Sportsmen's Empire - Whitetail Hunting

Sportsmen's Empire Outdoor Network
  • 4.8 (616)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Daily

The Sportsmen’s Empire is a collection of outdoor hunting podcasts for the die-hard sportsman. These podcasts are jam packed with fun and educational information about whitetail deer hunting and other outdoor content that will not only help you in the field, but help scratch the itch when you can’t be in the tree stand or duck blind. Nine Finger Chronicles, Houndsman XP, DYI Sportsman, The Hunting Gear Podcast, and Southern Ground just to name a few.

  1. 2d ago

    Western Rookie - Five Mile Mule Deer

    Mule deer are Ethan Eskew’s obsession—but the real story is how he turns a full-time corporate job into a nearly year-round Western hunting routine. In this episode, Ethan and Dan talk about hunting bigger bucks, scouting with purpose, and making the hard choices that can bring a dream within reach. Ethan shares his journey from hunting whitetails in West Virginia to building a life in the West. He and Dan discuss the sacrifices of moving away from family, the risks involved in pursuing what matters to you, and how Ethan balances a regular job with an intense hunting schedule. They also get into the details of Ethan’s approach in the field: how he scouts before the season, why he’s become more selective, and how he keeps track of deer while planning a stalk. The conversation leads to the story of a challenging five-mile hike, a close encounter with a wide buck he chose to pass, and a tense wait before Ethan finally took his shot at an old, character-rich mule deer. Whether you hunt mule deer or simply want to hear how someone makes room for a passion alongside everyday responsibilities, this episode brings together practical hunting insight, a memorable hunt, and an honest conversation about what it takes to follow your own path. Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  2. 2d ago

    N.F.C. - STOP Overthinking Your Hunt

    Cold fronts are overrated if you do not know what the deer are already telling you. Ross Cady joins Dan Johnson for a brutally honest deer hunting conversation about when to hunt, when to wait, and how to stop letting analysis paralysis ruin your season. Ross breaks down a real-time decision on whether to hunt an October cold front, using trail camera intel, crop progress, scrape activity, and property layout to weigh a risky sit against a better window in late October and early November. If you have ever stared at OnX too long, second-guessed a stand setup, or worried about “blowing” a spot before the rut, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar. You’ll discover: Why standing corn can completely change buck movement on Iowa farmsHow Ross evaluates mature buck activity on the north end of his property versus doe-heavy southern coverWhy a cold front alone is not enough to justify burning a hunt dayHow mock scrapes, trail cameras, and transition points can reveal what deer are actually doingThe mental trap of social media hunting pressure and unrealistic trophy expectations Dan and Ross also get real about what it means to actually enjoy hunting again. They talk through the freedom that comes from trusting your instincts, the value of making the best decision with the information in front of you, and why a successful hunt is about more than inches on a rack. Ross also shares his perspective as someone who works with the Iowa Corn Growers Association, giving a unique look at how farmers, deer hunters, and land managers see the same landscape through very different lenses. Along the way, the two compare notes on overanalyzing setups, calling your shot, and knowing when to stop worrying and just go hunt. Essential listening if you are trying to make better late-October decisions, manage your hunt days wisely, or break free from the obsession with perfection. If this season has you overthinking every move, this episode will help you get back to what matters most - being in the woods, making a plan, and letting the hunt happen. Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  3. 3d ago

    Deep In The Hunt of Texas - Early Season Success w/ Travis Miller

    This episode of Deep in the Hunt of Texas follows host Connor Little and returning guest Travis Miller as they swap stories and advice from the early deer season. Travis recounts taking a buck on his first sit of the season, despite a less-than-ideal wind. He describes how he gained access to an 80-acre property through a landowner’s generosity, and how creek-bed terrain, familiar background noise from a gas compressor, and steady corn and mineral sites may have helped make the hunt work. The conversation also covers practical challenges of hunting in Texas: finding quiet access routes, unpredictable deer movement, changing thermals, heavy rain that can leave roads impassable, and mosquitoes that can make a sit miserable. They compare notes on processing deer and doing European mounts, then discuss how weather, forage, and the rut may influence buck activity. Connor shares that his own season has been unusually quiet for bucks so far, while Travis is looking ahead to another mature buck and hopes his daughters might get a chance at it. The episode works as a relaxed, relatable hunting conversation: Travis’s first-sit success gives it a clear story, while the practical details and shared frustrations make the advice feel grounded in real experience. Head to www.mybookie.ag, use promo code [SE], and get in on the action today. Bet on Anything. Anytime. Anywhere."* Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  4. 3d ago

    Huntavore - Wild Game and Fish Cookbook, by Jeff Benda

    What happens when a professional chef, hunter, and angler sets out to make wild game cooking easier for everyone? This week on Huntavore, Nick welcomes back Jeff Benda of Wild Game and Fish to talk about his journey from professional chef and Uber driver to full-time wild game recipe developer and cookbook author. Jeff shares the story behind his new Wild Game and Fish Cookbook, a resource designed to help hunters and anglers turn their hard-earned harvests into delicious, approachable meals. Jeff explains how years of experimenting in the kitchen, drawing inspiration from international cuisines, and cooking with whatever ingredients were available helped shape his approach to wild game cooking. His cookbook focuses on practical, family-friendly recipes with accessible ingredients, clear instructions, and meals that fit into busy schedules. With more than 100 recipe testers helping refine the dishes, Jeff has worked to ensure that home cooks can confidently prepare everything from venison and waterfowl to freshwater fish. The conversation also explores the challenges of building a business around a passion, the importance of perseverance, and why supporting independent authors by purchasing directly from their websites matters. Jeff discusses the value of trustworthy, thoroughly tested recipes in an age of AI-generated cooking content and encourages listeners to visit the original creators for reliable instructions and inspiration. Whether you're looking for new ways to use what's already in your freezer, hoping to introduce your family to wild game, or searching for a cookbook to give a fellow hunter this holiday season, this episode is packed with ideas to help you make the most of your harvest. In This EpisodeFrom passion to profession: Jeff's journey from chef and caterer to building Wild Game and Fish into a full-time business.The story behind the cookbook: How years of recipe development, experimentation, and inspiration from other cuisines led to the Wild Game and Fish Cookbook.Wild game cooking for busy families: Simple recipes designed for weeknight dinners, with many taking around 30 minutes or using a slow cooker.Making ingredients accessible: Why Jeff tested recipes using ingredients available at everyday grocery stores.Cooking with what you have: Adapting recipes to the species, cuts, and quantities of wild game and fish in your freezer.The importance of recipe testing: How feedback from more than 100 testers helped make the recipes detailed, reliable, and approachable.Preserving the art of recipe development: Why Jeff encourages cooks to visit original recipe websites instead of relying solely on AI-generated summaries.Supporting independent creators: The impact of purchasing cookbooks directly from authors and helping them sustain their work.A cookbook built for real kitchens: Hardcover construction, full-color photography, one-page recipes, and practical instructions designed for everyday use.About Jeff BendaJeff Benda is a hunter, angler, former professional chef, and the creator of Wild Game and Fish. Through his website and new cookbook, Jeff helps people discover approachable ways to prepare wild game and fish using accessible ingredients and dependable recipes. Find Jeff and His RecipesWebsite and cookbook: wildgameandfish.comInstagram: @wildgameandfishDirect link: Wild Game & Fish Cookbook – Wild Game & Fish MediaVisit Jeff's website for the cookbook, hundreds of wild game and fish recipes, and a newsletter featuring new recipes and hunting stories. TakeawayYou don't need complicated ingredients or professional kitchen skills to make great wild game meals. Start with what you have in the freezer, find a recipe you can trust, and make wild game a regular part of your family's table. Thanks for listening to Huntavore! Whether you're filling the freezer this season or figuring out what to cook from last year's harvest, keep exploring new ways to enjoy wild game—and remember to keep those knives sharp.  Head to www.mybookie.ag, use promo code [SE], and get in on the action today. Bet on Anything. Anytime. Anywhere."* Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  5. 3d ago

    Bama Wall Hangers - Deer, Data, and Decades of Experience with Chris Cook

    This recording features Brad Bowen and Tucker interviewing Chris Cook, a retired Alabama wildlife biologist with more than 30 years of experience. They discuss his career working with wildlife management areas, including Wolf Creek, and his early years growing up hunting and fishing in rural northwest Florida. Cook shares practical advice for hunting public land: learn the area over time, pay attention to wind and how you enter and leave a stand, and avoid assuming the land is too crowded to hunt. He explains how hunting pressure can change deer movement quickly, why bucks may seem nocturnal, and how the timing of the rut varies across Alabama. The conversation also covers deer age and antler development, restocking history, breeding patterns, food plots, bait, minerals, and habitat management. Cook explains that young spikes are usually not a sign of poor genetics, and that providing suitable habitat and allowing deer to mature are key to supporting better deer. The episode closes with memories of family hunting trips and a discussion about helping children enjoy the outdoors. Brad and Cook reflect on why walking the woods, squirrel hunting, and making the experience fun can be a better introduction than expecting kids to sit quietly in a deer stand.   Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  6. 4d ago

    How To Hunt Deer - Mid-October Cold Fronts: Hunt or Wait?

    A mid-October cold front is rolling in—but should you use a day of PTO to hunt it? Dan shares a practical way to weigh the forecast against your trail-camera data, deer patterns, property, and schedule. Drawing on years of hunting experience, Dan explains why a cold front doesn’t automatically mean deer will move in daylight or make the breeding season arrive sooner. He discusses when rain may create a better opportunity, what daylight activity can tell you, and why he often prefers saving time for late October and early November. If you’re deciding whether to hunt now or wait for a better window, this episode offers a grounded perspective on making the call for your own farm—and balancing hunting with work and family. As always, check your tree stand and safety gear before heading out. Head to www.mybookie.ag, use promo code [SE], and get in on the action today. Bet on Anything. Anytime. Anywhere."* Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  7. 4d ago

    Man Therapy - Happiness Through Religion

    Religion is not the problem - people are. Dan J. and Kyle V. have a brutally honest, surprisingly respectful conversation about faith, judgment, and why so many people get the Bible wrong. Dan opens up about finding his way back to Scripture after years of distance, why he believes organized religion should never be about control, and how a personal Bible study changed the way he thinks about grace, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Kyle pushes with the questions a lot of listeners are probably thinking anyway: Why are denominations so divided? Why do people pick and choose which parts of the Bible to follow? And what do you do with the passages that feel hardest to reconcile? You’ll hear them unpack: Why church can feel like a support system when it’s healthy, and a weapon when it isn’tThe difference between the Bible itself and the layers people add on top of itWhy context matters when people quote Scripture to win argumentsHow faith, shame, and forgiveness actually play out in real lifeWhy judging other people says more about us than it does about them Dan also shares a deeply personal moment from when his wife was in the hospital, and why that experience left him feeling like God had shown up in a way he could not ignore. Kyle brings the perspective of someone still wrestling with big questions, including sexuality, translation, interpretation, and whether the rules people defend are really the same as the teachings they claim to follow. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt turned off by religion, curious about faith, or frustrated by Christians who don’t seem to live what they preach. It’s thoughtful, candid, and refreshingly non-combative - proof that you can disagree, question, and still leave the conversation feeling closer instead of further apart. If you want an honest conversation about religion, meaning, judgment, and what it actually looks like to come back to faith as an adult, this one is worth your time. Head to www.mybookie.ag, use promo code [SE], and get in on the action today. Bet on Anything. Anytime. Anywhere."* Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

  8. 4d ago

    N.F.C. - Epic October: B.S. Session

    Is the October lull real, or did the deer just hear you’re coming and decide to take the week off? Dan Johnson and Pierce Nelles debate the seasonal mystery, swap whitetail advice, and ask the important questions—like whether a cold front is worth spending PTO on, and whether a giant buck photo means you’re actually good at hunting. They get into fresh scrapes, trail-camera tricks, hunting pressure, and why advice from a guy with a giant food plot may not exactly fit your five-acre setup. There’s also talk about teaching young hunters, career regrets, Amish hats, baby names, and Dan’s ongoing battle with drywall.Come for the October-lull argument. Stay for the detours. Leave with a reminder to trust the sign in your own woods—and maybe hire someone else for the bathroom remodel. Head to www.mybookie.ag, use promo code [SE], and get in on the action today. Bet on Anything. Anytime. Anywhere."* Our Sponsors: * Check out MyBookie and use my code SE for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See All (2K)

4.8
out of 5
616 Ratings

About

The Sportsmen’s Empire is a collection of outdoor hunting podcasts for the die-hard sportsman. These podcasts are jam packed with fun and educational information about whitetail deer hunting and other outdoor content that will not only help you in the field, but help scratch the itch when you can’t be in the tree stand or duck blind. Nine Finger Chronicles, Houndsman XP, DYI Sportsman, The Hunting Gear Podcast, and Southern Ground just to name a few.

Information

You Might Also Like