Antler Up Podcast

In Episode 302 of the Antler Up Podcast, I sit down with Troy Smith — a husband, father, teacher, and coach who understands what real leadership looks like both in and out of the woods. Troy and I go back to our days coaching varsity baseball against each other, and this conversation goes well beyond hunting. We dive into leadership through coaching and teaching, the responsibility of setting standards for young athletes, and how those same principles carry over into family life and the outdoors.

We also talk about raising kids in the outdoors, the discipline that comes from fitness and consistency, and what it means to define success in this season of life. Troy shares how hunting has helped shape his approach as a father and mentor, and why bringing his family into the woods has become such an important part of who he is. This episode is honest, grounded, and full of takeaways for anyone trying to balance family, work, and personal growth while still chasing what matters.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

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This week, Jeremy sits down for a reflective and honest solo episode to close out the 2024 season and open the door to what’s coming in 2025. He talks about learning patience, becoming more of a weekend warrior as family priorities shift, and why this season — despite fewer big-buck encounters — helped him grow more than he expected.

Jeremy shares the full story of his rut encounter, the missed shot that ignited a 2018-level fire inside him, and the second-day rifle tradition with his buddy Jim that reminded him why hunting is so much more than antlers and grip-and-grins.

He also opens up about areas he wants to improve, how he plans to attack the offseason, and what listeners can expect from the completely revamped Antler Up Podcast starting in January.

This is a raw, grounded, and motivating look at the season — and a preview of what’s ahead.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

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Episode 300 couldn’t have been recorded anywhere else but AU Deer Camp, surrounded by the people who’ve shaped this journey. In this milestone episode, Jeremy sits down with Josh Hobson, Tim Sisock, and Jim D’Agostino—and for the first time, brings Josh’s boys, Bryce and Reid, into the conversation. It’s Saturday night of Pennsylvania’s opening weekend of rifle season, and camp is buzzing: Reid tagged a buck, Jim filled a doe tag, and everyone’s riding the high, retelling how the day unfolded. From chaotic morning mishaps (including rappel-downs, stuck haul ropes, and lost energy drinks) to the thrill of deer moving through frosty timber, the crew shares an unfiltered breakdown of Day 1 at camp and the year of hunting that led to this weekend.

This episode goes deep into what makes deer camp special: the stories from past seasons, the growth each guy experienced this year, and the evolving traditions that now include the next generation. Jeremy, Tim, Josh, and Jim reflect on weird deer patterns, odd rut timing, tough lessons, missed opportunities, hard-earned successes, and how life, work, and family shaped their time in the woods. The kids bring fresh energy—talking bowhunting, rifle excitement, their favorite moments, and the pure, electric adrenaline of watching deer walk in. With laughs, self-deprecation, heartfelt gratitude, gear talk, future plans, and the undeniable magic of a camp full of hunters, Episode 300 captures exactly what Antler Up has always been about: family, friendship, growth, hunting stories, and digging deeper into why we love being out there together.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

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This week we’re rolling out another Flashback Episode, just like last week — and this one goes back to Episode 149, originally released on November 30, 2022. In this conversation, Jeremy sits down with good friend and longtime contributor Aaron Hepler to answer a question every hunter eventually faces: “The season’s over… now what?” Aaron breaks down why the weeks immediately after the season can be some of the most valuable for evaluating your year, tightening up your systems, and planning how to become a better whitetail hunter moving forward. From gear organization to reviewing trail-cam data to the mental side of closing the chapter on a long season, this episode gives you a roadmap to make the most of the offseason instead of drifting through it.

Jeremy and Aaron also dig into honest reflections from their own seasons — what worked, what didn’t, and how those lessons shape their approach for the following year. Whether you're coming off a high or wrestling with frustration, this episode will help you reset your mindset, take control of your preparation, and set yourself up for future success. If you want practical steps, thoughtful discussion, and a push to stay intentional long after the final sit, this Flashback Episode is absolutely worth revisiting.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

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This week on the Antler Up Podcast, Jeremy kicks things off with a quick update and an important announcement. Episode 300 is right around the corner, and to celebrate the milestone the right way, Jeremy will be recording it straight from deer camp during Thanksgiving weekend alongside his closest friends. That means the next two Wednesdays will feature some of the best re-run episodes from the Antler Up archive to keep the momentum rolling while we gear up for the big celebration.

Today, we’re bringing back Episode 146 with Pennsylvania hunter Curt DeLattre, one of the strongest rut-focused conversations we’ve ever had on the show. In this episode, Curt breaks down how he reads rut sign, how he decides when to strike, and the mindset it takes to stay centered during one of the most unpredictable times of the deer season. Jeremy also shares a quick recap of his recent hunts before diving into this listener-favorite conversation. Whether you’re grinding out November sits or getting ready for the post-Thanksgiving push, this is one worth reliving. Antler Up!

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

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In Episode 299 of the Antler Up Podcast, Jeremy recaps a tough rut weekend in Pennsylvania with little daylight buck activity despite long all‑day sits. He shares the ups and downs of Saturday’s move into thicker cover, Sunday’s rain‑shortened hunt, and the frustration of seeing shooter bucks only on camera at night. Alongside these stories, Jeremy lays out practical rut strategies for the week of November 10–16, emphasizing patience, midday sits, and smart adjustments to weather and trail camera intel. Listeners also hear a shoutout to Jim for filling his New York archery tag, a preview of his upcoming gun opener, and coverage of the new bow releases from Mathews, Hoyt, and Prime, plus timely Pennsylvania hunting updates.

To round out the episode, Jeremy throws in an older conversation with Andy May from Episode 231, “Get Better & Keep it Simple.” In that discussion, Andy shares how hunters often overcomplicate their approach and why simplifying gear, trusting experience, and focusing on continuous learning can lead to greater success. He emphasizes that challenges and encounters often outweigh the size of bucks harvested, and that keeping things simple helps hunters stay efficient and confident in the field. Pairing Jeremy’s current rut grind with Andy’s timeless advice makes this episode a blend of real‑time hunting reflection and evergreen wisdom for whitetail hunters.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on episode 298 of the Antler Up Podcast, Jeremy dives into a solo episode packed with reflection, mindset, and practical lessons for this critical stretch of the deer season. After a few tough sits with slow deer movement and missed opportunities, Jeremy shares what he’s learning in real time — the importance of patience, resisting the urge to be “too mobile,” and trusting your gut when things don’t seem to break your way. He explores the concept of a growth mindset during the rut, focusing on how to stay positive and adaptable when hunts get tough, and how to let each sit teach you something that moves you forward.

To round out the episode, Jeremy brings back powerful clips from one of his favorite past conversations — Episode 196 with Beau Martonik — where Beau laid down timeless insights on rut hunting. From playing terrain correctly and trusting your area, to relying on experience instead of overanalyzing trail camera data, these snippets are packed with lessons that hit especially hard this time of year. Whether you’re in the thick of your rut grind or waiting for your next opportunity, this episode will reset your perspective and keep you grounded as the best hunting days of the season unfold.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

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In this solo episode, Jeremy Dinsmore checks in from the Pennsylvania woods to share some hard-earned lessons from a slow October weekend. He breaks down what it means to fall into the “too-mobile” trap—moving too much, too soon—and how giving good ground time to develop can make all the difference. Jeremy also dives into the mental side of the season: how trail cameras can become both a blessing and a curse, why chasing other hunters’ success only hurts your focus, and how patience, gut instinct, and historical intel are what truly kill big deer.

Drawing on research and insights from MeatEater, Deer & Deer Hunting, and North American Whitetail, Jeremy unpacks why patience still wins in the whitetail woods. From recognizing when to stay put to trusting your own property’s rhythm, this one’s packed with perspective for any hunter grinding through October. The best days are ahead—so slow down, hunt smart, and trust your process.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this solo episode, Jeremy Dinsmore checks in from the heart of Pennsylvania’s October woods to share where his 2025 season stands so far. From early-season encounters to the sting of a neighbor tagging the mature buck he’d been watching all summer, Jeremy breaks down the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way. He unpacks how shifting food sources, scrape activity, and cold fronts are changing deer movement and what that means for his next moves as the pre-rut kicks in.

Jeremy also revisits some of his favorite past Antler Up conversations from hunters like Steve Sherk Jr., Brandon Barlow, Rich Yoder, and Beau Martonik—using their October insights on patience, pressure, and adaptability to frame his own mid-season mindset. He wraps up with a look ahead at his plans for late-October in PA, rut hunts at camp, and his upcoming Ohio trip before rifle season. Whether you’re grinding through the lull or gearing up for the rut, this episode delivers real-time perspective from the middle of the season.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

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This week on the Antler Up Podcast, we’re kicking off the 2025 Pennsylvania archery season straight from AU Camp with my good friends Tim Sisock and Jim D’Agostino. There’s nothing like opening weekend — crisp mornings, fresh sign, and the anticipation of a new season. In this episode, we talk about the mindset of hunting without pressure, slowing down, and soaking in every part of the experience. From fine-tuning strategy and gear to understanding deer behavior, we break down what makes the early season so special and how preparation sets the tone for success.

We also reflect on the friendships, memories, and moments that make deer camp such an important tradition. Hunting is about the chase, the camaraderie, and celebrating both big and small victories in the woods. Whether you’re grinding public land, chasing a target buck, or just getting back into the timber, this episode will get you fired up for the season ahead. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s kick off the fall together — AU style.

So, grab your gear, sit back, and join us on this episode as we Antler Up!

www.antlerupoutdoors.com

www.tethrdnation.com

www.huntworthgear.com

www.sportsmensempire.com

https://deerassociation.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.