Aaron Hepler

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Ep. 898: Foundations - Is it Time to Think About the "Other" Deer?

1 week ago | themeateater.com | Tony Peterson |Aaron Hepler |Mark Kenyon

Subscribe In this episode This week, Tony talks about how to find hunting opportunities for all of the deer subspecies that aren't whitetails. Connect with Tony Peterson and MeatEaterTony Peterson on Instagram and FacebookMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Presented By New On Sale On Sale
Debunking Common Myths About Scrapes

Jun 28, 2024 | themeateater.com | Tony Hansen |Mark Kenyon |Aaron Hepler |Beau Martonik

I was minutes away from leaving. I’d had enough. More than enough, actually. Enough staring into an incessant bitter wind at a whole lot of nothing. Enough driving and scouting my way through prime whitetail country without seeing a single deer in more than 72 hours. It was mid-November, and I had no time to waste time perched in a tree, quickly losing interest and confidence. I decided to take one last look down the alley before bailing. And there it was.
Is It Time To Ditch Your Treestand?

Jun 12, 2024 | themeateater.com | Aaron Hepler |Dylan Tramp |Andy May |Tony Peterson

My world in bowhunting began from a humble ground-swatting position. It wasn't until I turned fourteen that my dad gave me a clunky climbing stand, the kind that's built to last. This was a game-changer. I was experiencing deer hunting from an elevated position, and that perspective increased my love for deer hunting like nothing else. After a few years of grinding tree bark, clinking, and clunking around the woods, I needed something more. Often, I'm overly skeptical of "trending" gear.
Clear-Cuts: Food Plots Of The Big Woods

May 24, 2024 | themeateater.com | Aaron Hepler |Beau Martonik |Kubie Brown |Adam Moore

Manicured food plots and tractor work still have their place in the deer hunting community. But clear-cuts are a mecca for concentrated deer populations in the big woods. These areas can be the strategic hunting locations you've been searching for. Clear-cuts can accommodate any hunting style, whether you prefer firearms or archery tackle, ambush hunting, or spot-and-stalk. Scouting a cut may seem daunting, especially if it's large, but you can find the right spot with the right approach.
7 Reasons Your Trail Cam Pictures Suck

Apr 25, 2024 | themeateater.com | Aaron Hepler |Mark Kenyon |Tony Hansen

I’m all too familiar with frustrating trail camera experiences. Ending up with poor-quality images or no pictures at all feels like a waste of time. If you're new to using trail cameras, you can avoid this mistake and learn from my experience. You could be happy just to know there are deer in the area. Or you may be frustrated with camera performance and want to learn more about capturing usable trail cam pictures.
The 3 Best Funnels For Quick Shed Hunts

Apr 18, 2024 | themeateater.com | Aaron Hepler |Mark Kenyon |Spencer Neuharth |Emily Kantner

Any time spent in the woods is valuable, but let's talk about the target goal of shed antlers. Days filled with work meetings aren't always a lost cause. A few short minutes could be all you need to grab a few antlers this spring. Shed hunting doesn't always need to take place where you want to hunt. It's beneficial to zero in on areas known for wintering bucks. A little map reading and an evening drive to learn local buck habits will go far.
How to Identify the Core Areas of Mature Bucks

Mar 18, 2024 | themeateater.com | Tony Peterson |Aaron Hepler

It’s a rare day that I focus my hunting efforts on individual bucks. It’s just not my style, and I don’t have much ground to work with where it’s a feasible strategy. It’s not that I haven’t gone down that road in the past—because I have—it’s just that today, it doesn’t make much sense for me. What does make sense for me, and probably for you as well, is to learn to identify general mature buck core areas.
4 Tips to Locate Mature Buck Home Ranges in the Offseason

Mar 4, 2024 | themeateater.com | Aaron Hepler |Tony Peterson |Mark Kenyon

Hunters have an undeniable fascination with giant antlered, big-bodied bucks. If you've decided to take on the challenge of understanding mature bucks, you're in danger of becoming addicted and obsessed. However, studying mature bucks can also increase your fun in the woods. Mature bucks are king in the big woods. They live in constant survival mode due to hunting pressure, predators, and the drive to carry on their bloodline. It's no wonder that they are rare creatures.
Which Scrapes Matter During Offseason Scouting

Feb 22, 2024 | themeateater.com | Aaron Hepler |Tony Peterson |Mark Kenyon

I've spent a substantial amount of time hunting whitetails in the big woods. Understanding scrapes has, without a doubt, led me to more consistent encounters than any other hunting tactic. Their basic framework is an open patch of dirt with an overhanging licking branch. The size of a scrape might tell you that many deer use it. A scrape with more depth and a foul smell is a telltale sign that a mature buck frequents it. Its location could tell you when deer actually visit the area.