How To Hunt Deer

The October Lull Is a Myth: Make Every Hunt CountIs 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.