Deer Talk Now

Lee Lakosky details his experience with EHD and managing whitetails, highlighting what has worked to help prevent mature buck losses from the disease. During this podcast, you'll hear:- What has helped Lee’s herd survive EHD after going from 50 mature deer all the way down to 5 over the course of a few years- Specialized feeding plans, water treatment and how to clean up ponds to prevent EHD spread- What ponds grow muck faster (where midges that transmit EHD hatch from) — and it’s probably not what you would think

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.

Dr. Tim Van Deelan joins the podcast with studies on fawn mortality, deer dispersal, starvation and disease, and more.

Land Investment Specialist Nicolas Schaalma shares how he has been able to make and save tons of money when buying and selling land.

Dr. Duane Diefenbach describes why it’s so difficult to estimate state whitetail populations and if it’s necessary for proper deer management, shifting bow and gun hunter numbers, and more. 

Tom Hall describes how many of the safety and accuracy issues with traditional muzzleloaders can be solved using the new Firestick technology. He also introduces the new NitroBolt bolt-action muzzleloader with revolutionary design features, including a removable bolt for easy cleaning, an adjustable cheek piece and length of pull, and a muzzle brake accessory you can add to divert smoke and reduce recoil. Tune in to learn about this new technology and more in this Deer Talk Now Podcast.

How does supplemental deer feed affect vegetation? Can corn supplements be toxic to deer? Does soil quality affect plant nutrition? If many deer share similar traits in an area, is it from inbreeding? We got some surprising answers after sitting down with wildlife biologist Dr. Bronson Strickland.

In this podcast, Dan answers our listeners' top whitetail questions, including if the moon phase affects the timing of the rut, how to approach early-season bowhunting on public land, and more.

Realtree creator Bill Jordan tells the story of how he started the company, scraping pennies to create just a few garments of clothing to show at a booth at SHOT Show and hoping a major retailer would take interest. With no money for manufacturing, he revolutionized the industry by licensing his camouflage patterns. Tune in to hear how Realtree grew from a bold idea into the iconic brand it is today.

Whether you're starting a new mineral site or looking to boost antler growth during critical development windows, this conversation covers the do’s, don’ts, and must-haves for dialing in your nutritional program.

In this episode of Deer Talk Now, Dan Schmidt talks with Texas wildlife biologist Brian Dart, author of the article “Is Live Animal Testing Causing the Spread of CWD?” The two explore the questions raised in Dart’s piece, focusing on how live animal testing is conducted and what potential implications it may have for the management of Chronic Wasting Disease.

Ted Nugent and Dan Schmidt discuss the incredible story of the man who was responsible for modern whitetail bowhunting seasons — and why they believe he deserves national recognition. Spoiler: He's mentioned in the revised lyrics of the song at the start of this video!

Pat Meitin from Inside Archery tests all of the latest and greatest bowhunting gear. In this podcast, he shares which broadheads and bows are his favorite, his bow setup for whitetails, archery equipment maintenance tips, and more.

“The Bear Whisperer” Blaine Anthony is on the podcast with tips on where to bait bears, the best bait to use, how to judge a bear’s size, shot placement and some of his best bear hunting stories.

Kip Adams from the National Deer Association is on the podcast today discussing buck movement, prescribed burns, how to help fawn survival and more. 

Steve Bartylla and Dan Schmidt talk mock scrapes in this podcast episode from where to put one, ropes versus branches, what tree species to use, and other useful tips. 

Robie Pruitt is on the podcast describing the most common mistakes hunters make when planting food plots from what to do during a drought, soil pH, plot placement, fertilizing and more.

Now there is finally a way to prevent EHD in deer. Aquatic biologist Zach Haas explains how he developed EHD-fense, a water treatment kit that keeps water healthy, so the midge that spreads EHD cannot live there. 

Jim Spencer and Dan Schmidt talk turkeys, deer and predators — covering everything from understanding how they move through the landscape to how to be a better hunter and trapper. 

Mark Kayser and Dan Schmidt dive into the future of mule deer populations, and the differences between whitetails and muleys such as diet, adaptability, home ranges and more.

In this episode, Dan Schmidt digs into the benefits of planting and managing apple trees for white-tailed deer. From selecting the right varieties to ideal planting spots and maintenance tips, learn how these fruit-bearing trees can become a powerful draw on your hunting property.

Christian Williams created Archery Strong as a way to help people develop the strength to shoot a bow as well as help those with injuries and pain get back into bowhunting. Find out how he helps hunters with his online programs in this podcast. 

Most of us don't have hundreds of acres of hunting land, which can make deer management tricky but still doable. In this podcast, land manager Steve Bartylla describes how you can manage a small property from cull bucks to optimizing deer habitat and more.

Ralph Cianciarulo of the long-running show Archer’s Choice and The Choice is on the podcast talking about bowhunting in the good ‘ole days, the first bows he used, the effects of social media on archery, some crazy hunting stories, and more.

Our friends at Wildlife Research Center have spent over a decade and tried hundreds of formulas just to make one product. In this podcast, they talk about how they created some of their most popular offerings and how you can use them to create a trophy buck hangout.

Expert land manager Steve Bartylla joins the podcast to share his tips on managing does to match the goals for your property. 

Brad Rucks shares his wisdom from decades of planting food plots and hunting whitetails. Find out where to plant your food plots, how to determine the size of your plots, what to plant and when, and more.

Dan Schmidt and Chris Vaughan of Hunter Nation discuss the barriers to managing wolves and how lawmakers are preparing for a possible delisting of wolves. Apologies if you are watching the video version of this podcast as there are glitches in the first 5 minutes that were unfixable. 

Bonus coverage! Brad Rucks provides his tips and tricks for fooling lovesick toms during the spring turkey season.

After a multi-year legal battle and weeding out some of the corruption within its ranks, the NRA is on the cusp of a historic comeback for 2nd Amendment advocates and hunters of all walks. Tune in to hear how two volunteers are working overtime to protect hunting rights and our American freedoms.

Dr. James Kroll aka Dr. Deer explains why scientific reporting has gone downhill, why DNR credibility is low, and how CWD is being used as a scare tactic.

We interrupt the whitetail overload to bring you some fascinating insights about the future of turkey hunting in America with Jason Lupardus from Turkeys for Tomorrow.