Wisconsin Sportsman

It's finally starting to feel like summer and all of our minds are beginning to look towards the fall... in other words, we're shifting into deer mode! This week, Pierce is joined by none other than the OG Wisconsin Sportsman: Josh Raley! After a crazy spring, the guys are finally back together to catch up about things they've learned over the past few months, realizations they've made, and more importantly, what the heck they're going to do this fall! In this episode, we kick things off by hearing about Josh's consulting season with Whitetail Partners and his entrance into the real estate game. After that, the guys discuss the differences between northern and southern deer hunting, where the most deer research is coming from, theories on what an additional gun season would look like in Wisconsin, and mindsets heading into deer season. Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June is here and hopefully by now that means you've already dusted off the rods, reels, and tackle boxes, greased up the axles on the boat trailer and charged up the batteries. If you haven't we need to have a serious talk, and if you have, what did you forget on that first trip of the year? What did you have to pop into a bait shop for? What could you have just simply done better? As fun as they can be, fishing trips can also be a source of nightmares if not done properly. That's why this week, we're talking all about how to plan and prepare for a fishing trip!This week, Andrew Wolfe returns to the show after a big tournament up in Door County and Pierce is also coming off of a fishing trip not too far away from where Andrew was. After a week of chasing big smallies, the guys thought it would be a good idea to share their tips on how they prepare for a fishing trip. In this episode, the guys break down how they choose a place to go whether it be based off of a species, area, skill they hope to hone, or historic body of water, and then break down how they use their resources to figure out what the fish are doing before they go. Then the guys talk about gear essentials, what they never leave home without, what's overrated, and finally, how they prepare mentally for a trip. This episode is a fun one with plenty of entertaining tangents, but even more good info. Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summer is finally here and with turkey season in the rearview and a few good months between now and hunting season, it's time to start thinking about how to prepare for fall. While that typically includes thinking about where you'll be hunting, what gear you need to replace, and slinging some arrows in the backyard, one of the most important things we can work on is training ourselves mentally and physically for the months to come. That's exactly why this week we're talking to Brian Austin, owner and founder of Beast Mode Archery Challenge!Brian is a lifelong Wisconsinite from the Driftless region, who has a passion for fitness and, of course, bowhunting. He holds a physical education degree from UW Platteville, which he's used to create fitness programs specifically for bowhunters, and build Beast Mode ArcheryChallenge: where archery, fitness, and bowhunting intersect! Brian shares his insight on what outdoor fitness really looks like, and some of the best ways to build health, strength and mobility for hunting. Then the guys break down the phenomenal events Brian and his team at BMAC. From 3D shoots designed to test your body and your aim, to the grueling BMAC Endurance Challenge, Quiver Shiver, and BMAC Games, that will give you the ultimate physical and mental challenge, Beast Mode Archery Challenge has an event that's perfect to prepare you for the season ahead while having a ton of fun along the way! Go check out the events page at beastmodearchery.com to sign up for this year's remaining events, and follow along with Brian on Instagram and Facebook @beastmodearchery Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As quickly as it arrived, turkey season is almost gone! These six weeks never seem to last long enough, even though it might seem like time is dragging when you find yourself sitting in a silent woods, just praying to hear a gobble in your direction. Hopefully none of you found yourselves in that situation (for long at least) this spring, but with one week left to go, it's a sprint to the finish in the turkey woods.This week, Pierce is joined for a second time by Drew Schleim, host of The Predator Podcast, and although Drew is a big time coyote killer, no turkey is safe from him either! The guys share stories from this spring including an hours-old story of Pierce tagging a bird with minutes to go in his hunt, and Drew helping others fill their tags while also filling multiple tags of his own here in Wisconsin and also South Dakota! Drew shares some stories and lessons learned from his time in South Dakota, how he managed to kill his first two Merriam's turkeys, and also shares some fantastic tips for punching a late season tag here in the badger state. It's a great conversation that will leave you itching to get out in the turkey woods one last time!Go check out Drew's turkey hunts on YouTube on the Sundown Outdoors Channel, listen in on the great predator hunting episodes he's putting out over at The Predator Podcast, and follow along with his adventures on Instagram @predatorpodcast_drew Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are good ways of doing things and better ways of doing things, and when it comes to bass fishing, there are endless ways to become a better bass angler. One of those ways is to spend time with someone who really knows bass, has fished for them competitively for years, and is a heck of an all around outdoorsman. In other words, spend some time picking the brain of Wisconsin-native, Andrew Wolfe!This week we're talking bass fishing and you do not want to miss this! Andrew is a lifelong bass fisherman who even represented the Badgers as a member of their college bass fishing team, and now spends his time fishing tournaments and for pleasure around the country. Heck, the guy even paid rent in grad school by winning tournaments! Throughout all that experience, he's become an incredible bass fisherman, and this week he's here to help us all level up our bass game to achieve more success on the water this year. The guys talk about the college bass fishing scene, lessons learned through fishing tournaments, scouting effectively, using the conditions to your advantage and much more. You can follow along with Andrew and his adventures on Instagram @heywolfe11 but fair warning, you will see some GIANT fish! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Early mornings, cold fingertips, shots ringing out over the marsh, and a limit of ducks on the strap might feel like a lifetime away right now, but in the words of Wisconsin Waterfowl Association's Executive Director, Bruce Ross, "If you want birds in the sky in the fall, you have to put them on the ground in the spring by creating good habitat." The key point there is, "creating good habitat", and that's exactly what the WWA is setting out to do with the launch of their new Public Lands Restoration Initiative!In partnership with the DNR, the WWA is setting out to help identify, evaluate, plan, and implement restoration on historic wetlands across the state that have been impacted by agricultural drainage and/or development, and this week, Pierce sits down with Bruce Ross to hear all about this new initiative, and how they plan to get it done. It's a fantastic conversation that will leave you searching for the sign up link to join WWA, as Bruce shares what the WWA is all about, what they're doing to help protect and restore wetlands, how they're going about educating hunters and non-hunters alike, and so much more. Whether you're a lifelong waterfowler or someone who's never even thought about it, this episode is for you. Go check out the WWA website to learn more about all the awesome work they're doing at wisducks.org, and mark your calendars for Saturday, August 24th to attend the Waterfowl Hunting Expo in Oshkosh! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The first week of turkey season has come and gone and holy smokes was it an eventful one! Birds were missed, birds were later shot, but most importantly, a good time was had by all! This week is all about turkey hunting success stories and lessons learned, reminders earned, and key takeaways for everyone to take with them into the woods in the coming weeks.After whiffing on a bird opening day, Pierce sought redemption a couple days later and was able to connect with a gorgeous tom out at a family friend's property to punch his Season A tag. Then, he joined his good friend Chance for an early morning hunt on a property that is filled to the brim with turkeys! That hunt was short, sweet and action packed and resulted in Chance filling his tag and harvesting his second turkey ever. It's a fun episode filled with laughs and even a few tips for folks listening to take with them into the woods. Enjoy the episode and good luck out there in the coming weeks! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every April the Wisconsin DNR releases a questionnaire to the public to ask for public input regarding conservation-related issues that are on the radar looking towards the future. The in-person Spring Hearings are then held by each district's Conservation Congress, where citizens can ask questions, and make their opinions known about issues that matter to them. It's an incredible opportunity for regular people like you and I to provide input, and an even better opportunity for outdoorsmen and conservationists to help further initiatives towards positive change. Some of the questions also make you think pretty hard.This week, Pierce sits down with Wisconsin BHA Board member, Alec Bekkers, to discuss a few of the Hearing questions that stuck out to them the most, and more importantly, what some of them mean for conservation, public land access, and hunter/angler rights and opportunities. The guys cover a little bit of everything including: trout regulations, wake boats, panfish limits, technology in the outdoors, houndsmen advocacy, and most importantly, that outdoorsmen need to do a better job of showing up, making their voices heard, and fighting for hunter rights. It's a thought-provoking conversation that's just the tip of the iceberg. You can go find the spring hearing questionnaire on the DNR website, and join Backcountry Hunters & Anglers at https://www.backcountryhunters.org/join Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Hunting Forums, Netflix, you name it! Across all platforms somebody's got something to say, a bone to pick, or a cool picture to remind you why their gear is better than whatever you've got, and your way of doing things isn't great. It wears on a person after a while and sometimes can make it tough to figure out which way is up.That's the core focus of this week's episode as Pierce sits down with his good buddy, Gus Merwin, to take a step back and do a little analysis of hunting culture and the messages we're sent by outdoor brands, and more importantly, that we're sending to each other. Gus is a Wisconsin native and avid outdoorsman, now working in the marketing space. The guys discuss allegiances to brands, the messages various marketing campaigns send to us, impacts of social media on outdoor trends and schools of thought, and how those can be a really good thing, or maybe a bad thing. The core message of their chat is that we're all in this together, not everything is better or worse than the next thing, and we should all do our part to be conscious of who, how, and what we represent as members of the outdoor community. Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Only one week to go! At long last, turkey season is nearly here and that means early mornings, the sweet smell of spring air, gobbling turkeys, and for many of us, a good bit of confusion to go along with it. Turkeys do weird things every year and many of us will find ourselves scratching our heads and texting a buddy for advice when the birds don't cooperate. This week, we're hoping to save you a few of those texts as Pierce hops on the line with Matt Streim from Weathered Oaks Game Calls, to answer the age old question: "What would you do?" The guys kick things off by going over the various sounds that turkeys make, how they interpret them, and then run through a whole mess of scenarios that many of us will find ourselves in throughout the coming weeks, and break down how they'd set up, call, and think about each one. It's a fun episode with a lot of great tips that we're sure you'll be able to put to use this Spring. Follow along with Matt's spring @weatheredoaksgamecalls on Facebook & Instagram, and visit www.weatheredoaksgamecalls.com to get one of his calls for yourself! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahh... April at last! That can only mean one thing: turkeys!! This week, Dylan Hazen joins the show once again to kick off this year's turkey season talk and folks, you might want to grab a note pad for this one! For those of you who don't know, Dylan is a former THP intern, and now freelance video producer for Woodhaven Custom Calls and owner of In-Season Media. In his time in the outdoor industry, Dylan has had the opportunity to hunt alongside some of the best to ever do it in the turkey woods, which in turn, has turned Dylan into a wealth of knowledge and turkey killing machine himselfIn this episode, Pierce & Dylan break down some of the lessons Dylan has learned from working with the Woodhaven crew, and several other big names he's crossed paths with, and unpacks some of the constants for success are among all of these legends. The guys break down how Dylan's own hunting style has been shaped through time spent in the woods and some keys to developing your own hunting style and building off of it. After that, they cover roosting birds, calling, making noise that's not with a turkey call, setups in various environments, and even break down some tips for easy self filming. Like we said, you might want to grab a note pad!Follow along with Dylan and his work @dylanhazen_inseason and by checking out The Woodhaven Custom Calls YouTube channel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Spring is right around the corner, and for lots of anglers that means some of the best fishing of the year is nearly here! That's especially true if you like to target trout in Wisconsin's Driftless region and daydream about a cloud of Blue Winged Olives hovering over a bend pool with hungry trout rising beneath them. If that's the case, then this episode is for you! As we come off a year of extreme drought in most of the state, our trout streams have taken a hit with water levels lower, and significantly clearer than usual. This week, Pierce flies solo and breaks down the tactics he uses when guiding in the Driftess region, specifically when the trout are even spookier than usual! He talks through a trout's senses and what causes them to be so spooky under these conditions, what ideal conditions are, how to approach fish, how to build a stealthy leader, tips for casting success, what bugs are hatching and the flies you need in your box, and lots more in this week's episode! If you want to learn more, or even book a day on the water with him this spring, visit www.goodchanceflyfishing.com or follow and shoot him a message @goodchancflyfishing Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's the return of Kent Boucher this week and boy, is it a fun one because we're talking shed hunting! Pierce & Kent break down how Kent developed his passion for shed hunting before real hunting, how he determines if someone's actually a good shed hunter, how he scouts to find more sheds, what kinds of terrain he has the best luck in, the litmus test to see if you've got "the eye" for sheds, and even shares a couple grisly tales from his college days in the cadaver lab. This is one you definitely don't want to miss! Huge thanks to Kent for coming on the show again! If you like what you heard, go check out his fantastic shows: The First Gen Hunter Podcast and The Prairie Farm Podcast wherever you do your listening! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Late winter, crappy weather, and no hunting season in sight. What better time to take a minute to reflect on last deer season, establish a game plan for next year, and work on dialing in your gear for next season!Folks, the gloves were off this week as Pierce hopped on the line with Matt Lehr from The Mobile Hunters Dojo Podcast! Matt has been a mobile hunter for his entire hunting career and has learned more than a thing or two in his time afield. in this episode, Matt spits some truth about what really matters in hunting, how mindset is more important than any new piece of gear, lessons he's learned from years spent in a saddle, how he plans for out of state hunts, what gear he loves and wny, and even shares the story of how he arrowed a +200" public land monster! Be sure to go check out The Mobile Hunters Dojo wherever you get your podcasts, and follow Matt on social media @themobilehuntersdojo and @greatwhitemobilehunter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Josh is back! Finally, after what seems like forever, Josh tunes back in for this week's episode. This week, the guys get a chance to catch up and chat about what they've been working on, how Josh's consulting season is going down south, and a lot of the realizations each of them have made throughout the season. Pierce & Josh dive into some of the seemingly parallel principles of starting their businesses and hunting, and how an entrepreneurial mindset can not only help you achieve professional success, but also help you kill some big deer. Then they chat about some of the biggest lessons and takeaways Josh has found during this consulting season, how that's shaping his hunting strategy for the upcoming fall, and even some of his plans for turkey season. It's a little unconventional this week but undoubtedly a great one! Be sure to follow Josh @whitetail_partners_georgia on Instagram and check out the Design. Build. Hunt. Podcast on YouTube! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

28 weeks... yep, that's how far we have to go until we can sneak out in the woods, plant our butts in a tree and hope for the big one to come by. It might feel too soon to let thoughts of booners enter your dreams, or allow your focus to drift from work as you try to picture how you'll slip in to send an arrow at your target buck. For many die-hards though, that couldn't be further from the truth as this is prime time for getting in the woods to do some post-season scouting.This week, Pierce hops on the line once again with big buck killer Jacob Sklenar to talk about how he approaches post-season scouting, and some of the tips, tricks and hacks he uses to maximize his time in the woods and learn an area right now, to prep for fall. Jacob discusses what he looks for when selecting a property, what he believes are the most over and underrated land features, how he prioritizes sign when in the field, and even discusses thermals, scent control and how good a deer's sense of smell really is. All that and more on this week's episode!Do yourself a massive favor and grab your notebook, and then head on over to Jacob's YouTube Channel, The Wild Calling to see the phenomenal content he's putting out, and follow along with his adventures on Instagram and Facebook at The Wild Calling Outdoors Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Although the calendar may not reflect Spring being close, the forecast certainly does and for many anglers that means one thing: Walleyes! This week, Pierce sits down with Southeastern Wisconsin native, and avid walleye angler, Bryce Becker to talk about everything you need to know to target these famously finicky fish!Bryce grew up in Waukesha County and has been targeting walleye with his grandfather for about as long as he can remember. Throughout that time, he honed and perfected his tactics to consistently catch these low-light "gravel snakes" everywhere from his local rivers in the southern part of the state, clear on up to the famous lakes of the Northwoods. In this episode, Bryce breaks down how walleyes see, when they are most active, what they feed on, the best habitat and conditions for targeting these fish, and so much more! Whether you're a lifelong walleye angler like Bryce or a total walleye novice like Pierce, you're going to learn something in this episode to help get you on fish this spring!Be sure to follow along with Bryce's adventures on Instagram @ wisconsin_weekend_warrior Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You never know how or when you'll cross paths with awesome people but when it happens, you can't help but feel lucky. That happened for Pierce last week as he met Jeff Hintz at the BHA Northern Icebreaker Banquet, after raffling off a guest slot on the show to raise money for BHA. Jeff is a lifelong outdoorsman, hunting mentor, and current member of Wisconsin's Conservation Congress. In this episode, Pierce & Jeff talk about Jeff's upbringing in the southeastern corner of the state, how he got to be a pretty darn good shot by shooting rats out on the farm, who Jeff's mentors were and how he's transitioned into serving as a mentor himself, BHA, and the inner workings of the Conservation Congress and how folks like you can make your voices heard. All that and more on this week's episode! Big thanks to all members of the Wisconsin BHA chapter for putting on such a fantastic event to bring outdoorsmen and women together to share stories, build camaraderie and raffle off some awesome prizes for a great cause! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's no secret that Wisconsin has a rich history of deer hunting. Images of flannel and orange clad hunters standing around a buck pole with thick northern forest in the background still come to mind when anyone says they're headed to deer camp. Unfortunately, that image is becoming less and less of a reality in recent years as the North woods of Wisconsin simply aren't what they once were for deer hunting. So much, in fact, that the state legislation has recently proposed to prohibit the harvest of does in the Northern Forest Region. This probably isn't the first time you've heard about this since the bill was proposed, but you probably don't have all the information about it either. If that's the case, you're in the right place as this week, Pierce sits down with outdoor writer and author, Paul Annear to discuss the complexities of deer management in Wisconsin and the context surrounding this recently proposed bill. Paul has been writing for publications like Legendary Whitetails, Midwest Whitetail, Deer & Deer Hunting, and countless others since 2014, and is one of the most well-rounded and knowledgeable voices in the Whitetail space. The guys cover what things led to so much decline in the northern deer herd, the constraints the DNR must operate within due to the state's political landscape, opposite struggles in the Southern half of the state, and much more. If one thing is certain, it's that Wisconsin is an unbelievably unique and difficult state to manage deer in, and the betterment of deer management rests on the shoulders of outdoorsmen and women making their voices heard to provide input on best practices. Go follow along with Paul's awesome writing @pannear on Instagram or by searching "Paul Annear" to find more of his articles! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we're phoning in from across the big river, as we talk with Iowa native, Kent Boucher! Now I know what you're thinking, isn't this the WISCONSIN Sportsman? Yes, it is, but Kent is too awesome of a guy, and possesses a wealth of knowledge too great to miss, and spoiler alert, this isn't the last you'll be hearing from him!Kent hosts the First Gen Hunter Podcast, the Prairie Farm Podcast, and is the Production Manager of Hoksey Native Seeds. In this episode, Pierce and Kent have a great conversation on the importance and countless benefits of prairies on our landscapes, and how the work Kent and his team are doing at Hoksey is impacting landscapes across the midwest. They also have a serious talk about land usage and the evolution and (in many cases) disappearance of family farms across much of America's heartland. Throughout this, they cover many of the struggles that farmers face in this current era, and shed some light on many misconceptions people hold about farming as a whole. After that, they dive into Kent's journey as a first-generation hunter, and how he has learned and begun his journey as an outdoorsman while raising and growing a family. It's an absolutely fantastic conversation, that we think you will all learn a lot from. Be sure to go follow along with Kent's work and adventures @first.gen.hunter and @hokseynativeseeds , and listen to the awesome content he's putting out on The First Gen Hunter Podcast and The Prairie Farm Podcast on whatever platform you listen on!Recommended Books:1491 by Charles C. MannTending Iowa's Land by Cornelia MutelFarming for the Long Haul by Michael FoleyA Country So Full of Game by James J. DinsmoreBig thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Well folks, the forecast looks clear, all the snow has been shoveled, and it's certainly been cold enough for the last couple weeks most of our lakes and ponds have frozen over. That can only mean one thing... ice fishing! In this weeks episode, Pierce hops on the line with Kyle Tyree of YouTube's viral fishing channel, Wisconsin Fisherman. Kyle has been ice fishing for nearly his entire life and doing it with a camera by his side for over a decade. And let me tell you now, this dude knows ice fishing! Kyle fills Pierce in on everything you need to know about ice fishing in the badger state as they cover gear, technology, etiquette, scouting, finding fish, why fish are where they are, what they're eating and so much more. Whether you're a seasoned ice fisherman or a total newbie, there's great information for you not only in this episode, but also on Kyle's YouTube channel as well!Be sure to follow along with Kyle's adventures @wisconsin_fisherman on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and when you plan your trip up north this summer, book a trip with Wisconsin Fisherman Guide Service to spend a day in the boat with Kyle and have an awesome time! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Deer season is in the rearview and many of us have cabin fever which means it's a great time to try something new! This week we have a first for The Wisconsin Sportsman as we talk all things predator hunting with host of The Predator Podcast, Drew Schliem. Drew has been hunting for about as long as he can remember, but he really caught the coyote hunting bug in high school and has been piling them up ever since. In this episode, Pierce & Drew talk about the evolution of predator hunting, what song dogs are doing, where to find them, how they use terrain, how to call them in, technological advancements in predator hunting, how Drew filled his bobcat tag this past season and so much more! Be sure to go check out The Predator Podcast, which can be found wherever you get your podcasts, and follow along with Drew's adventures @predatorpodcast_drew on Instagram or Facebook.Lastly, be sure to sign up and mark your calendars for the 2024 Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Northern Icebreaker which will be held on February 3rd, at Lake Koshkonong! For more info, visit https://www.backcountryhunters.org/north_country_icebreaker_2024Connect with Pierce and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's a new year! Whether you're a new year's resolutioner or not, this is a time that most people are taking inventory and looking ahead at what they hope to accomplish in the next twelve months. For outdoorsmen and women, that often involves making plans to take a hunting/fishing trip or two, which can turn into quite the task if you don't have some practice. In this episode, Pierce and Josh take a deep dive into their planning processes and unpack what all goes on behind the scenes that might not make it into the episodes you all hear. The guys talk about how they choose what kind of a hunt they want, how they pick locations to avoid crowds, taking care of the people around you, what their goals are for 2024, and so much more!Special shoutout to listener, Jason, for reaching out to suggest this episode topic! If you've got questions you want answered, shoot us a message or respond to the Polls highlight on our Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The holidays are over and it's time to get back to work! For many of us that means the usual work schedule we threw to the wayside sometime back before the rut, but for the Whitetail Partners crew, it means the kickoff of consulting season! In this week's episode Pierce and Josh are joined once again by Sam Bilhorn of Whitetail Partners to discuss where priorities should be immediately post-deer season. For those of you who own hunting properties, just bought a new one, or simply have countless thoughts and questions on how to improve deer habitat, this episode is for you.Sam dives into assessing how your property performed in 2023, what projects are best to start right off the bat while deer sign is the most fresh, timber stand improvement including the do's and don'ts of hinge cutting, and so much more to help you start 2024 on the right foot wherever you hunt! This episode is just the tip of the iceberg for most of these topics and if you want to learn more, do yourself a favor and go check out the fantastic content that the Whitetail Partners team is putting out on their new podcast, the Design. Build. Hunt. Podcast, as well as their YouTube, Instagram and website: www.whitetailpartners.com Connect with The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The holiday season is upon us and like everyone this time of year, Pierce & Josh are a little scatter brained... not quite like, "How will it be possible to make it to the in-laws on the same night as a work party?", but more along the lines of should cell cameras actually be legal? What's that one piece of gear the guys couldn't live without this season? Is Josh a hypocrite for telling folks to hunt public land but not telling them where he hunts? (Spoiler Alert: No!) Are we making hunting too easy for kids? How do we walk the line of introducing people to the sport of deer hunting and making them work, while also not sentencing them to a two year suck-fest of cold feet and blown opportunities? Should hunters have to figure it out for themselves or should we be helping one another along? If you like rabbit holes, this episode is for you! Be sure to go check out the Wisconsin Sportsman on Instagram to participate in some of our listener feedback polls on these topics or shoot us a DM with your thoughts by searching @thewisconsinsportsmanpod. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

No matter what kind of hunter you are, you probably have some pretty strong opinions on a few select topics. Everyone has an opinion on who should be allowed to use what and when, what crosses ethical lines, and what constitutes sportsmanlike conduct. In this episode, the guys dive in to a few of the more controversial topics. In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh and Pierce have a great discussion about crossbows, cell cams, and where we draw the line. The guys discuss their opinions, where they think the conversation needs to start, and ask the question, Who really gets to decide, anyway? It's a great conversation you're sure to enjoy!Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we take a break from thinking about deer as Pierce sits down with Erik Woll of Woll E. Bugger Fly Fishing Guide Service. Erik is a lifelong fly fisherman from central Illinois who found home in the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin, where he quickly discovered the giant brown trout that come into the Lake Michigan tributary rivers and streams every fall. In 2019 he founded Woll E. Bugger Fly Fishing Guide Service to guide others onto the world class fishing that can be found in the Southeast corner of the state. Pierce & Erik cover everything you need to know to target these fish from what gear you need, what the fish are doing, where to find them, and how to get them to eat. They also debate the ethics of targeting spawning fish and various schools of thought surrounding the issue. If you'd like to get in touch with Erik and book your trip, you can get in touch with him on Facebook or Instagram by searching Woll. E. Bugger Fly Fishing Guide ServiceCheck out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce talks with Jacob Sklenar of The Wild Calling. Jacob is a Wisconsin native, former college wrestler and die hard deer hunter. 2023 was a record year for Jacob after he killed not one, not two, but THREE bucks across three different states, the largest of which was his personal best and came from our great state of Wisconsin. Jacob shares his stories from the season and the guys talk about everything from creating and testing hypotheses in the woods, to hunting specific deer, to putting the puzzle of a buck's life together, and even talk about some lessons learned from sports and how they translate to the deer woods and your mindset when hunting. You can (and I highly recommend you DO) watch Jacob's hunts play out over on his YouTube channel: The Wild Calling and follow along with his adventures on Instagram @wildcallingoutdoors Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gun season 2023 is now behind us. Whether you filled a tag during the gun season or not, you're likely asking the question, Now what? If you've still got a few bow tags in your pocket, your in luck! There's still plenty of time to chase whitetails in WI! But the bad news is you might have to work a little harder for them. In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh and Pierce discuss hunting after the gun season pressure. Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh and Pierce recap Pierce's last couple bowhunts of the year and his 2023 WI gun opener buck. We all know that the gun opener is a sacred holiday in the state of Wisconsin. And this year's opener did not disappoint for Pierce! He was able to tag a beautiful buck on a hunt that took some strange turns! Tune in to hear how it all went down!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!Connect with The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In what seems like the blink of an eye, the "peak" days of rut hunting have come and gone. That's not to say there's not still plenty of time to get it done, but for many in the midwest, the last week of October and first two weeks of November are the pinnacle of the deer hunting. With this magical time period behind us, it's time to discuss the ups, downs, and all the little things bow hunting whitetails can teach us about our quarry, and ourselves. In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh and Pierce recap their rut hunting so far, and Josh shares the story of his 2023 archery buck. Connect with The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The guys are on bucks in Wisconsin! The hunting has been up and down for Pierce and Josh, but they've both managed to get eyes on some really nice deer. One of them may have blanked on opportunities at three shooters in five days! Tune in to hear how the hunting is going, what the guys are doing to get on deer, and how they plan to tackle the rest of the rut. Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh and Pierce discuss their mindset and game plan heading into November. Pierce has his hands full with an absolute TANK of a deer on the "Perfect 5". He's had a couple good sits with decent action and has gotten his tail whipped by a new piece of public. Josh still hasn't gotten out this season, but will be hitting it hard over the next several weeks with no obligations other than hunting. Both guys are feeling confident heading into the rut! You can keep up with their hunts on Instagram @thewisconsinsportsmanpod and @thesouthernwayhuntingpod. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh and Pierce talk with Sam Bilhorn of Whitetail Partners about his strategy for getting on pre-rut bucks. Sam is the founder of Whitetail Partners, a whitetail habitat and property design company. Since it's inception a few years ago, Whitetail Partners now has five regional design experts who cover the entire eastern half of the United States. As a guy that knows deer, the pre-rut is Sam's favorite time to target specific mature bucks on his property. In this episode, Sam shares his thoughts on pre-rut strategy including his favorite kinds of setups for public and private land, how weather impacts buck movement during the pre-rut, and how he sets up whitetail hunting parcels to capitalize on pre-rut activity. This is one you won't want to miss!Find Whitetail Partners online, on YouTube, on Facebook, and on Instagram. Connect with The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh and Pierce talk with Doug Duren of Sharing the Land about all things conservation. Doug's conservation resume speaks for itself. In this episode, the guys cover a ton of ground ranging from Doug's stewardship of his own family farm, how his thoughts and practices have evolved over the years, and how he got where he is today with his Sharing the Land initiative. If you care about hunting, fishing, conservation, and land access, this episode is for you!Check out Sharing the Land online or on Instagram. Connect with Doug Duren on Instagram. Connect with the Wisconsin Sportsman on Instagram. Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What's the deal with waterfowl hunting? That may sound like a bad Seinfeld joke, but if you've ever wondered that for yourself, then this episode is for you! On this week's episode, Pierce talks with Chase McCulloch from Somewhere in Wisconsin and Shotty Gear, to talk about all things waterfowl hunting. Chase shares how he made the transition from diehard bowhunter to a full-time waterfowler, stories of hunting with his dad, how he started filming hunts and building his YouTube Channel, and gives us a great rundown of how to hunt waterfowl. We get into everything from habitat, to scouting, to what gear folks need. Speaking of gear, Chase also tells us about his new company Shotty Gear, how he got started, and the awesome Shot Shell Pouch and gear he's got for sale! You can follow along with Chase and see the Shotty Gear Shot Shell Pouch in action on his YouTube channel, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok and follow Shotty Gear at the links below. We hope you enjoy this one!Find Somewhere in Wisconsin on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok. Find Shotty Gear online, on Facebook or on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonXRevo - use the code WISCONSINSPORTSMAN30 for 30% off Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October is finally here! Many whitetail hunters have a love-hate relationship with October, especially the first few weeks of the month. With the frenzy of the rut still a few weeks off, if you haven't done your homework, mature buck sightings can be few and far between. And there are few guys out there who put in the work to get on bucks quite like Ryan Glitsky.In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh & Pierce talk with Ryan Glitsky about Ryan's process for getting on BIG bucks. Ryan primarily hunts big woods mountain bucks in PA, and he does it at a very high level. This week, Josh and Pierce get to quiz Ryan on his approach on everything from in season scouting to trail cam strategy to when to stay put and when to make a move during the rut. This episode is FULL of good info that just might help you get on deer instead of simply watching squirrels. Enjoy!Connect with the Wisconsin Sportsman on Instagram. Connect with Ryan Glitsky on Instagram.Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As an outdoorsman, why do you do what you do? Why do you care about the things you care about? Better yet, why should anyone else care about what you care about? Is the outdoor lifestyle, and all its accoutrements, one that's worth preserving, promoting, and even passing on? These questions, at their core, are worth wrestling with, and they inform the conversation on this week's episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast. In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh & Pierce talk with Robert Rosenberger about the intersection between mentorship, hunting, and conservation. Robert, with decades of experience engrossed in Wisconsin's outdoor culture, is a wealth of knowledge, wisdom gained by experience, and to top it all off, he's a salt of the earth kind of guy. This is very likely the richest and most profound episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman so far. We hope you enjoy!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworth - Use code HNT20SPT for 20% off! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Deer season is finally here! Time to talks serious whitetail strategy and tactics, right? Right?! Meh... maybe next week. In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman, Josh and Pierce talk with Eric Clark and Greg Tubbs of the Okayest Hunter about the Okayest ethos and '23 whitetail plans. The Okayest Hunter guys have done a great job of bringing deer hunting, and a whole host of other outdoors pursuits, back to what makes them so darn special. This one was an absolute riot! Enjoy!Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are quite a few "experts" out there these days when it comes to arrows. But one major problem is many of these experts don't seem to agree on much of anything. Some say you need to shoot 750 grain arrows or you're doing it wrong. Others opt for a 350 grain speed demon. Some swear by mechanical broadheads. Some won't shoot anything but a 200 grain single bevel head. Some are sticking by the tried and true standard diameter arrows. Some insist that micro diameter arrows are the only way to get good penetration and minimize the impact of wind on the arrow's flight. Who's right????In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman, Josh & Pierce talk with JC from Pappa's Trading Post to bust some arrow setup myths. The guys touch on arrow weight, shafts, spine, FOC, and of course, broadheads. Along the way, toes are stepped on, myths are busted, and some crappy products are just straight called out. If you're looking for folks folks to shoot your straight when talking arrows, then this episode is for you! Enjoy!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with Pierce on Instagram. Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can you believe it?! 100 EPISODES!!!To celebrate, Josh talks with Pierce Nelles to share some big news and talk about their favorites from the last 100 episodes. Thank you so much for your support over the years! We look forward to keeping the fresh Wisconsin-based content flowing!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hunting season is one week closer, and to get you fired up, we've got an awesome success story from Wisconsin native Jake Mersberger. Jake grew up hunting southern Wisconsin. In recent years, his job has required him to move and travel, which has opened up opportunities for him to chase whitetails and turkeys in several different states. In 2022, Jake headed to Nebraska where he was able to catch up to a GIANT 12 point on public dirt. Enjoy!Watch the video of Jake's hunt.Jake's YouTube channel. Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Everybody loves a good hunting story. They allow us to relive hunts from the past, and bring others into those special memories. But not all hunting stories are created equal. Some, in fact, are a good as they are painful. Such is the case for Julian Young's hunt for a buck he called "The Big 6." After tons of encounters, years of history and trail camera photos, and a single minded focus on taking this giant whitetail, the story finally came to a bittersweet end in the spring turkey woods. Tune in for all the details and to hear the lessons Julian learned while chasing "The Big 6."Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Connect with Julain Young on Instagram. Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Deer season is so close you can almost smell it! If you haven't already, it's time to break out the gear, get things organized, and make adjustments based on what you liked, or didn't like, from last year's kit. Few folks in the hunting industry know gear quite like Dan Johnson. He hosts the Nine Finger Chronicles Podcast and the Hunting Gear Podcast on the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network. In this episode, Josh talks with Dan Johnson about gear choices for Western hunts and whitetails back east. The guys discuss boots, glass, base layers, bows, arrows, broadheads, saddle hunting, you name it! This episode is going to help you get your kit, and your mindset, dialed in for the season. Enjoy!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's almost deer season! Over the next couple of weeks, we're going to be bringing you success stories to get you in a whitetail state of mind!In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman, Josh talks with Caleb Hewitt about the hunt for Caleb's 2020 archery buck. Caleb hunts a medium sized property in Wisconsin. While attempting a hang and hunt in 2020, Caleb's target buck ALMOST busted him as he was climbing the tree to hang his stand. Eventually the buck moved off. But would he come back? Tune in to hear how it aall went down!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Connect with Caleb Hewitt on Instagram.Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh talks with Alec Bekkers and Matthew Reel about the Wisconsin chapter of the BHA and the upcoming Wisconsin State Rendezvous.Back Country Hunters & Anglers strives to be the voice for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. They accomplish this through education, conservation work, and advocacy. Essential to this mission is volunteers like Alec and Matthew who give of their time to protect public lands and land access for future generations. In this episode, the guys discuss the history of the BHA, the Wisconsin chapter's key initiatives, and the upcoming Wisconsin Rendezvous on August 5, 2023 at the Rib Mountain Bowmen Archery Club. Don't miss it, it's going to be a great event! Find out more at the links below. 2023 Wisconsin RendezvousWisconsin BHABackcountry Hunter's and Anglers Connect with the Wisconsin BHA on Instagram and FacebookConnect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram. Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Over 90% of the sate of Wisconsin is in the midst of a significant drought right now. In fact, much of the whitetail's range is in the midst of a drought. As deer hunters and habitat managers, how should we adapt?In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast Josh talks with Sam Bilhorn of Whitetail Partners about strategies for overcoming drought conditions. Sam shares his steps for creating water holes, how his hunting strategy will shift, and how he's approaching his property a little different given the lack of rain. For the rest of this conversation, listen to the July 20 episode of the How to Hunt Deer Podcast. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with Sam of Whitetail Partners online, on Instagram, or on Facebook. Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh talks with Nathan Woelfel about his new book, The Year of 500 Fish. Nathan Woelfel is a serious Wisconsin Sportsman. He does a little bit of everything, from fishing to upland and waterfowl hunting to deer hunting. If you can do it outside in Wisconsin, Nathan is all about it. But somewhere along the way, Nathan's relationship with fishing changed. His new book, The Year of 500 Fish: How I Rekindled my Love for Fishing is collection of short stories about his fishing excursions during the pandemic, what made many fish special, and how his love for fishing was, well, rekindled! In this episode, Josh and Nathan discuss Nathan's book and the journey he was on, fishing tactics, and more! Grab a copy of Nathan's book at the links below!Nathan's book: https://bit.ly/42xzYr5 Nathan's website: https://nathanwoelfeloutdoors.com/Nathan's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NathanWoelfelOutdoorsNathan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ndubs41/Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Josh talks with Melissa Pierick and Kevin Thusius from the Ice Age Trail Alliance. According to their website, the mission of the Ica Age Trail Alliance is to conserve, create, maintain, and promote the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Visit iceagetrail.org to learn more.Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman, Josh talks with Jacob Sklenar about Jacob's approach to map scouting and how that's contributed to his success in the whitetail woods. Jacob is an engineer by trade, and this definitely shows in his approach to map scouting! He's organized, methodical, and has developed an approach that consistently puts him the the vicinity of big bucks. In this episode, Jacob breaks down his method for map scouting, his summer trail camera strategy, and how he collects every bit of data he can every single time he's in the woods. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!Connect with Josh and The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast on Instagram.Connect with the How to Hunt Deer Podcast on Instagram.Connect with Jacob Sklenar on Instagram or Facebook.Check out Jacob's Youtube Channel, The Wild Calling and the Hunting Beast Youtube Channel. Big thanks to our partners!TACTACAMHuntworthonX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.