Habitat Podcast

Habitat Podcast #363 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Co-Host Andy Hutchens and our good friend Justin Curtis! We discuss: Hunting is about restraint, not just killing deer Mature bucks are killed before the hunt begins Access matters more than stand placement Less pressure equals more daylight movement Soil health directly impacts antler growth Habitat beats gadgets every time Let good bucks walk to grow great ones Cover keeps deer home year-round Patience is the most valuable hunting skill Enjoy the journey, not just the harvest And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Patreon for those who want to support the Habitat Podc

Habitat Podcast #361 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Co-Host Andy Hutchens and our good friend Blaine Becker! We discuss: Habitat success is built through long-term, consistent work Pressure management matters as much as food and cover Timber work can reshape deer movement patterns Mature bucks react more to pressure than attraction Seasonal context should guide every habitat decision Observation beats forcing hunts or overplanning Less intrusion often leads to better daylight movement Habitat improvements benefit deer year-round Smart access is critical to protecting core areas Patience and discipline separate good habitat from great habitat And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat P

Habitat Podcast #361 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Co-Host Andy Hutchens and our good friend Nick Pullano! We discuss: Property lines and land disputes shaped early decisions Deer behavior dictated strategy more than guesses Food sources were getting hammered daily by deer Simple setups often outperformed complex plans A mock scrape changed buck movement instantly One trail-cam photo shifted the entire season’s focus Hunting setbacks led to better long-term learning Small habitat tweaks created big behavioral changes Stories and lessons drive the core of the conversation Shared passion for land and deer management unites the group And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Habitat Podcast #360 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are on the road in the Deercamp.Detour studio with Co-Host Andy Hutchens! We discuss: Iowa hunt success and lessons from the trip How cold temps and rapid warmups affect deer movement Importance of reading thermals throughout the day Gear upgrades that made long sits more comfortable Stories of chasing specific bucks and missed encounters How rut activity shifts with doe behavior Using terrain and tall grass for stealthier access Adjusting setups as weather swings 25° to 65° Observing buck reactions and learning their patterns Celebrating Thanksgiving and wrapping the hunting season And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Habitat Podcast #359 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back at the northern 70 with the HP crew for another year of deer camp! We discuss: Growth comes from showing up, even when you don’t feel ready The land teaches you—if you’re willing to listen Failures shape you more than the easy seasons Priorities shift as life, family, and purpose evolve Breakthroughs often come right after frustration Learning your property is a lifelong process Small moments outdoors can reset your whole mindset Progress happens through imperfect reps, not perfection Knowing what matters makes every decision clearer Hunting becomes deeper when it’s tied to who you’re becoming And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcas

Habitat Podcast #358 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and our good friend Matt Zahl breaking down Matt's Michigan buck and Jared's Iowa buck. We discuss: The hosts share light-hearted banter about gaming and hunting gear, setting a casual tone. They discuss recent hunting successes, highlighting camaraderie among friends. Jared shares his excitement about using a new scope on his bow for improved accuracy. The conversation shifts to habitat improvements and planting strategies for deer hunting. They emphasize the importance of managing deer populations and hunting responsibly. The hosts recount their experiences with deer sightings and the thrill of the hunt. They touch on the challenges of hunting in areas where neighbors bait deer. The discussion includes the ethics of hunting and the frustration of competing with baiters. Jared shares a detailed account of his recent successful deer hunt, celebrating his achievement. The

Habitat Podcast #355 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and our good friend Frank Brock of Morse Nursery. We discuss: Andy shares his recent encounter with deer in Iowa, highlighting the thrill of the chase. Frank discusses a big buck he's been tracking, emphasizing the challenge of getting him in daylight. The hosts compare deer activity in different regions, noting varying levels of rut activity. Frank's 20-acre property is finally producing results after years of careful management. The importance of patience and gradual improvements in habitat management is highlighted. The conversation shifts to the benefits of planting fruit trees for deer attraction. Self-pollinating persimmons are back in stock, offering a reliable food source for deer. The hosts stress the value of ordering trees in the fall for better selection and discounts. They emphasize the importance of genetics in tree production for successful deer management.

Habitat Podcast #355 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back on the road at deer camp! Today we are bringing you a Deercamp.Detour episode from southern michigan at our good friend Steve Taylors awesome deer camp. We discuss: The camaraderie of deer camp brings friends together for hunting and fun year-round. Steve shares his journey of transforming the property since buying it in 2010. Habitat work, like planting food plots, enhances deer quality and hunting success. The group enjoys playful traditions, including funny awards for hunting mishaps. Non-hunters contribute by cooking and supporting the camp atmosphere. The thrill of tracking deer creates memorable stories and bonding experiences. The importance of patience in hunting leads to bigger deer over time. Sharing meals and stories is as vital as the hunting itself at deer camp. The excitement of trail cam photos fuels the group's passion for hunting. The podcast highlights the joy of creating lasting memo

Habitat Podcast #355 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with our good friend and Co-owner of Vitalize Seed Al Tomechko. We discuss: The hosts discuss their recent hunting trips and experiences in Michigan and West Virginia. They emphasize the importance of planning and preparation for successful hunts. Trail cameras play a crucial role in identifying and tracking deer patterns. Understanding terrain differences impacts hunting strategies and deer behavior. The hosts share tips on managing hunting pressure on smaller properties. They highlight the significance of enjoying the hunting process and camaraderie. The conversation touches on the emotional aspects of hunting and making ethical decisions. They discuss the importance of studying deer anatomy for better shot placement. The hosts reflect on the balance between personal success and supporting fellow hunters. They encourage listeners to cherish time spent with family and friends during hunt

Habitat Podcast #355 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and our good friend Gerald Casperson. We discuss: Jerry hunts in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, focusing on bow hunting and habitat management. He started hunting at a young age, influenced by his father's passion for the sport. The property he manages is 310 acres, featuring hardwood ridges and a mix of habitats. Jerry emphasizes the importance of food plots for improving deer body size and health. He has successfully created multiple food plots, enhancing deer activity and fawn numbers. The deer population in his area is robust, with sightings of up to 50 deer at a time. Jerry uses a spring drag for soil preparation, ensuring effective seed planting for food plots. He prefers hunting in the fall, utilizing pop-up blinds to minimize deer detection. His recent buck scored 110 and weighed 156 pounds, showcasing his successful hunting strategy. Jerry plans to add waterin

Habitat Podcast #354 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are bringing you a new segment from co-host Andy Hutchens called The Deercamp Detour. In this episode, we sit down with friend of the podcast Arron Bleise. We discuss: The hosts share their experiences and excitement for the upcoming hunting season. Aaron discusses the unusual deer activity he's observed in Michigan this September. Jared reflects on his own hunting experiences and the challenges of scouting. The importance of choosing the right outfitter for hunting trips is emphasized. Aaron and Jared share tips on what to ask outfitters before booking a hunt. They discuss the significance of pressure on deer populations and hunting success. The conversation shifts to their upcoming Iowa hunting trips and expectations. Aaron highlights the beauty and unique terrain of Iowa for hunting. Jared plans to focus on rut funnels and terrain pinches for his hunting strategy. The hosts emphasize the importance of enjoyi

Habitat Podcast #353 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back on the road in West Virginia for the 1st annual HP Patreon Hunt. We discuss: The crew gathers at West Virginia Deer Camp 2025 for a weekend of hunting and camaraderie. Scott, the host, shares excitement about the first-ever Patreon Gear Camp podcast. Everyone introduces themselves, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and hunting experiences. The group discusses their adventures tracking deer and the challenges they faced. E-bikes are a hot topic, with mixed experiences riding them up steep hills. The excitement of spotting deer and the thrill of hunting is palpable among the group. They share stories of missed shots and the heartbreak that comes with it. Delicious meals, including venison Korean street tacos, are a highlight of the camp. The camaraderie and shared experiences create lasting memories for everyone involved. The podcast wraps up with reflections on the weekend and plans for future hunt

Habitat Podcast #352 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and our good friend Zach Hass of EHDefense. We discuss: What EHD is and how it spreads among whitetails Why outbreaks are often tied to hot, dry summers and midge activity Signs that deer in your area may be impacted by the disease The difference between short-term die-offs vs. long-term herd recovery Zach’s firsthand experiences seeing deer numbers drop overnight The challenges of managing land when EHD wipes out hit list bucks Why water sources become hotspots during outbreaks Steps land managers can take to support herd resilience Stories from Kansas and the Midwest showing how unpredictable EHD can be Encouragement for hunters to focus on long-term habitat improvements And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Habitat Podcast #352 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and our good friends Doug and Matt Holmes of Downburst Seeders. We discuss: Dry conditions crushed deer movement and morale. Year-one plots exposed setup weaknesses. Customer rains highlight regional variability. Seeding rates adjusted for seed size and goals. Consistency in flow is key to accurate coverage. Airflow tuning prevents seed bounce and drift. On-site consulting offered for plot troubleshooting. Upgrades aim for precision and ease of use. Lesson learned: adapt plans; nature overrides. Adding bees to your property And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Patreon for those who want to support the Habi

Habitat Podcast #351 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with co-host Andy and our good friend and chost of the patreon hunt Scott Limer. We discuss: Access is king; right route makes the whole plan work. Creek crossing = deer highway when pressure cranks. Wind rolls off the ridge; thermals flip mid-hunt. Plant to moisture, not the date on a calendar. Seed down, then pack it tight with the Packer Max. Route tweaks keep scent off main trails and beds. Trail-cam pings hit; plan shifts on the fly. Small plots still win when edges are hunted smart. And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Patreon for those who want to support the Habitat Podcast. Good luck this Fall and if you have a question yoursel

Habitat Podcast #349 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with a bonus episode from my good friend Al Tomechko talking with Dr. Patrick Freeze from Ward Labs. We discuss: The role of soil testing in agriculture Understanding Liebig's Law and its implications The importance of residue management and cover crops The balance between tillage and no-till practices Insights into nutrient management and soil health And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP Patreon for those who want to support the Habitat Podcast. Good luck this Fall and if you have a question yourself, just email us @ info@habitatpodcast.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Habitat Podcast #349 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend and co-owner of Vitalize Seed Al Tomechko. We discuss: Drought conditions are affecting food plots this year, similar to last year. No-till planting helps retain soil moisture and supports seed growth. Monitor weather patterns closely after planting for optimal results. Use foliar applications to boost existing plants before rain arrives. Be cautious with overseeding; too much can lead to nutrient tie-up. Consider mixing oats with rye to reduce carbon levels in the soil. Healthy plants are more resilient; focus on soil health over quick fixes. Utilize trail cameras to track deer patterns and make informed hunting decisions. Early season hunting can be effective if deer show consistent patterns. Be strategic with your hunting approach to maximize success and minimize pressure. And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Habitat Podcast #347 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend and repeat guest Matt Zahl. We discuss: Matt shares a close call with a coyote threatening his chickens. They talk about setting up deer blinds and moving them around the property. Matt describes his blind setup and how he’s camouflaged it with Miscanthus. They discuss the growth of their food plots and the success of their plantings. Matt shares a mishap with fertilizer that burned his food plot. They emphasize the importance of maintaining diverse food sources for deer. Andy plans to hit his plots with oats or rye before the season starts. The group reflects on the upcoming hunting season and their preparations. And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/new-natural-amendments ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PATREON - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - Habitat Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand new HP

Habitat Podcast #347 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friend and repeat guest Jake Hofer. We discuss: Jake Hofer is a land agent and passionate whitetail enthusiast in Illinois Trail cam activity is picking up as fall approaches, exciting hunters Land sales are slower, with limited inventory available in the market Jake emphasizes the importance of soil quality for planting trees and food plots He has planted around 4,000 trees on his property, seeing significant growth Food plots are crucial for deer health; Jake uses sorghum for cover and grain Access to hunting areas is vital; staying off the land until the right time is key Auctions can be an effective way to buy land, but require careful preparation Measuring success includes tracking mature bucks and shed antler counts Jake believes having multiple hunting spots improves deer management and success And So Much More! Shop the new Amendment Collection from Vitalize Seed

Habitat Podcast #346 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with my good friends Kent and Nick from The Prairie Farm Podcast and Hoksey Native Seeds. We discuss: Kent and Nicholas run Hoksey Native Seeds and the Prairie Farm Podcast Hoksey Native Seeds focuses on native plants for conservation and habitat restoration Kent transitioned from teaching biology to farming, driven by a passion for conservation Nicholas grew up on the farm and returned to help manage and expand the family legacy The podcast aims to educate listeners about prairie conservation and native ecosystems Hoxie customers range from CRP landowners to backyard pollinator enthusiasts The team emphasizes the importance of diverse plant species for wildlife and ecology They offer custom seed mixes for whitetail deer, pheasants, and pollinator gardens The podcast connects with experts to share knowledge on land management and conservation Their mission is to leave a healthier planet f