Wild Spirits Outdoors

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

Mid-October can just about put even the most dedicated hunter to sleep. Deer seem to vanish, trail cams go dead, and patience can wear thin. But the truth? The "lull" is really a myth- and bucks still exist, you just have to find them. In this episode we will talk about mid-October strategies- shifting food sources, locating fresh sign, and embracing the grind when others sit it out.The trick to cracking the lull is- there is no trick; just a willingness to persevere.

Opening day of archery season is here for just about everyone, and in this episode of Wild Spirits Outdoors, I am fielding 20 questions on how I would strategize my early season approach based on the warm and dry conditions most of us are experiencing.

We all know that deer live by their noses, but how can we use that superpower to our advantage? In this episode, we dive deep into the invisible world of air currents and how they should dictate our movements in the woods. From understanding prevailing winds and shifting thermals to breaking down how terrain features affect how air currents move, we'll explore how deer use their noses to survive and how we can use the wind and thermals to our advantage.Topics covered:The basics of wind and scent conesHow deer use the wind to travelThermals: morning, midday, and evening cyclesHow terrain impacts air currentsTech and field tools to monitor wind in preparation and real-timeIf you want to consistently get close to mature deer, you have to win the invisible game.