Episode 122: What Would You Do With 40 Acres? Building My Dream Whitetail Farm

Episode 122: What Would You Do With 40 Acres? Building My Dream Whitetail Farm

What would you do with 40 acres? In this solo episode of the Wild Faith Podcast, I'm breaking down the habitat plan for my family's farm and walking through the improvements designed to turn it into a property that holds more deer, creates better hunting opportunities, and encourages mature bucks to move during daylight hours. From bedding areas and food plots to travel corridors, waterholes, screening, stand locations, and hunter access, I'll share what surprised me most, what projects I'm most excited about, and where I think most hunters get it wrong when managing a small property. Along the way, I'll challenge you with questions every landowner and deer hunter should consider: • Food plots or bedding cover? • What's the most overlooked habitat improvement? • Can 40 acres consistently hold mature bucks? • If you had one weekend and a chainsaw, where would you start? • Where would you spend your first $5,000? This farm means a lot more to me than just hunting. It's a place filled with family memories, lessons learned from my dad, and hopefully a place where my daughters will one day create memories of their own. Improving this property isn't just about growing bigger bucks—it's about stewardship, legacy, and leaving something better than I found it. Whether you own 5 acres, 40 acres, or 400 acres, this episode will get you thinking differently about deer habitat, hunting pressure, and how to maximize the ground you have. After listening, send me a message or leave a comment: What would YOU do with 40 acres? If you're interested in improving your hunting property, creating better deer habitat, or developing a long-term land management plan, I highly recommend reaching out to Jake Blow of Habitat Pro LLC. Jake specializes in whitetail habitat design, hunting property layout, bedding cover improvements, food plot strategies, travel corridors, waterhole placement, hunter access planning, and overall property optimization for deer and wildlife. Whether you own 10 acres or several hundred acres, he can help build a customized plan based on your property's goals and limitations. Jake Blow – Habitat Pro LLC 📞 218-849-7398 You can also find Habitat Pro LLC on YouTube and Facebook, where Jake shares habitat management tips, property transformations, food plot strategies, and educational content for landowners looking to get more out of their ground. If you've ever wondered what your property could become with a professional habitat plan, Jake is a great resource to start that conversation. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products [https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ [https://www.instagram.com/wildfaithpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast]

Episode 121: Whitetail Trivia, Saddle Hunting & Getting Ready for Deer Season

Deer season is getting closer, and this episode is packed with everything from whitetail trivia and legendary buck stories to saddle hunting setups and preseason gear talk. We put our deer knowledge to the test with challenging trivia questions covering deer biology, aging bucks, record-book whitetails, state-by-state hunting facts, and some surprising statistics that even experienced hunters may not know. Along the way, we discuss the Missouri Monarch, mature buck behavior, Minnesota deer facts, and what makes some of the country's top whitetail states so special. We also shift gears and talk through South Dakota hunting preparation, saddle hunting setups, boots, optics, backcountry food, and some of the gear we're excited to use this fall. As bow season inches closer, the anticipation is building and this conversation feels a lot like sitting around deer camp with friends talking hunting. Whether you're hanging stands, scouting, shooting your bow, or just counting down the days until opening morning, this episode will help get you fired up for another season in God's creation. God is good. We'll see you in the woods. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products [https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ [https://www.instagram.com/wildfaithpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast]

Episode 120: 250 Years of Freedom | Summer, Family & Looking Ahead to Fall

Happy 250th Birthday, America! In this episode, Luke and I sit down and catch up on everything from summer life, gardens, family adventures, and storms rolling through the Midwest to the excitement of another hunting season right around the corner. We talk deer season goals, South Dakota plans, introducing our kids to the outdoors, hunting dogs, conservation, and the legacy of Teddy Roosevelt. As we celebrate 250 years of freedom in this incredible country, we're reminded how blessed we are to enjoy God's creation and pass these traditions on to the next generation. Whether you're spending the Fourth of July at the cabin, on the lake, around a campfire, or simply with family and friends, we hope you have a safe and memorable holiday weekend. Thanks for being part of the Wild Faith family. God bless, and Happy Birthday, America! Wild Faith Podcast Links: Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products [https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ [https://www.instagram.com/wildfaithpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast]

Episode 119: Ray & Krysta Howell from Kicking Bear

In this episode of Wild Faith, we sit down with Ray and Krysta Howell of Kicking Bear Ministries to talk about the journey that led to one of the most impactful outdoor ministries in the country. We dive into how Ray's love for hunting and the outdoors eventually grew into a calling to reach kids and families through archery, mentorship, and the Gospel. Ray shares stories from some of his most memorable hunts, the lessons he's learned in a lifetime spent outdoors, and the heart behind starting Kicking Bear. We also hear how Ray and Krysta met, what it's been like serving together in ministry, and why investing in the next generation remains at the center of everything they do. Most importantly, we talk about what they hope every child walks away with after attending a Kicking Bear event—that they are loved, valued, created with purpose, and never alone. Whether you're a hunter, a parent, or someone passionate about mentoring others, this conversation is packed with encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that one person can make a lasting difference in a young person's life.   Kicking Bear Links: Website: https://kickingbear.org/ [https://kickingbear.org/] Events: https://kickingbear.org/events/ [https://kickingbear.org/events/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickingbearoffical/ [https://www.instagram.com/kickingbearoffical/] Wild Faith Podcast Links: Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products [https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ [https://www.instagram.com/wildfaithpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast]

Episode 118: Jesse Urban from Be Still Retreats

Burnout is real—and it's affecting far more people than we realize. In this episode of Wild Faith, we sit down with Jesse Urban, co-founder of Be Still Retreats, to talk about his faith journey, the calling behind Be Still, and the growing crisis of burnout among pastors, ministry leaders, and everyday men. We dive into the importance of rest, why so many people struggle to slow down, and how God often meets us in the stillness. Jesse shares the story behind Be Still Retreats, the mission of helping those who spend their lives serving others, and the upcoming Rest in the Riser event in partnership with HHA USA aimed at addressing clergy burnout through faith, fellowship, and the outdoors. Whether you're a pastor, a husband, a father, or simply someone carrying more weight than you should, this conversation is a reminder that rest isn't weakness—it's part of God's design.   Jesse's Links: Be Still Retreats: https://bestillretreats.org/ [https://bestillretreats.org/] Rest In The Riser (Registration): https://www.strideevents.com/events/rest-in-the-riser-3d-archery-shoot/2026/register [https://www.strideevents.com/events/rest-in-the-riser-3d-archery-shoot/2026/register] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestillinc/ [https://www.instagram.com/bestillinc/] HHA USA: https://www.hhausa.org/events/ [https://www.hhausa.org/events/]   Wild Faith Podcast Links: Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products [https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ [https://www.instagram.com/wildfaithpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast]