How were you introduced to hunting?
I started out with my dad hunting all over my home state of South Dakota, for doves, pheasants, ducks and geese. I was also Introduced to deer although waterfowl was my favorite for many years as this provided the most action for me!
What do you like to hunt?
I am completely a deer and elk hunter these days, and have been fortunate to see some great success over the years. My current obsession is mule deer. I love that you can glass and sneak around for muleys all day long, and I love enjoying time spent in the habitat they live in.
How was your 2020 season?
Overall it was good. While 2020 was so challenging in other ways, hunting is still the great escape from it all.
I took a cow elk, a nice bull elk, 3 muley bucks, 3 whitetail bucks, and a late muzzleloader doe. My wife also took her 3rd archery deer ever this year in September, she is now 3 for 3 in shots taken while bowhunting!
We donated hundreds of pounds of venison which is something we really feel good about.
What changed during your season in 2020 with the pandemic?
I saw one of my favorite seasons closed down completely for the year due to covid travel concerns, which while understandable was still disheartening. On the flip side, some folks returned tags they had drawn due to covid, and the state reissued those tags. I was able to snag a few of them which contributed to a few of those extra buck kills. Prayers to all those affected by covid.
How do you use Basemap to help you hunt?
BaseMap is a critical piece of the strategy. I use it predominantly to pre-scout from home, using their high resolution imagery and even 3D, and then upon arrival I use stored offline maps to navigate to predetermined areas of interest. In some areas especially in South Dakota, landownership can be scattered as well, so if I get permission somewhere, it’s a relief to the landowner when I can show them we see their land and we will make sure to stay on it etc. If I see a nice buck, I’ll drop a pin, every time. Collect data, it is your friend!
What is your favorite wild game recipe?
Elk chili, and it’s not a recipe, I just throw stuff in. It’s slightly different every time!
How can people follow you and learn more about your hunting?
@jensen.hunting on instagram is best!
