How To Hunt Deer

The advice most deer hunters get about access routes is backwards. If you want more daylight deer sightings this season, start thinking like the deer do, not like the guy walking straight to a stand.

Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau break down the route-planning mistakes that cost hunters their best chances, and the simple shifts that can make a small property huntable again. If you’re juggling family schedules, limited days in...

September deer hunting is changing fast, and the hunters who keep using August tactics are about to get left behind. Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau break down the second half of September, when drying beans, dropping acorns, shifting deer movement, and early crop harvests start rewriting the map right under your feet.

If you need to figure out where deer are moving now - and how to stay ahead of them before the October opener - thi...

September deer hunting is all about reading the landscape before the deer read you. If your season opens now, Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau break down exactly how they’d attack the first week of September - from scouting from the road to picking apart food, cover, water, and the subtle pressure points that actually reveal deer movement.

The big question is simple: if opener was tomorrow, where would you start? Dan and Jason...

Early-season deer hunting is changing fast - and if you miss the shift, the woods can feel empty before the real action even starts. Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau break down what they’re seeing right now: a possible EHD threat, disappearing mature bucks, dropping acorns, shifting food sources, and the subtle changes in wind, thermals, and deer movement that can make or break your first sit.

This episode starts with real lif...

The best deer hunting season prep is happening right now, and if you wait until opening week, you're already behind. Dan Johnson breaks down the late-summer decisions that can make or break your fall, from access routes and wind shifts to scouting acorns, reading tracks, and avoiding the mistakes that blow deer out of small properties.

With season approaching fast, Dan shares what he's doing on his own farms to get ready, including...

Early season deer success starts long before opening day - and if you wait until the week before season, you are already behind. Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau get brutally honest about what actually matters right now: arrow prep, tree stand checks, food plot work, trail camera settings, and the biggest mistake hunters make when they expect results without putting in the work.

They also get into something more important than gear ...

The gear you trust in the woods matters more than the latest hype, and Dan Johnson lays out the exact products he actually hunts with, why they earned a permanent spot in his setup, and which upgrades are worth your money before the season opens.

If you want a no-fluff breakdown from someone who beats up his equipment and still expects it to work in mud, cold, heat, and last-minute chaos, this episode gives you the shortlist. Dan e...

Sometimes, a simple walk in the woods reveals lessons more profound than any textbook — a reminder of life's fragile blessings and the relentless pursuit of what truly matters. In this powerful episode, Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau share personal stories from hospital visits to family moments that reshape our perspectives on hunting, parenthood, and perseverance.

Dan takes us through his recent weekend at a children's hosp...

Most hunters are their own worst enemy—overthinking, pressure, and unrealistic expectations can turn a fun hobby into stress. What if you could have your best season yet by simply shifting your mindset and approach?

In this episode, Dan Johnson shares practical, no-nonsense strategies to make hunting more enjoyable and successful. From redefining your goals for better focus to recognizing and adjusting your mistakes, you'll d...

Most hunters focus on the gear or tactics, but Jason Thibodeau and Dan Johnson reveal the overlooked mistakes that could be costing you big time in the woods. Ready to stop making rookie errors and start consistently tagging mature bucks? 

This episode dives into their hardest lessons learned—like calling too much, poor stand placement, and underestimating thermals—and how these slip-ups can sabotage your success. ...

Most hunters chase multiple bucks each season—but what if dedicating an entire season to just one deer could transform your understanding of deer behavior and significantly boost your odds? Jason Thibodeau reveals the unfiltered truth behind long-term buck hunting, exposing both the incredible rewards and the gritty challenges—like public pressure, shifting property dynamics, and the mental toll of waiting years for tha...

Most hunters overlook the subtle secrets of deer behavior in extreme weather — until now. Dan and Jason unravel the surprising ways deer adapt to heat, cold, and shifting seasons, revealing insights most hunters never consider. If you've ever wondered why deer move in the heat of summer or disappear during the rut, this episode will change how you hunt forever.

You’ll discover: how deer instinctively select their feedin...

Most hunters underestimate the true power of trail cameras—and Iowa’s recent ban on all public land cameras highlights just how much these tools are reshaping the game. This episode dives into the controversial topic of technology in hunting, revealing how trail cameras turn the pursuit into a high-stakes strategic game and whether their banning truly levels the playing field or strips away the joy of the chase.

In a ca...

Unlock the secret behind the mysterious, rapid growth of white-tailed deer antlers and why understanding their life cycle transforms your hunting game. Forget the generic advice — Jason Thibodeau and Dan Johnson share surprising insights on antler development, shedding light on timing, nutrition, and the critical role of seasons. Whether you're a seasoned hunter chasing trophy bucks or new to shed hunting, this episode reveal...

Most hunters overlook one of the biggest threats to the future of our outdoor traditions — rising land restrictions, urban sprawl, and political shifts threatening access to private property. Jason and Dan expose how these trends are transforming the hunting landscape, from historical land tenure to today's political agendas in Oregon and beyond, revealing how overreach could eliminate opportunities for generations to come.In...

Unlock the truth about deer behavior and hunting strategies with insights from two experienced hunters who’ve learned through raising kids, managing land, and countless hours in the woods. Discover how curiosity, scent, and habitat modifications influence deer movement and how your everyday habits—like eating meat or relaxing by the trash—might just impact your success in the field.

Most hunters focus solely on ge...

Most hunters agree that the timing of your hunt can make or break your success — but what if the best days for deer movement are also the most buggy and uncomfortable? In this candid episode of the How to Hunt Deer podcast, Dan and Jason dive deep into hunting during the tricky shoulder seasons, battling bugs, changing weather, and unpredictable deer patterns. They reveal why comfort and smart planning—like using thermo...

Most hunters overlook one of the biggest opportunities for success: hunting public land in peak rut, with the right strategy. Jason Thibodeau shares how he’s planning to hunt Illinois public ground during prime rut — and why this year, he's shifting his approach to capitalize on the unpredictable magic of the season.In this episode, you'll discover how terrain features, access points, and scouting outside the green-up c...

Most hunters overlook the game-changing secret to consistently filling their freezer and tagging big bucks — their body fitness. Dan Johnson cuts through the noise with raw honesty, revealing how physical conditioning, smart diet, and clever access routes can mean the difference between a slammed tag and a long, frustrating season.

In this episode, Dan shares his personal journey from lazy, out-of-shape hunter to a mobile, ad...