Chasing Bucks and Happiness with Jacob Sklenar

What happens when you get fired from your job, invest in a thermal drone, and log over 2,000 hours of thermal drone footage on mature whitetails? You start busting hunting myths wide open. In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we’re joined by Derrick Dixon of Whitetail Research, who’s using next-level drone technology to track deer movement, bedding, funnels, and thermals in ways hunters have never seen before. Derek shares how his research is confirming some long-held whitetail wisdom, while completely flipping other assumptions on their head. From how bucks really use wind and thermals, to why trail cameras can mislead weekend warriors, this conversation is a deep dive into big buck behavior backed by data, not guesswork. Key takeaways: What 2,000+ hours of drone observation revealed about mature buck movement Thermals vs. wind: which one deer actually rely on most Why your trail cameras might be lying to you How time of day changes everything for big buck activity Practical ways hunters can apply this research to limited sits If you’re serious about learning the truth behind whitetail movement or just love deer hunting podcasts that dig deeper than campfire stories, this one is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Presented by: Nosler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From dealing with ego and authenticity in the hunting space to finding balance between ambition and contentment, this conversation covers it all. We dive into the “old guard” versus the new wave of hunters, why gimmicks come and go, and how trust is earned in the community. We also talk about chasing big bucks versus simply enjoying time in the woods, the role of luck versus preparation, and the parallels between deer hunting, business, and family life. At the heart of it, hunting isn’t about proving anything to anyone else. It’s about shaping your own journey, staying grounded, and finding joy wherever you can. Presented by: Nosler. Use code OHP for 20% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast brings Thomas Kotz into the studio from Henry Repeating Arms for a conversation that covers a lot of ground. From the history of lever guns to what makes Henry rifles a favorite among whitetail hunters. We dig into bear hunting stories from Wisconsin and Montana, the appeal of small game, and the old-school tradition of still-hunting deer in the Northwoods. There’s plenty of talk about rifles, hunting culture, and a few lessons the deer woods are always quick to hand out. If you’re after a deer hunting podcast that mixes honest stories, gear talk, and the kind of camp banter most of us live for, this one’s worth a listen. Presented by: Nosler — Use code OHP for 20% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colton Koza joins the show to share how he made his way from Missouri to Wisconsin, his background as a competitive trap shooter (including a national championship), and how he’s transitioning into chasing whitetails and turkeys on Wisconsin public land. We dive into the realities of hunting pressure, trail cameras, climbing gear, and the quirks of Midwest terrain compared to the Ozarks. From stories about shooting sports and college life to swapping strategies for deer season prep, this one’s equal parts camaraderie and practical insight. If you’ve ever debated saddles vs. climbers, wondered how Missouri hardwoods stack up against Wisconsin swamps, or just love hunting camp banter, you’ll feel right at home. Presented by Nosler—use code OHP for 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scouting new ground means making your best guess and seeing if the deer prove you right... or wrong. This week, we’re talking trail cam strategy, mock scrapes, reading food sources like white oaks, and why ugly spots often hold the biggest bucks. From setting “traps” with cameras to second-guessing every move until the first shooter buck hits the dirt, it’s all part of figuring out new ground the Okayest way. Presented by Nosler. Use code OHP at checkout and save 20%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of dropping pins, Derek sits down with fellow podcast host Anthony Heller of the Deer Vane podcast. Anthony is a seasoned podcast who has logged more than 200 episodes on the Deer Vane podcast title. He’s also one hell of a deer hunter and in the past, few years has connected on some gorgeous books, both on private and public ground In this episode, we talk about multiple factors that have led to both his and Derek success over the years. Anthony breaks down a couple different ideas and tactics that have helped him learn, sometimes the hard way, to predict big buck travel, and when he can intercept them.  We talk about how time in the woods is such a contributing factor to success and how to optimize your time through the use of trail cameras, cell cameras, and monitoring the weather for things like weather changes, cold fronts and wind switches. We also discussed the placement of trail cams over scrapes and Nir hunting locations to maximize the time that you do get in the woods as a busy adult. Anthony then walks us through both of his  big buck kills  from the previous season and the factors that led to him being in that spot and also how we made it happen from the ground on a beautiful public land buck.  Plenty of big buck ideas and nuances have been discussed in this podcast, and I’m sure you’ll have lots to learn. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foam Fest brought hunters from across the country, literally. Eric and Matt recap this year’s event, from youth shed hunts and trick shots to prize bows and gear giveaways from Nosler, Gerber, Bear Archery, and more. They share stories from first-time shooters, long-distance attendees, and the chaos that makes Foam Fest special. Then the conversation shifts to archery fundamentals—tuning your bow, anchor points, muscle memory, and the fixed vs. mechanical broadhead debate, plus the hard-earned lessons that come from missed shots, recovered deer, and gear that works when it counts. Presented by: Nosler — CODE OPH for 20% OFF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Derek sits down to chat with good buddy Beau Below from Ghostbusters video productions. Derek and Beau have been friends for many years and I’ve talked deer hunting nearly every day to help each other scheme formulate a plan and attack on big deer. In this episode, we recap those amazing year last season where he tagged three mature bucks two of which scored over 160 inches. We highlight the importance of making aggressive moves when the time is right, taking advantage of both weather and wind, pattern changes, Noting when box seem to be living in unable or very challenging areas. Beau and his family have a wealth of knowledge in chasing mature books and have been doing so for many decades. There are so many tidbits of knowledge and experience and information in this podcast that both shares this is a guess we will surely be talking to again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We announce the winners of our biggest giveaway yet, talk through the gear that made it happen, and share what’s ahead for Foam Fest. Between stories about getting blown at while taking out the trash and lessons learned the hard way in the deer woods, we dig into real-time scouting, preseason prep, and why sometimes the best stand is the one you've never sat in before. This one’s laid-back, gear-packed, and full of laughs and insights from the Okayest crew. Presented by Nosler: Save 20% with code - OHP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Okayest Hunter Podcast is back after a brief hiatus with some exciting updates, including a new studio and a giveaway! Tune in LIVE next week, Tuesday, August 5th, to hear the winners! In this episode, Eric talks about the chaos of moving, technical difficulties (because what would the show be without them?), and the lead-up to Foam Fest and hunting season. The conversation takes a deep dive into deer hunting strategies, crop rotations, and the value of historical data for scouting. Guest Jon Landwehr, a seasoned hunter in Kansas, shares his journey from a casual hunter to targeting mature bucks, the ups and downs of hunting with a bow, and how hunting big deer is a lot like backtracking and analyzing patterns. Tune in for practical insights, relatable stories, and a reminder that hunting is as much about the journey as it is about the kill. Presented by Nosler: https://www.nosler.com/ CODE OHP for 20% OFF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices