Before the Echo

Crossbows have become one of the most divisive topics in the hunting community. But after reading hundreds of comments and having countless conversations, I've come to realize that hunters aren't really fighting about crossbows.

They're fighting about challenge.

They're fighting about identity.

They're fighting about what hunting means to them.

In this episode, I dive into the real reasons hunters turn on each other over equipment choices and why these conversations often become much bigger than the gear itself. We discuss challenge vs. success, convenience vs. fulfillment, and whether making something easier always makes it better.

This isn't an episode about telling anyone how they should hunt. It's an honest conversation about why we care so much about how other people hunt and what we might learn from those disagreements.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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#Crossbow #Bowhunting #TraditionalArchery #Whitetails #PublicLand #HuntingPodcast #BeforeTheEcho #DeerHunting

Follow Fletcher and check out Solid Rock Targets:🌐 https://www.solidrocktargets.com/category/all-productsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/solidrocktargets/Why do some deer hunters celebrate success while others seem to resent it? In this episode of Before the Echo, I sit down with Fletcher Shaw to talk about a topic that doesn't get discussed enough—why successful hunters often face criticism from within the hunting community itself.We dive into the culture of deer hunting, the backlash that can come with shooting mature bucks, and why social media has changed the way hunters view one another. Fletcher also shares his journey of leaving the security of a traditional job to chase his dream of building a business from the ground up. From the early struggles to creating Solid Rock Targets, this conversation is packed with lessons on risk, perseverance, and staying true to your passion.Whether you're a hardcore whitetail hunter, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone trying to follow a dream of your own, this episode has something for you.Topics discussed:🏹 Why some hunters turn on other hunters🦌 The controversy surrounding big buck success💼 Quitting a stable job to pursue a dream📈 Building Solid Rock Targets from the ground up🎯 Lessons learned from entrepreneurship and hunting🔥 Staying motivated when others doubt you🎯 Save on the gear I trust:🦌 Latitude OutdoorsUse code BTE for 15% offhttps://www.latitudeoutdoors.com🌿 ASIO GearUse code ECHO15 for 15% offhttps://www.asiogear.com🏹 Razor BroadheadsUse code BTE for 20% offhttps://www.razorbroadheads.com🔭 Hawke OpticsUse code BTE for 15% offhttps://us.hawkeoptics.com#DeerHunting #Whitetails #HuntingPodcast #BigBuck #Entrepreneurship #BeforeTheEcho #FletcherShaw #SolidRockTargets #PublicLandHunting #Bowhunting #HuntingLife #WhitetailDeer

In this episode of Before the Echo, we're joined by the marketing director Cameron Derr from Hawke Optics to break down one of the most important—but often misunderstood—parts of a hunter's setup: optics.We dive into Hawke's entire lineup, from budget-friendly options for new hunters to premium glass built for serious whitetail, western, and long-range hunters. If you've ever wondered how much you should spend on binoculars, a riflescope, or a rangefinder, this episode is for you.We discuss:• What separates entry-level optics from premium optics• When spending more money actually matters• The biggest optics mistakes hunters make• Choosing the right binoculars for your style of hunting• Scope options for deer hunters at different budgets• How Hawke designs optics for real-world hunters• Getting the best value for your moneyWhether you're looking to upgrade your current setup or buy your first piece of quality glass, this conversation will help you make a more informed decision before spending your hard-earned money.Check out Hawke Opticshttps://us.hawkeoptics.comUse code **BTE** at checkout to save money on your order.*What optics are you currently running, and what would you like us to cover in a future optics episode? Let us know in the comments!#BeforeTheEcho #HawkeOptics #DeerHunting #WhitetailHunting #HuntingGear #Binoculars #Riflescope #Optics #PublicLandHunting #Bowhunting

Could Oregon become the first state to effectively ban hunting, fishing, and trapping?

In this episode of Before the Echo, I break down Oregon Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), also known as the PEACE Act. Supporters say the proposal is about expanding animal protections, while opponents argue it would remove legal exemptions that currently protect hunting, fishing, trapping, farming, livestock production, and other activities under Oregon's animal cruelty statutes.

We discuss:

• What IP28 actually says

• Why hunters across America are paying attention

• The 120,000+ signatures submitted to qualify for the ballot

• Potential impacts on conservation funding

• Wildlife management concerns

• Why this debate extends far beyond Oregon

• What hunters can do to get involved

Whether you support or oppose the proposal, I encourage everyone to read the initiative for yourself and understand both sides of the issue.

👇 TAKE ACTION & LEARN MORE 👇

🦌 Oregon Hunters Association (OHA)

https://oregonhunters.org/initiative-petition-28-2/

🌾 Oregon Farm Bureau – No on IP28

https://ofbaction.org/no-on-ip28/

🎣 Northwest Steelheaders

https://northweststeelheaders.org/

KEY FACTS

• Required signatures: 117,173

• Signatures submitted: 120,000+

• Current status: Signature verification

• Potential vote: November 2026 ballot (if certified)

What do you think?

Could a proposal like this happen in your state?

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

#Hunting #Conservation #Oregon #IP28 #Fishing #Trapping #PublicLand #DeerHunting #TurkeyHunting #BeforeTheEcho

The Counterintuitive Path to Following Jesus | John 12 Bible StudyIn this episode of the Rooted & Raised Podcast, we dive into John 12 and explore one of the most challenging truths Jesus ever taught:"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." – John 12:24The world tells us to chase comfort, success, and self-preservation. Jesus teaches the exact opposite. In John 12, we see Mary's extravagant worship, Jesus' triumphal entry, and His call for believers to surrender their lives in order to truly live.In This Episode:✔️ Why Mary poured out expensive perfume on Jesus✔️ The difference between true worship and religious appearance✔️ What Jesus meant by "losing your life" to find it✔️ Why following Christ often feels counterintuitive✔️ How surrender leads to spiritual fruitfulness✔️ Practical ways to apply John 12 to your daily walkWhether you're new to the Bible or have been following Christ for years, John 12 offers a powerful reminder that God's way is often very different from our own.📖 Scripture: John 12If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use the reminder that God's plan is greater than our own.#RootedAndRaised #John12 #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #FollowingJesus #Faith #ChristianLiving #Discipleship #BibleTeaching #JesusChrist

What if becoming a better hunter isn't about doing more—but doing less?

In this episode of Before the Echo, I break down 15 things I stopped doing over the years that ultimately made me a more successful and consistent deer hunter. From over-hunting good spots and chasing every new trend to buying gear I didn't need and ignoring access routes, these are real lessons learned through trial, error, and plenty of mistakes.

Whether you're a new hunter trying to shorten the learning curve or a seasoned hunter looking to sharpen your approach this fall, I think you'll find something in this episode that challenges the way you think about hunting.

Topics include:
• Over-hunting good areas
• Scouting mistakes
• Public land pressure
• Gear addiction
• Hunting trends and social media
• Access routes and deer movement
• Learning from failure
• And much more

I'd love to hear from you:

What's one thing you stopped doing that made you a better hunter?

Drop a comment below and join the conversation.

🎯 Save on the gear I trust:

🦌 Latitude Outdoors
Use code BTE for 15% off
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🌿 ASIO Gear
Use code ECHO15 for 15% off
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🏹 Razor Broadheads
Use code BTE for 20% off
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🔭 Hawke Optics
Use code BTE for 15% off
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🎙️ Follow Before the Echo:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeforeTheEcho

#DeerHunting #PublicLandHunting #Whitetails #TraditionalArchery #Bowhunting #BeforeTheEcho #HuntingPodcast #WhitetailDeer #DIYHunting #HuntingTips

**The Future of Deer Hunting: Better or Worse? | Solo Podcast**Is deer hunting headed in the right direction, or are we losing something that made it great in the first place?In this solo episode of Before the Echo, I share my thoughts on where deer hunting is headed over the next 5–10 years. From advancing technology and social media influence to public land pressure, recruitment of new hunters, access to land, regulations, and the rise of mobile hunting, we dive into the biggest changes impacting today's deer hunter.We'll discuss:• How technology is changing the way we hunt• The future of public land hunting• Social media's impact on hunting culture• Recruiting the next generation of hunters• The balance between tradition and innovation• What concerns me most about the future• Reasons I'm optimistic about what's aheadWhether you're a die-hard traditional bowhunter, a mobile hunter, or just someone who loves spending time in the woods, this conversation is for you.What do you think? Is the future of deer hunting better or worse? Let me know in the comments.**Partners & Sponsors**🏹 Latitude OutdoorsUse code **BTE** for savingshttps://latitudeoutdoors.com🦌 ASIO GearUse code **ECHO15** for 15% off https://asiogear.com🔭 Hawke OpticsUse code **BTE** for 15% offhttps://us.hawkeoptics.comFollow Before the Echo:📺 YouTube🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify#DeerHunting #Whitetails #PublicLandHunting #Bowhunting #TraditionalArchery #BeforeTheEcho #HuntingPodcast #WhitetailDeer #DeerSeason #HuntingConversation

Turkey season never really ends. In this episode of **Before the Echo**, we dive into some of the biggest topics in turkey hunting today, including:🦃 The best turkey guns and setups🦃 Hunting out West vs. hunting back East🦃 Is Iowa worth the cost for non-resident hunters?🦃 Public land challenges and opportunities🦃 Travel hunts, scouting, and hunting pressure🦃 What we'd do differently if we were starting overWhether you're a seasoned turkey hunter or just getting started, this conversation is packed with opinions, experiences, and practical advice from hunters who spend a lot of time chasing gobblers.Let us know in the comments:**Would you rather hunt turkeys out West or back East?**#TurkeyHunting #TurkeySeason #PublicLandHunting #TurkeyGun #HuntingPodcast #BeforeTheEcho---**PARTNERS**🏹 Latitude OutdoorsSave 15% with code **BTE**[https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/](https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/)🦌 ASIO GearSave 15% with code **Echo15**[https://www.asiogear.com/](https://www.asiogear.com/)🌲 Stealth OutdoorsSave 10% with code **BTE10**[https://www.stealthoutdoors.com/](https://www.stealthoutdoors.com/)🎯 Razor BroadheadsSave 20% with code **BTE**[https://www.razorbroadheads.com/](https://www.razorbroadheads.com/)🔭 Hawke OpticsSave 15% with code **BTE**(https://us.hawkeoptics.com/where-to-buy.html)📺 Subscribe to Before the Echo for more hunting conversations, tactics, gear reviews, and stories from the field.

In John 11, we walk through one of the most powerful moments in all of Scripture — the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Why did Jesus wait? What does His response teach us about suffering, faith, grief, and the glory of God? And what did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the resurrection and the life”?

In this Bible study, we break down the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus verse by verse and look at the deep spiritual truths found in this chapter. We also discuss one of the shortest yet most meaningful verses in the Bible: “Jesus wept.”

Whether you’re walking through a difficult season, wrestling with unanswered prayers, or simply wanting to grow deeper in your understanding of Scripture, John 11 is filled with hope and encouragement.

📖 Today’s Study: John 11

🙏 Topics Covered:

* Why Jesus delayed coming to Lazarus

* Faith during suffering and waiting

* The meaning of “I am the resurrection and the life”

* Jesus weeping with those who mourn

* The raising of Lazarus

* How this miracle pointed to the cross

If this study encourages you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need hope today.

#BibleStudy #John11 #Jesus #Lazarus #ChristianPodcast #BeforeTheEcho #Faith #BibleTeaching

What would I do differently if I started hunting from scratch today?In this episode, I sit down and honestly talk through the mistakes, wasted years, bad habits, and lessons I’ve learned throughout my hunting journey. From gear obsession and overcomplicated tactics to public land pressure, scouting, fitness, and balancing hunting with family and faith — this is the advice I’d give myself if I had to start all over again.Whether you’re a brand new hunter or someone who’s been doing this for years, I think there’s something in this conversation that can help you become a better and more grounded hunter.Topics we cover:The biggest mistakes new hunters makeWhy gear matters less than people thinkDeer behavior vs hunting tacticsPublic land pressureWind and access mistakesTraditional archerySocial media’s effect on huntingWhy I’d simplify everythingBalancing hunting, faith, and familyDrop your thoughts and experiences in the comments — what would YOU do differently if you started over?#Hunting #Whitetail #PublicLand #Bowhunting #TraditionalArchery #DeerHunting #BeforeTheEchoPARTNERS & DISCOUNT CODESLatitude Outdoorshttps://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/Code: BTE saves 15%ASIO Gearhttps://www.asiogear.com/Code: Echo15 saves 15%Stealth Outdoorshttps://www.stealthoutdoors.com/Code: BTE10 saves 10%Razor Broadheadshttps://www.razorbroadheads.com/Code: BTE saves 20%Hawke Opticshttps://us.hawkeoptics.com/where-to-buy.htmlCode: BTE saves 15%