Field Notes

Start dove field prep now to maximize your Texas season. Learn what to plant, when to mow, and how to manage sunflowers and milo for more birds over your fields.

Spring fly fishing for trout is all about matching the hatch and reading the water. Discover proven techniques, fly patterns, and timing strategies for more fish.

Managing native grasses and food sources on Texas land attracts more deer, turkey, and quail. Learn habitat strategies that improve game populations year-round.

Master spring redfish sight casting on Texas flats. Learn the best tides, presentations, and locations to find and catch redfish in skinny water this season.

Texas oyster reef restoration is rebuilding coastal ecosystems and improving fishing. Learn why reef health matters for redfish, trout, and the future of South Texas bays.

Effective predator control on Texas private land protects fawn recruitment and nesting bird populations. Learn which methods work and when to deploy them.

A strong hunting lease agreement protects landowners and hunters alike. Learn the key clauses, terms, and structures that create long-term lease success in Texas.

Private land hunting access is evolving. See how BirdDog connects hunters and landowners to unlock more acres and better outdoor experiences across Texas.

Tax season is a critical planning period for landowners, especially those who have recently acquired agricultural land or are actively managing cropland, rangeland, or timberland. One of the most impactful — and often misunderstood — tax opportunities available is Section 180 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, specifically through Residual Fertility deductions.

For generations, farmers and ranchers have understood that soil is one of their most valuable assets. Its fertility drives productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Yet in the world of tax planning, soil fertility has long been overlooked as an asset with quantifiable value.

If you’re a landowner managing agricultural property, pastureland, or even hunting land, IRS Section 180 can be a powerful tool in your tax strategy. This provision allows landowners engaged in the business of farming to deduct expenses for soil and land conditioning—including fertilizer, lime, marl, or other soil amendments—as immediate expenses in the year they’re incurred.

Land is more than a legacy—it’s an income-generating asset, if you know how to tap into its full potential. Whether you’re managing farmland, timberland, or recreational acreage, the right approach can turn underused ground into long-term value.

USDA's CRP pays landowners to rest marginal acres. Learn how it works, what it pays, and key 2026 deadlines. Your land may qualify.

Discover the best spring hunting, fishing, and private land access opportunities of 2026. BirdDog connects landowners and adventurers across 3M+ acres nationwide.

Learn how Texas landowners build trophy largemouth bass populations — from Florida strain genetics and forage stocking ratios to water quality, selective harvest, and long-term pond management strategies.

Spring turkey season in Texas is one of the best hunting experiences in the country. From locating Rio Grande gobblers in the Hill Country to calling tactics, gear tips, and finding private land access — here's everything you need to know before you head out this season.

BirdDog hosted trips are fully curated fishing and hunting experiences built around expert guides, private land access, $500+ swag bags, and a group of people who take the outdoors seriously. From Gulf Coast fly fishing to Texas waterfowl and Montana upland — this is everything you need to know about what's included and which 2026 trips still have spots available.

Learn the best early spring fishing strategies for river bass, stream trout, redfish, and speckled trout. Discover where fish go in spring, what lures to use, and how water temperature drives the bite.

At BirdDog, we help timber landowners unlock a powerful but often overlooked tax benefit: deducting the value of excess residual fertility—the nutrients above optimum levels already present in your soil at acquisition. Through comprehensive soil testing, accredited agronomic analysis, and expert valuation, we document the measurable nutrient value in your timber ground, typically ranging from $750-$2,500 per acre depending on nutrient concentrations and land history. 

For generations, hunters have played a critical role in protecting wildlife habitat, supporting healthy animal populations, and funding conservation efforts across the country. Hunting is not just a tradition or outdoor recreation — it is deeply tied to land stewardship and the long-term health of our natural resources.