Wild Spirits Outdoors

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Have you ever dreamed of hearing a bull elk bugle echo through the Colorado mountains? Then this episode is for you. On Episode 45 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, I sit down with Ben Adair for an in-depth Colorado Elk Hunting 101 masterclass designed specifically for hunters who want to make their first western elk hunt a reality—or become more successful if they've already been there. From planning your hunt and choosing a Colorado unit to understanding elk behavior, thermals, calling strategies, gear, shot placement, and packing a bull off the mountain, Ben shares practical, experience-driven advice that can save you time, money, and frustration. We also dive into Ben's championship elk-calling background, discuss what separates good callers from great ones, and explore how changing wildlife management—including Colorado's wolf reintroduction—is influencing elk behavior and the hunting experience. Whether you're a seasoned western hunter or a Midwest whitetail hunter dreaming of hearing your first September bugle, this episode is packed with actionable information you can apply to your next adventure.

Topics Covered:

Colorado Elk Hunting 101

Planning your first DIY elk hunt

Public land strategy

Elk behavior and thermals

Championship elk calling

Gear that matters

Shot placement and recovery

Packing out an elk

Colorado wolf impacts on elk hunting

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast and leave a rating—it helps more hunters discover the show.

Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

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SLATRA Archery Use promo code WSO10 for 10% OFF your order at https://www.slatraarchery.comBow season is closing in, the arrows are flying, and it's time for another solo campfire conversation. In Episode 44 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we're keeping things lighthearted and diving into a little bit of everything that makes this lifestyle great. From an unforgettable weekend at the R100 Archery Shoot at Saginaw Valley Field & Stream Club, to gear reviews, product showcases, archery season preparation, and listener Q&A, this episode feels more like hanging out with hunting buddies than sitting through another lecture. We'll recap the R100, talk about meeting some incredible people like Ben Adair of Rocky Mountain Outfitters, discuss the upcoming Colorado elk hunting episode, highlight some awesome partners, and answer your hunting questions as we gear up for whitetail season. also talk bows, trail cameras, hunting gear, preseason preparation, and why now is the time to get your equipment tuned and ready before opening day. Whether you're a hardcore bowhunter, a gear junkie, or someone who simply loves the hunting lifestyle, this episode is packed with laughs, stories, and practical advice to get you fired up for fall. In This Episode:

✔️ R100 Archery Shoot recap✔️ Great people and hunting stories✔️ Product reviews & gear showcase✔️ Bow season preparation tips✔️ Partner shoutouts✔️ Listener Q&A✔️ Colorado elk hunting teaser✔️ Archery talk and preseason strategy

Follow the show, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with a hunting buddy.

Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

#WhitetailHunting #Bowhunting #Archery #WhitetailDeer #DeerHunting #HuntingPodcast #ArcherySeason #BowSeason #HuntingStories #OutdoorPodcast #WhitetailPodcast #WildSpiritsOutdoors

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Every deer hunter has experienced it. Your trail cameras are full of mature bucks all summer long. Velvet-covered giants are showing up like clockwork... then almost overnight, they vanish. Where did they go? In Episode 43 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, I break down the science behind one of whitetail hunting's most frustrating events. Learn why bucks change their behavior after velvet shed, how summer heat affects the entire deer herd, and what separates properties that merely attract bucks from those that consistently hold mature deer throughout the fall. I'll discuss bachelor groups, testosterone, changing food sources, hunting pressure, bedding cover, security cover, habitat management, and practical strategies that can help keep more mature bucks on your property during hunting season. Whether you hunt a small parcel, a large farm, or public land, you'll come away with a better understanding of mature buck behavior and actionable ideas to improve your odds this fall.

Topics Covered:

Summer deer behavior

Heat stress and whitetails

Why bucks leave after velvet shed

Mature buck bedding

Food plots vs. security cover

Habitat improvements

Trail camera strategy

Small property hunting

Whitetail management

Deer hunting tactics

Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast

Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

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Tradition or stewardship? Meat hunter or trophy hunter? Public land or private land?

For years, hunters have debated these questions—but what if we've been asking the wrong ones?

In Episode 42 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we explore how whitetail hunting culture has evolved over the last two decades and why the conversation has become so divided.

This isn't a debate about who's right or wrong. It's a conversation about why we hunt, how we define success, and what it truly means to be a steward of the land and the resource.

From camp traditions and family values to habitat improvement, mature buck management, public-land adventure, and the realities of hunting under ever-changing conditions, this episode examines the philosophies shaping today's hunters.

Whether you fill every tag, pass young bucks, manage your own property, or simply treasure time in the woods, this episode will challenge you to think differently about the future of hunting—and your place in it.

Because in the end, hunting isn't just about the deer we pursue. It's about the values we choose to carry into the woods, and it's about accountability for the folks that write the regulations

Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

Visit https://www.slatraarchery.com/ and use promo code "WSO10" at checkout for 10% off your order!Visit https://skregear.com/wildspiritsoutdoors for 20% off your order and FREE SHIPPING!Episode 41: ULTIMATE WHITETAIL HUNTING DREAM TEAM

If you had 2 buck tags, your bow, 10 days to hunt, and could choose 8 people from the greatest minds in whitetail hunting history... who would make your team? That's exactly what I'm tackling in Episode 41 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast. The scenario is simple: Five days on a dream private property loaded with mature bucks. Then we're blindfolded, dropped onto 5,000 acres of unfamiliar public land filled with swamps, marshes, ridges, clear-cuts, and rugged hill country. From a field of 64 legendary hunters, habitat managers, deer biologists, scouting experts, public land tacticians, mobile assassins, and wild cards, we build the ultimate whitetail hunting dream team. Along the way we debate names like Fred Bear, Dan Infalt, Mark Drury, Jeff Sturgis, Dr. James Kroll, John Eberhart, Larry Benoit, and many more. Who gets make the Elite 8? Who gets left behind? And who would YOU choose? This episode is guaranteed to spark debate around every deer camp, hunting camp, and tailgate in America.🏹 Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

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What would you do when the moment isn’t perfect… but the buck of a lifetime steps into your world anyway?In this episode of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we break down 8 realistic bowhunting scenarios that every serious whitetail hunter will eventually face. From split-second shot decisions to unpredictable stand encounters, wind shifts, pressure moments, and ethical dilemmas in the field—this episode is built to challenge how you think, not just how you hunt.These aren’t theoretical questions. These are the kinds of situations that happen in real timber, on real sits, when your heart rate spikes and your instincts take over. Whether you’re a seasoned bowhunter or just getting serious about whitetails, these scenarios will force you to confront your hunting ethics, decision-making process, and preparation level.This isn’t just about filling tags- it’s about becoming a more complete, disciplined, and aware bowhunter.If you hunt whitetails, these scenarios will hit home.

For Episode 39 of Wild Spirits Outdoors, we're stepping away from deer hunting and habitat management for a night around the campfire. Join me as we explore some of the most famous cryptid encounters in American history, including Sasquatch, Michigan Dogman, Mothman, the Jersey Devil, Ape Canyon, and more. I'm examining the eyewitness accounts, evidence, theories, and mysteries that continue to captivate hunters, outdoorsmen, and wilderness enthusiasts across the country. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is a fun dive into the legends that have been passed down through generations of people who spend their lives in the outdoors. Most importantly, we want to hear from you! What's the strangest thing you've ever experienced in the woods that you still can't explain?

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Offseason is when great deer seasons are built.In Episode 38, we break down Summer Habitat Projects for Better Deer Hunting, focusing on exactly what you should be doing in June, July, and August to set your property up for fall success. From food plot strategies and bedding cover improvements to water sources, access, and pressure reduction tactics—this episode connects the dots between summer work and fall results.If you’ve ever wondered why some properties consistently produce mature bucks while others struggle, it almost always comes down to what’s done in the months when most hunters aren’t paying attention.We’ll cover:June habitat priorities and water holesJuly maintenance and stand access improvementsAugust final prep and fall plot strategiesThese strategies will help you stack the odds in your favor before opening day ever arrives.Check out SKRE for all your hunting and outdoor apparel needs! Use this link for 20% off your order and free shipping:

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Episode 37 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast features Nate Burdette, founder of SLATRA Archery.

Nate joins the show to discuss his journey into archery hunting, the inspiration behind SLATRA, and the realities of designing broadheads built for true field performance. We dive into bow setups, broadhead tuning, hunting philosophy, modern hunting culture, and some unforgettable stories from the woods.

This episode also marks the official announcement of SLATRA Archery joining Wild Spirits Outdoors as a new podcast partner.

If you’re passionate about bowhunting, whitetails, and authentic hunting conversations, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Rumors are swirling around the Michigan Natural Resources Commission ahead of the critical May 13th vote-and hunters across Michigan are asking the same question: Is the NRC changing course at the last minute? In this episode of Wild Spirits Outdoors, Jordan Hoover and I break down the growing speculation surrounding Michigan deer regulations, the political pressure building behind the scenes, and what these potential changes could mean for the future of hunting in Michigan. From One Buck Rule discussions to newly developing talks of Earn a 2nd Buck, and hunter frustration to years of declining confidence in wildlife management, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation about the direction of deer hunting in the Great Lakes State.

We dive into:

Rumored NRC shifts before the May 13 vote

Political influence and pressure surrounding deer regulations

Concerns over hunter recruitment, retention, and satisfaction

What happens if the NRC reverses course-or doubles down

Whether you support OBR, oppose it, or are just trying to understand what’s really happening inside Michigan hunting politics, this episode brings together the conversations hunters across the state are already having around campfires, in bow shops, and across social media.

🎯 If you care about the future of Michigan deer hunting, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

📍 Subscribe to Wild Spirits Outdoors for more hunting podcasts, Michigan deer hunting discussions, whitetail strategy, conservation debates, and real conversations from hunters who live the lifestyle year-round.

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