Rack City Whitetail

What should you do after you shoot a deer and aren’t sure where the arrow hit?

Corey and Jason Wagner of Blood Creek Deer Recovery join Zachary White and Cody Clarke to share hard-earned lessons from years of tracking wounded deer with Bavarian Mountain Hounds.

The conversation covers why patience after the shot matters, common shot-placement mistakes, and how trackers use a dog’s behavior to read a trail—even when there’s little or no blood.

Corey and Jason explain why hunters should avoid pushing a deer too soon, how rut conditions can change tracking and wait times, and why it’s important to be honest about what happened after the shot.

They also unpack the training behind their dogs, the difference between blood and hoof scent, and the surprising cases that challenge what hunters think they know—including deer that traveled long distances or survived shots that seemed fatal.

Along the way, the guests share practical advice for marking a trail, recognizing when to back out, and finding experienced help before a tough recovery situation arises.

Whether you’re a new hunter or have spent years in the woods, this episode offers a thoughtful, field-tested look at deer recovery—and the value of slowing down, learning from others, and trusting the dog.

Scrapes, Woodsmanship, and Faith with Chad Whitcomb of Backyard Scents

This episode is a deep, practical conversation about deer scrapes, mock scrapes, signpost rubs, camera strategy, and how to read deer behavior through the season.

Chad Whitcomb of Backyard Sense brings a woodsmanship-first approach shaped by hunting public land in Massachusetts, years of observation, and a faith-driven perspective on hunting and life.

We also discuss how to use scent as communication, why discipline matters more than chasing every new camera pull, and how bucks and does each play a role in scrape activity leading into the rut.

Key topics

In this episode, Chad Whitcomb shares how hunting in Massachusetts, one of the toughest deer states he knows, shaped his patience, scouting style, and respect for every piece of sign.

Chad explains why he prefers morning sits, especially on cold fronts when deer movement and scrape activity can change quickly.

We discuss ecohabitats and natural lines in the woods, especially transitions like oak flats into hemlocks, where rubs, scrapes, and travel routes often overlap.

Chad breaks down mock scrapes as an intel tool first, but also as a hunting setup when placed with broadside shooting lanes and the right licking branch height.

He stresses that a complete scrape setup includes three things: the scrape itself, the licking branch, and a rub or signpost element nearby.

Chad shares his belief that does are highly important to scrape activity, especially when matriarch does and mature does work licking branches and leave scent.

We discuss how he keeps scrapes fresh without over-pressuring a spot, using natural materials, minimal intrusion, and sometimes leaving scrapes untouched for months.

Chad explains why discipline matters more than constantly chasing new camera intel, and why staying with a hot scrape can beat leapfrogging from spot to spot.

He goes deep on learning a buck’s personality through video, including how timid bucks, dominant bucks, and intruder bucks respond differently to calling and scent.

Chad outlines how he uses scent all season and why he believes scent creates calmness and communication rather than just attraction.

We also talk about signpost rubs, how they function like community communication hubs, and why they can be especially valuable when paired with scent and cameras.

Chad closes with a woodsmanship mindset: respect the land, leave it better than you found it, and be a better steward for future hunters and the next generation.

Most hunters miss the biggest deer because they’re looking at the map, not the wind.

Joel Burham breaks down the exact terrain, acorn, bedding, and thermal setup that put a mature Iowa buck within three steps of his tree - and why that same thinking can change the way you hunt public land anywhere.

This one goes way beyond a quick kill story. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn raw scouting into a confident setup, this conversation is packed with answers.

You’ll discover:

• Why big public parcels can still hold mature deer, even with heavy pressure

• How Joel reads rubs, tracks, and bedding sign to separate mature bucks from younger deer

• The difference between a rut corridor, a transition route, and a true kill setup

• How moon phase, cold fronts, acorns, and thermals all interact on the same piece of ground

• Why logging your scouting intel can be the difference between “almost” and “dead deer”

Joel also shares the backstory behind Whitetail Fit, from growing up as a self-taught bowhunter in Nebraska to building a full-time hunting and content brand through years of trial, error, and obsessive attention to detail.

Cody and Zach bring their own season updates and push the conversation deeper into what separates good hunting from consistently killing mature deer.

If you hunt public land, mobile hunt, self-film, or just want to understand how elite whitetail hunters actually think through a setup, this episode is essential listening. It’s a masterclass in woodsmanship, patience, and making the right call when everything is on the line.

Most hunters are losing mature deer by hunting the wrong spots, the wrong days, and the wrong way.

Mark Six breaks down the hard-earned woodsmanship, scent control, access strategy, and thermal awareness that separate casual sits from consistent success.

Mark is a Kentucky-based hunter and custom callmaker who has spent decades chasing whitetails and turkeys across big woods, hills, saddles, in Ohio and Kentucky.

In this conversation, he shares the lessons he learned the hard way on public land in southeastern Ohio, where he hunted miles of rugged ground with no trail cameras and plenty of mistakes to teach him what really matters.

Mark is the owner of Green Run and Mark Six Custom Calls.

Hunting hot weather and feed trees in early September with Rack City.

Isaac White joins Rack City to discuss his impressive track record of harvesting mature Kansas whitetails.

Isaac breaks down the scouting, preparation, access strategies, in-season adjustments, and relentless mindset that have helped him consistently find success.

From lessons learned through failure to going all in when the right opportunity presents itself, this episode explores what it truly takes to up your level of success as a deer hunter.

In this episode of Rack City, we sit down with Ryan Snow of South Carolina, for a deep dive into what it really takes to become a successful whitetail hunter without a lifetime of mentorship.

Ryan's “fail fast” mindset from working in R&D, and how that same technical, methodical approach has helped him simplify gear, hunting smarter in the hills, and being efficient in out-of-state hunting trips.

Ryan breaks down the five principles he believes every new hunter needs: gear, wind and thermals, deer sign, planning and maps, and access.

He also shares hard-earned lessons from out-of-state hunting, building out an entire mobile van setup, and learning to manage expectations while chasing mature deer across public land.

From hill country strategy and bowl setups to realistic goals and the value of experience over social media hype, this conversation is packed with practical insights for new hunters and seasoned mobile hunters alike.

If you want a grounded, honest look at how to learn faster in the deer woods, this one is for you.

Topics covered:

• ​Applying a “fail fast” mindset to deer hunting
• ​The five most important foundations for new hunters
• ​Hunting hills, bowls, points, and terrain features
• ​Wind, thermals, and access in hill country
• ​Building a mobile hunting setup for multiple states
• ​Why realistic expectations matter more than hype

In this episode of Rack City, we sit down with Brian Thacker, a Virginia bowhunter with more than 40 years of experience in the deer woods.

Brian shares how he got started hunting as a kid, the influence of his uncle and grandfather, and the woodsmanship lessons that shaped his approach forever.

We dig into his favorite gear, his thoughts on hunting different seasons, and why smaller properties can still produce incredible bucks when you understand deer movement, food sources, thermals, entry and exit routes, and pressure.

Brian also breaks down his philosophy on hunting “dandies,” why he values the experience as much as the antlers, and how he stays motivated after decades in the woods.

He opens up about the role of perseverance, the importance of a supportive spouse, and why he believes the right mindset and the right people can change your hunting life.

If you enjoy honest conversation, old-school wisdom, and practical deer hunting insight, this one is packed with takeaways.

Big bucks don’t happen by accident.

They’re the result of patience, discipline, and doing the hard things most hunters won’t do.

In this episode, Ty Forbes breaks down the mindset behind chasing mature whitetails on pressured small properties in Massachusetts — from hunting the doe patterns to outsmarting hunters, not just deer.

The real takeaway? Success in the woods is built long before the shot. The story of Shaq - Tyler Forbes 180" Massachusetts Giant!

In this Episode of the Rack City Podcast, we break down the different styles of mobile deer hunting and define some of the terminology hunters commonly use.

We explain how to hunt a crosswind, how to use an observation sit to gather valuable information, and how your hunting approach may change depending on the terrain and region where you live.

Whether you hunt in a saddle, small hang on tree stand, or even on the ground, this episode will help you better understand the different ways mobile hunters adapt their setups and strategies to consistently get closer to mature bucks.

The key is being able to adapt and having an open mindset. We hope you enjoy this episode! Please leave a 5 start review and share it with a friend!

n this episode of Rack City, we break down the basic terms every deer hunter should know—from bedding areas, travel corridors, funnels, rubs, scrapes, and core areas to how bucks use food, water, cover, and terrain throughout the year.

Whether you’re a brand-new hunter or a seasoned mobile hunter looking to sharpen your foundation, this episode is about building around the basic whitetail terms we so commonly use.

Because once you understand the language of deer, you’ll start seeing the woods the way a mature buck does—and that’s where consistent success begins but it's the small details that add up in a big way.

We hope you enjoy this episode and if you find it useful please share it with a friend!

Thanks for listening!

Turning the page and looking towards the coming deer season. Targeting early season September bucks.

The mindset of making the most of your time summer scouting.

The difference between finding and hunting deer in September vs later in October.

Looking towards some out of state deer hunts

The importance to learning the woods you hunt vs just running and gunning out of state.

Trail camera strategy as we look towards hunting this Fall!

Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Rack City, we sit down with Co-Host Zach White to break down the repeatable variables that have helped him find success on mature whitetails across multiple states, habitats, and hunting styles.

Zach shares how his introduction to deer hunting shaped his passion for the outdoors, how waterfowl hunting sharpened skills that now translate directly to deer hunting, and why shortening the learning curve comes down to recognizing patterns instead of relying on luck.

We wrap things up with our signature Rack City Rapid Fire segment, where Zach answers a series of quick questions on his favorite hunting setups, terrain, timing, and destinations.

If you're looking to become a more disciplined, process-driven hunter, this episode is full of lessons you can apply this fall.

From evaluating brand-new properties to identifying the habitat features that consistently hold the caliber of bucks he's after, Zach explains the process he follows before ever hanging a stand.

Whether you're hunting hill country, river bottoms, or unfamiliar ground, this episode is packed with practical insights that can help you build confidence and become a more consistent deer hunter.

From his baseball background to years of chasing whitetails growing up, Rack City Co-Host, Cody Clarke shares how discipline, preparation, and adaptability have become the foundation of his mobile hunting approach.

We discuss the similarities between competing on the baseball field and hunting mature bucks, why confidence matters when hunting from the ground, and the mindset it takes to consistently find success in pressured public land.

Cody also breaks down the habits that separate successful hunters from everyone else .

To wrap things up, we put Cody through a rapid-fire round covering hunting superstitions, favorite setups, confidence in ground hunting, and a few baseball questions that reveal another side of his competitive personality.

Whether you're a seasoned mobile hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical insights, honest conversations, and plenty of laughs.

Topics Covered:

• Lessons from baseball that apply to hunting

• Mobile ground hunting strategies

• Upstate New York hunting influences

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another hunter.

The goal is to bring you new and exciting conversations that help you become a more effective and confident deer hunter.

Rack City Co-Host Cody Clarke, sits down to break down the mindset and decisions that separate consistently successful deer hunters from everyone else.

We start at the beginning of Cody's hunting journey and follow his transition from simply going deer hunting to becoming a dedicated mobile hunter.

Cody also shares his thoughts on hunting pressure, common mobile hunting advice that he believes is overrated, and one hunt that completely changed the way he hunts today.

Whether you're just getting started with mobile hunting or you're looking to become more consistent on public land, this episode is packed with practical strategies, honest lessons, and the kind of conversations you'd have with a buddy after a hunt.

Welcome to Rack City.

Every hunter has a place like this. A basement. A garage. A shed. A corner of the house where bows get tuned, packs get organized, maps get studied, and the next hunt starts long before opening day.

That's Rack City.

We're here to solve the problems mobile deer hunters face, share the tactics that actually work, break down real hunts, and have honest conversations with hunters who've earned their success.

From map scouting and mobile setups to out-of-state adventures, public land strategies, and content creation—we're building a community where everyone gets better.

Whether you hunt public ground, private farms, or anywhere in between, grab a seat, pull up a chair, and join the conversation.

Let's build this thing together—brick by brick.