Episodios

  • Deer Hunting Soapbox
    Aug 16 2024
    In this episode, host Dan Johnson gives an update on his life and discusses his upcoming hunting season. He shares how his South Dakota hunt may be compromised due to coaching his son's football team. He also reflects on his experience at the Iowa State Fair and the rising costs associated with attending. Dan provides advice on hunting strategies, emphasizing the importance of woodsmanship and being aware of deer behavior. He encourages listeners to shoot their bows and practice with their firearms to prepare for the season. Takeaways: Balancing hunting and other responsibilities can be challenging, but setting expectations with family and managing time effectively can help Woodsmanship and understanding deer behavior are crucial for successful hunting Practicing with bows and firearms is essential to improve accuracy and readiness for the season Avoid getting caught up in hunting content that may not be applicable to your specific situation Take advantage of opportunities to travel and hunt different species Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 m
  • "Double D" B.S. Session
    Aug 9 2024
    In this episode, Dan and Dan Matthews discuss their favorite wild game meals and their love for sweets. They also touch on the topic of energy drinks and the challenges of managing groceries in their households. The conversation transitions to the advancements in hunting equipment and the ease of entry into hunting. In this conversation, the Dan's discuss the use of trail cameras and the impact they have on hunting. They debate whether trail cameras make hunters better or if they simply provide more convenience and information. They also explore why Wisconsin consistently produces big deer despite having a rifle season during the rut. They speculate that Wisconsin's success may be due to a combination of factors, including a large number of hunters, a tradition of hunting big bucks, and the presence of ample cover and agriculture. They express curiosity about the reasons behind Wisconsin's success and suggest further research and conversations with wildlife biologists. Takeaways: The hosts share their favorite wild game meals and discuss the importance of enjoying the last meal if they were on death row. They talk about their love for sweets and the challenges of managing groceries in their households. The conversation shifts to the topic of energy drinks and the addictive nature of consuming them. They discuss the advancements in hunting equipment and the ease of entry into hunting, including the availability of pre-set rifles and the simplicity of setting up compound bows. Trail cameras provide convenience and information, but they may not necessarily make hunters better. Wisconsin consistently produces big deer despite having a rifle season during the rut. Factors contributing to Wisconsin's success may include a large number of hunters, a tradition of hunting big bucks, and the presence of ample cover and agriculture. Further research and conversations with wildlife biologists are needed to fully understand the reasons behind Wisconsin's success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 21 m
  • Knowing When To Stay and When To Move
    Aug 7 2024
    In this episode, Dan Johnson and Jason Thibodeau discuss hunting strategies and when to stay or move to a new spot. They talk about the importance of knowing when does come into heat and how it can increase your chances of success. They also discuss the use of trail cameras and how to interpret nocturnal activity. They share their experiences with hunting specific spots and how long to give a spot before deciding to move. They also touch on the importance of wind direction and how it can affect your hunting strategy. In this conversation, Jason and Dan discuss various aspects of hunting deer, including wind direction, access routes, hunting strategies, and out-of-state hunts. They emphasize the importance of understanding deer behavior and patterns, as well as adapting to different hunting environments. They also highlight the need to enjoy the hunting experience and not get too caught up in the details. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights and tips for deer hunters. Takeaways: Knowing when does come into heat can increase your chances of success Trail cameras can provide valuable information about deer movement Nocturnal activity can be challenging to hunt, but multiple cameras and process of elimination can help The length of time to stay in a specific spot depends on the property and the deer movement patterns Terrain features can sometimes be hunted in any wind, but access and wind direction are important factors to consider Understanding wind direction and using it to your advantage is crucial in hunting deer. Adapting to different hunting environments and adjusting strategies based on deer behavior is important. Identifying huntable deer and focusing on their movements can increase hunting success. Knowing when to stay and when to move to a different hunting spot is key. Enjoying the hunting experience and not getting too caught up in the details is essential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 26 m
  • Taking a Holistic Approach to Habitat Improvement
    Aug 2 2024
    In this episode of the Nine Finger Chronicles podcast, host Dan Johnson interviews Jon Teater from Whitetail Landscapes about habitat management for hunting properties. They discuss the importance of understanding the complex environment that deer live in and how it affects their behavior. Teater explains that the most common goal for clients is to shoot bigger quality deer, but this goal can be abstract and requires a deep understanding of the deer composition and the specific makeup of a high-quality deer. They also discuss the role of risk and pressure in deer behavior and how to create a habitat that reduces risk and holds deer on the property. Teater emphasizes the importance of good habitat and cover, as well as the balance between food availability and cover value. He also explains how to assess the carrying capacity of a property by measuring the amount of biomass consumed by deer. Jon and Dan discuss the importance of habitat improvement and deer management. They cover topics such as diverse diets for deer, equating the number of deer to be removed from a property, and the impact of deer behavior on habitat management. They also discuss the role of aesthetics in deer management and the need for a holistic approach to habitat improvement. Jon emphasizes the importance of pushing oneself to experience difficulty and learn from different environments. He also provides insights on how to choose a habitat consultant and the key factors to consider. Takeaways: Understanding the complex environment that deer live in is crucial for effective habitat management on hunting properties. The most common goal for clients is to shoot bigger quality deer, but this goal requires a deep understanding of the specific makeup of a high-quality deer. Creating a habitat that reduces risk and holds deer on the property is key to successful hunting. Balancing food availability and cover value is important for attracting and holding deer on a property. Assessing the carrying capacity of a property can be done by measuring the amount of biomass consumed by deer. Diverse diets for deer and understanding the volume of edible biomass are important factors in habitat improvement. Equating the number of deer to be removed from a property requires considering recruitment, residential and non-residential deer, and the availability of food. Understanding deer behavior and individual preferences can help in making management decisions. Aesthetics and creating a good environment for deer are important aspects of habitat management. Pushing oneself to experience difficulty and learn from different environments can lead to better habitat management practices. When choosing a habitat consultant, consider their experience in your region, their ability to provide ongoing support, and their approach to habitat management. Consultants should consider the specific goals and challenges of the property and provide tailored recommendations. August and September are good times to consult for hunting season preparation and to assess the status of the environment. Habitat improvement requires a holistic approach and attention to detail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 20 m
  • Big Buck B.S. Session
    Jul 31 2024
    In this episode, Dan Johnson and Jeremy Dinsmore discuss the challenges of balancing hunting with family and work responsibilities. They share personal stories and insights about being busy parents and how it affects their hunting pursuits. They also talk about the importance of setting up trail cameras and mock scrapes to gather information about deer movement and behavior. The conversation highlights the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming hunting season. In this conversation, Jeremy and Dan discuss their experiences with trail cameras and the challenges of predicting deer behavior. They talk about the difficulty of hunting older age whitetail bucks and the importance of understanding their patterns. They also discuss the impact of changing food sources and betting areas on deer movement. The conversation touches on the trend of being too mobile while hunting and the importance of patience and staying in one spot. They also talk about the correlation between rain and deer antler growth. Finally, they discuss the challenges of running a hunting podcast and the importance of content quality over social media following. Takeaways: Balancing hunting with family and work responsibilities can be challenging, but it's important to prioritize and make time for both. Setting up trail cameras and mock scrapes can provide valuable information about deer movement and behavior. The period between August and October is a crucial time for scouting and preparing for the upcoming hunting season. Deer rely on scent communication, so creating scent stations like mock scrapes can attract and hold their attention. The anticipation and excitement of the hunting season can make all the hard work and sacrifices worthwhile. Predicting the behavior of older age whitetail bucks is as difficult as knowing what you will do in the next minute. Changing food sources and betting areas can greatly impact deer movement. Being too mobile while hunting can be detrimental, and it's important to have patience and stay in one spot. There is a correlation between consistent rain throughout the summer and larger deer antlers. Content quality is more important than social media following in the hunting podcast industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 38 m
  • Chess Moves For A Big Buck
    Jul 24 2024
    In this conversation, Dan Johnson and Joe Jones discuss the challenges of balancing work and family with their passion for the outdoors. They also provide an update on Joe's pursuit of a particular buck and his efforts to gain access to a 200-acre property. Joe shares his strategies for patterning the buck and his excitement about the new hunting opportunity. In this conversation, Joe and Dan discuss the behavior and patterns of a mature buck that Joe is hunting. They explore the idea that the buck is not truly nomadic but rather has multiple core areas where he feels safe. They also discuss the buck's sensitivity to human pressure and cameras, and the potential impact of cattle on his movement. Joe shares his plan to hunt the back walls of the property and use mock scrapes to attract the buck. Dan advises Joe to be cautious about sharing information and to consider hanging a tree stand while setting up trail cameras. Takeaways: Finding time for outdoor activities with family can be challenging when balancing work responsibilities. Children often develop a love for the outdoors when exposed to it at a young age. Patterning a mature buck can be difficult, especially in areas with high hunting pressure. Gaining access to private hunting properties requires persistence and building relationships with landowners. Having a clear understanding of a buck's core area and movement patterns can increase hunting success. Mature bucks may have multiple core areas where they feel safe. Human pressure and cameras can cause bucks to shift their bedding areas. Cattle can affect deer movement and behavior. Hunting the back walls of a property and using mock scrapes can be effective strategies. Be cautious about sharing information to avoid increased hunting pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 4 m
  • Hunt, Fish, Party
    Jul 19 2024
    Graham from Vortex discusses hunting and shooting experiences, including the Vortex Ambassador Summit and the challenges of shooting a handgun. They also talk about the culture at Vortex and the passion for hunting and shooting among the employees. Graham shares his upcoming hunting plans in Wisconsin and South Dakota, with a focus on whitetail deer. They also discuss the differences between whitetail and mule deer behavior and hunting strategies. In this conversation, Dan and Graham discuss hunting opportunities in different states, including Wisconsin and South Dakota. They talk about the challenges of getting permission to hunt on private land and the increasing interest in hunting for organic meat. They also touch on the topic of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and the precautions hunters take when dealing with CWD-positive deer. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the impact of urban populations on hunting opportunities and the importance of knowing where your food comes from. Takeaways: Vortex employees are passionate about hunting and shooting and participate in these activities themselves. Shooting a handgun is more challenging than it seems, and proper form and technique are crucial for accuracy. Vortex offers training courses, such as the Edge program, to help people improve their shooting skills. Whitetail deer in Western South Dakota are more skittish and alert compared to whitetails in the Midwest. Hunting plans can be opportunistic, focusing on the behavior of the animals and adjusting strategies accordingly. Getting permission to hunt on private land can be challenging, especially in areas with high urban populations. There is a growing interest in hunting for organic meat and knowing where your food comes from. Hunters take precautions when dealing with CWD-positive deer, such as getting the meat tested and disposing of it properly. The value placed on different species varies in different regions, with mule deer often being more highly valued than whitetail deer. Bow hunting can be a good way to gain access to smaller parcels of land and appeal to those who are more open to hunting for organic meat. The traditional hunting camp culture is changing, with more emphasis on hunting for big antler deer. The impact of urban populations on hunting opportunities can vary, with some areas being more protective of deer hunting land. Knowing where your food comes from and how it is prepared is important for many hunters. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Small Talk 03:00 Passion for Hunting and Shooting at Vortex 13:14 Culture and Party Plans at Vortex 18:17 Hunting Plans in Wisconsin and South Dakota 22:46 Differences Between Whitetail and Mule Deer Behavior 25:23 Opportunistic Hunting Strategies 28:16 Dealing with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) 36:58 Challenges of Getting Permission to Hunt on Private Land 45:13 The Changing Hunting Camp Culture 50:49 The Impact of Urban Populations on Hunting Opportunities 53:14 Knowing Where Your Food Comes From Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 13 m
  • Pooping In Public
    Jul 17 2024
    In this solo episode, Dan Johnson discusses his plans for the upcoming hunting season. He talks about transitioning from youth baseball to football and other activities for his kids, as well as his own preparations for hunting. He mentions the products and partners he will be using, such as Tethered, Wasp Archery, Vortex Optics, Feed Hub, Code Blue Sense, Huntworth, and Reveal. Dan also shares some personal anecdotes about going through old memorabilia and his experiences at a sporting goods store. Takeaways: Transitioning from one season to another requires planning and preparation Choosing the right hunting gear and equipment is crucial for a successful season Organizing and decluttering old memorabilia can be a nostalgic but time-consuming task Finding humor in everyday situations can help lighten the mood and strengthen relationships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 m