Guest: Jacob Sklenar / Episode 89

In this episode, Alex sits down with Jacob Sklenar to break down a whitetail season that demanded adaptability—both in the woods and mentally. Jacob shares how his Kansas hunt challenged his expectations, forcing him to quickly adapt to unfamiliar terrain, pressure, and deer behavior that didn’t match the playbook. Jakes talk through how deer movement and patterns shifted from early season into the rut, and why being willing to abandon a plan can be the difference between success and frustration. The conversation also dives into the mental side of deer hunting—handling slow sits, watching others tag deer, and keeping the right attitude when things aren’t going your way. Jacob then walks us through his Wisconsin season, a roller coaster that tested his patience, but ultimately paid off through persistence and hard work. This episode is all about adapting on the fly, staying mentally strong, and continuing to grind when the season doesn’t unfold the way you expect. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy.

Stealth Outdoors (BD10) https://www.stealthoutdoors.com

Guest: Matt Williams

In this episode, Alex sits down with Matt Williams to break down his whitetail season, highlighted by buck harvests in both Indiana and Kentucky. Matt walks through how he approached each hunt, the differences between the two states, and how understanding access points played a major role in his success. A big focus of the conversation is avoiding hunter pressure, how he identified overlooked entry routes, adjusted setups based on human activity, and stayed mobile to stay ahead of pressured deer. The episode is a practical look at how smart access and pressure awareness can make the difference when chasing mature bucks.Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy.

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com

Stealth Outdoors  https://www.stealthoutdoors.com

Guest: Ty Jennings

This episode features Ty Jennings as the two dive into the realities of hunting pressured public land and how much more hectic it’s become with increased hunter traffic. Ty breaks down what he’s learned from following mature bucks over multiple years, including how their behavior and home ranges shift as pressure and age increase. The episode also recaps Ty’s season from start to finish — the bucks that seemed to vanish, close encounters that nearly ended with a punched tag, and what ultimately led to him harvesting his buck. Along the way, both talk about antler size versus age, and how social media has influenced hunters to chase a certain idea of a “trophy,” when in reality any buck is a great accomplishment to take. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy.

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com

Stealth Outdoors (BD10) https://www.stealthoutdoors.com/

Guest: John Prokop  In this episode, Alex sits down with John Prokop to break down his deer season split between Pennsylvania and New York. John walks through the bucks he was able to tag in each state, and how his approach shifted throughout the season. The two also dig into late-season priorities, focusing on the importance of food sources, security cover, and how deer behavior changes as pressure and winter set in.  John is also an avid shed hunter and elk hunter / guide, so John expands a bit about his passion with each of those. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy.

Deer Hunter Synthetics

Stealth Outdoors (BD10)

Guest: Andrew Fitzgerald  In this episode, Alex and Andrew break down the buck Andrew has been after and how the hunt is shaping up as they move into the late season. They talk through the tactics, the conditions, and what they’re seeing on the ground. The conversation also hits on the kind of deer encounters that get your heart going and why hunting isn’t all about antler size — it’s about the moments that make you want to get back in the woods. The two talk about how every hunter is at a different place than one another and have their own goals to meet. Never is it alright to shame another hunter for their successes. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy!

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com/

Stealth Outdoors (BD10) https://www.stealthoutdoors.com

Guest: Zach Robb

In this episode, Alex and Zack talk through the hunt for a mature buck on a big, mountainous property Zack has spent five years learning. They cover how understanding how deer use the terrain, combined with in-season scouting and finding fresh sign, eventually led Zack to the buck he was after. The conversation follows the progression from years of figuring out the property to making the right moves in-season that put him in front of the deer he ended up harvesting.  Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy!

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com

Stealth Outdoors (BD10) https://www.stealthoutdoors.com

In this episode, Alex sits down with Cody Halblieb to break down his action-packed deer season and all the opportunities it brought. Cody walks through a spot-and-stalk encounter in the big woods, breaking down the sign, strategy, and decisions that led to the close call. He also talks about a buck he shot earlier in the season, while non-fatal, still taught him valuable lessons about shot choice, recovery, and staying confident in the woods. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy.

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://deerhuntersynthetics.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiEyKqzuZKRAxXfg4kEHS-nFBwQFnoECBYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3kXokI1fzuqGPE0U_sCReo

Stealth Outdoors (BD10) https://www.stealthoutdoors.com

Guest: Aaron HeplerIn this episode, Alex sits down with guest Aaron Hepler to break down the 2025 deer season. Aaron walks through the highs and lows of his year in the woods, ultimately culminating in a successful buck harvest. Alex guides the conversation as Aaron recounts the key moments, decisions, and sign that led up to the kill. Together, they reflect on lessons learned, what made this season stand out, and how hunters can make the most of every opportunity in the whitetail woods. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy.

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com/

Stealth Outdoors https://www.stealthoutdoors.com/

Guest: Ben Martin

In this episode, Alex sits down with Ben, the creator of the Hunt Regs app, to dig into how his platform is making life easier for hunters across the country. Ben breaks down how the app streamlines access to hunting regulations for different states and WMUs, helping hunters stay legal and informed with just a few taps. The conversation also dives into the app’s deer-tracking tools, including wind direction, wind speed, and other useful features that help hunters make smarter decisions in the field. Ben shares the story of the buck he tagged in Kentucky and how reading fresh sign put him in the right spot at the right time. A great blend of tech, strategy, and real-world success.

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com/

Stealth Outdoors (BD10) https://www.stealthoutdoors.com/

In this episode, the Alex is joined by Jacob Dykes of MSU Deer Lab for a deep, practical breakdown of the whitetail rut. Jacob explains how buck and doe behavior shifts as breeding kicks in, how bedding and movement patterns change, and what hunters should pay attention to as fresh sign appears. He also brings science-backed insight from his work at MSU to highlight why deer do what they do during each phase of the rut, while offering clear, effective strategies hunters can use to capitalize when deer movement is at its peak.

Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com

Stealth Outdoors (DB10) https://www.stealthoutdoors.com