Welcome back! It is the heart of application season and putting elk and deer tags in your pocket can be tough and quite confusing. In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez sit down and talk Western hunting and what each state requires to get a tag to go hunting. Jeremy has been playing the tag game for over 8 years now. States are constantly changing and require you to be a student of the game so you don't miss out on any opportunities. Jeremy breaks down state-by-state to include Idaho, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, North Dakota, and more. He covers point systems, lotteries, state regulations, the cost to apply, and resources to check out. If you are new to elk or deer hunting and want to head West, this is the podcast for you! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

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The WhitetailDNA Podcast is presented by:

Dark Energy

Custom Archery & Outdoors

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Rack Hub

Welcome back to another week! In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez head to the bow shop and sit down with Randy Graber, owner of Custom Archery and Outdoors. Randy is one of the most knowledgable bow technicans out there and the best in the region. Randy talks about what it was like hunting in Africa this past year, shooting animals over the 2,000lb mark with a mechanical broadhead. Kicking off the 2024 deer season in Buffalo County and heading down to Illinois to chase giant bucks. The guys cover the importance of shot selection based on animal anatomy, avoiding the shoulder at all costs. Randy covers arrow components and ensuring your bow is tuned for precision. The conversation leads to steps to take to make your bow aim the best and tune the bow around the archer. Lastly, Randy breaks down the most common questions archers ask when they bring their bow into the shop, the most common mistakes archers make, and how to avoid them. Randy is a wealth of knowledge and operates the best bow shop in the upper Midwest. Swing on in to Custom Archery for all of your archery needs. Enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

LINKS:

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook

Check out the Website

The WhitetailDNA Podcast is presented by:

 Custom Archery & Outdoors 

Tactacam Reveal

Rack Hub

Welcome back to another week! In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez are joined by K.C. Smith of The Element. K.C. is a passionate outdoorsman who lives and breathes whitetail hunting. The guys dive into his action-packed 2024 deer season. From starting the season in Nebraska to wrapping it up in Texas, K.C. walks us through every step of his journey, sharing invaluable insights and strategies that led to a remarkable 5-buck season. K.C. walks through what he does for a living and his unique approach to hunting. The guys break down his season, beginning with an exciting hunt in Nebraska, where rattling bucks in proved to be a game-changer. After sealing the deal in Nebraska, K.C. heads straight to South Dakota for another successful hunt before making two trips to Kansas to chase down a stud buck. We also explore his memorable rifle hunt back in Texas, where everything came full circle. Along the way, K.C. shares the common themes that led to his success this season—from scouting techniques to hunting tactics and why this 2024 season stands out as one of his best yet. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at K.C. Smith's season and what led him to success. Head over to the Element YouTube channel to see the hunts unfold. Enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

LINKS:

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook

Check out the Website

The WhitetailDNA Podcast is presented by:

Custom Archery & Outdoors 

Tactacam Reveal

Rack Hub

Welcome back to another week! In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez catch up with Jake Hofer of Land Proz Real Estate. Jake is an expert in recreational land sales. He aimed to help 100 people purchase their first farm, and he surpassed that goal. Jake shares his journey from getting started in the real estate world to becoming a trusted agent for those looking to own their piece of land. Jake opens up about his passion for helping others find the perfect farm. The guys discuss practical tips on the first steps to take when buying a farm and whether investing in turnkey properties or raw land is better. Jake shares his thoughts on whether it's worth purchasing more land in less populated deer areas or if it's smarter to go after smaller parcels in areas with strong deer herds. The guys discuss the impact on interest rates and whether it's worth waiting for them to drop. Jake highlights creative ways to finance properties and sheds light on the often-hidden costs of purchasing a farm. If you’re eyeing a property next door, Jake discusses the pros and cons of buying your neighbor’s land. He also touches on the benefits of starting with a small property and gradually expanding into larger acreage. Lastly, Jake touches on the value of hiring a whitetail consultant after purchasing a farm and how outfitted hunts compare to owning your hunting ground. Whether you’re just getting started in the farm-buying journey or are looking to grow your investment portfolio, this episode is packed with insights and advice you won’t want to miss! Enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

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Check out the Website

Welcome back! In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez are joined by John Barklow. John has spent over 20 years in the military, training special operation forces to survive and carry out the mission in harsh conditions. He is the product developer behind Sitka Gear's big game and whitetail lines. John takes us on a journey through his background growing up in Ohio, where his passion for hunting was first brought to life, and how his experiences in the field shaped his career in developing high-performance gear for hunters. Throughout the conversation, John shares valuable insights into the often-overlooked performance needs of the whitetail hunter and how Western and whitetail hunting principles—such as layering, managing moisture, and proper gear choices go hand-in-hand. John also dives deep into some topics, such as managing heat from your head, hands, and feet for optimal performance. He offers advice on shooting accuracy while wearing bulky clothing and how to properly fuel and hydrate your body to stay sharp and focused on stand. And most importantly, what you can be doing right now to prepare for the next whitetail season. If you're looking to up your game in the field, this episode is packed with expert advice that will change how you think about your gear, strategy, and preparation. This was a fun episode with one of the most knowledgeable voices in the hunting industry. Sit back and enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

LINKS:

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Check out the Website

As we wrap up the year, it's time to reflect on the highs, the lows, and everything in between. In today's episode, the team recaps how the 2024 deer season went overall. The guys dive into a season of life-changing events and moments that shaped 2024, both in the field and at home. The guys cover the challenges and rewards of balancing family time and a passion for bowhunting isn't always easy. Recapping the 2024 hunting season, from the crazy start in North Dakota to the October lull when Garrett found his mark on the "backyard buck". November brought its own set of struggles but nobody gave up. In fact, the late season success was worth every moment of the grind. But we’re not just looking back—we’re looking ahead to 2025. The guys lay out their goals for the new year and what's ahead for WhitetailDNA. Be on the lookout for upcoming late-season hunting videos to drop on the YouTube channel. We hope you enjoyed the 2024 hunting season. Enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

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Welcome back to another week! In today's episode, Alex, Luke, and Lopy sit down and recap two late-season successful hunts in Minnesota. This will be a behind-the-scenes look at the determination, strategy, and unforgettable memories that may not all be captured on film. The guys dive into two separate successful hunts in northern Minnesota after a tough start to the season. With good historical properties drying up and fewer opportunities left, they share their key takeaways from hunting in the tough late-season conditions. Luke recounts how the night unfolded when he tagged a stud 8-point buck, proving persistence pays off even when the odds are stacked against you. 2 days later, Lopy heads out after a big 8-point, and little did he know that night would be something he'd never forget. Lopy talks about a wild encounter that led to him finding success. He covers the importance of staying in the game under harsh conditions. Finally, the guys ended that night with a shed hunt! This episode is packed with takeaways such as never giving up, even as the hunting season winds down, and the unpredictable twists and turns that make hunting so exhilarating. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

LINKS:

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Check out the Website

Happy New Year! We hope 2025 is the best year yet for you guys. In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez are joined by Troy Pottenger of Whitetail Addictions. Troy is easily one of the best bowhunters we know. He's consistently putting mature mountain bucks on the ground, year after year. Troy takes us through his upbringing on a ranch in North Idaho, where his experiences in the mountains shaped his approach to bowhunting. Through this, his hunting path shifted at a young age when he migrated from mule deer and elk to chasing giant whitetails. Troy dives into the "hay days" of hunting and what it was like back in his early stages of bowhunting. He goes into how to navigate the vast, rugged terrain of big woods mountain country in pursuit of mature bucks. Despite a busy schedule, Troy reveals his strategies for making the most of limited time while working his 9-5 job and running a business. Troy breaks down why social hubs are consistent hotspots for daylight buck activity and the art of managing moisture while hiking to your stand (sometimes 3+ miles in). He also shares an epic story of running down a pack of wolves to save his season-proof of the apex predator he is. Lastly, Troy breaks down his secret formula for successful scrapes. This is a great episode full of next-level tactics and firsthand experience. Troy's stories and expertise will inspire you to get out there and chase your next target buck. Enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

LINKS:

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook

Check out the Website

The WhitetailDNA Podcast is presented by Custom Archery Outdoors 

Merry Christmas everybody! In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez welcome Dillon Deitz to the podcast. Dillon has been hunting his whole life and like most hunters, has encountered many struggles. He started making "hunting humor" content that mimics what it's truly like to hunt elk and quickly realized he connected with many hunters who felt the same way. This led to the launch of Elk Don't Exist. The guys chat about growing up in Idaho and Montana. Dillon walks us through the journey of hunting whitetails in Montana and his impressive 2024 buck. He dives into the unique challenges of hunting western whitetail habitat, where spot and stalk tactics are his favorite. Dillon shares the origins of his popular brand, Elk Don't Exist. The guys talk about the difficulties of hunting elk in low-density areas and why comparison is the thief of all joy. Finally, Dillon reflects on his growth as a hunter, sharing stories of bucks he's taken over the years and why he believes understanding the fun in hunting is more important than any trophy on the wall. Be sure to check out Dillon's content for a good laugh. Enjoy the show!

New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6AM CST

LINKS:

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook

Check out the Website

The WhitetailDNA Podcast is presented by Custom Archery Outdoors 

Welcome back! In today's episode, Alex Comstock and Jeremy Lopez catch up with Robert Kennedy from Trophyline Saddles. Rob is an avid outdoorsman who travels all over the Midwest chasing deer. He's become a great buddy since WDNA partnered with Trophyline and has been a staple in deer camp. The guys dive into Rob's upbringing, growing up in Michigan, hunting a heavily pressured state, big buck culture, putting yourself in the game on out-of-state hunts, what makes a hunt successful, the hunting industry, and what the late season looks like for Rob. This was a fun episode; Rob is one of the most genuine hunters we know and is constantly rooting for his friend's success. Head over to Rob's Instagram and YouTube channel (Man Over Beast) to follow along with his adventures. Enjoy the show!

LINKS:

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook

Check out the Website

The WhitetailDNA Podcast is presented by Custom Archery Outdoors