Gamekeeper Podcast

On this episode we’re joined by two renowned birding enthusiasts to tell the story and help unwrap the mystery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis).  Chuck Hunter is retired from the USFWS and spent his career working on endangered and threatened, at-risk, and other species of conservation concern throughout the Southeast Region.  Bobby Harrison, a noted birding expert has quite a history with th...

On this episode we’re joined by two experts, John Doresky and Will McDearman, to explain the story of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.  John is the current USFWS Recovery Coordinator and Will, now retired, was the previous coordinator.  Both men have spent most of their careers studying these birds and have interesting information to share. The RCW is a small woodpecker that used to be abundant in the longleaf pine ecos...

On this episode we’re joined by Orin Robinson of Cornell University to discuss the modern methods of monitoring birds and especially waterfowl. Orin is a Senior Research Associate in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and has traveled the world studying birds. His love is waterfowl and he explains eBird and Merlin to us. It’s a fascinating discussion with a scientist that has amazing insight into the modern methods of study...

On this very timely episode guests Dr. Scott Stephens and Dr. Mike Brasher of Ducks Unlimited explain some changes that are being considered to the Prairie Pothole region’s wetlands. These wetlands were voluntarily placed into waterfowl friendly easements through our duck stamp purchases, and the USFWS is asking for comments concerning possible changes that can affect these wetland ecosystems and their ability to house nestin...

On this episode we’re joined by Mark Drury to discuss getting ready for the white-tailed deer season. Mark always has interesting insight and wisdom when it comes to whitetails. We talk camera placement, licking branches, the moon, bachelor groups, planting near native bedding areas and how keeping historical data on bucks leads to success. 

Listen, Learn and Enjoy. 

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On this episode we’re joined by Rafe Nielsen of Browning to learn about the mysterious 16-gauge. It’s a great sized shotgun and many people swear by them but the 16 didn’t stay popular for many reasons. Why didn’t it take off? Is it still used much today? What sub-gauges are hunters currently choosing? We also learned some facts about Browning and also got some tips for introducing kids. It’s a fun sho...

On this episode were joined by the great minds of Bronson Strickland and Bonner Powell of Wildlife Investments.  We talk about an often overlooked area on hunting properties, old fields. We learn what’s the best strategy, techniques and ways to add value to your wildlife by managing these areas with intention. It’s a process that can yield great results and doesn’t cost as much as other projects. This one is ...

On this episode we’re joined by Bob Brzuszek  and Tim Schauwecker. Bob’s “retired” and Tim still teaches at the Mississippi State School of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design.  These guys are buddies and LOVE native plants and utilize them where ever possible. It’s a fascinating discussion about what the past landscape looked like and it gives us insight into making habitat decis...

On this episode we’re joined by Ben, Hunter and Cole Mears. They are a father and sons taxidermy team that’s winning national awards and producing artistic forms to help other taxidermists. Beyond that that are serious Gamekeepers and Ben tells the story of transforming his 700 acre property to be a sanctuary for turkeys. He went from the same three hens to twenty five gobblers in just a few years. What did he do? We we...

On this episode, we are joined by two serious rattlesnake hunters from Texas, Dennis Cumbie and Mark Meneses. These men participate in the annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup, helping capture between 5,000 and 20,000 pounds of western diamondback rattlesnakes each spring.

It's a fascinating process in which the snakes are milked for their venom, which is used by pharmaceutical companies to produce antivenom. We discuss how and why...

On this episode we’re joined by rabid duck hunter James Callicut to discuss waterfowl and managing for them. James is a certified wildlife biologist and is the Mississippi State Waterfowl and Upland Bird specialist and has some very interesting insight. Not seeing as many mallards as you have in years past? James speaks to the problem as well as some insight into how to manage hunting pressure to increase your productivity. T...

On this episode we’re joined by Brynn Parr, a research biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and she tells the conservation story of the Muskox. Admittedly, Muskox probably aren’t high on most people’s list of animals to learn about or even hunt, but their story is downright amazing. Most people don’t know that they were extirpated in Alaska by the 1920’s. In the 1930’s some forw...

This week we’re joined by avid California hunter Parrey Cremeans as he tells a wild story about a turkey hunt in Mexico that will frazzle your nerves. It’s a story that doesn’t reflect the vast majority of hunting trips south of the border, but certainly happened to him on this fateful day. We also learned a lot about hunting turkeys and elk in the Golden State.

 Listen, Learn Enjoy.

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On this episode we’re joined by Macy Ledbetter, a well-informed top flight biologist in Texas who’s monitoring the New World Screw Worm situation in Texas with maximum urgency. It’s a red hot topic in South Texas and many southern gamekeepers are paying attention to the outbreak. The screw worm and it’s near eradication is a captivating story and tribute to science. The fact that it has fought its way back h...

This week, we are joined by John Byrd of Mississippi State University to discuss the highly invasive cogongrass and other troublesome weeds that create challenges for farmers, landowners, and gamekeepers alike. John is a true weed scientist who dedicates his time to helping farmers and gamekeepers combat these issues to protect crops, wildlife habitat, and the land they manage.

We all learned a lot from this conversation, and we bel...

In this special Father’s Day episode, we share some heartfelt stories about the fathers who shaped our lives. We asked members of the Mossy Oak team to reflect on their dads and the memories that still mean the most to them, and the responses were incredible.

From life lessons learned in the woods to moments that still bring a smile years later, these stories remind us of the lasting impact fathers have on who we become. We en...

This week we are joined by native plant specialist Kyle Lybarger and Cahaba Riverkeeper David Butler and we learn about a really unique and special plant. The Cahaba River Lilies bloom each spring and attract world wide attention. Once upon a time, many southern rivers had these lilies blooming on their shoals in the spring. Today only a few places still have them.  These delicate white blooms create a sea of white along the s...

On this episode, we are joined by David Faubion, editor of Guns & Ammo Special Interest Publications, to discuss calibers, trending rifles, and bullet preferences. Dave has lots of real-world experience and shares with us what he has learned over the years. He kicks off the podcast with a great story about calling in a big alpha male wolf in the Idaho wilderness this spring. It's a fun and informative episode.

Listen, Learn, and...

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Ashley Dumas again and she explains the fascinating story of when Hernando de Soto's expedition met the Mobilian people in October 1540 at the Battle of Mabila in present-day Alabama. This violent clash—triggered by a hostage standoff with Chief Tuskaloosa—led to the destruction of the palisaded town and remains one of the largest, bloodiest battles fought on North American soil. As ...