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.

Winter is the most honest season in the deer woods, and one of the most powerful seasons for transforming a whitetail property. In this episode, we break down EXACTLY what landowners, habitat managers, and diehard whitetail hunters should focus on from December through February in the Midwest to set up for next season's success.This episode delivers a masterclass on winter habitat work. Whether you own 40 acres or 400 acres, this episode lays out the blueprint to help you understand what winter projects will pay the biggest dividends come next fall.In this episode you'll learn:How snow cover reveals bedding and travel routesWhy winter is the best time for certain property and habitat improvementsCreating beddingCutting techniques that create usable bedding and not chaosWhere and what to hinge cutTSI strategies that will boost habitat for the next decadeHow to safely and effectively drop timber for food and beddingHow drones can provide real-time property infoEdge enhancement projectsWhen to plant conifers and other treesWhat work matters mostWhat to do now, and what to wait on

Muzzleloader season is almost here for most of the Midwest, and the late season grind is real! In this episode, I'll break down what helps me to shoot confidently, sight in, and maintain the modern inline muzzleloader. Whether you're new to the smoke pole or just want some tips on refining your set up, this episode gives you real-world guidance.

The 1st half of Whitetail Season is officially in the books! In this episode host Brad breaks down his 1st half of the season, and what we as hunters should be doing as we head into the latter part of the season. Episode highlights:Recap of 1st half of seasonWhat bucks are doing now vs 2 weeks agoSecondary "Rut" realityLate-Season Food Sources and thermal cover

In this episode, host Brad takes a break from whitetail tactics and takes aim at Michigan’s whitetail management chaos with unapologetic opinions. Mitten State Madness breaks down some hot-button issues Michigan deer hunter is talking about (even if they don't admit it — from the baiting ban and endless hunting seasons to crossbows, youth hunts, overpopulation, and the state’s mismanagement of deer herds.Brad calls out the hypocrisy, politics, and complacency that are crippling Michigan’s hunting culture — from farmers who won’t open their land to hunters, to leaseholders obsessed with “trophy bucks,” to the growing disregard for private property. He also dives into why earn-a-buck and county-by-county regulations could actually fix what’s broken.If you’re tired of watching Michigan’s deer management spiral while the NRC adds more confusion every season, this one’s for you. It’s bold, unfiltered, and all Michigan.Listen now to hear:Why Brad supports baiting — and why the ban doesn’t make senseHow too many hunting seasons hurt herd healthThe crossbow debate: tools vs. excusesWhy the southern Michigan is overrun with deer (and why it’s on hunters to fix it)How “earn-a-buck” could bring balanceThe impact of urban sprawl, access loss, and private land issuesThe truth about Michigan’s broken deer management system Follow & Subscribe:Instagram: @wildspiritspodFacebook: Wild Spirits OutdoorsWebsite: WildSpiritsOutdoors.comChase the Wild. Feel the Spirit.

** Apologies for the poor quality. Had to reload this episode without the intro. Episode 11 should be best audio thus far. **

It’s that magic stretch of the season — late October in the Midwest — when bucks are on edge, scrapes are fresh, and every cold morning feels like the calm before the storm.In this episode, we break down 20 bowhunting questions that separate a good hunt from a great one. From reading sign and playing the wind to knowing when to move in on a target buck, we dive deep into what makes the last week of October one of the most explosive times in the whitetail woods.If you live for frosty mornings, crisp leaves, and the first grunts of the season… Welcome to the chaos.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to hunt scrapes and funnels during late OctoberThe best weather fronts for daylight buck movementCalling and rattling tactics before peak rutThe importance of wind, thermals, and patienceReal whitetail hunting stories and lessons learned

The time is here— and this is the window is now! Bucks are cruising, does are coming into estrous, and the pre-lockdown rhythm is in full swing. In this episode of Wild Spirits Outdoors, Brad breaks down how to hunt this crucial stretch before rut lockdown hits — this is when every sit could change your season. In This Episode, we talk:When and how to use grunting, rattling, and snort-wheezes effectivelyHunting travel routes on public landDialing in on micro plots and mast crops on private groundWhy doe concentrations are the heartbeat of movement right nowLeveraging historical buck patterns to predict repeat activityWhy time in the stand = opportunity during the pre-lockdown phaseThis is the sweet spot of the whitetail season — bucks are mobile, daylight activity is climbing, and smart aggression pays off. If there’s ever a time to hunt your honey holes… it’s now.

** Apologies for the poor quality. Had to reload this episode without the intro. Episode 11 should be best audio thus far. **

It’s that magic stretch of the season — late October in the Midwest — when bucks are on edge, scrapes are fresh, and every cold morning feels like the calm before the storm.In this episode, we break down 20 bowhunting questions that separate a good hunt from a great one. From reading sign and playing the wind to knowing when to move in on a target buck, we dive deep into what makes the last week of October one of the most explosive times in the whitetail woods.If you live for frosty mornings, crisp leaves, and the first grunts of the season… Welcome to the chaos.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to hunt scrapes and funnels during late OctoberThe best weather fronts for daylight buck movementCalling and rattling tactics before peak rutThe importance of wind, thermals, and patienceReal whitetail hunting stories and lessons learned