Wild Faith Podcast

The best time of the year is here. The rut is kicking into gear, Minnesota gun opener is right around the corner, and we're getting ready to head west for another South Dakota mule deer adventure. This week, Evan and Luke catch up on the latest in the deer woods, talk cold fronts, changing conditions, and what they're seeing as the rut approaches. We get into bow tuning, why you should always shoot your broadheads before a hunt, packing the right gear for a western hunt, and preparing for whatever the season throws your way. We also talk future hunting adventures, the challenges of balancing life and time in the woods, and something that's become more apparent this season: sometimes having fewer opportunities makes you appreciate every minute you get. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast Whether you're heading to the deer stand, chasing birds, or packing up for a western adventure, it's one of those times of year we've been waiting for.

Mid-October is when things start changing in the woods and on the water. Ducks are moving, hunting pressure is building, and bucks are starting to shift as we get closer to the rut. On this episode of Wild Faith, Evan and Luke talk about what we're seeing this time of year and how we're adjusting our hunts. We get into duck migration, changing setups, and what to do when the birds stop showing up in the spots they've been using. On the whitetail side, we talk about the October lull, changing food sources, cold fronts, and why a buck disappearing off your cameras doesn't mean he's gone. We also get into staging areas, hunting between bedding and food, and when it might be time to break out the grunt call and rattling antlers. The time is now!  We cover wind, weather, timing your sits, and making the most of the days you have to hunt. This time of year can change fast, and sometimes you have to change with it. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

Finding mature mule deer out West isn’t just about covering ground. It’s about knowing where to look, learning how deer use the terrain, and slowing down enough to spot the buck everyone else walks past. On Episode 135 of Wild Faith, Evan and Luke break down the art of glassing western mule deer and what it takes to turn a distant sighting into a real spot-and-stalk opportunity. From finding overlooked bedding areas and picking apart shadows to choosing the right vantage points and glassing big country, we get into the details that can make or break a western hunt. We talk optics, using OnX to scout and plan your approach, reading terrain, playing the wind, and deciding when to make a move and when to let a buck be. Because spotting a mature mule deer is only half the battle. Getting close enough to make it happen is a whole different challenge. Whether you’re planning your first western hunt or looking to become a better glasser, this episode is packed with lessons for finding more deer and making smarter stalks. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

Before you glass for deer, you need to know your gear. We’re breaking down our western hunting optics setup, from binoculars and spotting scopes to rangefinders and rifle scopes. Learn what the numbers mean, what each optic is built for, and how to use your setup to find, identify, and range deer. Whether you’re planning your first western hunt or looking to improve your glassing game, this is the gear breakdown you need before hitting the hills. Find him. Identify him. Range him.   Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

This week my brother Erik and I sit down and talk about the buck he shot on his birthday back on September 24th. We go through the whole hunt from start to finish. What the weather was like, what led up to the hunt, getting into the stand, when the buck finally showed up, making the shot, and everything that happened after. It was a pretty awesome hunt and one that I know Erik will remember for a long time. We also talk about what went into getting the farm ready, how much timing played into the hunt, and how sometimes everything just comes together at the right time. After that we get into the rest of the season, Minnesota gun season, getting our gear and bows ready, and looking ahead to our South Dakota mule deer hunt. Just a good conversation between two brothers talking about hunting, the season, and the excitement of having a lot more fall still ahead of us. Hope you guys enjoy this one. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

First two weeks of Minnesota bow season are in the books and we are brining you part 1 recap of opening weekend down in SE Minnesota. Evan and Erik sit down and BS about opening weekend, from the crazy amount of rain and flooded woods to getting out in the stand, close encounters, missed opportunities and finally putting a deer on the ground. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast We talk about what the flooding did to the farm, how the deer were moving, some of the bucks we're already keeping an eye on, and why getting out there and actually hunting the woods can teach you a lot more than just staring at trail cameras. It was a wild opening weekend, but we're just getting started. And we'll just leave it at this... Next week we're back with another Minnesota deer recap, of Eriks big early season buck. Thanks for listening and following along with us this season. It's going to be a fun one. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

Duck season is opening, deer season is underway, and the first signs of fall are finally starting to show. We talk about getting ready for duck opener, scouting pressured water, early-season decoy spreads, wood duck strategies, and what it takes to find success when everyone else is fighting for the same spots. Then we head into the deer woods and talk about some impressive opening-weekend success, hunting through brutal weather, taking advantage of breaks in the rain, and why those short windows of opportunity can be some of the best times to be in the stand. From ducks and deer to scouting, weather, gear, pressure, and simply getting out there, this episode is all about embracing the beginning of the season and making the most of those first opportunities. The season is here. Bucks & Ducks is officially in full swing. Next week, we're heading west to talk mule deer and whitetails across South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and the western prairie. Follow Wild Faith Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, and join us for another season in the great outdoors. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast  

Some hunting dogs are good. Some are great. And then there are the ones people are still talking about generations later. In this episode of Wild Faith, we’re going back through the stories of five legendary hunting dogs and the men who hunted with them. We start with King Buck, the black Labrador Retriever who became a two-time National Retriever Champion and the only dog ever featured on a Federal Duck Stamp. Then there’s Count Noble, the English Setter whose reputation helped shape American bird-dog history and whose bloodlines produced generations of champions. We head into the Mississippi Delta with Pat, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever made famous through the writing of legendary waterfowler Nash Buckingham. Then comes Fend L’Air, an English Setter whose story took him from hunting quail in Algeria to the battlefields of World War I, where he helped save the life of his wounded master. And finally, Old Drum, the black-and-tan hunting hound whose death led to one of the most famous courtroom speeches ever given about a dog. These aren't just stories about famous dogs. They're stories about loyalty, hard hunting, persistence, and the bond between a man and the animal sitting beside him in the blind, truck, boat, or field. Because if you've hunted with dogs long enough, you know the dog usually becomes part of the story. You might forget the number of birds you killed. You probably won't forget the dog that was there when you did it. These are The Dogs We Remember.   Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

Where did the Labrador Retriever actually come from? Why was this breed built for water, retrieving, and working alongside people? And how did a working dog from Newfoundland become one of the most iconic hunting dogs in North America? In the first episode of The History of Bird Dogs, we go back to the roots of the Labrador Retriever—from the St. John’s water dogs of Newfoundland to the British sporting estates and eventually the American duck blind. We talk about what really makes a Lab a great hunting dog, what “drive” actually means, the difference between field-bred and show-bred Labs, and why the Labrador has become such a staple for duck hunters across the country. The Labrador Retriever—the king of the duck blind. #LabradorRetriever #DuckHunting #BirdDogs #HuntingDogs #Waterfowl #DuckDog #Retriever   Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

In this episode, we break down Concealment 101 and the mistakes that can get you busted in the field. From movement and unnatural shapes to contrast, poor positioning, and picking the wrong background, there’s a lot more to hiding than simply putting on camouflage. We talk duck and goose blinds, brushing boats, layout blinds vs. A-frames, natural cover, tree stand setup, choosing the right tree, and those little things that can give you away without you even realizing it. We also get into how animals pick up movement, when you can get away with moving, and why sometimes the best concealment isn't the most camo it's simply looking like you belong there. Whether you're chasing waterfowl or whitetails, this one is all about mastering the hide and giving yourself every chance to go undetected. Wild Faith Podcast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast