Podcasts by Deer University

Episode 072 – Fall food plots, how late is too late? from 2023-11-13T15:11

The Deep South and other parts of the whitetail’s range are experiencing severe drought and many cool-season food plots are struggling or failing. Listen

Episode 071 - Rubs and Scrapes with Karl Miller from 2023-09-12T14:27

What is a deer signpost?  In this episode Steve and Bronson visit with Dr. Karl Miller, the former professor...

Episode 070 - Buck Breeding Value and Management Implications from 2023-07-14T16:57

What the heck is buck breeding value?  In this episode Steve and Bronson visit with Dr. Randy DeYoung, a pro...

Episode 069 – Burn baby burn! from 2023-05-31T11:00

There’s no doubt that prescribed fire is good for wildlife habitat, but what’s the best time of year to burn?  What are the pros and cons of burning during the dormant season (winter) ...

Episode 068 – Just how bad is dog hunting on deer? from 2023-02-28T12:00

Seems like you either love dog hunting, or hate it. There’s no in between.  But what does the research say a...

Episode 067 - Is habitat management for deer and turkey the same? from 2023-01-18T12:00

Do all the habitat recommendations that deer biologists make also benefit turkey?  In this episode, Bronson and Steve visit with Marcus Lashley and Will Gulsby to...

Episode 066 – South Texas Deer Management from 2022-11-28T14:31

This is a crossover episode with A Talk On The Wild Side podcast, hosted by Dr. Sandra Rideout-Hanzak. Dr. Mike Cherry is the Stuart W. Stedman Chair for White-ta...

Episode 065 - Buck Movement&Hunting Strategy from 2022-10-27T23:47

We’re back with another Q & A, this time with questions focused on buck movement and hunting strategy. Enjoy!

Be sur...

Episode 064 - Deer Biology&Behavior from 2022-10-04T13:34

We asked and y’all delivered…Bronson and Steve sit down to answer your questions from social media on deer biology. Stay tuned for the following two Deer Universi...

Episode 063 - Dr. Harry Jacobson, Founding Father of the MSU Deer Lab from 2022-08-31T13:20:39

Bronson and Steve are joined by a special guest and founding father of the MSU Deer Lab, Dr. Harry Jacobson. Travel back to the early Deer Lab days and learn of t...

Episode 062 – Harvesting Does from 2022-07-20T17:30:35

This episode is devoted to doe harvest.  Steve and Bronson spend a lot of time talking about which bucks to harvest, but in this episode, they discuss the need fo...

Episode 061 - Deer Nutritional Demands During Summer from 2022-06-21T20:30:54

It’s summertime - bucks are growing antlers, does are lactating, and Steve has returned from Europe just in time to sit down with Bronson to inform listeners on w...

Episode 060 - All About Mineral stumps with Marcus Lashley from 2022-05-14T10:00

This episode is devoted to mineral stumps.  Marcus Lashley joins the podcast and reviews all the details. How to make them, when to make them, where to make them.

Episode 059 - Effective Warm-Season Food Plots for Deer from 2022-04-07T18:00:11

Summer can be a nutritionally stressful period for deer. When bucks are growing antlers and does are gestating or lactating, there should be abundant high-quality...

Episode 058 - Wait, so cull bucks do exist? from 2022-02-08T13:00

A topic of much debate and argument is cull bucks. Do cull bucks exist?  Are they different from management bucks?  All good questions.  In this episode we review this terminology and discuss sc...

Episode 057 – Using Science to Improve Deer Harvest Success from 2021-12-21T10:00

In this episode we discuss the anatomy and physiology of deer relative to making effective shots that result in a rapid recovery. Our guest is Dr. Joe R. Bumgardner who is a retired surgeon.  Dr...

Episode 056 - The 12-Month Food Plot System from 2021-11-24T11:00

In this episode we discuss a food plot system that integrates both cool season and warm season food plot forages in the same plot.  Mitt Wardlaw has been using this system for over 5 years with ...

Episode 055 - The Value of Co-Ops: Meeting Management Goals from 2021-10-19T11:00

We’ve all heard time and time again that the biggest problem a landowner faces is their neighbor. But what if instead of competing with your neighbor, you joined ...

Episode 054 - What's So Special About Kansas? from 2021-09-28T11:00

Over the past couple decades Kansas has turned into a destination state for deer hunters chasing big whitetails. But what exactly about the Kansas landscape promotes the growth of large antlers?...

Episode 053 - Timber Harvesting&Wildlife Management, Part 2: Hardwoods from 2021-08-31T12:00

Dr. Brady Self rejoins the Deer University team for their second installment of timber harvesting, this time focusing on hardwoods. Tune into today’s episode to d...

Episode 052 - Armyworms and Food Plots from 2021-08-03T10:00

Dr. Angus Catchot and Dr. Bronson Strickland visit the Mossy Oak GameKeepers Podcast team to discuss management of armyworms in wildlife food plots and duck holes.  In this episode, you’ll learn...

Episode 051 - Timber Harvesting&Wildlife Management, Part 1: Pine Stands from 2021-07-28T12:00

Dr. Brady Self is an Extension Forestry Specialist at Mississippi State University. In this episode of Deer University, Dr. Strickland and Dr. Demaris chat with B...

Episode 050 - Can Supplemental Feeding Impact the Plant Community? from 2021-06-30T18:28:23

Supplemental feeding has become a common practice, but deer biologists are often concerned about the indirect effects and how the practice could degrade habitat quality and impact the native pla...

Episode 049 – Can Supplemental Feeding Increase Disease Risk? from 2021-06-03T10:00

Supplemental feeding of deer has become a common practice throughout most of the white-tailed deer’s range. Deer biologists often warn of the potential risks of supplemental feeding related to t...

Episode 048 – Deer Management Advice from William McKinley from 2021-05-04T09:00

William McKinley is a deer biologist and coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks and has been assisting hunters, managers, and landowners with deer management ...

Episode 047 - Most common habitat management mistakes with John Gruchy from 2021-04-09T10:00

John Gruchy is a Private Lands Biologist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks and has been assisting landowners with habitat management for deer and other wildlife for ...

Episode 046 - Contrasting Deer Management in South Texas and the Midwest with Mick Hellickson from 2021-03-09T10:00

Dr. Mick Hellickson joins Deer University again to compare deer management in South Texas and the Midwest.  Mick was born and raised in Iowa and grew up hunting in that agricultural environment,...

Episode 045 - Deer Food Plot Forage Selection with Jacob Dykes from 2021-02-09T10:00

We get asked all the time “what’s the best food plot forage to plant for deer?”  Well, as hunters and managers, we were interested in that question too. Bronson, Steve, and Marcus discuss a food...

Episode 044 - Timing of Prescribed Fire Impacts Deer Forage Quality and Selection from 2021-01-05T10:00

Most hunters and managers are aware of the benefits of prescribed fire on deer habitat.  Fire can be used to set back plant succession (reduce the woody vegetation) and stimulate the growth of f...

Episode 043 - Chronic Wasting Disease from a State Wildlife Agency Perspective from 2020-12-15T11:00

Some hunters think Chronic Wasting Disease is no big deal, some hunters even think CWD is good for a state wildlife agency because the disease will bring with it an abundance of federal funding....

Introducing the Natural Resources University Podcast Network from 2020-12-15T10:00

Want to hear more science-based information regarding natural resources? We have you covered. We are introducing the Natural Resources University Podcast Network which is much like the Deer Univ...

Episode 042 - When are Deer Attracted to Acorns? from 2020-12-08T12:00

Just when are deer most attracted to acorns?  You might think – all the time! And hey, you may be right. In this episode with former MSU Deer Lab graduate student Moriah Boggess we review his re...

Episode 041 - Buck Habitat Selection During Hunting Season from 2020-12-01T12:00

Where do bucks go during hunting season?  Does hunting pressure change where bucks spend time? In this episode Bronson, Steve, and former MSU Deer Lab graduate student Colby Henderson, review re...

Episode 040 - When is it appropriate to cull? The purpose makes all the difference from 2020-05-27T09:00

Bronson and Steve have a conversation with Donnie Draeger to discuss the topic of culling. Two concepts are discussed in our conversation 1) culling to improve genetics, and 2) culling to manage...

Episode 039 - Deer Habitat Management with Craig Harper from 2020-02-23T10:00

What are the most common habitat management mistakes? In this episode we visit with Deer Habitat guru, Dr. Craig Harper, of the University of Tennessee. Over his 20+ year career, Craig has worke...

Episode 038 - CWD Management Part 1 from 2020-02-19T03:28:07

Bryan Richards and Paul Shelton have been studying and managing Chronic Wasting Disease for almost 20 years. Bryan provides information on CWD in his home state of Wisconsin, and Paul describes ...

Episode 037 - Deer Summer Nutrition from 2019-09-09T18:06:24

Steve, Marcus, and Bronson discuss the importance of summer nutrition for deer. We review some research on seasonal fluctuations in plant quality, nutritional requirements of bucks and does, and...

Episode 036 – Impacts of flooding on deer – the good, the bad, the ugly from 2019-07-23T18:23:32

The deer herd located in southern portion of the Mississippi Delta region is undergoing an unprecedented flood event.  Some experts estimate that about ¾ of a million acres are currently flooded...

Episode 035 - Forest Management for Food and Cover from 2019-05-18T15:00

Forest management matters! Steve, Marcus, and Bronson discuss how forest management affects where deer spend time. Want to draw more deer to your property? Want deer to spend more time on your p...

Episode 034 - Want to start a supplemental feeding program? from 2019-03-22T22:27:58

So you want to start a supplemental feeding program? You better listen to this episode. We again visit with deer biologist, Donnie Draeger, and discuss the pros and cons of supplemental feeding....

Episode 033 - How Jeremy Flinn uses biology and technology to scout and hunt from 2019-02-06T23:11:22

Jeremy Flinn is graduate of the MSU Deer Lab and is now the Chief Marketing Officer for Stone Road Media, a company that represents many of the well-known brands in the hunting industry. We talk...

Episode 032 - Culling to Improve Genetics - Fact or Fiction from 2018-12-20T21:26:03

Culling to improve genetics is likely one of the most hotly debated topics among deer hunters.  How often have you heard “that spike buck is genetically inferior.” Or, “I culled that buck to get...

Episode 031 - Eating venison in a CWD world from 2018-11-03T04:00

Steve and Bronson discuss implications of the 2nd positive CWD sample in Mississippi and have a conversation about common questions surrounding eating venison.

Episode 030 - Buck Movement Patterns During the Rut from 2018-10-24T02:27:21

Today we visit with MSU Deer Lab graduate students Ashley Jones and Colby Henderson about their research project where they are tracking GPS-collared bucks and measuring their habitat preference...

Episode 029 - Midwest Deer Habitat Management from 2018-10-09T12:31:43

Jarred Brooke and Adam Janke are Professors and Extension Wildlife Specialists at Purdue and Iowa State Universities, respectively. Today we will discuss the most common habitat management strat...

Episode 028 - Offsetting the Cost of Conservation from 2018-09-14T19:33:54

John Gruchy is a Private Lands Biologist and habitat management specialist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. He is an expert on government programs designed to as...

Episode 027 - Deer Management in Maine from 2018-08-22T02:21:37

Wildlife Biologist Joe Wiley has been managing deer and wildlife habitat in Maine and the Northeastern US for 50 years. In this episode we get a look at how deer management in the Northeast diff...

Episode 026 - Bow-range Burnin' from 2018-08-09T10:00

Marcus and Bronson discuss a new way to use prescribed fire on a very small scale that anyone can do. You can use this burning technique to your advantage for hunting this fall. Along with fall ...

Episode 025 - Does choose bucks? from 2018-05-05T16:39:30

Is is possible does actually play some role in selecting the bucks they breed with? Most people think that when does are in heat they simply breed with the buck that's available. But what if a d...

Episode 024 - The benefits of prescribed fire from 2018-03-27T14:25:39

Marcus Lashley tells us why prescribed fire is so important for deer and other wildlife. When should you burn to get the most benefit? What kind of fire should be used in hardwood stands? All th...

Episode 023 - Trees for Deer from 2018-02-26T14:00:46

Bronson visits with Dudley Phelps about soft and hard mast trees for deer and other wildlife. What should you plant? When should you plant? Also, Dudley discusses the most common mistakes people...

Episode 022 - CWD found in Mississippi from 2018-02-17T00:02:52

February 9th, 2018, was a day us deer-centric Mississippians will remember for a long time. It’s the day we learned a single deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Steve and Bro...

Episode 021 - Deer Management Advice from Chris McDonald from 2017-12-20T15:32:47

In this episode Bronson interviews long-time Mississippi deer biologist Chris McDonald about the tactics used by successful deer managers. What characteristics do successful deer management prog...

Episode 020 - Common Deer Diseases and Parasites from 2017-12-13T02:43:16

In this episode Steve and Bronson discuss some of the most common deer diseases and parasites hunters will encounter back at the skinning shed. Should you eat the venison or not? All these topic...

Episode 019 - Gourmet Gone Wild from 2017-11-27T14:29:55

In this episode Bronson interviews Jordan Burroughs and Johanna Dart of Michigan State University Extension about two programs designed to get people hunting, understand what hunting and conserv...

Episode 018 - Hogs gone wild from 2017-11-17T14:04:50

In this episode, Steve and Bronson talk about the problems associated with wild hogs. Some people love 'em, but more people hate 'em, largely because of the damage they cause to agriculture, fie...

Episode 017 - Buck Movements and the eBook from 2017-10-27T21:43:17

Today Steve and I announce some great news - we have finally finished our eBook on the buck harvesting strategy we call the "Strategic Harvest System." We then discuss the basics of deer movemen...

Episode 016 - Hunt Fair Chase from 2017-10-24T10:00

On this episode we don't review deer biology, but instead we talk about the history and philosophy of hunting and conservation. Ever heard of the Boone and Crockett Club? It's far more than just...

Episode 015 - The Science of the Rut from 2017-09-29T17:05:56

In this episode, Steve and Bronson discuss the biology behind how the rut works and how the timing is determined by genetics, hormones, and the ratio of daylight to darkness. Why and how does th...

Episode 014 - Cool Season Food Plots from 2017-09-06T13:21:30

We're back! It's been several weeks, but we are back with an episode on food plot science. Marcus and Bronson discuss important information about common cool-season food plot forages for deer. K...

Episode 013 - The Science of Antler Rattling from 2017-07-23T04:00

In this episode Bronson visits with Dr. Mickey Hellickson about his antler rattling research conducted in South Texas. To our knowledge, this is the only scientific study ever conducted to under...

Episode 012 - The effects of the rut on bucks from 2017-07-14T04:00

In this episode, Steve and Bronson discuss how the stress of rut affects the physical condition of bucks and what managers can do to minimize these impacts.

Episode 011 - The Importance of Summer Nutrition for Deer from 2017-07-06T04:00

In this episode, Steve, Marcus and Bronson discuss why summer nutrition is so important for deer, and what are the management options you can use to improve summer nutrition.

Episode 010 - Questions and Answers from 2017-06-29T04:00

In this episode Steve, Bronson, and Marcus answer questions from the Deer University audience. Questions about mineral stumps, supplemental feeding, deer parasites, age-related antler size decli...

Episode 009 - Nutrition vs Genetics Part 2 from 2017-06-22T04:00

In this episode, Bronson speaks with Dr. Eric Michel about his research at the MSU Deer Lab. Eric discusses the topic of epigenetics and how mothers pass information to their offspring that sign...

Episode 008 - Nutrition or Genetics - Part 1 from 2017-06-15T04:00

Ever heard the old saying "you are what you eat"? A 10-year research project conducted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks and the MSU Deer Lab was designed to explore t...

Episode 007 - Mineral stumps for deer nutrition from 2017-06-08T04:00

In this episode we visit with Marcus Lashley, habitat management specialist in the MSU Deer Lab, and talk with him about a novel habitat management technique we call mineral stumping. Marcus and...

Episode 006 - What deer eat and why from 2017-06-01T10:00

Have you ever wondered WHY deer eat the plants they eat? Deer and cows are both ruminants (have a 4-chambered stomach), but deer have a completely different diet. In this episode, Bronson and St...

Episode 005 - Predator impacts - Part 2 from 2017-05-31T11:33:51

We continue our discussions of predator impacts on deer herds with Dr. Marcus Lashley, a researcher in the MSU Deer Lab. Marcus will discuss a study he recently completed in North Carolina where...

Episode 004 - Predator impacts - Part 1 from 2017-05-31T11:29:13

Coyotes and other predators are routinely blamed for reduced deer sightings and deer population declines. But how do you know if predators are really problem where you hunt? In this episode we r...

Episode 003 - Culling explained - Part 2 from 2017-05-31T03:17:52

In the second episode on culling we discuss a form of selective buck harvest that is rarely practiced for the right reason.  We call this strategy "managing the standing crop of bucks." For most...

Episode 002 - Culling explained - Part 1 from 2017-05-31T03:13:34

Ever heard this? "I killed that buck to get him out of the gene pool." Or, "That buck has bad genetics, and I don't want him breeding." We hear these statements all too often. On this episode we...

Episode 001 - Who's your daddy? from 2017-05-31T03:08:10

Who's your daddy? In the first technical episode, we explain buck breeding success. There are so many misconceptions about which bucks do the breeding. For years, biologists and hunters alike th...

Episode 000 - Introducing the Deer University Podcast from 2017-05-31T02:57:49

In this first episode, we explain what the Deer University podcast is all about. What topics will be covered in subsequent episodes and who will benefit from listening. We will also tell the aud...