How To Hunt Deer

Sportsmen's Empire
  • 5.0 (50)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the "How To Hunt Deer" podcast. This podcast series was designed to educate those who are interested in becoming deer hunters. We cover a variety of entertaining and educational topics like where to find deer, how to choose your weapon, and how to process your harvest. All this information will help you be more comfortable and confident in the field while hunting deer. Hosts Dan and Jason have a combined 60 years of deer hunting experience, and they want to share that with you. Good luck!

  1. 1d ago

    Post Cold Front Results

    The best deer hunting lesson in this episode has nothing to do with antlers: stop chasing social media pressure and start hunting your actual property. Dan and Jason break down a real weekend in the stand, and it turns into a brutally honest conversation about cold fronts, PTO, deer movement, and why a "good hunt" is not the same thing as a dead buck. Dan shares a Friday night sit where he confirmed a key river-bottom setup, watched nine deer come through shooting range, and learned more from the hunt he didn't tag out on than he would have from a rushed kill. Jason adds his own read on the same weather shift, explaining why the cold front didn't create a magical October explosion and why crop harvest, travel corridors, and local terrain matter more than blanket advice. You’ll discover: Why a late-October or November PTO day usually beats chasing a random cold frontHow to decide whether a stand is truly "hot" based on doe movement, access, and windWhy cell cameras, trail intel, and social media advice only matter if they fit your specific landWhat Dan’s river-bottom setup revealed about thermals, staging cover, and deer behaviorWhy leaving the phone in the truck can make a hunt feel like hunting againJason also explains how limited time, kids, work, and real-life pressure change the way hunters approach the season - and why that makes the simple act of sitting still in the woods even more valuable. If you’ve ever felt behind because you’re not chasing 180-inch bucks on command, this conversation will reset your expectations in the best way. Perfect for deer hunters who need a reality check, a confidence boost, and a reminder that the story, the process, and the quiet moments still matter more than the grip-and-grin. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Post Cold Front Results

  2. Oct 14

    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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Mid-October Cold Fronts: Hunt or Wait?

  3. Oct 6

    October Is HERE! Is The Lull Real?

    The October Lull Is a Myth: Make Every Hunt Count Is the October lull keeping you out of the woods? Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau challenge the idea that deer stop moving in October and share how hunters can adapt as crops change, bucks begin to separate, and the rut approaches. In this episode, they discuss: How shifting food sources affect deer movementHunting bedding-to-food patterns and staging areasUsing wind, access routes, and in-season scouting to choose a setupHunting does to fill the freezer without putting too much pressure on an areaMaking the most of limited hunting time around work and family schedulesDan also shares a youth-season lesson from hunting with his son, while Jason walks through his early-October plan for a creek-bottom setup. Their advice is straightforward: pay attention to conditions, stay adaptable, and get in the woods when you can.Hunt safely: wear a safety harness when hunting off the ground, and wear blaze orange during firearm season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    October Is HERE! Is The Lull Real?

  4. Sep 29

    Youth Season Recap

    The season is shifting fast. Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau discuss how relentless rain, delayed crop harvest, and changing deer movement are affecting Midwest hunting—and what hunters may need to adjust as the season unfolds. They share updates from their properties, including trail-camera intel, mock-scrape activity, standing crops, and concerns about fewer mature bucks. Dan also recounts a youth-season hunt with his son, the discovery of a giant dead buck, and the value of patience and responsible decisions in the field. In this episode: How wet conditions and standing crops can change access and deer movementUsing trail cameras to take inventory and guide hunting decisionsWhat mock scrapes and current buck activity may revealHow habitat changes and hunting pressure affect deer numbers and patternsWhy youth hunts are about more than filling a tagA candid conversation about adapting to a changing season, making the most of time outdoors, and sharing the experience of hunting with the next generation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Sep 22

    Deer Hunting B.S. Session

    October deer hunting is changing fast, and the hunters who win it are the ones who know when to trust trail cameras, when to trust sign, and when to keep their feet moving. Dan and Jason break down the real early-season shifts happening right now, from buck movement and scrape activity to the exact kind of terrain, food, and access points that can turn a guess into a shot. Dan shares how reduced scouting and fewer trail cameras are forcing him back to a more instinctive, sign-driven style of hunting, while Jason adds the pressure-cooker reality of juggling kids, sports, work, and still trying to find time in the woods. Together they get honest about what most hunters are actually facing this time of year: limited time, changing food sources, and the need to make every sit count. You'll discover: Why the late-October window can be more valuable than the opening week most hunters rush intoHow to read trail camera intel for early movement, buck shifts, and changing patternsWhen to hunt doe bedding, when to stay off it, and when aggression can cost you a buckHow to use observation sets, terrain funnels, scrapes, and crop changes to narrow down where deer will beWhy the next sit after a combine, weather change, or food source shift can be the best oneDan and Jason also dig into how family life changes the way you hunt, why kids can force you to become a better woodsman, and how to keep hunting fun without chasing the perfect setup every time. If you are trying to make smarter decisions with less time, this episode gives you a practical plan for the weeks that matter most. Perfect for deer hunters who want a sharper early-season strategy, a better read on October movement, and a reminder that sometimes the best hunt is the one you actually make time for. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Sep 15

    What's More Important, Access or Stand Location?

    The advice most deer hunters get about access routes is backwards. If you want more daylight deer sightings this season, start thinking like the deer do, not like the guy walking straight to a stand. Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau break down the route-planning mistakes that cost hunters their best chances, and the simple shifts that can make a small property huntable again. If you’re juggling family schedules, limited days in the woods, or a piece of ground that only offers one way in, this conversation gets practical fast. Dan shares the moment that changed how he hunts forever: when he stopped marching directly to tree stands and started reverse-engineering his approach from the deer’s point of view. Jason adds the realities of hunting smaller parcels, big properties with only a few access options, and what happens when wind, terrain, and pressure all collide. You’ll discover: Why the best access route often starts with the destination, not the truckHow to use fence lines, waterways, terraces, and terrain breaks to stay hiddenWhy the “rule of ninety” can help you slip into a stand without blowing everything outHow thermals and water can move scent farther than most hunters realizeWhen to hunt aggressively, when to back off, and when to move your stand altogetherDan also shares a real-world example of tearing down a setup mid-hunt and relocating just 15 to 20 yards to get within range, then killing the buck that evening. Jason explains how he thinks through exits as carefully as entrances, especially when hunting staging areas and bedding areas where one bad walk-out can burn a spot for good. If you’ve ever wondered whether access routes matter more than stand locations, or how to balance wind, terrain, and limited time in the woods, this episode gives you the kind of field-tested guidance you can use right away. Essential listening for bowhunters, public-land hunters, and anyone trying to turn a good piece of ground into a better one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    What's More Important, Access or Stand Location?

  7. Sep 8

    How To Hunt The Second Half Of September

    September deer hunting is changing fast, and the hunters who keep using August tactics are about to get left behind. Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau break down the second half of September, when drying beans, dropping acorns, shifting deer movement, and early crop harvests start rewriting the map right under your feet. If you need to figure out where deer are moving now - and how to stay ahead of them before the October opener - this conversation gives you the playbook. Dan and Jason get into what the landscape is telling you, why trail cameras are already revealing key clues, and how to adjust when bucks go from patternable to unpredictable. You’ll discover: Why green food sources, water edges, and fresh acorns matter more as crops dry downHow to read trail camera photos differently when a buck only shows up at nightWhen an observation sit is more valuable than a “normal” huntHow harvested fields can suddenly make deer feel exposedWhat small-property hunters should do with the early season vs. the rutWhy access, wind, and scent control matter even more as cover thins outDan also shares a real-world strategy for hunting his best spots earlier than usual this year, while Jason pushes the conversation toward practical judgment - when to pressure a property, when to let it cool off, and how to keep from burning out your best ground. They also touch on a critical mistake many hunters make: obsessing over strategy while neglecting shooting practice, effective range, and gear prep before season hits. This is essential listening if you hunt whitetails in the Midwest, manage small parcels, or want to tighten up your September-to-October strategy before the woods change again. If you want to be ready when the deer shift, this episode will help you make smarter decisions the next time you step into the timber. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How To Hunt The Second Half Of September

  8. Sep 1

    How To Hunt The First Half Of September

    September deer hunting is all about reading the landscape before the deer read you. If your season opens now, Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau break down exactly how they’d attack the first week of September - from scouting from the road to picking apart food, cover, water, and the subtle pressure points that actually reveal deer movement. The big question is simple: if opener was tomorrow, where would you start? Dan and Jason answer that with a practical, boots-on-the-ground plan for early season whitetails, whether you’re hunting private ground, public land, or a short out-of-state trip. They dig into why the first move is often glassing field edges at last light, how to use maps and OnX layers to identify bed-to-food transitions, and when it makes sense to stay aggressive with in-season scouting instead of burning a stand too early. You'll discover: How to scout a September opener without overhunting your best spots Why drought, crop production, and water sources can completely change deer behavior How acorns, mast years, and shaded bean fields can create or kill a setup Why one buck may go hard-horn fast and shift movement earlier than you expect When to hunt from the road, when to go inside-out, and when to stay out entirely   Dan also shares a real-world look at what’s happening on his properties right now - from changing crop color to early hard-horned bucks and the possibility that deer movement is already shifting. Jason adds a state-by-state perspective, comparing dry western ground to moisture-rich eastern states and showing how the same September tactics need to change based on terrain, crop conditions, and deer density. If you hunt a September opener, have limited time in the woods, or are trying to avoid blowing up a good property before the season even starts, this episode gives you a clear framework for where to look first and what sign matters most. Essential listening if you want to make your first hunt of the season your best one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How To Hunt The First Half Of September
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out of 5
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About

Welcome to the "How To Hunt Deer" podcast. This podcast series was designed to educate those who are interested in becoming deer hunters. We cover a variety of entertaining and educational topics like where to find deer, how to choose your weapon, and how to process your harvest. All this information will help you be more comfortable and confident in the field while hunting deer. Hosts Dan and Jason have a combined 60 years of deer hunting experience, and they want to share that with you. Good luck!

Information

  • Creator
    Sportsmen's Empire
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    235
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Sportsmen's Empire
  • Show Website
    How To Hunt Deer

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