The Woodsman Perspective

On this episode we are joined by Jared Lewis and Boomer Brown with Apex ammunition.  We get some background on the Apex beginnings as well as their growth.   But what we really wanted to talk to them about is how they have revived an area NWTF chapter and banquet.  It's a good story about taking initiative and making it happen.  Check out @Apex_ammunition and @j_lewisphoto on Instagram for more. 

On this bonus episode we talk with Steve Brown and Scott Branton to find out the history behind the annual gathering of The Tenth Legion. This group was started by a dozen turkey hunters and named after the unofficial cult that Tom Kelly created in his book, The Tenth Legion. The group has grown to approximately 75 members. This invitation only event is special to all of these members, and I see why. This is a group of conservationists, woodsmen, callers, call makers, writers, story tellers, all passionate about the wild turkey. I hope you enjoy this episode.  @springlegion   @turkeysfortomorrow 

This week we invited our good friend and lifelong bow hunter Slade Fancher.  Slade made his living for nearly 2 decades selling, tuning, fixing, and setting up bows.  From hunting whitetails in central Mississippi to Elk out west, Slade has a lifetime of experience in bowhunting and archery.   We cover a lot of bowhunting history and stories in this one.  We'll have a follow up with Slade and get really technical soon. 

Waterfowl impoundments are a great way to add value to your property, not to mention that shooting ducks on your own private spot is one of the most fun things you can do.  Chris tells some basics from seed varieties and timing of draining and adding water as well as some experiences that he's had over the years. 

On this episode we recap turkey season and discuss early summer work.  From foodplot planting, plant varieties including natives with their crude protein content to the frustration that many of us are feeling with unhulled vetch. 
 

On this episode we sit down with Bart Chancellor and Chad Smith.  They are handlers for two of the most famous and skilled dogs in Mississippi.  Bart's dog, Smoke and Chad's dog Si are known all over state and are legendary in many camps.  With over 2000 recoveries between them they have seen more big bucks and happy hunters than most of us ever will.  We were glad to get them in to talk with us about the blood tracking services, these two great dogs, and tell a few stories along the way.  

These days with the technology available most of us have an intimate knowledge of the deer on our hunting tracts.  We are always hoping watching for the deer that is an all-star, or has the potential to become one if we can keep him alive a few more years.  When we identify that special deer, we find ourselves making decisions and planning around that one single deer.  From working as hard as we can to protect and nourish him, to eventually working to pattern and kill him.   It can be a roller coaster, and some are better at it than others.  Our friend Brandon Huerkamp has proven to be one of the best around at growing, identifying, and putting an arrow in mature super star bucks.   We talk about the process, tips, and stories with him. 

On this episode we talk about the Noxubee Farm Supply racoon round up. We discuss our strategy, the acres we covered, and our opinion on the backlash not only from nonhunters, but most vehemently from the coon hunting community. We have coon hunters that hunt the ground we trapped and hunted during the round up, there are still plenty of coons to tree. We all have our particular species that we are passionate about, and we should respect each other as well as nature and the resources. The teams in the roundup were spread out across more than r 20,000 acres & 6 counties. The population was not wiped out, we are still getting pics of coons on cameras we are running for deer herd inventory. We are still trapping some of the properties. The pics made it look a little more dramatic than it was. We also talk about turkeys and how we try to help sustain populations where we hunt. It's a combination of habitat management and self control when it comes to hunter harvest. Make all you can, take as few as you can. It's really that simple.

Our friends at Noxubee Farm supply in Macon, MS are putting on a Racoon Roundup later this month so Chris and I went down to get more info.  We ended up setting up in owner Ryan Bostick's office and filming a podcast.  Ryan is a lifelong conservationist, hunter, and a veteran.  We think you'll love this conversation.  
Get more details on facebook at www.facebook.com/noxubeefarmsupply
 

A short podcast on the annual debate of whether trapping is an effective means of turkey predator management.  Especially when compared to efforts in the area of habitat improvement.  Sometimes trapping might be the only thing that a lease holder, club member, or someone hunting by permission can do.