Deer University
Episodes
Episode 093 – Energy and Antlers
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob and Eric sit down with Dr. Levi Heffelfinger of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute to discuss their work evaluating how dietary en...
Episode 092 - Deer-Pig Interactions
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob and Eric sit down with MSU Assistant Research Professor Dr. Melanie Boudrou to discuss the results of a recent project that used GPS collars t...
The Rut
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob and Eric catch up to discuss the rut. They cover everything from what triggers the rut to phases of the rut, changes in buck behavior, and hunti...
Episode 090 - Arkansas Chronic Wasting Disease Deer Study
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob and Eric sit down with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Research Division Chief, Cory Gray and Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Dr...
Episode 089 - Cool-season Food Plots Part 2
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with Part 2 of discussing cool-season food plots. Hosts Jacob and Eric catch up with MSU Deer Lab graduate student Luke Resop to talk about...
Episode 088 - Cool-season Food Plots Part 1
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts Jacob and Eric discuss cool-season food plots with MSU Deer Lab graduate student Luke Resop. They cover key topics such as food...
Episode 087 - Late Summer Stressors
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts Jacob and Eric dive into the challenges of the late summer stress period for deer. They explore key topics, including the decli...
Episode 086 – Taking the Reins and New World Screwworm
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the new co-directors of the MSU Deer Lab, Drs. Jacob Dykes and Eric Michel, share their plans for the deer lab and their vision for r...
Episode 085 - The New MSU Deer Lab
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Bronson and Steve introduce the new Co-Directors of the MSU Deer Lab. Dr. Eric Michel succeeds Steve and now serves as Assistant Prof...
Episode 084 - Steve's Dispersal Event
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this bittersweet episode Bronson visits with Steve as he reflects on his retirement from the MSU Deer Lab after a long and impactful career in wild...
Episode 083 - When You Can't Hunt: Fertility Control as a Deer Management Tool
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie Boyles-Griffin, Jessica Tegt, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland discuss the complexities of urban deer management, exp...
Episode 082 – Effects of Weather on Buck Movements
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Natasha Neary, Luke Resop, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland discuss the MSU Deer Lab's recent analyses that disentangle the intr...
Episode 081 - Lunar Table Fables - Does the Moon Affect Buck Activiy?
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Natasha Neary, Luke Resop, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland delve into the relationships between moon phases, positions, and their potential eff...
Episode 080 - Buck Antler Size and Landscape Context
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this third episode with Dr. Mark Turner, we discuss Mark's research exploring the factors that contribute to the variation in population-level buck...
Episode 079 - Estimating nutrient requirements for deer
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Mark Turner discusses his research on the nutrient requirements of deer and the availability of native plants to fulfill those re...
Episode 078 – Predicting Antler Size from Doe Body Weight
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Bronson, Steve, and Mark Turner discuss the relationship between doe body weight and buck antler size. Mark's research at the Un...
Episode 077 - Your Summer To-Do List
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Bronson and Steve discuss various topics related to deer management during the summertime. They start by addressing recent conce...
Episode 076 - Buck Food Plot Use During the Hunting Season
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit with Dr. Natasha Ellison to review her findings relative to buck use of food plots during the hunting season. How often are...
Episode 075 - Pulling the Covers Off Buck Beds
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit with Luke Resop to discuss buck beds and bedding areas. How often are they bedding? What's their affinity to certain bedd...
Episode 074 – Understanding Buck Movement – Part 2
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The latest Extension publication from the MSU Deer Lab is "Understanding Buck Movement: How, When, and Why Bucks Navigate the Landscape" is now availa...
Episode 073 – Understanding Buck Movement – Part 1
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The latest Extension publication from the MSU Deer Lab is "Understanding Buck Movement: How, When, and Why Bucks Navigate the Landscape" is now availa...
Episode 072 – Fall food plots, how late is too late?
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. I...
Episode 071 - Rubs and Scrapes with Karl Miller
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is a deer signpost? In this episode Steve and Bronson visit with Dr. Karl Miller, the former professor and researcher of deer biology and manag...
Episode 070 - Buck Breeding Value and Management Implications
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What the heck is buck breeding value? In this episode Steve and Bronson visit with Dr. Randy DeYoung, a professor and researcher at the Caesar Klebe...
Episode 069 – Burn baby burn!
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 068 – Just how bad is dog hunting on deer?
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Seems like you either love dog hunting, or hate it. There's no in between. But what does the research say about the effects of dog hunting on deer h...
Episode 067 - Is habitat management for deer and turkey the same?
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do all the habitat recommendations that deer biologists make also benefit turkey? In this episode, Bronson and Steve visit with Marcus Lashley and W...
Episode 066 – South Texas Deer Management
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 065 - Buck Movement & Hunting Strategy
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with another Q & A, this time with questions focused on buck movement and hunting strategy. Enjoy! Be sure to follow us on social media @MS...
Episode 064 - Deer Biology & Behavior
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 063 - Dr. Harry Jacobson, Founding Father of the MSU Deer Lab
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
Episode 062 – Harvesting Does
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 discus...
Episode 061 - Deer Nutritional Demands During Summer
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 li...
Episode 060 - All About Mineral stumps with Marcus Lashley
14 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 059 - Effective Warm-Season Food Plots for Deer
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Summer can be a nutritionally stressful period for deer. When bucks are growing antlers and does are gestating or lactating, there should be abundant ...
Episode 058 - Wait, so cull bucks do exist?
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ep...
Episode 057 – Using Science to Improve Deer Harvest Success
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 056 - The 12-Month Food Plot System
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 055 - The Value of Co-Ops: Meeting Management Goals
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Episode 054 - What's So Special About Kansas?
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past couple decades Kansas has turned into a destination state for deer hunters chasing big whitetails. But what exactly about the Kansas lan...
Episode 053 - Timber Harvesting & Wildlife Management, Part 2: Hardwoods
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 052 - Armyworms and Food Plots
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Angus Catchot and Dr. Bronson Strickland visit the Mossy Oak GameKeepers Podcast team to discuss management of armyworms in wildlife food plots an...
Episode 051 - Timber Harvesting & Wildlife Management, Part 1: Pine Stands
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Brady Self is an Extension Forestry Specialist at Mississippi State University. In this episode of Deer University, Dr. Strickland and Dr. Demaris...
Episode 050 - Can Supplemental Feeding Impact the Plant Community?
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Supplemental feeding has become a common practice, but deer biologists are often concerned about the indirect effects and how the practice could degra...
Episode 049 – Can Supplemental Feeding Increase Disease Risk?
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Supplemental feeding of deer has become a common practice throughout most of the white-tailed deer's range. Deer biologists often warn of the potentia...
Episode 048 – Deer Management Advice from William McKinley
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
William McKinley is a deer biologist and coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks and has been assisting hunters, ma...
Episode 047 - Most common habitat management mistakes with John Gruchy
09 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
John Gruchy is a Private Lands Biologist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks and has been assisting landowners with habitat...
Episode 046 - Contrasting Deer Management in South Texas and the Midwest with Mick Hellickson
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 045 - Deer Food Plot Forage Selection with Jacob Dykes
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Episode 044 - Timing of Prescribed Fire Impacts Deer Forage Quality and Selection
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 wo...
Episode 043 - Chronic Wasting Disease from a State Wildlife Agency Perspective
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 br...
Introducing the Natural Resources University Podcast Network
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Want to hear more science-based information regarding natural resources? We have you covered. We are introducing the Natural Resources University Podc...
Episode 042 - When are Deer Attracted to Acorns?
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 g...
Episode 041 - Buck Habitat Selection During Hunting Season
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Where do bucks go during hunting season? Does hunting pressure change where bucks spend time? In this episode Bronson, Steve, and former MSU Deer La...
Episode 040 - When is it appropriate to cull? The purpose makes all the difference
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bronson and Steve have a conversation with Donnie Draeger to discuss the topic of culling. Two concepts are discussed in our conversation 1) culling t...
Episode 039 - Deer Habitat Management with Craig Harper
23 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are the most common habitat management mistakes? In this episode we visit with Deer Habitat guru, Dr. Craig Harper, of the University of Tennesse...
Episode 038 - CWD Management Part 1
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bryan Richards and Paul Shelton have been studying and managing Chronic Wasting Disease for almost 20 years. Bryan provides information on CWD in his ...
Episode 037 - Deer Summer Nutrition
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Steve, Marcus, and Bronson discuss the importance of summer nutrition for deer. We review some research on seasonal fluctuations in plant quality, nut...
Episode 036 – Impacts of flooding on deer – the good, the bad, the ugly
23 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The deer herd located in southern portion of the Mississippi Delta region is undergoing an unprecedented flood event. Some experts estimate that abo...
Episode 035 - Forest Management for Food and Cover
18 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Forest management matters! Steve, Marcus, and Bronson discuss how forest management affects where deer spend time. Want to draw more deer to your prop...
Episode 034 - Want to start a supplemental feeding program?
22 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
So you want to start a supplemental feeding program? You better listen to this episode. We again visit with deer biologist, Donnie Draeger, and discus...
Episode 033 - How Jeremy Flinn uses biology and technology to scout and hunt
06 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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-k...
Episode 032 - Culling to Improve Genetics - Fact or Fiction
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 genetica...
Episode 031 - Eating venison in a CWD world
03 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Steve and Bronson discuss implications of the 2nd positive CWD sample in Mississippi and have a conversation about common questions surrounding eating...
Episode 030 - Buck Movement Patterns During the Rut
24 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today we visit with MSU Deer Lab graduate students Ashley Jones and Colby Henderson about their research project where they are tracking GPS-collared ...
Episode 029 - Midwest Deer Habitat Management
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jarred Brooke and Adam Janke are Professors and Extension Wildlife Specialists at Purdue and Iowa State Universities, respectively. Today we will disc...
Episode 028 - Offsetting the Cost of Conservation
14 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John Gruchy is a Private Lands Biologist and habitat management specialist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. He is an ...
Episode 027 - Deer Management in Maine
22 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 026 - Bow-range Burnin'
09 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 advan...
Episode 025 - Does choose bucks?
05 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 wit...
Episode 024 - The benefits of prescribed fire
27 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 fi...
Episode 023 - Trees for Deer
26 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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, Dudl...
Episode 022 - CWD found in Mississippi
17 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 021 - Deer Management Advice from Chris McDonald
20 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Bronson interviews long-time Mississippi deer biologist Chris McDonald about the tactics used by successful deer managers. What charac...
Episode 020 - Common Deer Diseases and Parasites
13 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 019 - Gourmet Gone Wild
27 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Bronson interviews Jordan Burroughs and Johanna Dart of Michigan State University Extension about two programs designed to get people ...
Episode 018 - Hogs gone wild
17 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 017 - Buck Movements and the eBook
27 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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....
Episode 016 - Hunt Fair Chase
24 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 Boon...
Episode 015 - The Science of the Rut
29 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 014 - Cool Season Food Plots
06 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 comm...
Episode 013 - The Science of Antler Rattling
23 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Bronson visits with Dr. Mickey Hellickson about his antler rattling research conducted in South Texas. To our knowledge, this is the o...
Episode 012 - The effects of the rut on bucks
14 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Episode 011 - The Importance of Summer Nutrition for Deer
06 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Episode 010 - Questions and Answers
29 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Steve, Bronson, and Marcus answer questions from the Deer University audience. Questions about mineral stumps, supplemental feeding, d...
Episode 009 - Nutrition vs Genetics Part 2
22 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
Episode 008 - Nutrition or Genetics - Part 1
15 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard the old saying "you are what you eat"? A 10-year research project conducted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks an...
Episode 007 - Mineral stumps for deer nutrition
08 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 te...
Episode 006 - What deer eat and why
01 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 dif...
Episode 005 - Predator impacts - Part 2
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Episode 004 - Predator impacts - Part 1
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Coyotes and other predators are routinely blamed for reduced deer sightings and deer population declines. But how do you know if predators are really ...
Episode 003 - Culling explained - Part 2
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 "m...
Episode 002 - Culling explained - Part 1
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 001 - Who's your daddy?
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 000 - Introducing the Deer University Podcast
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 benef...