Category: Eblast Archives
Wildlife Management Goals: Better Cover and Food – Episode #453
See how we’ve managed and improved the native habitat at The Proving Grounds. Then an update on an exciting experiment that could increase the productivity of small food plots! Plus, watch as we prepare our bows for opening day.
New blog:
Find out how drought conditions affect deer.
Scouting/Scoring Tip:
Here’s a quick tip to use when scoring antlers while scouting this summer.
TIMELY Tip:
ALWAYS wear a safety harness and be clipped to a safety line or lineman rope, from the moment you leave the ground until you return.
In Case You Missed It!:
If you didn’t catch our most recent GrowingDeer Talks (Facebook live), you can see it here!
Q & A of the Week:
Question: Will I have to sight in my bow again when I switch from field points to broadheads?
Answer: Sights often need adjusted when switching from field points to broadheads. One way to avoid having to move sights is to shoot a DeadMeat broadhead which has a practice point that flies exactly the same! Sight in and practice with the B.M.P. point during the summer and you’re ready to hunt!
Improving Hunting and Habitat: Past, Present, and Future – Episode #452
Road trip! Grant and the team return to an ongoing habitat improvement project in central Missouri. Through the years, we’ve shared many projects from this farm. See how the habitat and hunting has improved and find out what the next steps are to create great hunting for this landowner and his family. Plus, we share why we are seeing an increased number of spike bucks.
New blog:
Early season is a great time to chase a hit list buck. Bucks are still on their summer pattern: food to cover, cover to food, and back again. Learn how to close in on an early season buck!
Pre Season Thoughts:
As you prepare for deer season, be sure to include your kids! Share your passion and teach the next generation of deer hunters.
Get It While It’s Hot!:
Hot or cold? Either way you drink it, here’s a special discount just for you! Hunter’s Blend Coffee now has a GrowingDeer discount available on their website! Simply use the promo code GDTV1.
Timely Tip:
An extendable saw is great for trimming new growth around a treestand and lanes. Start trimming now and be prepared for the first sit!
Q & A of the WEEK:
Question: Will the bucks I’m seeing now still be on my property during hunting season?
Answer: Bucks often shift within their home range as summer turns to fall. This may mean that they do not frequent an area as much during the fall as they did during the summer months. This can be influenced by, but not limited to, dominance/subordination, food sources, and individual buck characteristics.
Hot Hunting: Froggin’ – Episode #451
Arrows fly as Danny, Raleigh, Rae and Grant head out for a summer bullfrog hunt! It’s a fun night with friends and family plus great practice for deer hunting. Then we share a food plot update in the midst of drought and heavy browse pressure.
New blog:
Do you want to improve the quality of wildlife food where you hunt? We share seven steps for creating healthier soil and better food plots.
Hunting Strategy Improved:
Reducing scent from our clothes and gear helps us have close encounters and the opportunity to tag game!
Wildlife Management Tip:
Extensive browse on low quality species like multiflora rose can indicate that deer are hungry and searching hard for quality food sources.
FAcebook Recap:
Clay found a mess of ticks while working in the field! Be mindful of ticks this summer.
Q & A of the WEEK:
Question: When do you start scouting for deer season?
Answer: We have already started! We are scouting and identifying oaks that are producing acorns as well as monitoring deer travel patterns with our Reconyx trail cameras.
Hot Summer Work: Habitat Management and Scouting Bucks – Episode #450
Watch as the GrowingDeer Team works on improving the native habitat to control an invasive sericea lespedeza. Plus, a seven-year-old buck named Swoops is alive and on the hit list. See how we’ve begun planning this fall’s hunting strategy for Swoops.
New blog:
This summer, we have been blessed to spend time in the field (and after work hours) with three young men that are passionate about deer hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Here is a little more about the faces you see on GrowingDeer.
Our Favorite Scrape Video:
We can’t wait until the Code Blue scrapes have been re-opened and we see this action again!
SUMMER FUN:
This week we went frog hunting with our bows! We will be sharing more of this hunting adventure soon!
Timely Hunting Tip :
The G5 small game head is great for tagging summer game like frogs and squirrels!
Q & A of the WEEK:
Question: How often do you check cameras during the summer?
Answer: We check them once a week. If a camera location is not capturing deer, we move it to another location.
Creepy, Crawly Ticks! – Episode #449
Grant shares how high tick numbers can impact deer and human health. See how many ticks we recently collected in multiple field tests. The results will make your skin crawl!
Podcast: Food Plots Made Easy:
Listen as Grant shares tips and techniques on the Drop-Tine Report podcast for easy food plots, prescribed fire and hunting.
New blog:
Now is a great time to place trail cameras in the woods and begin monitoring deer! We share several trail camera tips here.
Short VIDEO Clip Of The WEek:
We can’t wait for views like this! Watch as a big buck walks out as the sun sets!
Tip of the Week:
Shooting with one arrow can help hunters focus on making every shot count.
Copperhead Watch!:
We’ve been keeping careful watch while working in the field. We have been seeing many copperheads!
Habitat Improvement: Helping Wildlife and Landowners – Episode #448
Grant visits a landowner to develop a habitat management plan for his property . Watch as he recommends how to improve habitat and encourage great hunting opportunities. Plus, the folks at Mossy Oak Properties of the Heartland tour The Proving Grounds.
Tick Awareness!:
There seems to be more ticks this year than usual. In some areas ticks will likely cause the death of several fawns and many humans will get a tick-borne illness. Be safe and treat your clothes with a permethrin based product and regularly check for ticks!
New blog:
Recently, while cutting cedars in a bedding area, Skyler Partain found a fawn nestled in the native vegetation. It was a great reminder that improving habitat has many benefits. Find out how we have helped our deer herd by creating great bedding and fawning habitat.
Short VIDEO Clip Of The WEek:
See the results of protecting Eagle Seed forage soybeans with a Hot Zone fence until the conditions are right for hunting!
Tip of the Week:
Even under heavy browse pressure, Eagle Seeds’ indeterminate forage soybeans continue to sprout new stems and provide high quality forage!
Summer Heat: The Consequences of Naked Soil – Episode #447
Whether it is wet or dry, the Buffalo System helps promote productive soil. Grant shares why keeping the soil covered has many benefits for soil health, crop growth and cost effectiveness.
New blog:
Do you love chasing turkeys year after year? Learn how we encourage healthy turkey numbers and the observations we’ve made about this year’s hatch.
Short VIDEO Clip Of The WEek:
Watch as Swoops works this Code Blue scrape. We’ve found both of his sheds and are eager to chase him again this fall!
Tip of the Week:
Summer can be hot and full of odors. We plug in a Scent Crusher Ozone Go at the end of the day to our work truck. The following morning, it’s odor free and ready for another hard day’s work!
ENJOYING CREATION:
Pro Staffer Chase White recently went on vacation with his family to Manitoba, Canada. They had a wonderful time fishing, hunting and enjoying Creation. See more of their adventure here.
Increasing Food Plot Productivity: Upgrading the Buffalo System – Episode #446
New Food Plot Techniques
We are continually learning about and tweaking the Buffalo System. Check out these improvements that increase forage productivity! We also share how Grant planted Tracy’s garden in a food plot, all while building soil and keeping it and crops protected.
New blog:
The Hot Zone allows hunters anywhere to have the fun and success common to those hunting in ag production by protecting soybeans even in a small plot. Read here for tips on designing and maintaining a Hot Zone fence!
Short VIDEO Clip Of The WEek:
Do you inoculate soybeans? Find out why inoculation is an inexpensive yet key step to planting forage soybeans!
Tip of the Week:
Cleaning your turkey gun after season helps protect the gun during storage. Most importantly, it keeps it ready for the next opening day!
COOL FIND:
We recently spotted this fawn in a food plot! We left it undisturbed, knowing momma would be back. Does will often leave fawns in areas that they feel are safe from predators and will return.
Turning up the Heat: Designing and Building a Hot Zone – Episode #445
Hunting Strategies, Food Plots, Life
Watch this video for “how to” tips on a proven strategy to create a hot hunting location this fall! Plus, Grant travels to Bass Pro and speaks to “Good Dads” about the traits of a great father.
New blog: FOOD PLOTS AND HOT, NAKED soil
Soil temperature is very important to building and maintaining healthy soil. Find out how you can help your soil stay cool and productive!
Short VIDEO Clip Of The WEek:
Fawns are dropping at The Proving Grounds! See the future of our deer herd!
Tip of the Week:
Using a HotZone electric fence now is a proven technique to create a honey hole for deer season! Standing grain is a great deer attractant! Put a fence up now to protect beans in small plots or in front of your blind then allow them to make a full crop of pods.
Prep for Deer Season | Shooting and Food Plot Tips – Episode #444
Archery Practice, Food Plots, Hunting Strategies
Grant is preparing for the opening day of deer season! Learn how he improves his archery form during the off season. Then there’s an update on food plots and the Buffalo System with tips for crimping mature cool season crops.
New blog: Why Worms Are Valuable for Food Plots
In some respects, establishing food plots using the Buffalo System means that I am a worm farmer. Find out how worms help the soil, forage, and antler growth.
Short VIDEO Clip Of The WEek:
If you’re still thinking about turkeys, then you’ll enjoy watching these toms strut their stuff!
Tip of the Week:
Using a HotZone electric fence now is a proven technique to create a honey hole for deer season! Standing grain is a great deer attractant! Put a fence up now to protect beans in small plots or in front of your blind then allow them to make a full crop of pods.
