Gamekeeper Podcast

On this episode, we learn about the fascinating catalpa tree and its ability to produce the fine fish bait known as catalpa worms. Where do these trees grow? How do you recognize them, and how can you encourage your trees to produce more worms? What if you don’t have any worms, what can you do?

Our guest, Brian Anderson, is an expert on catalpa trees and catalpa worms, and we all learned so much from him.

Listen, Learn and Enjo...

On this episode we discuss new and used tractors with seasoned mechanic Clay Davis who runs the Gamekeeper Garage. Clay spends his days keeping everything running and has learned a lot through the years. From hooking up attachments, horsepower needs, which transmission type is best to work to look for in a used tractor, we ask a lot of questions. 

Listen, Learn and Enjoy. 

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On this episode we’re joined by Dr. James Martin of UGA to discuss northern bobwhite quail and much more. James is an interesting guy who loves the old ways and clings to them. Whether its following a brace of dogs or sitting down to a gobbling turkey, James clearly loves the sport and respects the traditions. We discuss the past, present and future of the Gentleman Bob and much more.  Turns out all this effort to help w...

On this episode we discuss scouting and game camera tips. Our weekends are precious, and knowledge from careful scouting can reveal so much.  There is an art to camera placement and getting the best informative pictures that can help you unlock what’s happening on your hunting area. Our friends at Moultrie are changing the game with technology and we are here for it. 

Listen, Learn and Enjoy. 

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This week we’re joined by former Major League Baseball All-Star and Gamekeeper Adam Wainwright. Adam played 18 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals, winning a World Series in the process. During those years he never strayed from his love of deer hunting and in fact the Drury’s during his time there lit a fire in him to manage a property! After retiring from MLB Adam moved back to his home state of Georgia and purchased a...

On this episode we’re joined by Kurt Colgrove and Justin Ballard of Paragon Aerial Solutions. These guys are using drones to do wildlife surveys (think deer, turkeys, pigs and even coyotes), but they are actually kicking your typical drone survey up a few notches. We’re all familiar with doing annual deer censuses with trail cameras, but these guys have determined a way to have instant data. Its impressive. 

On this episode we’re joined by Dr. Jay Shelton of UGA to discuss pond management and especially aquatic weed problems. Jay is an obsessed fisherman and extremely knowledgeable  about pond weeds and how to control them. Is there anything more frustrating when owning a pond than having weeds that prevent you from being able to fish it? We talk about construction, permits, revamping old ponds, chemicals, how to apply, gras...

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...