Buck Down Deer Hunting Podcast

Guest: Jacob Sklenar / Episode 89 In this episode, Alex sits down with  Jacob Sklenar  to break down a whitetail season that demanded adaptability—both in the woods and mentally. Jacob shares how his Kansas hunt challenged his expectations, forcing him to quickly adapt to unfamiliar terrain, pressure, and deer behavior that didn’t match the playbook. Jakes talk through how deer movement and patter...

Guest: Matt Williams In this episode, Alex sits down with Matt Williams to break down his whitetail season, highlighted by buck harvests in both Indiana and Kentucky. Matt walks through how he approached each hunt, the differences between the two states, and how understanding access points played a major role in his success. A big focus of the conversation is avoiding hunter pressure, how he ident...

Guest: Ty Jennings This episode features Ty Jennings as the two dive into the realities of hunting pressured public land and how much more hectic it’s become with increased hunter traffic. Ty breaks down what he’s learned from following mature bucks over multiple years, including how their behavior and home ranges shift as pressure and age increase. The episode also recaps Ty’s season from start t...

Guest: John Prokop  In this episode, Alex sits down with John Prokop to break down his deer season split between Pennsylvania and New York. John walks through the bucks he was able to tag in each state, and how his approach shifted throughout the season. The two also dig into late-season priorities, focusing on the importance of food sources, security cover, and how deer behavior changes as pressu...

Guest: Andrew Fitzgerald  In this episode, Alex and Andrew break down the buck Andrew has been after and how the hunt is shaping up as they move into the late season. They talk through the tactics, the conditions, and what they’re seeing on the ground. The conversation also hits on the kind of deer encounters that get your heart going and why hunting isn’t all about antler size — it’s about the mo...

Guest: Zach Robb In this episode, Alex and Zack talk through the hunt for a mature buck on a big, mountainous property Zack has spent five years learning. They cover how understanding how deer use the terrain, combined with in-season scouting and finding fresh sign, eventually led Zack to the buck he was after. The conversation follows the progression from years of figuring out the property to mak...

In this episode, Alex sits down with Cody Halblieb to break down his action-packed deer season and all the opportunities it brought. Cody walks through a spot-and-stalk encounter in the big woods, breaking down the sign, strategy, and decisions that led to the close call. He also talks about a buck he shot earlier in the season, while non-fatal, still taught him valuable lessons about shot choice,...

Guest: Aaron HeplerIn this episode, Alex sits down with guest Aaron Hepler to break down the 2025 deer season. Aaron walks through the highs and lows of his year in the woods, ultimately culminating in a successful buck harvest. Alex guides the conversation as Aaron recounts the key moments, decisions, and sign that led up to the kill. Together, they reflect on lessons learned, what made this seas...

Guest: Ben Martin In this episode, Alex sits down with Ben, the creator of the Hunt Regs app, to dig into how his platform is making life easier for hunters across the country. Ben breaks down how the app streamlines access to hunting regulations for different states and WMUs, helping hunters stay legal and informed with just a few taps. The conversation also dives into the app’s deer-tracking too...

In this episode, the Alex is joined by Jacob Dykes of MSU Deer Lab for a deep, practical breakdown of the whitetail rut. Jacob explains how buck and doe behavior shifts as breeding kicks in, how bedding and movement patterns change, and what hunters should pay attention to as fresh sign appears. He also brings science-backed insight from his work at MSU to highlight why deer do what they do during...

Guest: Greg Kazmierski This weeks episode Alex talks with Greg Kazmierski and focus majority of the episode talking about the rut. The two talk about hunting strategies specifically for the pre rut and rut timeframe, from doe bedding, scrape activity, and terrain. Thank you for listening, and home you enjoy. Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com Stealth Outdoors https://www.steal...

Guest: Ryan Glitsky In this episode, Alex sits down withRyan Glitsky to dive deep into hunting scrapes and capitalizing on pre-rut behavior. The two discuss how Ryan approaches scrapes—both natural and mock—and the strategies he uses to get aggressive as the rut draws near. From reading sign and timing hunts to understanding when to move in on a mature buck, Ryan shares his tactics for success dur...

Guest: Robert McIntyre In this episode, Alex sits down with Robert McIntyre to talk about their strategies, and mindsets behind chasing October bucks. The two discuss shifting deer behavior throughout the month, changing food sources and weather fronts impact movement, and the subtle signs. Robert shares lessons learned chasing a couple specific deer this season and how he plans to capitalize. Tha...

Guest: Troy Pottenger In this episode, Alex sits down with seasoned big woods hunter Troy Pottenger to dive deep into the world of scrapes. Troy shares his approach to building and hunting scrapes, breaking down how bucks use them and how hunters can use that knowledge to their advantage. The discussion covers everything from setting up effective mock scrapes to understanding wind and thermals whe...

Guest: Kevin Vistisen In this episode, Alex is joined by guest Kevin for a dive into whitetail hunting strategies focusing on scrapes and the effective use of scent. Kevin breaks down his approach to building scrape systems and explains how Deer Hunter Synthetics can be used to draw in bucks. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoy. Deer Hunter Synthetics https://deerhuntersynthetics.com Scrap...

Guest: Vince Battiata In this episode, Alex sits down with Vince to break down his recent hunt in North Dakota. They dive into the unique challenges that came with the trip—from tough conditions and unfamiliar terrain to the mental battles that can make or break a hunt. Vince shares what he learned about staying focused, adapting when plans fall apart, and pushing through when things get tough. Th...

In this episode, Alex sits down with guest Nolan to dive deep into the world of whitetail hunting. The conversation focuses on setting realistic expectations in the deer woods and how important it is to stay grounded throughout the season. Alex and Nolan discuss the balance between boots-on-the-ground scouting and relying on trail cameras. Along the way, they share stories of being humbled by matu...

Guest: Matt Buttermark In this episode, Matt and Alex get into early season whitetail hunting—talking gear, pack setups, and how to approach those first hunts of the year. Straightforward tips and strategies to help you get dialed in and ready for the season. Thank you for listening ,and hope you enjoy. Deer Hunter Synthetic Scrape System https://deerhuntersynthetics.com Stealth Outdoors https://w...

Guest: Matt Williams In this episode, Matt and Alex dive into the challenges and opportunities of early season whitetail hunting. They break down reading the subtle signs deer leave behind—whether it’s food sources, bedding areas, or travel patterns—and why success often comes from listening to what the deer are telling us, rather than forcing a plan. Tune in for strategies to stay adaptable, trus...

Guest: Jacob Dykes This week’s episode dives deep into whitetail behavior with insights from Jacob Dykes at MSU Deer Lab. Jacob breaks down buck travel patterns and habits, what influences bedding habits, and how food and water sources factor into a deer’s daily routine. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your strategy or just want a better understanding of how whitetails move and survive, this con...

Guest: Greg Litzinger This week Alex is joined by Greg Litzinger to talk all things whitetail hunting. Greg dives into the importance and experiences of keeping expectations in check and making the hunt enjoyable, no matter the outcome. Greg shares his perspective on staying resilient while hunting through an injury, then the two also get into buck rubs and the role of access when planning a hunt....

In this episode, Johny Stewart joins the conversation to dive deep into the world of mature buck tendencies. Johnny breaks down how these older, wiser deer use bedding areas to their advantage, what food sources they key in on throughout the season, and how their habits shift with pressure and changing conditions. Johny’s insights bring a wealth of real-world knowledge to help you better understan...

Guest: Jacob Sklenar In this episode, Jacob Sklenar talks about capitalizing in the early season. Jake and Alex dive into the key factors that can put you in the right place at the right time for whitetails. Jacob helps break down early-season food sources and preferable bedding areas, and the preferences deer show during this time of year. Jacob also cover the telltale signs you should be watchin...

Guest: Ty Jennings In this episode, Alex is joined by Ty Jennings. Ty breaks down early-season strategies for chasing mature whitetails. We dive into buck bed funnels, what makes up a prime early-season bedding area, and how to approach those spots without tipping off the deer. We also talk about hunting based on a buck’s behavior and the patience it takes to track down a single buck over multiple...

In this episode, Alex sits down with Christian Williams for a laid-back conversation about getting back to the roots of hunting. Christian shares his perspective on stepping away from the modern tech that’s come to dominate the hunting world — like trail cams, and cell apps — in order to become a better woodsman. The discussion dives into how relying less on technology can sharpen your instincts,...