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

In today's episode, we have a familiar face back in the office, Steve Sherk from Sherk's Guide Service. Steve spends more time in the woods in one year than most hunters do in 10 years. Steve runs over 250 trail cameras in the Pennsylvania big woods every season has has learned a few things about summertime buck movement and how it coorelates to hunting season movement. We discuss:

• Late summer excursions by bucks provide insights into their fall range and food sources.
• Cutting tracks in conjunction with camera footage can help identify specific deer locations.
• Move around and shift camera positions to keep up with changing browse patterns.
• Stay updated on changes in habitat and browse sources, especially in public land areas that are constantly evolving.
• Lack of moisture can result in lower quality browse and affect the production of fall food sources.
• Be aware of the feeding patterns and the one-time opportunity to eat certain plants.
• Monitor antler growth and look for clues in weather patterns, such as increased moisture, which can spur growth.
• Factors like precipitation and weather conditions can influence antler growth in deer.
• Video mode on trail cameras offers more information than photo mode.
• Maintaining trail cameras during the summer is crucial to ensure they are not obscured by vegetation and remain functional.
• Monitoring food sources, like acorns and apple crops, can help predict deer movement during hunting season.
• Spend time glassing young clear cuts, as they can provide excellent food sources and attract deer.

And So Much More!

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In today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio with Steve Pinnkston. We talk about the advantages of using e-bikes for hunting, highlighting their time-saving benefits and reduced environmental impact. Another episode delves into the mindset of a seasoned hunter during the rut, emphasizing the importance of being unbothered by getting busted and focusing on one deer at a time. Additionally, Steve discusses the significance of summer scouting for fall hunting success, as well as the changing tactics required for hunting due to shifts in deer behavior. We Discuss:

• Using an e-bike saves time, reduces scent, and allows quicker access to hunting spots.
• E-bikes have gained popularity in the past five years and have become essential for whitetail hunting.
• Using e-bikes allows hunters to access their hunting spots faster and with less physical exertion.
• E-bikes provide a lower impact compared to UTVs or ATVs, making them an ideal choice for stealthy hunting.
• Getting out of a hunting location without disturbing the deer is crucial.
• Preparing hunting areas and finding the right trees for stands in advance.
• The effectiveness of trail cameras is limited compared to firsthand observation.
• Summer scouting in out-of-state trips follows a similar process, but access and crowded areas require additional strategy.
• Having access to multiple small parcels increases the chances of finding a buck worth hunting.
• Studying individual deer, even if they're not the target, provides valuable insights for future hunts.
• Getting busted in the summer doesn't impact hunting success in October or November.
• The early season is an extension of the summer pattern and offers great hunting opportunities.
• The value of a spotting scope
• Balancing the risks of being detected by does with the reward of hunting the targeted buck.
• Cameras are essential for monitoring transition areas and learning deer movement patterns.

And So Much More!

Connect:

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In today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in Iowa with Skip Sligh. We talk about various topics related to deer farm management, the importance of supplemental feeding during droughts, abundance of browse and forage, nutrition value of stump growth, and proper timber management. The impact of EHD and Blue Tongue on deer populations, including the transmission and role of cattle in their prevalence, is also discussed. Additionally, the controversial issue of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is addressed, with emphasis on critically analyzing expert opinions and understanding its prevalence in the soil and transmission by various animals. We discuss:

• EHD is a deadly virus transmitted by midges, causing hemorrhaging in deer
• Dry conditions can increase the likelihood of EHD outbreaks, but they can also occur in wet years with fluctuating water levels
• EHD outbreaks are not solely dependent on weather conditions
• The potential extinction of whitetail deer due to CWD could have significant economic and ecological consequences
• In 2019, Iowa experienced a significant outbreak of a new strain of EHD, resulting in high deer mortality in certain areas
• Cattle can introduce new strains of EHD, with infected midges transmitting the disease to deer
• Healthy deer with a nutritious diet tend to have a better chance of surviving EHD
• Analyzing and critically thinking about the information on CWD is important
• Killing off all the deer won't solve the problem if there is no cure or natural immunity.
• Stump growth in trees is highly nutritious and contributes to the deer's overall health
• Overdoing projects and pressuring the farm can do more harm than good
• Summer pressure on mature bucks can still have a significant impact and should be minimized
• Staying out of hunting areas during the summer and focusing on core projects set you up for success in the fall

And So Much More!

Connect:

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In today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio with Justin Synan of the Run'n and Gun'n Podcast. We talk about his move from suburban Maryland to hunting in Kentucky, his hunting strategies, and his success in consistently killing mature bucks. We discuss:

• Moving to Kentucky allowed Justin to hunt bigger deer with better genetics
• Adjusting his tactics after moving to Kentucky
• Using trail cameras to locate big deer in the big woods
• Targeting specific bucks around the time when does are active
• Focus on where the does are rather than trying to figure out where the buck is
• Being methodical and having a goal in your scouting can lead to success
• Scout with the wind in your favor, be surgical in your approach
• The importance of persistence, never giving up, and learning from each season to progressively hone your skills as a bow hunter
• Swtiching to saddle hunting after a Climber accident

And so much more!

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In today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are coming to you from the Total Archery Challange in Michigan with Co-Host of the Habitat Podcast Jared Van Hess. We chat about tips for attracting deer, dealing with drought, and improvements for the upcoming hunting season in Michigan. We also talk about the benefits of conservation easements and the thrill of improving your property. We discuss:

• Aggressive tillage can increase susceptibility to drought
• Protecting soil can make food plots more drought tolerant
• Plant trees and water them once every two weeks, using gravity-fed watering systems
• Water holes should be located in cover to attract deer and provide a natural path
• A failed food plot can be retried, get some sort of cover on the soil, or wait for the fall
• During June and July, focus on water holes, mock scrapes, and getting cameras ready
• Landownership is often demonized, but it is a rewarding experience and a legacy for families
• Water holes are underrated and important for wildlife survival during drought conditions
• Tucking water hole in the edge where it is surrounded by brush on three sides to limit access
• Land ownership can provide a legacy for future generations to enjoy

And so much more!

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In today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are unveiling our brand new Exodus NIS .204 diameter hunting arrow! The team discusses the development and benefits of the Exodus NIS Arrow, offering customization options. They also answer questions on arrow building, nocks, and broadhead weight. We discuss:

• The NIS is a high-quality, multi-layered carbon shaft that offers strict tolerances for straightness and spine
• The product development process focused on creating a lightweight arrow at a good price point
• The NIS has a true .204 diameter shaft and is built with precision
• It is a lighter weight shaft, offering more variability and a faster set-up
• Eliminating weak spots found in traditional .204 builds with components
• The NIS is crafted with strict straightness tolerances in mind
• The NIS offers high performance at an affordable price
• Two different insert options for more flexibility
• CTI is still present in the NIS Arrow but is transferred differently due to its lightness
• Spine alignment after cutting for arrow to arrow consistency
• Added Fletching Options
• Added Nock Options
• Packing a punch further down range

And so much more!

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On today's episode of the Exodus Podcast, Cameron chats with Beau Marton and Johnny Stewart at the Seven Springs Total Archery Challange about their different styles when it comes to planning for out-of-state hunts. They discuss strategies for finding safe zones for mature deer, including identifying areas with vegetation diversity and studying the terrain, tips for planning and scouting, emphasizing the importance of taking multiple years to get to know a state, and the importance of relying on reliable intel rather than emotions when making decisions while hunting. We discuss:

• Identify your hunting goals before picking a state to hunt in
• Plan on hunting a state for at least three years to get to know it
• It takes time to plan and hunt in a new area
• E-scouting is important, but useless if you dont put boots on the ground
• Mature deer live in places where they feel safe, which may not be the most obvious areas.
• Study the terrain to better understand how the deer will move
• For early season hunting, a four-day plan is sufficient
• Boots on the ground scouting and camera placement can help find these safe zones.
• Hunting pressure can push mature bucks to seek safer areas.
• Be optimistic and don't let missed opportunities bring you down
• Focusing on states closer to home and with high deer densities to maximize his hunting time
• Hunting in safe zones requires understanding deer patterns and tendencies
• Trail cameras can help identify deer behavior and patterns.
• Evaluating pros and cons of a hunting spot can reveal the need to move
• Scouting and taking notes, as well as using trail cameras, can help with future hunts
• Taking the emotion out of a situation can help make better decisions

And so much more!

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On today's episode of the Exodus Podcast, Jake sits down with vetinarian and avid deer hunter Clint McCoy. Clint shares tips on summer scouting and the importance of scent control in deer hunting. He discusses the anatomy of a deer's nose and how they recall smells, common deer hunting myths and misconceptions and creating entry and access routes, and self-filming in the deer hunting world. We discuss:

• Deer can and do learn for their lifetime, making them harder to kill the more scents they have in their memory
• The Proust phenomenon in deer causes them to have instant involuntary recall of scents tied to memory and learning
• The Proust phenomenon is an instantaneous and non-voluntary flashback that usually triggers an "oh shit" moment for the deer
• Bucks are less likely to be able to pick up scent trails in hot and dry weather
• Keep boots and clothing as natural and clean as possible to avoid leaving a scent signature
• Summer scouting is critical for success in the whitetail woods
• Summer soak cameras should be placed on interior hub scrapes, transition trails, and potential bedding sites
• Catalog an inventory list of target bucks for the upcoming season
• Don't rely solely on soybean fields for food sources
• Browse species in the area should be prioritized when scouting for food sources
• Diversify your buck target list to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket
• Access is critical to pre-hung setups

And So Much More!

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On this episode of the Exodus Podcast, Chad and Jake are back in the studio to discuss summer hunting strategies. We talk about using trail cameras to gather inventory, elk vs whitetail, and stress the importance of preparation and enjoying the process. We discuss:

• Ohio black bear sighting
• Summer Trail Camera checklist
• Check batteries, clear memory cards, and practice scent control
• Summer is a great time to set up trail cameras, especially in bedding areas and scrapes
• Be cautious of putting cameras on dead trees in swampy areas as they may attract more insects
• Fawn recruitment: obtaining early photos of fawns to predict peak breeding dates and plan for stand placement, with the option of hanging multiple sets for different winds.
• Ants can wreck havoc on trail cameras, but using ant repellent and placing cameras away from high-traffic areas can reduce the likelihood of damage.
• Avoid putting cameras on dead trees
• Summer scouting can include marking down agricultural fields and bedding areas.
• Take inventory of the deer in bachelor groups during the summer
• Green soybeans are the best food source for deer
• Access routes and wind directions are essential factors to consider when picking tree's for stands
• Elk or Deer this fall?
• A new Exodus arrow launch is imminent

And So Much More!

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On this episode of Exodus Podcast, we sit down with Pennsylvania native Chris Weist. Chris shares his experience transitioning from compound to traditional archery while using a saddle, as well as his findings on post-season scouting, the use of vine scrapes as an inventory tool, the importance of calculated decisions in hunting, and paying attention to details.

• Transitioning to traditional archery takes time and practice
• Saddle hunting with a stick bow
• You need five years of practice to feel confident hunting with traditional archery equipment
• Identifying pinch points where shots are limited to 20 yards
• Taking time to make decisions in the heat of the moment
• Using vine scrapes to help with buck inventory
• Hunting early season can lead to better pattern recognition
• Be patient and slow down in the moment
• Being an opportunist is sometimes necessary
• Learning from other hunters and seeking advice can elevate hunting skills
• Social media has become a double-edged sword for hunters
• Consistency is key when it comes to posting content on Instagram
• Social media and external validation can take away from the joy of hunting
• Positive mindset and mental toughness are essential for competing at a high level

And so much more!

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