As deer season winds down, many landowners are eager to jump straight into habitat work—but that excitement can lead to costly mistakes. In this episode of the Design. Build. Hunt. podcast, Josh sits down with Tim to break down the most common post-season mistakes landowners make and how to avoid them. From rushing into cutting timber without a plan, to failing to evaluate stand locations, to missing critical ordering windows for trees and seed, this conversation is all about slowing down, zooming out, and setting your property up for long-term success. Whether you’re managing 60 acres or 600, this episode will help you reflect on the season that was and turn those lessons into smarter habitat decisions moving forward. Key topics include: Why “doing something” too fast can hurt your property Mistakes that are hardest to fix once they’re made The overlooked value of talking with neighbors Why post-season stand and access evaluation matters How planning now saves time, money, and frustration later Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What happens after the habitat plan is delivered? In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh sits down with returning guest and client Emerson Chew to walk through two years of real-world implementation on his 40-acre South Georgia property. This isn’t a highlight reel—it’s an honest conversation about: What Emerson tackled first after getting his plan How travel corridors, access, water holes, and fire changed deer movement Mistakes made, lessons learned, and what didn’t work Implementing habitat work with limited time, budget, and equipment When food plots matter—and when they don’t Why patience is the most underrated habitat tool there is If you’ve ever wondered whether a habitat plan actually works when a real landowner puts boots on the ground, this episode answers that question clearly. This is what progress looks like when the plan gets followed. Check out this episode on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hunting pine plantations in the South comes with its own set of challenges—tight visibility, rigid timber schedules, and landscapes that can feel monotonous if they’re not managed intentionally. In this solo episode, Josh breaks down one of his all-time favorite projects: a 600-acre southern pine tract designed from the ground up for predictable deer movement, quality bedding, and high-value forage. Josh explains how to work with the realities of timber rotations and revenue-producing stands—leveraging first and second thinnings, prescribed fire, strategically staggered burn rotations, and purpose-built bedding and forage units. You’ll learn why pine properties can be incredible hunting ground when managed with intention, how to place food plots and travel corridors that actually get used, and why “checkerboarding” your timber stand may be the missing ingredient to daylight movement. If you hunt piney woods—Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, Mississippi, Louisiana—this episode is packed with practical design, access, and hunting strategy you can use right now. Watch it on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/n6L0_idTA68 To learn more or book a consultation: 👉 whitetailpartners.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 3 of our Habitat Design Review Series takes us to one of the toughest parcels we’ve looked at yet—a wet, flat, lowland tract that demanded creativity, discipline, and some strategic restraint. In this episode, Josh and Sam break down how to approach a marshy, dense, low-lying property with almost no topography and very few existing high-odds setups. From reading subtle elevation changes with 1–2 ft topo maps, to carving travel corridors through endless cover, to deciding which parts of the property simply aren’t worth hunting, this episode is packed with real-world design lessons. You’ll hear: Why lowland parcels “lay themselves out” once you understand their limitations How to create predictable deer movement where none exists naturally The role of mowing and selective clearing to form pinch points Access timing: why the season matters more on wet ground How to build complementary stand setups around small, shade-tolerant kill plots Mistakes most landowners make on flat, wet properties—and how to avoid them If you’re dealing with marsh, swamp, flat timber, or wet fields, this episode is right in your wheelhouse. Want help with your property? Visit WhitetailPartners.com to learn more about custom habitat design and on-site consultations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hill country presents some of the most complex challenges in whitetail habitat design. Between steep ridges, narrow benches, rugged drainages, and unpredictable access, many landowners struggle to crack the hill country code. In Part 2 of our Habitat Design Breakdown Series, we analyze a hill country parcel and show how to create high-odds hunting opportunities—even when most bedding is on the neighbors. We cover: • When inside-out access is the only workable solution • How deer use ridge lines, drainage tops, and side-cover to travel • Leveraging neighboring pressure and habitat to your advantage • Turning open hilltops into usable structure and predictable movement • Building bulletproof pinch-point setups using terrain, waterholes, and mock scrapes • Why stand burnout is the #1 issue on small hill country parcels • How to hunt hill country in seasons, not stand locations Hill country is challenging, but when you design around deer movement, not property boundaries, you can create some incredibly consistent hunting. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit WhitetailPartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode kicks off our Habitat Design Breakdown Series — a multi-part dive into how different habitat and terrain types influence design, movement, and hunting strategy. In this first installment, we break down a true farm country property: flat terrain, isolated woodlots, and agriculture in every direction. Josh and Sam walk through a real South Central Wisconsin woodlot and show how small parcels in ag country can be designed to hunt bigger and more consistently. You’ll learn: - How to adjust hunting strategy when cover is the limiting factor - How to design predictable movement in small woodlots - Where blinds and stands belong for clean, repeatable access - The biggest mistakes hunters make on ag-dominated ground - The #1 improvement farm country landowners should tackle first This series will continue with hill country, marsh properties, pine plantations, big timber, and mixed habitat—each with its own design principles and hunting strategies. Want a custom plan for your land? Visit WhitetailPartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on the Design. Build. Hunt. podcast, Josh and Greg dig into one of the most overlooked problems in deer hunting—overhunting your stands. They unpack what “pressure” really means, how to recognize the signs that you’ve hunted a stand too much, and what to do to protect the integrity of your property. From access routes and wind management to understanding your property’s tolerance level, you’ll learn how to hunt smarter—not harder—and keep your deer calm, consistent, and killable. Whether you manage 30 acres or 300, this episode will help you understand why restraint and timing are two of your most powerful tools. 🎧 Presented by Whitetail Partners — helping hunters design properties that hunt better and produce more opportunities every season. 👉 Learn more or start your own habitat consultation at www.whitetailpartners.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., host Joshua Raley sits down with Whitetail Partners consultant Scott Christison to unpack the transformation of Scott's Minnesota property. Scott walks through the exact steps he took to bring his Whitetail Partners plan to life: cutting timber, shaping bedding areas, building access trails, and rethinking how deer move through the property. The result? A once-random deer movement pattern turned into predictable travel, increased daytime activity, and a property that continues to improve. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an established property, this episode is packed with practical insight on how to make your ground easier to hunt and more attractive to deer. Learn more about Whitetail Partners consulting at www.whitetailpartners.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The pre-rut is where big-buck dreams meet reality. In this episode, we unpack why discipline, timing, and knowing your property’s limits make the difference between consistent success and blown opportunities. We cover how pressure builds through morning hunts, why food-source setups shine in the evenings, and how to match your tactics to your ground—whether it’s 10 acres behind the house or 300 acres in farm country. Every property is different—and the right pre-rut move depends on how deer use your ground. If you want a customized plan built around your land and hunting goals, head over to WhitetailPartners.com and let’s get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October can be one of the best, or one of the most frustrating, months of the year in the whitetail woods. In this episode, the guys unpack how deer behavior shifts from early October through the so-called “lull” and into the prerut. They cover why movement feels inconsistent, how to balance limited, smart aggression with long-game patience, where water and fresh sign fit, when mornings finally make sense, and what to fix in the off-season to make next October better on your property. If you want help dialing in your October plan or property layout, reach out to us at www.whitetailpartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., we’re breaking down how to make the most of October cold fronts. We talk about when it’s worth getting aggressive, when to hang back and observe, how to approach mornings versus evenings, and which food sources tend to shine right now. Most importantly, we look at how to read your ground and your specific buck so you’re hunting with purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are deer feeders a smart management tool or just a crutch hunters lean on? In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh sits down with Whitetail Partners consultant John Hudspeth to tackle one of the most controversial topics in hunting. The guys break down the difference between supplemental feeding and baiting, the regional differences that matter, and the biggest mistakes hunters make when relying on feeders. More importantly, you’ll hear practical strategies to use feeders without ruining your chances at mature bucks. Whether you see feeders as a key tool or a shortcut, this conversation will challenge your perspective and sharpen your strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trail cameras are one of the most powerful scouting tools we have as hunters—but they can also sabotage your season if used the wrong way. In this episode of the Design. Build. Hunt. Podcast, Josh and Sam dive into the most common trail camera mistakes that cost hunters opportunities, from facing cameras into the sun to checking them too often, relying too heavily on the intel, and waiting too late to move setups. Along the way, you’ll hear practical fixes, tips for getting the most out of both SD and cellular cameras, and a breakdown of season-long camera strategy—so your setups are working for you, not against you. If you’ve ever wondered how to get better photos, more reliable intel, and smarter hunting opportunities from your trail cameras, this episode is packed with lessons learned the hard way. 👉 Ready to take your trail camera strategy to the next level? Download our free resource, Trail Camera Mistakes & Season-Long Strategy, at whitetailpartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh sits down with Tim Kaiser to unpack Tim's opening-day bow kill on his 60-acre western Wisconsin farm. Smart design, early-season food, and a simple focal point in the plot did the heavy lifting with a timely cameo from a younger buck to seal the deal. Tune in to hear how prime bedding, a just-off wind, bullet proof access, and a solid focal point turned "in the field" into "in range." Ready for help on your place? Reach out today at whitetailpartners.com and let’s get the conversation started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Most hunters cram in “fixes” a week before opener—and then wonder why the season feels like damage control. In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh and Sam flip the script and show you how to win the long game by treating this fall as a data-gathering season and using the post-season window to design with clarity. You’ll hear the simple yearly rhythm: observe this fall, walk the property right after season, then design and implement with purpose this winter and spring. Do it right, and you’ll save time, money, and frustration while stacking the odds for future seasons. Need a second set of eyes or a full design/build partner? Head to our website to get in touch: Whitetail Partners. Tell us about your property and goals, and we’ll help you choose the right path—virtual coaching, onsite consultation, or turnkey implementation. No spam. No pressure. Just a clear next step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For many, early season hunting starts with high hopes, only to end in the disappointment of empty fields and fading daylight. But with the right design, food sources, and setups, your property can stand out in those crucial first weeks of the season. In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh and Sam dig into what makes a stellar early season property. From shaded summer bedding cover to strategic waterholes and low-pressure stand locations, they walk through the key features that give hunters consistent early season opportunities. Whether you’re hunting big ag or big timber country, this episode will help you see your land with fresh eyes and set it up for success when those September and October hunts roll around. Ready to take the next step on your property? Visit WhitetailPartners.com for free resources and to schedule your initial consultation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As deer season approaches, it’s easy to feel like you’ve run out of time. But the truth is, there are still critical steps you can take right now to make this season more successful. In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., Josh and Sam break down five last-minute deer chores that actually move the needle. If you’ve got habitat or hunting questions of your own, head over to whitetailpartners.com and reach out through our contact page. We’d love to help you prioritize your next steps and set you up for success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every year, well-intentioned hunters and land managers pour time, sweat, and money into food plots only to watch them struggle or fail. In this episode of Design. Build. Hunt., we break down the most common reasons food plots underperform and the steps you can take to avoid the mistakes. From soil prep mistakes to poor seed selection and timing errors, this episode is full of actionable tips to help you grow vibrant, attractive food plots. If you’re ready to stop guessing with your food plots and start seeing real results, head over to WhitetailPartners.com and get in touch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we’re breaking down the whitetail habitat plan for Greg’s personal property in Ohio. This one’s a little different—Greg isn’t just a landowner, he’s also part of the Whitetail Partners Network. That means the expectations were high, the goals were personal, and the design had to deliver on all fronts: hunting strategy, wildlife habitat, and year-round usability for Greg and his family. We walk through the layout of the land, discuss the key challenges it presented, and share how he approached bedding, access, food plots, and stand placement with a long-term vision in mind. You’ll hear why Greg’s Ohio property became a blueprint for balancing personal hunting preferences with proven design principles—and how he's phasing the implementation to make it realistic and efficient. Whether you're managing your own land or just love learning how great hunting properties come together, this episode gives you a detailed look at the process, priorities, and decisions that shaped Greg’s whitetail setup. Have a property of your own you want to transform? Get in touch with Whitetail Partners today at whitetailpartners.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of the Design. Build. Hunt. podcast, host Josh Raley is joined once again by Whitetail Partners founder Sam Bilhorn for a deep dive into a real client property design—one that blends smart planning, custom goals, and phased implementation. Josh and Sam walk through a 120-acre Wisconsin property, discussing its strong mix of ag land, diverse cover, and a tornado-altered ravine that provides outstanding whitetail habitat. This design highlights what it looks like when a landowner wants to partner on the process—taking on some of the work while letting the Whitetail Partners team handle the rest. It’s a great example of how we phase improvements, keep things budget-conscious, and stay aligned with the landowner’s unique goals. Whether you’re managing your own property or just curious about how we approach a real design, this episode is full of takeaways for hunters, landowners, and DIY habitat managers alike. Want your own property tailored for deer movement, hunter access, and long-term success? Visit WhitetailPartners.com to get started with a custom plan built around your land and goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices