The Woodsman Perspective

Precision shooting has become a popular off season sport among hunters. Many of the traditional hunting rifle manufacturers now offer models specifically for long range shooting in calibers that are very versatile for hunting. Pair that with affordable high quality optics, and you can be ringing steel at 500 yards with an over the counter package. This isn't just for the off season though, there are plenty of good applications for ...

While economic development and community growth is generally good for the population, the local economy, politicians, and quality of life in general, there is always a cost to nature and wildlife. These losses remind of how important it is to manage and protect the land and wildlife where you can. Also it is a reminder that habitat loss creates scarcity, which drives up the value in recreational land. Florida is arguably one of the...

Drones are everywhere, and while some still see them as toys there are some real advantages to them. Our own Brent Lochala has been flying drones for over 10 years and has an FAA part 107 license to operate them commercially. We get into some uses for them for owners and managers, some you are aware of and some you may not have thought of. From deer herd analysis, progression monitoring, flood control and drainage, to pine beetle d...

The use of technology and tactics that create a perceived advantage, or shortcut, is one of the most divisive things in the hunting community. It's in every aspect of it whether it is baiting for deer or reaping turkeys. Technology such as cellular enabled game cameras and thermal drones have brought it another level. The use of live scopes for crappie fishing is a great example of that. These tools, in my opinion, make it even mor...

Whether you are planning your summer food plots, picking up sheds, or calculating your cost per pound in venison, just about everything in hunting and habitat management comes back to numbers. This is something that we always come back to in our discussions about whatever project we are working on, so we bet that you have too. While at first it can seem to complicate things, especially if math isn't your thing, it actually helps to...

Within the ranks of turkey hunters, there are people who are specialists. We are going to highlight those specialists with a series of podcasts. The first one that we are featuring is "The Technician". We all have one in our circle, at least I hope we all do. Our friend Matt Kilpatrick is a technician. A cabinet builder by trade, he has an uncanny sense of craftsmanship and an eye for detail. He is the type of guy that will not tru...

Hardwoods are key to any recreational tract and wildlife habitat.  Dudley Phelps is the resident expert and tree nerd on the Mossy Oak Gamekeeper podcast, and we were excited to sit down with him and talk oaks, acorns, and hardwood management.   Dudley has a wealth of knowledge, not just on these things but all things wildlife and  hunting.   We grilled some venison tomahawks and had a great conversation, even though someone left t...

This throwback Thursday is a great conversation with Steve Brown, owner of Brown & Co outfitters.  Steve is one of the best turkey hunters to ever do it, hands down.   He has killed multiple world slams with archery equipment, guided decades ago at Westervelt lodge, competed in the Grand National calling contest and twice winning the Mississippi state championship.   Turkey hunters will enjoy this one from the archives.  We hav...

The tools and timing of disturbance will determine the results.   Mitt Wardlaw, serial entrepreneur and land management expert understands this as well as anyone in the world.  On a scientific level and from practical application, Mitt can explain these differences and tactics so that we can all understand them.  

We discuss the fire, tillage, herbicide and what timing will yield what results.  A MSU grad and accomplished crop cons...

The turkey hunting circle is relatively small, and inside is an even smaller circle of turkey callers. This tight knit group is made up of some of the biggest names in the hunting industry, and some names you've never heard unless you follow the calling contests trail. From Matt Van Cise, Ronnie Cuz Strickland, Bob Dixon, the Drury Brothers, to names like Ray Eye, Jami Linder, Paul Butski, Walter Parrot. We are hopeful that there i...

As a teaser to an upcoming episode with Mitt, we reached back into the archives and pulled this monologue of Mitt talking disturbance.  Specifically how the timing of disturbance determines what the plant response will be and how to intentionally use this to maximize plants and forbs and still have enough grass to carry the fire that is needed to maintain early successional  habitat.     You can find more on Mitt by following  @Mid...

Pat Davidson is not only a tax expert, but he is also a hunter and landowner. Chris helped Pat purchase and set up a tract that would serve as a multi-use property for his family.   We talk about that process and then we get Pat to discuss several things that land owner should consider when buying or selling.   He covers 1031 exchanges, Capital gains, and basis.   This one is full of good information if you are in the market as a b...

Behind almost every grip and grin hero photo of a hunter with a giant whitetail there is usually a string of hurt feelings, strained relationships, and sometimes even criminal activity.   The bottom line is that giant whitetails will make otherwise good people do things they would not normally do.   This often results in damaged relationships, lost leases, and in some cases more trouble than the deer was worth.  We have a guest wit...

The rut has passed and now bucks are coming in recovery mode.   Now it's time to protect those bucks that you've been watching and hopefully they don't leave for a late rut doe or for food and get shot in the last few days of season.   Chris employees what he calls "Defensive feeding" to hold deer on his property and keep them fed and in a low stress situation so that they don't have to leave.  Fertilizing food plots, increasing su...

On this episode we talk with Dave Owens of the Pinhoti Project about his approach to turkey hunting, traveling, and trends. We don't get too deep into techniques, because each situation is different with turkeys. But we do talk about some of the similarities that are found in turkey hunters. Me, Chris, and Hunter took Dave on a trap line with us before we recorded, so he had gotten to see Hunter in his element trapping coyotes, bob...

Our good friend Dr. Kenny Edwards is on the show today. Kenny's passion for hunting whitetails began at an early age on the farm in Crawford, MS and grew throughout his time in the Navy, med school and through his career as an orthopedic surgeon. A few years ago he was looking for a farm to buy and develop as hunting tract. We discuss that process with Kenny and get some great insight on the details and relationships that make the ...

Late summer droughts in the south stress our deer, arguably as much as the long cold winters in the midwest and northern states. Planting and feeding during this time becomes somewhat of a toss up, or maybe an art. We talk about some of those challenges and more. Thanks ‪@HRAgriVideos‬ for the hat. We mention a few of our friends on this one, I hope I don't miss anyone but thanks ‪@MidSouthResourceManagement‬ and Mitt, Lowndes farm...