Episode Overview
In this episode of DSC's Campfires, host Larry Weishuhn ("Mr. Whitetail") catches up with property manager and avid outdoorsman Sam Old. With Sam finally taking his first summer off from cutting hay, he is fully immersed in his true passions: wildlife habitat improvement, monitoring herd health, and simply enjoying the abundance of game on his property.
Thanks to abundant rainfall making for a wet and vibrant summer, Sam's property is seeing one of its most prolific years for wildlife reproduction.
High Survival Rates: Sam has counted at least 22 whitetail fawns on his trail cameras, alongside a booming population of ducklings, goslings, and bear cubs.
Buck-to-Doe Ratio: The property maintains an excellent ratio; historically, Sam notes that 65% to 70% of the late-season fawns they spot turn out to be bucks.
Bachelor Herds: The bucks are congregating in distinct age classes. Yearlings and two-year-olds form one group, three- and four-year-olds form another, while the fully mature five- to seven-year-olds stick together in their own exclusive bachelor groups.
A major talking point is the science behind what drives exceptional antler growth. Sam is already tracking a massive buck on his property nicknamed "Twisty Two," who is shaping up to be a heavy 13-pointer. Larry and Sam discuss research from Texas A&M that highlights the absolute necessity of micronutrients for antler mass.
Sam details his evolution from planting single-crop monocultures to utilizing highly diverse, multi-seed food plots. This advanced strategy feeds the wildlife year-round, regenerates the soil, and takes heavy grazing pressure off native browse like greenbrier (Smilax).
"A cow has got a big old square muzzle... but a deer's got a pointed muzzle so that it can reach in and find the most nutritious part of any plant." — Paraphrased concept discussed on selective browsing
To cater to the deer's selective browsing habits, Sam's incredibly diverse food plot mix includes:
Buckwheat and Sunflowers (often mowed down quickly by the deer)
Winter Peas and Forage Peas
Rye and Triticale
Turnips and Crimson/Balansa Clovers
Sam shares updates on Craig's Creek Shady Rest, his property’s Airbnb and hunting lodge. The three-bedroom cabin features a full kitchen and offers guests a front-row seat to nature—recently, visitors enjoyed watching 21 deer feeding in the blackberry bushes right outside. Sam notes he is planning to refurbish the upstairs soon to accommodate even more guests.
Wrapping up the chat, Sam outlines his upcoming plans, which include hosting a meet-and-greet ticket event at a local Baptist church in early July, and preparing for an exciting traditional bear hunt in the Choctaw region this October.
Shed Antlers (Calcium/Phosphorus)
Rodents, cattle, and even the deer themselves aggressively chew on shed antlers to reclaim vital minerals, often completely devouring the tines.
Sulfur Salt Blocks
Sam utilizes these blocks to provide necessary dietary minerals while simultaneously helping the animals ward off ticks and flies.
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