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

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

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 Greg Glesinger. We Discuss: Plan for the unfortunate shot; mistakes will happen in hunting Greg Glesinger shares his perfected arrow setup for whitetails A front-end weight of 175 to 200 grains improves arrow performance He shifted from a fast, light arrow to a heavier, more effective setup Consistent penetration and blood trails improved with the new arrow weight A one-pin sight setup simplifies aiming for shots under 30 yards Late-season does are harder to hunt than rutting bucks due to their wariness Decoys can be effective but require understanding deer behavior High-scoring deer tend to be loners and avoid confrontation with other deer CWD management in Wisconsin has been controversial and ineffective 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

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

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

Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we’re joined by a guest who’s been on the front lines in Washington D.C., fighting to keep Iowa’s hunting regulations intact. We dig into the critical issues that could make or break Iowa’s deer herd — from gun season changes to crossbows in archery, baiting debates, and how other states can learn from Iowa’s management model. This one’s a must-listen if you care about the future of whitetail hunting. We Discuss: Why one change could ruin Iowa’s deer hunting forever The three biggest threats to Iowa’s whitetail herd What other states can copy to improve deer hunting quality How baiting and poor regulations are crippling some states The importance of one-buck rules and moving gun seasons 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

Join us as seasoned bowhunter Jason shares his deep-rooted passion for whitetail hunting. From public lands strategy to the art of the perfect shot, Jason's tales and tactics will both inform and inspire as you prepare for the season ahead. Tag along for an episode packed with genuine experiences, clever insights, and tips that could be the difference between an average and outstanding hunting season. - The different discpliines of hunting public and private land for whitetails  - Fruit tree hacks - OnX Maps for Scouting (300 acres and 2 good spots)  - Master Awkward Shots Before Season  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

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 bringing you a brand new format. We spent the summer talking to 8 different whitetail experts as part of a mini series for The Wired To Hunt Podcast on the MeatEater Podcast Network. We asked Bobby Kendell, Skip Sligh, Bill Winke, Don Higgins, Jeff Sturgis, Steve Hanson, Thomas Mlsna, and Mark Kenyon 8 different questions to see how each is different/the same in the whitetail ideology and tactics. This is the first episode in the mini series, with the remaining 8 going live over on The Wired To Hunt Podcast. We discuss: Don't panic if you haven't set up your trail cameras yet; there's still time. Historical data is crucial; lean on past experiences to guide your scouting. Focus on food sources and pinch points when placing cameras. Use glassing to identify deer movement before deploying cameras. If you can't glass, look for mineral spots or use corn to attract deer. Set cameras at stand locations to monitor deer movement effectively. Don't be afraid to scout aggressively; it can provide valuable intel. Use mock scrapes to attract deer and gather information year-round. Remember, deer behavior changes; summer patterns may not reflect fall movements. Take a breath and develop a plan; you're not as behind as you think! 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

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 public land hunter and whitetail strategist Jon Lewis, who shares how chasing mature bucks across the East Coast and Midwest shaped his unique approach to deer hunting. We discuss: Why Eastern terrain, pressure, and deer density forge more adaptable hunters How Jon arrowed a mature public land buck on opening day by sticking to a simple but effective plan  The key difference between scrapes that get hit once and scrapes you can kill over - Misconceptions Midwest hunters have about hunting in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire  How Jon scouts smarter when summer glassing isn’t an option  The importance of reading subtle sign and why most hunters overthink trail camera data  His framework for breaking down new properties—public or private  Why terrain, access, and consistency matter more than the size of your farm  How to keep things simple and build a system that works season after season  What Midwest hunters can actually learn from the East  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

Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. On this week's episode, we are back in the studio with Bobby Warner. We discuss: Bobby Warner shares his journey of hunting and land ownership. He emphasizes the importance of security on hunting properties. Growing up in West Virginia, he developed a passion for the outdoors. Bobby transitioned from corporate law to representing working-class clients. He bought his first farm in 2000 after years of hunting in Ohio. Building relationships helped him gain access to prime hunting land. He advises on the importance of cover for deer habitat. Bobby believes land is a superior investment compared to stocks. He stresses the value of experiences and relationships over material wealth. Owning multiple smaller farms can reduce hunting pressure and enhance deer management. 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

Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. On this week's episode, we are back in the studio with Jack Huston of Midwest Deer Surveys. We discuss: Jack has flown over 30,000 deer across 200,000 acres in eight states Most landowners underestimate their deer populations by about 25% Deer behavior varies significantly between rut and late winter seasons Timber generally holds more deer than warm season grasses Heavy timber stand improvement (TSI) can attract deer to a property A balanced buck-to-doe ratio is crucial for healthy deer management Drones can achieve about 95% accuracy in deer surveys Observing deer with drones reveals their constant browsing behavior The best time for deer density surveys is during the rut and late winter Jack's company, Midwest Deer Surveys, offers thermal drone surveys for deer management 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