The Southern Outdoorsmen Hunting Podcast

The best time of year is here — and this week's Q&A digs into why deer "jump the string" and duck your arrow before they ever hear the shot, plus a full round of hot takes and hot tips from the Circle community.

In this episode:

- Why deer duck your arrow before the sound reaches them — the deer-vision science behind "jumping the string"

- Are big-buck killers just sitting in better spots? Consistency vs. hunting brand-new ground

- Time in the woods vs. woodsmanship — which matters more

- Why "too much information" is beating more hunters than too little

- Learning new property: walk every inch, or scout your way in and hang-and-hunt

- The bullet/caliber debate — diameter vs. cartridge, and bullet construction (ELD-X, cup-and-core, polymer tip, monolithic)

- Broadheads, shot placement, and what actually puts deer down fastest

- Early-season morning hunts from a Southern perspective

- A bed-to-food pattern take backed by four years of hard numbers

- Doe harvest and herd balance — what the biologists keep telling us

- Luck vs. providence, and a few Little Debbie hot takes to close it out

- Recap: the Zach Ferenbaugh ground-hunting episode, small-game season kicking off, dove opener, and an offshore trip

These questions came from our Circle community — come join the conversation and get your questions in for next week.

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://linkly.link/2o0Sn

Drop a comment with your take on any of these. And remember — stay southern.

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Want to go deeper? Join our Circle Community here: ⁠https://linkly.link/2o0Sn

Zach Ferenbaugh of The Hunting Public has killed some of his biggest bucks without ever climbing a tree — slipping through cover on the ground, calling them into bow range, and getting close enough to reach out and touch them. In his first-ever sit-down with us, Zach breaks down the woodsmanship behind ground hunting whitetails: reading conditions and other animals, moving through the woods undetected, why deer can't see nearly as well as you think, and why getting closer actually makes a mature buck easier to kill.

If you love turkey hunting, hate sitting still, or just want another tool in the bag, this one's for you.

In this episode:

- Why Zach walked away from the tree stand — and started killing bigger bucks on the ground

- How to move through the woods: when to speed up, when to freeze, and how to use wind, rain, and terrain to time every step

- Reading other animals as alarms — including the woodpecker "deer alarm" that tips him off before a buck ever shows

- Why the nastiest, thickest cover gives the hunter the advantage, not the deer

- How deer really see (and why staying still beats staying hidden)

- Calling and rattling on the ground: making it sound real, and "becoming the deer"

- Deer drives, bumping deer on purpose, and why spooking them isn't the end of the world

- Gear, shot angles, single-bevel broadheads, and shooting through cover

Special thanks to the NWTF for providing us with a space to record this episode.

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Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Chapters:

00:00 The three-yard buck

01:12 Eight years to finally get Zach on

02:24 How ground hunting made deer hunting fun again

06:24 More opportunity, faster learning off the ground

09:08 The mental hurdle of leaving the tree

13:19 Moving through the woods: speed up or freeze

16:15 Using wind and conditions to time every move

19:34 The best teacher in the woods is the deer itself

34:13 Reading conditions to predict where deer bed

46:52 Reading other animals and the woodpecker "deer alarm"

54:05 Why the thicker the cover, the better

58:42 Staying patient with a buck at seven yards

1:03:05 Why deer can't see you as well as you think

1:11:45 The sign that says sit down — and the sign that lies

1:20:24 Deer drives and spooking deer on purpose

1:33:00 Becoming the deer: how Zach moves and calls

1:40:06 Calling on the ground and making rattling sound real

1:54:52 How turkeys and elk made him a better deer hunter

2:02:14 What Zach carries: the M2 pack, water, and gear

2:12:46 Shot angles, single-bevel broadheads, and shooting through cover

2:23:30 Do what makes hunting fun for you

Rusty & Russten Johnson KNOW how to find mature bucks fast, and they've got the receipts. The summer we recorded this, he had close to 100 bucks over 120 inches on trail camera on PUBLIC land alone, including a 170-class deer and a near-200-inch giant, with no bait and no private honey holes. In this throwback from the back catalog (an episode that produced a pile of listener success stories the first time it aired), Russten and his dad Rusty break down the exact trail-camera system they use to locate big bucks before season — the ridge-running, road-hunting, net-casting method that turns a blank map into a hit list.

In this episode:

- The A/B camera-spot rating system — and why Ruston only hangs cameras on "compounding factor" locations

- Why you DON'T have to hike two miles deep — big bucks on cameras 10 feet off the road

- The four pillars: organization, technical proficiency, personal psychology, and being in the right spot

- Casting the net wide in August, then narrowing cameras onto a target buck as season closes in

- Why video mode beats picture mode — and what body language tells you a still photo never will

- Building years of history with individual public-land bucks (some 10 years old on the same ground)

- Buck personality types — homebodies vs. wanderers — and how to relocate a buck that disappears

- Reading a buck's morning direction to predict where he beds

- Magnetic Points of Reference (MPRs): the terrain magnets that pull deer in wide-open Kansas country

- The psychology of the check — why Ruston goes in LOUD with music blaring instead of sneaking

Join our Circle Community here - https://linkly.link/2o0Sn

Guest: Rusty & Russten Johnson — United Outdoors

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/united.outdoors/?hl=en

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Russ Seale has killed more mature bucks on one specific set of conditions than any other day of the season — and he'll argue the point with any biologist who says otherwise. This is the 3020 Factor: rising barometric pressure behind a cold front, a 10–15° temperature drop, and a steady north/northwest wind. Last year it put two Boone & Crockett bucks on his wall seven days apart — a 190" non-typical and a 184". We get into all of it.

In this episode:

- The 3020 Factor explained — the exact pressure, wind, and temperature window Russ builds his season around

- Why he'll argue the "best day to move" with any deer scientist — and the two booners that back it up

- Reading flat river-bottom and Delta ground where "it all looks the same" — water crossings, subtle bluffs, and the transition edges deer travel like a highway

- Why he almost never hunts a feed tree unless it's on fire fresh — and what he hunts instead

- Doe groups as the one common denominator from the Deep South to the Midwest

- Hunting the mental game — why you choke when the giant finally steps out, and how to fix it before the moment comes

- How respect on public land opened the private-farm doors that produced both giants

- The 190" Kansas hunt, the 184" Missouri hunt, and the "curse" Russ finally broke

Guest: Russ Seale — High Pressure Hunting / the 3020 Factor

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@highpressurehunting

-----------------------------------

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GEAR + DISCOUNTS

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And remember — y'all Stay Southern.

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Clay Harper is a DIY traveling hunter who's turned breaking down brand-new ground into a system. He picks a state, a season, and a "theme" long before he ever sets foot on the property, then kills mature bucks on public land across the country. In this one, we get into his early-season playbook: how he reads unfamiliar woods fast, why he hunts the mid-morning window nobody else does, and the mindset shift that's put more bucks on the ground for him than any single tactic.

In this episode:

- Why mature bucks get up and move mid-morning in the early season — and the mineral craving behind it

- The "theme of the hunt" framework: deciding what you're hunting before you ever open a map

- Overcoming the objection — the sales-mindset question Clay asks himself before every hunt

- Reading a brand-new property from the food back to the bed using rub lines

- How to speed-scout unfamiliar ground and pick spots that set up in your favor

- Why big deer often hold close to access — and you don't have to hike miles deep

- Using a decoy and rattling to pull cruising bucks off the ridgetops out West

- Why he kills more deer on the ground than out of a treestand

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

We just rolled in from the Mobile Hunters Expo in Dalton, and the season is coming fast so this Thursday Q&A is a loaded one. Andrew and Jacob work through a stack of listener questions and Circle hot takes: reading a spotty mast year, finding bucks when the ground's too dry to track, velvet-buck decisions, doe harvest, neighbor management, and a run of rapid-fire hot takes that'll get the comments going. Grab a seat.

In this episode:

• Mobile Hunters Expo recap and this year's record crowd
• The mast crop report — why Virginia's looking spotty and central Alabama's holding solid
• How to hunt a bad acorn year — beech nuts, browse lines, greenbrier, and other overlooked food
• Finding buck tracks when it's too dry — track traps, leaf-blower tricks, and when to just run cameras
• HOT TAKE: if your whole season depends on the rut, you never learned to hunt October
• Velvet bucks — take him now, or wait for a hard-horned target during the season?
• How many does to actually harvest, and why you can't kill them out on one property
• HOT TAKE: encouraging your neighbor to shoot whatever he wants (reverse-psychology management)
• Velvet hunting West Tennessee public land — where to focus when bucks aren't leaving sign
• HOT TAKE: most hardcore public land hunters would secretly rather hunt private
• Is a thermal drone really any different than a livescope?
• Shooting a bow with no peep sight, brush guns and slug setups, and the high-fence debate
• How to physically prep for the season without living in the gym
• What counts as a deer hunting "hat trick" — and a look back at the Ben Davis feed-tree episode

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Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show?

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Archery seasons are opening soon across the country, and early-season success comes down to one thing: acorns. Ben Davis of central Alabama joins us to break down his complete early-season feed tree blueprint — how to find the oaks that are actually hot, the overlooked sign that tells you a tree is about to fire before the deer even pattern it, and how to hunt it without blowing it out. It's a wide-open early-season how-to for every deer hunter, then a deep, technical dive into traditional bow hunting for those who want to take it all the way.

In this episode:

• How deer feeding on green acorns tells you a tree is 1–2 weeks from getting hot
• The oak-drop calendar — chestnut/mountain oaks, then white oaks, then red and water oaks late season
• Reading feed sign — busted hulls, fresh droppings, and ground disturbance under a hot tree
• Why your first sit on a fresh tree is almost always your best one
• Scouting before rain to erase your intrusion and get a free pass
• Late-morning feed tree kills — and why wind gets deer on their feet
• Creek crossings, entry and exit, and the water-scent problem that wrecks slam-dunk setups
• Isolated oaks vs. stands of oaks, and getting tight to bedding cover
• Getting into traditional archery without getting over-bowed — form and instinctive shooting
• Bare-shaft tuning, arrow spine, weight-forward setups, and picking a broadhead
• Sharpening fixed-blade heads and getting a true burr
• The story of a mature Alabama buck taken with a recurve — and the recovery that almost didn't happen
• Plus mentors, hard-earned lessons, and why he'd rather hunt sign than stare at a trail camera

Check out Ben's latest video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRl90uaCoo0

Looking for land in Alabama's Black Belt region? Contact Ben here - https://www.whitetailproperties.com/agents/ben-davis-1

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Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

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Can a mature buck actually recognize your treestand, your climber, or your trail cameras? Andrew opens this one with a story about the biggest buck he'd ever seen in bow range — a buck that stepped out, locked onto the base of the tree he was sitting in, and eased off without a sound. It never saw him. It never smelled him. So what gave him away?

From there, Andrew and Jacob work through a stack of your questions from Circle and the website. Classic Thursday Q&A — straight from you guys.

In this episode:

• Do deer recognize your treestand & trail cameras?
• The buck that busted Andrew's climber — and what gave him away
• Shooting houses, box blinds & the black-window trick
• Why you're giving mature bucks too many chances to learn you
• Will a mature buck abandon his home range under pressure?
• The good bucks you never knew were on your property
• Could you actually pressure a buck out of his core?
• Do deer relocate, or just shut down and go thick?
• You jumped your target buck scouting — now what?
• Scouting in August & September on familiar ground
• Finding a bachelor group in a cool creek bottom
• Are you putting your trail cameras in the wrong spots?
• Cameras on feed trees: before or after they drop?
• Has extreme mobile hunting saved more bucks than it's killed?
• The Who / Where / When of killing a specific buck
• Do bucks bed in the same spot year after year?
• Thermals, wind & hunting tight to water
• Is killing a mature buck more luck or skill?
• Mast crop report

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Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Eddie McRae has bowhunted the same Georgia farms for 40 years — and he says he hasn't been smelled by a deer in nearly a decade. No ozone units, no expensive sprays. Just a scent system he runs 365 days a year and a theory that most deer don't even know what a human smells like anymore.

In this episode of The Southern Outdoorsmen, Eddie (of Riverman Custom Calls) breaks down the self-taught, low-pressure approach that's put six mature bucks on the wall in the last four years. We cover deer this time - turkey's coming in a follow-up.

What we get into:

• How Eddie taught himself to hunt with no mentor, and why he switched from gun to bow in the late '80s
• The bow record he almost can't explain — hundreds of deer, and his take on staying calm at full draw
• Paper tuning, shooting at 60–80 yards, and building form you can repeat 100% of the time
• His arrow setup: 200 grains up front, high FOC, and why he thinks ultra-heavy arrows are a mistake
• The scent system in full — unscented everything, baking-soda washes, clothes that never enter the house, dog fennel cover scent, and the e-bike
• Why he believes deer have stopped recognizing "clean" human scent altogether
• The UV/detergent glow rabbit hole — the glove that busted him, the black-light test, and Dr. Karl Miller's UGA deer-vision work
• The four kinds of deer (wild, suburban, managed, public) and why behavior — not bait — drives everything
• Hunting a 400-acre farm like a sanctuary by doing the exact opposite of pressured neighbors
• Why mature bucks lock into tiny core areas — the 11-acre buck that never showed on another camera
• Cutting a ground blind into the nastiest cover on the property, and building a staging spot to kill a blown-out buck
• Hunting major weather swings and "hunting from the sofa" until a deer tells you it's time
• The get-in-get-it-done-get-out access philosophy (h/t Bobby Worthington)
• Eddie's most controversial take: why he doesn't believe the South has a definitive rut, and the fawn-drop evidence behind it

Check out Eddie's calls:

Riverman Custom Calls — https://rivermancustoms.com/

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Is a National Forest really the best place to find a mature public-land buck? In this Q&A episode, Andrew and Jacob debate whether National Forests or Wildlife Management Areas consistently produce the biggest deer, discuss how hunting pressure shapes age structure, and tackle several listener hot takes covering roadbed hunting, scent control, hunting shows, antler growth, and more.

Topics discussed:

- National Forest vs. WMA for mature bucks

- What creates big-buck public land

- Roadbed & right-of-way hunting debate

- Hunting club vs. public land pressure

- Timing vs. scent control

- Can hunting shows teach new hunters?

- Summer antler growth update

- Rubs vs. scrapes

- Mobile Hunters Expo & Circle updates

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Chuck Bailey (Old Timer Outdoors) has killed dang near every deer on his wall while standing on his own two feet — not from a box stand, not over a corn pile. In this episode, the Louisiana woodsman breaks down the on-the-ground hunting skills most of us have forgotten, why the easy way is quietly making us worse hunters, and a few old-timer scent tricks you've probably never heard of.

In this episode:

- Why Chuck refuses to hunt from a box stand — and how "devolving" back to hunting on foot teaches you more about deer than any feeder ever will

- The forgotten woodsmanship of reading the woods: squirrels, blue jays, dropping acorns, and the little signs that tell you where deer actually are

- Slip hunting a square mile until you know it cold — Chuck's approach to learning ground and killing bucks on the move

- The contrarian scent trick: using human hair from the barbershop (and mothballs) to steer deer with the wind and push them right where you want them

- Team drives and working the draws — how Chuck and his crew run deer from one green head to the next

- How the timber cutter-head machine and the loss of woods burning reshaped the habitat — and what it did to deer and turkey

- The bent-sight bow story — three arrows, one very confused deer

- Chuck's single best piece of advice: for every day you hunt the corn pile, force yourself to spend one day walking and looking instead

Chuck Bailey — Old Timer Outdoors:

https://www.tiktok.com/@oldtimeroutdoors

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This week we’re diving into another round of listener-submitted Hot Takes and Q&A! We debate whether it’s really possible to consistently kill mature bucks from permanent stands outside the rut, discuss the biggest factor separating consistently successful hunters from everyone else, answer questions about saddle hunting, sanctuaries, and dream hunts, and share a few stories.

In this episode:

• Is it virtually impossible to kill mature bucks from a permanent stand?
• The biggest factor behind consistent deer hunting success
• Saddle vs. lock-on stands after several seasons of experience
• Why “sanctuaries” don’t always work the way hunters think
• Our thoughts on summer scrapes
• Favorite dream hunts if money wasn’t a factor
• Africa, elk, bighorn sheep, and other bucket-list adventures
• Plus another round of listener hot takes and deer hunting questions

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Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Wes Moye is back in the studio, and this time we're breaking down the "Wolf Pack" - the group hunting system he's spent 40 years refining to kill mature, pressured bucks that get bumped by all the other hunters in the woods. Instead of hiding his scent like everyone's taught, Wes weaponizes it. Here's the full breakdown, plus a whole lot of hard-earned wisdom (and a few stories that'll make you laugh).

In this episode:

• The Wolf Pack method explained — how a group uses human scent (not leg power) to move pressured bucks toward waiting hunters
• Where the idea came from — the African painted wolves documentary that made it all click
• Why it's NOT a "man drive" — and how Wes answers the critics
• Reading pressured deer — why you should treat every deer like it's already been hunted
• Finding the exits — low spots, drainages, and cover that funnel bucks out of thick cover
• Deer pattern hunters — Wes's camera experiment proving it, and how he flips it to kill target bucks
• The Art of War in the deer woods — deception, feints, and beating a buck at his own game
• Hunting thick cover — why the nastiest bedding areas hold the biggest bucks
• Knowledge vs. wisdom — why applied experience beats anything you'll read or watch
• Timing the rut in Alabama and adapting your setup through every phase of the season
• Running Wolf Pack fundamentals solo when you don't have a group
• Plus camp stories, hard lessons, and why the bad days teach you the most

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://linkly.link/2o0Sn

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Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use code “SOUTHERN” for a discount on Whitetail Hill food plot seed & trees - https://linkly.link/2myBP

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

GPS-collar research has revealed some surprising truths about mature bucks—and much of it flies in the face of conventional hunting wisdom. In this episode, we break down what the data actually says, how it has changed the way we hunt, and why some of the best deer in the woods may be much closer than you think.

• Why mature bucks are often found surprisingly close to roads and parking areas
• What years of GPS collar research has taught us about deer movement
• The biggest misconceptions hunters have about bedding areas
• Why focusing on individual buck beds may not be the best strategy
• How terrain and habitat work together to influence deer behavior
• Why hunting success involves more luck than many hunters want to admit
• Practical ways to use deer behavior research to become a better hunter
• How to think differently about pressure, access, and overlooked areas

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK

Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use code “SOUTHERN” for a discount on Whitetail Hill food plot seed & trees - https://linkly.link/2myBP

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Today, Chris Jones of South Carolina joins us to discuss what it really takes to consistently find mature whitetails on public land. From breaking common hunting myths to reading overlooked terrain features, Chris shares the mindset and woodsmanship that have helped him tag big bucks where most hunters assume the odds are stacked against them.

In this episode:

• Why Chris believes he’s found bigger bucks on public land than he ever did on private
• The biggest misconceptions hunters have about public land pressure
• How to identify overlooked areas where mature bucks actually live
• Why miles walked often matter more than hours spent in a tree
• The scouting strategy that changed the way Chris hunts
• Using topography, access, and human behavior to your advantage
• Why “hard-to-reach” isn’t always as far as people think
• The importance of woodsmanship over relying solely on technology
• How Chris approaches postseason scouting and e-scouting together
• Common mistakes hunters make when searching for mature buck bedding
• Developing confidence to hunt your own plan instead of following the crowd
• Practical advice for becoming a more consistent deer hunter, regardless of where you hunt

Check out Chris' YouTube channel here - https://www.youtube.com/@Simpleman667

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK

Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use code “SOUTHERN” for a discount on Whitetail Hill food plot seed & trees - https://linkly.link/2myBP

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

This week on the Thursday Q&A, we’re tackling some of the biggest debates in deer hunting—from bait, minerals, and food plots to summer scouting, scent, and mature buck behavior. We also answer a listener question about hunting rocky, mountainous terrain in Arkansas and share how we’d approach finding and killing an older buck in big-woods country.

In this episode:

• Do minerals, Deer Cane, and attractants actually work?
• The biggest mistake hunters make when baiting deer
• Why mature bucks prioritize security over food
• Are food plots overrated compared to bedding cover?
• Common deer club management mistakes that keep older bucks from surviving
• Does artificial deer scent help or hurt your odds?
• How to properly use scent if you choose to hunt with it
• Summer scouting vs. in-season scouting—which is more effective?
• Camouflage vs. solid colors: does it really matter?
• How we’d hunt rocky mountainous terrain in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas
• Finding habitat diversity, terrain funnels, and mature bucks travel in big woods
• Plus upcoming events, World Deer Expo, and Mobile Hunters Expo updates.

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK

Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use code “SOUTHERN” for a discount on Whitetail Hill food plot seed & trees - https://linkly.link/2myBP

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Larry Weishuhn is back on the show, and in this conversation he dives into the timeless hunting skills that can’t be bought, downloaded, or replaced by technology. From the story of his very first buck to decades of lessons chasing mature whitetails across North America, Larry shares the woodsmanship principles that have shaped his hunting career.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Larry’s unforgettable first buck and how it shaped his lifelong passion for whitetails
• How the pioneers of modern mature buck hunting changed the way hunters think
• Why woodsmanship is a skill that has to be earned—not purchased
• The psychology of confidence, lucky charms, scents, and why paying attention matters most
• Reading tracks, rubs, scrapes, and other overlooked sign
• Lessons learned from decades as a wildlife biologist
• Deer vocalizations, grunting, rattling, and what deer are really communicating
• Why mature bucks often move when other hunters aren’t in the woods
• Larry’s approach to all-day sits and midday deer movement
• How to choose high-odds stand locations beyond obvious food sources
• The importance of observation, perception, and trusting your instincts in the woods
• Practical tips for becoming a better woodsman and more complete deer hunter

Whether you’re new to deer hunting or have decades of experience, this episode is packed with practical wisdom from one of the most respected voices in the whitetail world.

Check out Larry's newest book, Deer Addictions.

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

This week we’re diving into your hottest deer hunting takes and answering some of the biggest questions from The Southern Outdoorsmen community. From crossbows and dog hunting to cell cameras, persimmons, and deer behavior, we tackle some of the most controversial topics we’ve discussed in a while.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Should crossbows have their own season?
• Are Southern gun seasons too long?
• Should dog hunting be allowed on public land?
• Are mature bucks more wary of cell cameras than standard trail cameras?
• Do ozone products and scent control actually work?
• Are persimmon trees overrated as a hunting food source?
• Can terrain ever be too steep for deer?
• What do deer eat in hardwood bottoms besides acorns?
• Should public land have statewide antler restrictions?
• The biggest lessons we’ve learned that changed the way we hunt over the last five years.
• Is modern deer hunting losing the traditions that made it special?

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these topics. Join the discussion in our Circle community and let us know where you agree—and where you think we’re completely wrong.

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Most hunters focus on what to plant, but the bigger question is where, why, and how. In this episode, Caleb Huckaba of Whitetail Hill breaks down the biggest food plot mistakes he sees, how to design food plots that actually produce daylight mature buck encounters, and why strategy often matters more than the seed itself. Whether you’re planting a quarter-acre kill plot on a permission property or managing a large hunting tract, this episode is packed with practical habitat and hunting advice you can apply this season.

In this episode, we discuss:

- The biggest food plot mistakes hunters make

- Why mature bucks only visit some food plots after dark

- Kill plots vs. destination food plots

- Where food plots should be located in relation to bedding

- Food plot layout and hunting strategy

- Soil testing, pH, lime, and improving poor soils

- Choosing the right food plot blend for your goals

- Small property and permission-land food plot strategies

- How to plant successful food plots with or without equipment

- Food plot diversity and seasonal attraction

- Using chestnuts, persimmons, and other mast trees to improve hunting

- Creating year-round food sources and property hotspots

- Stand placement, access routes, and reducing hunting pressure

Use code “SOUTHERN” for a discount on Whitetail Hill food plot seed & trees - https://linkly.link/2myBP

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

In this Q&A edition of the show, we cover a wide array of questions and hot takes from listeners!

• How should you hunt areas with tornado/storm damage?
• Can a property become an immature buck factory?
• Is flat land harder to hunt than hill country?
• Are more trail camera bans coming?
• Are sliding bow sights overkill?

and a lot more!

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

What actually creates bigger bucks? Is it genetics, nutrition, habitat, or something else entirely?

In this episode, National Deer Association’s Lindsay Thomas Jr. separates decades of deer research from hunting folklore. We dive into the biggest myths surrounding deer management, aging bucks on the hoof, habitat improvement, feral hogs, and the science that has fundamentally changed how we understand whitetails. If you’re serious about becoming a better deer hunter or land manager, this episode is packed with practical, research-backed information you can apply immediately.

Topics discussed:

• Why genetics matter far less than most hunters think
• The Mississippi State study that changed how we view big bucks
• How to accurately age bucks on the hoof
• Common mistakes hunters make when managing deer
• Why cull buck programs don’t improve genetics
• The truth about nutrition, habitat, and antler growth
• How to improve a property—even if it’s small
• Food plots vs. timber management: where to invest your effort
• How hunting pressure influences mature buck movement
• The four biggest factors that actually affect deer movement
• Why feral hogs are so damaging to deer and turkey populations
• Why trapping is far more effective than simply shooting hogs
• How to work with neighbors to improve deer quality across a landscape
• Lessons from over two decades of deer research and management

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Today we are throwing it back to one of our favorite episodes of all time with whitetail legend Bobby Worthington! In this episode, Bobby talks about perfecting archery setups to get mature bucks in bow range and make the shot count.

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Dillon Harper has spent over a decade hunting North Georgia’s mountains, breaking down the terrain features that consistently produce deer, bears, and hogs. In this conversation, he explains why hidden springheads have become the most important feature he hunts—and how they can concentrate animal movement in vast mountain terrain.

In this episode:

• Why Dillon believes some hidden springheads are more valuable than saddles
• How “community springs” pull multiple game trails into a single location
• Using LiDAR and slope shading to identify overlooked mountain features
• The connection between water, terrain funnels, and rutting buck movement
• Summer scouting strategies for deer, bears, and hogs
• How bear activity helps predict productive deer hunting locations
• Monitoring mast crops and adjusting for changing food sources
• Finding isolated water sources that don’t appear on topo maps
• Trail camera tactics for dealing with curious black bears
• Bear hunting strategies, bedding habits, and locating mature boars
• Wild encounters with bears deep in the mountains
• Why learning to read topography can dramatically improve mountain hunting success

Whether you hunt deer, bears, or simply enjoy learning how animals use mountain terrain, this episode is packed with practical scouting and hunting insights from one of the most dedicated mountain hunters you’ll meet.

Want to learn even more? Join our Circle here - https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community

In this episode we hit some listener Q&A submissions, along with some questions that our circle members have been posting over the last week!

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

For nearly five decades, Mike Rex has pursued mature whitetails across Ohio and helped score some of the biggest bucks ever harvested in the state. In this conversation, he shares the lessons, mistakes, and observations that changed the way he hunts mature deer.

• Why some of the biggest bucks get killed by beginner hunters
• The surprising places mature bucks feel safest
• How mature bucks learn and adapt to hunting pressure
• What 48 years of deer hunting taught Mike about deer behavior
• Why age is the biggest factor in growing giant bucks
• The difference between hunting big deer and hunting specific deer
• How trail cameras changed what we know about mature bucks
• Wind direction, terrain, and how bucks use both to their advantage
• Why many hunters unknowingly educate the deer they’re hunting
• The story behind Mike’s biggest bucks and the lessons they taught him
• Common mistakes hunters make when targeting mature whitetails
• Why some deer seem impossible to kill—and how they eventually get killed
• The role of hunter access, public land pressure, and predictable human behavior
• How wildlife management and hunting regulations impact deer hunting today

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK

Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK

Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Larry Weishuhn has spent over 50 years studying, managing, and hunting whitetail deer across North America. In this episode, Larry shares lessons learned from decades as a wildlife biologist, including why mature bucks seem to disappear, what hunters misunderstand about deer movement, and how habitat, nutrition, and age shape deer populations.

In this episode:

• Why hunters think mature bucks are gone when they’re still on the property

• The truth about “nocturnal” bucks and midday deer movement

• Larry’s experience managing whitetail populations across Texas and the Southeast

• What helicopter surveys taught him about deer behavior and habitat

• Surviving 13 helicopter crashes

• How nutrition impacts antler growth, body size, and herd health

• The role of age, genetics, and habitat in producing mature bucks

• Whether hunters can actually influence deer genetics through harvest strategies

• Why some bucks move miles from where they’ve spent most of the year

• Common mistakes hunters make when evaluating deer herds

• The biggest changes Larry has seen in whitetail hunting over the last 50+ years

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Get a discount on your Poncho Outdoors shirts here - https://linkly.link/2bfPZ

Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK

Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community⁠

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

Get a discount on your Poncho Outdoors shirts here - https://linkly.link/2bfPZ

Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK

Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

This episode discusses legal hunting, outdoor heritage, and historical hunting practices. Always follow current game laws, seasons, limits, licensing requirements, firearm safety rules, and youth-supervision laws. We do not encourage illegal harvest or unsafe firearm handling. Dale Bordelon has spent more than 50 years hunting the Louisiana swamps the old way. In this episode, Dale shares incredible stories of giant swamp bucks, handmade dugout boats, cane duck calls, market hunting history, and the hunting lessons passed down from generations of Louisiana woodsmen. From outsmarting a 235-pound swamp buck to preserving traditions that are quickly disappearing, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom, hunting history, and unforgettable stories from a lifetime in the woods. Join the Southern Outdoorsmen Circle—our private community where you can connect directly with us, join live Hunter Hangouts, and learn alongside serious hunters from across the country - https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community

On this episode we cover some listener Q&A submissions:

1. What's some good advice for bowhunting from the ground?

2. What is the best way to network in your area to find properties to hunt, gain hunting mentors or find hunting buddies?

3. Do's and Dont's of interacting with other hunters on public ground

4. Is hunting getting more popular?

5. What are some tips for someone who wants to start making hunting related content?

6. What are our throughts on spot burning?

7. What are the bare minimum products you need to purchase to start hunting?

Join our Circle Community here - https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community

Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP

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Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Join our Circle community today to talk with Jacob & Andrew, make posts, and connect with other members! We will be replacing our patreon with Circle, so Patreon members, make sure you switch over! Here is the link - https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/checkout/join-the-community

James White is as old-school as it gets! In this interview we sit down with him to discuss his lifetime of deer hunting experinece starting in the 1960's. James recounts some of his wildest stories from almost being drowned by a buck, to falling out of tree stands. He also gives valuable insight into how he targets mature bucks IN pine thickets, how he finds where the biggest, oldest bucks are spending their time, ground hunting, finding the right feed tree and a lot more. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with some buddies!

Y'all Stay Southern

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Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

In this episode, we are doing some listener Q&A submissions focused on hunting annual patterns for deer, finding deer on leases with other members, and more!

We are very excited about our new circle community! Check it out here - https://the-southern-outdoorsmen.circle.so/join?invitation_token=977a11dc06f3137a0f364d317f7bfd43b85d3124-eeb39c51-6b81-4985-83ef-60fae67f1f95

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Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR

Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI

Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

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Our buddy Pablo Esquivel is back! If you haven't heard our first interview with Pablo, go watch it now!

Watch it here - https://youtu.be/AoKzXWmhGaQ

Pablo had a deer season most guys can only dream of, tagging 6 different bucks in 4 states, one of which was his personal best which he tagged on some Alabama public land! This season had a little bit of everything for Pablo, including a major leg injury, finding a giant pile of cash, causing a resturant evacuation and a lot more!

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Last season, mature bucks across the Southeast behaved DIFFERENTLY. Deer disappeared from traditional patterns, harvest numbers dropped, and hunters struggled to make sense of it. In this episode, we break down how last year’s massive acorn crop may have changed deer movement, buck survival, rut activity, and what it could mean for the upcoming season. We also break down why this coming season has the potential to be one of the best deer seasons of the last decade...if the conditions line up correctly!

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

This episode is pure old-school Alabama outdoors history. Ray Kilgore spent 26 years hunting poachers across the Alabama River with no backup, no cell phones, and sometimes no idea if he was walking into danger.

At 85 years old, Ray shares some of the wildest game warden stories we’ve ever heard, from chasing night hunters through soybean fields to uncovering illegal fishing operations using old crank telephones.

If you enjoy real hunting history, outlaw stories, and hearing how things USED to be in the Deep South… this one is hard to beat.

• Working as a game warden in Alabama starting in 1968
• Hunting armed poachers with no backup
• Alabama River outlaw stories
• Night hunters shooting deer from boats
• Illegal fish shocking with crank telephones
• The ORIGINAL deer decoy sting operations
• Wives acting as getaway drivers for poachers
• Old-school game warden tactics before modern technology
• Threats from poachers and dangerous encounters
• How game wardens and hunting culture changed over time
• Crazy stories from Monroe County in the 60s and 70s
• Ray’s advice for young game wardens today

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

In this episode, 85-year-old lifelong turkey hunter Ray Kilgore breaks down what actually works in the woods—after more than 60 years of chasing gobblers. From killing his first turkey on his first hunt… to learning the hard truth about patience, overcalling, and how turkeys really behave, this conversation is packed with lessons most hunters never figure out. If you’ve ever felt like birds just won’t commit… this might be why. In this episode: - Why most hunters overcall (and how it hurts you) - The biggest mistake new turkey hunters make - How turkey hunting has changed over the last 60+ years - “Turkey hunters vs turkey killers” - What actually makes someone successful in the woods This is old-school knowledge you won’t hear anywhere else. Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP Get a discount on your Poncho Outdoors shirts here - https://linkly.link/2bfPZ Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8 Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here Come chat with us on our Thursday Hunter Hangouts! Join our Patreon - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXU NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts.

In this episode we are joined by our friend Kyle Sides, who has been tagging along with us on some hunts after he tagged out in Alabama earlier this season! Kyle is younger than a lot of guys we interview on turkey hunting, but he is a true woodsman and is skilled at turkey hunting well beyond his years. We talk about Kyle's fast and aggressive hunting style, how to get in a bird's bubble to make him callable, and how these tactics paid off for Jacob with his 2nd public land longbeard of the season here in Alabama!

Give Kyle a call for any of your land buying and selling needs - https://www.mossyoakproperties.com/agent/kyle-sides/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1554312916&gbraid=0AAAAADQuGUod6HkvCTxQS-1oAAAq6xRB2&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2MbPBhCSARIsAP3jP9zojt2IUdSFdJ-drqds5OEqZ9p4foakcu43x8d8Oq0vLcsXlAprFcYaAgMOEALw_wcB

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

In this episode, we break down the idea that every gobbler has a short window—sometimes just 3 days—where he can be called, worked, and tagged. If you don’t recognize it, you’ll hunt right through it and never know he was beatable.

We cover how to identify that window, what changes in a gobbler’s behavior, and the mistakes that keep hunters from capitalizing on it. From henned-up birds to late-season shifts, this episode is about understanding when the odds finally swing in your favor—and being ready when they do.

Topics discussed:

• The “3-day window” when a gobbler is killable
• How to recognize when a bird becomes vulnerable
• Common mistakes that cause hunters to miss their opportunity
• Calling strategies when gobblers are with hens
• Why calling to the gobbler isn’t always the right move
• Late-season behavior and how it changes your approach
• Knowing when to stay, move, or back out
• The mindset shift that leads to more consistent success

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Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

We have had a wild week of hunting in Alabama! In this episode we are joined by Kaiden Grey of Primal Frame Photography, who has been filming our hunts this week. In this episode we talk about where we have been finding gobblers this time of the season, what we have found works best for moving on midday gobblers, how to pinpoint gobbles in hill country where it echos, and more!

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Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

84 years old. 68 years chasing turkeys. Crawford Bush grew up in a different era of hunting—before leases, before technology, before modern tactics. In this conversation, he shares what he’s learned from a lifetime in the woods, the mistakes that taught him the most, and why many hunters today are making things harder than they need to. In this episode: - How Crawford got started turkey hunting nearly 70 years ago - What hunting was like before modern gear, decoys, and mapping apps - The biggest mistakes he made early (and what they taught him) - Why patience matters more than calling ability - How often you should actually call to a gobbler - What most hunters today get wrong about turkey hunting - The difference between old-school and modern tactics - Why knowing your woods is more important than anything else - How turkeys behave differently than most hunters think - Lessons from hunting public vs private land over the decades - Stories from a lifetime of chasing gobblers Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP Get a discount on your Poncho Outdoors shirts here - https://linkly.link/2bfPZ Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8 Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here Come chat with us on our Thursday Hunter Hangouts! Join our Patreon - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXU NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts.

This week we are throwing it back to an episode from 2021 with Tim Knight, one of the most well known turkey bowhunters. Tim is a wealth of knowledge on turkey hunting, where you choose to hunt with a bow or a gun! In this episode we do a deep dive on how Tim scouts to KNOW where a gobbler will end up at some point in the day, how he conceals himself differently than 90% of turkey hunters, his calling style, when to move on a gobbler and a lot more.

Head to https://maev.yt.link/DrXIKA3 to learn more about Maev.

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

In this episode, William Lyon breaks down the subtle details that make the difference, including one overlooked sound that can completely change the outcome of a hunt.

This is not surface-level advice. It’s decades of experience, hard lessons, and real stories from the woods.

If you’ve ever had a gobbler stall just out of range… this one matters.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why gobblers hang up—and what they’re actually doing

• The role of drumming and why it can pull birds in when calling won’t

• When to call, when to stay quiet, and how to use curiosity against a gobbler

• How turkeys pinpoint your exact location (and how that affects your setup)

• The patience factor: why sitting longer kills more birds

• How to choose the right setup for stationary hunts

• Using terrain, shadows, and conditions to your advantage

• Wind, weather, and how they impact turkey movement and sound

• Roosting strategies and how to plan your next morning hunt

• Midday loafing areas and where birds go when they disappear

• Real-world stories (including one of the wildest doubles you’ll ever hear)

• Lessons learned from decades of turkey hunting experience

If you’re serious about becoming a better turkey hunter, this episode will change how you think about calling—and when not to call.

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

We have had one heck of a week! We connected on 4 gobblers this week between Jacob, Andrew and Thomas. In this episode we relive the hunts, talked about what worked and what didn't, and answer some listener Q&A submissions!

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Patrick Wightman, National Director of Research for the NWTF, to break down what the latest research is revealing about wild turkeys—and what it means for hunters.

From large-scale population trends to on-the-ground behavior, this conversation covers some of the most important (and often misunderstood) findings shaping the future of turkey hunting.

In this episode, we cover:

• What $20M+ in turkey research is uncovering across the country

• Why turkey populations are declining—and the biggest factor driving it

• What happens after you leave a gobbler (and why patience matters more than you think)

• The truth about harvest rates and how hunting actually impacts populations

• How hunting pressure affects gobbling activity throughout the season

• The role of early successional habitat—and why it’s critical for brood survival

• What GPS and field studies are revealing about turkey movement and behavior

• Differences between “homebody” gobblers vs roaming birds

• How land management practices directly impact turkey numbers

• What hunters and landowners can do right now to improve habitat and success

If you’re serious about understanding turkeys at a deeper level—and becoming a more effective hunter—this episode is packed with insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

On this Q&A edition of the show we are talking about how our turkey hunt in Florida ended, as well as our hunts here in Alabama (and how one of us missed!). Questions covered:

• How do you approach windy day turkey hunts?
• Whats the best way to hunt quiet birds?
• Best way to ID a tom vs a jake when the beard or tailfan is not visible
• What should you do when a bird starts to walk out of range? Call or let him go and try again later?
• Our favorite turkey gun setups
• What percentage of gobblers come in silent for us?

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NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. 

Henry Ott is a third-generation turkey hunter from South Alabama with over 60 years of experience in the woods. He learned from his father and grandfather—long before modern gear, when success depended on woodsmanship, patience, and understanding turkeys at a deeper level. Over decades of hunting the same country, Henry noticed something most hunters overlook: Gobblers aren’t random. They run a route. And if you’re not set up on it… you’re already too late. In this episode, Henry breaks down how turkeys actually move, how hens dictate everything a gobbler does, and why positioning—not calling—is what consistently kills birds. This is old-school knowledge built from a lifetime of watching turkeys in big timber, long before today’s tactics took over. If you’ve ever had a gobbler hang up, disappear, or just not do what he “should” do… this will change how you think about turkey hunting. In this episode: • Why gobblers follow a route instead of moving randomly • How hens control gobbler movement throughout the day • The biggest setup mistake most hunters make • Why chasing gobblers almost always backfires • How to get ahead of a gobbler instead of behind him • Lessons learned from 60+ years of turkey hunting Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP Get a discount on your Poncho Outdoors shirts here - https://linkly.link/2bfPZ Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK Join Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aR Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm Check out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDI Use code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8 Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here Come chat with us on our Thursday Hunter Hangouts! Join our Patreon - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXU NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts.

Florida turkey camp has been amazing! We have been able to stay in the action with two birds down in camp so far. In this episode we are joined by Pete Muller and Patrick Whiteman of the NWTF, along with Kaiden Grey of Primal Frame Photography. In this episode we discuss what has been working on the hunt so far, and we hit some listner Q&A submissions.

• Field dressing a wild turkey and meat care
• How much of an effect does hitting a bad note on a turkey call have on your hunt?
• Hunting turkeys in and around food plots and fields without decoys
• Hunting turkeys in thick woods
• The most important things for a young turkey hunter to learn
• How we had two successful hunts so far!

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If you can make a gobbler sound off… you’ve got a small window to kill him.

In this episode, turkey hunting legend Eddie Salter breaks down what happens after that first gobble — and why most hunters mess it up.

We dive deep into:

• How to strike turkeys and actually get them coming

• The “15 Minute Rule” that changes everything

• The biggest mistakes hunters make after a gobble

• When to call… and when to shut up

• How to set up so you don’t get busted

• The exact calls and tactics Eddie uses in real hunts

Eddie is a legend, and has spent decades mastering the art of calling turkeys, and this is as practical and real as it gets.

Watch this before your next hunt. Y'all stay Southern!

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Use the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfm

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Save 10% on your next Vortex Optics order at eurooptic.com using the Promo Code “southern10” - https://2ly.link/1wyYO

Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewear

Have you tagged a deer using something you heard on the show? Submit your listener success story here - Share Your Story Here

Come chat with us on our Thursday Hunter Hangouts! Join our Patreon - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXU

NOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts.