

The WHTL Podcast - Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests
Jake Hofer
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 23, 2023 • 1h 1min
#289 - Selling Your Bow and Switching To Strictly Traditional Archery with Chris Weist!
On this episode of Exodus Podcast, we sit down with Pennsylvania native Chris Weist. Chris shares his experience transitioning from compound to traditional archery while using a saddle, as well as his findings on post-season scouting, the use of vine scrapes as an inventory tool, the importance of calculated decisions in hunting, and paying attention to details. Transitioning to traditional archery takes time and practice Saddle hunting with a stick bow You need five years of practice to feel confident hunting with traditional archery equipment Identifying pinch points where shots are limited to 20 yards Taking time to make decisions in the heat of the moment Using vine scrapes to help with buck inventory Hunting early season can lead to better pattern recognition Be patient and slow down in the moment Being an opportunist is sometimes necessary Learning from other hunters and seeking advice can elevate hunting skills Social media has become a double-edged sword for hunters Consistency is key when it comes to posting content on Instagram Social media and external validation can take away from the joy of hunting Positive mindset and mental toughness are essential for competing at a high level And so much more! Don't wait to take advantage of the sale, inventory is limited and discounts like this only happen twice a year. SAVE 25% STORE WIDE here: https://bit.ly/3W8H03X Want to win a $750 Exodus gift card AND a $750 Asio Gear gift card? Sign up for your chance to win here: https://bit.ly/3AHDyU9 CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

May 16, 2023 • 57min
#288 - 8 Years Of Exodus! Reflecting on the Last 8 Years of Exodus and Our Anniversary Sale!
Exodus is celebrating its 8-year anniversary by reflecting on its journey and offering a 25% off sale! We discuss the impacts of the company culture and the importance of taking action. We also discuss challenges in the trail camera industry, lessons learned from interviewing hunters, misconceptions of the outdoor industry, important lessons in hunting, the value of relationships, and avoiding putting oneself or others on a pedestal. We discuss: Impact on the trail camera market through warranty policies and D2C model Different demographics buy different types of trail cameras Mistakes and setbacks are inevitable in business, and it's important to learn from them and adapt Close relationships are important Taking pride in positively impacting the outdoor camera space The market for trail cameras has become increasingly competitive, with fewer new brands popping up Being nimble and adapting to market shifts is crucial for success in the industry Although more competitive, newer brands can be successful with the tools and communities available in the hunting industry. The most rewarding aspect of Exodus is being involved with good people, building a culture one can believe in, and seeing personnel grow. Everyone has their own struggles and challenges, regardless of their level of success. Gratitude for one's customers and supporters should always be expressed. Controlling ground scent significantly prevents deer from scooting around cameras during hunting season. Ideal terrain features for cell cameras include the tops of drainages leading into a bench, hardwood fingers into swamps and marshes, and fence gaps or community scrapes at the bottom of a hub. Tops of drainages leading into a bench are great terrain features to use cell cameras on for intel purposes. Whitetail hunting can be approached in many different ways, but it's important to have conviction in your process. Successful whitetail hunters share common traits of being methodical and organized in their approach. Winter inventory is more impactful than summer inventory for hunting purposes. And so much more! Don't wait to take advantage of the sale, inventory is limited and discounts like this only happen twice a year. SAVE 25% STORE WIDE starting May 19th at 8 am CST here: https://bit.ly/3W8H03X Want to win a $750 Exodus gift card AND a $750 Asio Gear gift card? Sign up for your chance to win here: https://bit.ly/3AHDyU9 CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

May 9, 2023 • 1h 7min
#287 - Listener Q&A, Watching When Fawns are Dropping, and a $1500 Giveaway!
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, Chad and Jake are back in the studio with another listener Q&A! We discuss: -Turkey Season Update -The weird Illinois turkey seasons -Spring planting checklist on the farm -Using trail cameras to see when fawns are born -Habitat strategies for small parcels - .204 vs .246 diameter shafts -Favorite spots for trail cameras -Historical data vs. real-time data -How important is camera management? -Out-of-state draw strategies -Point creep -Fall plans -Will jake finally draw a tag in Southeast Iowa? -Hunting flat land big woods -SD card camera update And so much more! CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

May 2, 2023 • 55min
#286 - Scouting Hill Country Hunting Beast Style! Josh Teulker from Before The Echo Podcast!
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in the studio with Josh Teulker from the Before The Echo Podcast. We are talking everything Hunting Beast Style of scouting hill country. We discuss: -Indiana turkey season success -How the Before The Echo Podcast started -How Josh became involved in the hunting beast crew -The impact of Indiana going to a one-buck state -Adapting to different habitats when hunting public land -The hardest challenge to overcome hunting hill country -Playing the wind in hill country -Using thermals to your advantage -The best time of year to hunt hill country -What to look for when scouting hill country -Using water to your advantage -Hill Country vs Farm Country -Think outside the box -Trail camera strategies -Long-term trail camera sets And so much more! CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Apr 25, 2023 • 57min
#285 - A Step By Step Breakdown of Designing Whitetail Habitat on Small Parcels with Skip Sligh
In today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are bringing you part 2 with Iowa whitetail hunting guru Skip Sly. Skip lives and breathes whitetails 24/7, 365 days a year, and has learned a thing or two about growing big deer in the past 20 years on his personal farms. We discuss: The biggest mistake you can make when creating deer habitat The first step you need to make when getting a new farm What brush should you keep? The first tree you should cut down Getting rid of trash trees but using them for habitat To hinge cut or to not hinge cut The pros and cons of conifers Dealing with Honeysuckle Strategically putting food in the right places Diversity is key! Using electric fencing for food plots Keep the pressure off Dealing with food plot failure What fruit trees you should plant And so much more! Take advantage of the Exodus Upgrade Program here: -https://bit.ly/ExodusUpgrade CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Apr 18, 2023 • 1h 21min
#284 - EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Food Plots & Fighting Lobbyists In Iowa With Skip Sligh
In today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are sitting back down with Iowa whitetail hunting guru Skip Sly. Skip lives and breathes whitetails 24/7, 365 days a year, and has learned a thing or two about growing big deer in the past 20 years on his personal farms. We discuss: Fighting lobbyists the for good of Iowa Organizing hunters to protect hunting Finding out what bills your state wants to pass Spring foodplot checklist The most cost-efficient seeds you should plant The best food plot for whitetails Properly placing food plots on your farm The best screening for food plots Planting a food plot that you won't hunt Strategically planting food plots away from high-pressure neighbors Food vs Habitat on small parcels Food plots for small parcels Till vs no-till Don't make it pretty, make it effective Should you do control burns? The essential pieces of equipment for food plots of any size And so much more! Take advantage of the Exodus Upgrade Program here: -https://bit.ly/ExodusUpgrade CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Apr 11, 2023 • 1h 4min
#283 - Learning To Hunt Public Land After Losing ALL Of Your Private Farms With Christian Babcock of Hunters Advantage Podcast
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are talking deer hunting with Christian Babcock. Christain grew up hunting the hills of Oklahoma and is the host of the Hunters Advantage Podcast. We discuss: How hunters Advantage got its start The desire to learn more Having his uncle be featured on whitetail cribs Growing up hunting in Oklahoma Transitioning from private to public hunting land Christians 2022 buck Hunting October mornings Nailing down access Hunting public land in the hills of Eastern Oklahoma Hunting public land on a DIY Kansas public land trip Interviewing the Prince of Poachers The one thing he wishes hunters would focus on more And So Much More! Take advantage of the Exodus Upgrade Program here: -https://bit.ly/ExodusUpgrade CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Apr 4, 2023 • 50min
#282 - Deer Season Never Stops: Off-Season Scouting with Byron Horton
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back talking deer hunting with repeat guest Byron Horton! Like most of us, Byron spends 365 days a year thinking about deer, but he takes it to a whole new level. We discuss: Balancing family and deer hunting Putting on 100+ miles post-season scouting Tapping into previous years' data Crossing off areas Using off-season scouting to kill an October buck Should you still scout in April? Using YouTube and Podcasts to be a better hunter Don't leave deer to go find deer Dealing with the aftermath of EHD Shifting your gameplan after EHD wipes out every mature buck Should cell cameras be legal? And So Much More! Take advantage of the Exodus Upgrade Program here: -https://bit.ly/ExodusUpgrade CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Mar 28, 2023 • 39min
#281 - Start Designing Your Dream Whitetail Farm Right Now With These Food Sources with Steve Hanson
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are back in Iowa talking deer hunting with Steve Hanson! Steve bought his first farm in Iowa in the 1990s and has been fanatically chasing whitetails almost his entire life. After many years of success and helping over 100 clients tag their best buck, steve has a couple of tips and tricks when it comes to managing for giant whitetails. We discuss: Eating a tag in Iowa Continually raising your standards The challenges of hunting Iowa as a non-resident The Iowa point creep Steve's springtime whitetail checklist The best food source for your farm Getting ready for food plots Small tract vs. large tract food plots Steve's biggest regret when it comes to hunting Guiding In Alaska vs guiding in Iowa One thing that whitetail hunters do wrong The benefits of hunting specific bucks And So Much More! CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast

Mar 21, 2023 • 56min
#280 - Government Overreach? Dissecting The Ridiculous Kansas Public Land Trail Camera Ban
On today's episode of The Exodus Podcast, we are giving our take on the recently passed Kansas Trail Camera Ban on Public Land... and reacting to the live stream of the debate and voting on the ban. There are quite a few hot takes from this one, so be sure to tune in for all 11 clips that we pulled from the live stream. We Discuss: Does this solve the conflicts on public ground Fairchase, is it solved by implementing on only 3% of the land Does banning trail cams reduce pressure on land Would limiting trail cameras per person be a better alternative Is it your right to not have your picture taken on public land Is this ban upholding their duty to manage the land best for everyone How practical is a VIN-type number Would the trap system work for Trail Cameras Did the BHA advocate on behalf of its members well enough Are the decision-makers informed enough to be passing this vote Are trail cams the biggest technological concern when we consider fairchase The final outcome of the vote, what do we make of the "soft commitment" And So Much More! CONNECT: -https://linktr.ee/exodustrailcamera -https://bit.ly/TheDeerGearPodcast -https://linktr.ee/TheLandPodcast


