HUNTR

Wildlife habitat is disappearing across Appalachia—and most hunters don’t realize why. In this episode, we sit down with Eric Long and Cody Altizer to break down the real reason behind the decline, why “healthy forests” might actually be part of the problem, and what it’s going to take to bring grouse back. We also dive into their new nonprofit, the Give for Grouse Initiative, and how they plan to make real impact through habitat work, education, and boots-on-the-ground conservation. If you care about wildlife, habitat, and the future of hunting, this is a conversation you need to hear. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

0:00 - Why Grouse Are Disappearing
20:00 - Give for Grouse Mission
33:34 - How Whitetails Took Over (Restocking History)
36:31 - Michigan’s 1-Buck Rule… Good or Bad?
42:40 - Missouri Might Limit Non-Residents
58:43 - Inside Deer Management Consulting
1:10:04 - Filming Hunts
1:34:02 - How Give for Grouse Started
1:45:10 - Why Cutting Timber Creates Habitat
2:14:14 - Are Conservation Groups Missing the Mark?
2:57:03 - The Plan to Fix Grouse in Appalachia

Check out Give for Grouse:
https://www.facebook.com/GiveforGrouse/
https://www.youtube.com/@UCfjOVyRF0b1OKPnL7yzkUNw
https://www.instagram.com/give_for_grouse/

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HUNTRTUBE

Shop HUNTR Merch:
https://wearehuntr.com/

HUNTR Podcast is presented by:
Hoyt Archery: https://hoyt.com (Code HUNTR for 20% off apparel)
DeerGro: https://www.deergro.com (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Predator Camo: https://www.predatorcamo.com/ (Code HUNTR for 20% off)
Beast Broadheads: https://beastbroadheads.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Lone Wolf Custom Gear: https://www.lonewolfcustomgear.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off your first purchase)
RackHub: https://www.rack-hub.com/huntr (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Pure Wildlife Blends: https://www.purewildlifeblends.com (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Primos: https://www.primos.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Bushnell: https://www.bushnell.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
HHA: https://www.hhasports.com/

How we’re designing a farm that actually holds mature bucks—from food plot layout to feeders, bedding, and access strategy. We break down how small changes like cutting fields, creating edge, and placing feed correctly can completely change deer movement. From Ohio beans to Illinois setups and Kentucky habitat work, this is a full-system approach to building a property deer don’t want to leave. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HUNTRTUBE

Shop HUNTR Merch:
https://wearehuntr.com/

HUNTR Podcast is presented by:
Hoyt Archery: https://hoyt.com (Code HUNTR for 20% off apparel)
DeerGro: https://www.deergro.com (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Predator Camo: https://www.predatorcamo.com/ (Code HUNTR for 20% off)
Beast Broadheads: https://beastbroadheads.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Lone Wolf Custom Gear: https://www.lonewolfcustomgear.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off your first purchase)
RackHub: https://www.rack-hub.com/huntr (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Pure Wildlife Blends: https://www.purewildlifeblends.com (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Primos: https://www.primos.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Bushnell: https://www.bushnell.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
HHA: https://www.hhasports.com/

Most deer hunters focus on food plots—but that’s not what actually makes a property hold deer. In this episode, Brandon Beltz of Pheasants Forever breaks down why most deer habitat isn’t working and what you should be doing instead. From seed mixes and native grasses to invasive species control and long-term habitat strategy, this is a deep dive into building better ground for deer and all wildlife. We appreciate Brandon joining us on the podcast and sharing his knowledge on something we’re all so passionate about. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

00:08:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview
00:18:05 – Who is Brandon Beltz? (Pheasants Forever Background)
00:24:11 – Seed Programs & Habitat Philosophy
00:29:09 – Why Diverse Seed Mixes Matter
00:34:46 – The Problem with Invasive Species
00:45:01 – Native vs Cool Season Grasses
00:49:01 – Managing Johnson Grass & Problem Species
00:55:57 – Herbicide Timing & Weed Control
01:10:06 – How to Build the Right Seed Mix
01:21:39 – Designing Habitat That Works Year-Round
01:30:03 – Building Better Deer Habitat
01:44:01 – Long-Term Habitat Strategy

Check out Pheasants Forever:
https://pheasantsforever.org/
https://www.pfhabitatstore.com/

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HUNTRTUBE

Shop HUNTR Merch:
https://wearehuntr.com/

HUNTR Podcast is presented by:
Hoyt Archery: https://hoyt.com (Code HUNTR for 20% off apparel)
DeerGro: https://www.deergro.com (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Predator Camo: https://www.predatorcamo.com/ (Code HUNTR for 20% off)
Beast Broadheads: https://beastbroadheads.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Lone Wolf Custom Gear: https://www.lonewolfcustomgear.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off your first purchase)
RackHub: https://www.rack-hub.com/huntr (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Pure Wildlife Blends: https://www.purewildlifeblends.com (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Primos: https://www.primos.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Bushnell: https://www.bushnell.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
HHA: https://www.hhasports.com/

Dialing this farm in for big bucks—from prescribed fire and planting to dialing in feeding systems—we break down the real work behind building better deer habitat. From equipment upgrades to long-term planning like firebreaks and access, this is how we’re improving the farm the right way. It’s the work you put in this spring that keeps big bucks on your farm this fall. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HUNTRTUBE

Shop HUNTR Merch:
https://wearehuntr.com/

HUNTR Podcast is presented by:
Hoyt Archery: https://hoyt.com (Code HUNTR for 20% off apparel)
DeerGro: https://www.deergro.com (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Predator Camo: https://www.predatorcamo.com/ (Code HUNTR for 20% off)
Beast Broadheads: https://beastbroadheads.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Lone Wolf Custom Gear: https://www.lonewolfcustomgear.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off your first purchase)
RackHub: https://www.rack-hub.com/huntr (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Pure Wildlife Blends: https://www.purewildlifeblends.com (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Primos: https://www.primos.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Bushnell: https://www.bushnell.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
HHA: https://www.hhasports.com/

Thinking about buying hunting land? Watch this first. Tyler Markham (Legacy Acres Land Co.) breaks down the real truth about finding off-market properties, building a farm that actually hunts, and the biggest mistakes buyers make. From land strategy to deer management, this one could save you thousands—and years of frustration. We appreciate Tyler joining us in the studio, and we hope you enjoy the conversation. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

00:00 Before You Buy Hunting Land… Watch This
02:10 Meet Tyler Markham (Legacy Acres Land Co.)
10:30 The #1 Thing Most Landowners Ignore
32:40 How Thermal Drones Are Changing Deer Hunting
51:55 The Truth About “Turnkey” Hunting Farms
01:02:52 Why Buy From a Land Specialist?
01:13:14 What Hunting Land Is Actually Worth
01:30:53 How Guys Are Affording Hunting Land
01:46:46 Where the Land Market Is Right Now
01:54:02 Is Ohio Still Worth Buying In?
02:35:21 Is Baiting Ruining Deer Hunting?

Legacy Acres Land Co:
https://www.youtube.com/@LegacyAcresLandCo
https://www.instagram.com/legacyacreslandco/
https://www.facebook.com/LegacyAcresLandCo/
https://www.legacyacresland.com/

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HUNTRTUBE

Shop HUNTR Merch:
https://wearehuntr.com/

HUNTR Podcast is presented by:
Hoyt Archery: https://hoyt.com (Code HUNTR for 20% off apparel)
DeerGro: https://www.deergro.com (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Predator Camo: https://www.predatorcamo.com/ (Code HUNTR for 20% off)
Beast Broadheads: https://beastbroadheads.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Lone Wolf Custom Gear: https://www.lonewolfcustomgear.com/ (Code HUNTR for 10% off your first purchase)
RackHub: https://www.rack-hub.com/huntr (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Pure Wildlife Blends: https://www.purewildlifeblends.com (Code HUNTR for 10% off)
Primos: https://www.primos.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
Bushnell: https://www.bushnell.com/ (Code HUNTR for 15% off)
HHA: https://www.hhasports.com/