Get the latest in your inbox
New to MeatEater?
Get Started
Wired To Hunt

Ep. 307: Becoming a “Freestyle Deer Hunter” with Jesse Coots

Ep. 307: Becoming a “Freestyle Deer Hunter” with Jesse Coots

Play Episode

1h44m

Today on the show I’m joined by New York bow hunter Jesse Coots to discuss the importance of being what he calls a “freestyle deer hunter” when targeting big old whitetail bucks.

Topics discussed:

  • A few thoughts on establishing personal hunting goals
  • Hunting your own hunt
  • What it means to be a “freestyle deer hunter”
  • Properly matching tactics to region and circumstances
  • The importance of putting yourself in new situations and hunting locations
  • How the hunters you surround yourself with can impact your hunting success
  • How to hunt October bucks in an area like New York VS Kansas VS Ohio
  • The importance of long-range glassing and scouting
  • How to hunt a deer from the outside in
  • Decoying whitetail bucks on the ground
  • Balancing family and hunting

Connect with Mark Kenyon and MeatEater

Mark Kenyon on Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook

MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube

Shop MeatEater Merch

Get the latest in your inbox
Subscribe to our newsletters to receive regular emails with hand-picked content, gear recommendations, and special deals.
Our picks for the week's best content
For the whitetail obsessed, with Mark Kenyon
With Joe Cermele and Crew
Technical apparel for the avid hunter
Purpose-built accessories for hunting and fishing
Quality elk, turkey, waterfowl, and deer calls

While you're listening

Remi Warren, a Nevada and Montana Hunter, Weighs in With Ten Mule Deer Hunting Tips

Mule Deer

Remi Warren, a Nevada and Montana Hunter, Weighs in With Ten Mule Deer Hunting Tips

"The key to mule deer hunting is covering ground. Out west we have a saying, “let your eyes do the walking.” This does not mean you won’t have to put in some foot work, but the most successful mule deer hunters are ones that know how to glass. When looking for mule deer, I get steady and do an initial scan for the ones that stand out. I am generally looking for white butts. This is the easiest thing for the eye to pick up. After that I look...

How to Deal with a Gut Shot Deer

Hunt

How to Deal with a Gut Shot Deer

A gut shot deer is any hunters nightmare. It is never good news when you hit a deer in the gut, but it’s our job as hunters to make the best of a bad situation. To be as brief as possible, there are several key things to understand in this situation. First, how do you know you gut shot the deer? Typically when you hit a deer in the gut, it will hunch up and walk or trot away in a strained looking position. If you are still not sure after the shot...

Video: Hunter Catches Quail with Bare Hand

Upland Birds

Video: Hunter Catches Quail with Bare Hand

NFL quarterback Colt McCoy telling you “sweet catch” after scoring a touchdown is cool. NFL quarterback Colt McCoy telling you “sweet catch” after nabbing a flying quail is cooler. In this week’s viral video, Matt Carter, a pastor from Texas, catches a flushed quail that flies right at him. Although many believe it’s fake, Carter and McCoy swear by its authenticity (but admit there was a bit of divine help). “It’s been funny reading people’s...