Wild Spirits Outdoors

If you want better hunts this fall, the work starts right now. In this solo episode of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we break down what land managers and serious whitetail hunters should be doing during March, April, and May to improve hunting properties across the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest. Spring is the most critical window to build food, create cover, and design a property that actuall...

In this episode I sit down in studio with Paul Sikkenga- member of the Lower Peninsula Deer Advisory Team and Founder of the Facebook group "DNR Watchdog" as we continue to discuss regulations surrounding Michigan deer hunting right now. If you listened to the two-part series with Jordan Hoover (Ep. 24 and Ep. 25), this episode will follow up with that conversation bringing a different p...

I am joined in Studio by Todd Taylor, Michigan Assistant State Lead for The Fallen Outdoors. We Talk About: Veteran Brotherhood Healing through the Outdoors Purpose after Service Combating Isolation and Veteran Suicide This episode dives deep into how outdoor adventures like hunting, fishing, and time spent in the woods are helping veterans reconnect, rebuild, and rediscover purpose. If you care a...

I'm honored to welcome Michigan native, author, storyteller, and the voice of Michigan Backroads- Mr. Ron Rademacher to the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast Studio! Ron has spent over 3 decades exploring hidden gems here in the Great Lakes State. From forgotten trails and hidden waterfalls to scenic country hikes and sleepy smalltown charms- he has spent decades seeking out the places most travel...

Michigan deer hunting is at a crossroads. In Part 2 of Episode 24 (Ep.25) of Wild Spirits Outdoors, we conclude our break down the one-buck tag debate, the role of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), and what the future of whitetail hunting looks like in the Great Lakes State. Joined by special guest Jordan Hoover- Chairman of the Upper Peninsula Deer Advisory Team, we dive deep into Michigan...

Michigan deer hunting is at a crossroads. In Episode 24 of Wild Spirits Outdoors, we break down the one-buck tag debate, the role of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), and what the future of whitetail hunting looks like in the Great Lakes State. Joined by special guest Jordan Hoover- Chairman of the Upper Peninsula Deer Advisory Team, we dive deep into Michigan deer regulations, hunter concer...

What does it really take to complete the North American Super Slam with archery equipment? In Episode 23 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we break down one of the most legendary accomplishments in bowhunting — harvesting every recognized big game species in North America using only a bow and arrow. From Alaskan moose and brown bear…To desert bighorn sheep, mountain goat, caribou, plains bison...

In this episode of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, I sit down with Clint Catchot of Droppin Hammers Outdoors for a deep-dive into whitetail hunting in New York — one of the most challenging and misunderstood deer hunting states in the country. bWe break down what it really takes to consistently kill mature bucks in the Empire State, including: ✔️ New York buck numbers & herd structure ✔️ Ta...

January in Michigan isn’t the end of the outdoors—it’s where discipline is built. In Episode 21 of the Wild Spirits Outdoors Podcast, we dive deep into what’s still open, still possible, and still worth pursuing during the heart of winter. From the Kalamazoo Outdoor Sports Expo to a full breakdown of current Michigan hunting and fishing opportunities, this episode is about staying sharp when most...

Episode 20 is the final chapter of my 2025/26 Ohio Muzzleloader Season 3-Part Series. I recap and break down the 4 Day season. This episode isn't a highlight reel, but rather a reflection of the hunt- what went wrong, what worked. I'll dive into:Late-season muzzleloader tactics that worked, and what didn'tHow the weather changed whitetail movementLocation choices, mistakes, and what I&...

Part 2 of our Ohio muzzleloader season comes to you remote from our deer camp and picks up right where the grind begins. In this episode, I’m joined in the studio by my good friend Brandon as we break down the first three days of the Ohio muzzleloader season—highs, lows, and everything in between. Days one and two tested our patience with gear malfunctions on both sides, forcing us to adapt on the...

Ohio muzzleloader season is here—and this episode kicks off a three-part series following my January hunt in some of the most challenging late-season whitetail country. In Part 1, I break down my full game plan heading into the opener. I’ll be returning to familiar ground to see how things have changed this season while also pushing into new areas that could hold opportunity. With unusually warm w...

This episode is a true free-for-all. No script. No agenda. Just real questions and my honest answers. In Episode 17, I open it up to the listeners and dive into questions on a wide range of topics- from habitat management and deer pressure to favorite cartridges, archery setups, out-of-state hunting, bad decisions, memories, and everything in between. If it’s something you’d talk about around a ca...

Winter in the Midwest and Northern deer woods is where whitetail survival becomes a numbers game. After months of hunting pressure, the physical toll of the rut, and the onset of cold, snow, and shortened daylight, deer enter the most biologically demanding stretch of the year. In this episode of Wild Spirits Outdoors, we slow things down and take a hard, honest look at what it takes for deer to s...

Winter is the most honest season in the deer woods, and one of the most powerful seasons for transforming a whitetail property. In this episode, we break down EXACTLY what landowners, habitat managers, and diehard whitetail hunters should focus on from December through February in the Midwest to set up for next season's success. This episode delivers a masterclass on winter habitat work. Wheth...

Muzzleloader season is almost here for most of the Midwest, and the late season grind is real! In this episode, I'll break down what helps me to shoot confidently, sight in, and maintain the modern inline muzzleloader. Whether you're new to the smoke pole or just want some tips on refining your set up, this episode gives you real-world guidance.

The 1st half of Whitetail Season is officially in the books! In this episode host Brad breaks down his 1st half of the season, and what we as hunters should be doing as we head into the latter part of the season. Episode highlights:Recap of 1st half of seasonWhat bucks are doing now vs 2 weeks agoSecondary "Rut" realityLate-Season Food Sources and thermal cover

In this episode, host Brad takes a break from whitetail tactics and takes aim at Michigan’s whitetail management chaos with unapologetic opinions. Mitten State Madness breaks down some hot-button issues Michigan deer hunter is talking about (even if they don't admit it — from the baiting ban and endless hunting seasons to crossbows, youth hunts, overpopulation, and the state’s mismanagement of...

** Apologies for the poor quality. Had to reload this episode without the intro. Episode 11 should be best audio thus far. ** It’s that magic stretch of the season — late October in the Midwest — when bucks are on edge, scrapes are fresh, and every cold morning feels like the calm before the storm. In this episode, we break down 20 bowhunting questions that separate a good hunt from a great one. F...

The time is here— and this is the window is now! Bucks are cruising, does are coming into estrous, and the pre-lockdown rhythm is in full swing. In this episode of Wild Spirits Outdoors, Brad breaks down how to hunt this crucial stretch before rut lockdown hits — this is when every sit could change your season. In This Episode, we talk:When and how to use grunting, rattling, and snort-wheezes effe...

** Apologies for the poor quality. Had to reload this episode without the intro. Episode 11 should be best audio thus far. ** It’s that magic stretch of the season — late October in the Midwest — when bucks are on edge, scrapes are fresh, and every cold morning feels like the calm before the storm. In this episode, we break down 20 bowhunting questions that separate a good hunt from a great one. F...

Mid-October can just about put even the most dedicated hunter to sleep. Deer seem to vanish, trail cams go dead, and patience can wear thin. But the truth? The "lull" is really a myth- and bucks still exist, you just have to find them. In this episode we will talk about mid-October strategies- shifting food sources, locating fresh sign, and embracing the grind when others sit it out. The...

Opening day of archery season is here for just about everyone, and in this episode of Wild Spirits Outdoors, I am fielding 20 questions on how I would strategize my early season approach based on the warm and dry conditions most of us are experiencing.

We all know that deer live by their noses, but how can we use that superpower to our advantage? In this episode, we dive deep into the invisible world of air currents and how they should dictate our movements in the woods. From understanding prevailing winds and shifting thermals to breaking down how terrain features affect how air currents move, we'll explore how deer use their noses to survi...

Whitetail deer do not just survive in the wild- they thrive all over North America because of their incredible senses. In this episode, we break down the some of the science of how deer see, hear, and smell- and what that really means for us as hunters. We will zoom on n some of the keys to how each of these senses work, and how to formulate a hunting strategy around them. Whether you are seasoned...