116. Reaction hunt in Michigan resulted in taking an 11 point

This 11 point kill was a result of me reacting to hearing a deep guttural grunt in some open timber, while hunting just inside the interior of a cattail and tall marsh grass swamp the morning prior.
It was the first time I had hunted such open timber for a mature buck in Michigan since the 1970's as mature bucks in heavily hunted areas rarely move through open timber during daylight unless with a hot doe, so hunting in such areas is typically a waste of my time.
However, he moved through the open timber an hour after daybreak and on my departure that morning I searched the area he went through and found some fresh scrapes and set up a maple tree and hunted it that evening and the next morning in the rain. Took him shortly after daybreak while working one of the scrapes.

[@dexxgaming9519]

Lost my dad in 2016, an avid hunter with plenty of 180+ deer taken in Michigan. He only taught me so much before he passed as I was only 15. Watching your videos I’ve learned quite a lot from them. I appreciate your hard work and dedication John thank you for the videos and expertise and keep doin your thing!

[@AMpufnstuf]

That's incredible. As someone who wasn't raised to hunt or raised by hunters, hearing 180 deer taken by one man is super impressive. What age do you think he started at?

[@phastphigures9334]

Congratulations Mr. Eberhart! Thanks for sharing and always teaching!

[@MexicanMovie]

the all time King of deer bowhunting strikes again !!!! Thanks for uploading the video John, i can't wait to get your new book that you're writing !

[@bikerbrandon1]

Thank you for sharing your expertise and personal experiences you have made me a better hunter and I feel so much more confident after learning from you over the last few years.

[@watchhuntbetter]

Love the emphasis on woodsmanship! Congrats on a great buck, John!

[@kevinanderson4610]

Congratulations John! That’s a very nice buck. As usual your attention to detail and woodsman ship led to a great success story.

[@Echo_5_Charlie]

Congratulations John!! VERY nice buck!

[@star-b-qpodcast54]

Best EO video yet. Congratulations John!

[@PacificNorthwestBowhunting]

Nothing like reading the situation and capitalizing on it! That first set up on hot sign can be magical! Congratulations, John!

[@kendallinman606]

Thank you for sharing this, love all your videos. This will be my second year using your scent control program I now have three complete Scentlok suits. Now I just hunt. I have seen for myself how your system works, I’ll never hunt any other way. Thank you and God bless

[@lcjjr.6714]

Great buck John! Congratulations!

[@MrArcher51]

Must have been the scent free undies that got it done 😅

[@DeltaFlaugeOutdoors]

Great video John, need to get you on for another podcast last years was awesome.

[@captainmannwhatever]

Awesome buck! Love the videos from the tree.

[@richarddean3154]

Nice buck - congratulations.

[@SwampDonkey07]

You see that giant Dan infalt just shot on public In Wisconsin with no scent lock?

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

Congratulations John great buck!

[@briancourtney3451]

In your 2021 video showing you practicing from your roof, you said that you were using The G5 Striker X 4 blade broadhead. I wasn't sure I got the name of the head you used in KS on your 12-15 hunt. Are you still using the 4 blade? I am an old guy that will be using a low draw weight bow. I wonder what broadhead will give good penetration. Thanks John. Congrats on another MI buck.

[@gfalk3972]

Sometimes you have to break your own rules. Another great job! Congratulations!!!

[@kennethrogers1129]

Apparently he was living in that area undisturbed for quite a while, good job scouting and responding to the situation

[@paulwakefield1015]

just started the video but my gawd, i'm with you John, i can not believe a mature deer would walk through that during daylight. crazy

[@mikefromoh2925]

Beautiful deer congrats John!

[@decaturridgebees8761]

Nice buck john. He doesn’t look that old either maybe 2.5-3.5? Thoughts?

[@tannerlamb6501]

Another book buck in Michigan, congratulations John I’m very grateful you share these videos ! They will be around forever, people will always know the legend John Eberhart 👍🏻

[@alannewhart5901]

Awesome buck congrats fella

[@Seeking_Solitide]

Congrats John!

[@elncalls]

I guess big bucks do venture into open timber during shooting light.

[@jasonbrownlee5151]

Nice buck John

[@zr20s]

John what is your opinion on food on a property either ag or food plots? Do you feel a majority wooded and grassland property needs food plots if there’s big ag fields 1/2 mile away?

[@mattsandlin1229]

What’s the name of that scent free detergent you buy again?

[@2cthetruth]

John, how far into the woods do you go on average to find public land spots? What’s the furthest you would go considering having to pull a big buck out by yourself?

[@2cthetruth]

Thank you for your videos!

[@scottterrill3442]

Congrats John, The Ess strikes again.

[@lisamcqueen8509]

Nice hunt, and fine buck, too!

[@josephhenderson7044]

Hi John how do I contact you? I have several questions.

[@NManitou]

Congrats on a great buck. I wonder if the bumper crop of nuts influenced the movement.

[@davetoms63]

Well done John. Ive learned to never say never over the years :)

[@Im.hurtnLinda]

John did u use cranford screw in steps when u set up this location on private?

[@jason6325]

JOHN.PLEASE HELP. Ive been watching, listning to your videos and podcasts for about 3 years now. I have to say I'm probly you're biggest fan. Your scent control regiment is second to none. I can honestly say In the last 2 seasons i have been doing exactly what you preach. As much as i can. I am being 100% truthful when i sayi have not been winded since. But I'm having 1 problem!! My boots!!! I've always wore lacrosse " rubber" boots in the mild weather. But now it's getting cold. And i have never worn any of the insulated rubber boots. I don't know which ones are the best as far as being scent free. I've been wearing my rocky lace ups and the deer are smelling my steps as soon as they hit where i walked they lock up. It's driving me nuts Because i let the majority of the deer walk waiting on a mature buck and the does and young bucks are picking my footsteps up. Please help. I don't have allot of money so want to pick a pair and not waste my money. Should i use neoprene? Or is there a rubber boot that is insulated? Thank you. Congratulations on a very nice buck sir.

[@robertgould1477]

Muck Arctic Pro (not the sports) will get you through most late November, early December in Michigan. Baffin Titans for the coldest hunts. One thing about the Baffin Titans, your pant legs may not fit over them depending on the suit you’re wearing. However, Scentlok Hydrotherm bibs fit over the Baffins no problem.

[@jason6325]

@@robertgould1477 ok. Thank you very much. I guess John doesn't reply to the comment section. I've been looking and looking trying to decide which ones to buy. My main thing is scent control. And staying warm. I love my Rockys as they have great traction and keep my feet warm. But them deer pick the scent up every time they cross my path. Thank you sir for the recommendations. I'm about to check then out right now. Thanks again.

[@robertgould1477]

No problem. John is a busy guy. He’s helped me out a ton over the years. I’m happy to pass along his advice. One other thing about the Baffins. New ones can come with a very strong factory rubber smell. Leave them and their pack inserts out in the sun as much as possible until next season to kill that smell.

[@jason6325]

@@robertgould1477 I've looked at the much and the baffins. Those baffins are nice. Real rubber and seen to be the warmest boot out there. Thanks slot for the help friend.

[@johnmusto5287]

Congratulations Godfather you are definitely the man

[@underdogoutdoors]

Great Michigan buck!

[@thedangler1371]

Great video and deer John! It’s good to see u succeed! Most hunters would only dream of hunting in trees at the height you do. I’m 45 and when I get to 18 feet I’m shaking and my legs feel weak Lol. 12 to 15 is my comfort zone in a tree. Anyways love your content and tips. Those Baffin boots are the best bang for the buck in December snow. Love those boots. Keep on making videos John. Always look forward to seeing them

[@mattsandlin1229]

Nice Michigan buck !

[@deerhearse4895]

Nice one John!!

[@cooterbrown1703]

Good buck congrats.

[@TKoutdoor]

Great buck! On what day was he taken? Maybe I missed it in the video. Thanks

[@MY_OUTDOORS.]

Great video 👍

[@deerhuntingwithrickthepeas7870]

You did it again!

[@Weaselcamp1]

John, have you ever hunted the U.P. of Michigan?

[@tonysobina8390]

Congratulations, John! Very Nice Buck and Hunt and taking advantage of what You were seeing..Setting up on a moments notice! When you prepped the new spot, did You set up with sticks? Just curious..Thanks!

[@timbow50]

Great looking buck there. Nice mass. Was lucky to see his scraps/rub line and work off that. One of the most simple and basic ways to hunt, especially in a new area. People just need to learn to be observant and see what happening in the woods. Mostly common sense. Just use your eyes and nose. You can learn a lot that way. Scraps usually smell enough for even humans to pick up the odor etc. Use the information the animals leave behind.

[@charlesdecker6342]

That's awesome congrats stud deer

[@akehurstoutdoorproductions5898]

Would you consider this buck a 3 yr old, John?

[@jerryjennings4504]

Nice buck

[@allannesss7782]

Say what you want about John, he can be to the point and very opinionated. BUT, he’s also a living legend!

[@michaelconley6245]

Congrats john how many bucks have u killed now......?

[@AaronTurnwald]

Congrats! Wow that was a blowed out woods. A squirrel shouldnt even feel safe there.

[@noaheberhart5452]

Lol my last name is Eberhart I love how our last name is rare but has an amazing history

[@philipmedlin8902]

Why do you never show the shot ??????? 😅

[@michiganwoodsman2199]

You said you WILL Never ever hunt open timber!!!!! And yet their you are hunting it.

[@LouStoriale]

Way to adapt!

[@kevinflaherty7592]

You're correct that is open timber, especially to kill a 3 year old there.nice!

[@williamcantrell1549]

John’s good but he’s no Dan Infalt.

[@2cthetruth]

Dan spooks more deer from being stinky than he can afford. He hardly gets deer anymore. Gets lucky once in awhile, but don’t we all?

[@ikerapt6702]

they're different. very different. I'd say they're about equal in overall skill. Also both are incredible at being full of themself. great hunters though

[@decaturridgebees8761]

Lol, two different guys that can get it done. No need to be in the turf war. Very different styles

[@allannesss7782]

What’s a douche comment.

[@mattboyden4297]

My best buddy is a Dan follower and I'm a John guy. My buddy is a doe spiker type and I'm a decent buck type

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

And all that talk about the old men getting old and sick and swamp woods lol u didn't even get the buck on video camera

[@shaneshonda]

Huh

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

@@shaneshonda what do you mean huh you don't remember what you said in your own video I should have known better than to subscribe I mean seriously watch it all the way to the end with no action at all and then you show a buck that you already killed really seriously come on man

[@jeffpops5290]

Can barely hear you and volume is maxed

[@thetrooper1061]

Two year old buck

[@CDP151]

Great buck, John!!! Congrats

[@kennethrogers1129]

Apparently he was living in that area undisturbed for quite a while, good job scouting and responding to the situation