The WHTL Podcast - Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests
Jake Hofer
Show overview
The WHTL Podcast - Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests has been publishing since 2018, and across the 8 years since has built a catalogue of 428 episodes. That works out to roughly 400 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 47 min and 1h 6m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Sports show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2020, with 72 episodes published. Published by Jake Hofer.
From the publisher
Welcome to Trail Cam Radio, as we dive into all things trail cameras, deer hunting, whitetails, wildlife research, outdoors, camera traps, and expert guest advice. Speaking from our own experience of running a trail camera company over the years, we hope to share as much valuable information through this deer hunting podcast.
Latest Episodes
View all 428 episodes#416 - Building a Property That Consistently Produces Mature Bucks: Creating Predictable Opportunities with Wes Dilks
#415 - The Biggest Mistake Hunters Make Hunting BIG Timber For Mature Bucks with Jacob Lishen
#414 - The Complete System for Finding Mature Whitetails Without Owning Land with Kaleb Greiner
#413 - The Art & Science Behind Killing Mature Bucks: Understanding Chaos in the Whitetail Woods with Michael Engelmeyer
#412 - Why EHD Is Getting Worse Every Year—and What You Can Actually Do About It Right Now with Zach Haas of EHDfense
#411 - Why Your Hunting Property Isn't Producing Big Bucks (And How to Fix It) with Thomas Mlsna
#410 - You Don't Need Money, Big Land, or Fancy Gear to Kill Big Whitetails—You Just Need This One Thing with Jeff Hopkins
#409 - The Real Reason Most Hunters Never Kill Mature Bucks: The Brutal Truth About Land, Money, and Big Deer Success with Lee Lakosky and Skip Sligh
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back on the road with another special Q&A from the Iowa Deer Classic with Skip Sligh and Lee Lakosky. We Discuss: Strict trigger discipline is the foundation of consistently killing mature bucks Getting deer to 5–6 years old is harder than actually killing them Most target bucks live in tight core areas, often under 50 acres Knowing individual deer behavior creates a major hunting advantage Time in the field builds familiarity that replaces guesswork No farm is perfect—neighbor pressure is unavoidable everywhere Bigger farms help, but don't eliminate pressure or problems Hunting more species improves decision-making and shooting confidence Access and land control are becoming the biggest barriers for hunters And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow - Buck Land Funding: https://www.firstbankers.com/bucklandfunding - Latitude Outdoors: https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/
#408 - The Deer Hunting "Rules" That Lee Lakosky and Skip Sligh Break To Kill Mature Bucks
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back on the road with another special Q&A from the Iowa Deer Classic with Skip Sligh and Lee Lakosky. We Discuss: Hunting pressure isn't always bad if deer are used to human presence Consistent intrusion can work if it's normal year-round activity Breaking hunting rules can lead to unexpected success Mature bucks don't follow a universal movement pattern Food plots alone no longer separate your property from others Timber management is as impactful as food for holding deer No-till improves soil health and drought resistance over time Farm setup matters more than individual hunting tactics Diverse food sources help reduce deer movement and increase security Mature buck density increases with better habitat distribution And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#407 - Why Some States Produce Giants And Others Don't: The Real Reason Iowa Has Big Bucks with Skip Sligh and Lee Lakosky
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back on the road with a special Q&A from the Iowa Deer Classic with Skip Sligh and Lee Lakosky. We Discuss: Iowa produces giant bucks largely because of strict hunting regulations. Many Midwest states could improve hunting by changing season structures. Crossbow placement within seasons can significantly affect hunting pressure. CWD spending focuses on testing rather than researching a cure. EHD and bluetongue have caused major deer herd declines in some regions. Balanced age structures are critical for sustainable deer populations. Farm Bureau and hunters often clash over deer population management. The economic value of deer hunting far exceeds crop damage costs. Poaching and illegal hunting pressure are growing concerns in Iowa. Hunter organization and political involvement shape wildlife policy outcomes. And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#406 - He Paid $1,000,000 For The General Sheds… Then Everything Changed with Josh Duncan
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Josh Duncan, the new owner of The General. On this episode, we break down how: The General antlers sold for $1 million, making them the most expensive ever. The purchase was structured through installment payments, not cash. Photos surfaced showing two stickers had been shaved off decades ago. The discovery removed the rack from the North American Shed Hunters Club records. Additional sheds from the same deer surfaced over 60 years after discovery. The General's typical frame is still considered historically unmatched. The antlers' story highlights the unregulated and controversial antler collecting world. Josh now sees himself as the caretaker of the deer's legacy, not the owner. A documentary about The General is being produced to tell the full story. The mission now is to restore respect for the deer despite human manipulation. And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#405 - Is This the Golden Age of Whitetails… or the Beginning of the End? with Mark Kenyon
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Mark Kenyon. On this episode, we break down how: Why "success" in deer hunting is defined differently by everyone The real impact of CWD — both biological and social How access is quietly reshaping private and public land hunting The danger of the "scarcity mindset" Why declining hunter numbers could put us "on the menu" The power of individual and collective action Why complaining is useless — and action is everything How he made hunting fun again this season Why introducing kids to hunting might be the most important conservation act of all And So Much More! Submit a question for Skip and Lee: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUzgftdi_zWoAyrjgE5QFEY4Wz_VfokS5LG7kpzjXjSCvWAw/viewform Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#404 - Is Baiting Ruining Mature Buck Hunting? The Deer Hunting Culture Nobody Talks About with Heath Cisco
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with the ice man himself Heath Cisco. On this episode, we break down how: Overhunting small farms will cost you mature bucks. Mature deer often shift seasonal ranges (October ≠ January). Shed location doesn't equal early-season location. Rut funnels require daily commitment—not random sits. Postseason scouting must account for seasonal movement shifts. Baiting + crossbows + cell cams = hyper-effective hunters. The biggest evolution in Heath's career: hunting deer, not spots. February–April adjustments are critical for small farm optimization. And So Much More! Submit a question for Skip and Lee: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUzgftdi_zWoAyrjgE5QFEY4Wz_VfokS5LG7kpzjXjSCvWAw/viewform Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#403 - 40 acres, 2 Stands, and 30+ Years of Consistently Killing Target Mature Bucks with Jeff Helmers and Cathryn Howland
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back on the road in Wisconsin with Jeff Helmers and Cathryn Howland. On this episode, we break down how: 30 acres function as sanctuary Two stand locations are built with intentional design Soft mast, water, and food layering create consistent daylight movement Access routes are engineered so deer never see hunters enter They only hunt 1–3 times per season Target bucks are pre-selected months in advance Jeff explains why: Most hunters are their own worst enemy Pressure is misunderstood Mature bucks are smarter than people admit Trail cameras changed the game Drones and crossbows are altering age structure Simplicity beats overthinking And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#402 - Overconfidence Cost Him a Once-in-a-Lifetime Deer: The Biggest Mistakes Steve Hanson Made Chasing One Mature Buck
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Steve Hanson. We Discuss: More habitat work doesn't guarantee better odds Old intel can betray you after major changes Mature bucks adapt faster than hunters expect Overconfidence creates blind spots Overhunting shrinks opportunity windows First sits often offer the best chances Bow setups must match bow strategies Pressure compounds quickly in November Health issues can change buck behavior fast Sometimes the lesson is the reward And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#401 - The Biggest Whitetail Myth Exposed: Why Mature Bucks Are Not Actually Nocturnal with Steve Bartulla
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Kip Adams. We Discuss: Mature bucks are trained nocturnal, not naturally nocturnal Access mistakes teach deer when not to move Bedding security matters more than food proximity Small properties have the smallest margin for error Over-hunting ruins daylight movement Soil health directly affects antler potential Social stress shapes buck movement and survival Habitat tells you when deer numbers are too high Stand placement should come before habitat work Low-impact hunting creates daylight opportunities And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#400 - The Truth about EHD & CWD according to The National Deer Alliance: Which is Worse?
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Kip Adams. We Discuss: Buck age structure is the best it's been in 100+ years CWD is 100% fatal with no cure or vaccine CWD spreads long before symptoms appear Sharpshooting removes the most infected deer fastest Antlerless harvest is far below what tags allow Fewer deer = healthier deer and better habitat Hunters manage more wildlife habitat than any group Disease management buys time for future vaccines Private land is the key battleground for deer health Hunters are essential to conservation's future And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#399 - Is Technology Changing Deer Hunting for the Worse? Balancing Technology and Tradition with Josh Teulker
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Josh Teulker of Before the Echo. We Discuss: Trail cameras show only a fraction of what deer are actually doing Technology can replace skills if hunters aren't careful Difficulty often makes success more rewarding Patience kills more mature bucks than urgency Bad seasons are normal—even for great hunters Hunt spots when timing is right, not just because they exist Post-season scouting reveals pressure and overlooked areas Comparing yourself to others ruins enjoyment Shooting skill is one of the most underrated advantages Hunting success looks different for every hunter And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#398 - The Truth About Eating a Tag: Why an "Unsuccessful" Season Makes Better Hunters with Clint Campbell
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Clong time friend of the podcast Clint Campbell! We Discuss: Filling a tag early can limit how much you actually learn in a season Eating a tag often leads to more time, reps, and real woodsmanship Shrinking public access concentrates pressure and changes deer behavior If deer disappear when you hunt, your wind or access is likely the issue Overhunting "safe" spots kills long-term opportunity Chasing one mature buck demands realistic expectations Conditions matter more than calendar dates Midweek hunts can outperform weekends on pressured ground Lack of offseason prep compounds problems in-season Nobody is keeping score except you And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow
#397 - The BIGGEST Problems in Deer Hunting That No One Wants to Talk About with Mike Rex
Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. In this episode, we're back in the studio with Chairman of the Ohio Wildlife Council Mike Rex! We Discuss: Ohio has lost ~100,000 deer hunters since 2012 Fewer hunters means less political influence EHD wiped out up to 90% of deer in some areas Disease outbreaks take 3–5 years to recover from Access to land is a bigger issue than regulations Trophy focus has reduced doe harvest Crossbows drove a major shift toward archery Wildlife management always has unintended effects Social media magnifies frustration, not accuracy Hunter unity matters more than rule changes And So Much More! Want to become a better whitetail hunter? Click the link below and sign up for the Whitetail Master Academy today! https://bit.ly/WhitetailMasterAcademy Follow along on social! IG - @WHTLDEER TikTok - @WHTLDEER YouTube - @WHTLDEER Thanks again for all of the support from our partners—none of this would've been possible without them! -Moultrie: https://bit.ly/moultrie_ -Hawke Optics | Use Code WHTL for 15% off: https://bit.ly/hawkeoptics_ -OnX: https://bit.ly/onX_Hunt -Painted Arrow: bit.ly/PaintedArrow