In this episode of Truth From The Stand, I sit down with my buddy Tyler Jones to talk about life, hunting, and the lessons that tie them together. We get into the joys and struggles of parenting — from youth sports to that bittersweet moment when kids start stepping into adulthood — and how those same lessons apply in the deer woods. Tyler and I swap stories about hunting around cornfields, building a calculated approach for early season sits, and staying mentally sharp when the hunt doesn’t go your way. We dig into travel hunts, reading new terrain, and setting realistic expectations so you can enjoy the process instead of obsessing over the outcome. More than anything, this one is about humility, perspective, and letting hunting shape who we are — in the timber and at home.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 460

• Be present and engaged with your kids as they grow.
• Adapt hunting strategies and life plans as circumstances change.
• Observation and patience are key to both parenting and hunting.
• Early season success requires a calculated, disciplined approach.
• Serving others and staying humble builds lasting fulfillment.
• Perspective and gratitude turn challenges into growth.
• Gritty experiences make success more 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

In this week’s episode of the Truth From The Stand podcast, I sit down with my buddy Jacob Emery to talk about everything from early-season Tennessee whitetails to raising the next generation of hunters. We get into the highs and lows of last year’s hunts, what it takes to be efficient in the field, and why preparation is the backbone of consistent success. Jacob shares the joy of hunting with his kids, the challenge of balancing family responsibilities with time in the woods, and the perspective that comes with seeing hunting as more than just chasing antlers. We also talk about guided hunts in Texas, dream hunts in Iowa, and how to make the most of the handful of perfect days each season gives you.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 459

• Preparation Wins: Scouting, timing, and planning are the backbone of early-season success, especially in challenging places like Tennessee.
• Efficiency Matters: Making the most of prime days and hunting smart leads to better outcomes with limited time.
• Memories Over Antlers: The best seasons are measured by the experiences and lessons learned, not just the size of the buck.
• Adapt and Learn: Every season brings new challenges, mistakes, and opportunities for growth.
• Balance Is Key: Navigating family responsibilities while chasing deer requires communication and realistic expectations.

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 Sonsnon-typical insoles code TRUTH10

—Check outFaceoff E-Bikes

—Waypoint TV

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 pressure 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 flat out gets it done. Always a good chat with Mike. Hope you all dig the chat as much as I did – thanks for listening.

Available on all podcast platforms!

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 380

1. Adding a compound bow in the mix
2. Hunting low and shot angle
3. A September buck
4. Bonus bucks are great
5. Blood tracking dogs
6. And much more

SHOW NOTES AND LINKS:

—Truth From The Stand Merch

—Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20

—Link for automatic savings on the new Exodus LIFT 4K trail camera or use TFTS4K at check out

—Support our partners: Asio Gear , Exodus Outdoor Gear, Genesee Beer, Tethrd

— Visit my local archery shop Bob and AJ’s Archery World

—Waypoint TV

The season has finally arrived, the wait is over. I got my first hunt in on our farm this past weekend—in a monsoon. Many hunters will wait out the less than desirable conditions until the weather cools (or in my case, dries) and the rut kicks in before they really make their press for whitetail glory. But success can be had in the early season.

Entrance and Exit Strategy

Nothing can kill a hunt before it gets started like a poor entrance strategy. Being aware of where deer are bedding and feeding when entering your stand and how the wind is carrying your scent is critical. Ditches and creeks are ideal choices for entrance and exits to and from stand locations. If hunting a field, try using standing crops as a visual shield between you and the deer and have a buddy pick you up in his truck if possible. Deer don’t seem to equate vehicles with human pressure, especially in farmland where vehicle noise and motion is frequent.

Hunt Food

Know where your food sources are. This time of year there is plenty of browse, but deer will still hit the areas where they can get the best nutrition. Agriculture fields are still a good bet as deer are typically following their food to bedding pattern in the early season. Don’t forget about acorns. Deer will pass up other food sources once acorns begin to drop, especially white oak. A good acorn crop will keep bucks in cover of the timber. Once acorns begin to drop, find a white oak near a known travel route. This spot is a good bet to see deer movement.

Limit Morning Hunts

This is a tip I struggle to follow as I want to be in the woods as much as possible, but morning hunts in the early season can be a risky proposition. During this portion of the season, deer are usually long gone back to their bedding before you ever hit the timber. To hunt a morning you should really have bulletproof information from cameras, or scouting, telling you to be in a stand on a given morning. If you are planning to hunt a morning, make sure you know conditions are just right for your stand location. Otherwise, you are educating deer of your presence and hurting your chances for good daylight movement as the season progresses.

Follow Your Information

This seems like a simple one, but we hunters often outthink ourselves and fall victim to analysis paralysis. You’ve spent the offseason placing trail cams and scouting; now is the time to trust all the information you’ve gathered. Be decisive and deliberate in your efforts and don’t be afraid to make aggressive moves when weather conditions and your information are telling you the risk is worth the potential reward.

Have Fun

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the chase that we forget why we started hunting in the first place…it’s fun! A day in the outdoors spent in a stand is a day well spent. If you’re having a slow hunt, breathe in the clean air and remember how fortunate we are as hunters to be able to experience the thrill of the hunt and freedom most only wish they could feel. It really is an awesome experience. So just get out there and enjoy!