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Don C. Keller | Originally published in GameKeepers: Farming for Wildlife Magazine Over the last 30 years, I have received hundreds of phone calls from landowners requesting Florida bass or tiger bass to be added to their lakes in order to increase the average size of bass caught. Most of these callers feel that by changing the genetics, the size will improve. Although the genetic growth potential of the tiger bass has been well documented, the most important key to rapid and sustained growth of

provided by the NWTF Turkey season is right around the corner, and for most of us in the U.S., going turkey hunting and actually hearing and seeing turkeys is fairly common; actually harvesting one, well, that’s a different story altogether. Regardless, having access to thriving turkey populations is something we get to enjoy as turkey hunters in America today, but it hasn’t always been this way. By the early-1900s, turkey populations in the U.S. were catastrophically low. Simply seeing a turkey

Austin Delano One of the most common mistakes I see in food plot plantings and farming for wildlife is improper timing relative to the crop and region. For example, the growing period for warm season annuals can vary pretty widely across the nation. The northernmost part of the states and on into Canada could have as little as 4-5 months of temperatures conducive to growing spring/summer crops. This is all dependent on how quickly the winter snow melts and soil temperatures rise, as well as when

Buying land for sale always has its challenges and can be stressful in the most favorable of markets. But when you set out to do it in a seller’s market, the difficulty can reach a whole new level. Today’s land market is red hot, with rural properties attracting multiple offers and selling above list price in many parts of the country. A few weeks ago in Three Ways Low Land Inventory Is a Win for Sellers, we defined a sellers market and discussed how rural land inventory has been dwindling for a

When you start thinking about buying recreational land for sale to call your own, it’s important to realize that this is quite different from buying a house. Every piece of property is different, and it’s important to work with a recreational real estate expert to help you avoid some of the common pitfalls recreational buyers sometimes experience. Recreational land buyers we work with at PotlatchDeltic often talk about how they haven’t made this type of purchase before, so they appreciate it

D.J. Randolph Have you taken the leap yet or are you still a little unsure? Is your cellular camera a reliable scouting tool or are you still trying to figure it out? I am a self-confessed trail camera addict. I have been for years. Don’t ask me how many I have because I’m not sure. I’ve been experimenting with cellular trail cameras over the last 3 years. I have tried several brands in that time and found things I like and things I dislike about each one. Some things are just a matter of

Gerald Almy Finding shed antlers can happen anywhere in a deer’s home range, usually encompassing hundreds, if not thousands of acres. But the odds are good; 90-percent or more of the antlers you discover are going to be found in one of three locations. SEARCH BEDDING AREAS FOR SHED ANTLERS Unless it’s located in a winter feeding area or along a travel route, chances are good when you discover a shed, you have found part of the core bedding territory of the deer that dropped it. The thickest

Chris Hawley | Mossy Oak Properties If you are an avid reader of GameKeepers like I am, you are very aware of food plot management, how to get the most out of your deer herd, and timber management. All of these can positively impact your property and add an exponential amount of value to your paradise. However, when you go to sell that property, one factor that many people tend to overlook could mean the difference between sold or not - a quality road system. EXTERNAL ROADS There are three main

Dear Land Guy, “I am looking to buy a piece a property near my hometown. I want to make this a diversified farm focusing on wildlife and recreation. The present owner told me there is a CRP contract on the property. Should I be concerned about this? What about other cost-sharing programs?” -TJ, Missouri You should definitely find out as much as you can about programs that could affect the property such as the CRP contract you mentioned. The Conservation Reserve Program, known as “CRP,” was

Now that everyone’s deer seasons are over, attention turns towards the bucks that made it through. “Food plots that still have forage available can be good locations to get pictures but most are gone by February. Another great way to get trail camera pictures during the late winter is using an attractant with a high carbohydrate and protein content. Chestnut Magic™ is a great new attractant that is not only attractive to whitetails but also very nutritious. Unlike imitators, Chestnut Magic is an