Deer Talk Now

Award-winning writer Steve Sorensen is on the podcast with Dan Schmidt to discuss deer numbers, regulations to reduce the herd and help the habitat, regulations in city limits, the effects of antler point restrictions (APRs) and more. 

With decades of habitat consulting under his belt, Steve Bartylla shares his best tips for using fertilizer and lime when planting food plots for deer.

In this episode, Cameron Coble breaks down what it really takes to become an official Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett scorer. We dive into how antlers are scored, which factors matter most, and why these measurements go far beyond trophies — they play a critical role in tracking herd health and guiding conservation efforts. Cameron also shares insights from scoring notable deer, including the Donal Barry buck.

CEO of Archery Trade Association Jeff Poole joins the podcast to talk about how the archery industry has evolved. He gives updates on the new format of the ATA Trade Show, which is now allowing consumers to attend, as well as tips on how to get into bowhunting on a budget, how ATA promotes bowhunting throughout America, plus much more.

In this episode of Deer Talk Now, we sit down with Jeremy Flinn to discuss the biggest challenges and debates shaping deer hunting today. The conversation turns to modern deer management and some recommendations from state wildlife agencies that he believes simply don’t make sense. We also dive into the ongoing debate about hunter recruitment, if CWD is something that needs to be solved, and more.

Dan Schmidt gives his tips on how to have better hunting success on public land after years of experience doing it himself, from access points to dragging out deer, when to hunt, where to hunt, and how to outsmart deer as well as other hunters.

Legendary hunting personality Roger Raglin joins us on the podcast to tell us the incredible story of how he got his start, the realities of working in the industry, where his catch phrase “Jiminy Christmas” came from, and much more.

Brad Rucks breaks down how whitetails survive the harsh winter months, explaining the critical roles energy conservation, winter cover, and late-season food sources play in a deer’s ability to make it through the toughest time of year.

From unforgettable hunting highs to the tough lows that test every deer hunter, Dan and Brad break down the moments that defined their seasons and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation also dives into exciting events from across the hunting industry, memorable encounters in the field, and how shifting conditions and trends impacted their approach to whitetails this year.

Muckdogs Deer Recovery owner Dean Muthig is on our podcast answering questions about tracking and recovering deer with dogs, such as what your next move should be after shooting a deer, how to train a tracking dog, if wounded deer always go to water, and his thoughts on drone usage and recovery laws. 

Need a gift that will wow the hunter on your list? Our Christmas Gift Guide is packed with essential survival gear, smart products that save money over time, and surprising ideas they’ll be excited to unwrap.

Learn some wild and important facts about the white-tailed deer in this podcast with Dr. D'Angelo and Dr. Jorge from how deer see scrapes at night, detailed insights into how deer vision works, and how CWD will affect the future of deer hunting.

In this timely episode of Deer Talk Now, Dan Schmidt takes a big-picture look at the modern landscape of deer hunting and breaks down the biggest threats that could shape its future.

Dan Schmidt sits down with Dean Partridge, founder and host of Canadian Whitetail TV, for an in-depth conversation that spans grit, growth, and the uniquely challenging world of hunting whitetails in the North Country.

Our friend Tom Rainey is in the studio with us discussing four reasons why your trail cameras are not working as they should, along with practical tips on how to keep them running smoothly.

Hunting rights activist Dusty Backer and Dan Schmidt discuss why the narrative about CWD doesn’t make sense given the actual research about the disease and why laws that supposedly prevent the spread of CWD actually have the opposite effect.

Creator of the Bow Shop Bible app Corey Haas is on the podcast with tips on tuning your bow, cutting arrows and more to get the best accuracy. 

Chris Vaughan of Hunter Nation and Dan Schmidt dive deep into how politics affect sound wildlife management and how we as hunters can change this.

With 45 years of hunting experience, four 200-inch deer and over a dozen Booners on his wall, Adam Hays shares his tactics for consistently bagging big bucks.