The WHTL Podcast - Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests

Latest Episodes:

#361 - Learning Mature Bucks Through Thermal Drone Studies: What Over 30,000 Deer Can Teach You with Jack Huston Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. On this week's episode, we are back in the studio with Jack Huston of Midwest Deer Surveys. We discuss:

Jack has flown over 30,000 deer across 200,000 acres in eight states
Most landowners underestimate their deer populations by about 25%
Deer behavior varies significantly between rut and late winter seasons
Timber generally holds more deer than warm season grasses
Heavy timber stand improvement (TSI) can attract deer to a property
A balanced buck-to-doe ratio is crucial for healthy deer management
Drones can achieve about 95% accuracy in deer surveys
Observing deer with drones reveals their constant browsing behavior
The best time for deer density surveys is during the rut and late winter
Jack's company, Midwest Deer Surveys, offers thermal drone surveys for deer management

And so much more!

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

#360 - What Most Deer Hunters Have DEAD WRONG: Don Higgins KEYS Consistently Killing GIANTS Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. On this week's episode, we are back on the road in Illinois with the man himself Don Higgins. We discuss:

Don Higgins reflects on his first 150-inch buck and the rarity of such achievements back then.
He emphasizes being a lifelong student of whitetails, always seeking to learn more.
The 1990s marked a shift in deer hunting, making Pope and Young bucks less rare.
Don shares a regret about shooting a smaller buck instead of a larger one he had seen earlier.
He discusses the importance of preparation over simply spending time in the woods hunting.
Observing deer behavior has helped him fine-tune his hunting strategies on his property.
He believes many hunters underestimate the value of preparation and scouting.
Don highlights the mystery of how mature bucks survive against numerous threats.
He reflects on his journey from financial struggles to becoming a respected figure in hunting.
Integrity and principles guide his choices in the hunting industry, impacting sponsorships.

And so much more!

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

#359 - The Bobby Worthington Masterclass In Woodsmanship That EVERYONE Needs To Hear! Finding The Right Funnels To Hunt, Making A Mock Scrape That Actually Works, and The Art Of Killing Mature Bucks Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. On this week's episode, we are back on the road bringing you one of the podcasts we recorded on our latest trip to Tennessee with Bobby Worthington. We discuss:

Bobby Worthington emphasizes that deer hunting lacks exact rules, making it a unique challenge for hunters
Many hunters misinterpret success, thinking luck equates to skill, leading to confusion in their strategies
Time spent in the woods, especially during the rut, significantly increases chances of success in hunting mature bucks
Woodsmanship is about understanding what matters in hunting, not getting lost in irrelevant details or trends
Identifying significant funnels is crucial; not all funnels are equal, and some carry more deer than others
E-scouting can help, but real-world scouting is essential to find effective funnels and deer trails
Mature bucks often stay close to their core areas, especially if they're not in bachelor groups with other dominant bucks
Mock scrapes should be set up correctly; height matters, as mature bucks prefer higher branches for scraping
Mistakes in mock scrape setups can lead to missed opportunities; understanding buck behavior is key
The importance of evaluating deer trails: heavier trails indicate more deer movement and potential hunting success
Bobby shares that hunting is about playing the odds; experience and observation are the best teachers
The conversation highlights the joy of learning and adapting in the woods, making every hunting trip a valuable experience

And so much more!

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

#358 - BREAKING NEWS: Biggest Shed Antlers of All Time Were Altered! SOLD for a Million Dollars and Vintage Photos Have Surfaced! Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

The breaking news about the General
Cody Idol announced the General was recently sold for a seven-figure price
Photos surfaced showing the General with two sticker points
The General's sheds changed hands multiple times, including a long tenure at Cabela's
The recent discovery of altered points has surprised many in the antler collecting community
The timing of the photo release, shortly after the sale, raises questions about the transaction's validity
Altered antlers can significantly reduce their value in the collector's market
The North American Shed Hunters Club may remove the General from their record book due to the alterations
The Aiuppa buck is trending towards being larger than the Huff buck, with a new score expected soon

And so much more!

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

#357 - The Mature Buck Puzzle: Creek Crossings + Perfect Timing = Alabama State Record With Michael Perry Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the WHTL Podcast, presented by Moultrie. Your source for Whitetail Deer Hunting Tactics, Stories & Expert Guests. You asked and we listened, we are officially back! On this week's episode, we are back on the road for another Whitetail Cribs and Podcast with Michael Perry. We discuss: