Hey everyone, welcome to episode 175 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Penn State Adjunct Professor of Wildlife Ecology Leader, PA Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit Dr. Duane Diefenbach.  This was a great conversation with Duane about some of his findings on the Deer-Forest Study related to deer movement.  We get into a variety of other topics associated with his findings over the years researching whitetails.  Kicking this episode off, Duane discusses where the study is currently at and where it is heading.  This study originated 10 years ago and has a few more until they are finished with it.  It was interesting to hear Duane share how it has evolved over the years with technology that has helped them a ton with their findings and understandings.  Duane answers listener questions and elaborates on some myths whitetail hunters either swear by or not. Duane dives into some of the major factors that cause deer movement and the burning question of where deer go when the pressure rises. So tune in to hear what Duane and his team have found over the last decade in the Deer-Forest Study and what Duane has observed since the early 2000’s researching whitetails.  Check it out and let us know what you think!  Enjoy this fun episode and see you next week! Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!

A Scientific Approach to Deer Movement w/ Dr. Duane Diefenbach

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 174 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by PA native and the 2022 Bowhunting League PA Big Buck winner Taylor Fleischer.  In this specific episode Taylor shares some of the little things that have helped him be successful the last few years, but specifically last year on the buck he was after for the last 3 years. Taylor shares the little things that can be overlooked by hunters and how to improve on what you’re already doing.  Kicking this episode off we dive into Taylors hunting roots from when he was a young teenager.  This was a great kickoff discussion because at a  young age Taylor got the bowhunting bug and from there has worked endlessly to continue his pursuit to perfection.  This aspect I believe most hunters want to accomplish and achieve but know the process is a long fun and frustrating journey.  We discussed how some hunting experiences shaped who he is as a hunter now. The lessons learned from his past season Pope & Young buck that he plans to build upon.  Then we get into the nitty-gritty of the little things that have helped Taylor the last few seasons.  From his organization of trail cam photos, reading/understanding deer movement and behavior. We wrap up our discussion talking about how he manages his property in central PA and the challenges he faces with hunting it and hunting where he currently resides.   Check it out and let us know what you think!  Enjoy this fun episode and see you next week! Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!

Whitetail, It’s the Little Things

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 173 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by my good friend Aaron Hepler.  Aaron has been on the podcast a few different times already but the topics on today’s episode we haven’t really explored.  What we wanted to accomplish in this week's episode was to discuss how we can become more efficient hunters this upcoming year.  I think we honestly just scratched the surface and will be completing another episode or episodes to build on this. This is a really easy podcast to listen to and some of my favorites to complete when a good friend is on and we just chat hunting.Kicking this episode off we dive into my turkey success stories.  We discussed how taking what I’ve learned in the turkey woods this spring can help me out come fall for whitetail.  Following that we get into what we can do to become a more efficient hunter.  From trail cameras, prepping your gear now, shooting your bow and a heck of a lot more.  One aspect that we touched upon was scouting and how important it is to have confidence in yourself completing your scouting missions.  From speed scouting, creating predetermined tracks on your map, to what sign to look for when setting your cameras for specific times of the year, Aaron covers it in this episode.  We end on two different topics being which cameras we have had the most luck with and how persistence has helped us in the woods. Check it out and let us know what you think!  Enjoy this fun episode and see you next week! Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!

Become a More Efficient Hunter w/ Aaron Hepler

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 172 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by fellow Pennsylvania native Travis Melochick.  Travis and I grew up in the same area in NEPA. Travis runs the Anthracite Antler Addict content page.  Take it from the name, Travis cut his teeth growing up chasing bucks in the mountains of the coal region.  No easy task, but Travis continues to put in the work and reps the rewards.  One aspect that Travis and I both believe in when it comes to hunting is the non-stop passion for learning, growing and developing as a hunter.  I think you all will enjoy this week's episode because Travis and I cover a few different topics relating to the whitetail woods.Kicking this episode off we get an introduction on how Travis began tackling the tough terrain of the coal region.  Then we transition to stories and lessons learned from this past hunting season.  We discussed what Travis keys in on during his scouting missions, how he specifically prioritizes the pieces he plans to hunt.  Loved this specific discussion.  Then we get into scrape talk, deer calling, scouting for future hunts, hunting in specific elevations and of course some trail cam talk.   I believe you will take a lot away from this episode and I look forward to spending some time with Travis this summer when scouting! Also, check out our website under the “In the Field” tab for an article Travis wrote! It is a great one for any level hunter! Check it out and let us know what you think!  Enjoy this fun episode and see you next week! Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!

Hunting the Unexpected with Travis Melochick

On this week's episode I made the trip to Allentown PA, to visit Antler Up team member Jim D’Agostino!  We had a full day of working on bows and getting some other gear setup for 3D and hunting season.  Jim is a bow technician and truly loves the process of building the ultimate shooting bow for any individual. From talking about my new archery setup, Jim’s setup and other pieces of gear we get into some really good stuff.Kicking this episode off we discussed some of the new features of the 2023 bows and what we liked and maybe didn’t like.  We covered some of the not so glamor pieces that can make a difference in your overall shooting experience.  Although a quick hitter it is always fun to record an episode in person and get a chance to work alongside Jim as he prepares bows to perfection.  Enjoy this fun episode and see you next week! Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Bow Setup & Gear w/ Jim D’Agostino

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 170 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Tom Kubiniec, president and CEO of Secure It Gun Storage.  This was such an awesome podcast to record with Tom.  Tom resides just upstate New York where Secure It runs its daily operations.  This episode was unlike any other that I have done in the past.  Tom brings a lot of knowledge and experience to this conversation about not letting the fear of failure hold you back from accomplishing a goal.  Kicking the episode off Tom explains a little bit about himself, and shares great stories and experiences along the way.  From being a professional guitarist and having health issues that forced him out, to then learning sales and starting a few different companies.   We discussed how he went from his previous work into what Secure It is today.  This was an interesting take since the US military needed a problem solved and Tom was able to innovate and simplify.  We discussed what challenges he faced during this time period and how he overcame them.  From there he transitioned into commercial sales where now the everyday consumer can benefit from Secure It products.  We wrap things up talking about hunting up in New York and getting kids involved.  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!

Innovate & Simplify w/ Tom Kubiniec

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 169 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Thomas Mlsna from The Untamed Ambition!  This was such an awesome podcast to record with Thomas.  I first heard Thomas on the Exodus Outdoor Podcast and knew I wanted to pick his brain on whitetail. Throughout this episode you will hear the drive, knowledge and passion Thomas really puts into whitetails, coaching, consulting and his company the Untamed Ambition.  We cover specific hunting tactics and share some stories we all can relate and learn from!Kicking the episode off Thomas explains a little bit about himself, but doesn’t waste any time getting right into whitetail strategies. Thomas breaks down the 4 key elements that are simple but extremely effective when it comes to hunting big whitetails. From getting pieces of the puzzle together, to executing a specific plan to hunt the buck you’re after and mistakes we as hunters can avoid come next season, Thomas covers it! Thomas also breaks down how to be more intentional with your camera setup, using your historical data in an effective way and really breakdown an area to be set up in the right location!  Again, I can’t wait to go back and listen to this episode because I learned so much while recording.  I hope you get a lot out of this one as well!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!

Invest in Your Whitetail Time

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 168 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Lane Housner from In the Presence.  Lane is a PA native that runs the YouTube channel In the Presence Hunt.  He and his crew hunt all over and film their awesome hunts.  From PA, MD, KS, and many more states! These guys get the job done and have a blast doing it.  Lane and I just have a straight up BS session of what is going on currently for him and what to expect for next season! When we kick off this podcast we chat about when Lane first started to film his hunts and get into his internship with the guys from the Untamed.  Lane gave up a lot to take this position so he shares things he learned from the filming side and the hunting tactic side.  Following this, Lane shares what he is up to currently for scouting and how he breaks down pieces for scouting with boots on the ground and e-scouting.  From here we get into how he manages to hunt a bunch of different states come fall. We also get into listener questions from what food sources Lane keys in on in the big woods and various states he hunts, what his dream hunt schedule looks like and recapping a few hunts from this past season! Be sure to check out what Lane and his crew are doing come next fall!Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant, outdoor content!

BS Session w/ Lane Housner

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 167 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Cody Jenkins from the Whitetail Legacy Podcast!  This was a podcast I have been looking forward to recording for quite some time and it did not disappoint.  Cody has been recording podcasts for over 6 years and has killed some big bucks and that is exactly what we discuss in this week's episode!When we kick off this podcast we chat about Cody himself and how he has been able to be consistent recording episodes but also getting it done in the woods.  You really hear from Cody how important family is to him and what fun he is having getting his children into hunting.  We discuss other topics from improving yourself to be better in and out of the woods physically and mentally, current stages in preparing for next season! This was really fun to hear how Cody is finding big deer and the easiest ways to kill them! Cody also shares how he uses trail cameras, hunting stories from this past season, breaking down a property for scouting, and much more!  We also talk about perfect hunting setups and what exactly Cody is looking for when he sets up on a killable buck. Cody touched upon the current state of trail cameras and the excitement of taking his kids out next season for hunting.Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Big Buck Talk w/ Cody Jenkins

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 166 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Rick Brule from Vapor Trail!  When Ricky was previously on the podcast he spoke about his upcoming Boundary Waters bear hunt.  For this episode we recap this specific hunt and the challenges it presented. When it came to preparing for this hunt Ricky was all prepared and did his research.  However, since he was completing this hunt solo the weather played a factor in keeping him at camp for four days.  Being stuck at camp tested Ricky mentally and physically!  We discussed what he did during these 4 days and how he was able to still overcome challenges throughout his time there.  Ricky shared what these challenges were and what he did to overcome them.  To wrap up the story on this hunt Ricky discussed what he plans to do if he is able to draw this bear tag again in the future and what others can learn from his trip this past season.To finish off this conversation Ricky spoke about his whitetail season and how his first year in the saddle went!  We talked about goals and improvements we are looking to make for this upcoming year including mobile hunting, future plans for Vapor Trail rests and a podcast! This was a great chat with Ricky and I hope you enjoy this fun episode!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Toughing it Out in the Boundary Waters w/ Rick Brule

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 165 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode Dimitri and I were joined by Clearfield county native Andrew Mills.  Andrew is a state trooper and a freaking turkey fanatic!  Andrew is the co-owner of Honey Hole Game Calls! Doing episodes in person is always a great time and this was no exception!   We cover a good bit in this episode from whitetail, upcoming out of state turkey hunts, to covering the basics for what you should be doing now to prepare for turkey season!Andrew is an extremely accomplished turkey hunter, from completing the grand slam to trying to complete the US Slam!  To begin this episode we dive into quickly who Andrew is and what got him really into hunting for turkey!  He also has three daughters from ages 7-10 that are already very accomplished hunters from whitetails, trapping to turkeys.  We asked him about getting his girls involved in hunting and transition to his planning process for spring gobbler.  From e-scouting, boots on the ground, sign, calling, where he finds success, and then to his thoughts on the PA season timing! We get into other hunting strategies, and stories throughout the podcast!  I am really looking forward to Andrew finding more success this upcoming spring.  I really encourage you to check out Honey Hole Game Calls when you are looking to add your next mouth call to your turkey vest! Enjoy this fun episode!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Talking Turkeys & Whitetail w/ Andrew Mills

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 164 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Wisconsin native Josh Dutton.  What an absolutely fun conversation that we had!  Josh works for Half-Rack which makes some real fine gear for hunters.  We only get into the gear a little bit at the end.  Josh shared his hunting traditions with his family and you see the impact that it has had on who he is today.  Josh from a very young age knew he wanted to work within the hunting industry and mentions how Half-Rack started.  Really cool story regarding that and then he follows this up by telling hunting stories!  Josh maps out his typical year for planning for the next hunting season.  From right now, figuring out what hunts he will get to come fall, to getting his property in good shape with land management and of course getting lots of time behind the bow.  We get into other hunting strategies, and stories throughout the podcast!  I am really looking forward to having Josh on again in the future.  Really enjoyed speaking with him and would like to dive deeper into some stories that helped him become successful in and out of the woods!   Enjoy this fun episode!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Traditions, Planning Your Season & Half-Rack w/ Josh Dutton

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 163 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by two friends of mine Aaron Hepler and Dan Johnson. The three of us had a great discussion about what we as hunters can be doing now to not suck come fall! This ended up being a little different chat about scouting than normal. When you dive into the episode you will know what I mean!To start this episode off we chat about how Dan doesn’t necessarily use an all year approach to hunting but rather a property approach. After listening back to this episode I found myself relating more to what Dan was saying because of the certain private pieces that I end up hunting in the fall. Dan talks about putting his stake in the intel that he has gained from previous hunting seasons, rather than post-season scouting to put himself into better positions. One topic that comes out of this is how Dan has developed to scout better while hunting, but when he does get out now to walk a property it allows him to micro manage stand locations for specific spots!We get into other hunting strategies,from terrain features focused when e-scouting & hunting, using cameras to help get a better understanding of deer movement, kick-off points and Dan’s golden rule when it comes to whitetail hunting. It was a great pleasure having Dan on the podcast! Enjoy this fun episode!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

How to Not Suck w/ Dan Johnson

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 162 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode Dimitri and I were joined by Michigan native Wade Childs.  This episode was a blast to record! I heard some awesome hunting stories from mutual friend Andrew Blair and I knew immediately I wanted to get Wade on the show! This has a lot of great information in it regarding whitetails, specifically hunting more aggressive!  To start this episode off we chat about all the different states that Wade got to hunt and the different terrain, habitat and challenges these states offered.  From his home state of MI, MO, IL and IA.  From here, Wade discusses how he uses an aggressive mindset/strategy to combat the pressure he is seeing in the woods from other hunters.  We also talk about what sign he likes to prioritize when finding “the spot” to hunt.  .Wade had another awesome season by killing a great buck in both IA and IL, while also filling 4 doe tags in MI.  I loved hearing some of the key tactics that Wade has adopted over the years bowhunting.  A few things stood out to me about his aggressive style and I hope some do for you as well!  You will also hear how much stock Wade puts into his postseason scouting, which is always a fun topic to discuss! Enjoy this fun episode!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Aggressive Deer Hunting Strategies & Mindset w/ Wade Childs

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 161 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Tennessee native Hayden Ferrari.  This episode was a fun discussion to have with Hayden because I was able to hear the passion and drive that Hayden has to become a more well rounded hunter.  Although growing up in TN, Hayden has a bunch of ties to PA!  To start this episode off we chat about the relationship between bowhunting and sports and how that has helped the two of us when it comes to doing whatever it takes to be a better hunter, archer and what it takes to tackle adversity.  We follow that up with what are some key attributes that have elevated his skills as a hunter.  From making adjustments from past seasons, becoming more proficient in reading maps, scouting and getting outside his comfort zone.Hayden had a fun and successful hunting season in 2022.  He breaks down his strategy that led to his success as well as his buck story.  One new thing Hayden tried this past season was going out of state for a whitetail hunt.  He shares his experience of scouting before the season in KS, to not pulling that tag and then ultimately just doing an over the counter MO hunt.  We wrap this episode up talking about some of Haydens favorite gear that he enjoyed using this past season!   Enjoy this fun episode!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Lighting the Fire w/ Hayden Ferrari

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 160 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode Dimitri and I were joined by our good friend AJ Iaquinta from Knights of the Apex!  It is always a great conversation when we get a chance to catch up with AJ and just chat about life!  This episode is filled with various topics that include dad life, influencers, outfitters and getting the chance to meet Jocko.AJ has been running Knights of the Apex over the last 3+ years where he does a phenomenal job with creating content surrounding gear!  We do get into his thoughts on this year's bows and how they stack up.  We also hear how he put in more time and effort in hunting his current state of Florida and what challenges he faced.  Early in the hunting season, AJ made the trip to hunt Illinois with some awesome hunters like Beau Martonik and Ryan Haines.  This chat led us to talking about his experience hunting at various outfitters and hit takeaways from those experiences.  Like I mentioned earlier, it is always a great time talking with AJ and we look forward to the conversations!  I am looking forward to seeing what AJ has in store for Knights of the Apex this year because each year he keeps on killing it and I have a ton of respect for him!  Enjoy this fun episode!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Catching Up w/ AJ Iaqunita from KOTA

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 159 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode Dimitri and I were joined by Josh Raley from the How to Hunt Deer Podcast and the Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast.  Both of these podcasts air on the Sportsmen’s Empire on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Josh was a great guest to have on our show and we really enjoyed this chat!  We dove down some gear rabbit holes in this one.  So, if you are into that type of stuff, I believe you will enjoy this one!Josh was able to attend his first ATA show this past January and he shared with us some of the items that he really liked from the show and then some gear that he really enjoyed using this past hunting season.  We then discuss how things are really evolving when it comes to hunting gear.  Really pushing the limits for maximizing how efficient our bows are, the mobile gear we use and everything else. This was a fun topic to chat about because everyone is going to use different gear for all aspects I just mentioned.  So, it was great to hear what Josh’s and Dimitri’s take was on the trends of hunting gear and where it is heading.We wrap up the episode having Josh talk about his success during this past hunting season and what all went into that.  From there we get into some postseason strategy as well.  I  hope you enjoyed this episode and if you are heading to the GAOS make sure to stop by the Tethrd booth on the weekend to say hi!Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Pushing the Limits with Hunting Gear & More w/ Josh Raley

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 158 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode I was joined by Carl Kossuth from Tethrd. Carl is the Chief Designer for Tethrd.  This was a fun one to record because out of all the relationships that I have been blessed with since we’ve started this journey Carl is one that happened spontaneously.  We actually quickly mention that in this episode, but we also dive into when Carl got the bug to shoot with the longbow and his passion for that.  This was a fun conversation because we haven’t explored that yet on the podcast.  After relistening to it, I just might have to fiddle around with one this spring!In this episode we cover Carl’s successful 2022 season and what led to that success.  We dove down some in season scouting techniques that Carl really focuses on to put himself in the best position to kill a buck.  This episode also wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t discuss some gear.  Carl shared information regarding the new Tethrd Lockdown Saddle! I can’t wait to try this out myself at the GAOS in Harrisburg!  Hear also what Carl is most proud of when it comes to developing gear for Tetrhd. I hope you enjoy this episode and if you are heading to the GAOS make sure to stop by the Tethrd booth on the weekends to say hi!Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Breaking it down with Carl Kossuth

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 157 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode Dimitri and I were joined by Cam Derr from Exodus Outdoor Gear.  Cam also is host of The Deer Gear Podcast and can be found on a ton of Exodus’s YouTube videos.  For this episode Cam talks about his expectations vs reality for this past hunting season with some amazing storytelling.  We had Cam on the show back in the spring when he had high hopes of pulling an Iowa tag and filling his ND tag for the second year in a row.  Well, as it turns out Cam pulled that Iowa tag, filled it and filled his ND tag on his biggest deer to date in velvet.  Hear how even success brings challenges and how persevering leads to his success.  From struggling with shooting his bow, Cam was able to gain the confidence back and get the job done.  For the ND hunt, Cam shares what he needs to see from the field in order to go after a deer and how that totally changes when he goes to Iowa.  For just shy of two weeks, Cam’s Iowa story had me in total awe.  It is something that I believe every whitetail hunter dreams about one day when they have the chance to hunt Iowa and from this story it did not disappoint.  Cam wanted a specific experience, and Cam got it.  Exodus Outdoor Gear just released a brand new Rival cellular camera and they will be at the GAOS in Harrisburg in two weeks.  Get there early to snag one if you are interested and Cam also shares what he will be doing himself with some arrows at the show!  Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

Expectations vs Reality w/ Cam Derr

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 156 of the Antler Up Podcast!On this week's episode Dimitri, Jim and I were joined by Bill Harvey from Pertnear Outdoors.  If you have been listening to our podcast over the last few years, you know that Bill is a good friend of ours and resides just outside of Buffalo, NY.  Bill is also the host of the Pertnear Outdoors podcast and for this week's episode we just shot from the hip with various topics.  From how Bill managed his family life this past hunting season, some takeaways in how he has scaled back his social media presence and why,  to making hunting fun again. Bill killed two bucks this past season in NY, one with his bow in early October and the other a few weeks ago with the muzzle loader.  Bill also killed on the first drive on day one during the PA trip this past season.Such a fun conversation with laughs and stories from this past season.  Bill is a great hunter, friend and person.  I highly recommend checking out his podcast and the events that he has planned in the near future.  The Shed Fest contest will be going into its third year this spring so be sure to check that out and enter. Super easy and fun to participate in and those that live nearby or willing to travel in the summer Bill and his crew do a beer fest with Windy Brewing Company to raise money for some local chapters. Check them out and thank you for listening.Thanks again for all the support and best of luck out there and Antler Up!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

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