josh Arbogast! We discuss: Josh explains how Michigan's new baiting law only restricts corn within 300 yards of a home. He ties that 300-yard rule to Rep. Ken Borton's personal grudge from an old baiting ticket. Michigan's earn-a-second-buck pilot in five counties heads toward a final NRC vote around…
395: What 20 Years of Food Plotting For Clients Taught Him with Kasey Thren
Habitat Podcast #395 - In today's episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Kasey Thren! We discuss: -His client base sits in sandy central Michigan soil, and he's learned to work with it, not against it. -He switched to a First Products no-till drill after decades of rototilling to save time. -He leans on Morgan Composting's Dairy Doo and humic acid instead of pricier…
394: Two Fields, 250 Yards Apart, Completely Different Deer Pressure — Here's Why with Al Tomechko
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…
393: He Left His 15-Year Career To Chase His Passion For Land with Cory Franceus
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…
392: The Biggest Mistake He Made Managing 36 Acres In Illinois with Brent Davis
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…
391: Stop Wasting Money On Food Plot Seed: Do This Instead with Doug Holmes
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…
390: The 10-Acre Big Buck Factory He Built Around His House with Dave Hoy
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…
389: After Multiple Years Of Habitat Work, These 3 Things Worked The Best with Jake Bollinger
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…