The Hunting Dad Podcast

Hey guys Jacob Emery here! Owner of DO3 Outdoors and now "The Hunting Dad Podcast" I appreciate you tuning in and hopefully you can take something away from me, or a guest on this show.

Ep. 37 When Family Comes First, Hunting Gets Better With Jake Bush! 08/04/2026

Ep. 36 Public Land, Private Ground & Raising the Next Generation of Hunters -Steven Fuller 07/22/2026

Ep. 36 Public Land, Private Ground & Raising the Next Generation of Hunters -Steven Fuller Steven Fuller joins The Hunting Dad Podcast to talk about one of the biggest life changes imaginable—getting married and instantly becoming a dad. Steven shares what it's been like adjusting to family life while balancing work, hunting, and managing one of Missouri's premier whitetail properties. Jacob and Steven dive into introducing kids to hunting, creating positive first experiences, and whether young hunters should be chasing trophy bucks. They also discuss land management strategies, public land hunting, upcoming out-of-state adventures in Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, and Missouri, plus why overlooked hunting spots often produce the biggest deer. The episode wraps up with an honest discussion about hunting gear and why Dryshod's Evolution boots have become their go-to footwear for everything from scouting to mountain turkey hunts. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a new dad, or trying to balance family with your hunting obsession, this episode is packed with laughs, practical advice, and relatable stories. Key Talking Points Steven's transition into marriage and becoming a dad. Learning to balance family, work, and hunting. Why structure is so important for introducing kids to the outdoors. The best age to start hunting—and why every kid is different. Why first hunting experiences matter more than first kills. Should kids target trophy bucks or simply enjoy the hunt? Funny stories about hunting with young kids. The value of having a private property for family hunts. Public land strategy versus private land management. How Steven approaches habitat improvements. Native grasses vs. food plots. Summer scouting and trail camera strategies. Why overlooked hunting spots consistently produce mature deer. Upcoming Nebraska and Iowa hunt plans. Spot-and-stalk hunting in timber. Favorite Dryshod boots and why they've become daily footwear. Be sure and use CODE: Huntingdad @ Hawke optics to save 15% at checkout! Click this link to get 10% off AND FREE shipping off your order @ Dryshod boots! And again, if youre looking to swap to, or try MOULTRIE cameras, Shoot me a message on either FB or Instagram and let me save you some bigtime cash! /episode/index/show/ca9f71e9-bd4a-41c2-992a-a56b31a822ff/id/42177305

Ep. 35 Summer Scouting MASTERCLASS! Secrets That Lead to Big Bucks with Zach White 07/14/2026

Ep. 34 Tagging Mature Bucks CONSISTENTLY! - with Kelsey Moss 07/08/2026

Ep. 33 Hunting, Marriage & The DIY Grind With Cade Trickey 06/30/2026

Ep. 32 It’s Not About the Deer | The Real Meaning of Deer Camp! 06/23/2026

EP. 31 Why Most Hunters Never Reach Their Potential with Sam Ubl 06/16/2026

EP. 31 Why Most Hunters Never Reach Their Potential with Sam Ubl This week on The Hunting Dad Podcast, I sit down with Sam Ubl for one of my favorite conversations of the season. Sam shares his journey from outdoor writing and filming with Whitetail Adrenaline to building Chase Nation, while diving into the hunting lessons that completely changed his approach to mature bucks. We discuss the dangers of egos in hunting, the concept of "imposter syndrome," learning from mentors like Dan Infalt, and why being willing to challenge your own beliefs can accelerate your success in the woods. We also spend plenty of time talking about one of our favorite topics—boat access hunting. From dragging bucks out by canoe in Minnesota and Wisconsin to using kayaks and small boats to access overlooked public land, Sam explains why water access remains one of the most effective tools for finding unpressured deer. To wrap things up, we trade stories from our first-ever Nebraska mule deer hunts, discuss what surprised us most about hunting mule deer, and share lessons learned from chasing deer across the Sandhills and western prairies. If you're a public land hunter looking to improve, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and real-world experience. In This Episode Sam Ubl's background in outdoor writing and filmmaking Working with Whitetail Adrenaline and starting Chase Nation The role of ego and imposter syndrome in hunting success Lessons learned from Dan Infalt and The Hunting Beast approach Why hunting sanctuaries changed Sam's results Canoe, kayak, and boat-access hunting strategies Accessing overlooked public land EHD impacts on public-land deer hunting First-time Nebraska mule deer experiences Mule deer vs. whitetail observations Muzzleloader accuracy and long-range hunting considerations Be sure and use CODE: Huntingdad @ Hawke optics to save 15% at checkout! Click this link to get 10% off AND FREE shipping off your order @ Dryshod boots! And again, if youre looking to swap to, or try MOULTRIE cameras, Shoot me a message on either FB or Instagram and let me save you some bigtime cash! /episode/index/show/ca9f71e9-bd4a-41c2-992a-a56b31a822ff/id/41623305

Ep. 30 Whitetail Research with Derrick: What MIDWEST Drone Data Reveals About Mature Bucks, Ag Country Deer, and Hunting Pressure! 06/09/2026

Ep. 30 Whitetail Research with Derrick: What MIDWEST Drone Data Reveals About Mature Bucks, Ag Country Deer, and Hunting Pressure! In this episode of the Hunting Dad Podcast, I sit down with returning guest Derrick from Whitetail Research to discuss what he has learned from another year of intensive deer research using drones, field observations, and data collection. The conversation dives deep into mature buck behavior, agricultural-country deer, bedding preferences, hunting pressure, acorn crop impacts, and how some bucks seem nearly impossible to kill with a bow. Derrick also shares details about his upcoming turkey decline research project, future broadhead testing, and what surprised him most during his second year of drone-based whitetail research. Life and Business Update Derrick's transition from side hustle to full-time Whitetail Research Traveling to agricultural states to continue research How drone technology has changed deer observation Upcoming research projects and content plans Agricultural Deer Behavior Why mature bucks often bed surprisingly close to roads and homes How deer become accustomed to predictable human activity The importance of habitat diversity in ag country Understanding riparian habitat and why deer use it heavily Deer Bedding in Soybeans Mature bucks bedding directly in standing soybean fields Why deer may spend entire summers living in crop fields How deer use beans for food, security, and temperature regulation Stories of stalking mature bucks bedded in soybeans Hunting Pressure and Deer Movement How gun-season pressure changes deer behavior Why some bucks relocate immediately after disturbance How quickly deer return to normal patterns after pressure subsides Examples of individual bucks responding differently to hunters Acorns and Food Sources Comparing a bumper acorn crop year versus a poor mast year How food availability changes movement patterns Why mature bucks spent more time in openings during low-acorn years Mature Buck Intelligence Why some deer seem nearly impossible to kill with archery equipment The difference between locating a mature buck and getting within bow range Derrick's observations on highly efficient bedding and travel strategies Predator Connections Fascinating observations of mature bucks bedding near coyotes and bobcats Similarities between predator behavior and mature buck behavior Why mature deer may tolerate certain predators nearby Future Research Projects Large-scale turkey population decline investigation Conservation funding and habitat management research Upcoming broadhead and arrow penetration testing High-speed camera analysis of archery equipment Be sure and use CODE: Huntingdad @ Hawke optics to save 15% at checkout! Click this link to get 10% off AND FREE shipping off your order @ Dryshod boots! And again, if youre looking to swap to, ot try MOULTRIE cameras, Shoot me a message on either FB or Instagram and let me save you some bigtime cash! /episode/index/show/ca9f71e9-bd4a-41c2-992a-a56b31a822ff/id/41575295