KVD and sons go hunting

Posted on
The day starts early, with Kevin VanDam – seven time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year – and his sons, Jackson and Nicholas, planning the day's hunt strategy over a cup of coffee.
The day starts early, with Kevin VanDam – seven time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year – and his sons, Jackson and Nicholas, planning the day’s hunt strategy over a cup of coffee.
Hunting provides a bonding experience for the three men, as well as a bit of competition. Jackson and Nicholas discuss which stands to go to based on what has been showing up on the trail cameras.
Hunting provides a bonding experience for the three men, as well as a bit of competition. Jackson and Nicholas discuss which stands to go to based on what has been showing up on the trail cameras.
Checking the weather and wind direction is always critical, so they gather in the tackle room to watch The Weather Channel.
Checking the weather and wind direction is always critical, so they gather in the tackle room to watch The Weather Channel.
Nicholas grabs his safety harness as they prepare to head to the garage and gather the rest of their gear.
Nicholas grabs his safety harness as they prepare to head to the garage and gather the rest of their gear.
Jackson straps a Plano Sportsmans Trunk to the four-wheeler while Nicholas gets his bow ready; the amount of gear they take with them is staggering.
Jackson straps a Plano Sportsmans Trunk to the four-wheeler while Nicholas gets his bow ready; the amount of gear they take with them is staggering.
Kevin grabs an extra WGI trail camera to help monitor the deer activity.
Kevin grabs an extra WGI trail camera to help monitor the deer activity.
With three hunters, it doesn't take long to fill the back of the truck with gear – bow cases, backpacks, safety equipment and more.
With three hunters, it doesn’t take long to fill the back of the truck with gear – bow cases, backpacks, safety equipment and more.
Kevin's Tundra that he takes on the tournament trail stays home this time. The boys chauffeur dad for a change.
Kevin’s Tundra that he takes on the tournament trail stays home this time. The boys chauffeur dad for a change.
It doesn't take long to get to the woods where they'll be working today, but the scenery is beautiful along the way.
It doesn’t take long to get to the woods where they’ll be working today, but the scenery is beautiful along the way.
Kevin, Jackson and Nicholas grab their gear and double check the wind for final stand selections.
Kevin, Jackson and Nicholas grab their gear and double check the wind for final stand selections.
Heading down the trail.
Heading down the trail.
Kevin points out a freshly made scrape and the excitement builds.
Kevin points out a freshly made scrape and the excitement builds.
Jackson notices a licking branch high off the ground indicating that a big buck was here.
Jackson notices a licking branch high off the ground indicating that a big buck was here.
Kevin sets up a WGI trail camera to monitor the scrape's activity.
Kevin sets up a WGI trail camera to monitor the scrape’s activity.
They head next to an Ameristep ground blind that they've set up in the corn stalks.
They head next to an Ameristep ground blind that they’ve set up in the corn stalks.
It's important to conceal the blind and make sure it fits in with the background where it's set it up.
It’s important to conceal the blind and make sure it fits in with the background where it’s set it up.
Jackson checks the range for potential shots out of the blind.
Jackson checks the range for potential shots out of the blind.
Kevin and Jackson discuss from which direction they think the deer will come.
Kevin and Jackson discuss from which direction they think the deer will come.
Nicholas heads up his ladder stand with his hunting backpack.
Nicholas heads up his ladder stand with his hunting backpack.
Kevin helps him attach his bow to the rope to pull it up to the stand.
Kevin helps him attach his bow to the rope to pull it up to the stand.
After the boys are all set up, Kevin climbs his own stand.
After the boys are all set up, Kevin climbs his own stand.
Once he's connected his safety harness, he hauls up his bow and Tenzing backpack holding the rest of his gear.
Once he’s connected his safety harness, he hauls up his bow and Tenzing backpack holding the rest of his gear.
A Flextone grunt call is a must-have for the rut at this time of year.
A Flextone grunt call is a must-have for the rut at this time of year.
As much as Kevin is known for fishing, and as much as the boys love fishing, hunting is quickly becoming their passion.
As much as Kevin is known for fishing, and as much as the boys love fishing, hunting is quickly becoming their passion.
While most fans see Kevin with a rod in his hand, he's just as comfortable with a bow. He's truly an all-around outdoorsman, with a deep love for hunting that matches his love of fishing.
While most fans see Kevin with a rod in his hand, he’s just as comfortable with a bow. He’s truly an all-around outdoorsman, with a deep love for hunting that matches his love of fishing.
Kevin is extremely proud to share his passion of the outdoors with his boys and to see how much they are learning while enjoying the sport.
Kevin is extremely proud to share his passion of the outdoors with his boys and to see how much they are learning while enjoying the sport.
In the end, whether you end up getting a deer or not, it's about the quality time spent together and time is a precious resource for this family.
In the end, whether you end up getting a deer or not, it’s about the quality time spent together and time is a precious resource for this family.
Before the season ended, Nicholas ended up getting a buck.
Before the season ended, Nicholas ended up getting a buck.
This was the same buck they spotted multiple times on their trail camera.
This was the same buck they spotted multiple times on their trail camera.