Whitetail Landscapes - Hunting & Habitat Management

In this podcast Todd Shippee from Empire Land Management and Jon Teater from Whitetail Landscapes explore some of the best hunting access techniques for land managers. Todd discusses what he has been working on at his client’s properties.  Todd dives into some provisional strategies for hunting access. Sometimes the best hunting hack can be a temporary consideration of planting various plants to see how deer react before going full bore into implementation. Jon suggests thinking about these decisions over time and thoroughly evaluating your options.The contributor’s breakdown flat, hilly and mountainous terrain differences as it relates to access. Jon breaks down how he uses saddles for hunting access and key techniques to eliminate deer interest in certain terrain settings. Todd discusses how deer may feel too confined when we develop trails, and this can put deer off from traveling down locations we prefer. Both discuss how some techniques can create more predator opportunities. Todd explains some very simple and effective tips to get in and out of the treestands that allow for more hunting success.Both contributors’ breakdown key plants that support hunting access, and how to create layering across the property. Todd and Jon talk about how to get deer closer to their treestands while considering access.  Jon explains buffering zones and how certain plants allow him to create effective access. Todd and Jon provide more permanent established practices (i.e. berms, ditches) to help support hunting access.  A new concept like introducing berms or other features may create more usable, huntable space across the landscape. Todd ends with some very key access tips, and both contributors explain a hunting hack that you can use on your property and at remote hunting camps in the big woods. Social Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/empirelandmgmt/?hl=enhttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes), Anthony Barnum (Outdoor Writer), and Mark Cobb (Stihl Dealer) discuss important equipment to own for managing your hunting property. Buying the correct gear can save time, wear and tear, and your life. From chainsaws to chaps this episode explores different models from homeowner, ranch to professional equipment and how these are used afield.Making the wrong investment in equipment can be costly and each contributor explains what they would do differently. Mark provides recommendations and alternatives to buying expensive equipment that can save you money. Jon discusses the mistakes he has made over the years and what equipment he uses and recommends on your property. Additionally, Anthony is faced with a choice of upgrading his chainsaw and is walked through his prior choices and why they need to change as he undertakes a timber harvest.Mark dives into chains and what selection should be made in various conditions. Mark discusses failures he has seen afield and how some landowners can get in over their head quickly and how not to make that mistake. Lastly, Mark provides an uncommon recommendation that can be a major lifesaver that is a must for anyone considering working on their property with a chainsaw.Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

In this episode, Jon Teater discusses with Steve Sherk of Sherk’s Guide Service how to break down a mature buck from start to finish. Steve has developed hunting tactics that work year in and out for him and his clients. Historical trail camera data and sticking with a deer through the years, and understanding his preferences ensures success down the road. Other topics such as how deer acclimate to changes, socially or otherwise, in their environments is critical to knowing where they will reside throughout the year and getting ahead of them during hunting season.Developing a plan to harvest a mature deer is only as good as your ability to locate them, collect data and thoroughly evaluate their movements. Jon and Steve talk about summer and fall ranges, and how there are misnomers, especially when a hunting property is designed correctly. Of course, deer may change their movements and their general patterns at any time, so it's vital to evaluate a deer’s physical needs throughout the year.Steve’s process and concept of clustering cameras and knowing a big buck’s behavior as they shift movement from early fall to breeding periods allows him to build a database of information that supports his hunting approach and ability to target mature deer. Steve is focused on big woods movement, but the strategies as discussed will apply to most locations. Steve explains that it is important to not get discouraged and hunters' agenda to hunt should be linked to when deer are consistently using areas. Further, understanding the whys behind deer movement is crucial. Steve ends with some great suggestions on how to break down a mature buck’s area and how he killed a giant Pennsylvania buck during the rut.Social LinksSherk's Guide Service – Guided Deer Hunts (sherksguideservice.com)Sherk's Guide Service - Home | FacebookSteve Sherk Jr. (@sherksguideservice) • Instagram photos and videoshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

On this episode, Jon Teater and Anthony Barnum, Outdoor Writer and Gear Guru, discuss owning land, and the factors that led them to buying property. Buying land can be one of the most involved and complicated endeavors we go through as individuals and can be taxing and liberating all at the same time. In this discussion we get into the pitfalls and benefits of owning land. Anthony breakdowns what he’s doing on his land to improve it and his number one improvement he believes most should consider after purchasing property. Anthony is focused on maximizing his land and receiving a benefit hunting wise via logging. Anthony has taken it on himself to mark timber and layout a logging plan to include some enhancements that will increase deer interest over time.  If you are considering buying land or are fortunate to hunt on family property this episode discusses the thoughts, attitudes, and the concessions we sometimes must make in order to find a balance between meeting goals and keeping healthy relationships with family and friends. It’s important to be realistic and find success in our own ways and don’t forget that goals can be set but may need to be rethought in order to be achieved. Anthony and Jon discuss family and bringing children up with hunting and how they are approaching things differently from how they were taught.Further, Anthony and Jon discuss working with neighbors; this include strategies you may consider that could help push your agenda in the locality. Understanding that we sometimes might deal with highly pressured ground, especially during gun season, can be a major detractor, but we must work through these frustrations and be keen on when the time is right to go after the deer we want to harvest. Anthony advocates that looking for other properties and evaluating areas that may be more aligned with your goals.  Selling land may be a consideration for some, but Anthony is playing the long game on his properties and he hopes that his current and future improvements will help him meet his goals.   Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

In this podcast Rocky Burrus from SA Farms Management Service, based in Tennessee, discusses how he evaluates trail camera data to support his continued success each season. Rocky works with clients throughout the southern United States helping them design and implement his property management plans.Rocky runs trail cameras across his personal properties and those that he hunts. Rocky meticulously analyzes the deer he pursues. Documenting some basic information such as wind preferences, temperature, weather fronts, and most importantly keying in on daylight movement and connecting that information to understanding how deer are using his properties and those he designs.  The most important topic Rocky explains is how to take trail camera data and turn that information into actionable intel to hunt deer. Rocky discusses this topic in detail and most frequently sticks with times the property his “hot” and keys in on weather and frequency of use, many times, this is during the rut. Also, keying in on observations from afar can help confirm deer movement. Rocky expounds on annual patterns and Jon describes some key differences on the properties he designs and hunts in New York. Rocky has used trail camera data to enhance his farms and gain cyclical intel on the deer he goes after each year. Rocky explains the importance of fawn drop each year and his record keeping.Rocky also builds his own box blinds that provide a great opportunity to hunt many different winds, and in some cases he’s able to “cheat” the wind. Most importantly, design hunting locations can be ruined if accessed or hunted with incorrect winds; this may throw off any annual or routine pattern of movement experienced on a property.How many trail cameras does Rocky run on his property?  The answer might surprise you… and more to come on a company Rocky believes is one of the best in the industry.

In this podcast Todd Shippee from Empire Land Management, based in Wisconsin, discusses how he develops hunting properties.  Todd is well known as a turnkey hunting property developer that supports clients that require food plots, ponds, timber and field restoration, and much more. He specializes in hunting property enhancement for large and small land and shares his secrets to success.Todd explains that the measurement to success is best recognized when your hunting property becomes unswerving to many of the outside pressures and changes in the environment. The true indicator of a great property is that it should improve during hunting season. Todd’s focus on property layout and smart ways to utilize existing vegetation that will create constant attraction for deer. Todd breaks down specific food sources in his food plots, how he lays out special features, and designs bedding areas to continue to create attraction. Annually Todd’s client’s boast large bucks and hefty doe harvests because of his tactics. Todd goes as far as helping each client pick treestand locations and retrieve deer harvested.Todd ends with a great remark and suggests that the wise man learns from his mistakes, but the really wise man learns from other people’s mistakes. Social Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/empirelandmgmt/?hl=enhttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Whitetail Landscapes is Powered by Simplecast

In this podcast Tim Russell from Green Fire Forestry & Wildlife Services discusses how to get miles ahead of others that don’t cut their timber.  Thinning timber and evaluating the trees that are resident to meet goals of Forest Stand Improvement and objectives of benefitting deer. Landowners should contemplate what tree species are being taken out of the timber stand before a harvest and be mindful of trees that are left behind.  Studying and evaluating the resident plant communities in the overstory and understory is a logical step to evaluating the state of the forest and diagnosing what trees can benefit from thinning as it pertains to future harvests or crop trees that provide a mast benefit. Evaluate non-native plants and their abundance on the property and be mindful of these plants as they can create a conflict with existing and developing plant communities after a timber thinning.  Also, assess the amount of light reaching the forest floor and the resident plants that provide forage and cover for deer. Strategies related to post timber thinning as it pertains to remaining treetops and patchwork, in addition to a tactic called variable thinning will lead to more hunting success as deer interest increases.Social LinksGreen Fire Forestry & Wildlife Services, LLChttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Whitetail Landscapes is Powered by Simplecast

In this episode, find out how Steve Sherk of Sherk’s Guide Service gets his mature buck data right after hunting season. Steve is notorious for killing mature deer and helping his clients find success. Steve is a big woods hunter that pursues deer on public land in Pennsylvania and New York, his tactical and purposeful approach to evaluating and understanding deer movement and establishing a process to harvest deer will translate to your hunting. Steve and Jon discuss deer habitat and what preferences exist this time of year and where to scout. Sometimes conditions allow for double the data and will put you closer to understanding what deer will be doing next season.  Also, we dive into Steve’s scouting process, how he picks apart his hunting areas. Figuring out what deer have survived the hunting season is the first step. Evaluating the areas deer use and defining home ranges first, then forecasting core ranges to help narrow down and dial in where these deer want to be during hunting season. The use of trail cameras is essential to Steve’s process, his technique of clustering and analyzing trail camera data fuels his success. Steve’s ability to get intel all year long and his focus on scouting over 300 days a year,  and his focus on learning about specific deer movement and usage of areas seasonal supports his continued success in the big woods. Social LinksSherk's Guide Service – Guided Deer Hunts (sherksguideservice.com)Sherk's Guide Service - Home | FacebookSteve Sherk Jr. (@sherksguideservice) • Instagram photos and videoshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Whitetail Landscapes is Powered by Simplecast

In this episode, find out how Jon Teater of Whitetail Landscapes designs hunting properties. The biggest focus area of Jon’s approach will start you down the correct path. Knowing more about the fundamentals of design makes the process so much easier. Understanding key facets of plants and the environment, which will help attract deer to your property.Landowners taking a stance, being open to change and promoting an unbiased perspective provides an opportunity to transform their hunting property. No property is perfect, landowners or leasees must recognize that each property has an opportunity to be more productive.  Evaluate your property against the neighborhood and thinking more realistically about the property setup.Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Whitetail Landscapes is Powered by Simplecast

In this episode, we introduce Maximize Your Hunt produced by Whitetail Landscapes. Whitetail Landscapes is located in New York State and focuses on enhancing whitetail deer hunting properties through design and management efforts. Jon Teater owns and operates Whitetail Landscapes and has established clients throughout the United States. Jon’s experience combined with reoccurring podcast guests will provide opportunities for those around the country to learn how to improve their hunting property.The podcast includes information and background of Whitetail Landscapes and contributing guests. In addition, understanding differences across the country as it pertains to hunting expectations and habitat quality is significant to understanding what your property can provide. Please follow along as we dive into some key topics of design and strategy. #WhitetailLandscapes Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en Whitetail Landscapes is Powered by Simpleast