The WHTL Podcast - Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests

Jake Hofer

Welcome to Trail Cam Radio, as we dive into all things trail cameras, deer hunting, whitetails, wildlife research, outdoors, camera traps, and expert guest advice. Speaking from our own experience of running a trail camera company over the years, we hope to share as much valuable information through this deer hunting podcast.

  1. 23 SEPT

    #372 - The October and November Days That You NEED To Be In The Woods This Fall! The 2025 Whitetail Calendar with Jason Michael

    Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we’re back in the studio with Jason Michael. We Discuss: Jason Michael predicts key dates for the 2025 whitetail season: Nov 1-2. Weather is crucial for hunting success; October 27-November 3 is a prime time. Paracord is versatile; use it for tying scrapes and securing gear. Smokey's pre-orbital deer gland lure is effective for attracting deer. A good grunt call can make a difference. Finding the best tree for hunting takes time. Use trail cameras to gather data and adjust strategies for future seasons. Take notes on hunting experiences to improve for next year. High winds can affect deer movement; monitor conditions and adjust accordingly. Celebrate small victories; every deer harvested builds confidence and skill. And So Much More! If you’re serious about whitetail hunting tactics, understanding mature buck behavior, and staying ahead of the curve, you don’t want to miss this episode.    Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER   Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would’ve been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: ⁠⁠bit.ly/PaintedArrow

    1h 38m
  2. 9 SEPT

    #370 - What Thermal Drones Reveal About Mature Bucks: The FUTURE Of Whitetail Research with Derrick Dixon

    Derrick Dixon from Whitetail Research has been blowing up on YouTube — and for good reason. He’s using thermal drones to uncover whitetail deer behavior in a way that hunters have never seen before. In this episode, Derrick shares how he quit his job (actually got fired the day his second child was born!) and went all-in on his dream: studying whitetails with cutting-edge drone technology. The result? Groundbreaking insights on mature buck bedding, travel routes, scrapes, rubs, morning vs evening movement, and thermals that could change the way you think about deer hunting forever. We dive into: Why thermal drones may be the biggest breakthrough in whitetail research since GPS collars How bucks really move in the rut — mornings vs evenings The truth about buck bedding and if “J-hooks” really happen What scrapes, rubs, and travel efficiency reveal about mature deer Why some spots look un-huntable (and how to approach them) Derrick’s personal story of betting it all on a drone and exploding on YouTube And So Much More! If you’re serious about whitetail hunting tactics, understanding mature buck behavior, and staying ahead of the curve, you don’t want to miss this episode.    Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER   Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would’ve been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: ⁠⁠bit.ly/PaintedArrow

    1h 17m
  3. 26 AUG

    #368 -The Future of Hunting: Hard Truths with Skip Sligh

    Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we’re back on the road in Iowa with Part 2 of our Candid Discussion on the Future of Hunting with Skip Sligh. . We Discuss: Healthy debate is essential for addressing issues in hunting and unifying hunters. Access to hunting is declining, risking the sport for average people. Poaching is a significant problem, often involving advanced technology. Younger hunters are more educated but need to focus on the right reasons for hunting. Social media can both help and hurt hunting by promoting unrealistic expectations. Hunting celebrities should advocate for better regulations and resources. Complacency in older generations has negatively impacted hunting's future. Effective deer management requires understanding local populations and dynamics. Businesses in the hunting space should be tasteful and support conservation efforts. The future of hunting depends on engaging the next generation and improving regulations. And So Much More!   Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER   Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would’ve been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: ⁠⁠bit.ly/PaintedArrow

    55 min
  4. 19 AUG

    #367 - You CAN Call In Mature Bucks in HIGH PRESSURE Areas: Do This with JJ Dukart of the Deer Society

    Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. On this week’s episode, we’re joined by JJ Dukart of the Deer Society—a hunter and educator who has helped shape modern calling and communication strategies in the whitetail woods. JJ shares the story of how his family business evolved from goose and turkey calls into building some of the most widely trusted deer calling systems. From there, we dive into the tactics that separate casual calling from true communication—and the lessons learned after decades of testing strategies on pressured deer across the Midwest. We discuss: Why subtle, natural sounds kill more bucks than loud, aggressive calling The “bubble” for effective calling—and how to avoid over-educating deer Why sometimes the smartest move is not calling at all The right time of year (and conditions) for rattling in mature bucks How to sound supernatural when hunting high-pressure states Why JJ sometimes chooses cameras for success, but calls for fun The three biggest mistakes hunters make when calling deer Scent control, gear prep, and how to avoid sabotaging your own setups Why “competing with a live doe” might be the hardest challenge in November And So Much More!   Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER   Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would’ve been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: ⁠⁠bit.ly/PaintedArrow

    1h 7m

About

Welcome to Trail Cam Radio, as we dive into all things trail cameras, deer hunting, whitetails, wildlife research, outdoors, camera traps, and expert guest advice. Speaking from our own experience of running a trail camera company over the years, we hope to share as much valuable information through this deer hunting podcast.

You Might Also Like