Episodes
Hey folks, We’re back with a brand new episode of the Truth from the Stand deer hunting podcast. This time around, I’m joined by my buddy Greg Litzinger to dive into all things hunting and bow shooting. And guess what? This is part one of a two-part series, so there’s even more to come next week. In this episode, Greg talks about his recent hand injury and its potential impact to his upcoming hunting season. We dig into the topic of adjusting bow poundage and share some tips for shooting in...
Published 05/29/24
 On today’s episode, I'm joined by Rendell, and we're diving into our recent hunting adventures across different states. We tackle the challenges of long drives, varying deer populations, and what makes certain states our top picks for hunting. Scouting, finding secondary food sources, and reading historical sign are key topics we cover. Rendell shares an intense story about a 180-incher that got away, highlighting the challenges of open terrain hunting. We also discuss the mistakes made,...
Published 05/22/24
In this chat, Ryan and I dive deep into our trail camera tactics and how we decipher the data for our hunts. With around 30 cameras each, we stress the importance of picking spots with dense cover that make mature bucks feel at home. Our strategy is simple: focus on deer trails, key terrain features, scrapes and transitions. Our talk revolves around understanding the 'why' behind deer behavior, blending trail camera intel with on-the-ground scouting and ass time in a tree in season. We...
Published 05/15/24
Join me on the Truth From the Stand Podcast as I sit down with Troy Fowler to delve into the heart of bowhunting and arrow dynamics. We're diving deep into the world of hunting experiences, arrow spine, and fine-tuning those crucial shots. Troy drives home the critical nature of arrow flight, spotlighting how using underspined arrows can dramatically impact lethality out in the field. Plus, he shares invaluable insights into bare shafting and its profound effect on arrow trajectory. But wait,...
Published 05/08/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Sam Ubl. Sam has been hunting public and by permission land, and using water access way before it was “cool.” Sam has a DIY mentality, where there’s a will there’s a way. This approach came from trudging through the swamps of Wisconsin with his dad as a youngster, where sometimes making your own water access skis were a necessity to cross the marsh, reeds and bog. Now…with a camera in hand you can see Sam and his crew at work on Chase Nation. This...
Published 05/01/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Cody Schleich. I’m always looking to meet guys who embrace the challenge of hunting big woods and hill country. Cody is one of those guys who is a calculated and aggressive grinder hunting mature bucks in rugged terrain. Hunting mature bucks ithese areas can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack to get an opportunity…and it often ends in heartbreak. But when it comes together, you’d be hard pressed to find a more gratifying feeling....
Published 04/24/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Tony Peterson. In today’s episode we dive into how at times, removing your ego …or adding a little ego can make all the difference in your hunting success. Go overboard and you’ve probably missed something…not enough and you may not take that leap your gut is telling you to that would lead you to killing that mature buck. Truth is, it’s a balancing act. Just like when to believe hot sign..and when to walk right past it. Awesome chat with Tony as...
Published 04/17/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Dan Johnson. If you’re anything like Dan and I (and all of you out there juggling family, work and other responsibilities), it seems like our time gets more limited every year. Whether by choice or out of necessity, efficiency is the name of the game. Gone are the days of having all the time in the world to scout or hunt endlessly. Or have all puzzle pieces to the chess match. Now we rely on past experiences to fill in the gaps and make quick...
Published 04/10/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Brandon Barlow. Brandon hunts public and small permission parcels in the south. As a native New Yorker he's had to adapt his hunting approach from relying on the historical calendar dates of good whitetail hunting...to now using long-term data to keep him in the game as his season is much longer. And the deer seem to have a much broader breeding window within specific pockets. He runs 100+ cameras a year and has been able to glean some pretty...
Published 04/03/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my Jacob Sklenar. At face value you meet Jacob and your first thought is that this guy is a detailed and meticulous killer…who finds consistent success by embracing the grind and suck that chasing mature whitetails is. Once you dig a little deeper, you realize Jacob is on a different journey than just killing mature bucks. He uses hunting as a vehicle of personal growth…and to hopefully leave people who he meets, better than he found them. This folks…is what...
Published 03/27/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Michael Varady. Mike is one of those guys I’ve had the good fortune to meet the past few years. The dude just flat out gets it done in the high pressures state of New Jersey. He was one of my inspirations to begin tinkering with a traditional bow. Like with all die-hard outdoorsman there’s always a season…hunting season, scouting season, shed season, turkey season…then fishing? Mike is as committed to the craft as anyone you’ll meet. And he just...
Published 03/20/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Luke Shimer. Luke is one of the best all around outdoorsman and most authentic people I’ve had the good fortune to know. Watching Luke run the in the mountains of Montana is like watching someone breathe…it looks natural and for him sustenance. Whether he’s chasing critters in the mountains or the streams of Montana…or salt water critters in the Caribbean…all I know is you’ll eat good. And you’re always welcome at his campfire - thanks for...
Published 03/13/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Nathan Killen. Nathan is one of the best hunters I’ve had the privilege to meet while running this podcast. His hunting is only outdone by the quality person he is. Nathan had a great year fulfilling a Long-time goal of killing a true giant public land monarch in the mountains of Virginia. Bucks like this don’t come around often, and if you pay attention, they’ll teach you lessons you might think you already know. Great chat as always - thanks for...
Published 03/06/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Tim Bunao. Tim and I are birds of a feather in the sense that when we set a goal…there’s no turning back. We both have adopted a similar approach the past few years…and that’s simplifying things, and trusting our gut to find more success. Tim Moved west to expand his hunting opportunities a few years ago…he’s still a die-hard whitetail bow hunter. Now he ’s just added a few species to list. He had an epic season this year from as last minute move to...
Published 02/28/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Todd Freeman. Todd is one of those guys who constantly seeks adventure - whether it’s traveling back to his home state of Michigan to hunt the U.P. or out his back door kayaking into hard to reach place in New Jersey. One thing he’s always looking for are bucks that like wet feet. Aside from that, he’s become my go to resource as I jump in to the world of shooting a long bow. Prior to recording this episode, Todd and I spent the day in his shop...
Published 02/21/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Steve Smallridge. Steve is a die hard outdoorsman , splitting his time mostly between chasing whitetails and duck hunting the big water of Michigan. The traveling whitetail gypsy bug has bitten him and he’s started exploring beyond his home state for the past few seasons …and finding success. He’s also a competitive Jiu Jitsu black belt and sees a lot of similarities between hunting and jiu jitsu…and that each ultimately feeds the other. I hope you...
Published 02/14/24
Today on the podcast I’m joined by my buddy Steve Jewett. Steve is has a been a bowyer for a few decades and is the owner of Bushmen Bows. I’m planning to begin my descent into traditional madness. I wanted to start last year, but a shoulder injury delayed my plans. Now that I’m functional again, I’m ready to make the leap and Steve is helping me get sorted before I take the plunge and have him build me a custom long bow - thanks for listening. Available on all podcast platforms! WHAT TO...
Published 02/07/24
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...
Published 01/31/24
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 -...
Published 01/20/24
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...
Published 01/17/24
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...
Published 01/10/24
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...
Published 01/03/24
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...
Published 12/27/23
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...
Published 12/20/23
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....
Published 12/13/23