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

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 Sonsnon-typical insoles code TRUTH10

—Check outFaceoff E-Bikes

—Waypoint TV

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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