In this bonus Booner School episode of Whitetail Edge, Ben Rising is in the field and breaks down how to improve deer bedding areas without overdoing hinge cuts or turning timber into a jungle no deer wants to use.With snow on the ground, it’s easy to see exactly how deer are bedding, traveling, and staging—and this spot has been a consistent bedding area for years. The problem? It’s starting to thin out, lose structure, and stop holding mature bucks the way it used to.In this video, I explain: • Why I don’t hinge cut entire bedding areas • How to identify “junk trees” that are perfect for bedding structure • The concept of creating small bedding pockets or “hotel rooms” for deer • How structure, wind advantage, and visibility matter to mature bucks • Why thick doesn’t always mean better when it comes to buck bedding • How strategic TSI and chainsaw work can hold deer longer during daylightInstead of laying everything over and hoping deer use it, this approach focuses on intentional structure, sunlight, browse, and security—without blowing out a sanctuary or ruining future timber value.This is real-world habitat work you can do in a few hours with one or two tanks of gas, whether you own the property or are working with permission.If you’re serious about holding more does, keeping bucks bedded longer, and improving daylight movement—this is one of the simplest, most overlooked tools you can use.Let us know in the comments what you’ve seen work on your properties and whether you agree or disagree with this approach.

This time of year across the Midwest, sheds start hitting the ground. But what do they actually tell you? In this episode of Whitetail Edge, Ben and Javin break down the real meaning behind shed antlers, how winter food sources and pressure change deer movement, and the biggest mistakes hunters make after finding a big one. From bedding areas and late-season strategy to how cold weather affects bucks going into spring, this is a conversation built around experience in the timber. If you want to turn shed hunting right now into a plan for next season instead of just a walk in the woods, this one’s for you.

00:00 – Welcome to Whitetail Edge | Cold Ohio Winter Recap

Season wrap-up, late season thoughts, and team harvest updates.

01:30 – Why Shed Hunting Matters Right Now

Intro to the main topic and why sheds can tell a bigger story.

02:39 – What Can (and Can’t) a Shed Tell You?

How far bucks move from where sheds are found.

03:45 – Food Sources, Wintering Areas & Deer Movement

Standing crops, snow pressure, and why sheds may not mean home range.

05:22 – Crop Rotation & Late Season Strategy

How changing ag fields affect where deer show up year to year.

07:11 – Bedding vs Food: How Far Will Bucks Travel?

Cold weather behavior and survival mode.

08:28 – Can You Age a Deer by a Shed?

Mass, tine length, and what to realistically look for.

09:28 – Why Bucks Shed Early or Late

Testosterone, stress, health, and photoperiod discussion.

12:47 – Using Shed Locations to Build a Hunting Plan

Access routes, food adjustments, and early season setups.

15:01 – Biggest Mistakes Hunters Make After Finding Sheds

Overthinking or giving away too much information.

16:47 – Using Shed Data for Farm Management

Patterns vs individual deer decisions.

18:55 – Where to Find Sheds in Hill Country

Ridge tops, bedding edges, and slope direction.

20:28 – South vs North Facing Slopes for Shed Hunting

Sun exposure, pressure, and survival behavior.

22:18 – Does a Hard Winter Affect Antler Growth?

Nutrition, stress, and herd condition.

23:11 – Feeding Deer in Winter: What NOT To Do

Corn feeding discussion and mineral strategies.

26:34 – Acorn Crop, Soil Health & Food Plot Lessons

What worked this season and what needs improved.

27:04 – Oak Trees, Mast Crops & Future Seasons

How acorn years may (or may not) cycle.

28:27 – Upcoming Shows, Seminars & Events

Iowa Deer Classic, Open Season Sportsman’s Expo, NWTF.

32:22 – Future Content Plans for Whitetail Edge

More topic-specific discussions coming.

33:15 – ATA Show Thoughts & Industry Talk

Public access and industry changes.

35:17 – Gear Talk: Prime Divide Bow & Blind Setup

Shorter bow advantages in tight spaces.

36:29 – Closing Thoughts & Episode Wrap Up

Late season hunting can be the best time to kill a mature buck..but it’s also the easiest time to screw everything up. In this episode, Ben Rising and Javin Mullet dive deep into a hunt from the past, “Chief” from 2016. We use it to unpack REAL late-season hunting strategy that actually leads to filling a tag on a giant buck, not just “good luck” advice.

From staying mentally locked in when most hunters burn out..to food sources, hunting pressure, blinds vs. tree stands, gun season chaos, blind placement, timing, weather patterns, wind strategy, buck behavior, does still cycling in heat, acorns vs food plots..and the exact decisions that led Ben to sealing the deal. This is absolute gold for anyone still holding a tag.

If you’re hunting late season or want to learn how the best bowhunters in the Midwest consistently kill giant, mature bucks after most others quit..this is the one to watch.

💥 You’ll Learn:

• Why late season ISN’T harder..if you understand deer behavior

• How food, pressure, & weather truly control mature bucks now

• Blind placement mistakes vs. perfect setups

• Using farm noise & activity to your advantage

• Primary vs. Secondary zones explained

• Why patience kills more bucks than aggression

• How to avoid burning out a spot

• The #1 weakness of late-season giants (and how to capitalize)

This episode isn’t fluff. It’s real hunting talk, real experience, and strategies you can use right now in the woods.

👇 Drop a comment:

Do you want more hunt breakdowns like this? What late-season questions do you have?

👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Subscribe for more Whitetail Edge content

#WhitetailEdge #BenRising #LateSeason #Bowhunting #DeerHunting #BigBucks #ChiefHunt #MidwestWhitetails #LateSeasonTactics #HuntingPodcast

In this episode we cover Ben's season so far and dive into a few tactics on each of his 3 buck tags filled (Ohio, Illinois, and Kansas). Ben gives some insight on hunting right now and the next few days of Post-rut behavior.

We will be at the Iowa Deer Classic in Des Moines, Iowa. March 6 - 8, 2026. Hosting two different seminars there. 1 - Primary vs Secondary Zones. 2 - Utilizing Doe Groups to Target Bucks

We had the privilege to sit down with Skip Sligh of Iowa Whitetails and Kevin Mullet. Skip is pretty much a walking encyclopedia when it comes to bow hunting and managing for big bucks in the Midwest. His take on the trajectory of Ohio's deer herd and bow hunting in general is eye opening. We also questioned him on his favorite ways to get on a target buck and what he sees for the future of land prices across the midwest.

In this episode of the Whitetail Edge Podcast, Ben and Javin sit down in their new Ohio Taxidermy Supply office to catch up after a busy summer. From chasing surprise target bucks and dealing with changing deer patterns, to battling weeds in food plots, they cover the highs and lows of preseason prep. The guys share their thoughts on new Stealth Cam innovations, the Novix ownership news, and Muddy’s impressive new DV8 apparel line. There’s also heartfelt conversation about young Cairo’s inspiring journey, plus practical tips for camera placement, hunting acorn patterns, and setting up for early season success. Whether you’re here for the big buck talk, gear reviews, or just to hang out, this episode is packed with the real-life hunting lifestyle.

Use code "WTE" at https://www.novixoutdoors.com

Cairo, a beautiful young lady, sits down with Ben and shares her story of pain and suffering, but then also hope and submission and what she’s learned that she wants to share with us all to help others dealing with a terminally ill disease or bad news. Her mom and dad are also in the podcast and give some great insight as to what the situation is like. There’s something to be learned for all of us listening to this. This has nothing to do with deer hunting even though her dad Joe, a friend of Ben’s is an Avid outdoorsman, what we all can learn from this is way more important than chasing any big buck.

For anybody that wants to follow along with their story or support their family, you can find them on the Finding Serenity Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/15f3eyAx9o/?mibextid=wwXIfr

On episode 33 of the Whitetail Edge Podcast we're joined by Lincoln Rohn, owner of Packer Maxx. The Packer Maxx is a portable solution for cultipacking food plots without needing to lug a traditional heavy cultipacker to or around your farm. You can load and move it around by hand, then fill it with water when you're ready to compact the soil. We discus deer hunting and Lincolns hunting experiences in Michigan, deer scrapes, water holes for deer, living a Christian life, addictions, and more. For more details on a Packer Maxx, check them out here. https://packermaxx.comOr connect with Lincoln on his YouTube channel here .

https://www.youtube.com/@packermaxx8085/featured

Our first video podcast. We're back after a full year without podcasting. We will get the audio and video tuned in better as we go. We are excited to get back in the saddle of bringing real-time relative content for anyone that's interested in what Ben Rising's life is like day in and day out. Please leave a comment with any feedback, specific questions for Rising, or suggestions for guest. We hope you can learn something.

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In this episode of the Whitetail Edge Podcast, Ben and Dylon discuss all new products from their partners!