In this episode of Nine Finger Chronicles, Dan J. sits down with David of Tag and Brag during the Code Blue Scents "scrape week," just as the pre-rut is heating up. Dan opens with his New York City trip, then the two get into the hunting life. They talk about the pressure of turning a passion into a job, the guilt of leaving family behind in November, and staying present instead of wishing the season away. They also cover how age changes what a big buck means to you.

Then the conversation turns to strategy. David explains why scrapes are a top priority right now. He covers how to read fresh sign and licking branches, and why trail cameras tell you when deer are moving but can also leave you with "coulda, shoulda, woulda" regrets. Dan and David compare notes on hunting terrain features like thermal hubs instead of a single scrape, and on how scrapes matter less as the rut gets going. They also cover longer sits, when to move stands, and reading a doe that's about to be pursued. David shares a story of a giant buck trotting right under his stand.

Thanks to this episode's partners: Code Blue Scents (codebluescents.com, code NFC20 for 20% off), Wasp Archery (wasparchery.com, code NFC20 for 20% off), Vortex Optics (vortexoptics.com), Vapor Trail Archery (VaporTrailArchery.com), Reveal Trail Cameras (tacticam.com/cameras) and Ozonics (ozonicshunting.com).