As whitetail junkies, we often can’t get enough information about hunting, chasing and learning about them. Luckily, hunting television has fed this need for some time now with a plethora of hunting shows of varying formats available on multiple channels such as the Sportsman, Outdoor, and Pursuit channels. Throw in the vast offerings on YouTube and our alternatives for visual hunting content are almost endless. Traditional written content also continues to be plentiful through a multitude of magazines and blogs.
Admittedly late to the game, I’ve discovered hunting-related podcasts over the last couple of years and found them to be an educational and enjoyable way to fill in the cracks. In fact, they may be the best way yet to get a whitetail fix in between hunts and seasons. I put in a lot of windshield time and have found them to be an effective way to pass the hours on the highway. To be completely honest, I now can hardly take a trip over 15 minutes without tuning into one. They can be enjoyed most any time, such as while doing lawn work, waiting at the airport, and working out. Unfortunately, I don’t have nearly the body (or body of work) to comment on the latter.
In the digital world we live in, podcasts are very portable and offer a ton of variety for deer hunters and the sportsman in general. They can be instructional, conversational, humorous – even philosophical. Or any combination.
The market is now chock-full of hunting podcasts, both old and new and the biggest challenge perhaps is to filter those that most appeal to your tastes. With the 2018 hunting season well underway, here is a list of podcasts that I enjoy for one reason or another. Note that these are not in any particular order. In fact, there are many more podcasts that I enjoy and we hope to continue to feature these and other podcasts in the future.
Again, in no particular order;
Big Buck Registry
Jay Scott and Dusty Phillips have grown and maintained a great product and have a ton of quality episodes under their belt. As one of the most listened to podcasts out there, Big Buck Registry focuses on a variety of hunting accounts and stories from around the country. In this way, they effectively provide useful “food for thought” regarding strategies for whitetail hunters of all levels. These guys live and breathe the deer hunting lifestyle and share interviews with expert guests such as the Drurys and Roger Raglin, as well as successful hunters you’ve never heard of. Containing relevant current events of the hunting outdoor world, Jim Keller’s Deer News at the front end of each session is a nice and unique touch.
Truth from the Stand Podcast
Hailing from the high-pressure state of Pennsylvania, Host Clint Campbell‘s passion for deer hunting is palpable. His interests and topics include hunting mature whitetails and creating beneficial hunting habitat. Though the content covers private land hunting, it largely embraces public land opportunities and challenges. In either case, the show strives to share all hunting experiences – both the successes and failures, with the goal to learn and grow along with the audience. A retired undercover narcotics cop and Owner of the Arrow Wild Hunting Show, Co-host John Mulligan is of course also a hardcore seeker of mature whitetails. Truth from the Stand content includes strategies, rut reports, and conversations with various hunting experts. These guys truly offer a solid alternative.
Nine Finger Chronicles Podcast
Veteran host Dan “Nine Finger” Johnson continues to consistently gin out quality hunting podcast episodes. Heavily focused on whitetails and whitetail hunting, the long-running Nine Finger Chronicles Podcast serves up a healthy dose of interesting hunter profiles, hunting tips, and product reviews. Dan is a hardcore bow hunter and bowhunting strategist, covering such topics as “run and gun” hunting. His passion for hunting whitetails is apparent and entertaining. He is also Co-Host of Mark Kenyon’s very popular Wired to Hunt Podcast which speaks volumes about his outdoor insights and knowledge. An accomplished outdoor writer and podcaster, Dan also covers and promotes habitat management and conservation. In fact, he was recently honored by QDMA as their 2018 Signpost Communicator of the Year. Put simply, this one dishes out a lot of solid whitetail and deer hunting information.
Whitetail Distraction Podcast
New to the hunting podcast scene, Austin Schweitzer and Charles Hedland have created a podcast that has a casual hunting camp-style feel to it. These hardcore Pennsylvania deer hunters get their inspiration not only from their love of whitetail hunting but from the distraction it entails at work and in daily life; something we can all relate to. The format is semi-informative, providing hunting stories and interesting guests. In fact, the podcast has already been graced by an informative visit with Whitetail hunting legend John Eberhart. This one really appeals to the current day working class deer hunter.
The Huntcast Podcast
Host TJ Shafer and his Huntcast Podcast is another new kid on the block. However, it has quickly made its mark. These East Texas boys really know how to get it done in the outdoors and speak the language of the common deer hunter. This production is also rich in hunting stories and deer camp-like banter; with humor to boot; But it doesn’t end there. It also features interesting interviews with key characters of the outdoor genre, as well as industry product representatives and popular outdoor figures. Heck, within the first several weeks of their existence alone, TJ and the gang featured interviews with Michael Waddell and Jana Waller, just to name a couple. Paul, TJ’s non-hunting brother Paul often co-hosts and provides a unique and humorous perspective. This further makes for a rare and entertaining listening experience.
Wired to Hunt Podcast
A household name in the hunting podcast arena, this gem is easily one of the most listened to hunting podcasts on the planet. Founded in 2009, outdoorsman and accomplished outdoor writer Mark Kenyon has established a podcast steeped in quality deer hunting news, stories, and strategies. Additionally, the Wired to Hunt community in general consistently provides good written content. The Wired to Hunt podcast features a veritable all-star lineup of proven and successful whitetail hunters, including John Eberhart, Mark Drury, Jim Shockey, and Steve Rinella; just to name a few. Further, Mark and the gang also provide provocative rut reports and personal hunting accounts – largely related to public land hunting. Co-host Dan Johnson of the Nine Finger Chronicles podcast is a great addition and the seamless hunting-related discussions between the two is thought-provoking, compelling and at times witty. This is truly a place for accomplished and everyday hunters alike.
Down South Hunting Podcast
Adam Crews and Mike Higman’s production provides a much-needed outlet in the hunting podcast world – one that caters to the multitude of whitetail hunters and outdoorsmen and women of the south. Down South offers everything from strategies and accounts of their adventures to interviews with biologists and industry insiders. A Marine Corps veteran, Adam grew up hunting in Tennessee at an early age. Mike didn’t start hunting until his early twenties, which adds a cool perspective and nice quality to the show’s content. With a casual feel, college football sometimes even makes its way into the conversation. After all, these guys do hail from the southeast! This is a good all-around hunting podcast you need to check out.
White Knuckle Podcast
The White Knuckle Podcast is one of the more comprehensive Whitetail Deer hunting podcasts I have found. Exclusively focused on bowhunting, Hosts Jason Syens and Todd Pringnitz cover strategies and expert interviews. These two whitetail-chasing fanatics also do a great job of passing along their own hunting and outdoor stories. Perhaps one of the best aspects is their willingness to keep it real. They don’t shy away from covering the realities of deer hunting, such as missed shots and follies. In addition to the podcast, White Knuckle Productions has a successful web show featuring self-guided filmed hunts from all over the mid-west. If you are a dedicated bowhunter, you’ll want to tune into this podcast, as these guys commit a ton of time and energy toward pursuing giant whitetails on both public and private land; and they’re good at it.
-If you’re interested in having your podcast featured in the 1st Light Hunting Journal, drop us a line at info@1stlighthuntingjournal.com.
