The Southern Outdoorsmen Hunting Podcast

When it comes to tactics that create a ton of listener success stories, Richard Fought's calling techniques are right at the top. Today, we revisit the subject with Richard and do a deep dive on his calling techniques, how to call without spooking deer, what has worked for our listeners since the first time we talked about this and more. Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A f...

In this listener Q&A, we cover: How to determine what a mature buck track looks like in your area Does using a suppressor on your rifle help with lowering hunting pressure? Are pre-rut annual patterns affected by hunting pressure? The best way to find pockets of deer in low deer density areas We also cover our plans for some upcoming hunts! Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&...

Learn the truth about hunting scrapes and why they’re not just nighttime sign. Big woods whitetail expert Steve Sherk of Sherk's Guide Service reveals how to find the right scrapes near bedding cover that produce consistent daylight activity on mature bucks. We dive into identifying productive scrapes, trail camera strategies, calling setups, and how to capitalize during October and the rut. G...

On this Thursday Q&A we are covering: 1. Do's & Don'ts of hunting near property boundaries 2. Why do bucks seem to like rubbing one species of tree vs another? 3. Hunting around SMZ's (Streamside Managment Zones) We then cover some recent scouting/squirrel hunting we have been doing! Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP Gr...

In this episode, we are in Pennsylvania talking with Joe and Beau Martonik about all things big woods deer hunting, with an emphasis on ground hunting! Joe has had a lot of success over the years tagging big bucks from the ground. In this episode he breaks down his mothod of slip hunting through clear cuts while calling to bring mature bucks into bow range. Got a question for the show? Submit a li...

We just got back from a great hunt in Georgia, targeting feed trees with our buddy Greg Maher! Greg was on the show last year talking about how to effectively hunt feed trees, and this week we put his strategy to the test in person! Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aK...

Hunting rub lines can unlock some of the best opportunities to encounter mature bucks — if you know how to read them the right way. In this episode, legendary Arkansas mountain hunter Moe Shepherd joins us to break down decades of experience hunting mountain country bucks, explaining how rub lines reveal travel patterns, bedding areas, and rut behavior. Whether you’re new to deer hunting or a seas...

Georgia bowhunter Robert Carter joins us to share his bowhunting secrets from over 30 years of chasing deer on Georgia public land. From setting up inside 15 yards with a stickbow to finding hot persimmon and water oak trees, Robert breaks down how he consistently kills deer in thick cover. If you want to get closer, hunt smarter, and learn from a true woodsman, this is an episode you won’t want t...

Today, we are talking with  @WhitetailResearch  on some extremely unique and interesting insights into buck behavior that have come out of a year-long thermal drone study! Derrick Dixon is the man behind the channel/website Whitetail Research. In today's episode we dive into his findings from his year long study using a thermal drone to observe buck movement. Subjects: • The factor that allowe...

This week we sit down with  our buddy Mark Smith. Mark is a bow tech at Mark's Outdoors in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. We discuss some of Mark's craziest stories of working in a bow shop, and have a discussion about prepping your archery equipment for deer season. We dive into: Mark’s journey from martial arts & CrossFit gyms to becoming a trusted bow tech Wild shop stories — dry fires, b...

Today on the show, Virginia mountain hunter  Ralph Barton  breaks down his early-season bowhunting strategy in the big woods . Ralph shares how he scouts for productive acorn trees, pinpoints bedding areas, and uses persistence to get deer into bow range in some of the toughest terrain in the eastern US. From reading feed trees to adjusting stands by just a few yards, his approach shows how to con...

In this Thursday Q&A we cover: What you can lean when finding clusters of rubs in the woods Funnels or food in early season? Finding hot persimmon trees We also discuss our recent time spent with Derrick Dixon of Whitetail Research, and anounce some upcoming videos with him! Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP Grab some Southern Outdoors...

Dr. Grant Woods, one of the nation’s leading deer biologists, explains the secret language of scrapes and rubs — and reveals what most hunters get wrong about deer scent, communication, and rut behavior. In this episode, we cover: • How bucks actually use scrapes and rubs to communicate • The truth about deer scent and why you can’t fool a buck’s nose • Pre-rut, rut, and post-rut hunting strategie...

In this throwback episode, we sit down with our friend  Tony Myers , a veteran Alabama hunter who’s been chasing deer since the 1970s. Tony shares lessons he learned from old-timers in the early days, how deer behavior shifted after dog hunting was banned, and the subtle signs that separate consistent hunters from the rest. We dive into: Early season scouting strategies and why Tony likes to push...

In this part 2 episode with Alan Altizer, we go deep on the difference in hunting any buck vs. focusing on one buck. We also have an extremley in depth conversation on wind, thermals and how mature bucks use them in ways other deer do not. Other subjects: The difference in mindset between hunting  any buck  versus targeting  one specific mature buck . How  tactics shift  depending on whether you’r...

In this Q&A episode, we cover: 1. What do you focus on when an area has oaks and agriculture (food everywhere). 2. Why am I getting deer on camera but never seeing them in person? 3. What trail cams do we recommend for public land? We also talk about the late summer shift that bucks typically do, what causes the shift, and more. Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - htt...

In this episode of The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast, we sit down with legendary hunter Alan Altizer to talk about one of the most powerful deer hunting concepts you’ll ever hear: how a buck’s greatest strength can also be his biggest weakness. Alan shares decades of hard-earned woodsmanship — from reading washed-out tracks and understanding how deer use their senses, to why trail cameras can actua...

In this Thursday Q&A episode, we cover: Why won't your mock scrapes work? How long after an area floods will deer go back to normal? Does getting one picture of a buck mean anything? We also cover Jacob joining the "privileged hunters" with his new club! We go over what finally got him to join a club, along with how he is approaching the new property, and what scouting he will be d...

Today, we are visiting with our buddy Richard Fought of Arkansas. Richard is a very well-known bowhunter in his area and a true woodsman by any standard. Longtime listeners will remember our episodes with Richard going all the way back to 2018! In this episode, we touch on what often separates GREAT bowhunters from everyone else, and what most guys miss when it comes to perfecting their craft. Got...

Jeff Phillips runs one of Virginia's largest social media accounts related to deer hunting - Star City Whitetails on Facebook. In this episode, we visit with Jeff at his home in Roanoke, Virginia, to talk about how he got started, the community he has built, and some of the most memorable bucks he has had submitted to his page over the years. Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&am...

Beginning in 2013, the Penn State Deer-Forest Study is the crown jewel of Dr. Duane Diefenbach's career in research. With over 1200 whitetail deer trapped and fitted with GPS collars, the study has collected an absolutely massive amount of data on how deer navigate the big woods and avoid hunters! Today Dr. Diefenbach reveals some of the most interesting information for hunters that has come f...

In this Q&A episode, we cover: 1. Using Trail Cams to Pattern Bucks - Is One Daylight Picture enough? 2. How to find spots to be aggressive in this fall? 3. How to hunt feed trees in areas with few feed trees 4. Bonus: A Great ditch funnel example! Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXP Grab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l....

Today we sit down with a very highly requested guest - Steve Sherk of Sherk's Guide Service. To run a guiding business on public lands, in a big woods setting, you have to be exceptionally in tuned with how bucks use the woods and move acorss the landscape! Steve has years of experience not only tagging big bucks himself, but also putting other hunters into positions to get a shot at a big woo...

On this viewer Q&A we cover: 1. Scouting swamps for deer in the summer - best way to avoid snakes? 2. One Career that is GREAT if you want to hunt a lot3. E-Scouting for deer - what are some features to look for on a map that you can go scout? Got a question for the show? Submit a listener Q&A form - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uMXPGrab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linkly...

Today we sit down with our good buddy, and a living legend of Alabama public land hunting, Michael Perry. Michael is one of the most successful hunters we know and has several different deer in the record books, including the state record muzzloader buck (196"!). In this episode, we talk with Michael about how he developed his style of deer hunting and how he stays on good bucks. Got a questio...