Wild Spirits Outdoors

Michigan deer hunting is at a crossroads. In Part 2 of Episode 24 (Ep.25) of Wild Spirits Outdoors, we conclude our break down the one-buck tag debate, the role of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), and what the future of whitetail hunting looks like in the Great Lakes State. Joined by special guest Jordan Hoover- Chairman of the Upper Peninsula Deer Advisory Team, we dive deep into Michigan deer regulations, hunter concerns, and whether the policies of today still reflect the heritage and culture of Michigan hunting.

Michigan deer hunting is at a crossroads. In Episode 24 of Wild Spirits Outdoors, we break down the one-buck tag debate, the role of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), and what the future of whitetail hunting looks like in the Great Lakes State.Joined by special guest Jordan Hoover- Chairman of the Upper Peninsula Deer Advisory Team, we dive deep into Michigan deer regulations, hunter concerns, and whether the policies of today still reflect the heritage and culture of Michigan hunting.

What does it really take to complete the North American Super Slam with archery equipment? In Episode 23 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we break down one of the most legendary accomplishments in bowhunting — harvesting every recognized big game species in North America using only a bow and arrow. From Alaskan moose and brown bear…To desert bighorn sheep, mountain goat, caribou, plains bison, mountain lion, muskox, and more…This episode isn’t about inches, scores, or shortcuts. It’s about the dream. The obsession. The years of planning. The travel .The failures. The once-in-a-lifetime moments. We explore:

• What the North American Super Slam actually is

• The species required to complete it

• Where these animals live• What makes each animal uniquely challenging

• Rough costs to pursue these hunts• Legendary archers who have completed the Super Slam

• Why Chuck Adams’ achievement changed bowhunting forever

• Why the Super Slam represents more than a checklist — it represents a life built around the chase

If you’re a bowhunter who dreams bigger than a single season…If you believe hunting is about story, struggle, and soul…This episode is for you.

🎯 CHASE THE WILD. FEEL THE SPIRIT.

In this episode of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, I sit down with Clint Catchot of Droppin Hammers Outdoors for a deep-dive into whitetail hunting in New York — one of the most challenging and misunderstood deer hunting states in the country. bWe break down what it really takes to consistently kill mature bucks in the Empire State, including:

✔️ New York buck numbers & herd structure

✔️ Tag allocations, season lengths & regulations

✔️ Public land pressure and how deer adapt

✔️ Scouting strategies for big woods & ag country

✔️ Finding mature buck bedding in pressured terrain

✔️ In-season adjustments that lead to punched tags

Clint shares hard-earned lessons from years of hunting New York, why NY hunters become more disciplined, and how those skills translate anywhere in the country.

Whether you’re a New York resident or hunt heavily pressured ground elsewhere, remember this: Pressure creates smarter hunters — and tougher deer.

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Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

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January in Michigan isn’t the end of the outdoors—it’s where discipline is built. In Episode 21 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we dive deep into what’s still open, still possible, and still worth pursuing during the heart of winter. From the Kalamazoo Outdoor Sports Expo to a full breakdown of current Michigan hunting and fishing opportunities, this episode is about staying sharp when most people check out.🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Kalamazoo Outdoor Sports Expo recap — gear, community, and winter momentum

Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting recap- what was discussed on January 14 and why it matters to hunters and anglers

Upcoming NRC meeting dates & locations — how to stay involved and informed

Michigan winter hunting opportunities:

Small game hunting (rabbit, squirrel, hare)

Predator & coyote hunting

Michigan fishing opportunities in winter:

Ice fishing for perch, bluegill, crappie, walleye, and pike

Mind, Body & Spirit discipline:

Staying physically strong through winter

Feeding the mind with books and learning

Anchoring life in faith and Scripture

Winter strips away excuses. This episode is for hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen who refuse to go dormant when the temperature drops.

Episode 20 is the final chapter of my 2025/26 Ohio Muzzleloader Season 3-Part Series. I recap and break down the 4 Day season. This episode isn't a highlight reel, but rather a reflection of the hunt- what went wrong, what worked.I'll dive into:Late-season muzzleloader tactics that worked, and what didn'tHow the weather changed whitetail movementLocation choices, mistakes, and what I'd do differentlyJoin the Tribe and follow Wild Spirits Outdoors.

Part 2 of our Ohio muzzleloader season comes to you remote from our deer camp and picks up right where the grind begins. In this episode, I’m joined in the studio by my good friend Brandon as we break down the first three days of the Ohio muzzleloader season—highs, lows, and everything in between. Days one and two tested our patience with gear malfunctions on both sides, forcing us to adapt on the fly. Despite the setbacks, day two delivered a major win when I was able to tag my first Ohio muzzleloader deer, while Brandon used the opportunity to explore new ground and gather intel for the days ahead. Day three turned into the kind of hunt we all live for. We covered nearly three miles of uncharted ground, pushing deeper than planned, and were rewarded with multiple exciting encounters that reminded us why we chase these late-season adventures. This episode dives into problem-solving in the field, trusting the process, and embracing the grind when things don’t go according to plan.

🎯 Ohio Muzzleloader Series – Part 2 of 3🔥

Gear failures, first-season success, and boots-on-the-ground exploration

🏹 Real talk, real hunts, real lessons

Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

Ohio muzzleloader season is here—and this episode kicks off a three-part series following my January hunt in some of the most challenging late-season whitetail country.In Part 1, I break down my full game plan heading into the opener. I’ll be returning to familiar ground to see how things have changed this season while also pushing into new areas that could hold opportunity. With unusually warm weather leading up to the season and a significant temperature drop forecasted for the January 3 opener, this hunt is shaping up to be anything but predictable.We’ll talk strategy, scouting, access, and mindset as I prepare for long hike-ins, kayak-accessed areas, and late-season decision-making.In this episode:Southern Ohio muzzleloader season overviewLate-season scouting & hunt planningFamiliar ground vs. exploring new areasKayak access and 1+ mile hike-in strategiesHow weather shifts impact deer movementSetting expectations for a January whitetail huntThis episode sets the stage for the entire series.🎙️ Part 2 will be recorded remotely from Ohio and will include my friend and fellow hunter Brandon as we recap the first couple days of the season.🎙️ Part 3 will wrap up the hunt with a full recap, lessons learned, and stories from the field.If you enjoy real, unfiltered hunting conversations and behind-the-scenes strategy, this series is for you

This episode is a true free-for-all. No script. No agenda. Just real questions and my honest answers. In Episode 17, I open it up to the listeners and dive into questions on a wide range of topics- from habitat management and deer pressure to favorite cartridges, archery setups, out-of-state hunting, bad decisions, memories, and everything in between. If it’s something you’d talk about around a campfire, it’s fair game here.We also take a minute at the end to talk about the podcast itself- why Wild Spirits Outdoors started, why making it to Episode 17 actually matters in today’s podcast world, and why 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for the show and the community around it.This episode is about experience over ego, learning over gatekeeping, and keeping outdoor culture real.🎧 Topics include:Habitat management & hunting pressureArchery setups and gear evolutionFavorite and underrated cartridgesIce fishing mindset and safetyOut-of-state hunting lessonsPodcasting, consistency, and building something that lastsIf you’ve been here since the beginning- thank you.If you’re new— welcome and thank you for joining the tribe.👉 Follow, subscribe, and share the show👉 Submit questions for future episodesWild Spirits OutdoorsChase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

Winter in the Midwest and Northern deer woods is where whitetail survival becomes a numbers game.After months of hunting pressure, the physical toll of the rut, and the onset of cold, snow, and shortened daylight, deer enter the most biologically demanding stretch of the year. In this episode of Wild Spirits Outdoors, we slow things down and take a hard, honest look at what it takes for deer to survive winter — and what our decisions mean during this critical window.We break down the three pillars of winter survival:• Calories• Thermal cover• Energy efficiencyFrom there, we dig into how deep snow, crusted conditions, and prolonged cold separate survivors from casualties, why winter mortality is cumulative (not sudden), and which deer are most vulnerable when conditions turn brutal.The conversation then shifts to the ethical weight of late-season hunting — not from a place of judgment, but biology. We explore how timing changes impact, why legality doesn’t always equal ethical, how pressure alone can cost deer survival, and why restraint becomes a skill when the woods are worn down.We close the episode by reframing late season as more than just opportunity — it’s a moment for observation, stewardship, and decisions that echo into next fall.This episode isn’t about telling you what to do.It’s about understanding what’s happening — and why it matters.Chase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.