Wisconsin Sportsman - Sportsmen's Empire

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is flying solo with tons of updates and announcements regarding upcoming events, public land battles you might not have heard about yet, and what his e-scouting process has looked like so far this year. We've all heard about the ongoing fight to oppose the sale of public lands in the budget reconciliation bill, but a few conservation battles are being fought without as much attention: blocking the deconstruction of the lower four dams on the Columbia River Basin, and a push to maintain the Rodman Dam in Florida to protect a trophy bass fishery. On top of that, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund is on the chopping block here in Wisconsin, which will be covered much more in-depth in the coming weeks. Lastly, as everyone's minds shift towards deer season, it's time to find that next honey hole for November, and Pierce shares some of his thoughts and ideas for finding big bucks using the onX Hunt app. We've got a little bit of everything this week, so buckle up, and enjoy! OPPOSE THE SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS -  BHA LINKS & CONTACT INFO:www.backcountryhunters.com/take_actionCall the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your representative's officePROTECT THE RODMAN DAMhttps://www.bassmaster.com/conservation-news/news/urgent-call-to-action-save-rodman-reservoir-write-the-governor-today/ Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Wisconsin BHA Chapter Chair, Alec Bekkers, to talk all things public lands and public land policy! By now, I'm sure you've seen countless posts highlighting the importance of stopping the sale of public lands, and for good reason. But some of you might still be asking, "why?" Alec is here to answer that question and dives into the importance of holding on to our public lands to be used or leased for generations to come, which will in turn generate revenue for the government for years to come unlike a one time sale that only brings in payment once. The guys dive into how nuanced the issue of public lands is, and why talking about the multiple uses of public land are incredibly important for various groups. After that, the guys touch on some spring hearing questions, the use of cell cams to check traps, and upcoming events to be on the lookout for! To get involved and join the Wisconsin BHA Chapter, or the chapter in whatever state you're from, visit backcountryhunters.org/join and if you want to take action by contacting your Senator, visit backcountryhunters.org/take_action to find your representative Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Taylor Finger, the Wisconsin State Game Bird Ecologist, to talk about Wisconsin's birds and learn more about what would be required to finally have a sandhill crane hunt in the badger state! Taylor shares a ton of information on the current state of turkeys in WIsconsin, and some of the reasons that populations have boomed over the last couple of years. Then the guys dive into the history of Wisconsin's push to get a sandhill crane hunt, how Wisconsin would have to work with not only the Flyway Council, but also all of the states in the Mississippi Flyway, how the flyway councils work across the country, agricultural impacts of sandhill cranes, how bag limits are decided, and lots more! Whether you're a waterfowl hunter or not, you're going to enjoy learning all about how birds are managed in Wisconsin, and across the country!Big thanks to Taylor for coming on the show! If you'd like to learn more about sandhill cranes or other birds in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov , and to get in touch with Taylor or his team about any questions you may have, you can email him at taylor.finger@wisconsin.govBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Craig Amacker, owner of Madison Fly Fishing Company to talk about what Craig's career has looked like guiding in the driftless for nearly three decades! Craig is a Madison-native and lifelong fisherman who after working out in Yellowstone National Park, returned home and started guiding for Driftless trout and managing the fly shop of Fontana Sports. The guys dive into what the Driftless fishing scene looked like when Craig first got into fly fishing, how the bugs, fish, streams, and culture of the Driftless have changed, what his experience was like running a fly shop on the west side of Madison, advice for folks fishing in the Driftless, and much more! If you want to book a day with Craig, visit www.madisonflyfishing.com to find more information and book your trip!Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with his long time hunting/fishing buddy, Logan Steinhoff, to tell the story of how they both punched their 5th period turkey tags, and  capped off their season! Logan is a Wisconsin-native and lifelong outdoorsman who shares some wild stories from his time working for the Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited shocking trout streams in the driftless, doing stream restoration in central Wisconsin, and participating in deer collaring surveys through the DNR. The guys dive into the ups and downs of their final week of turkey season, the purchasing of a new shotgun in the middle of the season, how Pierce quickly redeemed himself after yet another mishap, and the story of Logan filling his tag while Pierce filmed the entire hunt! If you want to watch how it all unfolded, go check out the latest video on The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWisconsinSportsmanOPPOSE THE SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS -  BHA LINKS & CONTACT INFO:www.backcountryhunters.com/take_actionCall the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your representative's officeBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Drew Schleim, host of The Predator Podcast, to recap a rollercoaster of a turkey season, and share some of the lessons learned from the past few weeks! The guys start their conversation at the start of Wisconsin's 4th turkey period, where Drew helped a hunter tag her first Wisconsin longbeard in over a decade, and managed to double up with a buddy to kick off the week. Meanwhile, Pierce was struggling after missing a layup shot on a bird, having a freaky mishap with the .410, and bumping birds all over the county before spreading his bad luck to Drew and his buddies, and eventually sealing the deal back at the home farm right at fly down. They discuss how their tactics changed throughout the season, lessons learned from this year, and what you folks should be doing to punch that late season turkey tag in these final days of the season. All that and more in this week's episode!Be sure to follow along with Drew's adventures chasing turkeys, deer and predators @predatorpodcast_drew on social media, and go check out The Predator Podcast wherever you do your listening!OPPOSE THE SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS -  BHA LINKS & CONTACT INFO:www.backcountryhunters.com/take_actionCall the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your representative's officeBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Nick Gellerstedt, head guide at Musky Fool Fly Fishing Company to learn all about how to target muskies! Nick is a midwest native and lifelong angler who's been fortunate enough to spend time working and guiding out west, before returning to the midwest to begin his musky guide career. The guys dive into what a year looks like from a muskie fisherman's perspective, how fish move around depending on the time of year, what types of structure and habitat they thrive in, best flies to target these fish, when the best time to target these fish is, and much more!If you'd like to book a day with Nick or any of the other guides over at Musky Fool, head on over to www.muskyfool.com to book your trip. And to follow along with Nick and his adventures, follow him on social media @hoss_gellerstedtBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce hops on the line with Josh Raley to share their turkey hunting success stories! Josh tells the story of his first turkey harvest in Georgia since moving down south in 2023, and how he was able to get his kids on some birds during the youth season before punching his tag. The guys talk about what their springs have looked like so far, how they've been making time to get in the woods, ways their strategies have changed to accommodate life changes, and of course, how it wall went down for Josh tagging his bird, and Pierce tagging his first public land bird in Iowa! All that and more in this week's episode!Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is joined by Kyle Zempel, owner of Black Earth Angling, to learn about fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the Lower Wisconsin River! Kyle is a Wisconsin-native, and fly fishing guide in Southwest Wisconsin, who has been guiding for trout and smallmouth in Wisconsin's driftless region since 2013. Kyle shares what his early days of guiding looked like, and how he learned to fish a section of the Wisconsin River that is constantly changing. The guys discuss what the primary food sources of LWR smallmouth key in on, what patterns to use when targeting these fish, the importance of keying in on types of structure rather than spots on the river, how the smallmouth move through the system throughout a year, fishing the river when it's running high or low, what the best type of boat is for fishing the lower Wisconsin River, and much more in this week's episode!To book a trip with Kyle and and learn more about all the different camps and events hosted by Black Earth Angling, visit blackearthangling.com ,and follow along with Kyle and his crew of guides @blackearthanglingcoBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Thomas Mlsna, owner of The Untamed Ambition to talk all about holistic land management! Thomas highlights the three pillars of his business: whitetail management, homestead habitat, and agricultural production, and how the three often overlap when working to improve the health of a property. The guys discuss what a holistic management approach really looks like, and how that ties in to creating better whitetail habitat and hunting opportunities. Thomas discusses the effectiveness of rotational grazing, the importance of native plants on the landscape, how more biodiversity leads to better nutrition for wild game, the impact oak savannas really have on a landscape, how he uses OnX at a professional level, and much more! Huge thanks to Thomas for coming on the show this week! To learn more about The Untamed Ambition and get in touch with him, be sure to go check out theuntamedambition.com where you can find information on all three pillars of the business. Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Alissa Kakatsch, the Assistant Game Bird Specialist for the Wisconsin DNR. Just in time for turkey season to kick off, Alissa shares a ton of knowledge in this week's conversation about everything you could possibly want to know about turkeys and turkey management in Wisconsin. Topics covered include the history of wild turkeys here in Wisconsin, what makes great turkey habitat, keys to poult rearing success, spring dominance displays in both toms and hens, how vocalizations change throughout a turkey season, how turkey zones are decided, and current turkey research projects the DNR is working on. All that and more in this week's episode!Huge thanks to Alissa for coming on the show! If you'd like to learn more about turkey management in Wisconsin, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/turkeymanagement to learn more! Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Tim Landwehr, owner of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company to talk all about targeting giant smallmouth on the fly! Tim is a Green Bay area native, and lifelong angler who got his introduction to fly fishing by targeting trout before opening a fly shop and guide business specializing in targeting Menominee River smallmouth. Tim shares stories of what his early days as a guide looked like, how his trout background influenced the way he and his guides initially targeted smallmouth, and how their tactics have evolved over the years to bring smallmouth fly fishing not only into the modern era, but into the spotlight! Tim shares stories of how various fly patterns and tactics emerged from his shop, the influence fishing with some of the most famous fly anglers in history has had on his approach to fishing and life, the life of a smallmouth throughout a year on the Menominee, and how you can better understand your local fishery to catch more smallmouth this season! If you'd like to experience Menominee River fly fishing for yourself this season and learn more about Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company, visit tightlinesflyshop.com and follow Tim and his crew on social media @tighlinesflyfishingcowiBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Kevin Creeley to discuss everything you need to know when hunting turkeys in timbered settings! Kevin is the host of The Mid-Atlantic Outdoorsman podcast, and spends his spring time chasing turkeys across multiple states in the east. The guys dive into how Kevin likes to roost birds in timbered settings using his vehicle and access roads, what he does to avoid other hunter pressure, why he prioritizes water and habitat diversity when e-scouting, how he prioritizes which gobbler to go after in the morning, and much more! Big thanks to Kevin for coming on the show! Go check out the awesome turkey episodes he's got coming out wherever you find your podcasts @mid_atlantic_outdoorsmenBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce sits down with Conservation Warden Austin Schumacher to learn all about the life of a conservation warden, what they do, and why you might just want to apply to become one!Austin has been a conservation warden in Southern Wisconsin since 2018, and has seen a lot of different things in his career. The guys dive into what the conservation warden hiring process looks like, what Austin did to become a warden, what all conservation wardens are responsible for and how that might differ depending on where you are in Wisconsin, some of the most common violations he sees, highs and lows of the job, the impacts of technology he's seeing on the outdoor space, and how being a conservation warden is a great intersection of law enforcement and protecting our natural resources. Most importantly, he shares that the hiring process for becoming a conservation warden opens on April 10th for 2025. If you've ever thought about becoming a warden or want to learn more about what they do, this episode is for you!For more information and to start your application, see the links below:Warden Recruitment site: Warden Recruitment | Wisconsin DNRWhere the job announcement will be: Pages - WelcomeDNR General Question Phone Number: 1-888-936-7463Report DNR Violations Call: 1-800-847-9367

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Dieter Kochan, founder of Faceoff E-Bikes and member of the Whitetail Addictions team, to learn all about how Faceoff E-Bikes came to be, why they're the best tool for hunters to open up new access opportunities for themselves, and why you should try one out for yourself! Dieter shares the story of his upbringing in the competitive hockey world, and how he was able to work frequent hunting opportunities into his time as a profession player. He then tells us the story behind Faceoff E-Bikes, and the guys dive into how much of an asset these bikes can really be. Dieter shares how he's designed these bikes specifically for hunters, and how he and his customers like to use them to create better access on hunts whether they're on public or private land. After that, the guys dive into Dieters scrape strategy for finding big bucks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All that and more on this week's episode!Be sure to follow along with Faceoff E-Bikes @faceoffebikes www.faceoffebikes.com and if you want to check these bikes out for yourself, stop by the FaceOff booth at the Wisconsin Open Season Expo on March 28th-30th, or swing by Simply Whitetails Archery Pro-Shop in Oregon, WI

On this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Paul Schecklman for the first ever Wisconsin Public Land Policy Update brought to you by the Wisconsin Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers!Paul Schecklman is the Policy Chair on the Wisconsin BHA board, and in this episode he dives into how policy changes are made in the Badger State. Expect to learn how the Natural Resources Board affects changes in Wisconsin, different funding mechanisms for wildlife management in our state, and topics and projects that the BHA is focusing on including proposing a Sandhill Crane hunt, urban hunting opportunities, improving access to public lands, a recent proposal for license fee increases, and the importance of public input.Stay tuned for the next Public Land Policy Update near the end of Q2 this year, and be sure to go check out backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin to stay on top of what's going on here in Wisconsin. Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Sam Soholt to learn more about what all is going on with our public lands right now. Sam is an avid outdoorsman, outdoor photographer and videographer, public land advocate, and founder of Public Land Tees. Sam shares how he got started in the outdoor space, the guys discuss the current outdoor media climate, and then dive into some of the headlines many of us have seen regarding our federally owned public lands .Sam breaks things down to help us fully understand what is happening in the current political landscape, where many of these movements are coming from now as well as where they came from in the past, the difference between conservation groups and advocacy groups, why succumbing to the tendency to be outraged isn't always the best first step, and how you can become more informed and involved to help advocate for the protection of our public lands. If you are passionate about public land use, this episode is for you!Be sure to go support Sam and Public Land Tees @publiclandtees www.publiclandtees.com, follow along with Sam's adventures on social media @samsoholt and on the Soholt Brothers YouTube ChannelBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by DNR Fisheries Biologist, Nathan Lederman, to talk all about what makes the fishing up north so exceptional! Nathan is a Wisconsin-native and current DNR Fisheries Biologist for Oneida County. In this conversation, the guys dive into what makes the fishing up north so good from a biological perspective. Nathan shares how the DNR uses a three-legged approach to ecosystem management in order to serve the needs of all stakeholders of the waterways, what a year of fish sampling looks like for a fisheries biologist, the various types of data collected to monitor the growth rates and health of various fish species, what species go underappreciated in some of the most popular areas, the impacts of panfish bag limits, and all of the resources that the DNR puts out to share their findings with the public. All that and more in this week's episode!If you're planning your fishing trips for 2025, be sure to check out the resources mentioned in the episode below:Trout reportshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/trout/TroutSurveyshttps://dnrmaps.wi.gov/H5/?viewer=TROUTFull survey reportshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/reportsSnapshot survey reportshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/north/springsurveysCreel surveyshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/north/trtycrlsrvysCeded territory fisheries reportshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/ceded/reportsLake Superior Management Reportshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/lakesuperior/managementreportsLake Michigan management reportshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/lakemichigan/ManagementReportsLake habitat and aquatic invasive specieshttps://dnrmaps.wi.gov/H5/?viewer=Lakes_AIS_ViewerAquatic plantshttps://dnr-wisconsin.shinyapps.io/AquaticPlantExplorer/Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce talks with Dylan Hazen to hear all about how he went from learning a totally new area to harvesting a huge public land buck! Dylan is a former THP intern and is now the owner of In Season Media. He joins the call from the Woodhaven Custom Calls  HQ on this episode, and the guys talk all about Dylan's process of qualifying various public land properties, putting boots on the ground to double-check his e-scouting, and what he did to put himself in position to get his shot on a giant public land whitetail. Expect to hear about Dylan's e-scouting process, how he tackles a property from the bottom-up rather than top-down, what he learned about thermals in this new area,  the importance of post-season scouting, planning access in hill-country, self-filming whitetail hunts, and the fun he's having getting his dad back into hunting. All that and more in this week's episode! Follow along with Dylan's outdoor adventures @dylanhazen_inseason and check out In Season Media at inseason-media.comBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Andrew Wolfe to learn all about ice fishing for a variety of great fish. Andrew does a deep dive on how to target crappies, perch, walleye, and Great Lakes Whitefish through the ice, and covers everything from where each species likes to live, the various types of structure these fish are drawn to, what lures and bait to use for each species, and even what types of rods and methods work best for each species. The guys even tackle the Livescope debate, and the increasing use of electronics in the outdoor space for both fishing and hunting, and whether or not the use of these tools is good or bad for outdoor pursuits. All that and more in this week's episode!Be sure to go check out Andrew on Instagram @heywolfe11 to see some giant smallmouth, tons of ducks, and follow along with his outdoor adventures! Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Nate Sellers of Average Jack Archery to discuss all things off-season archery! Nate is an archery shop owner, competitive archer, public land bowhunter, and Marketing Media Coordinator for Huntworth Gear. The guys do a deep dive into the most common issues that happen to a bow over the course of a hunting season, how you should be properly cleaning and storing your bow, the best shooting drills you should be doing to stay sharp this off-season, the benefits of shooting league, the guys favorite pieces of Huntworth gear and much more! Check it out in this week's episode!Be sure to go check out the awesome content Nate is putting out on the Average Jack Archery YouTube channel, and follow along with him on social media @averagejackarchery Big thanks to our fantastic partners: Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinonX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce sits down with Tony Van Asten to learn all about how Tony approaches hunting in the hills of the Driftless region, and what he does to locate big bucks. Tony is a Wisconsin native and an outstanding all-around woodsman. Whether he's hunting big bucks, checking the trapline, or scrounging for massive sheds, Tony is an expert when it comes to understanding the nuances of hunting in the bluffs. The guys discuss how Tony's military experience influences his hunting style, what he does to keep his minimalist gear kit dialed in, how he chooses parcels of public land to hunt, his scouting approach, and hot spots he likes to run trail cameras in. Tony shares his insights from hunting in Iowa this past fall and how his season resulted in a great buck hitting the dirt. After that, the guys discuss planning access routes in the bluffs, what features he does and doesn't gravitate towards, what he's learned about buck bedding in the hills, and much more. If you've ever wondered about hunting in the hills, this episode is for you!Be sure to check out Tony's YouTube page @tonyvanasten, and follow him on Instagram @tonyva3 to follow along with his adventures!Big thanks to our fantastic partners: Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinonX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce speaks with chef and author Hank Shaw about the culinary world of wild game cooking! The guys discuss the increasing interest in hunting and gathering, Hank's personal journey into the culinary arts, and the upcoming Wild Alask & Wild Wisconsin dinner series featuring wild game dishes, that will be held January 29th & 30th at Seven Acre Dairy Co. in Belleville. The conversation explores various cooking styles, the importance of utilizing wild game properly, tips for maintaining meat quality, the importance of proper thawing, salting, and cooking methods to enhance flavor and tenderness, the quality of deer meat in relation to age and time of year, and Hank even offers practical advice on dry aging meat at home. Finally, Hank shares his favorite way to make turkey wings, how he likes to prepare waterfowl, tips for pairing spices with various wild game, and some quick and easy weeknight meal ideas for you to try for yourself. All that and more in this week's episode!To reserve your spot for Hank's Wild Alaska and/or Wild Wisconsin dinners, visit www.sevenacredairyco.com/dinnerseries/Be sure to go check out Hank's excellent cook books at honest-food.net and follow along with his adventures on Instagram @huntgathercookBig thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is joined by Damon Zito of Vortex Optics to cover everything you need to know about water trapping in Wisconsin! Damon shares the story of how he got into trapping through a co-worker at Vortex, and how the fascination of lesser-seen critters like muskrat, mink, beaver, and even river otters sparked his desire to get into water trapping. Be prepared to learn a TON in this episode about these strange semi-aquatic animals from what beaver, otter, and mink sign looks like, how widely these animals range, how to determine what critter you're seeing in a given area, how prevalent river otters really are in Wisconsin, what a safe and legal trap setup looks like, and last but not least, what may quite possibly be the greatest turkey hunting story ever told on The Wisconsin Sportsman. All that and more in this week's episode!Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is flying solo covering everything you need to know about fly fishing for Driftless trout this winter! Expect to learn what gear you need to stay safe and warm while hitting the creeks in frigid temps, what bugs the fish are eating this time of year and the flies you need to imitate them, where to find trout throughout a creek this time of year, and what you need to do get them to eat. All that and more in this week's episode! If you're in the Chicagoland area, be sure to pop in to DuPage Fly Fishing Company in Naperville on Wednesday, January 15th for a Driftless fly tying class you won't want to miss!Call (630) 857-3468 to reserve your spot If you'd like to try trout fishing in the Driftless region this season, visit www.goodchanceflyfishing.com for info and rates to book your day on the water!Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce and Josh reflect on the past year, and discuss their experiences and lessons learned in hunting, fishing, and business. The guys discuss the impact of CWD and the state of the modern deer herd, insights from past podcast guests, reflections on their podcasting journeys and personal growth throughout the past year, highlights and low points of 2024, as well as goals, gear tweaks, and what's on the docket for 2025! All that and more in this week's episode!Follow along with Josh and the Whitetail Partners team @whitetail_partners_georgiaBig thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce sits down with outdoor writer, Patrick Durkin to talk about Pat's career as an outdoor writer, what Pat's early hunting years were like with a shotgun and a bicycle, the demographic divide across the outdoor landscape, the politics of deer hunting, reducing the deer hunter death count, recreational brush-cutting, the need for public lands, coyotes getting a bad rap, eating rock bass, and just how much nuance there is to every issue in the outdoor space. All that and more in this week's episode!Be sure to go follow along with the fantastic work Pat is doing at www.patrickdurkinoutdoors.com, www.themeateater.com/people/patrick-durkin, and on Social Media @patrickdurkinoutdoorsBig thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

The guys dive into Brian's season which started out in North Dakota, the trials and tribulations of targeting a big buck out there, the heartbreak he experienced learning a state that he knows he may not return to, how social media may be numbing us as hunters and taking the spark out of hunting, how he got his spark back after shooting a nice buck with his bow, a close-quarters opening day gun hunt, and how going with the flow of the woods led him to harvesting an awesome buck with his muzzleloader. The guys also talk about whether or not this deer season was weird like everyone has been saying, historical trail camera data, the impact of changing barometric pressure from hurricanes on deer, and the importance of learning with every hunt, and sharing knowledge with other hunters. All that and more in this week's episode!To follow along with Brian and his outdoor pursuits, find him on Instagram @shadow_pursuits Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by outdoor writer, Matt Geiger to talk all about his journey into hunting, the challenges faced by adult onset hunters, and the welcoming nature of the hunting community. The guys discuss the realities of hunting, tools and resources available for new hunters, and the art of writing about hunting experiences. Matt shares insights on the Ag Tag program and its impact on deer populations, emphasizing the connection between hunting, survival, and storytelling, and the guys explore the intricate relationship between farming, wildlife, and hunting, and discuss the unique experiences of late-season hunting, the challenges posed by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and the importance of storytelling in connecting people with nature. Above all else, they emphasize the need for responsible hunting practices, building relationships with landowners, and the role of deer as an ambassador species in the ecosystem.Follow along with Matt, his fantastic writing, and his adventures on Instagram @geiger.matt and at geigerbooks.com Lastly, the guys mention the Sharing the Land Initiative, the Cazenovia Doe Derby, and a Learn to Hunt Rabbits event with the Wisconsin BHA Chapter that are all coming up in the next two weeks. Check them out and get involved using the links provided! Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, host Pierce Nelles reflects on his deer hunting season, sharing insights and lessons learned from his experiences hunting public land. He discusses the challenges faced during the season, the importance of scouting, understanding deer behavior, and the thrill of the chase as he pursues a big buck. The conversation emphasizes the educational journey of hunting and the personal growth that comes from both successes and failures in the field. He recounts a close encounter with his target buck, the strategies he employed, and the insights gained from conversations with expert hunters. The discussion emphasizes the importance of adapting hunting techniques, utilizing trail cameras, developing your own hunting style, and maintaining a positive mindset to enhance success in the field.Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Be sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce is joined by BHA Board Member, Alec Bekkers and Quinn Erdman from Pass It On Outdoor Mentors to talk all about their Colorado elk hunt that was nothing if not eventful, with a touch of Wisconsin Deer camp on top of it all. Alec and Quin share a ton in this episode (almost too much) including how the Wisconsin Deer Camp atmosphere translates out West, why whitetails are far superior to mule deer, the logistics of planning and executing a week long out-of-state hunting trip, what midwestern hunting tactics translate well in mountain hunts, the importance of physical fitness, the greater importance of having the tools you need to communicate with your group in the mountains, and even tell the story of their buddy getting air-lifted out of the mountains by a soldier named Larry. On top of that, we cover the importance of having great hunting partners and friends to share these outdoor experiences with. If you're not at deer camp this year, this conversation will make you feel like you are! For more information on all things Backcountry Hunters & Anglers here in Wisconsin, go check out https://www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin and to get in touch with Quinn at Pass It On Outdoor Mentors, visit https://outdoormentors.org/Good luck to all you rifle hunters, and Happy Thanksgiving!

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, Pierce sits down with Josh for their annual mid-November recap, the guys break down their rut hunting experiences thus far, what they've been seeing, lessons they've learned, stories of close encounters, where their heads are at, and what their plans are for the rest of the rut. Topics covered include what to do after the magical November 7th mark is hit, whether or not mid-November hunting is actually better than the first week of the month, multiple close calls spot & stalking a huge buck, trail cameras helping and hurting the way they plan hunts, the importance of scouting, making the most of the time we all get in the woods, and keeping a "zen" mindset throughout the rut.  All that and more in this week's episode!Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube 

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce hops on the line with Sean Timmens & Linda Bennett, owners of Spring Valley Tracking & Game Recovery, to talk all about recovering deer after they're hit. Sean & Linda share their accumulated knowledge of blood tracking deer in all kinds of environments, how they got into blood tracking, what training looks like for tracking dogs, what a typical blood track looks like, the most common mistakes people make when tracking their own deer, crazy things deer will do after they've been shot of wounded, what blood tracking myths should be busted, and how long you should really wait to track your deer. If you're in the southern part of the state and need a tracker later this season, be sure to give Sean or Linda a call! https://www.springvalleytrackingandgamerecovery.com/Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Cam Maderski & Jacob Sklenar to hear the epic story of how Cam punched the tag on his first public land giant! Pierce recounts the lessons learned from his unsuccessful hunt after putting a bad shot on a nice buck, and then the guys dive into everything leading up to Cam's success. Cam & Jacob highlight the their friendship over the years, the importance of learning from one another, the scouting that preceded Cam's buck, building relationships and sharing knowledge with other hunters you cross paths with, the importance of keeping your head up and pushing forward after a mistake, how painful dragging a deer out of a marsh can be, the importance of great hunting buddies, and celebrating one another's successes. If you like big jumps between the highs and lows of deer hunting, this episode is for you! Follow along with the rest of Cam & Jacob's seasons @cameron_maderski , @jacob_sklenar , and @wildcallingoutdoors Big thanks to our fantastic partners:  onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com XOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Be sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by the one and only Dave McChesney for a mid-season catchup and discussion around what they've learned this season since making the switch from hunting out of saddles to stands. The guys cover a wide range of topics including the stress and pressure that can sometimes come along with hunting, the weird and wild story of Dave's successful Michigan hunt, gripes and accolades of saddle hunting and treestand hunting, which gear they feel makes them the most efficient in the woods, how they deploy a hybrid style of hunting to maximize every tree they hang in, the dangers of bow-hangers, which gloves they like the most, how to nap in a saddle, which setup is easiest to pee out of, plans for the upcoming weeks, and lots more! Go follow along with Dave on social media and check out the great content he has coming out on his YouTube channel @barefootdave_Lastly, we'd love to see the success you're having this fall! If you want to share your success with us, be sure to tag us in your hunting posts @thewisconsinsportsman or use #wisconsinsportsman - Good luck out there everyone!Big thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by host of the Nine Finger Chronicles Podcast, Dan Johsnon to talk about developing a strategy for hunting the pre-rut, understanding how to quantify different types of deer sign, whether you should prioritize scrapes or terrain features, interpreting night time trail camera photos, the importance of consistency in deer movement, and how essential it is to just be observant this time of year.Dan shares the story of his successful South Dakota mule deer hunt, why he cares about terrain features first and views scrapes as secondary, how he would set up to hunt a hub scrape, finding "the spot", and much more in this week's episode!Go check out The Nine Finger Chronicles Podcast on the Sportsmens Empire Podcast Network and follow along with Dan @ninefingerchronicles on social mediaBig thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

In this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Josh Raley to catch up, and have a little therapy session about how each of their fall's have been going so far. The guys cover a wide range of topics such as hunting media, being swamped with busy work schedules and road time, each of their two hunts so far this season, whether or not we can negotiate flying Josh to Wisconsin for a mini-rutcation, the power of historical spots, the importance of supportive relationships during hunting season, how to stay ready to hit the woods so that you're ready when the schedule opens up, personal growth, perfectionism, $300,000 deer blinds, and last but not least, earning what you have.  Follow along with Josh and the awesome work he's doing down South @whitetail_partners_georgia Big thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, we hear part two of Pierce's conversation with Andrae D'Acquisto of Lone Wolf Custom Gear, to talk all about the "bump & dump" style of hunting, how to pull it off depending on time of day, what time of year it works best, how to plan your hunt, the different levels of bumping deer, picking a specific tree to pull this off successfully, using this tactic during the rut, and how this method of hunting can help you fill your tag! This week's episode is on the shorter side, but get your note pad out because it is heavy hitting! As we dive into October and folks start to murmur about "the lull", this episode will change your mindset when it comes to finding and killing deer in October. Huge thanks, again, to Andrae for taking time to come on the show and spread some knowledge. Follow along with Andrae & the awesome gear coming out this fall at lonewolfcustomgear.com or on social media @lonewolfcustomgear and @whitetail_addictions_officialBig thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman podcast, host Pierce Nelles is joined by the XOP team, including Byron Horton, Tom Lalond, and Brock Jensen. They discuss their unique hunting experiences, particularly focusing on their recent project, "Sand Tines", which chronicles a river hunt in Wisconsin. The conversation delves into the planning, logistics, and strategies involved in hunting along rivers and in bluff country, as well as the importance of scouting and understanding deer movement. The team shares insights on food preparation and nutrition during their adventures, emphasizing the balance between practicality and enjoyment in the outdoors. The guys finish the conversation teasing some new products coming from XOP, and their plans for the season ahead.Follow along with all things XOP @xopgear on Instagram, and visit xopoutdoors.com to watch the "Sand Tines" video and get yourself kitted out for the season!Huge thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

In this episode of the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, host Pierce Nelles reflects on his journey over the past year and welcomes back guest Gus Merwin to discuss preparations for duck season. They delve into the allure of North Dakota as a prime waterfowl hunting destination, sharing insights on scouting techniques, essential gear, and the importance of building relationships with local landowners. The conversation also touches on the challenges of transitioning back to hunting in Wisconsin after experiencing the abundance of birds in North Dakota, and Gus shares his plans for a new duck boat project.Gus is back and he's ready to hit the road to North Dakota on an epic waterfowling adventure with his buddies. He shares his tips for planning a successful trip, finding and understanding birds once you get there, the essential gear, how tactics translate to & from ND to Wisconsin, and how to keep a good mindset when returning home. All that and more in this week's episode! Follow along with Gus and his adventures @heyimgus

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with Josh Krstic from the Whitetail Addictions Team to talk about Josh's journey as a hunter, overcoming target panic & buck fever, scouting in-season, what early-season sign he keys in on, how to hunt low, brushing in your stand, hunting on highly pressured ground, and staying in the right mindset all season long. If you're looking for a well-rounded hunting episode, you've definitely come to the right place! From starting his bowhunting journey trading a bow for a tattoo, to joining the Whitetail Addictions team chasing giant deer, Wisconsin-native, Josh Krstic has had one of the most unique hunting journeys that we've heard on this show.  A life-long fisherman and outdoorsman, Josh shares his story of heading to the UP on his first archery hunt, how he conquered target panic and buck fever, and eventually became the stone cold killer he is today. Josh shares how he breaks down sign both post-season and in-season to understand how target bucks are using an area, what types of sign he keys in on early in the year, adapting to hunting pressure of all kinds, hunting low and how to do it right, interacting with other hunters, and being willing to push where others won't. All that and more in this week's episode!Follow along with Josh's season on social media @thehuntingprivate and be sure to check out his episode on the Whitetail Addictions YouTube channel!

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by host of the Huntavore Podcast: Nick Otto, to talk all about caring for your venison, ways avoid field dressing mistakes, how to overcome any mishaps, how much cleaning you should do to your venison, keeping the meat cool in warm temperatures, ways to prevent bacteria growth, cleaning equipment that may have contacted CWD prions, and how to care for your meat when waiting for CWD test results.Archery season is finally here and it's time to start thinking about filling the freezer! Nick Otto is a Michigander, host of The Huntavore Podcast, and one heck of a wild game butcher and cook. Now that deer season is finally here, taking care of the meat we work so hard to harvest is crucial. The start of a new season always means a few silly mistakes and knocking the rust off on that first hunt or harvest of the year, and in this week's episode Nick shares his thoughts on how to avoid some of these mishaps, and take great care of your venison.The guys also talk about dealing with venison in areas with high CWD numbers, and how to deactivate any CWD prions that may come in contact with your butchering surfaces. Nick mentions an episode of his show that takes an in-depth look at CWD in venison which can be found here for those interested: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-huntavore-sportsmens-nation/id1403496684?i=1000455202347Follow along with Nick and learn more about butchering and cooking wild game on social media @huntavore and by checking out The Huntavore Podcast on the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast NetworkHuge thanks to our fantastic partners: onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Be sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by Sam Bilhorn of Whitetail Partners to discuss what last-minute projects, tasks, and chores folks need to be thinking about to get their hunting properties ready before the archery opener. The guys discuss the importance of early-season strategy, planning and cleaning up access routes, how to think about accessing and hunting draws, bottoms, and inside corners, making sure that deer trails are cleared of any fallen trees, pre-season scouting, food plots and how to minimize pressure on your property when completing all of these tasks. The clock is ticking! Huge thanks to Sam for returning to the show. If you'd like to follow along with all of the awesome work that he and his team are doing over at Whitetail Partners, or are interested in hiring them to work on your property, you can find everything over at www.whitetailpartners.com/and follow along with Sam @sam_whitetail_partnersLastly, the guys talk about the DNR LiDAR maps in this episode as well, which can be accessed via this link:https://data-wi-dnr.opendata.arcgis.com/maps/f2e49a42f5e14dd5845536408279da9d/explore Check 'em out and get on some big bucks!Huge thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with the lone wolf himself; Andrae D'Acquisto to talk all about the keys to consistently killing trophy bucks, hunting fresh sign, tactically pressuring deer, staying mobile, high-level thermal concepts, and above all else: hunting like a wolfIf there's any name out there that's practically synonymous with big deer, it's Andrae D'Acquisto, and for folks who haven't heard of him, he's the mind behind today's modern mobile hunting equipment and tactics. A Milwaukee-native, Andrae started building his own mobile treestands in his garage back in 1984 when he realized there was nothing else on the market that did what he needed it to do. Fast forward 40 years to today, and Lone Wolf Custom Gear is the leading name in mobile hunting.Pierce and Andrae discuss Andrae's unique mentality when it comes to hunting giant deer, and contrary to what a lot of hunters will tell you, Andrae isn't afraid to shove a big buck around if he needs to in order to stack the deck in his favor. The guys talk about how crucial it is to stay mobile so that you're always in a "virgin spot" where deer have never encountered human presence before. After that, they dive into two thermal concepts you don't often hear about: thermal overflow and thermal creep, and after hearing Andrae's breakdown of each, you'll understand why that big one busted you last season. Lastly, the guys tease an upcoming episode all about the art of the Bump & Dump which will come out in part 2 of this conversation in a few weeks. All that and more in this week's episode!Big thanks to Andrae for joining us this week! Follow along with Lone Wolf Custom Gear at www.lonewolfcustomgear.comor @lonewolfcustomgear and @whitetailaddictions on social mediaHuge thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with the Wisconsin Deer Program Specialist, Jeff Pritzl to discuss all major deer hunting updates, how dynamic of a state Wisconsin is to manage deer in, how the Department of Natural Resources really operates, how public input is crucial to getting things done, why not everyone's hunting situation may be a reflection of DNR data, and how you as an individual can become an amateur biologist to accurately assess the health of your deer herd, hunting situation, and hunting expectations.After a career in the field of biology, Jeff Pritzl now sits at the Deer Program Specialist for the Wisconsin DNR. Jeff's job is anything but easy as he looks at the wide range of struggles and experiences that deer and deer hunters deal with across a state with an extremely diverse landscape. In the Southern Farmland Region where deer can exceed 70 per square mile, to the Northern Forest Region where populations are a fraction of what they once were, there is no 'one size fits all' approach to addressing the issue of deer management in our great state. Jeff also dives into the nuances of not only helping the DNR to manage deer populations across the state, but also the people hunting them and the challenges that come with that. People may look at data that claims there to be so many or so few deer in an area, but on a 40 acre piece, it certainly may not seem that way during the 9-day season depending on a wide range of variables. If that sounds like you, it's up to you to let the DNR know, attend you CDAC meetings, and take advantage of public input opportunities. The guys also discuss how you can go about assessing your own deer herd and hunting situation, and how you can not only understand the sphere of influence you may have on your herd, but how you can assess the trends you're seeing over time in your area. This is a great conversation that covers a wide range of topics, all of which should leave you thinking about how you hunt this fall. Enjoy!

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce sits down with BHA Boardmember Alec Bekkers, and NDA Field to Fork Coordinator, Brock Rosenkranz to recap their experience at the Beast Mode Archery Challenge, talk about everything that goes into coordinating Learn to Hunt events, lessons learned by both mentors & mentees, and some of the biggest hurdles, motivators, and rewarding experiences for both all parties involved.If you're not already excited for this fall's deer season, this conversation will get you there! The guys break down all of the upcoming events that new outdoorsmen can attend to learn how to hunt varios game, as well as the opportunities for experienced outdoorsmen to help the next generation on their way. Brock & Alec share some stories about past mentored hunts, as well as some insight about how their personal outdoor experiences have been shaped since getting involved with BHA & NDA. For folks interested in being a mentee or a mentor on a hunt this fall, be sure to check out the GoWild Wisconsin website, go to the Hunter Education tab, and select "Learn to Hunt", or follow the link right here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/lth Huge thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

In this week's episode, Pierce talks with Aaron Warbritton from The Hunting Public to learn all about the importance of summer scouting, how to do it right, predicting shifts in deer movement, and setting yourself up for success all season long.If you haven't heard of Aaron Warbritton, we might have some bigger questions to be asking you. If you have heard of him, you know darn well that he's a wealth of knowledge in the woods whether he's chasing after whitetails or turkeys. This week, the guys unpack the different types of bedding, and why finding those areas now will lead you to success later this fall. Aaron breaks down primary and secondary bedding areas, how to identify them, and how you can build a strategy to set up an ambush on a big buck on his way back to bed. We talk through the "Bump & Dump" style of deer hunting, how you should expect bucks to use terrain features depending on the time of year. It's full of gold nuggets so be prepared to listen to this one more than once! Huge thanks to our fantastic partners:onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comXOP Gear: www.xopoutdoors.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comBe sure to check us out on social media too!InstagramFacebookYouTube

High school is a developmental time, you make some of your closest friends, you try new things, you learn a lot, and hopefully, you get to spend plenty of time fishing outside of school. But what if fishing could actually be part of school? Well thanks to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association, that can be true!This week we're talking all about the WIFA with Appleton North Coach, Josh Beaman, and Neenah Coach & WIFA Board Member, Bradley Gumtow. The guys kick things off hearing about how they got involved with WIFA, how tournaments work, the experiences that kids are able to have, the number of high schoolers who have achieved Master Angler Status, and of course, how you or your student can get involved by joining their school's club or starting one of their own! If this doesn't make you want to get out on the water, we're not sure what else will!Also, you'll hear in the episode that after a terrible accident, one of the WIFA students, Brett Jedwabny has wound up in critical condition and is fighting for his life at the Milwaukee Children's Hospital. To raise money to support Brett and his family during this difficult time, the WIFA has organized the, "A Cast for Hope" fishing tournament that is open to anyone to participate through the Fish Donkey App. It's $25 to enter and 100% of the proceeds go to Brett & his family. You can also support Brett by donating to the GoFundMe set up in Brett's name by following this link:  https://gofund.me/6f07b407Wishing you a strong and speedy recovery, Brett!

We talk about deer sign a lot. Tracks, rubs, scrapes, beds, and food sources all make sense when we think about them individually, but taking a step back to look at the big picture is something most of us don't do often enough. Luckily, there are people out there like Brian Dombrowski who can help us break things down!This week, Pierce & Brian start what was originally intended to be a woodsmanship podcast, and it is, at times... but that seems too limiting for the conversation the guys had. In this episode, the guys dive into scouting, understanding food sources, reading tacks and rubs, going with "the flow" of the woods, not wasting time playing safe in the early season, and at the end of it all, just keeping things simple. It's a conversation that should hopefully give you reason to pause, zoom out, and think about this upcoming season a little differently. Enjoy!

Ever drive by the county park on your way to work, see a giant and think, "Man, sure would be nice if I could hunt that."? Maybe you kick up a nice buck while walking your dog in a forest preserve but just don't know how you'd go about hunting the area. If either of those scenarios sound familiar, this episode is for you as Pierce sits down with a barefooted Lions fan: Dave McChesney!In this week's episode the guys dive down the suburban hunting rabbit hole and it is a blast! Dave shares the story of how he went from hunting over bait in a ladder stand to discovering mobile hunting and falling in love with hunting public land in metropolitan areas. The guys share their thoughts on suburban hunting opportunities, talk about how they discovered mobile hunting and lessons learned through trial & error, the highs & lows of hunting tiny parcels, teaching new hunters, planning the season with your spouse, and tons more! Check it out in this week's episode and follow dave on Instagram & Youtube @barefootdave_

It's hot, it's humid, the mosquito swarms could carry you away, and that can only mean one thing... It's time to start hanging trail cameras! And who would be better to talk about trail cam strategies with than Jacob Sklenar? That's right, folks, Jacob is back again to drop even more knowledge to help you guys get off on the right track this deer season, and you might want to grab your notepad.In this week's episode the guys share how their summers have been, and then dive right into strategy talk. Jacob breaks down why he uses trail cameras to answer a question he has, and how he goes about doing that. He shares areas he likes to hang cameras, when he likes to hang cameras, some subtleties he picks up about other hunters in an area and how they will shift deer movement, how he uses historic data about an area, reading tracks when the camera doesn't go off, and even a bit of speculation about technology in the woods. All that and more in this week's episode!