Truth From The Stand Deer Hunting Podcast

Today on the podcast I did something a little different. My buddy Aaron Hepler and I headed south to Virginia to do something I’ve never done before. We went quail hunting with bird dogs with the folks at Cumberland Estate. I’ve hunted rabbits with dogs as a kid, but the only upland bird hunting I’ve ever done was busting brush with the old man chasing pheasants…never with a dog. And, I love anything with history behind it and the grounds we stayed on and hunted were full of history and birds. Great people, great quail hunting, amazing bird dogs, and rich with colonial era history. The unintended benefit…I learned this are is a sleeper spot for big deer…shhh. Oh…and quail are harder to hit than I thought…shot a few…missed a lot! Big thanks to Kyle and Chloe for the great hang! - thanks for listening. Available on all podcast platforms! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 373 Quail Hunting Cumberland Estate history Bird dogs teaching me more about using the wind Big buck tracks And much more SHOW NOTES AND LINK

Today I’m joined by my buddy Chad Sylvester to do our annual “good, bad, and ugly” episode where we cover the season that was…all the good and all the warts. It’s impossible to lay a foundation for improvement without first examining what you’ve done well, and where you’re falling short. This episode acts as an annual reset for me and helps me take a hard look at the man in the mirror. Admittedly, I had a pretty good year, but there’s always things to work on. Hope you all dig the sesh - thanks for listening. Available on all podcast platforms! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 372 Hunting bedded animals Learning on the fly Eating bugs Making eye contact Patiently aggressive The band is back together SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Save 15% on Exodus trail cameras or arrows with code TFTS or just click this link for automatic savings at checkout! —Save $$ on the Spartan Forge App with code TRUTH —Support our partners: Exodus Outdoor Gear, Genesee Beer, Tethrd & Spartan Forge — Visit my lo

Today I’m joined by my buddy Mario Trafficante from the Hunting Beast. Mario is one of my favorite people to chop it up with. We have a lot in common beyond hunting, and those commonalities bleed into our approaches to hunting. Sometimes things don’t play out like we intend, and the path less traveled is what ultimately fills your tag. Being open to those twists of fate and being willing to indulge them can make all the difference. I hope you all dig the conversation as much as I did - thanks for listening. Available on all podcast platforms! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 371 Trouble shooting hunting spots Focusing on fundamentals Changing patterns to outsmart deer Confirmation bias The importance of getting a visual And more! SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Save 15% on Exodus trail cameras or arrows with code TFTS or just click this link for automatic savings at checkout! —Save $$ on the Spartan Forge App with code TRUTH —Support our partners: Exodus Outdoor Gear, Genesee Beer, Tethr

Today I’m joined by my buddy Tyrell Roy. As many big bucks as Tyrell has on his wall, it’s never about the mount or trophy. It’s always about the experience, the chess match, and challenging himself to be a better hunter. This year he wanted to see if his skills and all the success he’s had in Oklahoma would translate when traveling out of state on his first out of state public land whitetail hunt. Let’s just say he got the full public land experience with all the highs and lows that come with it. Come to find out…hard work and perseverance still work. Hope you all dig the conversation as much as I did - thanks for listening. Available on all podcast platforms! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 370 Learning how to hunt from scratch Kicker buck A new strategy Public land giant spotted…and he’s gone Persistence and hard work And more! SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Save 15% on Exodus trail cameras or arrows with code TFTS or just click this link for automatic savings at checkout! —Save $$

Today I’m joined by Brandon Lilly. Brandon knew all too well the pressure to perform from his days as an elite powerlifting athlete. He draws on that experience to keep hunting free of the outside noise or pressure to perform. Doing hard things and reframing success, setting reasonable goals, and humbling yourself is the pathway toward gaining the most fulfillment in hunting. Make mistakes, learn from them, and embrace the beginning stages whether you’re a new hunter…or learning a new style of hunting. Brandon has a great perspective not just on hunting but on life, and our conversation is a great way to kick off the new year. I hop you all dig the sesh as much as I did - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Available on all podcast platforms

Today I’m joined by my good buddy Johnny Stewart. Johnny is grinding through his late season with a few tags still in his pocket - he’s on his way to Iowa as we speak. He filled 3 buck tags this past October through November in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The success didn’t come easy. Some of his key spots were burned early in the season between human pressure and logging that occurred. Today we talk about changing plans when things go south. And even after years of success how Johnny is always most excited about each season’s learning opportunities - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Available on all podcast platforms! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 368 When spots get burned Early season shift Finding success in the mountains Late se

Today I’m joined by my good buddy Greg Litzinger. Greg has had one of his best seasons…and one of his worst at the same time. He’s been in the game, having encounters more times than most in a couple seasons combined. A branch here, a deflected arrow there…and being just a step behind a target deer has been the story of his season. He’s still grinding it out…he’s the “Ultimate Warrior” and I have a feeling antlers will be in his late season future. Always love catching up with my guy - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Available on all podcast platforms! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 367 The Ultimate Warrior Hunting without cameras Arrows released and bad shots One step behind a target buck The late season push And more! SHOW NOTES A

Today I’m joined by my buddy Jace Allen. Jace is one of those people who is just born to deer hunt and chase mature bucks. He’s as dedicated to his craft as anyone you’ll meet. That doesn’t mean there aren’t hard lessons to learn…even for the most experienced woodsman. Most guys are thrilled to fill a tag no matter how the hunt ends so long as it end with a buck on the ground. Jace is a little different and the hunt and the animal means more to him than another piece of taxidermy on his wall. He’s been successful this season yet again…but he wasn’t happy with how the hunt unfolded - he expects more from himself and it’s why you won’t find a whitetail more deserving of success. Always a pleasure catching up with one of the Missouri killers - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTune

Today I’m joined by my Jake Hofer from Exodus Outdoor Gear. Jake is one of my good buddies and one of the best deer hunters I know. The running joke in our friend circle for a long time was if a deer was going to be killed by our group of friends…Jake would be the one to do it. Year after year he fills tags on mature bucks. This year He drew a coveted Iowa tag…but made the decision to leave Iowa during prime—time to catch a few good weather days at home in Illinois. Sounds crazy to leave Iowa, right? Well, like usual, Jake has a knack analyzing, making a strategy, and executing…and things worked out pretty well! Always love catching up with the quiet killer, hope you all dig the conversation as much as I did - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate

Today I’m joined by my buddy Erik Barber. Erik has had a killer fall, filling two archery tags. Funny thing about filling tags early, is you sometimes feel like you’re missing out with so much season left. I don’t think anyone would complain about filling tags early…but there is definitely some fear of missing out, or missing those November sunrises. Erik is as passionate an outdoorsman as you’ll find, initially cutting his teeth at Midwest whitetail with the guys from THP and now working for Vortex Optics. Making your passion your job can create some turbulence in keeping joy in the hunt. WE talk about Eriks phenomenal fall and how he’s learned to keep the hunting fires burning bright while working in the outdoor industry for a decade. Awesome conversation and hope you all dig it as much as I did - and thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your

Today We’re talking about my recent hunt in Kansas. Three seasons ago I set a goal to kill a Kansas whitetail from the ground. I had a lot of opportunities that I screwed up the previous seasons. Each set up got a little better last year and I really felt this was the year to meet my goal. I wasn’t looking for a giant…when I hunt out of state, my mission is to try and take a buck that is the average/representative animal for the area I’m hunting. It would’ve been really easy to screw this hunt up. A lot of things when the deer were approaching were not breaking my way. I had to make a lot of small and quick decisions on how to play the situation. I think a lot of things I do outside of hunting that helps me be more present in my day to day life, and mentally in control of my emotions/actions was actually what allowed the arrow to get released…and be fatal. When it came to those critical seconds that stood between a grip and grin and just another story of a great encounter…I was in control this time. I remembe

Today I’m joined by my buddy Jared Scheffler of Whitetail Adrenaline. Beyond Jared being a killer with the stick and string, he’s the passion behind Whitetail Adrenaline that brings us, what I consider, to be the hands down best hunting content ever made. Being great at anything comes with a cost. We talk about the cost of perfection and getting your passion back, traditional archery and of course…decoying open country giants - thanks for listening! To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes (best for iOS devices) Click here to listen/subscribe on Stitcher (best for Android devices) WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 362 Uncuffed Getting your passion back Love for traditional archery Decoying in open country And more! SHOW NOTES

Today we’re doing something a little different… I’m turning over the reins of the show to my buddy Aaron Hepler to talk about the filling my PA tag this October. Pulling this buck out with my kayak was something I set as a goal a few years ago when I found this area scouting. I’ve been beaten by two different bucks in this spot the previous two season…things finally came together on October 16th. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes (best for iOS devices) Click here to listen/subscribe on Stitcher (best for Android devices) WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 361 Putting a buck in a boat October mornings Working from historical data Making the shot And more! SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Save 15% on Exod

Today I’m joined by my buddy Austin Culbertson. Austin is one of the killers from Missouri that I’ve come to know over the past few seasons. If you remember the episode he and I did last season, he talked about a buck that got away that was haunting him…a true giant that was living in plain site…but seemed un-killable - then he got his chance and the worst situation for a bowhunter happened. Going into the offseason he only wanted to know if this deer he’s played chess with was still alive…he was. Today we close the chapter on the “wide one.” I hope you all dig the conversations as much as I did - thanks for listening! To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes (best for iOS devices) Click here to listen/subscribe on Stitcher (be

Today I’m joined by my buddy Tony Peterson. Tony has been on the show a handful of times and I consider him to be one of the best public land hunters I’ve ever met. More than that, he has a keen ability to observe, gain perspective, articulate complex situations and execute a plan…be it hunting strategy, or life events in general. He chases the experience above everything…truthfully it’s a perspective I’ve gained from spending time with him and it’s made hunting better for me. I’m glad to call him a friend and always enjoy our conversations. Hope you guys dig it as much as I did - thanks for listening! To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes (best for iOS devices) Click here to listen/subscribe on Stitcher (best for Android de

Today I’m joined by my buddy Cody D’Acquisto. Over the past few seasons Cody has evolved is approach to bowhunting…switching to traditional archery equipment, he’s always been one for unconventional low stand set ups…no camo and he’s done away with using trail cameras. He’s a dying breed of bowhunter who enjoys the harder things in life…whether it’s challenging hunts…or iron man style races he’s for sure a dying breed. One of my favorite people to talk with, hope you all dig the conversation as much as I did - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes (best for iOS devices) Click here to listen/subscribe on Stitcher (best for Android devices) WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 358 No trail cameras Making moves

Today I’m joined by my buddy Hunter Hogan. Hunter, as his name would suggests, was almost destined to be a mature buck killer. At 25 he’s racking up an impressive resume. What’s most impressive is his dedication to his craft…professional archer, and mature buck killer. His life is purpose built to always be in the hunt. He’s recently launched a YouTube channel (Hunter Hogan) where you can see him travel the country filling tags. As authentic and skilled public land hunter as you’ll find- thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes (best for iOS devices) Click here to listen/subscribe on Stitcher (best for Android devices) WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 357 Don’t waste time hunting when you can scout Putting al

Today I’m joined by my buddy Jake Kremer owner of North Idaho Archery. Jake is an outlier in Idaho. Most folks in the west are die-hard elk hunters. While Jake filled his tag on an Idaho bull this year…he’s admittedly a more die-hard mountain whitetail hunter than an elk hunter. I’ve hunted the area Jake calls home. Rarely do I do an episode where both the guest and I have some knowledge of the exact same areas. it was cool to talk about some of the whitetail sign I saw while in the Idaho mountains and talk through what the hunt options might be for those areas. Hope you all dig the discussion as much as I did - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes (best for iOS devices) Click here to listen/subscribe

Today I’m joined by my good buddy Eddie Claypool. Eddie has been chasing DIY hunts and animals across the country since the late 70’s. You could say he’s the original DIY bowhunter. He’s lived the hay day of whitetail hunting in the midwest and hunted the best of the west for the better part of 40 years. Even though DIY blood runs through his veins, he’s changed his approach the past few years - time changes everyone and everything. You could say he pauses now to smell the roses. There’s wisdom in experience and age. And sometimes the best wisdom has less to do with how to fill tags and more to do with the importance of being in the moment…maybe it’s a cautionary tale of what might be slipping away from us. This might be a good reminder to breathe deep, and soak it all in as we kick off the season - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your frie

Today I’m joined by my good buddy Dr. Bronson Strickland of Mississippi State University Deer Lab. Dr. Strickland and his team are always performing whitetail research to better understand their worlds - in today’s episode we’re diving into scrape research. What I like most about talking with Dr. Strickland is he can articulate things we may see as hunters but not fully understand. While keeping facts at the forefront, shedding light on hunting myths or adding validity to hunter observation. As a hunter and a deer biologist, he’s well positioned to understand the desires of hunters, while taking an scientific approach to understanding the animals we love to chase. - thanks for listening. To listen to the podcast click the purple play button at the top of the page. You can also download the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Play—don’t forget to share with your friends! If you like the podcast, please leave us a 5 star iTunes rating…we’d really appreciate it. Click here to listen/subscribe on iTunes