The Buck Fever Podcast: Recent Episodes
Buck Fever Outdoors
The official podcast of Buck Fever Outdoors hosted by Noah Switz and Jakob Jaeger! Tune in weekly as the guys discuss anything and everything related to hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.
In this episode, Jake and Noah get back in the studio for the last episode of the year! They take a look back at all the highlights of the past 12 months at Buck Fever Outdoors and relive some of the exciting moments. They also give some insight on what the next year holds for BFO!
In this episode, the guys chat about the decline in hunter enthusiasm across the state of Wisconsin. Reported sightings have decreased dramatically and the harvest numbers were down this year, yet the DNR reports a record high deer population. This episode is a deep dive on all the aspects of this complicated issue.
In this episode, Jake and Noah share their favorite activities to get themselves through the winter months. Small game hunting takes the cake, but other surprise mentions such as crow hunting keep things interesting. For those who love to hunt deer and turkeys, the winter can be brutal, but the activities discussed in this episode should help to get you through it!
In this episode, Eli tells the story of Bullwinkle - the buck he shot during the heart of the rut. He gives a more in depth perspective on his season in general as well as the events of the day. Then, he and the rest of the guys share their thoughts on the rut this year.
In this episode, the guys share a few of their favorite pieces of hunting gear that would make great Christmas gift ideas! Whether you're looking for some items to add to your wish list or you're looking for gift ideas for the hunter in your life, the guys throw out a wide variety of ideas including subscriptions, stocking stuffers, and big ticket items to make sure all your bases are covered!
In this episode, the guys recap an opening weekend that was mostly uneventful. They also offer some insights as to why hunters across Wisconsin may have experienced a slower than usual opening weekend of gun season. Then, Kolbe finally tells the tale of his Minnesota gun season buck.
In this episode, Jake and Noah preview the upcoming Wisconsin gun season opener. After a really good week, including Jake's uncle shooting his first buck with a bow and some close encounters, Jake has his sights set on his #1 target buck going into the weekend. Noah hopes a new addition of hunting rights on some neighboring acreage will improve his chances of success. Tune in to the episode on your way to deer camp!
In this episode, Noah takes the helm for a solo podcast. He details the ups, downs, ins, and outs of the Minnesota gun season trip. There were plenty of struggles throughout the trip but big bucks were encountered, shots were fired, and a nice buck hit the ground!
In this episode, Jake and Noah each give a "rut report" for the areas where they hunt as well as their outlook for the upcoming weekend. The guys also preview their long awaited Minnesota gun season trip and share their plans to kill big bucks on out-of-state public land!
In this episode, Jake and Noah recap the unfortunate events of the past weekend. Noah shot a buck on Friday night and was unable to recover it. As hunters, this is never an easy topic to talk about but the goal in having a conversation about it is to hopefully pass along a few lessons learned along the way. Tune in for a worthwhile story illustrating the part of hunting nobody wants to talk about!
In this episode, the guys give an update on buck activity in their areas. Things are starting to heat up with rubs and scrapes showing up more and more everyday. More importantly, they discuss what each sign means, where you should be hunting right now, and more! Tune in for some pre-rut excitement!
In this episode, the guys recap the events of the youth hunt from this past weekend. Eli and Ty kicked the weekend off with an up close and personal encounter with a group of does and fawns resulting in a doe down for Ty! Then, Kolbe harvested a nice doe on Saturday evening with the help of his kids and his dad at deer camp! Then, on Sunday, Ty was finally able to harvest his first buck and it was well worth the wait! Lots of stories to unpack in this one so settle in and enjoy! Full video coming soon!
In this episode, Noah and his dad Brandon recap their incredible hunt from the past weekend in which Brandon took down a ten point buck they called Low Rider! The story spans across many years of hard work and dedication towards creating the best possible whitetail habitat on a small property and learning how to become better hunters through countless failures. The story reaches a fitting end on a weekend full of rarities, making for a memory the guys will never forget! Tune in to hear the full story before the video drops on Monday!
In this episode, Jake dives deep into the story of the buck he shot a few days ago. Affectionately named Junky, this buck had been popping up on camera all summer and was one of 3 main bucks on this years hit-list. Whether you've seen the video already or not, this episode is a great listen full of cool details that go beyond what is captured in the video!
In this episode, the guys reflect on the much anticipated hunts of opening weekend. It's safe to say everyone had their fair share of the good, the bad, and the ugly... from unpredictable thunderstorms, to big bucks showing up at the wrong stand locations, and a whole bunch of other events in between, there was no shortage of lesson learned, stories to be told, and plans to be made for the season to come.
In this episode, the guys relive decades worth of deer hunting fails. Any failure you can imagine, one of the guys probably has a story about it. The combination of the crazy stories, the late night/early morning recording, a large sum of Busch Light being consumed, and all the guys being in person once again is sure to provide an entertaining episode!
In this episode, Noah and Kolbe talk early season deer hunting tactics with Sam Ubl from Chase Nation! Sam has been in the outdoor industry and whitetail scene for many years, getting his start writing for various hunting and fishing magazines and other outdoor outlets. Jumping into the video and filming scene, Sam has been featured on both the Wisconsin Whitetail Pursuit and Whitetail Adrenaline DVD series, before he ended up co-founding Chase Nation in 2016. Sam shares stories of past successes and failures and lessons learned along the way, he gives some great advice on early season hunting tactics, and answers some rapid fire questions - most of which are current hot debates within the hunting industry. This episode is one you won't want to miss!
In this episode, the guys meet up to kick off the 2023 deer hunting season! After some delicious venison smashburgers and a few Busch Lights, the guys settle in and start chatting about Kolbe's new man cave, their opening weekend deer hunting strategies, how to get comfortable hunting on public land, and their goals for the Wisconsin and Minnesota deer seasons. This episode feels a lot like deer camp and its one you'll want to hear!
In this episode, the guys chat about their last minute trips to the woods and the final preparations that need to take place. Target bucks, cull backs, and insane passable bucks are all discussed as well. A big upcoming Buck Fever event is also a topic.
In this episode, Noah and Kolbe chat with Jordan Kurkowski, a local guy known for killing giant bucks on public land year in and year out! As his nickname implies, Jordan specializes in hunting the thickest, wettest, nastiest parts of the marsh and making ridiculously close shots on mature bucks through sky-high cattails. Through trial and error, Jordan has become highly effective at this ground ambush approach and has tons of knowledge to share! Tune in to this episode for some excellent insights from the "Marshbuster!"
In this episode, Noah and Eli are joined by archery guru Rich Wooten! Rich is a level 3 archery instructor who has worked with students at multiple levels and has even coached a student who made the USA Youth Olympic Team. Rich has a wealth of knowledge on shooting form, bow setup, arrow physics, and more!! Combine his knowledge with a fun personality and a great story telling ability and you've got a must watch episode for anyone in the archery world!
In this episode, Noah and Kolbe chat with Paul (aka "Coot") from Coot's Lures! Coot is going on 20 years in business and is busy making the most of his retirement! With the help of his son and a great team around him, Coot has a wide following across almost every major social media platform that is popular today. Between funny skits, instructional videos, and lots of awesome fishing content, there is no shortage of entertainment! On the product side of things, Coot has spent years developing solutions to common problems that fishermen experience and providing quality solutions at an affordable price! He has always taken great pride in paying it forward and showing true generosity in all aspects of life. Hearing his stories from decades worth of experiences, tapping into his wealth of fishing knowledge, and getting to know the great guy behind the business that is Coot's Lures, makes this podcast well worth a listen!
In this episode, Jake and Noah recap yet another fishing trip. This time, Noah went with his family up north and had much better luck than the previous outing! Rain is a hot topic in this one since food plots can't be planted without any rain in the forecast! As always, updates are shared on target bucks as more trail cam pics keep coming!
In this episode, Jake and Noah recap a recent fishing trip they took - Jake's first in ten years! Then, the guys discuss summer trail cam pictures, bucks they already have their eyes on for this fall, and scouting the neighborhood for big bucks that live nearby!
In this episode, Noah and Eli discuss the challenge of scouting for new public land hunting spots during the offseason. The benefits of mobile scouting, what to look for in a good spot, how to use other hunters to your advantage, and more are covered in this episode! Tune in to learn how you can discover your next dynamite public spot before opening day!
In this episode, Jake and Noah discuss some of the things they have been up to in preparation for the fast approaching deer season! Food plots, mock scrapes, trail cameras, tree stands, you name it, it's all in the works! The guys take a look at a few target bucks for this upcoming season and swap stories on fixing broken down machines!
In this episode, the guys break down the art of planting food plots! First, Jake shares the steps he took this year to install a new food plot full of standing corn, then Eli joins in to shed some light on his food plot hunting strategy. Each step in the process is laid out and discussed with some tips, tricks, and advice along the way!
In this episode, the guys cover a wide variety of deer hunting topics and decide whether they are overrated or underrated. Early season hunts, the October lull, rub-lines, grunt-tubes, scent killer... overrated or underrated??? All these topics and more are discussed as well as some of the gimmicks you might find on the shelves of your local sporting goods store. Have you ever used a doe pee warmer?
In this episode, Kolbe and Eli share some of the summer deer chores they do each year that lead to better odds at success in the fall! Driving home from a week long Canada fishing trip, the guys are already thinking about deer hunting and you should be too!! Doing the right work at the right time during the summer months can set you apart from your neighbors and help you bag your target buck! Tune in to find out how!
In this episode, Jake and Noah welcome a new guest on the podcast - Ken Krueger, director of the Mercury National Walleye Tournament! This year marks the 45th annual tournament on Lake Winnebago in conjunction with Walleye Weekend! The guys preview the event, talk about the history, discuss all that goes into it, what Walleye Weekend means to the city of Fond du Lac, and share a couple good stories from over the years! Of course, being a local to the area, Ken's lifelong sturgeon spearing career was covered as well! Tune in to hear the inside scoop on the Merc National Tournament and Walleye Weekend and get ready for the upcoming event!
In this episode, the guys talk about an upcoming fishing trip to be taken by Kolbe and Eli. This brings up the topic of all the things to prepare for when taking a trip across the country or to another country altogether! Going on a big hunting or fishing adventure can be super rewarding but it can also bring with it plenty of anxiety. Kolbe shares some of the overlooked items he's bringing along on his upcoming trip while Jake and Noah share some gnarly stories and some good advice from previous road trips!
In this episode, Noah and Kolbe are joined in the studio by Cabela's National Walleye Tour Pro Justin Schneider! Justin and Kolbe grew up in the same area and played baseball against each other in school. Now, Justin has been fishing in the NWT for 10 years and has solidified himself as a true professional, all while working a full time job. After a couple of strong outings, Justin currently leads the pack of around 144 pros on the tour for Angler of the Year. The guys talk about recent stops on the tour, the difficulty and beauty of the Winnebago system, the ins and outs of the NWT, Justin's favorite non-walleye fishing hobby - sturgeon spearing, and much more! Tune in to hear some great stories from an awesome guest!
In this episode, Noah and Kolbe have the pleasure of chatting with Mike Arrowood - Chairman of the Board for Walleyes For Tomorrow. Mike started the organization years ago with one goal in mind... to grow the walleye population in the Winnebago system. Today, his goal is unchanged, and Walleyes For Tomorrow has grown to include chapters from all over the state. Over the years, Mike has amassed a wealth of knowledge and information on all things related to walleyes and he shared many of those insights with the guys. They talked about Walleyes For Tomorrow, some of the major projects the organization has completed, what fisherman can do to help the cause, myths and threats that are harmful to the walleye population, the current status of walleyes on Lake Winnebago, and more! If you care about the walleye population in the Winnebago system or you'd like to know more about the ins and outs of conservation, research, and local politics, there aren't too many people who have better insights than Mike Arrowood!
In this episode, the guys have the opportunity to chat with the legendary Dave Constantine! Dave has spent the better part of his life hand carving some of the finest turkey box calls on the market, competing in decorative turkey call competitions, and carving other decorative pieces as well. Dave is a 14 time champion in the decorative turkey call carving competition at the annual Grand National event held at the NWTF convention in Nashville, TN. Many of Dave's decorative pieces have been highly sought after by collectors and some have made their way into the NWTF museum. The guys talk about Dave's unique life story, some of the things he's learned about turkey hunting over the years, and of course, all about Dave's carving career! This was an incredibly cool conversation with one of the greatest carvers of all time, a man who has inspired many, and who's generosity and kindness is evident from the moment of meeting him! This is a "must listen" episode if there ever was one! Enjoy!
In this episode, the guys are joined by the boys from Ahrens Boys Outdoors! Branden Ahrens started their YouTube channel years ago, posting sturgeon spearing content every February. As his kids, Ryker & Radyn, started getting older and started hunting, fishing, and spearing, Branden started filming all of their adventures and the channel started filling up with all kinds of outdoor content. Branden is also the founder of the most popular sturgeon spearing group on Facebook, sturgeon spearing buy, sell, trade, info. The guys chat about the journey of ABO, the 11 year old (Ryker) with 10 turkey kills under his belt, the infamous sport of sturgeon spearing, and everyone's favorite fish of 10,000 casts! This is a great episode featuring a father and his sons, sharing lots of stories, adventures, and memories. Don't forget to check out their YouTube channel!
In this episode, the guys gear up for a true turkey showdown! Everybody has a turkey tag for the second period in Wisconsin which naturally leads to a friendly competition, bets being placed, and plenty of trash talk. Tactics are discussed, plans are made, and the stage is set for a big weekend. The guys also share their thoughts on the recent Aaron Rodgers trade.
In this episode, Jake and Noah venture out of the studio to boil a dead buck they recently found while shed hunting to prepare him for a Euro mount. Along the way, they experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the countryside in the form of planes, trains, and rotting flesh. While the boiling skull provides plenty of entertainment, the guys cover a variety of topics ranging from turkey hunting to sucker spearing to dismemberment, and everything in between! Terry makes a brief guest appearance.
In this episode, the guys discuss the sometimes controversial topic of eating wild game. Most people agree the way you cook wild game meat makes a huge difference in the quality of the meal but what about all the things you can do to ensure a great meal before the cooking even begins? Health benefits, picky eaters, and mouth watering recipes are all topics of discussion. The guys also reveal a new type of content from Buck Fever Outdoors called the Wildgame Kitchen! Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks to discover some new and delicious ways to cook your favorite wild game!
In this episode, the guys chat with Matt Dorow, who boated 40.75 lbs along with his partner Tim Wollack to win the 2023 AIM Weekend Walleye Series Fox River Tournament! Matt has spent the better part of his life chasing walleyes across the Winnebago and Bay of Green Bay systems and has found plenty of success, winning multiple tournaments! The guys discuss the ups and downs of the recent AIM Tournament, treacherous weather conditions on the water, tactics, strategy, and more! Tune in to hear the full details of Matt's outstanding tournament performance and gain some insight to help you better understand how to improve your own chances of success chasing those walleyes!
In this episode, the Buck Fever crew discuss a lifetime worth of turkey hunting debacles. Everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong! Oddly enough, most of these stories involve an excessive amount of "refreshments" and at least one "call from nature." Hotel hot tubs, near death experiences, and rainbow turkeys are all topics of conversation. If you love a good hunting story, this episode is worth a listen!
In this episode, Jake and Noah are joined by Brian and Parker Wendt from Wendt Outdoors!! The guys chat about a recent fishing trip involving treacherous weather conditions, the ancient technology of trail cameras, the ups and downs of filming while hunting, and the sightings of various albino critters. Brain and Parker also tell tales of deer, turkey, bear, elk, bobcat, and moose hunts! This is a "can't miss" episode packed full of great stories, interesting topics, and lots of laughs with a couple of awesome guests!
In this episode, the guys focus on why springtime is the best time of year to scout for whitetails. They go over a variety of reasons while sharing stories of sleeping in deer beds, overflowing waders, strangely thirsty deer, and smuggling "questionably legal" bug spray. Tune in to find out exactly why and how to scout for deer in the spring and how it could lead to a higher chance of success this fall!
In this episode, Jake and Noah are joined virtually by Buck Fever Outdoors team member Eli Jackson! You may remember Eli from multiple videos this past fall where he was either shooting big bucks or filming for Kolbe who was shooting big bucks!! The guys dive into all the details of each successful hunt, discuss the difficulties of self-filming, rehash bad memories of an out of state trip that came up short, and reflect on the intricacies of earning and redeeming "brownie points."
In this episode, Noah is joined by former guest Mike McDowell to give a final farewell to the 2023 sturgeon spearing season! After a while, Jake makes his way into the studio and the guys share their stories from opening weekend! Jake kicked off opening morning by spearing a really solid fish and Noah followed suit just over an hour later by spearing a sturgeon of his own! The next day, Mike speared his first fish in 9 years while sitting with his son, Jeb! What better way to send off the 2023 sturgeon spearing season than to reminisce in the glory of success from a couple of certified sturgeon slayers?!
In this episode, Jake and Noah are joined in the studio by Joel Warner! The guys discuss the old days of sturgeon spearing, kids spearing their first fish, various instances of "shack abuse," and much more! They also attempt to set the record straight on some previous stories which may or may not have been embellished by a former guest! Tune in to hear some great stories of successes, failures, mishaps, and shenanigans from a guy who can tell a story as good as anyone!
In this episode, Jake and Noah are once again joined by Pat Kolbe, only this time Kolbe is here to lead the discussion! The guys cover a wide range of hot topics including favorite cuts of venison, which animal is the most fun to hunt, psychopaths who dissect Nutty Bars, and so much more!! They also discover some interesting facts about each other that leave them thinking they don't even know each other... like how Jake doesn't save the back straps on a deer, Noah doesn't like bacon, and Kolbe may or may not listen to One Direction to get hyped up to go hunting! Lots of good laughs in this one and lots of good debates - enjoy!
In this episode, Noah and Jake are joined in the studio by Mike McDowell! The guys spend the episode covering everything there is to talk about when it comes to sturgeon spearing! Mike has many years of experience chasing sturgeon on Lake Winnebago and offers some insights as to the great traditions that come with the sport and the ways things have changed over the years. They share lots of good stories from successful years past, find out everybody's stance on caviar, and Mike reminisces on a surprising favorite snack from years ago.
In this episode, Noah and Jake discuss ways to overcome the winter blues. For some people, sturgeon spearing is the main event but small game hunting, ice fishing, and shed hunting can be great ways to pass the cold, boring winter months. In other news, we've found ticks in some strange places.
In this episode, Pat Kolbe joins Noah and Jake as the first guest in the new studio! Kolbe has had a growing role at Buck Fever Outdoors over the past few years writing numerous articles and being involved in filming a number of videos for the YouTube channel. Since landing his first permission spot with his buddy Eli back in college, Kolbe has gained a wealth of experience hunting in the bluff country of south western Wisconsin on private and public land, and has been on multiple out of state public land hunting trips. The boys tap into some of Kolbe's insights on hunting public land, scouting new grounds, hunting out of state, and more! Tune in for some good advice, good stories, and a couple good laughs!
In this week's episode, Noah and Jake dive into the world of tree stands. Where should you put them? Which ones should you hunt and when? Which stand gives you the best chance to shoot your target buck? Tips, advice, and some good stories on falling out of tree stands and being harassed by rutting bucks.
In this episode, Noah and Jake discuss a crazy discovery, the demise of Noah's truck, and the best time of year to fill the freezer. Do deer have emotional connections to other deer? Is it a bad idea to shoot pregnant does? How do you make a European mount? All these questions and more will be answered in this episode. Oh yeah, and roadkill stinks.
Welcome to the new and improved Buck Fever Podcast!! We built a brand new studio, upgraded our equipment, and we are super excited to bring you a better listening experience! We have committed to recording episodes much more frequently, providing more ways to listen, bringing on more guests, and covering more exciting topics than we have in the past. Tune in to this episode to get the full scoop on our new show and find out more about what's to come!!