David is an accomplished outdoorsman and author who focuses on the outdoors. A great deal of David’s writings reach into the world of elk habits and hunting and the infamous argument as to whether the great grizzly bears of Colorado still maintain and exisiting population.

As Petersen, and the host, Kevin Gardner, traverse through this podcast show it becomes evident that their trails have numerous connections on both their studies and research. This makes for some very intriguing conversation sure to capture the attention of hunters and outdoorsmen alike.

Don’t miss this latest installment of Today’s Wilderness Podcasting Show and stay tuned for future episodes.

Listen to David Petersen’s Podcast

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It isn’t often I get to take the time to knock around in the outdoors without some exact purpose for being there. There always seems to be some utility reason, not by design, it just always seems to work that way. This really is something I should work on changing as it seems some of what I consider the most interesting things happen when there is no destination in mind or job to fulfill. Just a non-charted trip to explore new places in the wild. Maybe it is just the lack of focus on having a chore to do on the trip that lets karma sort of have its way with you.

I’ve never been shy about my feelings toward the hot summer months and all of the activities that go along with them. Perhaps as I get older and my blood thins, I may evolve an intolerance for the cool or cold weather of spring, winter and fall and begin to appreciate heat and humidity. I may start to enjoy seeing people everywhere I travel outdoors with their dogs, bikes, brightly colored clothes, bear bells and walking sticks. I may even awaken the Tuesday after Labor Day and actually be sad that everyone has gone back to wherever the hell it is that they came from, but until I make those statements, from the infirmary, I will likely loath the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day as much as I have for the last twenty or so years.

Taking advantage of a cool but sunny May afternoon just a few days before the Memorial Day weekend, I loaded my backpack with camera gear and set off on an uncharted course through the mountains near my Appalachian home. With a clear head and elevated senses, I wanted to take it all in and just let things unfold as they will. Knowing it is one of my last chances to see undisturbed wildlife for months, I just wanted my time. Like it or not the coming weekend will bring the thrill seekers out to scatter them deeper into the thickness of the wilderness and further educate them to avoid humans.

With the slope having a relatively sharp incline, and contrasting the size of the mountains of Pennsylvania against those of the Colorado mountains that I used to travel in, after about thirty minutes the grade began to lessen and I started to believe I was nearing the top. The sound of birds and nature were so loud and alive that they muffled a humming sound that was gradually getting louder the further I penetrated the mountain. Eventually it became identifiable as the sound of an engine, evolving further into that of a tractor engine the closer I got to the source. Catching a glimpse through the trees I was able to make out a tractor harrowing a small meadow on what I believed to be the top of the mountain.

Drawing closer and getting a better view, the small fields began to lengthen and become more visible as the tractor made pass after pass working the soil. Intrigued that this area of the mountain was being tilled, I approached the opening in hopes of having a conversation with the farmer about his intention of putting crops in such an odd location. Emerging from the cover of a thick canopy of shade trees, I scoped the field and noticed through the dust made by the tractor, the form of a utility truck parked in the shade along the far edge of the field. Walking closer and observing the vehicle a decal on the door took a familiar shape, that of the insignia of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The truck began skirting the field in my direction and I began to wonder how this would play out as the man emerging from the cab, later introducing himself as Craig Shaffer; Maintenance Worker Supervisor, approached me. Without a hello he blurted, “Its corn, buckwheat and sorghum”. “Come here I’ll show you” as he proceeded to the edge of the field with me in tow. Bending down he fumbled through the freshly tilled ground locating some seeds. They plant this combination because with it the deer and turkey will have something to eat throughout most of the year, was his point. Still a bit flabbergasted I made a comment about making a giant food plot; he smiled and nodded his head. “That’s Tom Miller on the tractor, he is working the seed in with the plow before we head to the next field.”

Continuing, he informed me how they make this concoction at their maintenance shed from locally bought seed and plant it in several plots across the county. I was surprised to say the least as this is the organization that has been made out to be the bad guy by so many groups of sportsmen, as wanting the deer herd depleted. Rumors of truckloads of coyotes being dumped along back roads as part of a conspiracy with insurance companies and mysterious disappearing lion carcasses from roadsides followed with official denial of their existence are commonplace local lore. It is worth noting that pressing the issues with “eye witnesses” it always turns out that they hadn’t actually seen it, but “someone they know did”, BS. He further showed me a combination of seeds they use as well, consisting of rape and turnip. “Want to see the mixtures?” he asked.

Returning to the back of his vehicle and climbing on top of a load of equipment, he pulled down a grain sack and opened it for me to examine the contents. I was basically speechless and likely looked pretty confused to see this going on. He walked me through the process of how the animals will use the food plots and what all species of wildlife it will support. Although I write about it and have a wildlife and habitat management course I offer as an adjunct professor at the local college, I let him talk and just listened for a while to take it all in. I could not help being impressed with his knowledge, but that was shadowed by his energy, approachability and eagerness to educate a dumb roaming backpacker. With the wheels in my head spinning at full speed I asked about how hard the area gets hunted in the fall and his reply was no surprise to me, “a lot less than you would think”. I kind of figured that would be the case as the land is somewhat steep and the habitat thick and inhospitable. The “there are no deer here” group who want game no farther than a hundred yards from the car are not going to work to get into this type of area.

I asked about an open gate I had passed further down the mountain and inquired as to if it is closed off after the Labor Day weekend, which would add seclusion to the area. This practice of closing off vehicle access during the critical time of late summer and early fall development and breeding has proven to be extremely effective as a wildlife management tool. He advised me that the gate is never closed and still the pressure is minimal. Taking a few points from my level of enthusiasm with his answer I was still impressed with what was happening. Had he told me the gate is closed after the summer I would have probably shook his hand until his arm came off, but you can’t expect them to get it all right at the same time. He related two deer hunting stories to me from his own personal experiences in the area we were standing, explaining how minimal the hunting pressure was and how both were successful deer harvests within a very short time after arriving.

Half commenting and half asking, I made a comment as to us being on top of the mountain, as the green-up makes it difficult to tell. “No sir, we’re on a bench. You have quite a hike ahead of you to get to the top”. That sounded good to me as I was certainly not worn out yet and would like to have bigger mountains to climb anyway. Detailing the rest of my trip he alerted me to some significant landmarks along the way where I would also see more of the habitat work they were doing. He was quite proud of the area and his contributions to its betterment. I was honestly excited to keep pressing on as I was feeling pretty confident that I have found a new hunting area.

Offloading my pack, I asked if he minded if I took a few pictures. “Photographer huh, do you like hawks”? “No but I’m sure their delicious” was the first thought that went through my mind, but I decided to not be a wise guy when he was being so congenial to my way of thinking. “When you do get to the top you can look down on hawks flying around the mountain”. More encouragement to get back on trail. I took out my gear and did a series of photos, bummed some paper from him and jotted a few notes. I mentioned how valuable I feel food plots are and alluded to a recent podcast I had done with Steve Scott of the Whitetail Institute of North America that may interest him. He acknowledged knowing about the company and spoke further about his management initiatives. “We buy this seed by the ton and mix it ourselves; we buy from a local feed store and have made a mixture that really works well in this soil”. Undoubtedly true I thought, as I looked around at what developed ever more clearly as he pointed out features of the terrain they have been enhancing.

Once done with the photographs and packing back up, I inquired further about what I could expect up trail and about other wildlife he sees on the mountain routinely. He talked about rattlesnakes, bears and even an eagle from recent trips to the site. I thanked him profusely for his time and his work, long days have been the norm for him and the driver of the tractor trying to get these habitat enhancing food plots done. I kept thinking as we talked, about how people could easily get involved in working with these guys to help better the habitat and learn a ton from the experience if they would put as much energy into helping as they do complaining.

Pushing further up the mountain I pass rows of trees that looked too deliberately placed to be a natural occurrence. On closer inspection they appear in my estimation, to be crab apple trees neatly and strategically aligned across yet another high mountain meadow. I made a mental note to reconnect with Craig and ask about the trees. I began to get even more excited about the area when I was able to get a bit further above the meadows and look down on them. Very carefully planned and executed is the layout, this area has to be good hunting I remarked out loud.

As the grade steepened back into the seclusion of trees, taxing muscles, heart rate and mental focus I found myself under the shade of a tree at a waypoint I had set for myself to break at. Catching my breath and cursing my poor lifestyle as of late, I took my next step to getting closer to the mountain top when the side of the hill below me exploded with a crash. Emerging like a bullet from his day bed a large black bear crashed down slope and almost certainly across the field I had just observed. Thinking it would be great to be on that field at the moment, camera in hand, I know that kind of luck is not usually mine. The smell of bear hung in the air for a few moments then dissipated with the light afternoon breeze.

Pressing on and undoubtedly sounding like a locomotive the top of the mountain came within sight. It was not Everest or even Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park that I climbed on a moonlit night, but it sure felt good to hit the pinnacle. (Not to confuse, I have not climbed Everest, yet) The hawks were indeed there as promised as I put the Canon camera through its paces. The view was clear and breathtaking going on for what seemed forever, before summers hot haze lays in and distorts the distant scene. I spend a much needed hour of recuperation time at the top, taking it all in and reminding myself that real outdoor writer and photographers don’t grow on trees, they surround themselves with them.

Recharged and ready to now torture my knees on the steep descent I began the trek, breathing was a lot easier allowing the mind to process the information and sensations of the afternoon. Taking it all in again, only with much different eyes this time, the entire trip down the mountain was an exercise in admiring the work being done. A later call to Craig confirmed the crabapple trees as Asiatic Crabapple, selected for its late fruit bearing long into the winter, sustaining mountain survival for wildlife. Just like the rape was selected for its late attractive offering, the rows of trees divided by wide stretches of grasses running meadow-long took careful planning by people wrongfully chastised and accused of working against hunters and wildlife.

I often encourage people to get out and work the habitat on their own land or get involved with the local wildlife agencies and volunteer. I think one would quickly learn how much they actually do behind the scenes to promote wildlife and how much more they actually could do with some help. This area I hiked is going to be a fantastic place to hunt this fall without a doubt. It is hard to know about these places without getting out and exploring them and leaving the comfort of the hundred yard radius of the car. I know this exact situation is not the same all over the State or the Country, but getting involved will certainly yield finding where they do exist. To all of the folks who still think the PA Game Commission is trying to do away with the deer herd and do nothing to make things better, take a ride with Craig Shaffer and Tom Miller for the day and tell us all about it after the ten hours of work.

While I can do nothing about the hot summer months ahead and all of the activity happening on the mountain, the glimpse I got into the future while on the trail this particular day will keep me ever anxious for September.

For those looking to do some inexpensive and effective food plot work, the combinations Craig and Tom were working was: corn, buckwheat and sorghum applied at a rate of one bushel per acre, also a separate combination of rape and turnip at the same rate.

Enjoy your resources.

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Steve and Kevin open the show with some company background and the foundation that the Whitetail Institute was built on as well as the most notable products such as Imperial Whitetail Clover. This podcast moves along with a wealth of information and insight as Steve explains the benefits of food plotting and goes further into the techniques before closing the show with some new food plot products and insight into the procedure and time that it takes to test and manufacture these new products.

Small food plots, antler development, perennial food plotting, fast maturing food plots, no plow techniques and getting kids involved in hunting are all tackled in this podcast show. We’re sure that most hunters, even if you’re not involved in food plotting, will be interested in this segment as Steve lays down a lot of information that can carry-over into the deer hunting methods and requirements needed to be successful in your hunting endeavors. Chances are that after listening to this podcast you will probably become very interested in starting your own food plot if you haven’t already done so. And that’s great news because Today’s Wilderness is offering the opportunity to win a prize package directly from the Whitetail Institute of North America. Check Todays Wilderness for more on the giveaway.

To listen to this latest podcast you can download then entire show, 39 minutes in length, here or, you can listen to a 5 minute sample by choosing this link to get some quick snippets of the overall show. If you prefer to stream the podcast visit Todays Wilderness for an optional streaming playlist of all the podcast show.

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The special management seasons — in a portion of the Milk River Valley, in the Sandhills area near Medicine Lake, and in the Big Dry Creek area near Jordan — were put into place in mid-December to reduce crop damage on private lands and help bring deer numbers within state population objectives.

To help increase harvests, any legal resident or non-resident hunter may now participate in any of the hunts by using unfilled deer licenses or permits from the 2008 general season. In addition, up to five more antlerless Deer B licenses can be purchased by each hunter.

All hunters participating in the special seasons are required to report each deer they harvest by calling FWP at (406) 228-3700, sending an e-mail to fwpr6gd@mt.gov, or sending written correspondence to Montana FWP, Region 6 Headquarters, 54078 U.S. Highway 2 West, Glasgow, MT 59230.

To encourage their participation, non-resident licenses will be discounted to $20 after the purchase of the first antlerless Deer B license at the full price of $75. Montana residents can buy the extra Deer B licenses for $10 each. Maps of the management season areas and contact information for participating landowners are available at FWP offices or by calling (406)-228-3700.

Additional details about each of these hunts:

– Milk River Valley between Nashua and Saco. This area includes portions of Hunting Districts 630 and 670. Only antlerless white-tailed deer may be taken, and there is a harvest quota of 500 animals.

Nearly all lands included in the Milk River hunt are privately owned. Permission must be gained either through Block Management Area sign-in boxes or through direct contact with landowners. At the latest, the hunt will end at one-half hour after sunset on Feb. 15, 2009.

– Sandhills area east of Medicine Lake. Only antlerless white-tailed deer may be taken in a portion of Hunting District 641. The open area includes the Sandhills and Nelson Farms Block Management Areas, Smith Farms, the Loren Henke property, portions of the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge and legally accessible state lands. A harvest quota of 200 animals has been established. This season also has been extended to Feb. 15, 2009 at the latest.

– Big Dry Creek east of Jordan. This hunt include portions Hunting Districts 652 and 700 in McCone and Garfield counties between U.S. Highway 200 and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Jurisdiction over this hunt is s hared with FWP Region 7, and o nly antlerless mule deer may be taken. The harvest quota is 200 animals. This season will also will run to Feb. 15, 2009, at the latest.

In addition, state officials have approved the use of a limited number of “supplemental game damage” elk licenses for use on the private Koss Ranch in the Larb Hills south of Malta. The property lies i n Hunting District 622. Hunters are being selected for the harvest through a roster, and the elk hunting there will not be open to the general public.

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Apply before Jan. 22, and if there is an error in your application, the department will make three attempts, within a 24-hour period, to notify you by telephone (if a phone number is provided) to get the application to be corrected. Errors can cause your application to be rejected from the draw process.

A 2009 hunting license is required to apply. Department officials encourage hunters to get their license before applying for an elk or antelope hunt permit-tag if they wish to do any other hunting in early 2009. Licenses purchased through the draw process will not be mailed out until April 24, 2009, regardless of application success.

Hunters are reminded there is no online application process. The final deadline to submit paper applications for a 2009 hunt permit-tag for antelope and elk hunts through the draw process is Tuesday, Feb. 10 by 7 p.m. (MST). Applications must be received by mail or by hand delivery to department offices before the deadline; postmarks don’t count.

To assist customers and reduce errors, a PDF application form can be filled out using a computer and keyboard, but must be printed, signed and submitted by mail (along with the correct fees by check or money order), or by delivery to any department office. The form can also be printed and then filled out using an ink pen.

The PDF application and the 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklet can be downloaded at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

The elk over-the-counter nonpermit-tags (for limited areas) are also available in 2009. These tags are akin to a “limited opportunity” hunt in areas with very low elk populations. Hunters interested should thoroughly review the regulations and visit www.azgfd.gov/otc to download the “2009 Elk OTC Informational Handout” PDF for frequently asked questions, hunt area boundary descriptions and area maps before purchasing.

For those hunters looking to get into the field before the fall, there are many spring javelina hunt permit-tags available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Javelina over-the-counter archery-only nonpermit-tags for metro Game Management Units are also available at any department office or license dealer. For a list of available spring javelina hunts, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw under “List of Leftover Permits for Spring 2009 hunts (PDF, 45kb).”

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The extra weekend of gun hunting was first offered in 2006 in response to hunters’ request for additional weekend days to pursue white-tailed deer, the state’s number one big game animal. In 2007, hunters took 17,710 deer during those two days.

Counties leading the state in deer killed over the weekend included: Tuscarawas - 868, Harrison - 724, Licking - 594, Guernsey - 534, Holmes - 522, Coshocton - 514, Ashtabula and Washington - 426, Jefferson - 394 and Belmont - 389.

A total of 218,890 deer have been harvested so far this season when combining the adult and youth gun seasons, early muzzleloader season and the first nine weeks of the archery season. Hunters took a total of 232,854 deer during all of last year’s hunting seasons.

Hunters can continue to enjoy deer hunting December 27-30, during the statewide muzzleloader season, and through February 1, 2009 as the archery season continues.

Hunters have been encouraged to kill more does this season and donate any extra venison to organizations assisting Ohioans in need. The Division is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) to help pay for the processing of donated venison. Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found online at http://fhfh.org/.

Hunters who wish to share their successes can submit a photo of themselves and the deer they took during this year’s hunt. The photo submission process is easy and once the photo is posted, it can be e-mailed to a friend. Go to wildohio.com and click on New! Submit Your Deer Photos and More.

Following is a list of deer killed by hunters during the deer-gun hunting weekend, December 20-21. Numbers in parentheses are 2007 figures.

Adams - 203 (168); Allen - 71 (78); Ashland - 288 (504); Ashtabula - 426 (410); Athens - 338 (348); Auglaize -33 (70); Belmont - 389 (347); Brown -277 (235); Butler -87 (61); Carroll -281 (339); Champaign - 129 (137); Clark - 41 (78); Clermont - 247 (175); Clinton - 78 (87); Columbiana - 378 (506); Coshocton - 514 (507); Crawford - 138 (176); Cuyahoga - 23 (22); Darke - 40 (48); Defiance - 93 (125); Delaware - 120 (154); Erie - 101 (53); Fairfield - 241 (316); Fayette - 23 (36); Franklin - 50 (74); Fulton - 61 (42); Gallia - 230 (178); Geauga - 118 (146); Greene - 27 (30); Guernsey - 534 (672); Hamilton - 74 (83); Hancock - 42 (66); Hardin - 70 (68); Harrison - 724 (687); Henry - 19 (25); Highland - 268 (272); Hocking - 276 (307); Holmes - 522 (567); Huron - 163 (282); Jackson - 278 (251); Jefferson - 394 (573); Knox - 320 (389); Lake - 62 (63); Lawrence - 209 (187); Licking - 594 (574); Logan - 121 (97); Lorain - 145 (160); Lucas - 48 (60); Madison - 38 (22); Mahoning - 167 (144); Marion - 48 (44); Medina - 140 (148); Meigs - 285 (283); Mercer - 17 (44); Miami - 26 (30); Monroe - 279 (294); Montgomery - 32 (40); Morgan - 190 (250); Morrow - 157 (171); Muskingum - 357 (410); Noble - 296 (371); Ottawa - 25 (40); Paulding - 45 (67); Perry - 303 (378); Pickaway - 84 (108); Pike - 161 (103); Portage - 99 (131); Preble - 48 (44); Putnam - 49 (83); Richland - 166 (175); Ross - 309 (307); Sandusky - 50 (42); Scioto -237 (213); Seneca - 122 (126); Shelby - 64 (74); Stark - 306 (371); Summit - 101 (90); Trumbull - 304 (331); Tuscarawas - 868 (817); Union - 54 (76); Van Wert - 44 (35); Vinton - 127 (145); Warren - 86 (121); Washington - 426 (354); Wayne - 153 (144); Williams - 70 (85); Wood -52 (59); Wyandot - 89 (107); Total - 16,382 (17,710)

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The DNR’s management goal is a winter herd of approximately 800 to 900 elk in Montmorency, Cheboygan, Presque Isle and Otsego counties. Although elk numbers are close to that level, the herd has expanded outside the traditional four-county elk range and the animals are often found in Alpena, Alcona, Emmet, Charlevoix and Oscoda counties.

“The January hunt is designed to address an increasing elk presence outside the traditional four-county elk range,” said Tim Reis, Northeast Wildlife Management Unit supervisor. “We need to manage the distribution of elk in the outlying areas.”

Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason said the January hunt is the best way to address the issue.

“Hunting has been an effective management tool in maintaining both the elk population and distribution of elk in Michigan,” Mason said. “These special seasons are instrumental in managing elk outside the traditional elk range.”

This is only the third time since elk hunting began 25 years ago that a January hunt will be held. All hunters that applied for the regular elk season, and were not drawn, were eligible. An additional 40 hunters have been selected for the January hunt. All selected hunters have been notified by the department.

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“This is an exciting time for archery hunters because many of them may not realize they can now harvest a buck during the Jan. 1-15 portion of archery season,” said Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Deer are really focusing on food sources now, so that can help archers pattern deer.”

Along with the additional buck hunting days comes a change to the archery season harvest limit. Hunters can now harvest their full combined season limit of six deer during archery season, of which no more than two may be antlered deer.

Other increased archery hunting opportunities have been added in recent years as well, such as one added in 2003 that removed the closure of archery season during deer gun season. Before that, hunters could harvest deer with a bow during deer gun season, but they had to purchase a deer gun license before hunting.

To hunt deer Jan. 1-15, 2009, all hunters must possess a valid 2009 hunting license and legacy permit as well as a 2009 deer archery license for each deer hunted, unless otherwise exempt. These annual licenses are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Deer taken Jan. 1-15, 2009 count toward a hunter’s 2008 combined season limit.

To learn more about deer hunting in Oklahoma, log on to wildlifedepartment.com or consult a copy of the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”

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“The January big-game seasons are an important part of our deer management program,” Kirschenmann said. “We have had a good deer harvest in January over the past couple of years and the feedback from hunters has been very positive. They seem to enjoy this additional hunting opportunity.”

Antelope hunters with unfilled tags for Butte, Harding, Meade and Perkins counties may hunt from Jan.1-9 for a doe or fawn antelope. The license from any of these counties is valid in all four counties.

Unsold licenses remain for the East River Deer season, West River Deer season and Antelope season. Licenses may be applied for a purchase online through the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/.

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“The expected decrease in the 2008 harvest is the result of several factors,” said Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “The long, severe winter of 2007-08 reduced deer numbers in much of the state, and in response to that winter, either-sex hunting days were reduced in many Wildlife Management Units to reduce the doe kill and allow populations to recover more rapidly.” The late season harvest was also somewhat impacted by the recent ice storm, as some hunters were unable to take advantage of the last weekend of archery season.

New Hampshire has an estimated population of about 85,000 deer with the 2008 kill representing about 13% of that total. While the number of deer registered in most counties in 2008 is down from the actual kill in 2007, the large decline in registrations in Merrimack County was also influenced by the closure of two registration stations and resulting registration of deer in adjacent counties.

The unofficial deer kill for New Hampshire’s 2008 season by county, with comparisons to the previous 8 years, is listed below. Please note that the numbers for 2008 are estimates based on the number of deer reported as being registered in each county (not necessarily killed in that county) and do not represent complete, verified data.

Final official numbers from the 2008 hunting seasons, including detailed analysis of the sex, age and distribution on a Wildlife Management Unit basis, will be available in the 2008 New Hampshire Wildlife Harvest Summary, which will be published in March 2009 and posted on the Fish and Game website at http://www.HuntNH.com.

The successful 2008 deer hunting season is a reminder that hunting activities contribute significantly to New Hampshire’s economy - according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, approximately 61,000 people hunted in New Hampshire in 2006, generating more than $75 million of hunting-related expenditures in the state.

For more information on deer hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_deer.htm.

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