Want to go deeper? Join our Circle Community here: ⁠https://linkly.link/2o0SnZach Ferenbaugh of The Hunting Public has killed some of his biggest bucks without ever climbing a tree — slipping through cover on the ground, calling them into bow range, and getting close enough to reach out and touch them. In his first-ever sit-down with us, Zach breaks down the woodsmanship behind ground hunting whitetails: reading conditions and other animals, moving through the woods undetected, why deer can't see nearly as well as you think, and why getting closer actually makes a mature buck easier to kill.If you love turkey hunting, hate sitting still, or just want another tool in the bag, this one's for you.In this episode:- Why Zach walked away from the tree stand — and started killing bigger bucks on the ground- How to move through the woods: when to speed up, when to freeze, and how to use wind, rain, and terrain to time every step- Reading other animals as alarms — including the woodpecker "deer alarm" that tips him off before a buck ever shows- Why the nastiest, thickest cover gives the hunter the advantage, not the deer- How deer really see (and why staying still beats staying hidden)- Calling and rattling on the ground: making it sound real, and "becoming the deer"- Deer drives, bumping deer on purpose, and why spooking them isn't the end of the world- Gear, shot angles, single-bevel broadheads, and shooting through coverSpecial thanks to the NWTF for providing us with a space to record this episode. Join our Circle Community here - ⁠https://linkly.link/2o0SnGrab some Southern Outdoorsmen merch here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aKJoin Woodsman Wire - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1u4aRUse code “SOUTHERN” for a discount on Whitetail Hill food plot seed & trees - https://linkly.link/2myBPUse the promo code “southern” for a discount on your OnX Hunt membership here - https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1tyfmCheck out Latitude Outdoors for your mobile hunting gear - https://2ly.link/1zVDIUse code TSOP15 for a discount on Mossy Oak - https://linkly.link/2ERb8Use code SOUTHERN20 for a discount on all Vortex apparel, including eyewearNOTE: Not all advertisements run on this show are endorsed by The Southern Outdoorsmen Podcast unless an ad is read by one of the hosts. Chapters:00:00 The three-yard buck01:12 Eight years to finally get Zach on02:24 How ground hunting made deer hunting fun again06:24 More opportunity, faster learning off the ground09:08 The mental hurdle of leaving the tree13:19 Moving through the woods: speed up or freeze16:15 Using wind and conditions to time every move19:34 The best teacher in the woods is the deer itself34:13 Reading conditions to predict where deer bed46:52 Reading other animals and the woodpecker "deer alarm"54:05 Why the thicker the cover, the better58:42 Staying patient with a buck at seven yards1:03:05 Why deer can't see you as well as you think1:11:45 The sign that says sit down — and the sign that lies1:20:24 Deer drives and spooking deer on purpose1:33:00 Becoming the deer: how Zach moves and calls1:40:06 Calling on the ground and making rattling sound real1:54:52 How turkeys and elk made him a better deer hunter2:02:14 What Zach carries: the M2 pack, water, and gear2:12:46 Shot angles, single-bevel broadheads, and shooting through cover2:23:30 Do what makes hunting fun for youOur Sponsors:* Check out MyBookie and use my code SOUTHERNOUTDOORSMEN for a great deal: https://www.mybookie.ag* Check out Omaha Steaks and use our code BEEF for a great deal: https://www.omahasteaks.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use our code SOUTHERNOUTDOORSMEN for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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