

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 26, 2023 • 56min
#312 - Making The Most Out Of The Last Few Days Of October! Elk Hunt Recap, Product Updates and More!
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio doing an internal epsiode. We get into chad's 21 day elk hunt, what we've learned from running 100's of trail cameras over the years and capitalizing on the last few days of October. We discuss: Chads 21-day Elk Hunting trip A rollercoaster of emotions and physical exhaustion A Mountain Lion Encounter Tag reallocation and hunting pressure influence outcomes Upcoming hunting trips to Iowa and Illinois Seasonal changes create fast-changing hunting conditions Taking advantage of short hunting windows is crucial Mental preparation and awareness are essential for success in hunting The lucky doe entering estrus early attracts competitive bucks Lessons learned about recognizing sign and making split-second decisions The impact of weather conditions Maintaining a calm and positive mindset Overanalyzing and second-guessing can hinder success during the rut Following your gut instinct allows for more accurate decision-making The launch of the Exodus vault An upcoming shipment of rivals is expected in the next two weeks And so much more! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis Click Here TocCheck out the Exodus Vault to find significant savings on hunting gear you need: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/pages/exodus-outlet CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

20 snips
Oct 24, 2023 • 47min
#311 - Scrape Week is Here! A Step by Step Guide to Shooting Your Target Buck in Late October with Bobby Kendall
Bobby Kendall, owner of The Whitetail Group, shares expert tips on hunting big bucks in late October, focusing on understanding deer mindset and behavior, utilizing scrapes for intel, and creating ideal hunting conditions with factors like weather, moon phases, and scent concentration. He emphasizes the importance of hunting during high-pressure days, finding dominant scrapes near food sources, and using physical barriers to concentrate scent for successful hunts.

Oct 17, 2023 • 51min
#310 - What Sign to Hunt NOW! October Big Buck Playbook With Brett Smith
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with repeat guest and owner of Whitetail Land Management Brett Smith. Brett lives and brethes whitetails 24/7/365 and has made a career out of helping other hunters suceed in the deer woods. We discuss: Balancing hunting frequency and strategic planning Continuous improvement and learning from each season Adjusting goals and expectations throughout the season The importance of having multiple hunting options Woodsmanship is crucial in hunting and can greatly contribute to success in the field Developing woodsmanship skills takes time and experience in the field Question everything and test different strategies to discover what works best for you Strategies for finding the right sign and setting up effectively Look for condensed rubs and rub lines Don't overthink the weather conditions Being in the right place at the right time is crucial during the rut The importance of getting a second pair of eyes to identify simple improvements And so much more! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Oct 10, 2023 • 1h 14min
#309 - Use This Mapping Method To Find More Bucks Now! - Jared Larsen Of OnX
In this week’s show, we have a great episode with Jared Larsen as we talk about some skills and things to remember in this hunting season, no matter where you are hunting in the country. He shares some great mapping advice on finding bucks in any location. We also have great news about your Exodus trail cameras in collaboration with the OnX Hunt app. The idea is to help hunters analyse the deer on their property for more efficient hunting. OnX helps hunter get simple and accurate location data by providing detailed digital maps. This episode has the necessary tips to make your hunting season successful with better mapping indicators. Now, let’s jump in! Key Highlights from the Show [00:01] Episode intro and what’s in for you with Jared Larsen [01:47] Jared’s Alaska float hunting and the lessons learned [06:47] Who Jared is and his passion for deer hunting [09:33] Jared’s whitetail hunting plans for the rest of this year [15:15] Best states to hunt whitetail based on Jared’s experience [10:41] What has been on the OnX Hunt App shortlist of projects for whitetail hunting [26:04] Why mature whitetails are the hardest to put a tag on [29:27] Recent new and improved features on the OnX app [35:35] What Jared has observed as the behavior of whitetail deer in different states [41:28] What most hunters overlook when mapping for whitetails [46:32] Why no terrain is the shortest way to be unsuccessful in deer hunting [50:16] A bit about the river-bottom buck Jared had tagged [01:03:54] OnX’s 2023 rut predictions [01:10:34] Jared’s final thoughts and best ways to reach out and connect CONNECT: https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast

10 snips
Oct 3, 2023 • 1h 3min
#308 - How To Hunt the First October Cold Front, How Bucks Use Thermals, & Running 300 Trail Cameras - Shane Parker
Experienced hunter Shane Parker shares insights on hunting the first October cold front, utilizing thermals for deer hunting, and managing 300 trail cameras. Topics include understanding deer behavior, strategic trail camera deployment, and analyzing buck movements before and after cold fronts.

Sep 26, 2023 • 1h 5min
#307 - Transitioning From Hunting Public Land to Private Land with Cody Jenkins from the Whitetail Legacy Podcast
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with repeat guest and fellow podcast host Cody Jenkins. Cody hosts the Whitetail Legacy Podcast and has shot multiple bucks in every part of every month that you can hunt. We discuss: Strategies for hunting both public and private ground The pressure and competition on public land make it harder to find and kill bucks The drawbacks of chasing one big deer Private land hunting allows for more control The location of buck beds related to the topography of the area October can be a great time to hunt bucks, contrary to popular belief Farmers harvesting crops in October can push deer into new areas Building credibility in the hunting industry is easier when hunting and killing big bucks on public land Enjoying personal hunting experiences with his son rather than growing his name in the industry Involving his son in the hunting experience by letting him hang cameras fosters learning and a sense of participation And so much more! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Sep 19, 2023 • 60min
#306 - Kill Your Target Buck in Early October: Hunting Opening Week for Mature Bucks with Justin Hollandsworth
Expert hunter Justin Hollandsworth shares strategies for early October hunting success, emphasizing patience, observation, and adapting to changing conditions. Topics include using spotting scopes, interpreting trail camera data, and the importance of timing and weather conditions. Learn from failures, adjust tactics, and focus on food sources for a successful hunt.

Sep 12, 2023 • 57min
#305 - Still Haven't Found Your Target Buck for This Fall? GOOD! Here's What To Do: Jesse Hines
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with Jesse Hines. Jeese works a regular job and has limited vacation time, but has seen plenty of big bucks hit the ground from the tree and on the ground both on big and small parcels. We discuss: Using historical data from trail cameras Don't stress or panic if you haven't seen your target buck yet; patience and knowledge of historical data are key Adjust your plan if necessary, but don't let the lack of success discourage you Stick to your game plan and adjust if needed, but remember that hunting is about the journey, not just the end result The Importance of being able to make movements while hunting on the ground with a bow The success and effectiveness of ground hunting in low deer density areas The importance of hunting correctly with the right wind and finding successful funnels for ground hunting Balancing getting things done with not pressuring the farm Hunting small farms requires a different approach Understanding the characteristics of the farm, such as early season, rut, or late season, helps plan hunting approaches effectively And so much more! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Sep 5, 2023 • 1h 18min
#304 - Breaking Down and Hunting Giant Tracts Of Flat Timber with Kevin Boulder
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with Kevin Boulder. Kevin hunts the big woods of wisconsin and has learned a thing or two about chasing mature bucks in the never ending tracks of timber. We discuss: Transitioning from fixed stands to mobile hunting for bigger bucks Focusing on edge areas and transitions where different types of vegetation meet Observing rub lines and the height of rubs helps determine the caliber of deer in the area Trappers learn the value of creativity and problem-solving when faced with intelligent prey Encountering a black wolf while grouse hunting The diverse terrains in Wisconsin's big woods Having conviction in your process and being meticulous in your approach How the rise of popular hunting podcasts and exposure to experienced hunters influenced Kevin's hunting style Strategically approaching a buck's bedding area with the wind in your favor It's better to push in close and risk bumping the deer than to hang back and waste time Factors like food availability and weather can influence how far deer move from their bedding areas And so much more! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Aug 29, 2023 • 1h
#303 - Debunking Whitetail Myths: A Look into Deer Research with Dr. Bronson Strickland
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio talking with renowned whitetail biologist and host of the Deer University Podcast Dr. Bronson Strickland. Bronson has devoted years to studying whitetails and has helped the hunting industry as a whole expand what they knew or thought they knew about whitetails. We discuss: Mature bucks are not always nocturnal Bucks are active and on their feet before sunset, but are most frequently observed on food plots around an hour after sunset Bucks daylight behavior depends on their food source's proximity Mature bucks may cover less ground during the rut Beating a deer's nose entirely is nearly impossible Understanding the complexity of buck movement and the role of wind direction Whitetails are adaptable and conditioned to respond to stimuli for survival Mature bucks may exhibit individual behavior based on their upbringing and experiences Two-thirds of bucks have a sedentary personality, while one-third are mobile Mobile bucks can be further classified as shifters or bouncers The October lull is not applicable in the South, where it is more accurate to consider the period before the rut Understanding the relationship between cover corridors and prevailing winds Data analysis reveals that there is no clear pattern for how bucks use wind direction The extent and position of the moon's influence on deer movements still remain uncertain And so much more! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast