Sportsmen's Empire - Whitetail Hunting

In this episode, I sit down with Nelson Chandler to dive into an incredible 50 years of hunting experience right here in Georgia. From lessons learned in the field to stories that could only come from decades in the woods, Nelson shares a lifetime of knowledge about hunting, wildlife, and the changing landscape of the sport.

We talk about how hunting in Georgia has evolved over the years, the skills every hunter should master, and the moments that have stayed with him the most. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this conversation is packed with insight, wisdom, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

Tune in for a genuine, story-filled discussion that captures what hunting is really all about.

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This episode explores land management, habitat improvement, and hunting strategies to maximize success. Jon Teater shares insights on designing the perfect hunting acre, land features, and deer behavior to enhance your hunting experience.

Takeaways

• Land management and habitat design principles
• Deer movement and behavior analysis
• Elements of a perfect hunting acre including food, cover, and water
• Designing land features for safety and efficiency
• The importance of edge, diversity, and resilience in habitat
• Strategies for managing land for year-round deer activity

Tags land management, habitat improvement, hunting strategies, deer behavior, land design, wildlife habitat, food plots, cover, movement, deer safety

Social Links

https://whitetaillandscapes.com/

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The season is shifting fast. Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau discuss how relentless rain, delayed crop harvest, and changing deer movement are affecting Midwest hunting—and what hunters may need to adjust as the season unfolds.

They share updates from their properties, including trail-camera intel, mock-scrape activity, standing crops, and concerns about fewer mature bucks. Dan also recounts a youth-season hunt with his son, the discovery of a giant dead buck, and the value of patience and responsible decisions in the field.

In this episode:

• How wet conditions and standing crops can change access and deer movement
• Using trail cameras to take inventory and guide hunting decisions
• What mock scrapes and current buck activity may reveal
• How habitat changes and hunting pressure affect deer numbers and patterns
• Why youth hunts are about more than filling a tag

A candid conversation about adapting to a changing season, making the most of time outdoors, and sharing the experience of hunting with the next generation.

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This is an episode that means a little more to me right now.

I'm bringing an older conversation with the late, great William “Bubba” Ray back to the forefront because sometimes an old episode becomes more meaningful with time.

Bubba has been on my heart heavy this past week, and it got me thinking about something we all need to hear:

Give people their flowers while they're still here.

Tell your people you love them. Call that family member. Check on your friend. Spend some time with the people who matter. Don't wait until they're gone to start talking about how much they meant to you.

This episode isn't just about hunting or the outdoors. It's about life, relationships, memories, and the people who leave an impact on us.

For anybody missing a loved one right now, I hope this conversation brings back a good memory, puts a smile on your face, or reminds you of the importance of appreciating the people you still have beside you.

Because tomorrow isn't promised.

Give them their flowers now.

Tell them you love them now.

Make the memories now.

Rest easy, Bubba. 

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AI is already changing deer hunting faster than most hunters want to admit. Dan Johnson and returning guest Aaron Berg break down how drone recovery, public-land strategy, and early-season buck behavior are forcing hunters to rethink what is fair, what is effective, and where the line should be drawn.

Aaron shares the reality of running a deer recovery drone in the middle of hunting season, including what a recovery costs, how long he’ll search, and why some hunters are using the technology exactly as intended while others are pushing into shady territory. Dan and Aaron get into the ethics of using drones for scouting, how quickly the thermal and imaging tech can expose deer movement, and why some states are starting to get nervous about where this all leads.

Then Aaron tells the story of a wild early-season public-land hunt that ended with a hard-earned buck from a tiny pocket of white oaks surrounded by bedding cover and water. You’ll hear how he hunted a brutally specific wind, slipped in with his saddle gear, watched does and multiple bucks filter through, and finally sealed the deal after making three shots in one of the strangest deer encounters imaginable.

You’ll discover:

• Why drone recovery is becoming both a lifesaver and a controversy
• How fast AI-generated images can blur the line between real and fake
• The gray area around drones, property lines, and recovering wounded deer
• Why early-season white oak hunting can still produce a mature buck
• How Aaron uses wind, terrain, and bedding access to create high-odds public-land setups

Dan also pushes into the bigger question every hunter should be asking now: how much technology is too much? If you care about deer hunting ethics, public-land tactics, or simply hearing a brutally honest success story from a guy who earns every tag, this one belongs on your list.

Perfect for hunters who love real-world tactics, public-land problem solving, and honest conversations about where modern hunting is headed.

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FROM THE VAULT:

In this episode, Jon Teater (Whitetail Landscapes) and Steve Sherk (Sherk’s Guide Service) discuss hunting plans and setups for early season. Steve dives into his process and plans for the next several weeks before clients arrive. Jon explains his plans and when he anticipates having a shot at one of his target deer. Jon explains fawn recruitment on his own property and how the habitat is expected to benefit his fall hunting.

Steve discusses the data he has collected over the past five years and what key weather factors he believes primarily impacts deer movement. Jon and Steve both discuss the number one external factor that impacts overall movement. Steve discusses how cold weather impacts deer at different times of the year, and how some weather fronts may reduce movement in the areas he hunts. Jon discusses what he has observed on private lands and what he believes negatively impacts deer movement.

Steve discusses the details of his early season plans, more specifically where he hunts and the habitat he prefers. Steve doesn’t have the traditional bed to feeding patterns, which creates a different strategy he believes advantages him in the big woods. Steve discusses the locations he believes provide the best hunting and bedding. Steve explains early vs late season bedding. Jon and Steve discuss the value of high-quality food and how this pertains to deer interest.

 Steve explains more about his hit list deer and how he plans on targeting them. Steve details his mobile setup preferences vs fixed treestands. Steve explains how close he gets to bedding areas and why his tactics have changed over the past few years. Steve ends with detailing the significance of the sign he pays attention to and how that relates to deer movement and interest.

Social Links

Sherk's Guide Service – Guided Deer Hunts (sherksguideservice.com)

Sherk's Guide Service - Home | Facebook

Steve Sherk Jr. (@sherksguideservice) • Instagram photos and videos

https://whitetaillandscapes.com/

https://www.facebook.com/whitetaillandscapes/

https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_landscapes/?hl=en

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In this episode of Deep in the Hunt of Texas, Connor talks with Hunter Thompson about preparing for deer season, the rising cost of hunting access, and how Texas hunters can use the state’s draw-hunt system to find new opportunities.

Hunter shares his background growing up near Houston, learning to hunt from his family, and eventually working in environmental restoration. He explains how wetland mitigation projects can protect wildlife habitat while also creating hunting access on restored properties.

The main focus is Texas’s draw-hunt program, which offers opportunities for deer, alligator, waterfowl, quail, javelina, mule deer, and other species. Hunter tells the story of drawing an alligator hunt, harvesting a seven-foot alligator, and processing the meat himself. He also discusses a South Texas archery hunt where he took a 10-point buck and a Big Bend Ranch State Park quail hunt that unexpectedly sparked his interest in pursuing Texas mule deer.

Connor and Hunter explain the difference between paid applications and free e-postcard hunts, how the Annual Public Hunting Permit works, and how loyalty points improve a hunter’s odds over time. They encourage listeners to explore Texas’s draw system, especially the low-cost and free opportunities, as a way to access unique properties without relying entirely on expensive private leases.

Why it works: The summary highlights both the practical value of the draw system and the personal hunting stories that make the episode engaging.

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Brad Bowen and Tucker Bowen welcome Matt Rushing from Wildlife Management Solutions to Bowen Taxidermy for a practical conversation about preparing deer food plots across Alabama and the South. With planting season approaching, Matt explains which seed blends work best for different locations, including the Alabama Blend, Mississippi Mix, Deer Magnet, brassica blends, and clover options.

The discussion covers the fundamentals every hunter and landowner needs to know, including soil pH, the importance of lime, fertilizer, seed-to-soil contact, no-till planting, and the best timing for planting around rain, soil temperature, and changing weather. Matt also explains what brassicas are, how turnips, rape, kale, and daikon radishes differ, and why ryegrass may not provide the nutritional value many hunters expect. 

Brad, Tucker, and Matt also share plenty of stories from the field, including army worm problems, feeder patterns, chufa plots, clover management, and the trial-and-error that comes with learning how to grow a successful greenfield. The conversation expands into hunting memories, taxidermy, guiding, youth hunts, memorable deer, and the importance of preserving the traditions and relationships that make hunting meaningful.

Whether you are planting your first food plot or trying to improve one you have managed for years, this episode offers practical advice, regional insight, and plenty of relatable stories. Visit WMSoutdoors.com to learn more about the available seed blends and find a dealer near you. 

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Sometimes the lessons that stick with us the longest are the ones we learn without realizing it.

As a kid, I spent weekends rebuilding a crosstie wall that was good enough in my eyes. At the time, it was just extra work that didn't need to be done—lifting, stacking, lining things up, and making sure each tie was where it needed to be. Looking back, though, that wall taught me something that applies just as much to hound training today.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sits down with returning guest Jason Miller of JMiller Custom Calls to kick off another New Jersey black bear season. The conversation starts beneath the mount of Jason’s biggest bear yet—a massive bruin estimated around 600 pounds live weight and now in the Boone and Crockett record book. Jason tells the full story of a hunt he almost didn’t go on, from reluctantly climbing into a stand late in an extended season to watching the bear work toward him, the shots that followed, and finally walking up on an animal far larger than he realized. It’s one of those hunting stories where seemingly everything had to line up just right, and it leads to a simple reminder: sometimes the biggest moments happen when you quit worrying about the outcome and just go hunting.

From there, Mitch and Jason look ahead to another bear season and dig into the experiences that have shaped the way they hunt. They compare Jason’s commitment to proven locations with Mitch’s tendency to stay mobile, discuss scouting with a purpose, using bait and cameras for inventory, trusting fresh sign, and knowing when to stick it out rather than chase the next spot. Jason also adds a new challenge this fall by trading his compound for a recurve and setting his stand specifically for a close-range opportunity. More than anything, this is a preseason BS session about black bears, lessons learned through years of scouting and hunting, the camaraderie of bear camp, and why the work and people involved have become every bit as important as punching a tag.

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