Jacob and Eric catch up with Dr. Marcus Blum, Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist at Texas A&M University, to discuss deer management in TX. They cover everything from the work he is doing to get students involved with deer management to how management varies across regions of TX.
Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.
Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)
Episode 097 – Checking Boxes on Warm-season Food Plots
04/16/2026 | 54 mins.
Jacob and Eric discuss warm-season food plots with John Gruchy, Coordinator of the Private Lands Program for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here).
Episode 096 - Mississippi Deer Season Recap
03/12/2026 | 1h 8 mins.
Jacob and Eric catch up with William McKinley and Kamen Campbell of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to discuss this past deer season. They cover everything from the acorn crop to deer surveys and donating venison to feed the hungry. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)
Episode 095 – Getting Back to the Basics of Deer Management
02/20/2026 | 1h 13 mins.
Jacob and Eric get back to the basics of deer management with The Old Biologist, Mr. Lann Wilf. The conversation covers everything from managing expectations to understanding what drives deer herds.
Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits.
Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)
Episode 094 – Deer Season is Over: What Now?
02/03/2026 | 1h 5 mins.
Jacob and Eric catch up with Dr. Bronson Strickland to discuss what deer managers can do now that deer season is over. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and select the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop-down menu. You will need to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here)
The Deer University podcast focuses on deer biology and management, featuring Drs. Jacob Dykes and Eric Michel, co-directors of the Mississippi State University Deer Lab. As hunters, deer biologists, and wildlife professors, they're passionate about bridging the gap between research and management.
In each episode, they discuss the latest deer research from around the country, breaking it down to show how it can improve wildlife and habitat management on your land. Whether you're a hunter, a land steward, or simply interested in deer biology, Deer University is for you.
Hosts of Deer University:
Dr. Jacob Dykes, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management, Mississippi State University Extension Service
Dr. Eric Michel, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management, Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center