Gamekeeper Podcast

This week we celebrate Mr. Fox Haas killing yet another turkey! We are joined by Neill, Daniel, Vandy and Toxey to tell the incredible details of this hunt and its effect on everyone. It’s an inspirational story and one that will make you believe in divine intervention and miracles. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Send a text message to the show! Support the show Stay connected with GameKeepers: Instagram: @mossyoakgamekeepers Facebook: @GameKeepers Twitter: @MOGameKeepers YouTube: @MossyOakGa...

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025

This week, we’re joined in the studio by Hunter and Chase Farrior, the Spring Legion guys. It’s a conversation about turkeys, turkey hunting, and the lifestyle we all love. Everyone’s red-eyed and tired, but that’s just the classic look of turkey hunters in the middle of the season. This one is pure wild turkey. Listen, Learn, and Enjoy. Send a text message to the show! Support the show Stay connected with GameKeepers: Instagram: @mossyoakgamekeepers Facebook: @GameKeepers Twitter:...

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

This week, we are joined by a team of snow goose experts to help explain the changes occurring in the mid-continental snow goose population. Not too long ago, their numbers exploded—but now, they are trending in a troubling direction. Waterfowl biologists in the U.S. and Canada are working hard to understand what’s happening. It’s a problem not many people know about. Many of us, as hunters, are aware of the extended seasons aimed at reducing numbers—and the thrill of having thousands of gees...

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

This week we’re joined by Dr. Brad Cohen of Tennessee Tech and the Cohen Lab. We discuss hunting pressure, gobbling activity and what they have learned through research and monitoring GPS banded gobblers and hunters. Brad participates in many research projects along with Drs. Mike Chamberlain and Bret Collier, and like them, he’s an avid turkey hunter and has really paid attention to the findings. We also talk turkey season dates and the thoughts so far on their effectiveness. Ever wondered h...

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

This week, we’re joined by KJ Britt—NFL football player and lifelong, obsessed rabbit hunter. It’s a refreshing change of pace as we hear how KJ, his father, and grandfather enjoy spending time together chasing rabbits and running dogs. It’s three generations of rabbit hunting heritage, and KJ doesn’t take it for granted. With around thirty beagles and a strong desire to hunt every chance they get, their passion is clear.We ask plenty of questions about hunt strategies, jump dogs, lingo, and ...

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

This week we’re joined by MDWFP Deer Biologist Pierce Young to discuss the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that has over twenty states participating. What is the data showing? What data points need to be gathered and what can they tell us? Pierce explains how and why young doe weights are so important to understanding the herd health and what the science says you need to do to grow a 160 inch buck. This conversation is useful for anyone that’s trying to improve herd health and grow ...

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

This week we’re joined by highly touted agronomist Tim Sickman to explain soybeans and the allure our beloved white-tailed deer have for them. We ask a lot of questions about planting techniques, fertilization, terminal buds, groupings, why they are so nutritious, the influence they can have on herd health, how to protect them, how late you can plant them, is an inoculant necessary and much more. Tim is an agronomist for Nutrien Ag Solutions and is one of the best at explaining issues that we...

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

This week we’re joined in studio by Dean “Redbeard” Mundhenke and his son Will. Hailing from Georgia and made known to the turkey world through the film “The Disease” you’ll be hard-pressed to find two more interesting turkey hunters. It’s all about turkeys, family and enjoying the slow pace of a life outdoors. Dean’s copper pot calls branded are highly coveted by callers and collectors and his son Will is a naturalist with the state of South Carolina. We talk turkeys, calls, raising ki...

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

On this episode we are joined by Osceola Outdoors owner Mike Tussey. The Osceola wild turkey has a powerful magnetic draw for many turkey hunters. Whether its chasing the Grand Slam, enjoying the unique terrain the birds inhabit or getting your turkey season started as early as possible, the Osceola is highly regarded. Mike has been guiding hunts since 2000, and when we spoke a few weeks ago his clients were 39 for 39. That’s an impressive record! Things are changing rapidly in Florida and un...

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

This week we are joined in-studio by world-class callers Josh Grossenbacher and Hunter Wallis. These guys are at the top of their game and understand the nuances of running mouth calls at the highest level. There are a lot of questions asked and plenty of information provided to help understand, learn to use, and take care of a mouth call. We also discuss hunting strategies that these two have learned and finally they perform a two-man calling sequence that is incredible. Listen, Learn and En...

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

This week we’re joined by one of the most interesting and talented turkey hunter/callers we’ve ever encountered. South Carolina’s Mark Prudhomme is a true multi-instrument world class caller and has won more major awards than we have space to list. The soft spoken man also loves to break day waiting on a turkey to gobble. He is our kind of folk. We discuss trumpets, tubes and owl hooters and when he demonstrates each we are amazed. It’s a pure turkey discussion from calls to vintage shotguns ...

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

This week we are joined by Mike Pentecost and his son Isaac to talk spring turkeys. Through WoodHaven Custom Calls Mike (and his team) has contributed so much to the turkey hunting culture. We learn about his love of the sport, as well as his style of hunting. Later we get a great lesson in friction calls as he demonstrates his box and pot calls. Have you heard about his gobbler coffin? This episode has great information and at times gets deep into his psyche. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. ...

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

On this very special episode, we honor the memory of the late Bob Dixon. His name gets mentioned so often and the stories of Bob are legendary. He was a key player in the early days of Mossy Oak and his hunting prowess, quick wit, pranks and his zest for squeezing the most from life are all to be admired. His son Will Dixon joins us and many hilarious stories get shared. It’s a chance to honor a friend and remind ourselves what is actually important. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Sho...

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

This week we are joined by the legendary Flip Pallot, one of our favorite guests. Flips noted for his long bow and fly fishing prowess but he also loves to chase wild turkeys in the Florida swamps. In fact, he lives in an oak hammock and enjoys hearing wild turkeys wake up every morning. We have a great discussion that starts off with him remembering his old friend Lefty Kreh. After that we talk trapping, calls he hears turkeys making, .410’s, calls he uses, what’s in his vest, red dot sites,...

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

On this bonus episode we dive DEEP into understanding strikers, different woods along with their hardness and how they can affect the sounds of a pot call. Guest Derrick Stuckey of Obsession Custom Calls he is obsessed with strikers and you will be amazed at what you learn in this one. If you run pot calls, you need to pay attention. Listen. Learn and Enjoy. Send a text message to the show! Enter the Gamekeeper Avid Boat Giveaway at mossyoakgamekeeper.com/giveaway/ Support ...

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

This week we are joined by Dr. Mike Chamberlain and discuss his latest research and projects around our beloved wild turkey. We try to stay abreast of Mikes turkey focused research. Our group was fascinated to hear about the egg shell genetics study and what it helps scientists understand. We were also very excited to hear about the advent of the Wild Turkey DNA Lab and potentially learning many details about the family tree of each subspecies. Of course we talked about more, like losing lugg...

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

This week we sit down in person with Mr. Marlin Watkins and discuss box calls. The man is an incredible wealth of knowledge on the intricacies of woods, different designs, how the calls work and how to run them. His box calls are in high demand from contest callers and serious hunters. After you listen to this episode, you’ll understand why. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: Marling Watkins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.watkins.944 &...

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

This week we are joined by the call-making legend Bill Zearing of Cody Calls. Bill has a long history of turkey hunting and designing calls that fool turkeys and win contests. The stories are abundant, and the lesson on how to run a pot call is priceless. Pay attention, and you’ll learn something from a man who has been there and done it. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: Cody Calls Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CodyTurkeyCalls/&nbs...

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

This week we have William Lester from the Mississippi Delta here to explain his Trumpet turkey calls, and how to play this unique call that’s just a bit different from a traditional Turpin-style trumpet. William is a seasoned, mixed-media artist who aside from trumpets is also known for his watercolor paintings and block prints of mostly turkeys and waterfowl backed by a Mississippi landscape, hand-made dove and duck decoys, and has many great stories to tell from past and present. Most impor...

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2025

This week we learn more about hunting predators with calling expert Jon Collins of FOXPRO. As Gamekeepers we're interested in controlling many of our predators and nest scavengers, and Jon shows us a way to have an exciting hunt during the process. He explains the best times, the best calls, equipment and set ups. He also goes into details about using lights at night. There is a lot of strategy in calling predators, and we all learned something including how he loves to call raccoons! Better ...

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

This week the Gamekeeper Crew airs from the back porch (a.k.a. “The Porch of No Worries”) of the Haas Family cabin in Alabama. It was a welcomed stop on the way home from recording about wild turkey reintroductions and visiting Choctaw Bluff in rural South Alabama, and we were enthused to talk about all things trees and how they inspire us. This pod contains a mashup of history, including the story of the Mossy Oak tree, science, spirituality, basic and advanced how-to, philosophy and overall...

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

This week is a very special episode. We have Mr. Fred Pringle, an 85-year-old southern gentleman who was a 49-year employee of the Alabama Department of Conservation and the man possibly most responsible for restoring turkeys all over the state in the 60s and 70s. Mr. Fred will explain how he trapped and released almost 4,000 turkeys during his career. He explains how he did it and what he learned about turkeys during this process. We also learn a lot about the legendary hunting camp Choctaw ...

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

Send a text message to the show! Enter the Gamekeeper Avid Boat Giveaway at mossyoakgamekeeper.com/giveaway/ Support the show Stay connected with GameKeepers: Instagram: @mossyoakgamekeepers Facebook: @GameKeepers Twitter: @MOGameKeepers YouTube: @MossyOakGameKeepers Website: https://mossyoakgamekeeper.com/ Enter The Gamekeeper Giveaway: https://bit.ly/GK_Giveaway Subscribe to Gamekeepers Magazine: https://bit.ly/GK_Magazine Buy a Single Issue of Gamekeepers Magazine: https:/...

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025

On this bonus podcast we interrupt the turkey season preparations to talk to a professional hunter from Australia. Karl Goodhand of Goodhand OutBack Experiences entertains us with us stories of water buffalos, million acre hunting leases and he explains the hunting traditions of the aboriginal people. His story about the giant crocodile killing his tracking dog is well worth the listen. This one is fun. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: ...

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025

This week we’re joined by calling legend Matt Morrett to talk turkeys. Matt was the first person to win the Grand National Calling Contest while incorporating a friction call into his routine. He has lived turkey hunting and calling contests all his life and has so much wisdom to share. These days, Matt is giving back to the resource by working as the Director of Marketing for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. It’s a walk down memory lane to hear the stories and learn from Matt’s expertise. Y...

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

This week we are talking old-school calls with custom call maker Rick Ferlita. Rick owns Cypress Creek Turkey Calls and specializes in one called a scratch box. There are many variations, and Rick explains the rich history of the call, which goes back a long way. You will enjoy this one. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes: Cypress Creek Turkey Calls: https://www.facebook.com/cypresscreekcalls/ Send a text message to the show! Enter the Gamekeepe...

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

This week we are joined by one of our favorite guests, Dave Owens of the Pinhoti Project. Dave is a renowned traveling turkey hunter who obsesses over the details and is one of our favorite guests. We decided to ask him questions that he rarely gets asked in an effort to learn something new. How does he prepare for weeks of reduced sleep? He explains his filming set up to help listeners film their own hunts, we talk woodsmanship skills and how they paint a picture of what’s occurring, h...

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

This week we are joined in studio by two turkey calling contest crazed individuals, Lann Wilf and Jason Conrad. They both have won numerous prestigious friction contests, including the World Amateur and the Grand National Friction, which were huge milestones for them. We learn all about the contests, including the drama around qualifying, strategies, and comradery amongst the competitors. They tell some great stories about legendary callers and hunting. At the end they give us a demonstration...

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

This week, we are joined by master trapper Mike Sievering and Bill Duke of Duke Traps. It’s trapping season, and we are all interested in learning tips and techniques to help us better manage predator populations. Mike shares an interesting history of trapping and provides lots of personal insight that would take someone many years to learn on their own. It’s a good one. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes:Duke Traps: https://www.duketraps.com/ Alabama ...

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

On this timely classic episode (EP:190) we are honored to have Dr. Dana Morin, an Applied Population Ecologist with the Carnivore and Population Ecology Lab at the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi State, sitting between the turkeys and explaining many facts about coyotes. We learn they are a fascinating animal, very much deserving of our respect even though we still seem to want to trap or shoot each one we see. They weren’t always in the Eastern half of the U.S., yet have y...

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

This week we are joined by Hunter Crimm, a local trapper who has distinguished himself as being one of the best. Hunter explains how he became interested in trapping and how it’s taught him woodsmanship skills that made him a better hunter. We talk about raccoons but he really explains how he catches bobcats and coyotes. It’s highly informative podcast and if you’re thinking about trapping, you need to hear this one. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes:H...

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

On this timely classic episode (EP:190) we are joined in studio by deer dog recovery expert Zach Crowley and his legendary tracking dog, Dayah (a beautiful black-mouthed Cur). We hope you never need one, but if you do it’s great to know there is a network of recovery dogs that can make the difference in recovering your deer. Zach explains what steps to take after a nominal shot, and how to get in touch with a blood trailing dog owner in your area. We also talk about how you can typically expe...

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2025

This week, we are joined by Dr. Mike Chamberlain to talk through some of the latest whitetail management techniques he’s seeing. Over the last fifty years, the landscape has changed and whitetails are clearly king! But what’s changed, and what can we learn? His recent trip to South Texas leads us to ask about the story of his buck and what he sees that those intensively managed ranches are doing that works. As always when Mike joins us, it’s an interesting discussion. Listen, Learn and Enjoy....

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

This week we are joined in-studio by renowned wildlife chef Michael Hunter. It’s a fun podcast, and we ask a lot of questions about grilling, temps, searing techniques, sauces and just how a guy can prepare the perfect backstrap/tenderloin. We also ask if meat from different regions tastes noticeably different. From a chef's perspective, what age and gender of a whitetail tastes the best? Would a buck that’s been chased have a different taste? Some of the comments might surprise you. Listen, ...

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

This week we’re joined by Dr. Emily Belser to discuss antler abnormalities and what all she has learned studying white-tailed deer. We ask a bunch of questions to help us all understand the mystery around antlers just a little better. She also has some interesting insight into hierarchy of the deer herd and how that is evidenced around feeders. Emily spent time with Texas research projects that included bucks with and without access to protein feeds and she tells what she observed. Who doesn’...

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

On this timely classic episode (EP:135) we send off duck season in style with some of our favorite duck stories, great duck hunting advice and insight into imprinting waterfowl. At the end Chris Paradise and Dudley tell a couple of stories that will make the hair on your arms stand up. These are chilling spiritual experiences experienced by lifelong friends and family in a duck blind. They left us speechless and with eyes watering. We are joined by Spence Halford, Brooks Tinsley, Bill Gibson,...

Transcribed - Published: 3 January 2025

This week, we’re talking ducks with Dr. Brad Cohen from Tennessee Tech and expert duck hunter Jim Ronquest (Drake Waterfowl.) Brad is a very interesting biologist who wants to learn about how hunting pressure affects waterfowl movements, and his study will amaze you. His group is banding ducks with GPS monitors and studying how pressure makes the ducks move, where they want to go and how long they stay. Jim Ronquest many years of duck hunting experience gives him a great perspective on the st...

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2024

On this timely classic episode (EP:117) we celebrate the white-tailed deer. With firearms seasons opening everywhere we are reminded just how much we all love whitetails, so we ask our friends to tell some of their favorite deer stories. Cuz and Jeff Foxworthy join us, and of course we laugh A LOT, but sharing the memories just makes us all realize how much deer season means to us. Listen, Learn and Enjoy!Send a text message to the show! Use code GK50 to save 50% off a 1yr magazine subscripti...

Transcribed - Published: 27 December 2024

This week we’re joined by Dave Maas of Minnesota to talk deer hunting, bowhunting and successful strategies to get kids engaged in the hunt. Dave is a long-time hunter and a serious bowhunter. He is the editor of Bowhunting World magazine and spends much of his time immersed in archery gear and bowhunting. His two adult sons love hunting as much as he does, and Dave shares how he got them involved. We also talk strategy for bow setups, hunting on the ground and recurves. It’s an interesting d...

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

On this bonus episode, Jeff Lindsey joins us to tell the story of East Wing, the 200-inch Illinois giant buck he recently killed. Through the years, the Lindsey family has been a great example of a hunter/Gamekeeper. They have grown and killed some giant bucks while involving their families in the process. Jeff and others had been watching this deer for years, and the story of his last year is an interesting one. Listen, Learn and Enjoy.Show Notes:The Lindsey Way: https://thelindseyway.com/ ...

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2024

This week we have Dan Moultrie and Mark Olis in the studio for a deep discussion around the many effects of the drought. Across much of the whitetail's range, plots struggled to get established and the all-important mast crop is spotty at best. In some areas, it’s nonexistent and Dudley explains why. It’s all very concerning. Have you ever thought of irrigating a plot or two? We take a deep dive into how that could be done with Dan. We also talk about post-rut buck mortality and the timing of...

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

On this bonus episode, we welcome Hunter Smith of Central Alabama to tell the story of his recent giant whitetail bow kill. Hunter is a serious Gamekeeper and takes hunting to the next level. He was doing everything he could to grow big bucks… but imagine the shock of having a 200-plus-inch whitetail unexpectedly show up on your cameras in early September. Suddenly, the biggest deer you have ever seen is showing up on your cameras! That’s what happened to Hunter, and it flipped his world upsi...

Transcribed - Published: 13 December 2024

This week we have a deep deer discussion with Lann Wilf, a past MDWFP Deer Program Coordinator. Lann has had many years of experience managing whitetails on a professional level, and also knows a thing or two about chasing whitetail bucks. He lives his advice and walks us through what he recommends. We seem to talk more about small properties on this one and we think there is a lot to glean here. Learn how he matured and what he now considers the real trophy. Listen, Learn and Enjoy! Sho...

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2024

This week, we are joined by Chief Cyrus Ben of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. We ask him a lot of questions, ranging from artifacts to the cultural importance of hunting to his people. We ask him to take us back hundreds of years and explain how things were done and what the landscape looked like. The Chief was a great guest, an eloquent speaker, and knowledgeable about everything from hunting to managing their extensive business interests. He cares deeply about his people, their hi...

Transcribed - Published: 6 December 2024

This week, we have a truly special guest, Mr. Marlin Watkins from the hills of eastern Ohio, to explain the history and traditions of fall turkey hunting in the Northeast. The man is a legendary call maker and a gifted turkey hunter who is passionate about his dogs busting fall flocks, allowing him to call the birds back together. It was interesting to hear him explain the strategy and how the different age birds behave. We were shocked to hear him say he had fall long beards sometimes gobble...

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

This week we have another conversation with Flip Pallot and we’re also joined by two of our favorite Gamekeepers Jeff Foxworthy and Glenn Garner. Flip tells the fresh story of the largest whitetail he has killed, which happened that morning! We all discuss the allure of hunting big whitetail bucks and how it has strained many marriages, careers, friendships and much more. But why? We ask just what is it about white-tailed deer that makes us all so crazy for them? We also hear a hilarious snor...

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2024

This week we are joined by Gene and Barry Wensel to discuss their amazing deer hunting career. The Wensel brothers are legendary for getting bucks up close for bow shots and their ability to read sign associated with mature bucks. There are a lot of stories told and along the way we ask questions to help us all understand how they pick the right tree. It’s a fun one! Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Show Notes:Brothers of the Bow: https://www.facebook.com/p/Brothers-of-the-Bow-100064535420591/ &...

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2024

This week we're joined by a truly special guest: the legendary Flip Pallot. Renowned for his exceptional fishing skills and deep passion for bowhunting whitetails, Flip is someone we’ve admired for years. We always felt we were kindred spirits, and finally, we got the chance to share a camp and dive into meaningful conversation. During our time together, he shared the unforgettable story of his first buck and opened up about what bowhunting means to him. At 82 years old, Flip brings a wealth ...

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2024

This week, we are captivated by Dr. Robbie Godwin’s harrowing account of his recent elk hunting accident where a broadhead pierced his chest. Alone on a remote New Mexico mountain without cell service and a malfunctioning handheld radio, Robbie was forced to be both the patient and the doctor. Faced with life-altering decisions—should he risk pulling out the broadhead and severe bleeding, wait four hours for his outfitter to reach him at dark or try to walk out for help?—this story is a gripp...

Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2024

This week, we’re joined by bow hunter Tommy Allen of Ohio, who recently harvested a once-in-several-lifetimes buck—a 216-inch typical giant he named Zeus. Tommy shares the incredible story and history behind this legendary deer, from passing on him a year earlier to give him time to grow, to dealing with neighbors hunting him, and Zeus becoming camera-shy and shifting his home range. We were captivated by Tommy’s determination, patience, and ability to stay calm when it mattered most. It’s an...

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2024