The Obsession Podcast

The guys have been asked what is the biggest challenge for them when on a hunt! Then they answer the question on what is the most challenging hunt they do? Wow that is a wide open question. Mike and Karl lay out the challenges they see on each of the different hunts they go on. The demand mentally, and physically depending on what animal you are chancing varies from animal to animal. The mental game is one of the hardest for most to control the guys layout how they prep for each and show the success they have had over the years using some of the techniques. We appreciate each of you. Have a great week.

The guys are asked about opening weekend tactics for success here in Wisconsin. These rule apply to hunting anywhere in the Midwest for opening weekend. But over the years the guys have done very well early season here in Wisconsin some of the best bucks they have shot have been the first two weeks of bow season. Here are few of the tactics the guys use to be successful early in the season. Thanks for watching we appreciate each of you.

Hunting bucks based on historical data can be an effective strategy, as mature bucks tend to follow predictable travel patterns and use the same core areas year after year, provided the habitat remains unchanged. By documenting and analyzing past observations, you can identify high-probability ambush points for future hunts. Gathering historical data Trail camera photos: Log the date, time, weather conditions, and moon phase for every quality buck picture. Many hunting apps and modern camera systems provide analytics to show peak movement times and patterns based on these data points. Past sightings: Document every encounter you have from the treestand, noting the time of day, stand location, and any relevant weather conditions like wind direction. This helps identify key areas and travel routes. Sign and habitat: Record locations of past rub lines, scrapes, and bedding areas. While fresh sign is important, knowing where bucks have used the terrain in the past can predict where a new buck will establish a travel corridor in the future. Use mapping apps like onX Hunt to pin and annotate these spots. "The 7-Day Rule": One theory suggests that a mature buck will use the same trails and visit the same scrapes around the same date each year. If you have historical trail cam photos or observations, you can plan a hunt for that specific location a year later. Applying historical data During the early and late season Bucks are on a strict bed-to-feed-to-bed routine during these periods. Your historical data can help you locate secure bedding areas and identify the primary food source they favor at a specific time of year. The best strategy is to set up an ambush between the bedding and feeding areas, catching the buck in the transition or staging zone. Position yourself closer to the bedding area for morning hunts and nearer the food source for evening hunts. During the rut Although the rut seems chaotic, mature bucks often return to the same areas to scent-check doe bedding areas each year. Focus on historical "choke points" or "funnels" that lead into doe bedding areas. Your old records can confirm which terrain features consistently produce rutting activity. Use your data to identify key rut dates. If you've observed a specific buck (or mature buck activity in general) during the pre-rut, peak rut, or a specific rut "peak" in the past, those dates are good indicators for the current year.

Jon from Wisconsin asks should you hunt in September and early October or wait till later and how do you guys hunt them if you are chasing the early? Thanks for the question Jon. The guys talk about the strategies they have used for early season success, and talk about the best times and places that they have had success over the last 30 yrs of bowhunting early season. What do you all do for the early season and do you push the locations to hunt these bucks? Leave a comment on the channel here and let us know what you do. As always thanks for watching we appreciate each of you.

The top three addons needed for hunting success each year. Bill from Illinois asked the guy what are the top addons for small properties for big buck success each and every year? Bill thinks it is food as it should be number one at all times. Well here are the top three addons the guy have clients concentrate on for excellent success each year, and why they say these three in this order. Karl and Mike base their own properties on these concepts in this order so they can take the biggest bucks in the area each year on their properties. Let us know what you think is the top three for you, and why. Thanks for watch, and remember to like and share we appreciate each of you we will see you next weekend. Have a great week.

Bowhunting equipment we will not use and why. The guys have been asked by Steven about what are the newest bowhunting equipment that is out that they will not be using this fall. Well here you go. Excessively feature-rich bows: While new bows are constantly evolving to be faster, quieter, and more dead-in-hand, some newer models might prioritize speed or specific features at the expense of a smooth draw cycle or a shorter, less forgiving brace height. A hunter might opt for a slightly older model that offers a better overall balance of attributes for their shooting style. Overly complex or fragile accessories: Some hunters prefer to keep their setup simple and robust, especially when hunting in challenging environments where delicate components could be damaged. They might choose to avoid sights with many features or easily breakable parts, instead opting for durable and well-protected pin sights. Bows that have a harsh draw cycle: Some aggressive cam systems on newer bows can make the draw cycle less smooth than older models, which can be a personal preference for some hunters. A hunter might choose a bow with a smoother draw even if it means slightly less speed. The newest bowhunting equipment we will not use and why

The MSU deer lab study on weather effects & deer movement our thoughts and conclusions. Well you asked our thoughts on the findings from MSU, and the weather and how it effects the deer movement! You guys know we are huge on the weather and what it does positive, and negative to the deer movement. So here is the thoughts from us, and if we are going to change some of the ways we hunt due to the findings from MSU. We also hit on our findings and our success after following weather and fronts for success. Lets hear about your success or failure with hunting the weather do you think it is worth the time? We appreciate each of you subscribe, and Like we appreciate your support have a great weekend we will see you next Saturday.

The guys answer this question When is the last time you should be going in on your small parcel for success this fall in our eyes. We talk about why you should be letting your place rest a little before the season when and why. what do you think is the dates for success.

Do you make rules on your property, & then do you follow them? Well we do have our rules when it comes to hunting! Not only on our properties but in general here are a few of the rules we make for our selves. Yes we follow them to a tee its probably why we get along so well, and have been hunting together for over 25yrs this season. What do you guys have for rules on your places or when you go hunting? Or do you think rules are bad for hunting meaning size limits and so on? Let us know what you think!

The guys are asked If there are two types of hunters and if so what is the difference? Karl, and Mike are not quite sure how to take this question everyone that hunts see themselves as a hardcore hunter we think. Here is our view on being a bowhunter, and these are the good and bad in our view of just being a hunter and what hunting seems to be turning into. Thanks for the question we appreciate each of you! Let us know your thoughts and what you think hunting is to you, and what it is turning into. Have a great week.