Deer Missed, Cows Escaped, and Ovens Smoked

Hosts Steve Larsen and Todd Coffelt dig into a down-home conversation about farming, food plots, and deer hunting, blending practical advice with hilarious anecdotes from rural Iowa life. Here’s a rundown of the episode:🌾 Farming & Field WorkWeather challenges (too much rain) are impacting hay cutting and planting schedules.Corn and soybeans are growing well, but food plot planting for deer has been delayed.Emphasis on flexibility: shifting planting dates and maybe even planting rice instead of corn due to soggy conditions.🦌 Deer Food Plots & StrategyOngoing learning from past mistakes (e.g., planting too late, frost damage).Everyone has different opinions on what should go into a food plot — from maximizing antler growth to improving hunting visibility.Comedic struggles with old equipment like a 4-row planter, planting beans with corn equipment, and dealing with unsolicited "coffee shop" advice.🔫 Hunting TalesLongstanding hunting traditions with colorful nicknames for locations and people.Laugh-out-loud memories, like Steve botching his first hunt or someone shooting two deer with one bullet.Annual hunting rituals, like the goal to harvest 50 deer, pizza planning nights, and tracking who missed what.🍖 Deer Processing & DIY Sausage MakingFor 8 years, the crew has processed 12–14 deer carcasses annually in a friend’s heated garage.They’ve made everything from breakfast sausage to spicy summer sausage using meat science, not rocket science.Recurring themes: ghost pepper cheese, burnt ovens from pork fat, and neighbors dropping in to help (or drink).🤝 Friendship, Nicknames & LegacyNames of hunting spots passed down through generations.Stories of “rookie mistakes” and cherished memories, especially honoring a veteran hunter, Larry Keller, facing health challenges.Group ribbing, confessions, laughter, and heartfelt wishes make this more than just hunting—it’s a brotherhood.🎯 “Truth Bombs” & Policy RantsDebate over Iowa’s group vs. party hunting definitions.Frustrations with gate etiquette and tag hoarding.Running jokes about unclaimed prize money, forgotten food plots, and shot opportunities missed.Hosts:Steve Larsen & Todd CoffeltMusic:Partner in Crime - Pablo and Pour DecisionsAudio & Post-Production:Rachel Yancey