Episodes
·       Join Hal, Joe and Rick as they compare, contrast and share different yet extremely effective big woods tactics with “The Hunting Beast” from Wisconsin, Dan Infalt. You will feel like you are at deer camp listening to an in-depth conversation between these gifted hunters/woodsmen sharing their knowledge, tactics, stories, and passion for the outdoors. It could help you connect dots to the information needed on locating and harvesting the buck of your dreams.   ·       Connect...
Published 04/24/24
·       In this episode of the Big Woods Bucks podcast, Steve Sherk of Sherk’s Guide Service out of Pennsylvania comes on to talk about hunting the Big Woods of Pennsylvania. Steve talks about his methods for scouting and bagging big mountain bucks on large tracts of public land in the mountains of Pennsylvania.   ·       Connect with Big Woods Bucks.    ·       Big Woods Bucks on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.    ·       Shop Big Woods Bucks Wool Hunting Gear.   ·      ...
Published 04/08/24
·       In this episode of the Big Woods Bucks Podcast, Hal, Joe, and Good Lee talk with Todd Havel of Misty River Trackers about tracking bucks and hunting the big woods of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Todd talks about his approach to hunting these big woods areas of the Midwest, and how tracking is growing as a popular method of hunting these areas. The gang trade notes with Todd on hunting the Midwest and the Northeast, and talk about land access, differences in gear, and predator control.  ...
Published 03/25/24
·    In this episode of the Big Woods Bucks Podcast, team member Jeff Paradis discusses his hunts in South Dakota, Illinois, and hunting sika deer in Maryland. Also, Matt Breton drops by to talk about recent efforts to restructure Vermont's fish and game regulators, with potentially disastrous consequences for sportsmen. Email Matt Breton @ [email protected] or use this link to reach your legislators: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/takeaction#/413   ·       Connect with Big...
Published 03/12/24
·       In this episode of the Big Woods Bucks Podcast, Hal Blood, Joe Kruse, and Chris Dalti visit Tucker Carlson at his home in Maine to talk about hunting, fishing, and family. Tucker and the gang trade hunting and fishing stories, talk about hunting tradition and ethics, and discuss Maine history and lore. Tucker introduces the gang to his hunting dogs, and the gang gives Tucker a limited-edition Big Woods Buck Rabbit Tracker—a custom-engraved Henry .22 with Skinner Sights' Big Woods...
Published 02/26/24
·       In this episode, recorded live at Huntstock 2023, the Big Woods Bucks team sits down and discusses the ins and outs of running a guide business in the northwoods. It is a snapshot into how much experience the BWB team members have in the woods and what qualifies them to educate to help fellow hunters be the best they can be.
Published 02/09/24
·       In this episode, Rick Labbe and Garnett Robinson sit down with Joe and Hal to discuss how their seasons went. Rick tells the story of his 5 bucks in 5 different states, as well as his Wyoming elk hunt.   ·       Connect with Big Woods Bucks.    ·       Big Woods Bucks on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.    ·       Shop Big Woods Bucks Wool Hunting Gear.   ·       Check out Minus33 wool, Skinner Sights, and use discount code “BWB” for a 20% discount on onX. 
Published 01/25/24
·       In this Big Woods Deer Season Wrap-up, Hal, Joe, Mike Stevens and Rylan talk about their bucks, including Hal’s trip to the Adirondacks where he shot a big woods ADK buck he tracked down on snow.  ·       Connect with Big Woods Bucks.    ·       Big Woods Bucks on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.    ·       Shop Big Woods Bucks Wool Hunting Gear.   ·       Check out Minus33 wool, Skinner Sights, and use discount code “BWB” for a 20% discount on onX. 
Published 01/08/24
·       Join Hal, Joe, and Stephen Schanz as they sit down and talk with Big Woods Outfitters Guide John Benway as they talk with some of the hunters who killed bucks during the third week of the Maine rifle season, including Stephen Gemma who shot a slammer of ten-point buck.   ·       Connect with Big Woods Bucks.    ·       Big Woods Bucks on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.    ·       Shop Big Woods Bucks Wool Hunting Gear.   Check out Minus33 wool, Skinner Sights, and use...
Published 11/27/23
· ·       Join Hal, Joe, Bad Lee & Mike Stevens as they discuss the lead up to what is predicted to be a productive deer season. ·       A bit of talk about moose talk to share. ·       Every coyote is a wolf now”??? ·       Preparation is important – Tire Chains   ·       Connect with Big Woods Bucks.    ·       Big Woods Bucks on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.    ·       Shop Big Woods Bucks Wool Hunting Gear.   ·       Check out Minus33...
Published 11/10/23
·       In this podcast, recorded live at Huntstock 2023, Rodney Elmer and Taylor Elmer of Mountain Deer Taxidermy in Vermont talk big woods hunting on bare-ground and snow across the NorthEast. ·       Connect with Big Woods Bucks.    ·       Big Woods Bucks on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.     ·       Shop Big Woods Bucks Wool Hunting Gear.    ·       Check out Minus33 wool, Skinner Sights, and use discount code “BWB” for a 20% discount on onX. 
Published 10/23/23
·          Hal and Joe sit down at Huntstock with Jim Massett, Joe DiNitto, and Steve Grabowski of the ADK Trackers to discuss still-hunting and tracking in the Big Woods of the Adirondacks and Maine. Don’t forget to use the discount code for your onX membership. Go to on onxmaps.com and enter discount code bwb for 20% discount. Please keep important feedback. Please use the link below. The Big Woods Team… https://www.bigwoodsbucks.com/Contact
Published 09/27/23
·     Maine Game Warden Corporal Kris MacCabe of North Woods Law sits down with Hal Blood, Joe Kruse, and Lee Libby to talk about big woods hunting, land owner relations, and the future of Maine's unique system of public access on private land.    ·         Connect with Big Woods Bucks.    ·         Big Woods Bucks on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.    ·         Shop Big Woods Bucks Wool Hunting Gear.   ·         Check out Minus33 wool, Skinner Sights, and use discount code...
Published 09/06/23
·          Jason shares his story from last year’s buck which gross scored 168” with Maine Antler & Skull Trophy Club and dressed at 217 lbs.  ·         Jason has been a big part of coyote crusade in Jackman, Maine area which has had a real positive effect on deer population.  ·         Good tip shared when in a tangled mess: “Walk the skid roads.”  ·         When the leaves fall, they start roaming!  ·         Pecking order among bucks observed. ·         A long-bodied buck =...
Published 08/23/23
·         Big Woods Bucks team members Brad Willey of New Hampshire and Kevin Stone of the Adirondacks sit down with Hal Blood and Joe Kruse at the 2023 Big Woods Bucks picnic to talk big buck hunting in New Hampshire, the Adirondacks, and Maine. Brad tells the story of how he shot his most recent buck still-hunting and grunting, and Kevin Stone describes how he got his 2022 Adirondack buck by hitting his grunt tube while moving down the track. This episode contains lots of tips for...
Published 07/21/23
Big Woods Bucks team member Neil Pendleton and CEO Chris Dalti join Hal Blood and Joe Kruse to talk about Neil's film "The Next One." The Next One tells the story of Neil's 2022 deer season, and how Neil killed an archery buck, a Maine buck tracking, and an Adirondack buck tracking. In this episode, Neil talks about how he set goals for himself and went about achieving them, and gives advice on how other hunters can set goals and accomplish those goals in the woods this fall.   Connect...
Published 06/29/23
Title: 128| “Old School Maine Deer Tracking Stories with Matt Vining”  Local Jackman, ME legend Matt Vining joins Hal and Joe to tell some stores about tracking deer. Born and raised off-the-grid in the Big Woods of Maine, Matt Vining grew up hunting, trapping, fishing, and living the Big Woods lifestyle. In this episode, Matt shares his knowledge and experiences tracking deer in the big woods, including the old days when the Benoits would camp on his family’s property and he’d hunt with...
Published 06/12/23
Bad Lee for Governor??? Hal’s deer clinic inspires new buck trackers. Scouting has indicated even more deer than last year based on tracks . Bucks wander more in hardwoods. Spring scouting can reveal “New Special Places.” Don’t get in the routine of visiting the same old places, veering off helps you discover new places. Bucks fights are rare to witness in big woods. Brian Donaghy gives us an update on trout in North Country. Just about time for deer fawns and moose calves to be seen....
Published 06/01/23
Smelting update. Joe finds deer antlers while hunting for moose sheds. Green on top, green on bottom, hardwoods in the middle??? Some older bucks winter up high. Mike said not one piece of old man’s beard on any trees in the area. What does that mean??? Lone Star ticks are nasty. Hal finds a new signpost with his grandson while moose antler shed hunting. Puss Pocket??? Don’t forget to use the discount code for your onX membership. Go to on onxmaps.com and enter discount code bwb for...
Published 05/15/23
If you are into shed hunting it is a great time to combine with deer scouting for next fall. Gathering intel from the network. Spring Scouting can lead to strategy for next fall especially for hunting the big woods. Logging can change where feed grows which can affect where you find the deer next fall in the big woods. For Hal, signposts remain his most sought-after sign in the big woods. Voting for LD 814 Coyote legislation probably won’t pass. What kind of forest do deer live in –...
Published 04/27/23
Our special guest, John Glidden founder of Minus33 and Chairman of the Board, is truly an expert in all aspects of wool from shearing the right sheep to softening to the skin to explaining how it keeps you warm even when wet. The Glidden family has been in the wool business for 116 years and specifically John has approximately 50 years of experience. Why merino wool is extremely soft to the skin compared to older scratchy wool. Why it doesn’t shrink like wool from years ago. The...
Published 04/13/23
Our guest is Tim Farrar who is an expert coyote hunter from Maine and been hunting ad studying them since early 70’s. Anti-hunting legislation being heard in legislative session – Bill LD814 anti-hunting assault on coyote hunting year-round. After we recorded this podcast, Maine House Bill LD 814’s public hearing date was changed to April 3rd. 2023 at 1pm in the Cross Building Rm 206. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?ld=814&PID=1456&snum=131 Why ???–...
Published 03/22/23
Rick shares details of some of his last hunts and it is jam packed with tips and some close encounters. When you feel you are close is when the wind game starts. 20 to 25 ft. bounds going down hill off mountain is a big buck. Buck just knew that a road was there, so he paralleled the road for a 1 ½ miles then swung back up the mountain. When do binoculars come in handy? Deep snow stressed deer out and probably caused them to lose antlers early. Sneak and peek into the wind. Yut, Yut I...
Published 03/06/23
As expected, some lighthearted fun with Garnett and his escapades from last fall. Rick Labbe and Garnett Robinson’s bikini contest. Lots of deer being sighted and they are in great shape. Don’t forget to use the discount code for your onX membership. Go to on onxmaps.com and enter discount code bwb for 20% discount. Please keep important feedback. Please use the link below. The Big Woods Team… https://www.bigwoodsbucks.com/Contact
Published 02/22/23