Opening Day: Ep. 8 Beginners Luck in the Deer Woods!

We all know the story ... new guy goes hunting, 20 minutes go by, and they shoot a deer. Meanwhile, you spent all year scouting and bleeding to hopefully kill a yearling. That isn't that story. Heath worked hard for his deer, studied like a madman, and made it happen. This is his story. If you like the show, consider joining our Digital Deer Camp! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parker shares insights on his 10-mile trek to kill his first big buck of the 2025 season! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Deer Hunting Contest 02:21 Parker's 10-Mile Hunt Experience 05:23 Scouting Techniques and Strategies 08:10 Setting Up for Success 11:14 The Thrill of the Hunt 14:08 The Moment of Truth 17:05 Reflections on the Hunt 20:12 The Impact of Social Media on Hunting 27:38 The Thrill of the Hunt 30:52 Confidence in Early Season Hunting 33:03 Mastering Equipment and Skills 36:26 The Unpredictability of Bowhunting 40:17 Identifying Buck Sign and Habitats 42:56 The Impact of Broadheads on Recovery 46:49 Adapting Techniques and Mindsets 50:01 Looking Ahead to the Season If you love the show, click this link and join our thriving online community! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introduction and Welcome- 00:00:00 Diverse Habitats and Hunting Success- 3:00 Public Land Hunting Challenges- 9:00 Trusting Your Hunting Plan- 15:00 Social Media and Hunting Perceptions- 21:00 Carrying the Deer: A Personal Story- 27:00 Understanding Deer Behavior- 33:00 Technology in Modern Hunting- 39:00 Persistence and Adaptability in Hunting- 45:00 If you love the show, click this link and join our thriving online community! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walter Lee interviews Jonathan Stewart, a passionate hunter from Kentucky, who shares his journey in the deer woods. Jonathan discusses his evolution as a hunter, the strategies he employs to track and harvest big bucks, and the emotional highs and lows of the hunting experience. He reflects on the importance of preparation, the role of technology in modern hunting, and the joy of sharing these moments with his son. The conversation culminates in a celebration of Jonathan's recent success in harvesting a remarkable deer, highlighting the connection between hunters and the land they cherish. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Hunter's Journey 02:54 The Evolution of Hunting Skills 05:40 Tracking the Big Buck: A Year in Review 08:19 The Strategy Behind the Hunt 11:31 The Anticipation of Opening Day 14:17 The Moment of Truth: The Hunt 17:07 The Aftermath: Celebrating the Success 20:14 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations If you love the show, click this link and join our thriving online community! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walter Lee and Parker McDonald interview Derrick Dixon, a whitetail guru who has taken a unique approach to deer hunting through the use of drone technology. Derrick shares his journey from a tech job to pursuing his passion for wildlife photography and research. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of documenting deer behavior, the importance of environmental factors, and the insights he has gained about deer movement patterns. The conversation highlights the intersection of technology and traditional hunting practices, offering valuable tips for both seasoned hunters and newcomers alike. In this conversation, Derrick Dixon shares his extensive research on deer behavior, particularly focusing on the impact of moon phases, the effects of bumping bucks, and the significance of terrain features in deer movement. He discusses the late-season behavior of mature bucks, strategies for hunting on public land, and the importance of water sources. The conversation also touches on future research directions in diverse habitats, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of deer behavior in various environments. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Whitetail Guru 04:37 The Genesis of a Dream: From Tech to Wildlife Research 13:59 The Journey of Wildlife Photography and Research 20:32 Data-Driven Insights: The Science of Deer Behavior 27:08 New Insights on Deer Behavior 35:27 Understanding Morning Movements of Mature Bucks 39:41 The Impact of Human Interaction on Deer Behavior 53:59 Challenging Common Hunting Beliefs 55:50 Exploring LIDAR Technology in Hunting 58:37 Understanding Deer Movement and Terrain Features 01:01:01 The Home Range of Mature Bucks 01:02:12 Behavioral Patterns of Bucks in Different Habitats 01:05:49 The Importance of Landmarks in Deer Travel 01:10:02 Water Sources and Deer Behavior 01:13:09 Researching Diverse Habitats for Deer Movement 01:16:08 Ethics in Modern Hunting Practices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had the opportunity to have Todd back on the podcast to discuss how they designed their newest bow, the Bowtech Ascend. This bow was made with you in mind, balancing all the features you need with the price point you deserve. Walt has this bow already and had the opportunity to sling carbon down range ... its a killer folks! Click here to learn more! https://bowtecharchery.com/bows/ascend/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I don't think we talk near enough about private lands in the hunting community and that is probably due to how popular public land has become in the last 10 years. However, private land continues to be a tremendous resource and the tactics that apply can be even more difficlt at times, especially when you are hunting small permission properties like Brandon Reed. If you love the show, click this link and join our thriving online community! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So I took some liberties with the title, but PROVE ME WRONG and we will have you on the show. There are folks you talk to that you immediately build a connection with and know they are "your people," and Asher is one of us. The dude lives and breathes the outdoors, and is the kind of guy that zones out at a party because a cell cam picture came in. This story is full of the highs and lows of bowhunting whitetails and takes some of the craziest turns ever along the way!s If you love the show, click this link and join our thriving online community! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Moody is a top tier fella. He's the kind of person who you trust with your OnX Pins if you get what I am saying ... While hunting private lands gets a bad rap for being easy, but the reality is that private land hunting comes with its own unique sets of challenges and its a different puzzle. Andrew was able to rely on the help of a forester to kill a stud early and this is that story! If you love the show, click this link and join our thriving online community! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many of us get the opportunity to chase, let alone see, a giant buck? The story of the Jake Benton buck is a three-year quest to kill an absolute giant Kentucky buck. Hard work and a close eye on year-over-year patterns were the keys to success! If you love the show, click this link and join our thriving online community! www.patreon.com/socohunt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices