When should you wait for the right conditions—and when should you get more aggressive? This 2026 whitetail forecast follows the season from September's shifting buck patterns through the November rut and into late-season food sources. On episode 183 of the Bowhunter Podcast, Christian Berg welcomes Emily Konkler and Darron McDougal, with Danny Farris joining later, for a practical discussion of when, where and how they hunt mature whitetails. The panel starts with disappearing early-season bucks: what changes when velvet comes off, food sources shift and hunting pressure increases? They explain how trail-camera information, property knowledge and carefully chosen conditions influence when they hunt—and when they stay out. October brings acorns, cold fronts and opportunities around Halloween. Emily shares how she learned a new property and adjusted her approach to take her split-G2 buck. Darron and Danny discuss hunting from the ground, calling and using decoys in open terrain. For the prime rut, the conversation turns to all-day sits, midday movement, bedding-area funnels and more aggressive approaches. Danny explains his buck-and-doe decoy setups before the panel moves into December's secondary rut and January's food-driven patterns. The episode uses the Fish and Game Forecaster as a starting point, alongside the panel's personal experience. Their date selections are predictions, not guarantees; local conditions, deer behavior and hunting pressure remain central to the discussion. Listen for: • Why early-season buck patterns can disappear overnight • Early-October food sources and late-October cold fronts • November rut timing and midday opportunities • Ground hunting and buck-and-doe decoy setups • Secondary-rut opportunities and late-season food • When to be patient and when to change your approach Featuring Christian Berg, Emily Conklar, Darron McDougal and Danny Farris. Bowhunter Podcast: All bowhunting, all the time.

When should you wait for the right conditions—and when should you get more aggressive? This 2026 whitetail forecast follows the season from September's shifting buck patterns through the November rut and into late-season food sources. On episode 183 of the Bowhunter Podcast, Christian Berg welcomes Emily Konkler and Darron McDougal, with Danny Farris joining later, for a practical discussion of when, where and how they hunt mature whitetails. The panel starts with disappearing early-season bucks: what changes when velvet comes off, food sources shift and hunting pressure increases? They explain how trail-camera information, property knowledge and carefully chosen conditions influence when they hunt—and when they stay out. October brings acorns, cold fronts and opportunities around Halloween. Emily shares how she learned a new property and adjusted her approach to take her split-G2 buck. Darron and Danny discuss hunting from the ground, calling and using decoys in open terrain. For the prime rut, the conversation turns to all-day sits, midday movement, bedding-area funnels and more aggressive approaches. Danny explains his buck-and-doe decoy setups before the panel moves into December's secondary rut and January's food-driven patterns. The episode uses the Fish and Game Forecaster as a starting point, alongside the panel's personal experience. Their date selections are predictions, not guarantees; local conditions, deer behavior and hunting pressure remain central to the discussion. Listen for: • Why early-season buck patterns can disappear overnight • Early-October food sources and late-October cold fronts • November rut timing and midday opportunities • Ground hunting and buck-and-doe decoy setups • Secondary-rut opportunities and late-season food • When to be patient and when to change your approach Featuring Christian Berg, Emily Conklar, Darron McDougal and Danny Farris. Bowhunter Podcast: All bowhunting, all the time.

2026 Whitetail Forecast: Best Times & Tactics for the Entire Season

How do you balance marriage, family and a serious passion for bowhunting? On this episode of the Bowhunter Podcast, host Christian Berg sits down with longtime contributor and dedicated DIY public-land bowhunter Greg Staggs — along with Greg's wife, Alison — for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, relationships and more than three decades in the whitetail woods. Greg and Alison revisit the story behind his 2012 article Tribute to a Bowhunter's Wife, including the hunting question Greg asked Alison on their very first date and the approach that has helped them balance family life with an intense hunting schedule. The conversation then turns to Greg's decades-long pursuit of DIY public-land whitetails, his evolution into saddle hunting and one-sticking, lightweight mobile hunting setups, tree safety and why mobility has changed the way many experienced bowhunters approach the woods. Along the way, Christian, Greg and Alison trade stories about family, hunting partners, raising young hunters and the realities of spending a lifetime pursuing whitetails. Topics include: <ul> <li>Balancing marriage, family and hunting</li> <li>Greg and Alison's first-date hunting story</li> <li>37 years of DIY public-land bowhunting</li> <li>Whitetail strategy and mobile hunting</li> <li>Saddle hunting and one-sticking</li> <li>Lightweight climbing systems</li> <li>Tree-stand and saddle safety</li> <li>Hunting with family</li> <li>Staggs in the Wild</li> </ul> The Bowhunter Podcast is presented by Tactacam.

How do you balance marriage, family and a serious passion for bowhunting? On this episode of the Bowhunter Podcast, host Christian Berg sits down with longtime contributor and dedicated DIY public-land bowhunter Greg Staggs — along with Greg's wife, Alison — for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, relationships and more than three decades in the whitetail woods. Greg and Alison revisit the story behind his 2012 article Tribute to a Bowhunter's Wife, including the hunting question Greg asked Alison on their very first date and the approach that has helped them balance family life with an intense hunting schedule. The conversation then turns to Greg's decades-long pursuit of DIY public-land whitetails, his evolution into saddle hunting and one-sticking, lightweight mobile hunting setups, tree safety and why mobility has changed the way many experienced bowhunters approach the woods. Along the way, Christian, Greg and Alison trade stories about family, hunting partners, raising young hunters and the realities of spending a lifetime pursuing whitetails. Topics include: Balancing marriage, family and hunting Greg and Alison's first-date hunting story 37 years of DIY public-land bowhunting Whitetail strategy and mobile hunting Saddle hunting and one-sticking Lightweight climbing systems Tree-stand and saddle safety Hunting with family Staggs in the Wild The Bowhunter Podcast is presented by Tactacam.

Greg & Alison Staggs: Marriage, Whitetails & a Lifetime of Bowhunting

Editor Christian Berg and Whitetails Field Editor Dr. Grant Woods discuss in-season scouting and other tips to keep you in the thick of the whitetail action from opening day right through the late season.

Stay in the Game! Whitetails Through the Season

Pro bowhunter John Dudley shares his proven tactics for decoying mature bucks into bow range.

Deer Decoying 101: Surefire Sets for Rut-Crazed Bucks

Dean Reagan from Flextone Game Calls teaches you the bleating, grunting and rattling techniques you'll need to call in a big buck this season.

Call Deer Like a Pro

Take aim at success with pre-season preparation tips from the legendary Randy Ulmer, a world champion archer and one of North America's most decorated big-game bowhunters.

Get Ulmer's Edge!

Understand arrow flight and super tune your bow like never before with the revolutionary new Velocitip Ballistic System from Full Flight Technology.

The Facts on Arrow Flight

Michael Swan of Robinson Outdoor Products explains the technology behind ScentBlocker's new Trinity line of scent-control clothing.

ScentBlocker's New Odor Eater

Inside the Quality Deer Management Association's "2013 Whitetail Report"

The World of Whitetails

Wounded warrior Maj. Ed Pulido from the Folds of Honor Foundation discusses ways outdoorsmen can support America's military heroes.

In the Fold

Field Editor Eddie Claypool offers advice and recommendations for planning your next do-it-yourself bowhunting adventure.

The Dean of DIY

Professional bowhunter Tom Miranda is the first archer to take all 29 North American big-game animals on film.

Super Slam!

The Bowhunter Podcast is dedicated to serious bowhunters. Listen each week as Editor Christian Berg interviews guests who will not only keep you entertained but help you punch more tags in the field!

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