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This Week on The Revolution with Jim and Trav: Whitetail Preseason Playbook
This week on The Revolution with Jim and Trav, we're zeroing in on what you should be doing right now to achieve success this fall in the whitetail woods. Joining us will be Tom McMillan, host of “MCMILLAN”, to discuss the upcoming Sportsman Channel Outdoor Fest plus summer scouting strategies. Then DECKED's own Greg Randolph will aid us in keeping organized as we prepare for falls big game seasons with his truck and van storage systems. Rounding things out from there will be Trent Cole with “Blitz TV” to hammer home proper blind setups and exit methods and Jon LaCorte fromTRACT Optics will open our eyes to his revolutionary approach to optics and saving consumers. Jim and Trav's Whitetail Preseason Playbook is presented by Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network and MyOutdoorTV.
Tom McMillan
People know Tom McMillan as the host of “MCMILLAN” on Sportsman Channel, the Kansas hunting guide that puts his clients on incredible whitetails and also has a great sense of humor. Tom is also the host of the upcoming 2018 Sportsman Channel Outdoor Fest. This week Tom joins The Revolution for a two part interview where he kicks it off talking about the Sportsman Channel Outdoor Fest that will be happening July 20-22 in Houston, Texas at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This 3-day show is a celebration of the outdoors open to the public – a place where those who love and appreciate hunting, fishing and outdoor recreating can come together and pursue their passions in one place. There will be live product demos, giveaways, special events, and a family fun area with activities for children. Plus, Tom says that special appearances will be made from Outdoor Celebrities like himself, Michael Waddell, Brian “Pigman” Quaca, Pat & Nicole Reeve and other pros from Sportsman Channel, Outdoor Channel and World Fishing Network. Tickets can be purchased online at SCOutdoorFest.com or at the show itself, so be sure to check it out!
Then Tom will talk whitetails. He tells Jim and Trav that summer scouting and preparations started a month ago for him and they are crucial. In Kansas where he operates McMillan Outfitting, his guide business, Tom tells Jim and Trav that it is incredibly dry. So, part of his preseason prep has been putting out water tanks and hauling water. He’s also putting out minerals and filling feeders frequently getting everything ready, and bucks patterned, in preparation for his fall clients. Tom says that he wants to know what the bucks are doing, where they are doing it and when they are doing it, so he can better decide where to place stands and then vacate the area and let it calm down before the fall seasons open. When it comes to trail camera scouting, Tom says he doesn’t have his cameras running yet because he wants to minimize the amount of times he accesses the bedding area so as not to push deer out when checking cards or moving camera locations. Tom says that there is a time and place for a higher impact approach and conditioning the deer to your presence. However, exercising restraint and giving deer a sanctuary where you don’t intrude is important for making them feel more comfortable, confident and in turn, more patternable. Tom will also talk about patterning the deer in your area and highlights the possibility of food sources derailing those patterns at the beginning of the season. Tune in for a fun and informative talk with Tom McMillan and be sure to check out the brand-new season of “MCMILLAN” which is airing now on Sportsman Channel, Sundays at 10:30 pm ET.
Trent Cole
Trent Cole is the co-host of “Blitz TV” on Sportsman Channel and a two-time NFL Pro-bowler. Trent joins The Revolution this week to talk whitetails with tips on treestands and blind setups. Trent tells Jim and Trav that deer seem to get smarter all the time as they become more conditioned to our hunting setups. As a result, they shy away from unnatural structures and even have a tendency to look right at your blinds and treestands, which can result in a blown opportunity if you aren’t careful. Trent tells Jim and Trav that blinds need to be placed well ahead of time to give the deer an opportunity to somewhat get used to them. When it comes to blind location there are a couple factors to consider. First, Trent says it depends on what your hunting with – bow or rifle as that will determine the effective and practical distance you can shoot from. Secondly, the wind is crucial. Strategically placing your blind or treestand and also establishing multiple points of entry based on prevailing wind directions can set you up for success. Trent tells Jim and Trav that hunting nice bucks is an opportunity you prepare for all year long with scouting, running trail cameras, habitat work and more, and you don’t want to miss a perfect shot because you were ill prepared. So, he’ll explain how he eliminates any obstructions in the immediate hunting area by cutting limbs, clearing paths on the way to the stand and even managing does. Mature bucks are hard to hunt because they are smart and have learned how to be evasive, so Trent says hunters have to play the game smart and well in order to get those tag filling opportunities. An all new season of “Blitz TV” is airing now on Sportsman Channel, so be sure to check it out!
Jon LaCorte
Optics are a power piece in any hunter’s gear bag. Whether it’s your binoculars or riflescope, having glass that performs can be the difference in filling your tag or walking away empty handed. This week, we’re introducing you to a relatively new company and one that operates a little differently than the big brands you are familiar with. TRACT Optics takes their product directly to the consumer instead of going through supply chains like the big box stores you are used to purchasing your gear from. Co-founder of TRACT Optics, Jon LaCorte, joins us this week to talk about TRACT Optics, how they are able to produce and offer high quality optics at an affordable price through their business model and he’ll also discuss what goes into a pair of their binoculars. Jon says that when spending a lot of money, he understands a person’s desire to touch and feel the product they are getting first. When ordering online, that’s not possible. However, he tells Jim and Trav that they offer a 30-day guarantee so that buyers can purchase and then return them if they aren’t happy, for any reason, and get their money back, essentially taking the risk out of the purchase. Jon tells Jim and Trav that having your optics delivered right to your door eliminates wasting your time on seeking out different retailers to find the product you want, comparing prices and more.
We have not personally used TRACT Optics, but we’re always looking for new products that our listeners deserve to know about and then form their own opinions. They have a variety of products at affordable price points that are backed up by two co-founders that have years of experience in the optics industry. Check out TRACT Optics and see what you think.
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About The Revolution with Jim & Trav
Airing on more than 515 radio and cable stations in the U.S., as well as on American Forces Radio Network, The Revolution with Jim & Trav is a popular radio show and podcast geared towards outdoor enthusiasts. The award-winning program is heard by a projected audience of more than 7.2 million listeners in 35 states in the U.S., in addition to all Canadian provinces. In 2013, The Revolution became the official radio show of Outdoor Channel, and has since expanded to be the official radio show for Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network. For program times, stations and other information, visit www.jimandtrav.com or www.OutdoorChannel.com/Revolution. Follow The Revolution on Facebook and Twitter and also listen on iTunes. #TheRevolution