Truth From The Stand Deer Hunting Podcast

Jaksot

• EP. 495: The Hunt That Broke Everything He Thought He Knew | Ty Jennings | Discomfort Is The Strategy 03.06.2026 1t 21min

  There's a version of every hunter that gets comfortable. You find a stand you like, a pattern that's worked before, and you ride it. You tell yourself it's strategy. Most of the time, it's just fear dressed up as confidence. Ty Jennings knows that feeling well, and he blew past it. In this episode, Ty sits down with me to dig into the kind of hunting conversation I live for: not the highlight reel stuff, but the honest reckoning with what it actually takes to grow as a hunter. Ty's journey from tree stand hunter to dedicated ground hunter isn't just a tactical story. It's a mindset story. And if you've ever felt stuck in the way you do things, this one's going to hit. We talk about what it looks like to build a real foundation of hunting knowledge. Not the stuff you pick up from watching YouTube clips, but the hard-earned understanding that only comes from reps in the field, from mistakes you actually had to live with. Ty's got that kind of experience, and he's generous enough to share where it came from. The shift to ground hunting didn't happen because it was trendy. It happened because one specific hunt cracked something open for him. It forced him to be creative, to be present, to stop relying on elevation as a crutch. He made a decision in the field that most guys wouldn't have made, and it worked. But more importantly, it changed the way he sees hunting entirely. We also get into something I think doesn't get talked about enough in hunting media: the home front. You're not hunting well if things aren't right at home. Full stop. The guys who try to compartmentalize that, who keep the stand life and the real life in separate boxes, they burn out or they lose one or the other. Ty gets that. He talks about how harmony at home isn't a soft topic. It's a prerequisite for being the hunter you want to be. By the end we're talking about where deer hunting culture is headed. Lower barriers to entry, the trophy conversation, what it means to measure success when everyone's got a trail cam and a mapping app. Good stuff. Honest stuff. Come for the ground hunting breakdown. Stay for everything else. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 495 Hard-won experience quiets the noise. Trust it. Creativity isn't a plan. It's a response to what's in front of you. Discomfort is the curriculum. Lean into it. You have to be willing to fail. The deer will teach you if you let them. Balance at home makes you better in the woods. Hunt for the experience. Nobody else cares about your scorecard anyway. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 494: Hunting Dead Ground | The Mental Game of Finding Whitetails 27.05.2026 1t 16min

  There's a particular kind of restlessness that hits a hunter in the off-season. It's not impatience exactly. It's more like a low hum in the background of everything you do. You're mowing the lawn, you're half-present at dinner, but somewhere in the back of your mind you're replaying last season's misses and mentally walking new ground you haven't set foot on yet. That's where K.C. and I found ourselves in this episode, and honestly, it's where I think most serious hunters live from February through August. We got into the anticipation of a new season and that electric feeling of scouting fresh country you've never hunted before. There's something almost spiritual about standing in a new piece of woods with a stick bow on your shoulder and nothing but questions in front of you. Ground hunting with a trad setup doesn't leave you a lot of margin. It demands that you close the distance in a way that most hunters never have to think about, and that changes everything. How you move, how you think, how you manage the inevitable doubt that creeps in when the woods go quiet. Because here's what K.C. and I kept coming back to: doubt is part of the deal. Despair shows up on long trips. There are mornings you climb out of your sleeping bag wondering why you drove eight hours for this. The hunters who kill consistently aren't the ones who never feel that. They're the ones who've learned to respect the feeling, sit with it, and keep putting one boot in front of the other. We talked about the mental side of all of it. Confidence, visualization, the kind of self-awareness that only comes from time in the field and honest reflection. The best hunters I know treat the mental game the same way an athlete does. You prepare for failure as much as success, and you build systems that hold up when emotion wants to take the wheel. We also got into deer behavior, being in the right place at the right time, and how skills from completely different disciplines can transfer into better hunting. That last part is something I think gets overlooked constantly. If you've ever walked back to the truck empty-handed and wondered what you're missing, this one's for you. Pull it up on the drive to work. It might not give you all the answers, but it'll remind you you're asking the right questions. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 493: Why Mature Bucks Live Where You Won't Go | HOS 20.05.2026 21min

  Most hunters spend their off-season trying to make things easier. Better gear. Warmer clothes. Closer access. And honestly? I get it. Comfort is seductive. Your brain is literally wired to chase it. But here's what nobody in the hunting industry wants to tell you: comfort might be the single biggest thing standing between you and consistently killing mature deer. In this episode, we're digging into something that underlies everything we've talked about in the Hunter's Operating System series. Discomfort. Not suffering for the sake of suffering, but deliberate exposure to hard things that builds the kind of conditioning most hunters never develop. Here's the reality. Mature bucks don't live in easy places. They live in the margins. The nasty, hard-to-reach terrain that most people look at and immediately write off. If your threshold for discomfort is low, you'll never consistently go where the deer actually are. Or you'll go once, decide it isn't worth it, and head back to the easy spots everyone else is hunting. I talk about what training jiu-jitsu taught me about this, because a hard round on the mat and a brutal November sit have more in common than you'd think. Both put you in a place where your body wants out and your brain starts building its case for quitting. The difference between hunters who punch tags and hunters who don't often comes down to whether they recognize that negotiation for what it is: a feeling, not a verdict. I also get into a two-week Midwest hunt that nearly broke me. Eight days in. Same buck. Two misses. Tag still in my pocket. I almost went home. I didn't. And in the last 30 minutes of the last day, everything came together. That's the hunt. Not the one on day one when you're fresh and fired up, but the one that happens when you're exhausted, beaten up, and your brain has assembled a genuinely reasonable argument for quitting. The hunters who separate themselves aren't the ones who never feel that pull. They feel it just as much. They've just built the capacity to stay anyway. Every hard thing you choose in the off-season is a decision you've already made before the season starts. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 492: Why Most Hunters Are Doing Too Much and Enjoying It Less 13.05.2026 1t 15min

  There's a version of hunting that looks great on the outside. Big buck, good photos, done by noon. Then there's the version most of us actually live, which is messy and complicated and tied up in kids and jobs and the slow realization that your priorities don't stay the same forever. That's what Greg Litzinger and I got into on this one, and I'll be honest, it's one of those conversations that kept going in my head long after we stopped recording. Greg isn't out here pretending that hunting exists in a vacuum. He talks openly about what it means to chase deer when you've got a family counting on you, and how the calculus of a day in the woods changes completely once other people are in the equation. That's not a complaint. It's just the truth, and it's the kind of truth that doesn't get said enough in hunting media. We spent a good chunk of time on burnout, and I think that part will hit home for a lot of people listening. It's easy to grind yourself down chasing something that's supposed to bring you joy. Too many sits, too much pressure, not enough honesty with yourself about why you're out there. The fix isn't complicated, but it requires admitting something most hunters resist: that more time in the field isn't always better, and that scouting smarter beats sitting longer almost every time. We also got into location and intel, which Greg treats as the serious discipline it is. Knowing where deer want to be before you ever climb a tree is the whole game. That part of the conversation is worth a relisten if you're building a strategy for the fall. But what stuck with me most was Greg talking about fitness and time. He's not dramatic about it. He just lays it out plainly: the physical demands of hunting don't get easier, ignoring that is a mistake, and the window you have to bring your kids into this thing is shorter than you think. The memories made in the field are the ones that last, not the antlers on the wall. Whether your kid is old enough to run a treestand or just old enough to tag along and ask a hundred questions, don't wait for the perfect season. Lead by example and enjoy the process. Hope you get as much out of this one as I did. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 492 Scouting and historical sign tell you more about a buck's potential than any single trail cam photo ever will. Don't chase scrapes. They're exciting, but they'll burn you. Focus on the habitat instead. Knowing where a deer isn't is just as valuable as knowing where he is. Eliminating country keeps you from burning good setups at the wrong time. Mature bucks will humble you. Missed opportunities and close calls aren't failures, they're information. The shot is just one moment in a very long process. The anticipation, the tracking, the recovery, the emotional weight of it all. None of it is clean or simple. When you've chased a specific animal for years, every decision carries real weight. This episode gets into that honestly. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 491: What Years of Hunting One Buck Actually Teaches You 06.05.2026 1t 15min

  Tom Murphy and I have had a lot of conversations about deer hunting, but this one felt different. We got into the kind of detail that most hunters never talk about out loud, specifically what it actually takes to hunt a mature buck over multiple seasons without losing your mind or your confidence. Tom's account of finally closing the deal on a deer he'd been after for years is worth the listen on its own. The shot, the tracking, the emotional weight of the whole thing. He doesn't sugarcoat any of it. We also dig into scouting, historical sign, habitat quality, and why knowing where a deer isn't can be just as valuable as knowing where he is. Simple idea. Hard to actually put into practice. If you've ever locked onto a specific animal and let the whole thing consume a few years of your life, this episode will feel familiar. If you haven't, consider this a fair warning. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 491 Scouting and historical sign tell you more about a buck's potential than any single trail cam photo ever will. Don't chase scrapes. They're exciting, but they'll burn you. Focus on the habitat instead. Knowing where a deer isn't is just as valuable as knowing where he is. Eliminating country keeps you from burning good setups at the wrong time. Mature bucks will humble you. Missed opportunities and close calls aren't failures, they're information. The shot is just one moment in a very long process. The anticipation, the tracking, the recovery, the emotional weight of it all. None of it is clean or simple. When you've chased a specific animal for years, every decision carries real weight. This episode gets into that honestly. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 490: Why You Blow It When It Finally Happens | HOS 29.04.2026 22min

  There’s a moment in every hunt that matters more than all the scouting, all the prep, all the miles you put in. It’s the one where the deer finally shows up. And if you’ve done this long enough, you know it doesn’t always go the way you thought it would. Your heart rate jumps, your breathing changes, and all of a sudden you’re not thinking as clearly as you were ten minutes before. You rush something, force something, or just come unglued for a second. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. This episode is about that moment—what actually happens when pressure hits, and why most of us aren’t as prepared for it as we think we are. Not from a gear or setup standpoint, but mentally. Being present, staying composed, and letting the moment play out instead of trying to control it. A lot of it connects back to things I’ve learned on the jiu-jitsu mat. Same kind of pressure, just in a different setting. When things tighten up, your instinct is to react fast, to get out of it. But the guys who are good at it don’t panic. They slow down, breathe, and make better decisions because of it. Hunting’s no different. If you can learn to recognize that feeling when it shows up—and not fight it, but work through it—you give yourself a better chance when it actually counts. Because in the end, that one moment is usually what it all comes down to. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 490 Most hunting mistakes happen under pressure, not from lack of skill. If you don’t train for pressure, you’ll default to panic when it matters. Presence and patience are what separate clean execution from rushed decisions. Pressure doesn’t create problems, it exposes them. The best hunters slow down when things speed up. Learning to sit in discomfort leads to better decisions. Consistency comes from managing the moment, not forcing it. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 489: Why I Chose the Harder Way to Hunt 22.04.2026 1t 13min

  This week I’m joined by Kolton Schenker, and we spend some time talking through what it looks like when hunting starts to shift from something you do… to something you really commit to. We get into his background—years behind a compound bow, time spent out West, and what came with finally stepping into land ownership. But where the conversation really settles in is around his move to traditional gear. What that transition felt like, the frustration that comes with starting over, and why he stuck with it anyway. He shares a few stories along the way—close encounters, missed chances, and the one that finally came together with a stick bow. And like most guys who make that switch, it wasn’t about making things easier. It was about slowing things down and paying attention in a different way. A lot of it comes back to the same idea: the longer you do this, the more you realize it’s less about the outcome and more about how you go about it. The work, the reps, the time in the woods—and the people you get to share it with along the way. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 489 Long-term reps build intuition 19 years in, Kolton still finds new ways to learn. Trail cams show you what’s there, but observation sets teach you how they move. Getting lower, tighter, and uncomfortable often leads to more real encounters. Switching to traditional gear forces you to slow down and truly focus. Misses aren’t failures, they’re part of the process that makes you better. The reward isn’t just the shot, it’s the encounters, the moments, the grind. Hunting becomes more meaningful when it’s shared, with land, with family, with purpose. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 488: The Longer You Do This, The More It Gives Back | Find Your Tribe 15.04.2026 1t 16min

  This week I’m joined by Will Coggin, and it’s one of those conversations where you realize pretty quick how many parallels there are between the things we spend our time on. We talk about how hunting and jiu-jitsu have a way of bringing people together fast, and how a lot of what Will learned in the military—discipline, structure, adaptability—shows up again in the woods. Not in some forced way, just in how you approach problems, deal with failure, and keep getting better over time. We also get into hunting in the Blue Ridge Mountains—what that terrain demands from you, how it forces you to adjust, and why the process ends up mattering more than the outcome. And somewhere along the way, it turns into a conversation about community too—why having the right people around you matters, and how things like the Veterans Mat Collective are giving guys a place to keep growing, both on and off the mat. Like most of these conversations, it comes back to a simple idea: if you stick with something long enough, stay open to learning, and surround yourself with good people, you’re probably going to get more out of it than you expected. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 488 Shared challenges and interests create fast, meaningful connections. Discipline and structure carry over from the military into hunting and everyday life. Hunting and jiu-jitsu both reward attention to detail and the ability to stay present. Mastery comes from learning how to learn, not just repeating the same actions. Adaptability is critical—both in the woods and in life transitions. Challenging environments like the Blue Ridge Mountains demand patience, strategy, and persistence. Community and brotherhood—are essential for growth and purpose. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 487: Big Buck Hunting on Public Land | The Reality vs. Expectations 08.04.2026 1t 12min

  This week I’m joined by Vince Battiata, and we spend a lot of time talking about what it really takes to hunt public land the way most guys say they want to—but don’t always follow through on. We get into the reality of balancing time, making decisions when things aren’t clear, and what it actually looks like to chase big deer that don’t give you many chances. Vince shares some stories from past seasons—some that worked out, some that didn’t—and what those experiences taught him about timing, access, and trusting your gut when it matters. A lot of this conversation comes back to putting in the work—scouting, learning from past hunts, and staying committed even when things aren’t going your way. And like most good hunting conversations, it ends up in a familiar place: the guys who stick with it, pay attention, and keep showing up are usually the ones who figure it out over time. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 487 Limited time forces better decisions and sharper focus in the woods. Confidence and timing matter more than perfect information. Chasing big deer is a long game built on failure, adjustment, and persistence. Access and mobility often determine opportunity more than anything else. Historical sign and past experiences shape better decisions moving forward. The best lessons come from hunts that don’t go your way. The reward is in the process—earning it, not just killing one. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 486: The Most Beneficial Part of Hunting People Avoid  01.04.2026 1t 12min

  This week Chad Sylvester is back on, and we get into some of the parts of hunting that most guys would rather avoid. Not tactics. Not setups. The stuff underneath that. We talk about taking an honest look at yourself as a hunter—where ego gets in the way, how identity can start driving decisions, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is put yourself in a place you’re not comfortable. New ground, unfamiliar terrain, situations where you don’t have all the answers. A lot of it comes back to letting go a little bit. Trusting your instincts, staying present, and not trying to control every outcome. Because the longer you do this, the more you realize the hunts that teach you the most are usually the ones that don’t go the way you planned. And like most good conversations, it lands on something simple—if you’re not willing to sit in discomfort, stick with it, and keep showing up, you’re probably not going to get what you’re after. Not in hunting, and not in much else either. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 486 Honest self-assessment is where real progress starts—most hunters avoid it. Ego gets in the way of learning more than lack of knowledge ever will. The best hunters rely on intuition built from reps, not constant second-guessing. Growth usually comes from putting yourself in uncomfortable, unfamiliar situations. You don’t control the outcome—you control your presence and decisions. Grit is built by doing hard things consistently, not occasionally. The experience—and what you learn from it—matters more than what you kill. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 485: Why Most Hunters Quit Too Early | The Grit Formula | HOS 25.03.2026 22min

  I started thinking about something I’ve run into a lot lately—not just in the woods, but on a jiu-jitsu mat, and honestly even going back to my wrestling days. It’s that moment when things get hard and your brain starts trying to talk you out of it. Not because you’re in real trouble… just because you’re uncomfortable. I’ve felt it getting smashed by guys half my size, I’ve felt it sitting in a tree when nothing’s moving, and I’ve definitely felt it in a few other places along the way. And the more I’ve paid attention to it, the more I’ve realized that moment—right there—is usually where things start to go one way or the other. So this episode is really about that. About staying composed when it would be easier not to. About figuring out how to keep going without panicking or making a bad decision just to feel better. Because whether it’s hunting, jiu-jitsu, or anything else, the people who stick with it a little longer tend to be the ones who end up where they want to go. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 485 The role of grit in hunting and life Lessons from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling Angela Duckworth's research on grit and success Practical ways to develop mental toughness The importance of a clear top-level goal SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 484: The Deer Hunting Rules That Don’t Actually Work 18.03.2026 1t 35min

  This week Tony Peterson is back on the podcast, and we dig into the parts of hunting that don’t always follow the rules. We talk about how weather, pressure, and the difference between public and private ground shape deer movement—and why woodsmanship still matters more than most people think. A lot of the conversation centers on paying attention to what’s actually happening around you, spending more time in the woods, and being willing to adapt when the plan stops making sense. Like most good hunting conversations, it eventually lands on a simple truth: the longer you do this, the more you realize getting better mostly comes from time, observation, and learning something new every season. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 484 Woodsmanship and observation still drive success, especially on pressured public land. Understanding how deer react to human presence is often the difference between close encounters and empty sits. Spending more time in the field increases opportunity and reveals patterns trail cameras often miss. Finding big bucks and killing them require very different strategies. Breaking conventional hunting rules can lead to unexpected success in challenging environments. Most barriers in hunting are mental, not tactical. The best hunters treat every season as a learning process, adapting to what the woods are showing them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP.483: I Hunted 3 States in One Season—Here's What I Learned 11.03.2026 1t 32min

  This week I’m joined by Rendell Erik, and we cover a pretty wide range of things that all circle back to the same idea—getting better at the stuff we care about, whether that’s in the gym, on the range, or in the woods. We talk about the transition into traditional archery and how it forces you to slow down and really pay attention to your form, your shot process, and even the way your body moves. It’s a different kind of discipline, and in a lot of ways it mirrors the same mindset you need if you’re trying to stay consistent with fitness or mobility work. From there we get into the hunting side of things—postseason scouting, learning new terrain, and figuring out how deer actually move through the places we hunt instead of how we think they should. Rendell shares some experiences from this past season, including a few close calls and missed opportunities that most of us can probably relate to. And like most good hunting conversations, it eventually lands on the reality that the longer you do this, the more you realize the real progress usually comes from paying attention, adapting, and being willing to learn from every season. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 483 Transitioning to traditional archery forces better body mechanics and shooting discipline than many hunters expect. Mobility, movement patterns, and proper technique matter just as much in fitness as they do in shooting a bow well. Small adjustments in anchor point, form, and consistency can dramatically improve shooting performance. Postseason scouting and terrain study reveal how deer actually move through landscapes—not how we assume they do. Mature deer often travel much farther between bedding and food sources than most hunters realize. Hunting new states and unfamiliar terrain pushes hunters to adapt quickly and rely on observation and instinct. The biggest improvements come from learning from mistakes, staying patient, and enjoying the process. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 482: The Bucks That Disappear (And Why Most Hunters Never Figure It Out) 04.03.2026 1t 37min

  This week Brian Dombrowski is back on the podcast, and we spend a lot of time talking about what actually happens after the plans fall apart—which, if you hunt long enough, is most of the time. We get into his season bouncing between Wisconsin and Illinois, the reality of hunting pressured ground, and why mature bucks have a way of simply disappearing when you think you’ve got them figured out. We also dig into the growing role of technology—from trail cameras to drone recovery—and where that line sits between being helpful and changing the hunt altogether. More than anything, this conversation is about adapting in real time… learning terrain instead of fighting it… and accepting that success usually comes from covering ground, paying attention to historical sign, and sticking with the process long after confidence starts to fade. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 482 rian wrapped up a strong season, including multiple successful hunts across Wisconsin and Illinois. The guys discuss using a drone for deer recovery and where technology fits ethically in modern hunting. Hunting thick cover highlights how mature bucks can disappear even when you’re doing everything right. Scouting, historical sign, and terrain understanding remain the foundation for finding older deer. Rising hunting pressure and out-of-state traffic are changing how deer — and hunters — behave. Trail cameras and data help, but success still comes down to prediction, patience, and experience. The episode reinforces that shared stories, hard lessons, and community are what keep hunting meaningful.  SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 481: Trust Your Gut or Trust Your Gear? | Nathan Killen 25.02.2026 1t 37min

  This week I’m joined by Nathan Killen, and we get into the stuff that doesn’t show up in highlight reels — weather that doesn’t cooperate, thermals that don’t do what you expect, and seasons that force you to adjust whether you want to or not. We talk traditional archery, food sources, scrapes, rattling, and the little woodsmanship details that still matter no matter how much technology creeps into the picture. Nathan and I both share seasons where patience mattered more than aggression, and where trusting your gut made more difference than any piece of gear ever could. There’s a thread running through this one about balance — using tools without losing the mystery, learning without overcomplicating it, and remembering that comparison will rob the joy out of this faster than a blown wind ever will. This episode is about instinct, adaptability, and keeping the hunt honest. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 481 Weather, thermals, and food sources dictate deer movement more than anything else. Traditional archery sharpens awareness and forces you to earn every opportunity. Older bucks live by patterns — your strategy has to adjust to theirs. Hunt the edges of sign, not just the sign itself. Woodsmanship is built through reps, not talent. Trusting your gut often beats overthinking the setup. Technology can help — but the mystery is what keeps hunting meaningful. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP.480: The Long Game: Mature Bucks, Mindset & Fitness 18.02.2026 1t 42min

  Alright, so this one’s just me. I dug into a pile of listener questions and it turned into something bigger than I expected. We talk about antlers, sure—but mostly we talk about reps. About why the time in the woods matters more than the score on a tape. About building a life that actually lets you hunt the way you want to hunt, instead of squeezing it in around everything else. I get into scouting in big woods, what’s changed for me with a traditional bow, and why humility shows up real quick when you put the wheels away and go back to wood and string. There’s some nuts-and-bolts stuff in there too—how I approach out-of-state hunts, what I’ve learned the hard way, and even a breakdown of the hunting trailer and cabin projects that are shaping the next few seasons. But if there’s a thread running through all of it, it’s this: hunting isn’t separate from the rest of your life. Your fitness matters. Your recovery matters. Your mindset matters. If you want to do this for decades, you’d better treat it like something worth keeping. This episode’s about playing the long game—on deer, and on yourself. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 480 Nothing  is ever as bad as it feels in the moment — perspective matters. Build a life that supports your passions instead of squeezing them in. Reps kill more deer than antler obsession ever will. Big woods demand patience, wind awareness, and a willingness to feel lost. Traditional gear forces awareness and sharpens woodsmanship. Fitness, recovery, and sleep are part of staying in the game for decades. Set attainable goals — then stack experience until bigger ones make sense. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 479: Losing the Noise to Find the Hunt Again 11.02.2026 1t 25min

  Tim Palmer and I sat down in that quiet stretch after the season—the part of the year where the noise fades and you’re left with what the year actually gave you. We talk winter weather, ice fishing, and why water deserves more respect than most people give it. We get into this past season—what went right, what didn’t, and how Tim shifted his approach away from pressure and back toward enjoyment. There are stories from the high country, close calls, grizzlies, and the kind of lessons you only learn when things don’t go perfectly. A lot of this conversation lives in the mental space—trusting your prep, staying present when it counts, and understanding how mindset can either free you up or get in your way. This one’s about reset, perspective, and remembering why being out there matters in the first place. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 479 Letting go of pressure can bring the enjoyment—and performance—back into hunting. Time in nature has real therapeutic value when you allow it to slow you down. Mindset often matters more than tactics when things get tense or uncertain. Trusting your preparation frees you to stay present when it counts most. High-stakes moments expose mental weaknesses faster than physical ones. Reflection after the season is how real growth actually starts. Resetting your approach can be the difference between burnout and longevity. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP.478: Standing On The Shoulders of Legends | No Shortcuts 04.02.2026 1t 22min

  On this episode of Truth From The Stand, I’m sitting down with Joe Miles, and we’re digging into the kind of hunting that doesn’t get easier with better gear—cold sits, traditional bows, and the work it takes to stay honest in the woods. We talk longbows, confidence at the shot, and why preparation matters more when you strip things back instead of piling them on. Joe shares what drew him deeper into traditional archery, how projects like Brothers of the Bow shaped his perspective, and why legacy and authenticity still matter in modern hunting. We also get into the reality of public versus private ground, work ethic in the field, and even what it’s like stepping into truly dangerous game—where mistakes don’t get forgiven. This one’s about doing things the hard way on purpose, and what you gain when you do. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 478 Cold weather exposes preparation gaps fast—wind, not temperature, is usually the real enemy. Traditional archery rewards discipline; expensive gear means nothing without consistent practice. Confidence at the shot matters more than equipment, especially when buck fever hits. Events like Winter Strong create learning through shared scenarios, not shortcuts. The appeal of longbows and recurves is growing because they reintroduce challenge and intention. Authentic hunting culture values grit, work ethic, and legacy over brand-driven influence. The best hunting stories—and growth—come from friction points, not easy paths. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP. 477: Is Hunting Being Watered Down 28.01.2026 1t 19min

  This week on Truth From The Stand, I’m sitting down with Chad Sylvester for a conversation that started light and ended up digging pretty deep. We talk about whether hunting has become watered down, and what that question really means in a world shaped by technology, influence, and constant noise. Somewhere along the way, we get into old boots, old lessons, and the kind of hunting experiences that leave a mark because they’re earned, not curated. We unpack how modern tools, social media, and shifting expectations have changed the way a lot of us experience the woods—and how easy it is to lose sight of why we started hunting in the first place. Chad and I get honest about influence, ego, motivation, and the tension between chasing outcomes and honoring the process. At the heart of it all is a reminder that woodsmanship, awareness, discomfort, and humility can’t be watered down—and that the best parts of hunting still live in the friction, the uncertainty, and the quiet moments when nobody’s watching. This one’s about reconnecting with what matters, questioning our motives, and remembering that the hunt is supposed to shape us—not the other way around. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 477 Hunting can feel watered down when friction and challenge are removed. Real growth comes from discomfort, effort, and earned experience. Woodsmanship and reading nature are skills that can’t be replaced or diluted. Influence can be driven by ego—or by a genuine desire to help others. Self-reflection reveals why we hunt and what truly motivates us. The dilution of hunting reflects broader cultural shifts, not just technology. The deepest value of hunting lies in connection, struggle, and personal growth. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• EP.476: Effort Over Outcome | Two Buck Season | Travis Keith 21.01.2026 1t 51min

  On this episode of Truth From The Stand, I sit down with Travis Keith, and we wander through the overlap between hunting, wrestling, and the kind of mindset it takes to stay in the fight when things don’t go your way. We talk about tracking—both deer and personal progress—the role mentors play whether you realize it or not, and how most of the real learning comes from the hunts that don’t end the way you planned. Travis shares stories from recent seasons, close calls, and creative ways he’s gained access to overlooked spots, along with the unexpected generosity he’s found from other hunters along the way. It’s a conversation about patience, effort, faith, and listening to your gut—about remembering why you picked up a bow in the first place and how the woods have a way of giving back if you’re willing to slow down and pay attention. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 476 Tracking skill, effort, and mindset often matter more than gear when it comes to recovering deer. Wrestling and hunting share the same foundation: discipline, resilience, and learning through discomfort. Most real growth comes from failed hunts, missed opportunities, and honest self-reflection. Mentorship and community quietly shape better hunters, even when lessons come indirectly. Patience, faith, and trusting your instincts can open doors that strategy alone can’t. Creative access and adaptability often lead to overlooked opportunities in pressured areas. Hunting is ultimately about the journey, gratitude, and the people you meet along the way—not just the kill. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices