Whitetail Landscapes - Hunting & Habitat Management

Thomas Mlsna, founder of Untamed Ambition, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of trail cameras in hunting preparation. In this conversation, Jon Teater and Thomas discuss various topics related to hunting property design and management. They cover the importance of wet meadows in hunting properties, the use of compost teas to promote microbial activity in food plots, and the challenges of balancing soil health and weed control. They also touch on the concept of solarization, the benefits of diverse plant blends, and the value of focusing on the surrounding habitat rather than just food plots. Additionally, they discuss the use of herbicides, the benefits of no-till drilling, and the importance of soil amendments in timber areas. In this conversation, Jon Teater and Thomas discuss the importance of long-term habitat management and the role of consultants in implementing systems and routines. They emphasize the need to address weak points on the property and improve soil health through methods like fertilization and introducing organic matter. They also discuss the value of fire as a tool for cycling through vegetation and the challenges of using prescribed fire in certain areas. They highlight the significance of diversity in habitat and the impact of food plots on the surrounding environment. They encourage listeners to observe and experiment with different amendments and plant species to improve their habitat. Finally, they provide some quick tips for improving habitat before hunting season, including timber stand improvement, burning, and scouting.Takeaways:Trail cameras only tell you where you should have been, not where you should be.Trail cameras only tell you what is happening directly in front of them.Pressure is anything that causes stress or discomfort on a deer to a level that it's going to change their behavior.There are really only two things that reduce pressure on deer. It is cover and consistency in pressure or lack thereof.Topography is the greatest form of cover there is.Variation in food value, a variation in food type composition is extremely important. Social Links:https://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=enhttps://www.theuntamedambition.com/

In this episode, host Jon Teater interviews Rocky Burruss (SA Farm Management Service) about his upcoming hunting season and his strategies for preparing for the velvet season. They discuss topics such as managing livestock and trophy deer, dealing with drought conditions, and preparing for bow hunting. Rocky shares his tactics for setting up stands, manipulating the habitat to attract deer, and using attractants like vanilla extract. They also touch on the importance of water sources and how to hold mature bucks on a property.Rocky explains the early hunting season tactics for velvet bucks. Rocky explains working areas just before hunting season, and things you can do to create movement around key hunting locations. Rocky uses equipment to better interact with deer just before season. Rocky details provide minimal threat to deer and still make treestand locations.  Rocky fine tunes his hunting location and uses existing trees to manipulate movement. Rocky explains tips and tricks to allow deer to Rocky client mistakes, land setup and tactics.Rocky provides details on his data that allow his deer to be harvested more efficiently. Rocky explains managing deer populations on small properties, and creating opportunities for large bucks. Rocky assesses holding mature bucks for longer periods, and how to attract better deer. Rocky explains the importance of water in key areas on the property.

Thomas Mlsna, founder of Untamed Ambition, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of trail cameras in hunting preparation. He emphasizes the need to be intentional with camera setups and to use them to collect information and build theories about deer behavior. He also highlights the significance of wind, pressure, food, and timing in understanding deer movement.Thomas and Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) discuss the value of pressure as a tool and the importance of social interaction among deer. They also touch on the concept of creating high-value environments to attract and hold deer on a property. The conversation focuses on the importance of cover and consistency in reducing pressure on deer. The speakers discuss how deer stack up in areas with consistent human activity and how cover provides a sense of security. They also touch on the significance of topography as a form of cover. The conversation then shifts to the role of food plots and the importance of variation in food type and composition. They emphasize the need to understand how deer relate to different types of food and cover. The speakers also discuss the importance of observation and flexibility in hunting success, as well as the role of wind in deer movement. They highlight the value of training the brain to notice important details in the environment and the benefits of scouting during the hunting season. The conversation concludes with the importance of visualization, theory-building, and continuous learning in hunting.Takeaways:Trail cameras only tell you where you should have been, not where you should be.Trail cameras only tell you what is happening directly in front of them.Pressure is anything that causes stress or discomfort on a deer to a level that it's going to change their behavior.There are really only two things that reduce pressure on deer. It is cover and consistency in pressure or lack thereof.Topography is the greatest form of cover there is.Variation in food value, a variation in food type composition is really important. Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=enhttps://www.theuntamedambition.com/

In this episode, Jon Teater of Whitetail Landscapes and Derek Schoffstall (Client) discuss habitat management and the recent Master Class. Derek discusses his history with podcasts, his own property in Pennsylvania, and his rationale in coming to the master class. Derek explains why he signed up so quickly to the master class. Derek discusses the shortfalls on his personal property and his familiarity with big woods, terrain, north and south slopes.Derek discusses food plot layout, bulletproof access, terrain features for hiding treestands or box blinds.  Jon explains the importance of hedgerows, shelterbelts, food plot architecture and the significance of willows. Derek and Jon discuss food plot layout, destination food sources, deer flow and surrounding deer in food.Jon refutes depth of cover and new ways to design bedding areas. Jon discusses harvest decisions, what deer to shoot and where to hunt deer. Jon discusses the importance of deer herd management and deer hunting property. Jon discusses managing timber based on slope and aspect, how to manage for quality timber and deer interest. Derek explains the level and volume of cutting and how much is needed to cutJon and Derek discuss putting deer close to neighbor borders that help to educate and support more interest in sanctuaries.  Derek discusses his own property design and changes he plans on making after the master class. Jon discusses deer herd dynamics, mature bucks, fawn retention, and deer dispersal.Jon discusses changing a deer’s core area, and pulling in the largest bucks in the area, and executing during hunting season. Jon discusses having multiple food plots, numerous bedding areas, and compartmentalization. Derek discusses having more data on deer, recording information, and comparing year to year. Jon discusses what deer patterns mean and why annual deer movement does not occur in many hunting Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Brad Harper (Harper Growing Solutions) discuss the new Full Spectrum products that are available for food plotters. Brad discusses nutrient toxicity and deficiencies, calcium and magnesium balancing. Brad discusses raising pH and lowering hydrogen levels in the soil. Jon discusses increasing air in soil, Brad discusses cover crops and root development. Brad discusses mineral deficiencies in the soil and handling issues around unwanted plants and trying to out complete plants.Brad discusses starter fertilizers with micronutrients, foliar and soil drenching, humic and fulvic acid. Brad explains the use of amino acids and benefits to the plant applying foliar sprays in phases. Brad and Jon discuss irrigation, sprinkler system, pivots and applying amendments on the landscape. Brad discusses using an all purpose fertilizer foliar on food plots, spruce trees, fruit trees.Brad details the debate on calcium products and the difference between calcium carbonate versus calcium chloride. Brad discusses using nitrogen, and using nitrogen infrequently but for certain crops like corn, sorghum, and brassica. Brad explains how inefficient nitrogen is as it pertains to applications to plants. Brad explains foliar applications of nitrogen and how efficient this can be and the criticality of timing. Brad discusses urea, and ammonium based products and the timing of use during plant reproduction or vegetative phase. Brad discusses reading a label and where fertilizers are coming from nowadays, and certain fertilizers to stay away from.  Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=enHarper Growing Solutions (harpergs.com)

In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Matt Williams (myco-habitat) discuss recent projects and experiments. Matt discusses hiring a forester. Matt explains new plants he’s trying to options on his food plot. Matt and Jon discuss plants they don’t want to see in food plots. Jon discusses fertilizer and amendments and creating more opportunity for air in the soil.  Matt introduces intercropping and adding oats and peas to existing food plots.Matt explains how he manages soybean, and additives that keep deer out of his plots. Matt discusses corn and his purpose behind utilizing corn, size of food plots. Matt discusses building a food plot from scratch with limited equipment.  Matt discusses how to remove stumps from food plots. Matt explains mushroom cultivation and new techniques in and around food plots with increased utilization.Matt explains access areas, sacrificing areas and thinking economics. Matt and Jon discuss black walnuts and what plants will grow in and around walnut trees for wildlife. Matt and Jon discuss building a food forest and plants that work well in fire regimes. Matt discusses wild grapes, scraping activity and some special ideas for mineral sites and acclimating deer to human presence.Social Linkshttps://myco-habitat.com/https://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Todd Shippee (Empire Land Management), discuss upcoming projects. Todd discusses ways to develop areas during floods, segmenting deer and how to design a property to reduce erosion. Todd takes us to school on preseason management and scouting practices, and wet food plots.Todd and Jon discuss how to create an easy hunt this season, and what not to do this summer. Todd discusses the social impact on deer and ways to reduce stress on the deer herd. Jon explains ideas on concealment. Todd details planting techniques for conifers, and temporary screen, planting with tractor verse atvs.Todd and Jon talk cutworm, corn, and better food plot concepts. Todd suggests keeping bare dirt on the landscape and the importance of employing a layering concept of plants to better create interest in food plots from deer and turkeys. Todd discusses building sacrificial food plots and surprising blends that are highly attractive to deer.  Todd talks about some of the highest toxic plants in the world and how he handles them on his client properties.Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=enEmpire Land Management (@empirelandmgmt) • Instagram photos and videosWhitetail Institute - Food Plots - Deer Food Plot Seeds - Soil Testinghttps://extremeblowerproducts.com/

Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Mark Wright (Client) discuss his consulting visit, habitat changes, and advancing a tough to hunt area and finding success. Jon discusses working on apple trees, non-native plant removal, herbicides, and plants that create rashes. Mark explains his background as an attorney, his journey to owning land and how he found his piece of heaven and purchasing more land. Mark discusses owning the property over 10 years prior to the consulting visit and raising a family that enjoys hunting.Mark explains being somewhat unsure and overwhelmed at first on what changes to make, listening to the Podcast and thoughts on hiring a consultant. Mark and Jon discuss building a relationship and working together to grow a hunting property and experience. Mark dialogues about the onsite visit and working in the timber to improve habitat, weighing each family member's input, improving ecology, and balancing hunting and aesthetics. Mark and Jon discuss the unique cutting techniques and the benefits of seeing more quality deer, having a hitlist of bucks and improving the overall hunting experience.Mark discusses prioritizing projects, becoming a land steward, and considering himself more than just a hunter. Mark discusses the complexities of the Northeast and seeing immediate changes to a hunting property. Mark explains setting goals and leaving his mark on his property for the future.  Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Corbin Reed (Client) discuss his consulting visit, habitat changes, and working for deer. Corbin explains his history and background and large number of farms and how he has had to balance work, life, and deer. Corbin explains hiring a consultant, going through the process of evaluating different consultants, getting perspective from others and experience attending Don Higgins Master Class and the differences between the northeast and the Midwest.Corbin and Jon discuss his property management plan and how to eliminate neighbors. Corbin explains being a hands-on learner and wanting more out of a consulting visit. Corbin discusses making changes to his property and he never stops learning. Corbin explains advancing food plots and next level depth and train of thought need to make a top hunting property.Corbin and Jon explain the experience they gained with cutting together.  Corbin details looking at his properties at a high level and trying to process all the changes, while keeping his goal on giant bucks! Corbin explains his takeaways and how to learn more by doing and what he is going to do on his property to kill world class bucks. Corbin provides his expert advice on making your hunting property work for you and how to make multiple properties produce quality deer.Social Linkshttps://whitetaillandscapes.com/https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Steve Barscz (Client) discuss his recent consulting visit and the changes that ensued during and after the onsite support.  Steve discusses why he hired Whitetail Landscape, the homework and process of evaluating a consultant, and dream of setting up an ideal hunting property in a tough to hunt area. Steve discusses buying a home with land and what his expectations are for his new property.Steve and Jon discuss setting up bedding areas, deer movement, trails, food plots, atv and tractor trails, wetlands and managing a diverse habitat. Steve discusses doing the work and guidance around structuring bedding areas. Steve explained how his design and layout (map) aligned with the implementation strategy. Steve utilized Josh Streichert (JWS Logging) to work through implementation and enhancement of habitat, with the goal of creating a better ecology and environment for better hunting.