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

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

Aug 22, 2023 • 43min
#302 - The Story Of Bootsie The Hermaphrodite Buck: B&C's only Freak of Nature Record Book Buck with David Powell
In today's episode, we are bringing you a pretty special episode. Cameron sat down with David Powell at the 2023 Total Archery Challange at Seven Springs to talk about his once in a lifetime buck that he called Bootsie. This hermaphroditic deer stands out not only for its rare reproductive organs but also for its distinctive rack. David shares the details of his encounter with this extraordinary creature, shedding light on its unconventional behavior and characteristics. From Bootsy's powder wig-like headgear to his social outcast status among other deer, this captivating journey follows a davids years of observation before finally catching up with Bootsy. We discuss: Bootsy was identified as a buck with organs of both antlers and a doe The deer exhibited abnormal physical features, such as an underdeveloped neck and head Bootsie had an irregular rack that looked like a headdress and carried velvet way into the season Other deer avoided Bootsy, making it challenging to target him for hunting David hunted and observed the rare hermaphrodite deer in Kansas for six years The deer had a core area of only 75 to 80 acres, focusing solely on cover and disregarding food and water It took three years for David to realize that rut activity was not a way to target this deer The deer had bases 15" in circumference, not diameter with 21 total points The deer panel scored as a "freak of nature" and doesn't carry an official Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young score Understand the significance of this deer being classified as a "freak of nature" rather than receiving a formal scoring It is listed as 1 of 1 in the Boone and Corckett records under whitetail freak of nature And So Much More! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis #VelvetFest Is Here! Use the code "VFEST23" for 15% off the entire store: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Aug 15, 2023 • 1h 14min
#301 - Nailing Down Access, Hunting Multiple Plains States and Making The Most Out Of Your Season with Tyler Jones & KC from The Element
In today's episode, we are back in the studio talking with repeat guests Tyler Jones and KC from The Element and MeatEater. We get into the importance of faint sign, limited time and resources, collaboration in hunting strategy, access and observation sits, hunting during the first week of October, high-pressure situations, and strategies for hunting on windy days. We discuss: Good access and scouting can lead to success in finding deer in any state Nice bucks can be found in various states throughout the country Having an extra set of eyes and an extra brain can double your odds of success and help you make more informed decisions Evaluating key factors such as wind direction, buck presence, and access are crucial when developing a game plan Understanding the post-rut phase and its impact on deer behavior Geographical factors and variations in rut timing Explore the fanatic pursuit of whitetail hunting Exploring hunting opportunities in different regions and utilizing public land Wind direction plays a crucial role in deer movement Hunting during the first week of October can increase your chances of success And So Much More! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis #VelvetFest Is Here! Use the code "VFEST23" for 15% off the entire store: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Aug 8, 2023 • 1h 18min
#300 - The State of Hunting Media Summer, Scouting Strategies and Listener Q&A!
In today's episode, Chad and Jake are back in the studio with another Q&A, talking about trail camera placement near bedding areas, choosing between bucks, managing trail camera setups, the influence of YouTube hunting channels and podcasts on out-of-state hunting, and their upcoming elk hunting plans. We discuss: The impact of content creation on hunting opportunities and draw odds Summer scouting helps locate elk, but it doesn't guarantee success. Elk can be killed in transition routes, not just in bedding areas. Expanding hunting locations and adapting strategies based on changing conditions. Deploying cameras to locate target bucks requires a wide-net approach and continuous repositioning. The future of limited hunting opportunities in Iowa and Kansas Knowing a deer's bedding and feeding areas can increase your chances of a successful hunt. Scouting in the summer can give you valuable information about the deer population in the area. And So Much More! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis #VelvetFest Is Here! Use the code "VFEST23" for 15% off the entire store: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Aug 1, 2023 • 30min
#299 - The BEST Way To Get Permission For Deer Hunting Properties!
In today's episode, we are back in the studio talking with Phil Tuttle. Phil lives in the suburbs and has a very special but effective way of gainging permission for new hunting properties. We discuss: Embrace the long game mentality gaining hunting permission often requires multiple visits and building genuine relationships with landowners The value of smaller properties and overlooked habitat areas The importance of representing oneself well and building relationships The best times to knock on doors are weekends or weekdays from 5 to 8 PM Understand that every farm and landowner is different, so tailor your approach and communication based on their preferences Small properties can be highly productive and offer opportunities to harvest mature deer Consider the surrounding environment and the deer migration patterns in your area And So Much More! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis #VelvetFest Is Here! Use the code "VFEST23" for 15% off the entire store: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Jul 25, 2023 • 1h 3min
#298 - How Steve Sherk Uses Summertime Trail Camera Data to Kill a Big Woods Buck Every Fall!
In today's episode, we have a familiar face back in the office, Steve Sherk from Sherk's Guide Service. Steve spends more time in the woods in one year than most hunters do in 10 years. Steve runs over 250 trail cameras in the Pennsylvania big woods every season has has learned a few things about summertime buck movement and how it coorelates to hunting season movement. We discuss: Late summer excursions by bucks provide insights into their fall range and food sources. Cutting tracks in conjunction with camera footage can help identify specific deer locations. Move around and shift camera positions to keep up with changing browse patterns. Stay updated on changes in habitat and browse sources, especially in public land areas that are constantly evolving. Lack of moisture can result in lower quality browse and affect the production of fall food sources. Be aware of the feeding patterns and the one-time opportunity to eat certain plants. Monitor antler growth and look for clues in weather patterns, such as increased moisture, which can spur growth. Factors like precipitation and weather conditions can influence antler growth in deer. Video mode on trail cameras offers more information than photo mode. Maintaining trail cameras during the summer is crucial to ensure they are not obscured by vegetation and remain functional. Monitoring food sources, like acorns and apple crops, can help predict deer movement during hunting season. Spend time glassing young clear cuts, as they can provide excellent food sources and attract deer. And So Much More! Click Here To Build Your Set Of Exodus NIS Arrows: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com/collections/custom-arrows/products/the-nis #VelvetFest Is Here! Use the code "VFEST23" for 15% off the entire store: https://exodusoutdoorgear.com CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast