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The rut is heating up, and Alex Rutledge and Redbone are breaking down how to read the woods and adjust your deer-hunting strategy. On this episode of American Roots Outdoors, they discuss trail-camera clues, inactive scrapes, rub lines, doe activity, and how to put the evidence together to choose your next setup.

They also explore doe harvest and herd management, food sources, rifle practice, safe shot selection, and getting young hunters into the outdoors. Plus, catch local sports and Ozarks community updates, followed by a podcast-only recipe segment featuring cheesy venison noodles and homemade teriyaki deer jerky.

Season dates and hunting regulations discussed reflect the recording. Verify current requirements with your state wildlife agency before heading afield.

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation:
https://www.mhhf.us/

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In Part 3 of the Pre-Rut series, Alex Rutledge and the crew are joined by Senior Conservation Agent Brad Hadley from the Missouri Department of Conservation. They break down youth hunt harvest numbers, bear season updates, hunting safety tips, and new MDC regulations for 2027. Plus, Alex shares essential pre-rut strategies — finding water sources, rattling techniques, WiseEye camera tactics, scrape hunting, and the importance of patience.

Stick around for the bonus segment with a garlic herb cowboy venison backstrap recipe and Cavender's seasoned fried catfish!

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation:
https://www.mhhf.us/

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Join Alex Rutledge and Redbone for American Roots Outdoors as they break down pre-rut hunting strategies, scrape tactics, and deer vocalization. Featuring MDC Senior Agent Brad Hadley on Missouri youth season, deer harvest statistics, and bear hunting updates. Plus an emotional St. Jude story, Halloween chili recipes, and gear talk from Spandau, Hornady, Eagle Seed & Wise Eye Technologies.

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation:
https://www.mhhf.us/

To follow American Roots Outdoors Podcast:
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https://americanrootsoutdoors.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRootsOutdoors/

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Join Alex Rutledge and the American Roots Outdoors crew for an in-depth look at the pre-rut phase of whitetail deer hunting. Recorded live at K Country 95, this episode covers current events, deer population management with conservation agents Brad Hadley and Gavin Cox, and the critical importance of harvesting does. Legendary hunter Tommy "Tomcat" Garner shares decades of pre-rut hunting wisdom, from buck behavior and decoying strategies to scrape lines and moon-phase timing. Then, Kentucky hunter Jamie Ashley calls in to recount his incredible 202-inch pre-rut buck harvest — a 16-point giant that gained 70 inches in a single year. The bonus segment features wild game cooking tips, a smoked "over-the-top" chili recipe, a new podcast launch, and plenty of Ozarks storytelling. Sponsored by Eagle Seed, Wise Eye Technologies, 12 Point Hunting Blinds, Hornady Ammunition, and Spandow Arms.

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation:
https://www.mhhf.us/

To follow American Roots Outdoors Podcast:
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https://americanrootsoutdoors.com/

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Host Alex Rutledge and Redbone welcome conservation agent Brad Hadley to discuss hunting rules, regulations, CWD, and white-nose syndrome in Missouri's Ozarks. Then, special guest Rickey Maples shares the inspiring story behind Revival on the Current River — a Christian music festival and community celebration in Van Buren, Missouri featuring American Idol finalists, a car show, kids' activities, and more. Plus, a bonus segment with Rickey's favorite recipes and cooking tips.

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation:
https://www.mhhf.us/

To follow American Roots Outdoors Podcast:
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To learn more about American Roots Outdoors:
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Join Alex Rutledge and Redbone on American Roots Outdoors as they welcome Missouri Conservation Agent Brad Hadley and Wise Eye Technologies CEO Harold Monk. Brad breaks down Missouri's hunting history from the first 1944 deer season to today's declining hunter recruitment, and debunks a viral fake MDC news release about fining drivers for hitting deer. Harold shares Wise Eye's latest trail camera innovations, including AI-powered picture filtering and the game-changing DC2 camera. The show wraps with a bonus segment on Cajun cooking — gumbo, roux, andouille sausage, and the perfect way to feed a hunting camp.

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation:
https://www.mhhf.us/

To follow American Roots Outdoors Podcast:
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To learn more about American Roots Outdoors:
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This week on American Roots Outdoors, Alex Rutledge sits down with legendary whitetail hunter Spook Spann — a man with 22 Boone & Crockett bucks over 200 inches taken with a bow, and a hunting career spanning from Canada to Mexico. Spook shares the mental preparation and visualization techniques he learned as an athlete that translate directly to archery success, the incredible story of his greatest hunt (a 230-inch Kansas buck stalked at six yards), and surviving a helicopter crash while sheep hunting in Kyrgyzstan. Plus, conservation agent Brad Hadley joins to break down Missouri hunting regulations and the dangers of relying on AI for legal advice. The bonus segment features Spook and Marty's favorite venison recipes and the story of his latest mule deer kill. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just love a great outdoor story, this episode is packed with passion, faith, and dedication.

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation:
https://www.mhhf.us/

To follow American Roots Outdoors Podcast:
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To learn more about American Roots Outdoors:
https://americanrootsoutdoors.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRootsOutdoors/

To follow Alex Rutledge:
https://www.facebook.com/americanrootsalex/
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