HuntStand Podcast

Your first land purchase is a big decision that can carry a lot of stress. Here’s a checklist to consider before you start your search and sign on the dotted line. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deer have an uncanny ability to determine when human activity is threatening. How much personal use should you subject your hunting property to? Can you acclimate deer to people? Bill Winke has some answers with the experience to back it up. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking deer herd inventory with thermal drones is becoming very common. Bill Winke has done it three times on his farm. Is the use of thermal drone to count deer crossing a line or just smart management? Winke discusses how to do it, when to do it, how to use the data, and some ethical considerations. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can hunters actually influence the genetics of a free-ranging whitetail herd? Biologists often say no—but Bill Winke sees it differently. In this episode of Deer Dirt, Bill shares what he’s experienced firsthand and why he believes genetics can be influenced in wild deer. It’s a controversial topic, and we’re diving straight into the debate. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Designing a deer property isn’t just about attracting more deer—it’s about being able to hunt them without blowing the place up. On this episode of Deer Dirt, Bill Winke breaks down how to design your property for low-impact hunting, including smart access, food plot placement, and setups that keep pressure to a minimum while putting you in position when it matters most. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to food plot strategy, you need to consider whether you’re making the property ideal for the deer or ideal for you. Stressed deer are harder to kill and spreading them out also makes them harder to kill, but is an over abundance of food better for the deer? You might not need as much deer food as biologists suggest.FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alfalfa may be the gold standard for whitetail nutrition, but it's not always practical for a food plot. In this episode of Deer Dirt, Bill Winke shares three of his favorite food sources that are easier to grow, highly attractive to deer, and proven to keep whitetails coming back season after season. Whether you're planting your first plot or improving an existing one, this episode is packed with practical food plot advice to help you grow better habitat and hunt smarter. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for the best crossbow options for the upcoming deer season? In this episode of Geared For The Hunt, Josh Dahlke breaks down some of the top new crossbows hitting the market and shares what hunters should look for when choosing a setup for the fall. From speed and accuracy to balance, ergonomics, and real-world performance, Josh walks through the features that matter most and explains how different crossbows fit different hunting styles. Whether you're upgrading your current setup or buying your first crossbow, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you make an informed decision before opening day. Subscribe for more hunting gear breakdowns, product reviews, and educational content from the HuntStand team. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creating water holes for deer has become all the rage. And why not?! Deer are drawn to water holes, especially during the rut. But are water holes tipping the scales too far in your favor as an ethical deer hunter? FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should your whitetail food plots be centralized or spread throughout the property? In this episode of Deer Dirt, Bill Winke breaks down how food plot placement influences deer movement, hunting pressure, access, and overall property strategy. Both centralized and spread-out layouts can work, but each comes with unique tradeoffs. Bill explains how to think through your terrain, bedding areas, entry routes, wind direction, and long-term goals to create a food plot map that fits the way you hunt. Whether you are starting from scratch or refining an existing property, this episode will help you build a smarter, more effective whitetail food plot plan. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After spending time with the new Savage 110 Carbon Hunter in the field, Will Cooper breaks down the features, design, and technology that set this rifle apart.In this episode of Geared For The Hunt, you'll learn about the rifle's carbon fiber-wrapped barrel, lightweight construction, AccuFit V2 system, AccuTrigger, and overall performance characteristics. Will shares his firsthand impressions and explains how these features can benefit hunters and precision shooters looking for a lightweight, accurate rifle platform.Whether you're researching your next hunting rifle or simply interested in modern firearm design and performance, this educational overview covers what makes the Savage 110 Carbon Hunter one of Savage's latest innovations.Learn more about the Savage 110 Carbon Hunter:https://savagearms.com/firearms/model/110-carbon-hunter FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season 4 of Deer Dirt with Bill Winke, now part of The HuntStand Podcast and available in an all-new video podcast format. One of the most respected voices in whitetail hunting is back, bringing decades of experience in deer management, habitat improvement, hunting strategy, and mature buck behavior. Whether you own 20 acres or 2,000, Deer Dirt delivers practical, no-nonsense advice you can apply this season. In Episode 1, Bill tackles one of the most common questions in deer hunting: How many acres do you really need to consistently hunt and manage mature whitetails? From property size and carrying capacity to neighboring pressure, habitat quality, and realistic expectations, Bill breaks down what matters most when building a successful hunting property. If you're serious about deer hunting, land management, food plots, habitat improvement, trail cameras, or growing older age-class bucks, this series is built for you. Subscribe to The HuntStand Podcast for new Deer Dirt episodes throughout Season 4, featuring expert whitetail education from Bill Winke in both audio and video. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for the best hunting gear storage system? In this episode of Geared for the Hunt, Will Cooper takes you inside his hunting garage for a complete walkthrough of the LEVRACK storage system and explains how he organizes everything from trail cameras and bows to packs, optics, saddles, clothing, and more. Whether you're building your dream hunting garage or simply trying to organize your gear before the season, this episode is packed with practical ideas to maximize storage, save space, and keep your equipment ready for every hunt. In this episode: LEVRACK hunting garage tour Hunting gear organization ideas Bow storage and pack organization Trail camera and hunting equipment storage Garage setup tips for hunters How to build an organized hunting workspace If you're searching for hunting garage ideas, gear room inspiration, or the best storage solution for hunters, this episode is for you. Like, subscribe, and follow HuntStand for more episodes of Geared for the Hunt, where we break down the gear, technology, and setups that help hunters stay organized and hunt more efficiently. Learn more at www.levrack.com FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the middle of an axis deer hunt in Texas, Will Cooper sits down with longtime friend Casey Sanford for a conversation straight from deer camp.The two discuss Casey's journey through the outdoor industry, his years guiding hunters across Texas, what makes axis deer such a unique and addictive animal to pursue, and how the ongoing hunt is unfolding as the rut begins to heat up. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to hunting gear, having the right equipment is only half the battle. The other half? Having a reliable way to haul it, organize it, and keep it protected. In this episode of Geared for the Hunt, Josh Dahlke takes a look at some of the latest gear storage solutions from Muddy Outdoors, including duffel bags, dry bags, collapsible totes, and other products designed to make life easier in the field and on the road. From keeping your gear dry during unpredictable weather to organizing equipment for hunting trips, camping adventures, and everyday outdoor use, Josh breaks down the features that matter and how these products fit into a hunter's system. Whether you're loading up for deer camp, packing for a weekend hunt, or simply looking for a better way to manage your gear, this episode covers some practical solutions built for the outdoors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a trail camera truly smarter? In this episode of Geared for the Hunt, Josh Dahlke takes a closer look at the latest technology coming from Stealth Cam for 2026. From smarter alerts and improved image filtering to advanced scouting tools designed to help hunters spend less time sorting photos and more time making informed decisions in the field, these updates are built with real hunters in mind. Josh breaks down how features like False Image Detection, Rack Alert, PIR Zone Selection, and updates to the Command app can help streamline your scouting strategy and keep you focused on what matters most. Whether you're preparing for velvet season, managing multiple camera locations, or simply looking for a better way to gather intel, this episode covers the technology that's changing the game. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Dahlke sits down with Turkey POSSE members Pete Osterman and Branigan Weber after a 3-day marathon turkey hunt in Minnesota. The guys are in full zombie mode, feeling the sleep deprivation and dark-to-dark grind of 3 incredible days in the turkey woods. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 250 of the HuntStand Podcast, Tony Hudak joins the show. He's completed the turkey hunting “Super Slam” across 49 states—and he’s doing it all over again. One of the biggest reasons he’s been able to pull that off comes down to a mindset shift most hunters overlook: not just hunting turkeys in the spring, but targeting them in the fall.Tony breaks down how chasing birds outside of the traditional spring window opens up more opportunity, less pressure, and a completely different style of hunting. From locating flocks and breaking them up to calling them back in, fall turkey hunting requires a different playbook than the run-and-gun tactics most hunters rely on in the spring.If you’re stuck doing the same thing every April and wondering why it’s not clicking, this episode will challenge how you think about turkey season and give you a new approach to stay in the game longer and tag more birds. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the HuntStand Podcast, Will and Josh look back on their best turkey hunting stories from last spring and break down the moments that made the season unforgettable. From close calls and longbeards at full strut to the hunts that didn’t go as planned, they share real experiences from the field and the lessons that came with them. It’s a mix of storytelling, strategy, and the kind of memories that keep you coming back every spring. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to closing the distance on a fired-up gobbler, your decoy setup can make or break the hunt.In this episode of GEARED FOR THE HUNT, Will Cooper breaks down his go-to turkey decoy system featuring Avian-X turkey decoys and how he uses them in real hunting situations. From early season setups to high-pressure birds, Will walks through when to run aggressive spreads, when to keep it subtle, and how to position your decoys to pull gobblers into range.This isn’t just about what decoys to use—it’s about how and why they work. You’ll learn how to read bird behavior, adjust your setup on the fly, and create scenarios that trigger dominant toms to commit.If you want more birds in your lap this spring, this is the decoy strategy you need to hear.Check Them out at www.avian-x.com Watch or listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Waypoint TV, and Rumble.Learn more at www.huntstand.com#TurkeyHunting #AvianX #TurkeyDecoys #HuntingGear #GEAREDFORTHEHUNT #TurkeySeason #HuntingStrategy FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices