On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is joined by Damon Zito of Vortex Optics to cover everything you need to know about water trapping in Wisconsin! Damon shares the story of how he got into trapping through a co-worker at Vortex, and how the fascination of lesser-seen critters like muskrat, mink, beaver, and even river otters sparked his desire to get into water trapping. Be prepared to learn a TON in this episode about these strange semi-aquatic animals from what beaver, otter, and mink sign looks like, how widely these animals range, how to determine what critter you're seeing in a given area, how prevalent river otters really are in Wisconsin, what a safe and legal trap setup looks like, and last but not least, what may quite possibly be the greatest turkey hunting story ever told on The Wisconsin Sportsman. All that and more in this week's episode!

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is flying solo covering everything you need to know about fly fishing for Driftless trout this winter! Expect to learn what gear you need to stay safe and warm while hitting the creeks in frigid temps, what bugs the fish are eating this time of year and the flies you need to imitate them, where to find trout throughout a creek this time of year, and what you need to do get them to eat. All that and more in this week's episode! 

If you're in the Chicagoland area, be sure to pop in to DuPage Fly Fishing Company in Naperville on Wednesday, January 15th for a Driftless fly tying class you won't want to miss!

Call (630) 857-3468 to reserve your spot

If you'd like to try trout fishing in the Driftless region this season, visit www.goodchanceflyfishing.com for info and rates to book your day on the water!

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce and Josh reflect on the past year, and discuss their experiences and lessons learned in hunting, fishing, and business. The guys discuss the impact of CWD and the state of the modern deer herd, insights from past podcast guests, reflections on their podcasting journeys and personal growth throughout the past year, highlights and low points of 2024, as well as goals, gear tweaks, and what's on the docket for 2025! All that and more in this week's episode!

Follow along with Josh and the Whitetail Partners team @whitetail_partners_georgia

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce sits down with outdoor writer, Patrick Durkin to talk about Pat's career as an outdoor writer, what Pat's early hunting years were like with a shotgun and a bicycle, the demographic divide across the outdoor landscape, the politics of deer hunting, reducing the deer hunter death count, recreational brush-cutting, the need for public lands, coyotes getting a bad rap, eating rock bass, and just how much nuance there is to every issue in the outdoor space. All that and more in this week's episode!

Be sure to go follow along with the fantastic work Pat is doing at www.patrickdurkinoutdoors.com, www.themeateater.com/people/patrick-durkin, and on Social Media @patrickdurkinoutdoors

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Be sure to check us out on social media too!

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The guys dive into Brian's season which started out in North Dakota, the trials and tribulations of targeting a big buck out there, the heartbreak he experienced learning a state that he knows he may not return to, how social media may be numbing us as hunters and taking the spark out of hunting, how he got his spark back after shooting a nice buck with his bow, a close-quarters opening day gun hunt, and how going with the flow of the woods led him to harvesting an awesome buck with his muzzleloader. The guys also talk about whether or not this deer season was weird like everyone has been saying, historical trail camera data, the impact of changing barometric pressure from hurricanes on deer, and the importance of learning with every hunt, and sharing knowledge with other hunters. All that and more in this week's episode!

To follow along with Brian and his outdoor pursuits, find him on Instagram @shadow_pursuits

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Be sure to check us out on social media too!

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by outdoor writer, Matt Geiger to talk all about his journey into hunting, the challenges faced by adult onset hunters, and the welcoming nature of the hunting community. The guys discuss the realities of hunting, tools and resources available for new hunters, and the art of writing about hunting experiences. Matt shares insights on the Ag Tag program and its impact on deer populations, emphasizing the connection between hunting, survival, and storytelling, and the guys explore the intricate relationship between farming, wildlife, and hunting, and discuss the unique experiences of late-season hunting, the challenges posed by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and the importance of storytelling in connecting people with nature. Above all else, they emphasize the need for responsible hunting practices, building relationships with landowners, and the role of deer as an ambassador species in the ecosystem.

Follow along with Matt, his fantastic writing, and his adventures on Instagram @geiger.matt and at geigerbooks.com

Lastly, the guys mention the Sharing the Land Initiative, the Cazenovia Doe Derby, and a Learn to Hunt Rabbits event with the Wisconsin BHA Chapter that are all coming up in the next two weeks. Check them out and get involved using the links provided!

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Be sure to check us out on social media too!

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, host Pierce Nelles reflects on his deer hunting season, sharing insights and lessons learned from his experiences hunting public land. He discusses the challenges faced during the season, the importance of scouting, understanding deer behavior, and the thrill of the chase as he pursues a big buck. The conversation emphasizes the educational journey of hunting and the personal growth that comes from both successes and failures in the field. He recounts a close encounter with his target buck, the strategies he employed, and the insights gained from conversations with expert hunters. The discussion emphasizes the importance of adapting hunting techniques, utilizing trail cameras, developing your own hunting style, and maintaining a positive mindset to enhance success in the field.

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Be sure to check us out on social media too!

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is joined by BHA Board Member, Alec Bekkers and Quinn Erdman from Pass It On Outdoor Mentors to talk all about their Colorado elk hunt that was nothing if not eventful, with a touch of Wisconsin Deer camp on top of it all. Alec and Quin share a ton in this episode (almost too much) including how the Wisconsin Deer Camp atmosphere translates out West, why whitetails are far superior to mule deer, the logistics of planning and executing a week long out-of-state hunting trip, what midwestern hunting tactics translate well in mountain hunts, the importance of physical fitness, the greater importance of having the tools you need to communicate with your group in the mountains, and even tell the story of their buddy getting air-lifted out of the mountains by a soldier named Larry. On top of that, we cover the importance of having great hunting partners and friends to share these outdoor experiences with. If you're not at deer camp this year, this conversation will make you feel like you are! 

For more information on all things Backcountry Hunters & Anglers here in Wisconsin, go check out https://www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin and to get in touch with Quinn at Pass It On Outdoor Mentors, visit https://outdoormentors.org/

Good luck to all you rifle hunters, and Happy Thanksgiving!

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce sits down with Josh for their annual mid-November recap, the guys break down their rut hunting experiences thus far, what they've been seeing, lessons they've learned, stories of close encounters, where their heads are at, and what their plans are for the rest of the rut. Topics covered include what to do after the magical November 7th mark is hit, whether or not mid-November hunting is actually better than the first week of the month, multiple close calls spot & stalking a huge buck, trail cameras helping and hurting the way they plan hunts, the importance of scouting, making the most of the time we all get in the woods, and keeping a "zen" mindset throughout the rut.  All that and more in this week's episode!

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Be sure to check us out on social media too!

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce hops on the line with Sean Timmens & Linda Bennett, owners of Spring Valley Tracking & Game Recovery, to talk all about recovering deer after they're hit. Sean & Linda share their accumulated knowledge of blood tracking deer in all kinds of environments, how they got into blood tracking, what training looks like for tracking dogs, what a typical blood track looks like, the most common mistakes people make when tracking their own deer, crazy things deer will do after they've been shot of wounded, what blood tracking myths should be busted, and how long you should really wait to track your deer. If you're in the southern part of the state and need a tracker later this season, be sure to give Sean or Linda a call! https://www.springvalleytrackingandgamerecovery.com/

Big thanks to our fantastic partners:
 

onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com

XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com

Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

Be sure to check us out on social media too!

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube