Everland Outdoors Podcast

Everland Outdoors

At Everland Outdoors, every acre tells a story—and every story points back to the Creator. We dive into the land, the hunt, and the lessons that shape our walk with Christ. Join us on a journey to become better stewards of the land He’s given us, and even better stewards of His word.

  1. FEB 10

    Its time for hunters to Unite!

    Is Michigan’s deer hunting in a state of crisis, or is it simply at a turning point? In this powerhouse episode of the Everland Podcast, we’ve assembled a "Mount Rushmore" of whitetail expertise to dissect the current state of Michigan’s deer management.We are joined by four industry titans, each bringing a unique philosophy on how to fix the "Michigan problem":Skip Sligh (Iowa Whitetail): The land management guru who brings the "Iowa perspective." Skip breaks down why Michigan is at a crossroads and what law changes—from APRs to season dates—are non-negotiable if we want to improve age structure.Mike Ketelaar (President, Michigan NDA): The man in the "arena." Mike pulls back the curtain on the Deer Management Initiative (DMI) and the Lower Peninsula Advisory Team, explaining how science must override emotion in the 2026-2028 regulation cycle.Dr. James Kroll (aka "Dr. Deer"): The legendary biologist delivers a masterclass on herd health. Dr. Kroll challenges the status quo, diving into the impact of doe harvests, the reality of CWD science, and why state-level management needs a radical shift.While our guests may differ on the how—whether it’s through strict legislative changes, biological mandates, or habitat-first strategies—they all land on one undeniable truth: The Michigan hunter must unite. For decades, infighting and "coffee shop biology" have stalled progress. This episode is a call to action. If we want a world-class resource, we have to move past the "me-first" harvest mentality and speak with one voice to the NRC and DNR.If you're interested more in learning about Everland Outdoors, please visit any of our social media platforms or our website at EverlandOutdoors.com To listen to any of these episodes in full: Skip - https://youtu.be/x8RdbAAO3k8?si=3Q83yWgPEsIITBRkMike Keelaar - https://youtu.be/IU7fp3WJxEw?si=VfR2SYf3utfSYRUPDr. Deer - https://youtu.be/o6JUkcuRxQ8?si=T0KYHxJlsn_mUwJQNorth American Big Game Model - The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is a set of seven principles guiding sustainable, science-based management of fish and wildlife as a public trust in the US and Canada. Developed to reverse 19th-century overexploitation, it ensures wildlife is managed by government agencies, prohibits commercial markets for game, and democratizes access to hunting. Key Principles of the ModelWildlife as Public Trust Resource: Wildlife is managed by the government for the benefit of all people, not owned by individuals.Elimination of Markets for Game: Commercial trafficking in dead game is prohibited to prevent depletion.Allocation of Wildlife by Law: Access is regulated through democratic, law-based systems like hunting seasons and bag limits.Kill Only for Legitimate Purposes: Game is taken for food, fur, or self-defense, not wasted.International Resources: Migratory species are managed across borders.Science-Based Management: Policy is driven by scientific research rather than emotion.Democracy of Hunting: All citizens have access to hunting, regardless of social status or wealth.

    2h 19m
  2. FEB 3

    Herd Health, CWD, and Whitetail Management

    What is a healthy whitetail deer herd—and are we managing deer the right way? In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the science of whitetail deer management, focusing on what actually creates healthy deer herds in Michigan and the Midwest. This conversation breaks down age structure, buck-to-doe ratios, habitat carrying capacity, selective harvest, and long-term herd sustainability—the foundations of successful deer management that every serious whitetail hunter should understand. A key part of this episode centers on Wayne Sitton’s proven deer management plan at Turtle Lake Club, a 26,000-acre private ranch in Michigan. Turtle Lake Club is a real-world example of how intentional habitat management, disciplined harvest strategies, and data-driven decisions can dramatically improve whitetail quality and herd health over time. We also tackle one of the most controversial topics in modern deer hunting and wildlife management: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). In this discussion, we cover: Can CWD in whitetail deer actually be managed?Does herd reduction help control CWD—or make things worse?Should deer management strategies be driven by CWD policy or sound biology?What does real-world deer herd data show compared to public messaging?This episode is built for whitetail hunters, landowners, habitat managers, and deer camp conversations focused on better hunting, healthier herds, and long-term sustainability—not politics or fear-based narratives.  If you care about managing deer the right way, this is a must-listen episode. What’s the biggest mistake you see in deer management today—overpopulation, bad harvest decisions, or poor habitat? If you’re interested in high-resolution property maps to improve your deer management and hunting strategy, check out everlandoutdoors.com

    1h 52m
  3. JAN 13

    Michigan Deer Hunting Regulations: Why the Current System is Failing Our Resource.

    Is Michigan’s deer hunting in crisis? In this episode of the Everland Outdoors Podcast, we sit down with renowned land manager and whitetail advocate Skip Sligh to take a hard look at the current state of Michigan hunting and what needs to change before it’s too late. Michigan has some of the most passionate hunters in the country, but from outdated regulations to a "brown is down" mentality, we are facing an uphill battle in preserving the quality of our resource. Skip breaks down the specific Michigan hunting law changes necessary to improve age structure and herd health, including the debate over APRs (Antler Point Restrictions) and the impact of our current firearm season dates. Beyond the laws, we dive into the hunter’s mindset. If we want better hunting, we have to be the change. We discuss how landowners and hunters can shift their approach to management, the power of unified advocacy, and how to effectively voice your concerns to the Michigan NRC and DNR. In this episode, we cover: Michigan Hunting Regulations: What’s working, what’s failing, and the "Iowa Model" vs. the Michigan reality.The Mentality Shift: Moving from a "me first" harvest approach to a "resource first" conservation mindset.Advocacy for Change: Practical steps for Michigan hunters to influence legislation and preserve the whitetail legacy.Landowner Impact: How private land management plays a role in the greater good of the state’s herd.Join the movement to keep Michigan hunting great. 🌲🦌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: The state of Michigan Whitetail hunting. 5:20 – Guest Skip Sligh: Why Michigan is at a crossroads. 15:45 – Necessary Law Changes: APRs, Season Dates, and the DNR. 32:10 – Changing the Hunter’s Mentality: Quality over Quantity. 48:00 – How to get involved: Influencing Michigan hunting legislation. 1:05:30 – Preserving the resource for the next generation. Connect with Us: Website: Everlandoutdoors.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/everland__outdoors/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AerialWildlifeSolutions Keywords : Michigan Deer Hunting, Skip Sligh, Michigan DNR, Michigan Hunting Laws, Whitetail Deer Management, Michigan Landowners, Hunting Regulations 2026, Antler Point Restrictions Michigan, Michigan Whitetail Conservation, Everland Outdoors Podcast.

    1h 59m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

At Everland Outdoors, every acre tells a story—and every story points back to the Creator. We dive into the land, the hunt, and the lessons that shape our walk with Christ. Join us on a journey to become better stewards of the land He’s given us, and even better stewards of His word.

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