By: Paul Campbell from <a href="https://www.theo2podcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">O2 Podcast</a>
If I was asked to list the top 10 outdoor activities I like to participate in, walleye fishing in the Lake Erie Basin would undoubtedly be amongst the top spots. As a young Ohio born angler, I dreamed for years of fishing Lake Erie. My Dad enjoyed fishing, but he wasn&rsquo;t keen on the three hour drive from our home in Columbus to Ohio&rsquo;s North Coast very often.&nbsp; The beginning of my fishing adventures were spent on the muddy waters of man made reservoirs, ponds, and any small creek I could find that held fish. Georgia may have been on the mind of Ray Charles and Willie Nelson, but I HAD to fish Lake Erie and for years I never stopped pestering my Dad to make the drive. The fishing magazines and Saturday morning fishing TV shows had whipped up my desire to fish for walleye into a frenzy. In the early 90s, I recall meeting the incomparable angling legend, Bill Dance, at an event. He asked me if I had ever fished Lake Erie. I can&rsquo;t exactly remember how I responded, but I can imagine that 12 years of childhood angst blurted out of me in a loud, squeaky voiced yell. Bill, ever graceful, smiled awkwardly, looked at my dad, looked at me and told me to be patient. I&rsquo;m sure there was some other folksy anecdote that went along with those words of wisdom, but I was too mad to listen. Spoiler alert, I didn&rsquo;t get to fish Lake Erie for at least 6 years from that moment! After graduating high school several friends and I packed up for a camping trip in Marble Head, Ohio. With my new found adulthood and independence, my moment was here. Lake Erie, here I come! I would ignore my friends the entire week. I fished nonstop, sunup to sundown. By the third day of the trip, I was sunburned so bad that I was shaking constantly. Undeterred, I pressed on with the singular goal of catching my first Lake Erie walleye. Second spoiler alert of this article, I did not catch a single walleye that trip. I did come to hate the humble rock bass that is in abundant numbers around the shorelines. And the LEWS. The LEWS were everywhere! Lake Erie Water Snake, for the uninitiated, is a completely harmless black snake that swims around the docks and shores of Lake Erie. I had my first chance to fish the Western Basin of Lake Erie, pun intended, I was hooked!&nbsp;
It wasn&rsquo;t until my mid-to-late 20s that I discovered the wonders of using a Lake Erie walleye charter. Not everyone has a friend that has a boat and knows every walleye bed in the Lake. And if you are fortunate enough to have &ldquo;that friend,&rdquo; they probably aren&rsquo;t taking you out on their boat and catching walleye as often as you would prefer. When I booked my first Lake Erie walleye charter, I was absolutely amazed at the captain and how he fished. He seemed to have every aspect of fishing down to a science. It seemed like he knew every square foot of water. Every shoal, bank, bar or feature that held walleye, he knew exactly where to go. One of the fascinating aspects of fishing Lake Erie for trophy walleye is the different methods used to catch the species. Downriggers, planer boards, lures, drift socks, the list could go on forever. Every method is effective and has a loyal following of anglers. With every charter I have been on, it&rsquo;s fascinating to watch the captain work their method.&nbsp;
During one of my walleye trips to the Western Basin, I was ready to catch a true trophy walleye. The Ohio Department of Wildlife awards anglers that catch a qualifying sport fish over a set trophy size with a &ldquo;Fish Ohio&rdquo; pin. If you are fortunate to catch four Fish Ohio species in one year, you are qualified for a &ldquo;Master Angler&rdquo; pin.&nbsp; A Fish Ohio walleye is over 28&rdquo;. The State of Ohio record walleye was caught in 1999, coming in at a staggering 16.19 lbs., and 33&rdquo; long. Twenty-three years in and the record still stands. I wanted a Fish Ohio walleye pin. The 12-year-old version of me was yelling in my mind about getting that pin!
I caught my Trophy Walleye that day! At just over 30&rdquo;, I had made the trophy list. Put the Fish Ohio pin in the mail! I have yet to catch a walleye that big since, but several fish have come close. Sometimes I doubt I&rsquo;ll ever beat that personal record. Over the years, I&rsquo;ve misplaced the pin and the pictures of that day have disappeared. Every charter or fishing trip I take, I always hope for that chance to land a trophy, but I&rsquo;m never disappointed if I don&rsquo;t happen to reel in a trophy walleye. To me the best part of walleye fishing is the people you&rsquo;re with. The sights you see on the Lake are right up there. If you have never experienced a Lake Erie sunrise you are in for a special moment. Port Clinton, Ohio, might be home to the finest sunrises in the country. One aspect of walleye that drives many anglers to make the trip to Lake Erie is the fact that walleye are one of nature's true culinary treats.&nbsp;
Walleye in my humble estimation is the finest freshwater fish a person can eat. The filets are firm, yet delicate and hold up well to a variety of cooking methods. The flavors are often described as sweet, delicate and buttery. Two characteristics that many picky fish eaters will enjoy about the filets is that the taste of walleye isn&rsquo;t overly fishy and there aren&rsquo;t many bones to remove. The popular fishing ports along Lake Erie will have fish cleaning services available at the marina. A small fee and you&rsquo;ve got your day&rsquo;s catch expertly fileted, packaged up and ready for my favorite part. Time to eat!&nbsp;
If someone asked me to name my favorite way to prepare walleye, I honestly don&rsquo;t think I could come up with one way that I felt was superior. Battered and fried seems to be the go-to method for many of us. You can&rsquo;t go wrong with that method. A skillet with some melted butter, olive oil and your seasoning of choice, is another can&rsquo;t miss method. The recipe below is one I tried this past summer. I wanted to try something different. I pulled about 4 filets from my catch and prepared them in the below manner. The other filets I battered and fried. One of my favorite appetizers is a good shrimp cocktail along with a delicious cocktail sauce of your choice. This is my Walleye cocktail recipe. It's very easy and delicious. Feel free to make it your own. With the prized fish of Lake Erie, you can&rsquo;t go wrong with any method.&nbsp;
<h1 dir="ltr">Walleye Cocktail</h1>
3-5 Medium walleye filets - cleaned
Cut the filets into 1&rdquo; wide by 2-3&rdquo; long strips. The strips should be no more than 1&rdquo; thick.&nbsp;
Steam or boil the strips of fish. In the water for the steamer or pot place a generous amount of Old Bay or Dan O&rsquo;s Original. Be cautious to not over cook the fish. As soon as the fish turns white, I remove from the heat and place in an ice water bath. Allow them to cool completely and remove from the ice bath.&nbsp; Pat the fish dry and then dust with more of your preferred seasoning. Place in the fridge to cool more.&nbsp;
Once the fish is cooled you can squeeze a little lemon on the fish and then dip the Walleye Cocktail strips into clarified butter or a good cocktail sauce. I prefer to make my own cocktail sauce. This is my recipe. I use the chopped-up horseradish from the seafood section in any grocery store. I don&rsquo;t use horseradish sauce. I promise once you make this you will never go back to store bought shrimp or cocktail sauce!&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">1/2 cup ketchup - any brand will work</li>
<li dir="ltr">1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice</li>
<li dir="ltr">1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce</li>
<li dir="ltr">1-3 tablespoons raw, chopped up horseradish, depending on your love of horseradish you can use as much or a little as you want</li>
<li dir="ltr">1-2 clove garlic minced</li>
<li dir="ltr">3-4 dashes hot sauce optional. Any brand will work. A smoked Chipotle sauce adds a nice unique flavor. I use Frank&rsquo;s Original.</li>
</ul>

If someone asked me to name my favorite way to prepare walleye, I honestly don’t think I could come up with one way that I felt was superior. This is my Walleye cocktail recipe. It's very easy and delicious. Feel free to make it your own. With the prized fish of Lake Erie, you can’t go wrong with any method. 

If someone asked me to name my favorite way to prepare walleye, I honestly don’t think I could come up with one way that I felt was superior. This is my Walleye cocktail recipe. It's very easy and delicious. Feel free to make it your own. With the prized fish of Lake Erie, you can’t go wrong with an

Walleye, for Trophies or the Table | Walleye Cocktail Recipe

Turkey

Bass

Hike, Camp, Cook

Whitetail Deer

By: Will Bowen
October is upon us and more and more whitetail hunters will be making their first treks out every week. There&rsquo;s no doubt it's time to be in the <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/collections/okayest-hoodies/products/deer-woods-hoodie-1">deer woods</a>, but if you are a hunter that loves consistency and laid back hunting, this might not be the best time for you to make your efforts. In my opinion, there is more variety in October than in any other month of the season in terms of weather, deer behavior, and hunting pressure. This makes harvesting a buck quite a difficult task. So, how do we combat the constantly shifting October patterns? Simple, with constant and diligent scouting.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Why is In-Season Scouting So Important and Who Does it Benefit the Most?</h2>
Pre-season and post-season scouting is incredibly beneficial and often put you in the right area, but they can&rsquo;t reveal to you when a specific rub line opens up or when a particular mast source is being scarfed down like Thanksgiving dinner. Between defoliating crops, mast production, temperature fluctuations, and an increasing weekend hunting pressure, you will need to monitor in real-time to increase your hunting success. Being in the moment and knowing what the deer are doing right now is the great equalizer to having a fruitless October.&nbsp;
Who benefits the most from in-season scouting? Everyone obviously, but I would argue that maybe the public land or small property hunter would benefit the most, someone who doesn't have the resources to create and control a deer herd&rsquo;s environment. This type of hunter is more at the mercy of mother nature and the deer themselves. This is where in-season scouting is the most crucial.
Hopefully, you know that your hunting area is good, whether this is from preseason scouting, postseason scouting, or a consistent hunting history. While deer are habitual creatures, they can vary slightly from year to year. No two deer are the same either, and new bucks in your hunting area will act differently compared to others. All the more reason to dive in and scout.
One of my favorite times to scout is while I&rsquo;m hunting. I like to be very observant on my way in and out of my hunting areas. I make bigger loops and take my time, letting the woods show me what the deer are doing. The smallest of observations can lead to big pieces in the hunting puzzle. So instead of just waltzing to your stand, I encourage you to make a little big bigger, slower path and pay attention to a few things:
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Untitled+(10).jpg" alt="" width="500" height="500" />
<h3 dir="ltr">Key Observations</h3>
Fresh Feed Sign:&nbsp; Finding fresh feed sign in early and mid-October is a vital find and often leads to some dynamite spots. Really spend some time looking at the ground and figure out what the deer are eating. Maybe it's fresh hard masts like acorns. Maybe they are keying on soft masts like persimmons or wild apples. Maybe there is no mast and they are still eating green browse. You know the deer are eating something so find it and hunt it.&nbsp;
Buck Sign: When I find the first fresh scrape line in October I might as well have just struck gold. At the very least, fresh pre-rut buck sign, like <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ITZOCGwRu9hOSSDrTpZ9n?si=gYkTrUxzQ4uYpyYbz0fAvw">clusters of rubs</a> or scrape lines, let me know that a buck is in the area. If you can find a scrape that still smells like a buck, it&rsquo;s worth spending some time in that area. Hunting this sign is time-sensitive so make sure the sign is fresh and stay on the lookout for the freshest pieces of the puzzle.&nbsp;
Tracks and Other Travel Sign: Tracks and other travel sign should never be overlooked. Following fresh tracks can often reveal a food source or a bedding area. Oftentimes you will notice that tracks follow the path of least resistance and can also reveal different funnels, useful terrain features, and not so obvious travel corridors. Never ignore travel sign, even if it is just one or two tracks.&nbsp;
Signs of Other Hunters: Mature deer are rarely traveling or using areas that are full of hunters. They know where they are pressured. When you're hunting or scouting, always take into account the apparent hunting pressure in the area. The most obvious clue is deer stands and blinds but also look for the sign of past hunters like Pepsi cans and empty bottles of deer urine. They might not be hunting in there that day but the effects of their previous hunts might still haunt the area.&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Untitled+(11).jpg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
<h3 dir="ltr">Scout Harder, Hunt Smarter</h3>
You should scout more than you hunt. A hunt should be the culmination of all your findings and the capitalization of your puzzle solving skills. Will you be right all the time? Not at all. But being ever vigilant and staying on top of the ever changing October woods will increase your odds.&nbsp;
Scouting while you hunt is a great way to increase your scouting time. Pay attention to what is going on in the woods around you. Slow down and take your time because there are a lot of things that could give you clues. I&rsquo;ve abandoned pre-set spots to hunt a hot feeding area. I have stopped short on my way to a stand because I came across three scrapes that were as fresh as the morning air and found success.
Scout harder, keep an open mind, stay vigilant, and hunt smarter. That should be your plan this October.

Between defoliating crops, mast production, temperature fluctuations, and an increasing weekend hunting pressure, you will need to monitor in real-time to increase your hunting success. Being in the moment and knowing what the deer are doing right now is the great equalizer to having a fruitless October. 

Between defoliating crops, mast production, temperature fluctuations, and an increasing weekend hunting pressure, you will need to monitor in real-time to increase your hunting success. Being in the moment and knowing what the deer are doing right now is the great equalizer to having a fruitless Oct

Scout While You Hunt For October Success

<h3 id="h.j0nxrn4uhp9b">The story of my election day 8-pointer.</h3>
By: Eric Clark -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.okayesthunter.com/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1664289208511804%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw23c1VTLFwYXud4GKtkP0Dy&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1664289208518890&amp;usg=AOvVaw3b7_SoR2j-CWnVCdY961jU">Okayest Hunter</a>&nbsp;
It was election week, Tuesday, November 4, 2020. I cast my vote earlier that day. Earlier that week, I missed a shot on an 8-point buck. It almost seemed like I was being mocked when I saw a buck waiting in line to vote. Go figure.
At this point in my hunting career, I had spent years interviewing other deer hunters about various hunting tactics on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-podcast%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1664289208512188%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw31BAZWeHw8jfOZ6XTRp520&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1664289208519121&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ISTm0N9CR3e_WozUBl9vK">Okayest Hunter podcast</a>. Things like avoiding other hunters, reading the wind, picking the best hunting spots based on buck bedding, and so forth. I was finally starting to combine the deer hunting puzzle pieces and apply all I had learned. It all paid off. It was almost like the deer I shot read the script, as the saying goes. I couldn't believe it.
When hunting season is in full swing, the first things I check my phone for in the morning are the weather and wind forecast and my cell cam notifications. As I'm brushing my teeth, I'm scrolling through trail cam photos and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://spartanforge.ai/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1664289208512387%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2I9kKQ72iuzEEfWCpmynPL&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1664289208519298&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ScXy-FZXj5Fi204vMI7t8">Spartan Forge</a>&nbsp;screenshots of dropped pins to see what spots might work best for the upcoming days in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.okayesthunter.com/collections/okayest-hoodies/products/deer-woods-hoodie-1%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1664289208512530%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw09ouJK3fp7ohQjWOpUapWL&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1664289208519393&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Ec5_ZBVVdi1FW2MhHnaNO">deer woods</a>. From there, I'm usually texting the rest of the Okayest Hunter crew to share the updates as they're doing the same. We're all pretty damn excited to say the least. Of course, my wife asks, "Who are you texting this early?" To which I reply, "Who do you think lol?!" The fellas, about deer hunting, what else!?
On election day of 2020, my good buddy Joel had been texting me about a property close to home and shared some city ordinance documents stating that a particular piece of land was open to bow hunting only. Naturally, I pulled up Spartan Forge and started dissecting this property. I compared the wind direction that day and upcoming days and made some broad-stroke assumptions about&nbsp;bedding areas. There was only one place to access the property legally, so I arrived at a spot I thought might work if my boots on the ground reality aligned well with my e-scouting. I called Joel back and said, "F it. I'm hunting it today. I'll be there around 3 O'Clock. I busted my ass to get the rest of my work done for the day and then told my wife. We had to call in my mother-in-law to help watch our kids so I could test my theory and see if I could "get it done."
Most of my gear was already in my truck, so I jumped in and drove the short distance from my house to this newly discovered public hunting property.
Based on how I thought and assumed a buck might leave the assumed bedding area to traverse to the primary food destination, I cut in on an angle to ensure I wouldn't stink up his potential travel corridor. On my way in, I kicked up a couple of does. I thought that might have a negative impact on my hunt, but they went in a different direction than where I was headed.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Eric+Clark+Article+2.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
I eventually arrived at the base of a gnarly tree that didn't have a lot of options for stand placement. I only ended up using one <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/tree-stands-and-saddle-hunting/climbing-sticks-and-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climbing stick</a> and <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/tree-stands-and-saddle-hunting/hang-on-stands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hung my stand</a>. I had practically run to this spot to beat the clock and get set up and quiet before any deer would be on hoof. I was drenched in sweat as a result. My buddy Joel set up, too, a bit further in once he had learned where I was.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Eric+Clark+Article+3.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
As I sat and waited, thinking I had done everything right, I began to hear what I thought was a large-bodied deer make its way out of thick cover. Sure enough, it was a nice buck. Holy shit, I thought. So far everything is going to plan. I'm not silhouetted in the tree, the wind is entirely in my favor, I left no trace, he came out of what I thought would be bedding... Maybe I'm not cursed as an Okayest Hunter, after all! Though, I had some moments getting set up per usual.
Then, the buck turned to cut a path coming to my direction. He was almost perpendicular with me as I began to draw my bow back, except the limb of my bow would have struck a tree branch upon release. So I cocked my bow sideways, tilted my head to align my vision through my bow sight pin, and let an arrow fly. I didn't give him the 'ol meh. This was the first time I shot a buck with my bow, so it didn't occur to me.
Because he was moving and I didn't stop him, my arrow hit farther back than I had anticipated. F***. I thought, oh no. I messed up my chance. Everything had gone perfectly until my arrow left my <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/archery/strings-and-cables" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bowstring</a>. I had a complete pass-through and good blood. But thought I'd have a long track ahead of me. The buck came running right towards me through a blowdown and piled up ten yards behind me. I thought, huh? Maybe he's lying down to assess and rest. So I nocked another arrow and thought, this is my chance. I have to be very intentional about how I go about this.
But as I listened, it sounded like he was dying. I was baffled. I literally jumped out of my stand. You know, since I was only one stick high and slowly approached the buck, bow, and arrow in hand with a nocked <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/archery/arrows-and-shafts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrow</a>.
Wait what? Is he dead? Like, really dead. How? I hit him far back. I called my Dad. After freaking out and telling him, I had just shot my first buck with a bow he helped me understand what had happened. I had hit the buck in the femoral artery. He died within minutes and bled out fast from the initial point of impact. I got very lucky. &nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Eric+Clark+Article+4.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
That's the story of my first ever buck with a bow, which also happened on public land on a virgin sit on a new-to-me property. Remember, this was days after I had missed a layup shot on a buck on public. I thought that was my only chance that season. I'll never forget my daughter was three at the time, and when I had Facetimed with my wife to tell her the news, my daughter asked if she could eat it! My buddy and podcast co-host, Greg, drove over to celebrate, cut out the loins, and we ate that deer that night with my daughter.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Eric+Clark+Article+5.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
The story's moral is that you never know what will happen unless you try. Additionally, keep learning. Each season, I pick up something new I hadn't realized before; over time, that knowledge starts to compound. Good luck this season!
Cheers,
Eric

Things like avoiding other hunters, reading the wind, picking the best hunting spots based on buck bedding, and so forth. I was finally starting to combine the deer hunting puzzle pieces and apply all I had learned. It all paid off.

Hunting a Virgin Sit on a Brand New (to me) Plot of Public Land

Eric Clark |<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/"> Okayest Hunter</a>
Marketers have gotten good at their jobs over the years, especially with highly sophisticated marketing tools and technology. As a result, as both deer hunters and consumers, we're being pitched hunting products and gear that promise to help us get more opportunities to kill a<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/collections/okayest-hats/products/grandpas-shooter-buck-cap"> shooter buck</a>. We've all heard the phrase "game changer" repeatedly. Of course, gear can help you in the deer woods, but some things are entirely unnecessary when it comes to harvesting a whitetail. Here are five things hunters have purchased that they probably don&rsquo;t need or won&rsquo;t use.
<h3 dir="ltr">High-powered rifle scopes</h3>
Do you really need a $1,200 deer hunting rifle scope? The answer is probably not, unless you're hunting out west or perhaps in some exotic location like Africa. Here in the midwest, most whitetail hunting is done within 100-200 yards, making a high caliber rifle scope unnecessary. Most hunters would be better off with a less expensive rifle scope that they can easily operate without accidentally trying to find brown in their scope from within a hundred yards with a 10x magnification.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Untitled+(1).jpg" alt="" width="500" height="500" />
<h3 dir="ltr">Boujee seat cushions</h3>
A lot of gear marketed to deer hunters is designed to make us more comfortable while sitting in a stand or ground blind for hours at a time. But an $80 heated seat cushion or a $600 set of binoculars with image stabilization might get a little too boujee. I'm not here to judge, I'm all for comfort, but there's a line between must have, nice to have, and ridiculous. What would your grandad have to say? More likely than not, you'll be just as comfortable and successful hunting with cheaper gear or finding a stump to sit on or blowdown to lean up against. Besides, carrying a heated seat cushion will likely prohibit your hunting mobility when it comes time to make a stealthful stalk on a shooter buck.
<h3 dir="ltr">Hightech Camo</h3>
When it comes to hunting clothing, there's a lot of expensive specialized hunting gear on the market, but for us midwest whitetail hunters, you don't need most of it to be successful. I killed a nice public land buck wearing a flannel a few years ago. I ensured the wind was in my favor and I wasn't silhouetted, which was enough to conceal me from the buck's senses.
In most cases, regular old camouflage patterned clothes will work just fine. There's good, and there's good enough. Sometimes it just needs to be good enough. This is especially true if you're just starting out. You might not even know if you enjoy whitetail hunting enough to justify spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on bleeding-edge technical outerwear. I know deer hunters that legitimately hunt and kill monster bucks in blue jeans The same goes for hunting boots - you don't need a $300 pair of insulated hunting boots to keep your feet warm and dry. A good pair of hiking boots and a change of merino wool socks will do the trick.
Speaking of merino wool, it is one of the more expensive underlayer options. However, it has been one of the most practical upgrades I've made to my deer hunting arsenal in years. It's well worth every penny. Merino wool is comfortable, doesn't hold odors like synthetic or cotton, and is an excellent insulator. Merino wool base layers are a great way to stay comfortable and scent-free in the deer woods without breaking the bank on other expensive, high-tech outerwear gear.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Untitled+(2).jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" />
<h3 dir="ltr">Winter Gloves</h3>
Hear me out. I'm mostly talking about winter gloves. I've spent my entire hunting career using cheap knit fleece gloves or hobo mittens with exposed fingertips. Recently I upgraded to the ones that have the smartphone fingertips. I make good use of hand warmers and a hand-warming pouch. This way I can keep my hands warm for those long sits. When I'm out and about, I generally heat up pretty quick and I'm mostly looking to keep my hands lightly protected from prickers and such. Most importantly, whether it's bow hunting or rifle hunting, I like having my trigger available and not matted down by unnecessary layers of insulation that never seem to keep my hands warm.
<h3 dir="ltr">Deer scent attractants</h3>
I'm going there. This one is likely highly subjective, but in my experience, to date, I've had zero success with attractant scents. I may have had negative success. When I've used any of these products, I've either scared deer away, never seen any, or scented up an area with my scent to hang something on a nearby branch. I don't have an opinion on cover scents. I've used the dirt-scented spray in the past or the odor reducers. Personally, at this point, the dirt scent is mostly nostalgic. If you play the wind right to the best of your ability, given the conditions of your hunt, that's your best bet. Cover scents likely won't hurt, but I wouldn't rely on it as the only method.
I do use an ozone bag. However, it's more like my personal washing machine. That way, I don't piss my wife off any more than I already have by disrupting the flow of laundry. Not to mention, I don't typically help with the laundry to begin with, so when my wife sees me washing my hunting clothes, I tend to get the glare.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Untitled+(3).jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" />
The bottom line is this: you don't need fancy, expensive gear to kill deer. In most cases, the simpler and more basic your setup is, the better off you'll be. It'll allow you to focus on the tactic and learnings that go into hunting. So save your money and invest in things that will make a difference - like a good hunting rifle or a quality bow and arrows. Get a target block and start practicing more. That'll make a more significant difference than any gadget or gizmo.
What other gear do you think hunters waste their money on? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check out our other hunting gear guides for more helpful tips and information.
Happy hunting, and good luck!
Cheers,
&nbsp;
Eric

We've all heard the phrase "game changer" repeatedly. Of course, gear can help you in the deer woods, but some things are entirely unnecessary when it comes to harvesting a whitetail. Here are five things hunters have purchased that they probably don’t need or won’t use.


The Top Five Things Whitetail Hunters Buy But Don’t Need: Gear Guide

Greg Tubbs | <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/">Okayest Hunter</a>&nbsp;
"And into the woods I go. To lose my mind and find my soul!"
--John Muir
As Humans, we need to get away and find a quiet place. Nature is that place for many of us. Here are a few things to consider before venturing out. Woodsmanship is a beneficial skill in many situations. No matter your quarry or its environment. You want to be prepared! Learning how to navigate the terrain and how the game traverses it. What kind of plants the animals eat and which to altogether avoid are essential. Dressing for the conditions can lead to success or the demise of your adventure. These are three key ingredients to having a successful and safe journey. Whether you are just going on a quick scout for whitetails or a week-long trip to hunt Western Big game.
<h2 dir="ltr">Where are you and where are you going?</h2>
Knowing where you are and where you're going is essential to returning to the truck or trailhead in today's digital world. We rely on cell phones and mapping apps to guide us through our journey. In many of the places I explore, cell service is sparse. Downloading offline maps to <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/garmin-montana-700-18401644022294136329" target="_blank" rel="noopener">handheld GPS devices</a> before your mission will help save a lot of headaches. Also, keep a battery pack and charge cord with you. Your phone will definitely use its share of battery with an app running. More battery juice can be critical in the event of an emergency. Right next to the battery pack, a compass is not a bad idea either. I always have a compass in my pack, just in case. Old school maps can be helpful but might not always be up to date.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">You need maps. Animals don't.</h2>
Animals navigate using their senses. They are hardwired to take the path of least resistance until they have a reason to deviate course. Their course is usually food, water, or bedding cover. In between these destinations, they leave some signs. These clues can give you an idea of what they are doing in that area. Learning to interpret the sign will help establish a pattern of behavior. Take Whitetails, for example. No matter where they go, they are constantly snacking on something, from maple leaves to soybeans. They are always eating! Right now (in early September), I can follow a trail from a bean field back to a bedding area just by following a browse line. They nip off anything in reach as they go down the path, to and from bedding. Occasionally, they find a low-hanging branch to rub their orbital glands and forehead. They even chew on it too! It is their way of saying, "I was here!"&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/IMG_8952.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
<h2 dir="ltr">Plant knowledge could keep you from swimming in an ocean of Calamine lotion.</h2>
Knowing the Flora of the environment is beneficial in a few ways. It's crucial to understand what you are allergic to! Everyone reacts differently to plants. As we get older, we may get more sensitive to certain vegetation. After years of wandering the swamps and marshes and gaining exposure to Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Stinging Nettle, it turns out I am allergic to Sumac! Sumac grows everywhere in my area (Southeast WI). I couldn't honestly tell you how many times I've walked through that stuff with nothing to show for it until two years ago. I brought some home (unknowingly) to my lovely wife. I took my scouting clothes off and tossed them in the wash with the rest of the laundry. Two days later, She had a rash on her back. The following day my arms started to itch and burn. Little pustules were joining forces to make water blisters. "What the hell did you bring home?!" She asked. Topical creams were a temporary relief. It eventually spread to my torso and then south of the beltline! A steroid pill was prescribed, and the burn subsided.
<h3 dir="ltr">Some plants are friendly.</h3>
Identifying edible plants can be tricky, but worth your time if you like to forage. A good resource for identifying plants is right at your fingertips. If you're old school and like books, there are many books written for different regions of the country on medicinals and foraging. Chances are the animals like whatever you find to forage. My local deer herd will eat wild grape leaves, then return and eat some grapes when they ripen. This is evident by the vines' void of leaves and lots of tracks in the dirt. I know when Mulberries are ripe by the color of the bird poop on the car windows. Many plants don't even look like food. One of the most prolific plants that provide a lot of security cover in my area is the cattail! The roots are edible (best harvested in fall) and are high in Vitamin C. The young shoots can be harvested and eaten in the spring. Pollen can be collected and made into cattail flour for baking. Its other benefits include water filtration. Getting to these plants may require a change of boots for the wet environment they thrive in.
<h2 dir="ltr">Dress for success and comfort.</h2>
Let's face it. You're not going to wear a pair of hiking boots in the marsh. Just as you're not wearing a Tee shirt as an outer layer in the winter. The appropriate <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/footwear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">footwear</a> and <a href="https://timetogowild.com/categories/clothing-and-apparel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clothing</a> allow you to spend more time in the field comfortably. Don't be afraid to invest in several types of boots for different terrains and weather conditions. Try on every brand! Your feet are the most essential component of a hike! They need to be taken care of. It starts with boots that fight you and good socks. I love Merino wool socks. They breathe well and keep your feet warm even if you get a soaker. Plus, they give enough compression to prevent falling down your ankle, like the old wool socks. Find a brand you like and buy a bunch!
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/IMG_8949.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="667" />
Base layers made of Merino have the same characteristics: they are soft next to the skin, keep you warm even if wet, and don't hold smell. Another bonus to Merino is that it doesn't hold a scent like Cotton or Polyester. I can wear them for several days if I take them off and dry them overnight. Options are available for Spring to Winter conditions. I first learned about Merino on a duck hunt with a buddy who swore by the stuff. We got rained on, and I was shivering like a dog shit'n fish hooks! He was wet but warm. The proper outer layers would have prevented this.
<h2 dir="ltr">Keeping the elements out.</h2>
As a woodsman, you are faced with adversity. The weather is always the determining factor in what to wear. Over the Merino base layers, there are several options for the conditions. If you are on the move looking for clues and trying to figure out movement, you don't need to dress like you're sitting in a tree stand in December. Light layers will suffice. Lightweight, packable layers are great. A puffy jacket under a light coat or sweatshirt will add insulation for when you're in the wind and can be easily stowed away when you get too warm. Hiking pants with some stretch are more comfortable than denim jeans on a walk. Just be careful in the raspberry bushes. The only thing that survives those without a scratch is the rabbits we chase in winter. Stretch-fit pants don't stand a chance unless you bring chaps. Or you come prepared with brush pants. There's always a sacrifice to be made. Safety over comfort, or heavy weight and chafing vs. lightweight and breathable.
<h2 dir="ltr">What about the rain?</h2>
In rainy conditions, you may end up just as wet on the inside as on the outside of a rain jacket. If our creator wanted us to be wet, he would have made us frogs. I have yet to find an affordable option (under $200) that allows my superheated body moisture out and keeps the rain out simultaneously! It's not ideal to be active and wear a rain suit. Companies are making breathable rain gear, but it's not cheap! If you hunt and hike in a wet environment. It's probably worth the money! You have to make the decision. All in the name of comfort!
As you venture out into the wilderness, always do your best to be prepared for the unknown. Getting turned around has happened to the best of us! We've heard several "<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-moments">Okayest Hunter Moments</a>" from our podcast listeners. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Remember to have fun and take it all in.&nbsp;

Woodsmanship is a beneficial skill in many situations. No matter your quarry or its environment. You want to be prepared!

How Woodsmanship Can Help You In The Whitetail Woods This Hunting Season

Eric Clark |<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/"> Okayest Hunter</a>
It's said that early bowhunting season is easy if you've done your scouting and homework. There are far fewer hunters to compete with, and deer have not yet been exposed to real hunting pressure. There are still challenges, though. The heat and mosquitos alone prevent several deer hunters from entering the woods to bow hunt.
Some bowhunters swear by early season bowhunting, while others dread it. Some argue the earlier in the season you hunt, the better your chances are of harvesting a mature buck. If you're an Okayest Hunter, odds are you're handing in your homework assignment late and you don't have any meaningful or current intel to point you in the right direction.
If you're considering early-season bowhunting, there are a few things you should take into consideration. First, all that new camo and flannel you just bought will be great if you're looking to soak in pure sweat. Otherwise, what you remember from last season probably had a nice chill in the air. That's not early season in most cases. If you're <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Where-Do-I-Start-A-Question-Every-New-Hunter-Will-Ask-How-and-why-To-Start-Hunting">new to hunting</a>, you may want to wait until later in the season when weather conditions are more closely aligned with all those beautiful fall photos you see on hunting magazines and <a href="https://timetogowild.com/">GoWild posts</a>. I say that because I had a buddy that got turned off to bowhunting altogether because he almost got carried away by mosquitos and looked like he fell in a river from all the sweat seeping through his pores.
Moreover, it might also be fun for a new hunter to experience the thrill of the rut rather than the rays of the sun combined with mosquitos buzzing in your ears. Second, what is your physical condition? Early season bowhunting can be physically demanding, so make sure you're up for the challenge. Early season bowhunting is best if you've done your <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/3-Things-You-Should-be-Doing-For-Deer-Season-Now-Spring-Deer-Prep-Tips">spring scouting</a>. Patterning deer is critical this time of year. Because food is still abundant, you won't have as much luck hunting destination food sources. Remember, most everything is still green and editable.
On hot days, consider hunting near water or shade. Like us, deer need to stay hydrated, and shade is far more comfortable on a hot day. In one of their videos, The Hunting Public had a clip about how deer moved with the shade.
Foliage can make things more challenging too. Your shooting lanes might be smaller. This can be an advantage and disadvantage as you're less likely to be picked off, but your field of vision isn't as far either.
Pros of early season bow hunting:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Less hunting competition
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Deer have not been pressured
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
If you've done your homework, you can pattern a deer
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
High chance of potential success
</li>
</ul>
Cons of hunting in the early season:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
It's too damn hot 🥵
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
It's green everywhere still, and deer have food all over
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Mosquitos 🦟
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Visibility is low with summer foliage
</li>
</ul>
All in all, bowhunting the early season has its pros and cons. It's ultimately up to you to decide what is best. Do your research and be comfortable with what you choose! Remember, ya can't kill 'em from the couch. Happy bow hunting season, everyone!
Cheers

It's said that early bowhunting season is easy if you've done your scouting and homework. There are far fewer hunters to compete with, and deer have not yet been exposed to real hunting pressure.

The Pros and Cons of Early Season Whitetail Bowhunting

Eric Clark, <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/">Okayest Hunter</a>
Deer hunting season is upon us, and for the Okayest Hunter, you're probably just now starting to think about <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/How-to-Start-Deer-Hunting-Finding-a-Good-Hunting-Spot-Gear-and-Learning-Tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">where you're going to hunt</a>. I'm not talking about which tree; I'm talking about which public parcel. Here are three things you may not have thought of to help you find and access new hunting land for the upcoming deer hunting season.
<h2 dir="ltr">1. Check With Your State Wildlife Agency</h2>
Many states have programs that allow hunters to gain access to private land for deer hunting. The requirements and process vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your state wildlife agency for more information.
For example, Wisconsin (where I'm from) has Managed Forest Law (MFL) land. This program offers tax breaks to land owners that let the public access their property for hunting and recreation. Another program unique to Wisconsin is Voluntary Public Access (VPA). This is similar to MFL. However, it's a bit more accessible because it will be posted, and permission is already granted without having to seek it out.
<h2 dir="ltr">2. Look Into Cooperative Agreements&nbsp;</h2>
Some states have cooperative agreements with private landowners that give hunters access to their land. These agreements are typically made between the state and the landowner, so again, be sure to check with your state wildlife agency.
Using Wisconsin as my example, some not-for-profit organizations promote conservation by buying up land and allowing public access to hunting and recreation. Some of these organizations have their own rules to play by. One that I am used to leveraging has a draw system. I pay $50 to submit an entry. If drawn, I'll be one of few people allowed access to a parcel of private property. Some of the rules enforced are things like shooting a doe first. Overall, this is an excellent resource as it reduces the number of hunters and increases my odds of seeing more deer. I've had a lot of success with this type of program.
<h2 dir="ltr">3. Try A Day-Lease App</h2>
Several new day-lease apps akin to an Airbnb app for hunters have hit the market over the last several years.&nbsp;When I founded the Where to Hunt GPS app (now called <a href="http://outlnd.io/">OUTLAND&reg;</a>) to help hunters identify occupied and unoccupied hunting land, I was working on partnering with a few of these companies to help address concerns from the land owners. Some of these services might be better, depending on where you live. I've noticed that they tend to be heavily localized, as the founders likely leveraged relationships based on proximity.
<a href="https://rentahunt.com/">Rentahunt</a> is local to Wisconsin, so I expect to see properties closer to home for me. Others like, <a href="https://landtrust.com/">LandTrust</a> or <a href="https://outdooraccess.com/#/">Outdoor Access</a> might yield better results for your local hunting spots. I've seen a few of these companies come and go over the years, so it'll be interesting to see how these services evolve or get consumed by mergers and acquisitions.
Of course, you can always do other things, like <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Urban-Deer-Hunting-Tips-Getting-Persmission-and-Urban-Hunting-Strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">knocking on doors to get hunting access</a> or scouting further and broader. These are just some examples of things I've had experience and some level of success with. I'd love to hear what has worked for you, too. Of course, though, often as hunters, some folks are more reluctant to share where they hunt because they don't want to see their honey hole get exposed.

Things you may not have thought of to help you find and access new hunting land for the upcoming deer hunting season.

3 Ways To Find New Deer Hunting Spots | Whitetail Hunting Strategy

Human beings have been hunters and gatherers since the beginning of time. This is evident when looking back through history. We can see it when looking at cave paintings all over the globe including Combarelles, Bhimbetka, Serra de Capivara, Chauvet Cave and the list goes on. If these snap shots that have been handed down from our Paleolithic forefathers aren&rsquo;t enough, we can also see this in relics such as Folsom and Clovis Points along with various other artifacts left behind from these hunter gatherer tribes that roamed our planet many years ago.&nbsp; Also, let&rsquo;s not forget our dear friend Otzi, the famous ice age hunter who was discovered in 1991, frozen near the Austrian-Italian border. Although the conditions surrounding his death are up for debate, there is no denying that Otzi was indeed a hunter. The Bible even has references to hunting all the way back to the beginning of time in Genesis.&nbsp;
Hunting is part of human nature, we are made to be hunters and for this reason, it is no surprise to me when someone who did not grow up hunting in our modern times feels an urge to go into the wilderness, tap into their reptilian brain, and quench the thirst for hunting. We have canine teeth, forward facing eyes and the ability to sweat. These traits, along with many others make us ideal hunters and stalkers of prey. Unfortunately though in more recent history, hunting has become less popular. There are many reasons for this that could fill countless novels, blogs and coffee table magazines but for the sake of time we will accept this fact and move on. There is hope though. Hunting, gathering, and self-sustaining is on an upward trend. People in today&rsquo;s times have become more interested in knowing where their food comes from. Individuals want to support smaller local farming and homesteading operations, and an increased desire to learn more self-sustainability skills have arose out of recent events.&nbsp;
If this is you, the question is how? How does a 35 year old man living in suburban Chicago working a nine to five get into hunting or fishing if he&rsquo;s never done it before? How does the single mother of three in Seattle Washington learn to provide locally sourced, naturally grown game meat to her children? How does the 16 year old boy without a father figure learn to fish while also attending school and working a part time job? I hope to help answer those questions in the remainder of this article. Although I may not have all the answers or the fail proof guide to success, I do hope to at least help point you in the right direction and give you a foundation to build upon.
First, you need to ask yourself if this is something you truly want to do and you have to redefine what success looks like. I will be the first to tell you that this is not an easy path to travel on. I grew up hunting and fishing. I was blessed to be born into a hunting and gathering family. In the fall, we chased whitetail deer, the spring we hunted turkey, and in the summer, mom would garden while we cooled ourselves on the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds in pursuit of any fish that would bite. These childhood experiences laid the groundwork for me and provided me with tons of knowledge that I took for granted. It wasn&rsquo;t until my early adulthood that I began to challenge myself by hunting and fishing new species and new areas and I believe the experiences from my childhood were detrimental in my ability to grow as a hunter and an outdoorsman. I can&rsquo;t imagine how difficult it would have been if I didn&rsquo;t grow up doing these things. I say all of this to not discourage you, the reader, but I want you to be fully aware that this is not easy.&nbsp;
One of the biggest factors that I believe keeps people from continuing to hunt after they start is they do not see what they define as immediate success. Success in hunting unfortunately, has been falsely defined due to the hunting industries depiction of hunting. For years, we would turn on the TV and see &ldquo;hunters&rdquo; killing monstrous deer or filling the tailgate of their truck with ducks all shot &ldquo;before breakfast was even over.&rdquo; This image of hunting success hasn&rsquo;t gotten any better with the invention of social media. This is not success. We must redefine success if we want to continue to pursue game. Let me take this time to tell you a quick story that I believe is a more accurate depiction of success.&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Derek-Grip-and-Grin-Trophy.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="586" /> In the fall of 2021, I loaded my truck with my rifle, food, a pack, spotting scope and a tent and drove twenty two hours west to the beautiful state of Wyoming. I have hunted Wyoming before and was hunting the same general area that I had hunted the year before although this year I had a mule deer tag in my pocket. I had never hunted mule deer before and was excited about the potential of being able to fill my tag and my freezer. For seven days I hunted from sun up to sun down. I hiked many miles, wore blisters into my feet, got sun burned and also slightly hypothermic all in the same 24 hour period. I was hungry and thirsty and didn&rsquo;t pull the trigger one time on this hunt. Tag soup as us hunters call it, when you return home with your tag and no harvest. Let me ask you, was this a success? The answer is yes, or at least it is based off how I define success and how I encourage you to also define it. I learned so much about mule deer while on this hunt. I learned their feeding habits, where they like to be at certain times of the day and their general behavior. I also learned a ton about other species that I observed while on this hunt such as antelope and pheasant. I learned about the landscape and non-game species and I also gained a deeper appreciation for our natural world. Not to mention, I saw some incredible sunrises and sunsets. This hunt was a success and helped me gain more knowledge for future hunts.
So, let me ask you again. Is this something you truly want to do? Please understand that I&rsquo;m not saying that you have to embark on some difficult hunting journey like the story mentioned above, but you will have similar experiences while hunting even at your local public lands and hunting spots. Fully know and understand that it is not easy, respect it, and redefine success and I assure you that your love for it will increase. As your love for it grows, so will your knowledge, and eventually you will see a harvest. Now that we have asked this important question and hopefully you have answered it, let&rsquo;s move on to the next bit of advice I have to offer.&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/20211004_102940+(1).jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" />
For years, hunters have been hoisting the flag of conservation. This is a good thing but in today&rsquo;s times, we have to do more than just pay for our license and tags which directly fund conservation. This is why I strongly encourage you to join a conservation organization. We can&rsquo;t continue to live in a world where we take from the natural resource but don&rsquo;t give back. There are many organizations out there that are doing incredible work such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and so many more. A Quick Google search can help you find many conservation groups and organizations. Look for a group that is represented in your area and is doing work for species you wish to conserve so that we can have a healthy and sustainable population to hunt.&nbsp;
Do more than just become a member though. Sure, a lot of these memberships come with some fun and cool gifts such as a magazine subscription, stickers, maybe a hat, etc., but be involved. Stay up to date when the local chapters are doing clean up days on public lands. Attend meetings or social gatherings where you will meet other hunters and conservationist who have the same mindset as you do and volunteer your time to help these organizations achieve their goals. In doing this, not only will you learn more about animal species and hunting as a whole, but you will also have the opportunity to network and form relationships with others in your area who I am sure would be more than glad to take you under their wing and teach you everything they know about hunting and the great outdoors.&nbsp;
Finally, the last thing I have to say is simply get out there and have fun. You will learn so much more about deer hunting by driving out to your local public land during deer season and actually hunting for them than you ever will by watching videos online or reading articles. Sure, all of those resources are good and are very useful, but actually doing it, even if you don&rsquo;t see a single deer for the day, will teach you more. Don&rsquo;t be afraid to take chances and don&rsquo;t be discouraged by not seeing the target species. Simply stay with it. This does go back to what we discussed earlier. You need to remember that this is not easy, but you have decided that it is something that you want to do and you have devoted time, money and resources to it, so pay hunting the respect it deserves and stick with it.
Apart from getting out there and doing it, there are still tons of great resources you can learn from and use to help you along the way. As mentioned earlier, there are countless TV programs and other videos that can be found online. Podcast are another great way to learn and absorb tons of information to help you figure out more about hunting, fishing, conservation, and the outdoors. Another great platform is GoWild, which is an <a href="https://timetogowild.com/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outdoors social media app</a> which is designed to help educate people and connect people through the outdoors. Most importantly, find others around you who will help you grow and learn. Find people who are willing to encourage you and help you through the tough times that will come while you&rsquo;re on this journey. I promise you though, if you stick with it, it will be worth it. Good luck!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Hunting is part of human nature, we are made to be hunters and for this reason, it is no surprise to me when someone who did not grow up hunting in our modern times feels an urge to go into the wilderness, tap into their reptilian brain, and quench the thirst for hunting.

Where Do I Start? A Question Every New Hunter Will Ask | How & Why To Start Hunting

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thegreatartdoors/">Derek Malcore</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/">Okayest Hunter </a>
As the splash pads, sunburns, and smores season winds down and school shopping starts up, there is no denying summer is in its final stages. Kids are beginning to transition from lazy summer sleep-ins to early mornings and academia. While this can be a dreaded time for some, hunter's eagerly await those cooler, crisp mornings, the changing colors of the leaves, and the memories about to be made in the wild.
Be it Labor Day weekend, September 1st, or the first day of school, the signals whitetail season is right around the corner are piling up. If you haven't already been thinking about big-bodied, heavy-racked bucks, I'm sorry to let you know, but you are already behind the curve! Most whitetail addicts have had big bucks on the brain for months. Many already have trail cam photos of big velvet antlers or have glassed deer feeding on their summer patterns. Whether you have been putting in plenty of time already or are just shifting gears into deer hunting, it's vital to stay ahead of the changes we are about to encounter.
Two time periods in the whitetail world seem to frustrate and confuse hunters.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The velvet transition&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The mid-October "lull."
</li>
</ol>
The first is a shift that comes with the changing seasons mentioned above. As summer days grow shorter, the velvet covering growing antlers begins to get itchy, and bucks soon rub it off. Gone with that velvet is the tolerance that bucks previously had with each other. Bucks begin to change their patterns, home ranges, and temperament during this shift. This shift can be an absolute nightmare for those seeing and following a buck throughout the summer. Bucks tend to be docile and follow a consistent pattern in the warm summer months, which can mislead hunters into believing they will have a slam dunk game plan for the season. No matter how many <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-369-spypoint-spypoint-flex-trail-camera" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trail cam photos</a> or sightings you have encountered during the summer months, the velvet transition will leave you feeling a bit frustrated when that buck up and "disappears" in late August or early September.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/image2.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="281" /> Having been led astray in the past, I've changed my thinking and how I prepare for hunting season by using <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-366-tactacam-tactacam-reveal-x-pro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trail cameras</a> to help keep me ahead of bucks who will be shifting gears into their fall ranges. As I write this, it is August 9th, and I can tell you that I am prepared for the fall transition. I also discussed this in a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ITZOCGwRu9hOSSDrTpZ9n?si=4H5BMJHmR02m37Mdo6opLw">recent episode</a> of the <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-podcast">Okayest Hunter podcast</a>. What I mean by that is that all of my public land trail cameras are OUT of their summer locations and waiting to ambush bucks as they move INTO their fall hideouts. This strategic move needs to be done before the end of August, and I've found that the earlier your cameras are in place, the better,
<div id="page-content-carousel-container" class="gowild-mobile-hidden">
<h2 class="page-content-carousel-title">Shop Trail Cameras</h2>
 
<div id="page-content-carousel" class="page-content-carousel"></div>
</div>
&nbsp;
The idea is that bucks will be feeding on their summer pattern well into August and even into September. Still, at some point, the lessening of daylight will trigger their testosterone levels to rise, and their velvet will be shed. This seems to be when bucks alter their patterns, and while some change very little, others may move a mile or more into their new fall ranges. This is when many hunters experience frustration from having that big buck show up on camera daily to not getting his photo anymore. Then you are stuck trying to play catch up. <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Scouting-for-Deer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scouting around</a>, looking for big tracks, moving cameras into the timber, and applying pressure to all the areas you think buck could have moved to. The more searching and scouting you have to do to <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/blogs/news/killing-mature-bucks-on-public-land-phase-ii">find the buck</a>, the harder you make it to kill him. Many deer become aware of human presence in the area and thus move less in the daylight. Overall, a poor recipe for success.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/image0.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="667" /> A better way to not only locate the bucks after they transition but be able to hunt them without disturbing your hunting area is to let your trail cameras do the "scouting" for you. This is a technique that I've been using for the past few years and have had great success. The idea is that July is a great month to locate bucks on food sources, waterways, or any other summer pattern you believe bucks are using. I use my cameras in these spots to help see how many and what age class of bucks are using an area. Usually, at the end of July/ early August, I remove my cameras from these areas and "shift gears" before the bucks do. I look back to the spring scouting I've done in the area, or if I hadn't done any spring scouting, I dive right into it mid-summer, looking for thick pockets of cover. Ideally, bucks love to use pockets of edges of marsh grass and brush in the early fall, so I try to locate spots like that, which also feature rubs from previous seasons, to verify that bucks have used them in the past.&nbsp;
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d16VKkPR8qc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp; 
After locating potential fall buck bedding areas, I try to find a trail crossing or transition area just outside the bedding area where I can monitor as many deer as possible moving into and out of the cover. I always bring a pack of zip ties to assist in attaching limbs or bending small living trees over. Another technique I almost always use is to create a mock scrape at the trail intersection. I kick open a large area of bare dirt and fashion a large, multi-branch licking branch over the bare dirt. This great visual attractant will help pull nearby buck activity in front of the camera.
Most of the time, bucks aren't using those thick cover bedding areas in the middle of summer as often as they do in the fall. If I get summer photos of bucks there, great! But the real goal is to have these types of spots all set up and ideally vacant of human scent for a couple weeks before the bucks shed velvet and look for their new fall home. If my camera trap has already been set up for 3 weeks before the first good buck comes to check it out, there is little to no chance that he will ever know I was there, especially since I keep my cameras above nose height so deer can never be in direct contact with them. Ideally, I would have multiple cameras set up around different pockets of cover in the vicinity of where I think an excellent buck will likely transition once he sheds his velvet. I rarely check these cameras before the season unless a good rain storm is about to come. The point is to have them up and ready to collect info without the bucks knowing they are being hunted. Typically, I will wait until the season and scout my way into these locations with a stand on my back and SD card reader in hand. If there seems to be some buck sign in the area (tracks, rubs, scat) I will walk to the backside of my camera to not leave scent near the trail crossings and scrape and check the photos on the card. That should inform me whether I should set up and hunt close by or keep moving.
We all know that your first time in a stand is usually the best time because the deer haven't encountered your scent before that hunt. That is the premise I try to locate and hunt bucks in the early season after they move out of their summer patterns.&nbsp;
Hopefully, after reading this, you have enough time to try sticking a few cameras back into the areas you think or know bucks will be transitioning into after the velvet comes off. It takes a little foresight and some mosquito bites to make it happen, but from my experience, it far outweighs having to play hide and seek with a big old buck who quickly learns he is being pressured. So get off your computer, put the phone down, go grab some cameras, and head to the woods so you can find this season's buck as he shifts gears!

Be it Labor Day weekend, September 1st, or the first day of school, the signals whitetail season is right around the corner are piling up. If you haven't already been thinking about big-bodied, heavy-racked bucks, I'm sorry to let you know, but you are already behind the curve! Here's some things you should be doing now.

Be it Labor Day weekend, September 1st, or the first day of school, the signals whitetail season is right around the corner are piling up. If you haven't already been thinking about big-bodied, heavy-racked bucks, I'm sorry to let you know, but you are already behind the curve!

Shifting Gears | Deer Hunting Tips For The Transition From Summer To Fall | Deer Season Prep

By <a href="https://www.instagram.com/outdoormarketingguy/">Eric Clark</a> | <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/">Okayest Hunter</a>&nbsp;
As you scroll through your favorite <a href="https://timetogowild.com/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social media platform</a>(s), there's a strong chance you've seen some form of deer shaming or hunter bashing. Comments like, "You should have passed," or, "Maybe you should shoot does," or, "I know it's not the biggest buck, but..." are all too common.&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Social-Media-Hate-And-Hunting.jpg" alt="" width="282" height="610" />
Ego is not confidence. Confidence is defined as evidence of our strengths and abilities. Ego is not something earned. It's a kind of unhealthy belief of our own importance. It's that devil on your shoulder whispering that we're better than other people, that our needs matter more. Too much ego creates a sense that we need this success, like killing a giant buck or worse, the recognition of it rather than the intrinsic value of being afield and harvesting your own food. It's the belief everyone is watching us; as a result, we must be the greatest, having harvested such a tough-to-hunt animal.&nbsp;
Freud explained ego with an analogy&mdash;our ego was the rider on a horse, with our unconscious drives representing the animal while the ego tried to direct them. Modern psychologists, on the other hand, use the word "egotist," which refers to a pathologically focus on one's self and disregard for anyone else. This seems like a possible place to arrive, especially since bow hunting is more of a singular pursuit.&nbsp;
The more common form of ego I'm relating to deer hunting is the one that demands we ought to get our way. The desire to be better than, more than, or recognized for, far past any practical reasons&mdash;that is the ego I believe to be threatening the hunting community from within.&nbsp;
Picturesque TV show grip and grins have eroded the Fred Bear version of hunting and have created an egotistical beast over several years. This ego issue has generated a sense of superiority and certainty exceeding the horizon of the confidence and joy that goes into hunting whitetails. Football coach Bill Walsh said, "self-confidence becomes arrogance, assertiveness becomes obstinacy, and self-assurance becomes reckless abandon." Let's not recklessly abandon what we truly love about hunting because we &ldquo;need&rdquo; a grip and grin with a 150&rdquo; whitetail for social media to prove to others we don&rsquo;t even know that we&rsquo;ve earned it. Of course we&rsquo;ve earned it. The reward is in the pursuit and experience itself.
We all have an ego, though. It's not all bad. We've all been guilty of having too much of it at one time or another. Hell, if anything will lend itself too much ego, it's killing a mature whitetail in its domain.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The thing about ego is that (in my opinion) it is a much less effective means and strategy to make a community stronger than humility and confidence are.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The Good Ol' Days of Deer Hunting</h2>
Things were very different back in the day when deer hunters had to physically stop at a local registration station to register their deer. Or were they? Of course, in person, things indeed were different. It was congratulated when someone pulled up with a spike buck on their tailgate, just as the 180" monster whitetail was. I'm willing to bet there was judgment, though. It was just never said out loud (Look at that little spike, or it must be nice to have land to kill a 180&rdquo;). That's where social media complicates things. In person, no one would go out of their way to put another hunter down. Unfortunately, plenty of keyboard cowboys are waiting at the drop of a hat to give their two cents on why a hunter should or should not have tagged their deer.&nbsp;
I've adopted the phrase, "My tag, my hunt." It has become a brand staple for the Okayest Hunter. This means it should not be judged whether you're tagging a brute, dink buck, or doe. Of course, if someone is willing to buy my tags, I'll consider letting them have a say in what I tag, so long as it's legal and ethical.&nbsp;
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/My-Tag-My-Hunt.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="334" />
How did we get here? We're so far from what Fred Bear, the father of bowhunting, said - &ldquo;Immersing yourself in the outdoor experience and respecting the wildlife you hunt."
Maybe I've been too deep into learning about stoic philosophy and human nature from the likes of <a href="https://amzn.to/3d9cLaD">Marcus Aurelius</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3oT04DA">Ryan Holiday</a>, and Robert Greene 🤷&zwj;♂️.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Let's revisit the full quote from Fred Bear. He said, "Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person."&nbsp;
The issue is that even though most hunters echo and cheer this sentiment, many still do the exact opposite. They go on defense by saying it wasn't the biggest buck. Conversely, others are telling hunters how they should use their tag and making people feel ashamed of what they've so proudly harvested.&nbsp;
Every deer hunter is at a different step in their hunting journey, and that's okay. Remember from Hunter's Education that as a hunter gains experience and skill, they'll typically traverse through five stages of development. However, not everyone passes through all these stages, nor do they necessarily do it in the same order.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">The five stages of hunter development are:</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/collections/okayest-hoodies/products/shoot-deer-hoodie">Shooting Stage</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Limiting-Out Stage&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Trophy Stage&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Method Stage&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Sportsman Stage&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
So when someone condescendingly says something like, that's the kind of buck a 14-year-old would shoot, what do you think the 14-year-old scrolling through social media will think? It's degrading, and now we have young hunters not shooting deer. That's because they're holding out for the trophy buck they've seen on TV or YouTube or they&rsquo;re afraid of ridicule, and sadly, rightfully so.&nbsp;
If I were to point to a single thing that's causing this, I'd say ego is to blame. When I sat down with <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5agHnUGiQFKxY2eYQRqobg?si=DFDQpiGhTByvK1wTVnA-Dg">Michael Waddell</a> from the Bone Collector, he said, "<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@okayesthunter/video/7122568264743669038?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;lang=en">Hunting doesn't make you badass. It's badass that you get to hunt.</a>" He's spot on.&nbsp;
When a person experiences success, a few things happen. I attempt to apply these laws of human nature to deer hunting.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">1. Entitlement&nbsp;</h3>
When you experience success, there's a sense of entitlement that comes along with it. Once you experience success, you feel like you're entitled to it. It's one of the reasons human beings don't like going backward. Think about it. Once you tag a 6-pointer, you might only want to tag an 8-pointer, or once you've tagged an 8-pointer, maybe only a 10-pointer is acceptable, and so forth. So it may be the case that someone having success harvesting mature bucks is now entitled to them.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">2. Paranoia&nbsp;</h3>
From there, paranoia can set in. Now that you're tagging mature whitetails, you're paranoid that someone filling their freezer with tomorrow's buck today is limiting your opportunity at those same bucks as they would have aged up into a big buck.&nbsp;
Any mature buck hunter consistently killing mature bucks every year doesn't care about what others are doing with their tags. They're certainly not worried that someone hunting a spike buck is hunting in the same league as them, nor in the same way or territory.&nbsp;
Other things worth considering are healthy deer management, not just Quality Deer Management. As <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mKtGBtCjeE84rBthkuIYe?si=2gfD2iDeRxS9db77KxIO5w">Doug Durren</a> has stated on the <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-podcast">Okayest Hunter podcast</a>, you ought to take the whole herd into account along with various circumstances within different regions. CWD is a good example. Young bucks are spreading CWD far more than mature ones - I'm sure the "young bucks" can relate as we reflect on our time in our early twenties. Younger male deer are breeding more than mature bucks. Whereas the older ones are far more prone to contracting CWD.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">3. Control&nbsp;</h3>
According to Robert Greene in the <a href="https://amzn.to/3QnP5xR">Laws of Human Nature</a>, an appetite for control comes with success. Who are the hunters telling other hunters how to use their tags? This one doesn't fit my attempt to apply these laws because several hunters telling others how to hunt have not had much success. In life, plenty of people in the stands tell the folks on the field how to play the game. I'd like to see a 40-something-year-old with a beer belly run the ball to the endzone.&nbsp;
More importantly, the folks tossing out such negative comments have no idea what that hunter's life is like. Maybe that grip and grin they were so proud to post was their first deer as a bow hunter, adult-onset hunter, their last hunt with grandpa, or their first out-of-state hunt. It could have been their first hunt with their child. You just don't know.&nbsp;
If you want guidance on handling some of these hostile social media comments, check out the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ez7ZdLqkqIq1qZi9qbI1S">Wired to Hunt podcast</a> the Okayest Hunter crew got to do. We listed out ten (well, actually eleven) Okayest Hunter <a href="https://www.okayesthunter.com/blogs/news/the-ten-commandments-of-an-okayest-hunter">commandments</a>. Most of it is just about being kind and not going out of your way to put others down.&nbsp;
Most of all of this 1% are just really loud. Unfortunately, negativity is inherently louder than positivity, much like how the news reports on 1% of the bad in the world. Therefore, it's our job to make the positivity in hunting louder! When I was in college, I worked for a call center. Out of the thousands of calls I took during my time there, I only can remember one call that was made by a customer to say thank you. One positive call.
<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/com.gowild.pages/Deer-Hunting-Social-Media.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="334" />
When we see hunt shaming going on, let's make sure we say what should have been said; &ldquo;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@okayesthunter/video/7123014522557795626?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;lang=en">Congratulations!</a>&rdquo; especially if it's someone you see in <a href="https://timetogowild.com/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoWild</a> but it rarely happens there becasue the community is so strong!
Remember to have fun; it's deer hunting. Remember what it was like when you started out, when every hunt and opportunity on a deer made you feel like a kid on Christmas? Bring that spirit to the woods with you this hunting season, and every season after that.

As you scroll through your favorite social media platform(s), there's a strong chance you've seen some form of deer shaming or hunter bashing. Comments like, "You should have passed," or, "Maybe you should shoot does," or, "I know it's not the biggest buck, but..." are all too common. 

Stories

Outdoor gear news from and about the best outdoor community platform.