My Greatest Challenge, Update from Jordan | Bowhunting Whitetails w/ Bill Winke

I still have a decent chance to tag one or both of those older bucks that are still on the farm. The trick now is figuring out how to sneak into feeding areas with snow on the ground. It will be critical not to make a single hunt unless everything is perfect - the entry and and exit is bulletproof and I feel certain one of them will be there feeding. The entire rest of the season may hinge on that very first hunt. I discuss the challenges in this episode. Jordan re-joins the series to give an update on her injury recovery timeline.

[@PerryCountyWhitetails]

“I don’t have to shoot stuff to love hunting “. Great quote that defines a true hunter. Thanks Bill & Jordan

[@gfalk3972]

I love that you all hunt together and your vids are real and show the reality of true hunting! Keep it up!!!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks. Much appreciated. We appreciate the support and the comment. Have a great week.

[@ernestroger3326]

Jordan , so glad to hear you are on the mend . You have the right attitude ; stick to it ! (I know you will) . As a 74 year old , over the last year I have lost a lot of muscle mass in my bow arm , resulting in a lot of pain to the point where I had to miss this year’s archery season . I couldn’t draw 40 pounds (35 was also tough) , which is the legal requirement here in New York . So, I am lifting weights trying to regain strength so that I can hunt archery next year . 20 yards and in is my effective range . Keep up the good work !

[@bill-winke]

Ernest, I am betting on you to make that work. Good luck and thanks for the kind words. Have a great day.

[@patrickwolf4373]

Hi Jordan and Bill, Thanks for your videos and great content! Jordan, I hope you’ll continue to mend and soon get back to all your activities! Bill, your hunts are never boring to your audience - you always have good take-away insights even when the deer aren’t moving! Thanks again!

[@shaneallison3370]

So good to have you back Jordan “head,shoulder,knees and toes 😂. Typically this far into our gun season all I do is sit in my different locations and think how I might make it better for next years bow season. We still have a late bow season but it most certainly is tough like you guys are explaining. Thanks Bill and Jordan

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Shane. Yes, even on the other farm with all its deer and nice bucks, late season was always tough. This farm should be good late, but even then it is not going to be easy. As I said, the margin for error in the late season is very thin. Have a great day. We appreciate the support and comment.

[@searchingfor6thgear44]

Thank you for a real channel where you experience life and share its ups and downs. May God speed Jordan’s recovery and bless the hunts of all y’all.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks for the comment and the well wishes. We really appreciate it.

[@robertfmccarthy2360]

Stay strong, good seeing Jordan (and Dad) hunting even if it’s not on the farm.

[@RED_ONE_BOWHUNTING]

Love your content Bill. And great to see Jordan healing up. Your videos are simple and honest. I pick up a little bit of knowledge every episode. Keep up the great work.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks for the comment RedOne. We appreciate the support. Have a great day.

[@jamesgalvin8581]

Love your content. Tell your Daughter I say a prayer each day to heal.

[@HoughGroup]

Very honest and open discussion that this 40 year veteran appreciates! SW Iowa hit hard with EHD so appreciate what you guys have up in NE or north central Iowa. 🦌 Our daughter ran track at Notre Dame 2006-2009 and stress fractures galore. Her senior year she finished in DC working and studying. No track. Best of luck late season! Always fun to see you two in the deer woods! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Winkes!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Tony, I appreciate it and hope you are doing well. EHD is not as prevalent up here in northern Iowa, but I guess it does occur. I don't miss that part of owning land in southern Iowa. I got wiped out in 2012. Very sad to watch. Good luck there! Jordan ran at Iowa for a year until back to back stress fractures took her out. Anyone with low bone density needs to carefully manage mileage. Jordan just loves to run and would run all day long if she could. With that mindset, she has to be very careful. Wishing you and your family a great Christmas.

[@jamosley96]

Praying for Jordan and a speedy recovery. Looking forward to seeing how you take on these challenges Bill. I’m already looking forward to next season.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Heal up fast Jordan. Excited to see you back out running!

[@briditt2812]

What I've learned from hunting the big hills in northern Pa is once the folage is off or the woods are open you can't come in from the bottoms. They will see you and blow out of there before u get to the top of the ridges. Gotta find a way to come in from top or steep drainage where they won't see you at all. Being the national forest I have a lot more options to get in though..

[@bill-winke]

Agreed, but being national forest you also have a lot less options to improve access from below. I still think that if I can make the cover thick enough they won't be able to see me as long as I use sensible routes. Getting in from the top is possible, but would have me traveling through even more bedding areas than getting in from below. I have to find a good solution to go up there from the valley near the buildings. Good input and I appreciate it.

[@donnieharman4585]

I hope you heal well, really missed you on the show. Enjoy watching you and your father together.

[@Wadeboutdoors]

Good luck in the late season. I hope Jordan heals quickly and has a timely recovery. Get well soon.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks. We appreciate the comment and the encouragement. Good luck to you too.

[@teddyoliverjr4463]

Great seeing Jordan back and better! Get all the way better and get back out there and get that buck maybe next year but you'll get em!! Remember always dream big!!!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Teddy. Much appreciated. Have a great day.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Huge thanks for update and explanation of properties and instructions. Glad Jordan is progressing. Bless your heart on another injury and fracture. Take care. Happy hunting.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks for the comment and the support. We appreciate that along with your well wishes for Jordan. Good luck to you too.

[@Alianderfarm]

I’m in agreement with the 66 year old veteran. He is spot on correct. I’m 68 and played a lot of sports and my body is still dealing with teen and early 20’s sports injury. If I had to do it over I would have chosen swimming or something not so pounding of the body. I wish you wisdom and full body healing. Life is precious and it goes fast.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks for the good word. You are so right. Have a great day.

[@AppalachianAsain]

Bill, nice bringing your daughter into your/her quest. Get well soon little lady, and good hunting 🙏🏻👍🏻🦌🇺🇸

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Tommy. W appreciate it. Have a great day.

[@jeffmarshall7843]

"i dont have to shoot stuff to love hunting" great quote bill. i feel the same way!!

[@bill-winke]

The more I hunt, the more I love the quest and the one on one pursuit of a specific buck even if he isn't a big one. That really bit poor Ethan this year. He got obsessed with the Flyer Buck and never thought of any other deer. It can definitely happen. I hunted one buck in 2010 for 55 straight days and never saw him. Had a couple of trail cam photos to keep me going. I swore I would never hunt a buck like that again. But, the quest was definitely memorable. Have a great day.

[@brob-zy8zi]

I felt the sting of injuries over the last couple years too. Since early 2021 I've ruptured both of my distal biceps tendons. I'm lucky that I've been able to hunt with a crossbow while I continued to heal from my surgeries but it's not easy getting back in the saddle bow hunting. I'm finally allowed to go back to work tomorrow after 3 months off. My latest repair was at the end of August. I looked funny going out to check trail cameras in a 90⁰ arm splint😂. I have a feeling I'm going to need to start out at low low poundage on a compound and work my way back up. I wish you the best in your continued recovery!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks and dang, that is a rough stretch. I am glad you are healing. Don't worry about draw weight. I killed a doe with a shoulder shot using Jordan's bow at 35 pounds. You will do just fine when you make your comeback. Good luck and thanks for the comment.

[@brob-zy8zi]

@@bill-winke Thank you!

[@dwileeta2023-fp8wj]

Jordan, wishing a swift recovery.

[@shadowdawg04]

Wising you all the best, health is such a integral part of our lives... take care of yourself!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks ShadowDawg. We appreciate the comment and the good word. Have a great day.

[@kurtpearson2793]

I’m in SE MN. My buddy in central Iowa sent trail cam pics. 😛. My goodness, what a difference age makes. Multiple mature bucks on one camera that would once in a lifetime deer anywhere else. Super cool-

[@bill-winke]

That's the "secret" Kurt. Just let them reach 5 years old and it is a different looking animal! Even where I am at, that is tough. It takes really good neighborhoods to do that consistently. Good luck.

[@lwdeer1]

I've been enjoying your videos .Love the family connection! Jordan, next year is yours!

[@bill-winke]

I agree. Next year she will be much better off - I sure hope! Thanks for the comment and support.

[@takurghar1621]

I really like this channel and learn a lot. Wish I had a place to offer as you would be more than welcome here in Nebraska. I think one of the misconceptions people have is that if own property, it is automatically good/easy hunting. The work and effort you are taking us along on show that good hunting takes effort and dedication to develop. Wish Jordan the best, recovery can be a long road sometimes. Hope your late season hunts go well.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Takur. You make a good point. Owning land is in some ways worse than getting permission. With permission you can move on if it is tough, but when you own it you feel compelled to make it better and tough it out anyway - which is OK. That is part of the satisfaction. Also, people need to realize that when you buy land, it was very likely heavily hunted before you bought it so the deer are either skittish or they are very limited. Only when buy land in a good deer management neighborhoods does buying land immediately equal good hunting. Good insight. Have a great day.

[@gregbunn4642]

Hope you heal up soon young lady. Always enjoy y'alls show.

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

Sorry jordan ill be praying for u , hope u have a great Christmas, good to see you back w your dad

[@markabney]

Good luck in Nebraska and safe travels!!! Can’t wait to see the results of your trip!!!

[@bill-winke]

Mark, the guy who invited me to hunt says he has not seen a mature buck on his farm in 22 days of hunting and suggested we not come out. We may go anyway. Even slow hunting is better than no hunting. Thanks for the comment.

[@midwesternoutdoorsandnatur8272]

Welcome back young lady! Thanks for the updates guys. I really have enjoyed following the season and look forward to watching your place develop. Bill has gun season activity there dropped off? It really has here in IL. I’ve owned this place for 26 years and it’s drastically changed on gun season pressure. Literally heard less than 20 shots this year. Our deer numbers are stable to growing.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks. I appreciate the support and comment. I think gun pressure has dropped off. I didn't see much orange and heard very few shots on Saturday. It was amazing how much it changed in southern Iowa during the 25 years I owned land down there. At first it was like a war zone and then by the end, I would be surprised to hear a shot all day on opening day. People stopped hunting the regular firearms season and switched over to the late muzzleloader season. Some dropped out, probably, but the late season was a lot more active.

[@martinvandoren1497]

Jordan, take care of yourself. Too many stress fractures, it’s a vicious cycle. Glad to hear you are feeling better.

[@specag31]

Jordan, listen to a 66 year old veteran and retired federal agent on federal workers comp; they arent just bones. Every break, sprain, stress fracture, etc., costs you heavily as you age. Knee replacement after six surgeries and an ACL replacement, four back surgeries including a fusion at L5,S1 that did not work. I can barely walk somedays. In a sense I'm lucky, the government is taking pretty good care of me and I earned it. Would i do it all again? Yup, but focus on resilience training much more. I shrugged off the injuries at your age as well. Don't!

[@ryangiancola6528]

Well done on the self reflection. My property is almost the same hilly draws. I make those drainage draws thick so I can get In out clean. My stands are on the saddle or just off ridge that cuts their travel corridors. Your a good guy bill, that daughter of yours and your guy’s relationship is all that really matters. Cheers

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Ryan. I appreciate the comment and the kind words. I do plan to increase the thickness of the cover all over the farm during the next few years by cutting down junk timber (TSI). I am sure that will really help to keep them from seeing me. I am not 100% sure they are seeing me now. With so little activity around the food plots in daylight, even when I wasn't there, it was hard to tell if there was a drop-off when I hunted it. Actually, that's not true. There wasn't a drop off, but I still need to improve my approach lanes long-term.

[@archeryonly5629]

Thanks for the update on the farm and Jordan!!!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks and good luck this late season.

[@mitchellgenz1373]

Get well soon Jordan, great video as always.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Mitchell. Have a great day.

[@davidvalentine9392]

Jordan, get well soon!!! Hopefully you can make it out for the late season.

[@raystaver2431]

Jordan, here's hoping you continue to heal. Stay positive!

[@triaxwilliamswilliams8948]

She's a smart little cookie. Great job guys!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Triax. Have a great day and good luck.

[@donaldbowling8620]

Good to see you young lady. Finish that rehab accordingly. Don’t push it. It’s not worth it right now. Good luck in Nebraska Bill.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Donald. Much appreciated. Have a great day.

[@gouchmcdougal7831]

I totally agree with you Bill. I really love being in the woods. I do not have to kill things. Because I do a lot more hunting than harvesting. Great to hear Jordan is back. It’s the holiday season young lady. Just rest up , heal up , and eat up!!! Bill , ordered my Code of Silence bins and jacket yesterday. Can’t wait to try out the gear. And I talked to a guy this evening that said he use to work with you at High Country in Dunlap Tennessee? Is this true? I believe him. ?? Luke 9:62

[@bill-winke]

Gouch, that could well be true. I worked there from Jan. 1991 through Aug. 1991 (roughly). That was how I got my start in the hunting industry. There was a guy there in the marketing department named Greg Tinsley. Greg left there and went to work for Petersen's Bowhunting as the editor about the time I left. He bought a few articles from me after that, which kept us in groceries at a critical time. That is how it started. Brings back a lot of memories. A very humble beginning to be sure. Have a great day.

[@RS-ms1bz]

Jordan looked like she was freezing. Bill, thanks for taking us along with you this season. I've been unable to hunt at all this fall due to family circumstances, but I enjoyed watching your successes and struggles and trying to figure out your farm. You'' figure it out, it just takes time and experiences. Have a wonderful holiday season to you and your family!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks and yes, I am sure she was freezing. But that is how they learn! Just kidding. I am sorry you weren't able to hunt. Hopefully next season. Have a great Christmas season.

[@ericbowhunter]

Good luck in Nebraska! Get well soon Jordan!

[@grinder881]

Jordan. I'm sure you've tried this, but I thought I would suggest it if you haven't. I have a lady friend who had a stress fracture of the tibia (you said you've had 4) and she took blood work and it was determined she was very low on calcium. She had to take calcium supplements, wear a compression sleeve for a while and changed her running structure. She was landing on her mid-sole back to her heel and a preventative injury running coach changed her style so she lands on her toes every stride. Like I said I'm sure you've tried all this, but as a fellow runner I wanted to tell you what worked for her and maybe you as well. I know you are itching to get back to running, but make sure you are healed 100% and get back into it slowly. I'll say a prayer for you and good running and good luck hunting next year.

[@jasonliggett1841]

Speedy recovery young lady!

[@richarddean3154]

This was an excellent video. Jordan has a great attitude - "bones heal" and Bill is really thinking his way through a tough situation - land that doesn't set up well for easy access. Personally, I would screen the pathway to the ridge with either cedars or switch grass, leaving a wide enough path for the four wheeler when you have to use it. Additionally, I would reduce the size of the lower fields and replace tree cover on the spine of the high fields, essentially splitting the high ground into two fields separated by a treeline and also reduce their overall size. Good luck moving forward - I am glad you are struggling a bit - it makes you more like a mortal and less like Superman (Superhunter).

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Richard. It is tough to get stuff to grow along that trail for two reasons. 1. I need to keep it wide enough to get equipment up through there. 2. It will be shaded most of the year making it hard to grow something there. I am convinced that the bigger solution is to move the screen to the deer. I would rather the farm be thick enough that they can't see down the slope when bedded. I did that on the other farm I owned and it worked well. But that will take a lot of cutting. In the end that is the ideal solution: better screening, more browse and better habitat for both deer and ruffed grouse (of which we have a few). I think there are things we can do to screen within the field itself though (and the fringes), as you note. Thanks for the input and the comment. Have a great day.

[@paulbernitt3559]

Those cedars make a great walking cover area. On my property in Crawford County WI, I use the contours of the land in the woods to navigate through the woods. I hunt my property based on known travel routes from 1 property to the other/one bedding area to the other....so not just my bedding areas. I think you will have great success on your food plots as the year progresses and hunger increases. Might be worth while to harvest the food plots other than just 1 to narrow down traffic to best access locations. Hope you are feeling better Jordan!

[@bill-winke]

That is smart Paul. I think the very best stands for the rut are the ones between two doe bedding areas. I think the late season will be good to, so I have to be really smart about how I hunt it to make the best of it. I do want these deer to be super healthy, not just easy to hunt. I have learned that you can make deer easier to hunt by stressing them (limited food, limited water, limited cover) but you make them healthy by reducing stress and that eventually leads to really good looking bucks and fat does that produce super healthy fawns that in turn become big bucks, etc. It is a much better spiral than the one where the deer are always looking for something they don't have. Have a great day.

[@lawrencehaley1084]

I enjoy the family videos. I had stopped watching midwest whitetail because. Its only about a big deer. I watched one the other day and they had 27 sponcer mentions. Id much rather watch you hunt. Enjoy your christmas. Im hoping you have a christmas message.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Lawrence. I appreciate it. I too have to find a balance between sponsors (making money to pay staff - and me) and pure hunting. Hopefully we are striking a good balance. I will definitely put out another Christmas Story episode. That is my favorite one of the year. Have a great day and Merry Christmas to you too.

[@BrandonBrowne96]

Maybe you need to sleep at the base of the tree again to avoid bumping them by the entry and exit. Good luck to you bill and prayers for a quick recovery Jordan.

[@bill-winke]

Yes, that would work. I would have done that but for the cameraman. Everything gets so much harder when it becomes two people sneaking around and two people moving in the tree, and more than twice as much gear. But, I did think about it. Not for late season though. I would die, even in the blind it would be really cold (probably worse) since it is above the ground. The air circulating under the blind would always be the outside temp. You could never warm it up like you can when sleeping on the ground. Have a great day.

[@triaxwilliamswilliams8948]

Glad to see you venturing out to Nebraska away from the farm also Bill.

[@bill-winke]

The guy who invited me to hunt says he has not seen a mature buck on his farm in 22 days of hunting and suggested I not come out. I may go anyway. Even slow hunting is better than no hunting. Have a great day.

[@georgehelzer7569]

Hate that for Jordan. That's rough. Her season was looking exciting early on. I love home deer. I try to live on the property I hunt. I love to be able to constantly monitor and work at a moments notice. It has really helped me be successful over the years especially that I work a regular job, but I am able to work from home.

[@bill-winke]

Being able to hunt right out your back door is a huge advantage. You can get a few hours in when otherwise, if you had to drive to the area, you might not. Good luck and thanks for the concern and comment.

[@GSOutdoorsTV]

Praying for a speedy recovery! All part of God’s plan… great things are in store for you just keep goin!

[@mikejohnson2874]

I hunt in southeast Iowa. It has not been a stellar season for me and quite challenging. Biggest issues I faced was weather, acorns, and more acorns. Ugh! The weather was warmer and the wind varied a lot causing it to swirl. Got busted quite a few times especially when hunting funnels. We were in a drought most of the summer, but the rain came at the right times and there are acorns everywhere! Still a bunch of them on the ground. It sounded like it was raining in the timber. This kept them out of the row crop and my food plots a lot more making it way more challenging to fill tags.

[@Oldplace-xc7pb]

I've been struggling too. I hunt on family land that's been in the family since the 1800s. Sometimes it is a struggle but it puts us in our place.

[@bill-winke]

That's right. As soon as you think you have it figured out, they humble you again. Good luck.

[@jimmywaters4599]

Greetings from Alabama again! Wanted to see if you could do a show about over pressure and burn out stands, and hear your thoughts on how to turn those deer around and reverse the nocturnal behavior. Get well soon Jordan! Good luck in Nebraska! And remember to always dream BIG!!All my best, jimmy

[@johnoblak9631]

You nailed it....I was thinking hinge cutting to create screening......also some misganthus

[@bill-winke]

Yes, the TSI I have planned will help a ton.

[@johnoblak9631]

@@bill-winke ya it's worked well for me.....entry and exit.....I loved that you talked about that.....In my opinion entry and exit is almost more important than a scent control "if" you forfeit your downwind AND come in from downwind.....btw I just subscribed.

[@PeanutButterRipple]

T and Ps up for ya Jordan! hang in there!

[@ClC14862]

Good luck with the healing Jordan. Bill you ought to film your brother n law whacking some of them does at the house lol.

[@grimreaper1134]

Bill we used to hunt “the farm” before you bought it, would like to show you some bucks that came off of there years previous.

[@bill-winke]

I would love to see them. You can hit me up at [e-mail]. Thanks and have a great day.

[@trickymick6229]

Praying for you Jordan 🙏🙏🙏

[@bill-winke]

Thanks TrickyMick. Much appreciated. Have a great day.

[@royguidry1311]

Good update!

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Roy. Much appreciated.

[@archersexton1009]

Speedy recovery jordan❤

[@karlmadsen3179]

I like you two. Great family stuff.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Karl. I appreciate that. Have a great day.

[@adamgreden1682]

Love the videos, hopefully Jordan heals quickly. Can you tell me where you bought the acorns you planted? Thank you

[@bill-winke]

Adam, thanks. We bought them from a guy in SE Iowa. He collects them for a side job to sell mostly to the Iowa, IL and Missouri DNRs for their nurseries, but he also picked some for me. There are other guys in Iowa doing that too. The best way to find them is to ask the state foresters first if they know of anyone and then get a list of private foresters in your state and call them asking if they collect and sell acorns and if not, if they know of anyone that does. Eventually you will find a source. Or if the projects are small enough you can just buy a simple "nut roller" off Amazon and get them from local parks, golf courses, schools, etc (anywhere that is mowed so you can roll the picker through.) Good luck.

[@TheTacticalHouse]

We hunted at our place in northeast Iowa this weekend. We just didn’t see many bucks where we were at. Our friends and neighbors saw a few.. one got an 8 and another a big 10. Sunday was absolutely dead. There were guys spread out 400 acres of timber on all ends and it was crickets. Have no idea where they are going. I got a big doe the first day and then called it quits.

[@emilyhorak5651]

Hope you get better Jordan

[@alexpinnow6509]

Glad to hear Jordan is on the mend and hope the shoulder strength keeps increasing to help with the draw cycle! Bill do you ever consider planting specific screens or warm season grasses in unwooded areas to help your acess paths that you see yourself using year in and out?

[@bill-winke]

Yes, that is part of the reason I plant corn because I can sneak through it. But I am not a huge fan of warm season grasses for screens or even for habitat. I prefer permanent cover like trees and shrubs. That is what I plant. Also, the very best screen is the screen that grows two feet from the deer not two feet from me. That is why the TSI work is so critical long-term to the quality and huntability of this farm. Thanks for the comment. Have a great day.

[@alexpinnow6509]

@@bill-winke Very insightful! Trying to learn as much as possible about the TSI as quick as I can with prime cutting time coming up. When you do that on this new farm will you go after EQIP/cost sharing or just do the saw work yourself/job shop it out to someone?

[@bill-winke]

@@alexpinnow6509 I do have the cost share locked in to do most of the farm over the next four years plus planting seedlings on the slopes that are too steep to direct seed to acorns. I like to cut the trees down just as soon as the hunting season ends and be wrapped up, ideally, by the end of February. I will do as much of the saw work as possible and I will hire a few guys here and there. Good luck.

[@tshunter105]

I like that you said the deer bed everywhere on the hills. I hunt in the next county to your north and many of the places I hunt have bluffs/hills and it drives me nuts when people say find the bedding because I see beds all over a lot of those hills not just one or two places. Definitely a game of chess from here on out

[@ajkelley20]

My biggest challenge is also getting in with out being spotted. I am putting in two new trails that will help. Then I walk and don't ride, wind helps. I can't always hunt where I want, but I hunt where the conditions allow.

[@bill-winke]

You have figured out the number one rule in killing whitetails: the whole chess match comes down to hunting them without them knowing they are being hunted. Can be really tough.

[@BlueCrab119]

Have you thought about more hindge cutting or planting 16 ft tall miscanthus? We have the same type of ridge system in my area we deal with ontop of my house that sits at the bottom. We started planting miscanthus and going to hindge cut this winter. Good luck guys and keep up the great work

[@bill-winke]

I am sure that will make a big difference. I believe that cutting out the junk timber will definitely make the ridges thicker on this farm and that alone will make it really hard for the deer to see far when they are bedded. Have a great day.

[@jjohnson9750]

Glad to hear that you’re doing better. Do you think those mature bucks are watching you enter your stand? I was having the same issues a few years ago. I got into my stand a few hours before daylight and I was able to harvest my target buck.

[@lawrencehaley1084]

At least jordan sees we missed her even if she cant shoot. Thanks. I comment a lot.

[@bill-winke]

Lawrence, we are happy to have your support and comments. Yes, Jordan does appreciate the well-wishes she is getting from the viewers. Have a great day and good luck.

[@kokadjooutdoors620]

I found I stuck to gravel roads and didn’t walk the woods deer got used to people on the road. My stand was just off of that and harvested my biggest buck this year on the third sit

[@bill-winke]

I did that a bunch on the old farm. No roads through this one and the roads around it are in the valleys so no help there. Good input. Congrats on the buck! Have a great day.

[@kokadjooutdoors620]

@@bill-winke my brother just put them in few years ago on his 60 acres to access the property. They where used to him running his equipment so as long as kept up the routine and picked the right wind made all the difference. When have no human activity then hunt it a lot they know something up for sure

[@warbirdflyerF4U]

Best of luck bill and best of luck to you Jordan For a speedy recovery You poor thing are you deficient in calcium or something is that why you keep fracturing your bones ? I hope you get well soon my dear And I hope you get a nice big buck bill In Arkansas and when you get back to the farm to bow hunt

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Warbird. Unfortunately, stress fractures are fairly common with distance runners especially if they naturally have a lower than normal bone density. She just has to manage her miles more carefully and not run as many miles in a week. Have a great day. We appreciate the concern and comment.

[@billstopinski2568]

hard to believe its been three years, i miss the old farm

[@bill-winke]

The last season I hunted there was 2019. So I guess it has been four seasons since. I miss seeing all those big deer (it was amazing before the EHD of 2012 - it never fully recovered from that), but it was time for a change. This farm is much more manageable. I had 27 (that's right 27!) neighbors on the old farm and on this one I have about five or six. It is hard to keep 27 neighbors happy all the time! Also, that farm started to get boring because I knew it so well. Not to say it wasn't still fun, but it was just time to get back to my roots in the area where I grew up and start over. Have a great day.

[@Owl4909]

There she is !

[@4ukaboom]

Get well soon J

[@bill-winke]

Thanks for the well wishes. They are much appreciated. Have a great day.

[@CrownedGamer.]

I was a runner until a lower back injury forced me to quit competing at a high level. I miss it so much. I’m 39 now and haven’t ran for 4 years due to the back injury. It’s depressing to say the least.

[@bill-winke]

Man, that sucks. I am so sorry about the injury. I know Jordan would really struggle if she had to stop running. I used to love playing basketball and tore my ACL when I was 20 in a pickup game. I was literally depressed for a year. As a good friend of mine always says - "Never look back. Your life is in front of you, not behind you." I try to live by that every day - though sometimes it can be tough. Have a good one.

[@CrownedGamer.]

@@bill-winke I knew it was going to come to an end one day. Just not this soon. A lot of people have it worse than that. I’m happy I can still live a somewhat normal life. Just no more pounding the pavement. I love where the channel is going keep it up!!!

[@3rarcheryllc29]

i think bill your issue is the same i have here in ky mountains we have to travel right up through the deer to get to our spots so it seems like they know your there all ready... its hard to access a place with out disturbing them!!!!

[@bill-winke]

That's right. To get to the top you have to go through the deer. The only place that isn't the case is where I can come all the way around the farm by road and come in from the top. But that is a major undertaking - one that I would do for sure if there had been a mature buck on that end of the farm. I think the only long-term solution is to make the habitat so thick they can't see me coming and going and then avoid the ATV in favor of walking or using an electric solution.

[@robertblackman3451]

Keep up the good work

[@bill-winke]

Thanks Robert. Much appreciated.

[@kurtpearson2793]

Gotta have the right screening and wind for ANY stand. In and out. Very tough to achieve in some spots. (Usually those spots are worth it 😂)

[@bill-winke]

Even more critical during the late season because the deer often bed very close to where they feed. Some spots just can't be hunted.

[@carlosazor9003]

Heal well ,there's always next year..

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Heal up Jordan, your dad’s kind of boring! Jk. You’re young should heal up fine! I have rolling terrain like you guys have but I can come in on the high side on both the north and south side of my farm so that helps. With your food mostly low you’re probably getting a lot of bedding high making access an issue. Screening maybe? I stay out of my Valleys because of wind swirling too. But you have some challenging areas for sure. Idk if you have used hinge cutting as a tool, but in a couple areas for me it’s helped me gain access. Just a thought. I’ve also used miscanthus and switchgrass for screening too.

[@bill-winke]

Steve, I accept that I am boring! I do think you have the key to this farm. If those ridges are so thick that any deer bedded on them can only see a short ways and the wind blows through the nearby vegetation reducing how far they can hear, I can sneak most places undetected. It is super hard to sneak around in an open woods. I think that was one of the most important things I did on the southern Iowa farm - just made it super thick. I will do that here too. Just need a few more years. Have a great day.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

not at all boring, i gain a lot from your words and actions!! looking forward to seeing how you transform the new property. thicker as you say the better. I had 700 hard maple removed last summer. 2-4 years should see a very thick landscape -hopefully@@bill-winke

[@tomvichlach8038]

Jordan could probably get a temporary crossbow permit if she wanted to. I've got a ravin R10 she can borrow if interested

[@bill-winke]

I think she could too, and I appreciate that, but her shoulder is OK now - mostly. Her limitation now is the stress fracture in her hip. She is supposed to be on crutches but has been cheating on that and just kind of limping around to keep weight off it. She says it doesn't hurt, so it must be healing. Maybe a late season hunt or two.

[@doneime875]

I'm surprised Iowa doesn't allow archery equipment during rifle season.

[@bill-winke]

They never have. I think it originally started as a safety concern since much of the Iowa gun hunting tradition revolves around deer drives and I can't think of a worse place to be when a drive is coming through than in a tree. Land use has changed (access to the big drive crews is less now) so the safety concern is probably not as relevant.

[@edwardclark5211]

Dream Big brother 🙏

[@Nomorehandlenames9230]

Bill, I asked once before if you were disappointed in this farm and you said no. After hearing the commentary at the end of this video, I was wondering if that answer remains the same?

[@bill-winke]

Not disappointed. It will come along in time. I was just surprised how few bucks were in the area when I bought it. Which means very few mature bucks now. It will take a few more years to reach that level. This general part of Iowa is pretty good, but the specific neighborhood where I bought this farm sure doesn't have many deer, but that can be a good thing too. Now I can do all my habitat projects without fear that the deer will eat the regrowth immediately. So it has been a blessing in disguise. The hunting is just slow because there are only a couple bucks on the whole farm I would shoot based on age and they are living in a tough spot to hunt.

[@Woodland-Gangsta]

Bill, you looked to be 6' 3". What size do you wear in the code of silence jacket and pants. I would hate to order the camo and it runs too small.

[@bill-winke]

I am probably about 6'4" and a bit of change and weigh probably about 210 right now. I wear XL tall in all the outerwear other than vest, where I wear L tall. Good luck.

[@Woodland-Gangsta]

@@bill-winke Thanks!

[@TrashHunt]

Far from ineffective. You’ve taken a few does and a really nice 10-point. Figuring out the challenge is what’s interesting about your channel.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks. I appreciate the comment. This farm will be easier to hunt once the ridges are a lot thicker (cutting out junk timber to open the canopy so the ground level plants can flourish). It is about three years away from being really good. But the journey is the destination, as the saying goes! Have a great day.

[@underdogoutdoors]

This has been a tough season for many, maybe acorns, bright moon allowed mostly nightime rutting?? Who know's, it all adds up to bigger bucks next November!

[@bill-winke]

That is definitely the positive spin on a slow year - better next year. Thanks for the comment and the support. Have a great day.

[@jleighn1210]

Clear cut clear cut clear cut for that farm. To have big bucks you must have big cover

[@bill-winke]

Agree. That is on the schedule over the next four winters - not clear cutting, but removing the junk timber and then using a bit of fire here and there to really kick the browse and underbrush into gear. Good input.

[@codygilbert9213]

Bill, QDMA has stated that the highest possible buck to doe ratio is five does to one buck I completely disagree with this from what I've seen afield but what are your thoughts?

[@bill-winke]

For sure, I don't agree. I have seen a few examples where that is not the case - my time in Michigan produced a few examples. And for sure, this immediate area around our house is another. Good luck and good input.

[@johnmabry5199]

So does Iowa not allow archery hunting during the gun season or do you choose to just not hunt in gun season?

[@alankieffer7631]

Iowa doesn't allow it I follow other channels that bowhunt exclusively and they are not bow hunting right now

[@bill-winke]

Alan is right. Not legal to hunt with a bow during the general firearms season. Thanks for the support and comment.

[@MollyDogg1234]

Bill, you are thinking about the entry and exit routes all wrong.....think like a mole!!! Build underground tunnel systems to get you wherever you need to go!!!

[@bill-winke]

Now you are talking. Believe it or not, I know a wealthy guy in SD that buried hundreds of feet of three foot diameter corrugated tube across his farm so he could crawl along underground. I am not making that up.

[@mattgamatko3720]

How about getting her a crossbow ?

[@bill-winke]

I think she will be OK with the bow now that her shoulder is better, but she has to get past the stress fracture in her hip before we think about her hunting again. Have a great day and thanks for the comment and support.

[@Rob-j4x]

Jordan I know exactly what you're talking about sweetheart. I couldn't pull my compound bow anymore without the agonizing pain. You need to do what I've done and get a crossbow. I got myself a Raven R 10 crossbow now I can keep hunting and I can actually shoot up to 100 yards and kill a deer with accuracy.

[@homeinthewhiteoaks]

OH MY Jordon Shoulder may force her to get a Crossbow... How is Dad going to cope with a crossbow in the family? "Guess who is coming to dinner, TenPoint That's Who!" Don't feel bad Dad, my Daughter has a Wicked Ridge and it's growing on me...

[@bill-winke]

I think the shoulder will be fine. It is much stronger now. Low grade shoulder separations are pretty common. I bet many (if not most) of the college and NFL football players have had them. She will be just fine, but thanks for the comment and the support.

[@emilyhorak5651]

Crossbow??

[@garretts1604]

As the fastest hunter this side of a cheetah, Jordan is just giving the deer a break, right?

[@bill-winke]

Yes, maybe that is what she is building to - being able to run them down. I guarantee if they were in the middle of a flat 50 square mile field she definitely could wear them out! Thanks for the comment.

[@huntsimple9527]

This may sound crazy to some, and I get it that we like to hunt every year, but what about taking a year off and not hunting your farm in 2024? That would allow the deer to be totally left alone for almost 2 years. Likely more deer will come to your farm and the fall of 2025 would be nothing short of epic. Just a thought to share. Thank you for great videos.

[@bill-winke]

It is not a crazy idea, but hard medicine to swallow. I had a friend suggest that way back in the middle 2000s when my farm in Southern Iowa was on the upswing but still not super productive. I didn't take his advice because I had spent my life savings for that farm and I dang well wanted to hunt it. I feel pretty much the same way again now, but I may venture out a bit more next year and hunt a few pieces of public nearby or maybe a permission farm or two. Good luck.

[@Picard80]

What about sleeping in the woods :)

[@bill-winke]

Now you are talking. If I had the underground vault. Boy sleeping in that bivy sack would be depressing this time of year.

[@cray-z7404]

Jordan is like my wife lil petite thing that only weighs 95lbs soaking wet @ 5 ft 2 inches and I call my olelady my pretty precious fragile 😂

[@bill-winke]

Jordan is a bit bigger, maybe 5'6" and 115, but she has low bone density due to a slightly elevated level of natural testosterone that affects several normal female functions - like creating strong bones. As an athlete (runner) this condition is obviously a blessing (greater strength to weight) and a curse. Have a great day and thanks for the comment.