The Sam Hunter Podcast

Is North Georgia supposed to grow bucks like this!?

In this episode, Jake Hansard gives a complete walkthrough of how he hunted and tagged a massive 170"+ monster whitetail during the 2026 season. From the moment this freak deer showed up to the final shot, here is the full story behind a true Georgia buck of a lifetime.

In this episode: • The story behind this 170"+ North GA giant • Step-by-step hunt walkthrough & setup • The split-second decisions that put him on the ground

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In this episode, whitetail strategist John Williams breaks down off-season property prep, habitat management, and tactics for holding mature bucks. John walks us step-by-step through his top buck hunts—including the story behind his wife’s trophy harvest—and shares key insights from his private property consulting work.

We also tackle Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations, contrasting Georgia’s approach (allowing supplemental feeding in surveillance zones) with other states’ blanket bans, and why we prefer GA’s method. Plus, we highlight the local staple Georgia Outdoor News (GON) magazine, and break down Apex Outdoor Rewards—a tournament platform that lets you submit your harvest, compete across state scoring brackets, and win serious cash payouts!

Topics Covered:

• Whitetail Prep & Property Consulting: Strategic land management to hold big bucks.

• Trophy Hunt Breakdowns: Recounting John’s top hunts and his wife’s success story.

• CWD Regulations: Why Georgia’s feeding policy stands out compared to other states.

• Georgia Outdoor News (GON): Key features and resources from the local staple.

• Apex Outdoor Rewards: How to record, score, and compete for cash payouts on your buck harvest.

Subscribe for more whitetail tactics and outdoor news!

#thesamhunterpodcast #cwd #deerhunting

In this episode, we sit down with JJ Dukart from Deer Society and Illusion Systems!

JJ breaks down how they built one of the biggest YouTube channels in the hunting space, the game-changing gear and calls coming out of Illusion Systems, and his top strategies for patterning and tagging mature big bucks. Whether you're looking to scale a hunting media brand or level up your strategy before deer season, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.

🎯 In this episode:

● Behind the scenes of Deer Society’s massive YouTube growth

● Innovation & gear production at Illusion Systems

● Proven tips & tactics for hunting big bucks

👇 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment with your favorite big buck strategy!

#thesamhunterpodcast #deersociety #deerhunting

Get ready for an incredible conversation! In this episode, we sit down with Luke Beaty of Big Time Outdoors for an action-packed discussion about the world of hunting.

What We Cover in This Episode:

● The Journey: How Luke got his start in the hunting industry.

● "Cactus Jack" Walkthrough: A full, blow-by-blow hunt breakdown of the massive 230+ inch buck Luke harvested—a deer he shared years of history with.

● Industry Insights: Stories about the cool hunting celebrities Luke has met and how genuinely down-to-earth many of them are off-camera.

● Africa Hunting: Breaking down the realities of safari hunting and addressing common public misconceptions.

● The Future & A Special Showcase: Luke shares his vision for the future of Big Time Outdoors, capped off with an exclusive, close-up look at the stunning mount of Cactus Jack.

Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more incredible trophy stories and insider hunting content!

In this episode of The Sam Hunter Podcast, we sit down with Dylon Gandee, the creative mind behind The Search. Dylon opens up about his fascinating journey in the hunting industry—from his early days working alongside Ben Rising at Whitetail Edge, to the pivotal decision to step out on his own and launch The Search.

We dive deep into how he developed his unique cinematic style, including his legendary Resurrection Series, where he brings the lost history of massive bucks back to life while boldly using his platform to share the message of Christ’s resurrection.

But we don’t stop at storytelling. Dylon drops a masterclass on real-world hunting strategy, covering:

● The Art of Door Knocking: How to successfully ask for permission and gain access to premium private land.

● Nutritional Strategy: Our deep dive into Big Tine deer supplements and how to maximize herd potential.

● Next-Level Media Strategy: What it actually takes to build a digital hunting brand and grow a loyal audience in a crowded space.

Whether you are looking to become a better woodsman, learn the business side of hunting media, or get inspired to put your faith over your trophies, this conversation is an absolute must-watch.

In this episode, we sit down with country artist and lifelong outdoorsman Tyson Schulte to talk about the two things that drive him: country music and the great outdoors.

From the stages of the Midwest to the tree stands of Illinois, Tyson shares the stories behind his music and his most memorable seasons yet.

What we discuss:

● The "Double Down" Hunt: Tyson walks us through the incredible story of how he and his fiancée both tagged two massive bucks within just 15 minutes of each other.

● Turkey Season: A full breakdown of his latest season and his passion for the spring woods.

● The Music Journey: How Tyson got his start in country music, from the Illinois State Fair to opening for major national acts.

● What’s Next: A look at his upcoming music releases and where you can catch him live on tour this year.

In this episode, I sit down with Cody Idol, a man whose name is synonymous with whitetail history and high-stakes antler collecting. I dive straight into the headline-grabbing deal that shook the hunting world: Cody’s role as the broker for the legendary "The General" sheds—a transaction that culminated in a staggering $1 million sale.

Cody shares the inside story of navigating such a massive deal and the pressure of handling what many consider the greatest typical antlers ever grown. I also explore the deep-rooted legacy Cody carries as the son of the iconic Dick Idol, including:

● The Hole in the Horn Buck: Cody recounts his father’s pivotal role in bringing this legendary non-typical to the world's stage, even giving the deer its famous name.

● The Hanson Buck: I discuss the enduring legacy of Milo Hanson’s world-record typical and how it stacks up against the mythical status of "The General."

● "Antler Craze": Cody gives me an exclusive look at his upcoming documentary, Antler Craze, set for release this July. The film chronicles the intense, twisting journey of the million-dollar sale of "The General" and the controversies that followed.

Whether you are a hardcore shed hunter or a fan of whitetail lore, this conversation offers a rare look at the business, the history, and the obsession behind the world’s most valuable antlers.

Watch for Cody Idol’s documentary "Antler Craze" arriving July 2026!

Are you still guessing the age of your bucks? In this episode, we sit down with Heather Marlatt of Wildlife Analytical Labs to discuss why "visual aging" is often a trap. We dive into the lab-proven method of Cementum Annuli testing—the gold standard for identifying the true age of a deer.

Key Topics:

● Escape the "7.5-Year Trap": Why many management plans plateau.

● Lab vs. Field: The biological reality of "rings" in a tooth vs. tooth wear.

● Managing for Giants: Using hard data to reach peak antler potential.

Stop guessing. Start knowing.

Learn more at DeerAge.com

In this episode, we sit down with retired Battalion Chief Keith Watson for a deep dive into an extraordinary hunting season. Keith shares the play-by-play of harvesting his career-defining 217 5/8" monster Kansas buck, a true once-in-a-lifetime trophy.

We also span the Midwest and Southeast, comparing the legendary dirt of Pike County, Illinois, with the unique challenges of hunting back home in Georgia. Finally, Keith gives us an inside look at DS Hunts in Arvonia, Kansas, an premier outfitting business run by his cousin that is consistently putting hunters on world-class whitetails.

In this episode, I sit down with Jace Nichols from Living Legends Outdoors to deconstruct one of the most incredible—and talked about—feats of the past season: harvesting a 200-inch Iowa mega-buck.

Jace shares the raw, play-by-play recap of the hunt, but we go far beyond the antler score. We dive into the viral reaction that followed the shot—a moment of pure emotion that drew massive praise from the hunting community, but also sparked a wave of "internet hate" and criticism. Jace gets real about the highs and lows of being in the public eye, what it takes to hold mature deer on your property, and the unique chemistry of running a podcast with your best friends.