The WHTL Podcast - Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests

On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with repeat guest and owner of Whitetail Land Management Brett Smith. Brett lives and brethes whitetails 24/7/365 and has made a career out of helping other hunters suceed in the deer woods. We discuss:

• Balancing hunting frequency and strategic planning
• Continuous improvement and learning from each season
• Adjusting goals and expectations throughout the season
• The importance of having multiple hunting options
• Woodsmanship is crucial in hunting and can greatly contribute to success in the field
• Developing woodsmanship skills takes time and experience in the field
• Question everything and test different strategies to discover what works best for you
• Strategies for finding the right sign and setting up effectively
• Look for condensed rubs and rub lines
• Don't overthink the weather conditions
• Being in the right place at the right time is crucial during the rut
• The importance of getting a second pair of eyes to identify simple improvements

And so much more!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

In this week's show, we have a great episode with Jared Larsen as we talk about some skills and things to remember in this hunting season, no matter where you are hunting in the country. He shares some great mapping advice on finding bucks in any location. We also have great news about your Exodus trail cameras in collaboration with the OnX Hunt app. The idea is to help hunters analyse the deer on their property for more efficient hunting.

OnX helps hunter get simple and accurate location data by providing detailed digital maps. This episode has the necessary tips to make your hunting season successful with better mapping indicators.

Now, let's jump in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and what's in for you with Jared Larsen

[01:47] Jared's Alaska float hunting and the lessons learned

[06:47] Who Jared is and his passion for deer hunting

[09:33] Jared's whitetail hunting plans for the rest of this year

[15:15] Best states to hunt whitetail based on Jared's experience

[10:41] What has been on the OnX Hunt App shortlist of projects for whitetail hunting

[26:04] Why mature whitetails are the hardest to put a tag on

[29:27] Recent new and improved features on the OnX app

[35:35] What Jared has observed as the behavior of whitetail deer in different states

[41:28] What most hunters overlook when mapping for whitetails

[46:32] Why no terrain is the shortest way to be unsuccessful in deer hunting

[50:16] A bit about the river-bottom buck Jared had tagged

[01:03:54] OnX's 2023 rut predictions

[01:10:34] Jared's final thoughts and best ways to reach out and connect

CONNECT:

• https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera

• https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

• https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast

In this episode, Shane Parket talks about the importance of understanding thermals, how deer use thermals, and how you can use it to your advanatge. Shane also talks about what his strategy is for hunting the first cold front of October and what he's learned from running 300 trail cameras in the big woods.

CONNECT:

• https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera

• https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

• https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast

On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with repeat guest and fellow podcast host Cody Jenkins. Cody hosts the Whitetail Legacy Podcast and has shot multiple bucks in every part of every month that you can hunt. We discuss:

• Strategies for hunting both public and private ground
• The pressure and competition on public land make it harder to find and kill bucks
• The drawbacks of chasing one big deer
• Private land hunting allows for more control
• The location of buck beds related to the topography of the area
• October can be a great time to hunt bucks, contrary to popular belief
• Farmers harvesting crops in October can push deer into new areas
• Building credibility in the hunting industry is easier when hunting and killing big bucks on public land
• Enjoying personal hunting experiences with his son rather than growing his name in the industry
• Involving his son in the hunting experience by letting him hang cameras fosters learning and a sense of participation

And so much more!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with repeat guest Justin Hollandsworth. Justin is a wizard when it comes to hunting early October and has killed plenty of big bucks in that time frame. We discuss:

• Early season hunts require patience and careful consideration of multiple factors
• Stacking different factors in your favor and being patient for the right time to strike
• Observation and quick action are crucial during the early hunting season
• Hunting during the first two weeks is essential as conditions and deer patterns change quickly
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes or fail, sometimes taking risks pays off
• Spotting scopes and binoculars can provide better information than trail cameras
• Trail cameras are valuable tools for learning about deer behavior
• Consider weather conditions and wind direction when analyzing trail camera photos
• Being patient and observing signs, weather conditions, and deer movement
• Hanging preset stands can be convenient, but being 10 yards off the mark can ruin your opportunity

And so much more!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with Jesse Hines. Jeese works a regular job and has limited vacation time, but has seen plenty of big bucks hit the ground from the tree and on the ground both on big and small parcels. We discuss:

• Using historical data from trail cameras
• Don't stress or panic if you haven't seen your target buck yet; patience and knowledge of historical data are key
• Adjust your plan if necessary, but don't let the lack of success discourage you
• Stick to your game plan and adjust if needed, but remember that hunting is about the journey, not just the end result
• The Importance of being able to make movements while hunting on the ground with a bow
• The success and effectiveness of ground hunting in low deer density areas
• The importance of hunting correctly with the right wind and finding successful funnels for ground hunting
• Balancing getting things done with not pressuring the farm
• Hunting small farms requires a different approach
• Understanding the characteristics of the farm, such as early season, rut, or late season, helps plan hunting approaches effectively

And so much more!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with Kevin Boulder. Kevin hunts the big woods of wisconsin and has learned a thing or two about chasing mature bucks in the never ending tracks of timber. We discuss:

• Transitioning from fixed stands to mobile hunting for bigger bucks
• Focusing on edge areas and transitions where different types of vegetation meet
• Observing rub lines and the height of rubs helps determine the caliber of deer in the area
• Trappers learn the value of creativity and problem-solving when faced with intelligent prey
• Encountering a black wolf while grouse hunting
• The diverse terrains in Wisconsin's big woods
• Having conviction in your process and being meticulous in your approach
• How the rise of popular hunting podcasts and exposure to experienced hunters influenced Kevin's hunting style
• Strategically approaching a buck's bedding area with the wind in your favor
• It's better to push in close and risk bumping the deer than to hang back and waste time
• Factors like food availability and weather can influence how far deer move from their bedding areas

And so much more!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with renowned whitetail biologist and host of the Deer University Podcast Dr. Bronson Strickland. Bronson has devoted years to studying whitetails and has helped the hunting industry as a whole expand what they knew or thought they knew about whitetails.

We discuss:

• Mature bucks are not always nocturnal
• Bucks are active and on their feet before sunset, but are most frequently observed on food plots around an hour after sunset
• Bucks daylight behavior depends on their food source's proximity
• Mature bucks may cover less ground during the rut
• Beating a deer's nose entirely is nearly impossible
• Understanding the complexity of buck movement and the role of wind direction
• Whitetails are adaptable and conditioned to respond to stimuli for survival
• Mature bucks may exhibit individual behavior based on their upbringing and experiences
• Two-thirds of bucks have a sedentary personality, while one-third are mobile
• Mobile bucks can be further classified as shifters or bouncers
• The October lull is not applicable in the South, where it is more accurate to consider the period before the rut
• Understanding the relationship between cover corridors and prevailing winds
• Data analysis reveals that there is no clear pattern for how bucks use wind direction
• The extent and position of the moon's influence on deer movements still remain uncertain

And so much more!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

In today's episode, we are bringing you a pretty special episode. Cameron sat down with David Powell at the 2023 Total Archery Challange at Seven Springs to talk about his once in a lifetime buck that he called Bootsie. This hermaphroditic deer stands out not only for its rare reproductive organs but also for its distinctive rack. David shares the details of his encounter with this extraordinary creature, shedding light on its unconventional behavior and characteristics. From Bootsy's powder wig-like headgear to his social outcast status among other deer, this captivating journey follows a davids years of observation before finally catching up with Bootsy. We discuss:

• Bootsy was identified as a buck with organs of both antlers and a doe
• The deer exhibited abnormal physical features, such as an underdeveloped neck and head
• Bootsie had an irregular rack that looked like a headdress and carried velvet way into the season
• Other deer avoided Bootsy, making it challenging to target him for hunting
• David hunted and observed the rare hermaphrodite deer in Kansas for six years
• The deer had a core area of only 75 to 80 acres, focusing solely on cover and disregarding food and water
• It took three years for David to realize that rut activity was not a way to target this deer
• The deer had bases 15" in circumference, not diameter with 21 total points
• The deer panel scored as a "freak of nature" and doesn't carry an official Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young score
• Understand the significance of this deer being classified as a "freak of nature" rather than receiving a formal scoring
• It is listed as 1 of 1 in the Boone and Corckett records under whitetail freak of nature

And So Much More!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

#VelvetFest Is Here! Use the code "VFEST23" for 15% off the entire store:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

In today's episode, we are back in the studio talking with repeat guests Tyler Jones and KC from The Element and MeatEater. We get into the importance of faint sign, limited time and resources, collaboration in hunting strategy, access and observation sits, hunting during the first week of October, high-pressure situations, and strategies for hunting on windy days. We discuss:

• Good access and scouting can lead to success in finding deer in any state
• Nice bucks can be found in various states throughout the country
• Having an extra set of eyes and an extra brain can double your odds of success and help you make more informed decisions
• Evaluating key factors such as wind direction, buck presence, and access are crucial when developing a game plan
• Understanding the post-rut phase and its impact on deer behavior
• Geographical factors and variations in rut timing
• Explore the fanatic pursuit of whitetail hunting
• Exploring hunting opportunities in different regions and utilizing public land
• Wind direction plays a crucial role in deer movement
• Hunting during the first week of October can increase your chances of success

And So Much More!

Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis

#VelvetFest Is Here! Use the code "VFEST23" for 15% off the entire store:

https://exodusoutdoorgear.com

CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast