EP.471: Expectations Vs. Reality

In this episode, I sit down with Cameron from Hawk Optics and we dig into the nuts and bolts of actually learning deer—how pressure, access, and human movement shape their behavior more than most folks realize. We talk about deer living in cattails, how their senses change with terrain, and why wind and entry routes quietly decide most hunts before you ever climb a tree. From a memorable Halloween sit to hard lessons pulled from past mistakes, this one’s about paying attention, adapting on the fly, and letting experience—not shortcuts—do the heavy lifting. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 471 Access routes and human pressure often dictate deer movement  Deer use their senses differently depending on terrain, especially in cattails and open cover Wind direction quietly determines most encounters before a hunt ever starts Bedding preferences shift with pressure and environment, requiring adaptable setups Experience sharpens shot selection and decision-making in tight windows Patience and observation reveal patterns that cameras alone can’t teach Learning from past mistakes is the foundation for future success SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices