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

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 with Bobby Worthington. We Discuss: Late October is prime time for hunting big bucks on scrapes. Running trail cameras over scrapes is essential for October success. October cold fronts significantly increase deer movement and hunting success. The atmosphere at the Deer Society fosters collaboration and excitement about hunting. Scrapes are key locations; hunt them based on historical patterns and current activity. Rain can trigger increased deer movement, especially after a storm. Calling and rattling can be effective in late October as bucks become more active. Accessing scrapes quietly is crucial; consider morning vs. evening hunts. Historical data on deer movement can guide your strategy for November. Stay positive and adaptable; every day in the field can yield new opportunities. 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 on the road with Bobby Worthington. We Discuss: Success is mastering common skills uncommonly well over a lifetime. Big woods hunting differs from managed property hunting; it requires unique strategies. October 25th is a key date for hunting nocturnal deer as the rut approaches. Human presence can make deer nocturnal; some may be born with that trait. Understanding deer patterns is crucial; they shift as the rut progresses. Temperature affects deer movement; cold weather increases daytime activity. Hunting funnels and trails is essential for success during the rut. Experience in the woods is more valuable than internet advice or books. Jealousy exists in the hunting community; focus on sharing knowledge instead. Quality gear, like optics, is often overlooked but essential for successful hunting. 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 on the road with Bobby Worthington. We Discuss: Insanity in hunting is doing the same thing, but variation is key for success. Be in the right funnel to increase your odds during the rut. October 25th is a crucial date for pre-rut movement and hunting sign. Hunting a rut funnel too often can diminish your chances; know when to move. Midday movement during the rut is often overlooked; stay alert all day. Expect to encounter mature bucks; don’t leave early due to excuses. The rut is unpredictable, but you can still target specific deer in funnels. Time in the woods is a force multiplier; the more you hunt, the better your odds. Prioritize your hunting time wisely; don’t let excitement lead to mistakes. As priorities change, hunting becomes more about enjoyment than just killing. 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 Steve Sherk. We Discuss: Lessons from a 150-camera whitetail study Running 150–200 trail cameras for patterns Cold fronts: overhyped or underrated for deer? Timing is key: what are the best hunt dates? Crop rotation changes deer movement yearly Early season insights from camera data Coldest morning hit hard in October hunts 42 daylight buck pics logged on October 15th November produced over 60 buck sightings Walking through the season week by week Buck photos doubled from 2022 to 2024 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 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

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 Ron Willmore. We Discuss: Ron Willmore transformed Clinton Lake into a deer hunting hotspot 75% of bucks killed during the hunt made Pope and Young Ron has over 50 years of bowhunting experience He started bowhunting before compounds were available Clinton Lake had a deer density of 440 per square mile at one point Ron implemented a doe-first policy for hunters to manage the deer population The first hunt with this policy began in 1991 70% of antlerless deer killed were button bucks initially The iconic deer "Old Rivals" was a smart, elusive buck that evaded hunters for years Ron emphasizes hunting pressure management for successful deer hunting 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

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