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Rut Roll Call: Bucks, Close Calls & Hard Decisions | Okayest Hunter Podcast

November is here, the whitetail rut is heating up, and deer hunters everywhere are heading into the woods hoping to cross paths with a mature buck. But what happens when the weather doesn't cooperate, hunting pressure increases, and the buck of a lifetime presents a shot you're not completely comfortable taking?

In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, Eric and Derek are checking in for a November rut roll call, sharing real-world whitetail hunting experiences, public land bowhunting strategies, close encounters, and the decisions that can make or break a deer season.

Derek recaps his recent Illinois public land deer hunting trip, where unseasonably warm temperatures, minimal wind, and unpredictable deer movement made hunting the pre-rut especially challenging. From scouting rub lines and scrapes to locating buck bedding areas near water, the guys discuss adjusting hunting strategies when the deer aren't moving the way you expect. Plus, Derek shares the story of his hunting partner Adam tagging an impressive 11-point public land buck.

Meanwhile, Eric takes listeners through an unforgettable ground-level encounter with a whitetail buck. After navigating hunting pressure, thick cover, and his own indecision, he finds himself incredibly close to a deer with his bow in hand. But when the opportunity to shoot finally arrives, he makes the difficult decision to hold off rather than force a questionable shot.

That decision sparks an important conversation about ethical bowhunting, shot selection, patience, and knowing when not to release an arrow. Sometimes the most important hunting lesson isn't about filling a tag. It's about having the discipline to wait for the right opportunity.

The guys also welcome live callers who share their own hunting experiences, including a memorable first deer harvest and the importance of introducing new people to the outdoors.

The episode also addresses Latitude Outdoors' stop-use notice concerning its Carbon Synergy climbing sticks and reminds hunters about the importance of proper tree-climbing safety equipment. Owners should consult Latitude Outdoors directly for the latest safety instructions and refund information.

Whether you're chasing mature bucks on public land, hunting private property, sitting in a saddle, or sneaking through thick cover with a bow, we're all figuring it out one hunt at a time.

Share your November rut updates, hunting successes, close calls, and lessons learned with the Okayest Hunter community.

Because sometimes the best hunting stories don't end with a filled tag.

Subscribe to the Okayest Hunter Podcast for more whitetail deer hunting stories, bowhunting tips, hunting strategies, outdoor adventures, and conversations about what it really means to be an Okayest hunter.

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What Trappers Know That Deer Hunters Don't | Woodsmanship with Jake Roller

What if becoming a better deer hunter started with learning how to think like a trapper?

On this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, Eric sits down with outdoorsman and trapper Jake Roller to explore the often-overlooked art of woodsmanship and how understanding animal behavior, reading fresh sign, and spending time in the woods can make you a more effective whitetail hunter.

Trappers have to understand wildlife movement at an incredibly detailed level. Knowing where an animal travels, recognizing tracks, understanding terrain, and predicting where an animal will step are essential skills. But how do those same principles translate into deer hunting, especially during the whitetail rut?

Jake shares how he got started in hunting and trapping, from running coonhounds with friends to building his own traplines throughout Wisconsin. Along the way, he explains how years of mistakes, observation, and hands-on experience have shaped the way he approaches the outdoors.

In this episode, we cover:

Woodsmanship for deer hunters: How trapping teaches you to recognize animal movement patterns and pay attention to details other hunters overlook.

Reading fresh deer sign: Understanding tracks, heavily traveled trails, and environmental clues that help determine how recently animals passed through an area.

Whitetail hunting during the rut: Why finding fresh activity matters as deer movement patterns change throughout late October and November.

Public land hunting and still hunting: Jake's approach to covering ground, finding deer, and learning from close encounters.

Trapping and wildlife behavior: Lessons from pursuing raccoons, coyotes, foxes, beavers, muskrats, and mink.

Traditional bowhunting: The challenges of getting close to deer with a recurve bow and learning from missed opportunities.

Trapping ethics and conservation: Discussing public perceptions of trapping, responsible practices, wildlife appreciation, and the importance of education.

Passing down outdoor traditions: How Jake involves his daughter in running traplines and teaches her respect for wildlife, landowners, and the outdoors.

Building relationships with landowners: How helping farmers manage wildlife can create lasting relationships and opportunities for hunters and trappers.

The value of experience: Why time in the woods, making mistakes, and learning to observe your surroundings can teach you more than any piece of hunting equipment.

Beyond the hunting tactics, Eric and Jake explore what it means to truly understand the outdoors. From identifying subtle tracks in the mud to discussing the realities of the fur trade, this conversation offers a different perspective on the relationship between hunters, trappers, and wildlife.

Whether you're a seasoned whitetail hunter, a beginner looking to improve your deer hunting skills, a traditional bowhunter, or someone curious about trapping, this episode is a reminder that good woodsmanship isn't something you can buy. It's something you develop through experience.

Grab a cold one, pull up a chair, and join us for another conversation about hunting, conservation, and embracing what it means to be an okayest hunter.

Learn more about Okayest Hunter:https://okayesthunter.com

Subscribe to the Okayest Hunter Podcast for more conversations about whitetail deer hunting, bowhunting, public land hunting, wildlife conservation, outdoor traditions, and the hunters who keep them alive.

Don't forget to join our Okayest Hunter Crew: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-crew

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Sweet November Sweepstakes: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-fred-bear-sweet-november-sweepstakes#

#OkayestHunter #Woodsmanship #DeerHunting #WhitetailHunting #Trapping

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Welcome to the first-ever Okayest Hunter Podcast Open Mic Night! We're opening the studio doors, bringing hunters into the conversation, and sharing real deer hunting stories, public land bowhunting adventures, big buck encounters, and plenty of laughs along the way.

This week, the Okayest Hunter crew switches things up with a live, in-studio open mic featuring fellow hunters and listeners. From Wisconsin whitetail hunting traditions to unforgettable moments in the deer woods, this episode celebrates the experiences, friendships, and stories that make hunting special.

Three Bucks, Two Shots, and One Wild Public Land Bowhunt

Derek kicks things off with an incredible public land bowhunting story that started with offseason scouting, trail cameras, and a difficult marsh access route. After paddling into a remote hunting area and making his way through thick cattails, he unexpectedly finds himself face-to-face with three different bucks.

A missed shot at a beautiful nine-pointer, another mature buck watching from the willows, and a curious eight-pointer approaching at close range turn an ordinary afternoon into an unforgettable hunt.

Derek breaks down his scouting strategy, ground hunting decisions, shot opportunities, blood trailing challenges, and the difficult recovery that followed. It's a reminder that successful whitetail hunting isn't always about harvesting the biggest buck in the woods. Sometimes, the experience itself is what makes a hunt memorable.

Real Hunters. Real Stories. No Script.

With listeners joining the crew in the studio, the conversation takes on a life of its own. The guys swap stories about Wisconsin deer camp traditions, hunting northern Wisconsin, scouting public land, missed opportunities, bowhunting encounters, turkey hunting, and introducing the next generation to the outdoors.

The episode also highlights the importance of hunting accessibility and the volunteers who help disabled archers experience the outdoors.

Along the way, there's plenty of hunting humor, friendly banter, and the kind of conversations that usually happen around a deer camp fire.

In This Episode:

Hunt Your Hunt.

Whether you're chasing a giant public land whitetail, filling the freezer, spending time with family at deer camp, or simply enjoying another day outdoors, hunting should be about the experiences that matter to you.

You don't need the biggest buck, the fanciest gear, or a perfect hunting story to belong in this community.

We're all just trying to be okayest hunters.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first Open Mic Night and to everyone listening from home!

Join the Conversation

What's your most memorable deer hunting experience? Was it a giant buck, a missed opportunity, or a hunt that simply meant something special?

Drop your story in the comments!

Subscribe to the Okayest Hunter Podcast for more whitetail deer hunting stories, bowhunting strategies, public land hunting conversations, outdoor adventures, and honest discussions about hunting culture.

#OkayestHunter #DeerHunting #WhitetailHunting #Bowhunting #HuntingPodcast

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What's killing whitetail deer across Wisconsin, and is there anything hunters and landowners can do about it?

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is making headlines across the Midwest, and Wisconsin deer hunters are seeing its impact firsthand. With reports of dead whitetails, concerns about deer populations, and plenty of questions surrounding the disease, we brought in someone who has spent years researching the problem.

On this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we're joined in the studio by Zach Haas of Creek Bound Land Management, a former aquatic biologist, habitat management specialist, and whitetail hunter who has been studying EHD since experiencing a devastating outbreak on his own Missouri hunting lease in 2012.

Zach breaks down what EHD actually is, how biting midges transmit the virus, and why environmental conditions like drought, water levels, and temperature can influence outbreaks. We discuss what's happening in southeastern Wisconsin, why EHD shouldn't be confused with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and what deer hunters should understand about the potential impacts on local whitetail populations.

We also explore the relationship between water quality, habitat management, and the insects responsible for spreading EHD. Zach shares his approach to improving aquatic ecosystems, encouraging natural predators like dragonflies, and developing a biological pond management product called Defense.

In this episode, we cover:

Beyond the science, we talk about Zach's journey from aquatic biology to founding Creek Bound Land Management, his experience managing whitetail habitat, and why understanding water is an often-overlooked part of managing hunting properties.

Of course, it wouldn't be the Okayest Hunter Podcast without some laughs, hunting stories, cold-front talk, and a little off-the-rails conversation.

Whether you're a Wisconsin deer hunter, Midwest landowner, habitat manager, or simply passionate about whitetail conservation, this episode offers an informative look at a disease affecting deer herds across the country.

Learn more:
Creek Bound Land Management — https://www.creekbottomlandmgmt.com/

Okayest Hunter — https://okayesthunter.com

Sweet November Sweepstakes: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-fred-bear-sweet-november-sweepstakes

Join the Okayest Hunter Crew: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-crew

Join the conversation: Have you found deer affected by EHD in your area? Let us know where you're hunting and what you've been seeing in the comments.

Subscribe to the Okayest Hunter Podcast for more whitetail hunting discussions, deer habitat management, hunting stories, and conversations with people who live and breathe the outdoors.

This episode discusses EHD management ideas and a product described by our guest. These should not be interpreted as proven methods of preventing infection or stopping an outbreak.

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What happens when a stand-up comedian living in New York City gets the hunting bug all over again?

Comedian Collin Chamberlin ( http://www.youtube.com/@collin_comedy ) joins the Okayest Hunter crew for a hilarious conversation about growing up around Pennsylvania deer camp, walking away from hunting for years, and eventually finding his way back into the woods as an adult.

Collin grew up hunting deer with his grandfather and uncle in Pennsylvania, where deer season was practically a holiday. But after getting into comedy, moving to New York City, and building a career on stage, hunting slowly disappeared from his life. For years, he figured that chapter was simply over.

Then the itch came back—and it came back hard.

Now Collin is diving into public-land deer hunting, bowhunting, and the outdoor community while documenting the experience through Up Camp. And when your home base is New York City, even practicing archery gets interesting. Collin talks about shooting his compound bow from inside his Queens apartment out to a target on his patio, driving hours just to spend a morning in the woods, and discovering that hunting success has very little to do with whether he actually brings home a deer.

The conversation also gets into the importance of hunting podcasts, YouTube, and social media for hunters who don't have a traditional mentor anymore. Collin explains how online hunting content helped him relearn everything from public-land hunting tactics to thermals—and why he thinks the hunting community should be helping more people get into the woods instead of gatekeeping information.

Along the way, the guys talk stand-up comedy, Pennsylvania's “orange army,” public-land hunting pressure, deer camp traditions, hunting failures, getting obsessed with new hobbies, internet hunting critics, awkward encounters, and plenty of completely off-the-rails stories.

It's hunting, comedy, deer camp, and the reality of being an okay hunter rolled into one.

Topics include:
• Collin Chamberlin's Pennsylvania hunting roots
• Leaving hunting behind and rediscovering it as an adult
• New York City life vs. deer camp
• Public-land whitetail hunting
• Bowhunting and practicing archery in NYC
• Pennsylvania and Maryland deer hunting
• Why hunting doesn't have to be about filling a tag
• Learning to hunt through podcasts and YouTube
• Gatekeeping in the hunting community
• Creating "Up Camp"
• Stand-up comedy and life on the road
• Why more people should be encouraged to get outdoors
• And a whole lot of questionable conversation from the Okayest Hunter crew

Whether you're a lifelong hunter, getting back into hunting after years away, or still trying to figure out what the hell you're doing in the woods, this one's for you.

Subscribe to the Okayest Hunter Podcast for more hunting stories, conversations, laughs, public-land hunting, whitetail content, and interviews with people who prove you don't have to be the best hunter to belong at deer camp.

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What happens when you stop hunting the tree and start hunting the animal?

On this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we sit down with Pat Newcomb and Glen Reich of NUKEM Hunting for a wide-ranging conversation about whitetail hunting from the ground, mobile hunting strategies, fresh deer sign, turkey hunting, entrepreneurship, and finding the right tool for the hunt.

Pat shares how his background as a lifelong hunter—and a passion for run-and-gun turkey hunting—eventually led to the development of NUKEM Hunting's unique portable hunting blind. What started as a solution for staying concealed and mobile on the ground has opened up an entirely different way of looking at whitetail habitat.

Instead of walking into the woods focused on finding the perfect tree, what happens when you set up where the deer actually want to be?

We get into hunting fresh sign instead of yesterday's sign, adapting when the wind changes, hunting areas that don't offer a good tree-stand setup, minimizing your silhouette at eye level with deer, and using ground blinds, saddles and tree stands as different tools rather than committing yourself to a single hunting style.

Pat and Glen also share stories from recent hunts, lessons learned from decades in the woods, the origins of NUKEM Hunting, new products they're developing, and what it's really like building a business inside the hunting industry.

Whether you're a public-land whitetail hunter, saddle hunter, bowhunter, ground hunter, turkey hunter or simply looking for another way to approach pressured deer, this conversation might change the way you look at your next setup.

The biggest takeaway? Don't just hunt where the deer were. Hunt where they're going to be.

Topics include:
• Whitetail hunting from the ground
• Mobile deer hunting strategies
• Hunting fresh deer sign
• Ground blinds vs. tree stands and saddles
• Bowhunting at eye level
• Run-and-gun turkey hunting
• Adapting to wind and changing conditions
• Hunting difficult and overlooked terrain
• NUKEM Hunting's origin story
• Building products for hunters
• Hunting industry entrepreneurship
• Deer camp, hunting culture and plenty of Okayest Hunter tangents

Featuring Pat Newcomb and Glen Reich of NUKEM Hunting.

Don't forget to join our Okayest Hunter Crew: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-crew

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Ryan Shutts from Bear Archery joins the Okayest Hunter Podcast to pull back the curtain on what actually goes into designing and developing a modern compound bow.

With Bear Archery preparing its 2027 lineup, Ryan explains how a new bow goes from customer feedback and an idea to engineering, testing, manufacturing, and eventually the bow shop. We get into why bow manufacturers release new models when they do, how much compound bow technology has changed over the years, and why some of the most important improvements are things the average bowhunter may never even notice.

Ryan also breaks down Bear Archery’s return to the target archery market with the new Paramount and Paramount Pro, including the thinking behind creating a more accessible target bow. We talk EKO² cam technology, limb and pocket design, string stops, adjustability, tuning, materials, efficiency, and the tiny engineering changes that can make a compound bow quieter, smoother, and more enjoyable to shoot.

The guys also spend some time talking about the Bear Redeem, micro-diameter arrows, quiver problems, 3D archery, youth archery, getting new shooters into the sport, and Bear’s philosophy of keeping archery accessible—a philosophy that goes all the way back to Fred Bear.

If you're a bowhunter, archery gear nerd, or you've ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes before a new compound bow hits the rack at your local pro shop, this episode gives you a look inside the process from someone directly involved in building them.

In this episode:

Whether you're shopping for a new hunting bow, obsessed with compound bow technology, or just want to understand why new bows feel and shoot the way they do, there's plenty to nerd out on in this one.

Don't forget to check out our Okayest Hunter Crew community: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-crew

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Finding a place to hunt is becoming one of the biggest challenges hunters face. In this episode, we're joined by Eric Mueller of HLRBO — Hunting Land Rental By Owner — to talk about private hunting land, hunting leases, and how hunters and landowners can connect to create more opportunities to get outside.

HLRBO was built around a simple problem: Hunters lose access to property and suddenly have to start the search for hunting ground all over again. The platform works as a hunting lease marketplace designed to connect hunters looking for access with landowners interested in opening their property to hunting.

We dig into how hunting leases actually work, what landowners are looking for in hunters, why communication and respect matter when gaining private-land access, and how HLRBO approaches the relationship between hunters and property owners. We also talk about searching for properties, understanding what you're actually getting with a lease, and why securing hunting ground isn't always as simple as hitting a "book now" button.

And hunting access doesn't have to mean chasing a trophy whitetail. We get into opportunities for deer, turkey, upland birds, small game, trapping and other uses that can help hunters find overlooked opportunities while giving landowners more options for managing their property.

Whether you've lost access to your old hunting spot, you're tired of crowded public land, you're searching for a deer lease, or you're a landowner wondering what leasing hunting rights could look like, this conversation offers a look at another way hunters can find a place to hunt.

Plus, before diving into HLRBO, we hear an opening-weekend story involving a giant 12-point buck, a drop tine, a 22-yard opportunity and a serious case of buck fever.

Topics include:
• Finding private hunting land
• How hunting leases work
• HLRBO / Hunting Land Rental By Owner
• Connecting hunters and landowners
• Deer and whitetail hunting leases
• Private-land hunting access
• Building relationships with landowners
• Small-game, upland and trapping opportunities
• What hunters should expect from a hunting lease
• The future of hunting access

If finding a place to hunt has become harder than finding the animals themselves, this one's for you.

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In this episode of dropping pins, Derek sits down to talk with DJ Riley of the method podcast. DJ is an absolute wizard at getting a big mature box in his home state of Michigan and with an even higher success rate on out of state first time in hunts.

DJ starts us off with a huge aha moment when he spoke with Todd pregnant at a state show about the importance of keeping moving if you’re not satisfied with the results you’re getting. This single statement became a mindset that forced growth in DJ’s hunting style. He vowed to never hunt from the same tree in a single season and due to that became a finely oiled machine with his mobile hunting rig and became even better at reading, fresh sign, and setting up to intercept moving bucks. 

The guys then dive into out of state hunting tactics and how DJ has kind of adopted his out-of-state tactic at even his in-state hunts. We cover the importance of letting the deer show you where they want to be. He talks about using his in-depth knowledge of deer to find areas that likely hold good populations of bucks, but let’s the sign and deer themselves show him where to set up. And this is where the mobile aspect really comes in because DJ discusses in depth how most of his biggest bucks have come from making small 40 yard or less moves from one hunt to the next to capitalize on a movement pattern.  

DJ is an absolute killer with a wealth of knowledge and a fantastic storyteller which make this episode a really great listen, so sit back and enjoy!

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There's a ton of deer hunting content telling you how to find mature bucks, hunt bedding areas, understand thermals, perfect your archery setup, and become a better whitetail hunter—but what if you're still trying to figure out where the hell to start?

In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we're going back to Hunting 101 and answering the deer hunting and bow hunting questions people are sometimes too embarrassed to ask.

There's a real gap between advanced whitetail content and the foundational information new hunters actually need. You don't necessarily need a masterclass in killing mature bucks when you're still learning how to hang a stand, what gear you need, how wind affects a hunt, or what you're supposed to do once you're actually in the woods. That's exactly the gap we're digging into this week.

We tackle listener questions and break down the basics from the perspective of regular hunters who don't pretend to have everything figured out. That includes deer behavior, wind and thermals, bow hunting, practicing with your bow, scent and some of the weird little questions hunters rarely want to admit they don't know the answer to. And sometimes the answer is simply that there isn't one perfect way to hunt.

The guys also recap Foamfest and the incredible response from kids getting behind a bow, talk about the hunting community, deal with a tornado warning in the middle of recording, field another completely unpredictable caller, and eventually touch on the concerning EHD outbreak affecting deer in southeastern Wisconsin.

One of the biggest takeaways from the episode is simple: you don't need to know everything before you start hunting.

There will always be another rabbit hole to go down. You can learn about advanced whitetail strategy later. Build the foundation, shoot your bow, learn from your mistakes, ask questions—even the ones you think are stupid—and get into the woods. As the guys point out, if you don't keep shooting your bow, you're not going to stay proficient with it.

Whether you're preparing for your first deer season, getting started in bow hunting, trying to become a better whitetail hunter, or you've hunted for years but still have questions you don't want to ask out loud, this episode is for you.

Topics include: deer hunting for beginners, bow hunting basics, whitetail hunting, wind and thermals, deer behavior, archery practice, hunting myths, beginner hunting questions, Foamfest, getting kids into archery, EHD in Wisconsin, and why sometimes the best hunting advice is simply to go do it.

Never Pass on Shooter Bucks.

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