Unfinished Business: Clay Cannon’s 2023 Deer Season | From The Field

Unfinished Business: Clay Cannon’s 2023 Deer Season

In Episode 3 of From the Field, we sat down with CRÜZR Ambassador Clay Cannon to discuss his challenging but exciting 2023 deer season. Broadcasting from Clarksville, Tennessee, Clay shared the highs and lows of his hunts, along with his insights into setups, gear, and his ongoing pursuit of an elusive target buck he calls “Nine Lives.”

Encounters and Challenges

Clay’s season has been filled with close encounters and tough lessons. Despite having more sightings of mature bucks this year than ever before, his hunts have been anything but easy. Clay shared the story of a missed opportunity with his number-one target buck during late October, just before Halloween—a time he typically considers the best for deer activity.

“This season has been different,” Clay said, citing the warm weather as a factor that delayed deer movement. Still, he remains optimistic, believing the next few weeks will bring peak action as the rut continues.

Diverse Hunting Grounds and Tactics

Clay hunts across three farms, each with its own challenges and opportunities:

•Farm 1: A working cattle farm with hardwoods and pasture fields. Here, Clay focuses on bedding areas during the rut.

•Farm 2: An agricultural property with food plots, which has provided consistent sightings of his target buck, although closing the gap for a bow shot remains a challenge.

•Farm 3: A rugged, hilly property where swirling winds make every hunt unpredictable. Clay adapts by focusing on travel corridors and bedding areas, often committing to all-day sits.

Despite the differences, Clay emphasizes mobility and adaptability as key to his success.

The Role of Gear

Clay is a firm believer in lightweight, efficient gear for mobile hunting. This year, he relied on the CRÜZR climbing sticks and platforms to navigate the varying demands of his hunting properties. His choice of platform depends on the walk distance, alternating between CRÜZR’s large and small options for comfort and mobility.

“The CRÜZR setup has been a game-changer,” Clay shared, adding that he’s also been impressed by CRÜZR’s new backpack, which has allowed him to efficiently carry his camera gear for self-filming.

From the Field Insights

Throughout the episode, Clay stressed the importance of attention to detail, from packing and organizing his camera gear to playing the wind. While scent control plays a role, he believes wind direction is always the ultimate factor in staying undetected.

Looking ahead, Clay is optimistic about the remainder of the season. “The next few weeks are going to be prime,” he said, predicting increased chasing activity as bucks transition out of lockdown.

Memories and Mentorship

Beyond his personal hunts, Clay enjoys sharing his passion for saddle hunting with others. He encourages anyone interested in trying CRÜZR gear to reach out and experience the setup firsthand. “Most people are hooked once they give it a try,” he said.

Catch the full conversation with Clay Cannon in the latest From the Field episode: Unfinished Business: Clay Cannon’s 2023 Deer Season. You can listen to the episode here.