Heartland Bowhunter

Stalking early season bucks in the milo fields of Kansas is a new adventure for Chandler. After striking out, he heads back in November to get another opportunity.

Nothing can replace the early memories for a bowhunter. Join the journey as Jack Wirsig draws a youth tag and attempts to harvest his first ever deer.

With peak rut activity and plenty of bucks, Mike stays patient for an opportunity at a Colorado whitetail.

Follow along as Skyler and his crew chase a Kansas buck that's had their number year after year.

Patterning bucks year after year has become routine for Shawn. When a surprise buck appears on the farm, a new dilemma presents itself.

Nothing compares to hunting around home. Mike, along with his family, hunt their home state of Missouri.

Nebraska has always been a special for the HB team. With a tag for either species of deer, Shawn heads to the Cornhusker State with plenty of options.

With a rare tag in pocket, Nate heads to Utah to chase giant bull elk.

Skyler kicks off the season with a trip to Flatwillow Creek in Montana with an elk tag and a deer tag!

Hunting during the rut can be the most exciting way to hunt whitetail deer. As Mike knows all too well, the Eastern Plains of Colorado are host to some great bucks and although the hunt may start off slow, it can all change in the blink of an eye.

For the first time ever, Shawn is headed across the border to Iowa to hunt public land. After doing some research and applying for the tag, he looks to learn as much as possible in a short amount of time in order to find success during the rut.

Each and every year Skyler makes it a point to get the whole family out in the blind for at least one hunt. However, this year is going to be a little more memorable than years prior, as a target buck gives them an opportunity with the whole family watching.

There is no place that Shawn would rather be than in his home state of Missouri during the last week of October. A time when bucks can be extremely vulnerable produces an encounter with a buck that Shawn is very familiar with.

As parents, Mike and his wife Bridget are always looking for ways to raise their boys in the outdoors. The bowhunting lifestyle is full of year-round activities that are a great way to get the family involved. Quality time spent with the family & focusing on quality hunting conditions are a recipe for success.

We all have crossed paths with young bucks that an unfathomable amount of potential, but it’s rare to see them reach that full potential. Follow Ty and a buck appropriately named Dreamer as Ty finally had it all come together as Dreamer reached 5.5 years old. Knowing he had survived the previous season, Ty was all in on this giant Missouri buck.

After hunting elk with Flatwillow Creek Outfitters, Skyler and his dad Mike decided to also put in for deer tags and were lucky enough to draw a couple different ones for both whitetail and mule deer. A fun-filled Montana hunting camp is always a sure-fire way to start the season off on the right foot.

Ever since starting his hunting career behind the camera filming Utah mule deer hunts, it has been a dream of Derek Leininger’s to get back out west and hunt himself. Having spent time in this area in the past, he was fully aware of the caliber of bucks it was capable of producing, but had no idea what he was about to encounter.

To kick off his season, Mike heads to NW Nebraska to hunt a new property with Heartland Pride Outfitters. This ranch is in a unique area that is extremely diverse and offers the ability to hunt multiple species. After starting off with the intentions of hunting mule deer primarily, Mike pivots his focus to more predictable whitetails as the hunt goes on.

Some treestand locations are just special. After Skyler arrowed his biggest buck ever out of the "rut funnel" stand in Missouri last season, anticipation was high to climb back in as November rolled around. This time Clayton would be behind the bow to see if lighting could strike twice.

Once again, Mike drew a coveted Iowa tag and returns to hunt with Jeff and David Lindsey. The Lindsey's are as hard-core as it gets when it comes to managing for whitetails and are in one of the best areas in the country.

For the first time ever, Mike heads to the Eastern Plains of Colorado to hunt a new property with good friend Tony Warnock. With an either species tag in his pocket, Mike can hunt both whitetail and mule deer, both of which are extremely prevalent on the property.

Sharing time in the woods with friends and family is what it's all about for the Easley's and this fall was one of their most memorable to date! While hunting in their home state of Missouri, Ty and his dad target two of the oldest bucks on the farm.

For the second year in a row, Mike was lucky enough to draw a highly sought-after Montana elk tag. He also has antelope and mule deer tags and with all 3 species on the same ranch, it will be an action packed hunt!

Skyler and his dad, Mike, are headed to the Missouri Breaks of Montana for the first time chasing elk with Flatwillow Creek Outfitters. This area is known for producing trophy elk and with season just getting started, hunting water holes can be extremly effective.

It's been a goal of Brad's to shoot an elk with a bow for a long time. After several unsuccessful hunts, he is excited at the opportunity to hunt an amazing area in Utah with good friend Kregg Thomassen.

Having never killed an antelope, Trent heads to Wyoming a little early to see if he can fill a tag before he starts hunting velvet whitetails.

For the first time ever, Mike and Shawn head to Kodiak Island to hunt mountain goats with childhood friend, Cole Kramer. For years, they have applied for tags in hopes of pursuing these elusive, sure-footed climbers.

The annual trip to hunt the rut in Kansas with Heartland Pride Outfitters has become a tradition over the years. This area produces some incredible whitetails and is an extremely effective area for calling and decoying in November.

After getting pictures of an absolute world-class whitetail in Missouri, Skyler knew where the majority of his focus would likely be for the 2018 season. Opportunities to hunt a once in a lifetime deer like this are truly few and far between.

Building history with deer on the properties we hunt is one of the most rewarding processes as hunters and land managers. The story of a buck nick-named Bovice began way before we even knew it after getting trail camera pictures of him for the first time. Follow the multi-year journey as Mike, Shawn and Rex puruse this ellusive whitetail.

Shawn is in his home state of Missouri going through his normal preparation for whitetails. The season kicks off but seems to slower than normal. With having little luck in Missouri Shawn heads to his neighboring state of Kansas to find first day success.

Skyler's dad, Mike Wirsig, is no stranger to elk hunting in Arizona. As a resident, his odds are higher than most to draw a tag, however he never thought that he would be forutnate enough in his lifetime to draw a tag for one of the top units in the state. Truly a tag most only dream about getting.

Shawn has been on a handful of elk hunts in his lifetime, most of which have ended without filling a tag. This year looked like it might be different though after drawing two different highly coveted tags for New Mexico and Montana. Surely this will be the year to break his dry spell.

After a successful mule deer hunt in MT, Mike sticks around to hunt elk for the first time in the Missouri River Breaks. This area is known for its high density of elk and great age structure, making it a top destination for elk hunters around the country.

Mike & Shawn return to Montana for the second year in a row to hunt the early archery opener for mule deer on a General Tag. After experiencing a successful hunt last year, they are optimistic to begin exploring some new property in Big Sky Country.

Once again the crew kicks off the season with a high country mule deer hunt in Utah. Unlike previous years, the brutal weather makes the hunting conditions extremely difficult, limiting opportunities for both spotting and stalking. They know that they will have to hunt carefully and take full advantage of any opportunities that come their way.

Over the years Skyler and his dad Mike have intensely managed their property in KS and keep close tabs on the deer that frequent it. Aptly named, Brick, a huge bodied buck became a regular and with the whole family in town, he was on the hit list if he offered an opportunity.

The name 9-Lives isn't a name given to a buck at a young age. It's a name that's earned and one that carries a lot of weight. The story of 9-Lives starts back in 2013 before he had earned the name. Over the course of the next few years this buck would grow into a buck that was highly targeted yet he constantly managed to avoid making a mistake at the right time. Finally after 3 years, he made his

Nate, Skyler and Mike Wirsig are all familiar with hunting in NE Wyoming, but this year finds them hunting a new property that they hadn't stepped foot on before. High deer numbers and great age structure always make for good hunting in Wyoming.

This year marks the 10th season that Skyler has shared camp in North Dakota, a tradition almost as old as HB itself. Early season whitetails and summer patterns typicaly lead to a high success rate, especially when the conditions are right.

Mike is kicking off his season with a new adventure hunting off horseback for mule deer in the high country of Colorado, then meeting up with Shawn in Montana.

Shawn and Mike have hunted mule deer all over the country, but never before in Montana. The Missouri River Breaks are an area known for its abundance of wildlife both big and small. High deer numbers and easily navigable terrain make for some up close and personal spot and stalk bowhunting.

Rex and Erin Luchtel are headed west for some early season whitetail action in NE WY at the Buckhorn Ridge Ranch. Over the years we have made many great memories and this year this father daughter duo is in search of their first velvet bucks.

The guys are no stranger to the high-country of Utah, however this season they venture to a new area with hopes of finding a hidden gem.

Kodiak Island, Alaska is home of some of the biggest Brown Bears in the world. This hunt is one that's been on Mike's bucket list for quite some time and after making plans with guide and high school friend, Cole Kramer, he was in for an adventure that he will never forget.

Kodiak Island, Alaska is home of some of the biggest Brown Bears in the world. This hunt is one that's been on Mike's bucket list for quite some time and after making plans with guide and high school friend, Cole Kramer, he was in for an adventure that he will never forget.

Mike and Ty travel west to Kansas to hunt with Heartland Pride Outfitters. The peak of the rut has hit and giant Kansas whitetails are on the move.

Nate Flynn begins his whitetail season in North Dakota. After struggling to get a shot at a mature buck he packs his bags and heads home to Missouri to find that his season turns around on the flip of a switch.

Mike is hunting the rut in Wyoming on the Solitude Ranch located in the Black Hills. He is very familiar with the ranch and has high hopes in arrowing a mature buck.

Trent is bowhunting his home state of Kansas in hopes of arrowing his #1 target buck, Mufasa, a true buck of a lifetime. Trent hopes to take advantage of early season cold fronts to catch up with this Kansas Monarch.

Heartland Bowhunter documents the adventures of bowhunts all over the Midwest for anything from whitetail deer to Canada geese.

Rex drives to Eastern Wyoming to hunt with good friend Lloyd Pruett on the Buckhorn Ridge Ranch. After some struggles, he takes his hunting tactics from the tree stand to the ground in hope to get a mature whitetail in range.

Shawn has spent a lot of time in the sandhills of Western Nebraska. He is very familiar with hunting at Deer Meadows. He's also familiar with the mule deer that roam these baron hills.

Western Detour - 2017

Once again, the season has begun early for the guys. Shawn and Nate travel to Utah to hunt velvet Mule Deer. They will be roughing it as they struggle to hike into the high country on this backpack, mountain hunt.

Shawn Luchtel is back home in Missouri working on the family farm and getting everything ready for season. 3 years after EHD, he is starting to see age structure improve and is targeting a couple different bucks that his father and him have history with.

Michael Hunsucker travels to famous Pike County, IL to hunt with Jeff Lindsey of The Lindsey Way. This farm has great deer numbers, but is still recovering form EHD and previous improper management practices. Mike looks to help Jeff accomplish his goal of harvesting mature management bucks.

The youngest member of the crew, Clay Craft, continues to grow and become a better hunter through lots of time in the field with his father, Bryhn. This year, they shift their focus from Kansas to a new property in Missouri that is loaded with big bucks.

Michael Hunsucker returns home from a successful trip to WY just in time to try to capitalize on a mature buck in Missouri holding to his summer patterns. This time of year the deer aren't as difficult to catch moving in daylight, but bump them and you risk spooking them back into being nocturnal.

After such a successful hunt in 2014, Shawn Luchtel returns the same property to see if he can connect on another great mule deer. Although the bucks are very active and visible, getting them in bow range proves to be a little more difficult.

After struggling on our annual trip to North Dakota, Michael Hunsucker heads to Wyoming for a DIY deer hunt on a new ranch that he has never hunted. Scouting and doing the legwork will definitely be necessary on this pursuit.

Trent Siegle is traveling to NE WY to hunt with good friend and owner of Buckhorn Ridge Ranch, Lloyd Pruet. During the early season the bucks are bachelored up in large groups and highly focused on food sources.

After finding success during the first portion of the hunt, the guys are mentally and physically exhausted, but continue to stay persistent in the high country.

Join the crew on one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, public land, high country adventures in the mountains of Utah.

On the 100th episode of HB, we take a look back at some of the most incredible hunts and best moments from the previous 7 seasons of the show!

Michael Hunsucker is making the annual trip to Deer Meadows Outfitters in Nebraska but this time it's much earlier in the season. The bucks are together in bachelor groups and in full velvet.

Clayton Campbell and his daughter Addy are hunting together in their home state of Kansas. Over the years Addy has really taken a liking to bowhunting. Her whitetail encounters are adding fuel to her fire.

Skyler Wirsig is kicking off his season in his home state of Missouri. The bucks are on early season patterns feeding on soybean fields.

Michael Hunsucker has his first-ever elk tag and is hunting with Sacramento Mountain Outfitters in New Mexico. Elk numbers are high on the ranch so Mike has high hopes for successful hunt.

Shawn Luchtel is traveling to Colorado to hunt with good friend Santino Castellanos of OuttaBounds. This early season mule deer hunt will be very similar to what Shawn is used to when hunting whitetails.

Michael Hunsucker is making the annual trip to Deer Meadows Outfitters in Nebraska but this time it's much earlier in the season. The bucks are together in bachelor groups and in full velvet.

New season, same location in North Dakota. This year the guys from Bowtech are joining the crew to hunt velvet whitetails at Central Dakota Lodge.

The guys are starting off the season with a tough challenge. One that consists of hiking mountains, sleeping in tents and steep terrain in pursuit of Utah Mule Deer in full velvet.

On the 100th episode of HB, we take a look back at some of the most incredible hunts and best moments from the previous 7 seasons of the show!

Michael Hunsucker is making the annual trip to Deer Meadows Outfitters in Nebraska but this time it's much earlier in the season. The bucks are together in bachelor groups and in full velvet.

Clayton Campbell and his daughter Addy are hunting together in their home state of Kansas. Over the years Addy has really taken a liking to bowhunting. Her whitetail encounters are adding fuel to her fire.

Skyler Wirsig is kicking off his season in his home state of Missouri. The bucks are on early season patterns feeding on soybean fields.

Michael Hunsucker has his first-ever elk tag and is hunting with Sacramento Mountain Outfitters in New Mexico. Elk numbers are high on the ranch so Mike has high hopes for successful hunt.

Shawn Luchtel is traveling to Colorado to hunt with good friend Santino Castellanos of OuttaBounds. This early season mule deer hunt will be very similar to what Shawn is used to when hunting whitetails.

Michael Hunsucker is making the annual trip to Deer Meadows Outfitters in Nebraska but this time it's much earlier in the season. The bucks are together in bachelor groups and in full velvet.

New season, same location in North Dakota. This year the guys from Bowtech are joining the crew to hunt velvet whitetails at Central Dakota Lodge.

The guys are starting off the season with a tough challenge. One that consists of hiking mountains, sleeping in tents and steep terrain in pursuit of Utah Mule Deer in full velvet.

Newest member and videographer for HB, Trent Siegle, takes a break from running the camera and tries his luck in front of the camera in his home state of Kansas.

Mike and Shawn are headed back to Western Nebraska to hunt with Scott Kuhn of Deer Meadows. This spot and stalk, sand-hill adventure is always a welcomed change from tree stand hunting in the Midwest.

With a successful early season under their belt, the guys hope to continue their luck while hunting during one of the most difficult times of the season. Bucks are moving very little in daylight, but can still be caught close to their bedding area.

The crew is back home getting everything ready for season and planting food plots to help produce some good early season hunting when the bucks are still grouped up and sticking to their summer patterns.

Shawn Luchtel and Mike Wirisg both drew the coveted Arizona elk tag. After waiting years for such an incredible opportunity, hopes are high for big bugling AZ bulls!

Nate Flynn catches a break from the lodge in North Dakota and heads west for a high-country Montana elk hunt.

Still in Wyoming at the Solitude Ranch the guys are trying to fill their tags as the bucks are starting to shed their velvet.

Mike, Shawn, and his dad Rex are headed west to Wyoming for an early season whitetail hunt with Mike Schmidt and Bob Lott of Intrepid Outdoors. The Solitude Ranch has been managed for quality whitetails for several years now and is producing some record book deer for WY.

Yet another year starting off the season with Nate Flynn and Central Dakota Lodge hunting the pothole region of North Dakota. Trees are scarce, but big velvet bucks are plentiful.

Shawn and Mike head north to hunt with the Muddy Outdoors crew in Iowa.

After a tough trip to Iowa, Matt returns home to some good news on the trail cameras.

With October coming to an end, the guys are spending a lot of time in the tree all over the mid west waiting for the rut to break loose. Join Mike and Rex in the tree during that magic time!

Skyler and Clayton are hunting during the rut in Northern Missouri.

Introducing Clay Craft - the newest member of the HB team and son of Whitetail Properties Land Specialist, Bryan Craft.

Shawn and Mike venture to Western Nebraska for their annual hunt with Deer Meadows Outfitters after a spot and stalk mule deer buck.

Skyler and Clayton road trip to Canada for the first ever moose hunt.

Nick and Matt White head West to WY for the second leg of the Campbell Outdoor Challenge.

As summer winds down, the crew is getting prepared for the upcoming season and the first trip of the year to North Dakota to hunt with Nate Flynn of Central Dakota Lodge. Shawn is up to bat this time and is trying to get his first ever velvet whitetail.

Nick White and his wife Dessiree get aggressive with some rutted up Kansas whitetails!

Mike is headed back to Iowa to hunt with Whitetail Properties Auctioneers Jason Smith and Chad Freeberg on an incredible listing that hadn't been legally hunted in almost 30 years.

Matt White is hunting his home territory of Central Kansas. With the rut just getting started, big bucks are sure to be checking the food plots for receptive does.

The rut is heating up and Shawn is headed to Western Illinois to hunt with Clifford Neames of Quail Shed Lodge.

Mike is headed west in pursuit of big mulies with Deer Meadows Outfitters. Follow Mike & guide, Jeremy Kuhn, as they spot & stalk the sandy hills of Western Nebraska.

Head Hunter's Randy Birdsong joins Shawn on a trip to hunt early season whitetail with Clayton Miller in Central South Dakota.

The crew is back home in Missouri getting ready for deer season. Early season has been great to them in the past and this year was no different.

Follow Mike and Shawn on their 3 year quest for an incredible buck nick-named 'Junior'.

Mike Wirsig and Rex Luchtel join Mike as they kick off the season with the annual trip to North Dakota to hunt with good friend Nate Flynn of Central Dakota Lodge. With season opening on September 3rd this year the guys are hoping to catch a mature buck still holding velvet and sticking to his summer patterns.

Mike and Shawn pursue a cat-like, Missouri buck with what seems like 9 lives. After watching 'Sticker 8' all summer, they finally catch up with him for the first time in the stand in early November.

The rut is winding down and the deer are transitioning back to the food sources. The guys change their strategies and try to capitalize on hungry vulnerable bucks.

Mike & Jeff are hunting giant whitetails during the rut in Iowa. Mike is hunting the loess hills with Whitetail Properties Jason Smith and Chad Freeberg, while Jeff returns to one of his favorite trees in Iowa aiming to harvest an Iowa buck for the second straight season.

Mike and Skyler travel to Northwest Missouri, decoy in tow. Dusty catches up with 'Trouble' a buck he knows all too well.

Jeff is spot & stalking huge mule deer in the sand hills of Nebraska and South Dakota.

Quality deer management is the theme. Follow along as the crew manages their whitetail heard and experiences some of the tough decisions that must be made in a full blown QDM program.

Mike and Skyler drive to North Dakota hunting velvet Whitetail Deer from tree-stands. After running out of light, Skyler stalks a big buck on foot.

Back home in Montana preparing for Whitetail Deer season. Dustin travels to Nebraska, hunting early velvet bucks.

Shawn and Jeff stalk Antelope in the plains of South Dakota, and then on to Montana for bull Elk.

The crew heads out for their annual thanksgiving hunt.

Hunting in southern Kansas for a buck nicknamed Tallboy.

Jeff and the Heartland Bowhunter crew hook up with Shawn Mahaffey, of Whitetail Authority, to hunt Kansas during the rut.

Jeff is headed back to Iowa to try to fill his tag with the help of Whitetail Properties.

Late October has every deer hunter hurrying to their stand. Jeff has his Iowa tag and is headed to the land of giants! After having to hurry home for a get together, Jeff punches his first Missouri tag for the season.

The team gets back home and the deer action is picking up! With it being early in the season, they decide to put four guys in one tree to see if team work will make the dream work.

Spot and stalk mule deer hunting with Scott and Jeremy Coon out of Deer Meadows Outfitters in Nebraska.

Opening day in Missouri with friends from Buck Commander.

The guys are in North Dakota hunting early season velvet whitetails. This is one of the few states where you can hunt velvet deer and the hunting is spectacular.

November heralds a great time of year at Big Timber Farm.

Deer are plentiful 6 weeks into the season, as luck turns team-HB's way.

The HB team get out after a long winter for the traditional Spring Turkey shoot.

Jeff & Jason drive nearly 900 miles southwest to "Elite Outfitters" in New Mexico with an Elk tag burning in their pockets. Craig & Ron hunt Elk in Wyoming.

John and Clayton hunt Whitetail Deer from tree-stands in Kansas.

With no cover in a hayfield, Rex hides at the base of a large cedar. Shawn takes a long time calling in a buck to the decoy.

Dan Richardson wins the draw for a 3 day hunt with the HB team.

Summer, around here, is jam packed with trying to get as much velvet footage as possible, checking cameras, and clearing trails. As the countdown to opening day continues, the anticipation continues to grow. Another great part of summer is the annual Heartland Bowhunter video school.

An overview of the families hunting strategies. With the end of Turkey season, minerals are left out for the deer, game cameras are placed, and plenty of scouting is performed over the Summer. This allows the guys to know where place their tree-stands for the season in Winter.