Drills Gone Wild Podcast

oe from Stormborn Baits is back for Part 2, and this time we get into the company itself, the baits they're building, and the freshwater predators they're building them for.

Joe tells us how Stormborn came to be—including the ridiculous story of attorneys connected to a famous TV show “gently suggesting” that he change the company's original name.

From there we get into snakeheads, giant bass, gar, invasive-species management, and Joe's thoughts on how snakeheads may actually be affecting the fisheries they now inhabit. We also talk federal invasive-species funding, fish behavior, lure design, retrieve speeds, inline spinners, subtle presentations, and what goes into making a bait that'll survive fish that aren't particularly interested in being gentle with it.

Joe also breaks down some of Stormborn's newer products and the results they've seen while testing them—including some pretty ridiculous days on the water.

Then, naturally, we wander into hunting, military bullshit, local bait shops, small businesses, and whatever else crosses our minds.

Joe — Co-Owner, Stormborn Baits

Predators on the menu.

00:00 — Stormborn Baits & How It All Started
01:59 — The Story Behind Stormborn
04:01 — Giant Bass, Snakeheads & Changing Fisheries
07:58 — Invasive Species & Federal Funding
11:59 — New Baits & Lure Design
15:59 — Putting the Prototypes to the Test
20:05 — Building Baits for Freshwater Predators
22:37 — Retrieve Speed, Spinners & Getting More Bites
25:01 — Somehow We’re Back to Military Bullshit
27:08 — Why Local Bait Shops Matter
28:01 — Gar Are Weird as Hell
32:01 — What’s Happening to the Fishery?
36:03 — What Stormborn Is Working on Next
40:02 — Closing It Out

Stormborn Baits, snakehead fishing, snakehead lures, bass fishing, gar fishing, freshwater predators, fishing lures, lure design, topwater fishing, inline spinners, fishing techniques, fishing gear, invasive species, snakehead invasive species, bass fishery, freshwater fishing, bait and tackle, local bait shops, fishing small business, veteran podcast, outdoor podcast, Drills Gone Wild

Joe, co-owner of Stormborn Baits, joins Drills Gone Wild for Part 1 of a conversation that somehow covers frog fishing, snakeheads, water pollution, winter fishing, military and police culture, and more than a few questionable side conversations.

Joe breaks down how he works different topwater baits, why water temperature and weather matter, and why once you start catching fish on a frog, it’s hard to want to fish anything else.

From there, the conversation drifts into environmental issues affecting fisheries, guys dragging kayaks across ice to reach open water, cold-weather fishing gear, police uniforms, tattoos, discipline, and how much military culture carries over into law-enforcement training.

Joe also tells the story of a police-academy instructor and former Marine who treated recruits like they were at Paris Island—complete with sand, yelling, and the kind of training story that fits DGW a little too well.

Guest: Joe — Co-Owner, Stormborn Baits

Part 2: Stormborn Baits itself, lure design, product testing, snakehead, business, and the story behind the company’s name. Coming soon!

00:00 — Fishing With Grandpa
02:52 — When Should You Start Throwing a Frog?
04:00 — Why Snakehead Are Worth Catching
07:00 — Frogger, Cryptwalker & Picking the Right Lure
09:06 — Weather Changes Everything
11:58 — Police Training & Mental Toughness
15:05 — What’s Happening to Our Waterways?
16:01 — Changing Your Fishing With the Conditions
20:01 — Conservation & Protecting the Water
20:02 — The Mental Side of the Job
24:01 — Fishing in the Cold & Gators Stealing Fish
25:00 — Fish, Techniques & More Rabbit Holes
28:08 — Learning How to Actually Work the Baits
30:01 — Weather, Climate & Fish Behavior
32:00 — Water Temperature & Seasonal Bass
35:00 — Protecting Local Waterways
36:02 — Fishing Gear & Customization
40:01 — Discipline, Training & Police Culture
43:59 — Police Uniforms & the Dog-and-Pony Show
48:05 — Why the Training Is Supposed to Suck

Army combat veteran QRF Archery Solutions joins Drills Gone Wild to talk Iraq, bowhunting, launching a mobile archery business, and why he's now training toward a 100-mile race with a much bigger purpose behind it.

QRF shares how he built his mobile archery business in roughly 60 days, why keeping overhead low gives him an edge, and how he plans to bring bow service directly to hunters across Arkansas.
The conversation also gets into military deployments, Army culture, veteran friendships, hunting, Total Archery Challenge, custom arrows, and life after service.

One of the strongest parts of the episode is QRF’s goal to eventually run the Leadville 100. He explains that August has carried a painful meaning since losing members of his scout platoon in a helicopter crash in 2007, and that running Leadville is part of turning that month into something positive and honoring the guys he lost.

As usual, the serious parts are mixed with Army stories, MREs, questionable barracks decisions, dark humor, and the kind of veteran conversations that go completely off the rails.

00:00 — Season 2 Begins / Meet QRF Archery Solutions
01:32 — Hunting & Scouting Arkansas
05:06 — Joining the Army at 17
12:21 — Two 15-Month Deployments to Iraq
15:55 — NTC, Army Food Trucks & Military Chaos
18:01 — MREs & the Parts of the Army Nobody Misses
21:35 — Rank, Leadership & Army Culture
27:37 — Wild Barracks Stories
30:27 — Launching QRF Archery Solutions
33:06 — Total Archery Challenge & Outdoor Events
42:50 — Deployment Stories & Military Camaraderie
49:46 — The Mobile Bow Shop Business Model
53:11 — Veterans Supporting Veterans
01:03:44 — Where the QRF Idea Came From
01:06:12 — Building the Business in 60 Days
01:07:39 — Why He Started Running
01:09:46 — The Leadville 100 Goal
01:16:57 — Perspective After the Military
01:21:44 — Finding a Healthy Outlet
01:25:43 — Breaking Down Gentry’s Custom Hunting Arrows

Season 2 of Drills Gone Wild kicks off with QRF Archery Solutions out of Arkansas.

This one goes way beyond bows.

We get into Army deployments, the realities and ridiculous moments of military life, MREs, hunting, archery, business, Vegas stories, COVID-era experiences, and the kind of conversations that happen when veterans start swapping stories and nobody knows where the conversation is going next.

We also dig into QRF Archery Solutions, the archery world, equipment, hunting experiences, and what it takes to build a business without burying yourself in unnecessary overhead.

Things get more serious along the way as we talk about personal struggles, coping after difficult experiences, and why some veterans continue seeking out physically demanding challenges long after leaving the military.

It's exactly what we wanted Drills Gone Wild to be: veterans, outdoorsmen, stories, laughs, some serious shit when it comes up, and absolutely no guarantee we'll stay on topic.

In this episode:

• Army deployments and military life
• The good, bad, and questionable world of MREs
• Veteran camaraderie and stories
• QRF Archery Solutions
• Compound bows, archery equipment, and hunting
• Building a business while keeping overhead down
• Vegas stories and other questionable decisions
• Personal struggles and finding productive ways to push yourself
• COVID-era Army and travel experiences
• Food, seasoning, and several completely necessary detours

Chapters

00:00 — Hunting & Scouting
03:04 — Military Deployments & Experiences
14:59 — MREs & Military Life
20:22 — Military Experiences & Challenges
29:50 — Archery, Recreation & Events
41:08 — Deployments & Army Stories
42:27 — MREs & Culinary Stories
43:30 — Building a Business & Keeping Overhead Low
44:56 — Food, Seasonings & More Detours
47:23 — Military Bonds & Camaraderie
59:56 — Vegas Stories
01:00:45 — Personal Struggles & Finding an Outlet
01:24:03 — Archery Equipment & Hunting
01:27:56 — More Military Stories
01:39:30 — COVID, Travel & Army Life

What started as a simple crappie fishing trip in Virginia, for the season one finale, quickly turned into one of the most chaotic outdoor trips we’ve had yet.

Three veterans, Co-Hosts of Drills Gone Wild, and Guest Speaker, long-time Veteran friend of RJ, James Baughn, head out on the water expecting to fill a cooler. Instead, we spent the weekend battling wind, cold weather, bad fishing, and our own questionable decisions.

From failed fishing tactics and homemade lures to Army stories, combat training memories, and the strange situations you only experience in the military, this episode turns into the kind of conversation that happens when veterans sit around after a long day outdoors.

No script.
No filters.
Just real stories, real laughs, and a fishing trip that didn’t go as planned.

Topics in this episode include:

• Crappie fishing in Virginia
• Why early-season fishing can be brutal
• Homemade fishing lures and tackle finds
• Army basic training and Drill Sergeant stories
• Combat training chaos and combatives
• Veteran life after the military
• Hunting, bowhunting, and wild game
• Why sometimes the best trips are the ones where nothing goes right

Even though we didn’t catch a single fish, we still managed to come back with some good stories.

And that’s what Drills Gone Wild is really about.

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Veteran mindset meets the outdoors.

0:00 The Fishing Trip That Went Completely Wrong
2:30 Learning to Fish on a Boat
5:40 Shooting Bows and Bad Aim
7:30 Drill Sergeant Stories from the Army
10:00 Living Off Wild Game and Venison
14:30 Homemade Fishing Lures
18:00 Why Fishing Was So Tough
21:30 Getting Hooked by a Crankbait
23:30 Combat Training & Army Combatives
27:00 Fishing Strategy and Reading Water
31:00 Cooking and Eating Bass
34:00 Basic Training Shower Chaos
39:00 Army Deployment & Overseas Stories
46:00 Combatives and Barracks Brawls
52:00 Military Stories That Probably Shouldn't Be Told
56:00 The Gas Station Incident
1:01:00 Bowhunting and Beginner’s Luck
1:05:00 Field Dressing Deer
1:11:00 The Best and Worst Parts of Fishing Trips
1:17:00 Random Internet Culture & Harambe
1:22:00 Japan Deployment Story
1:28:00 Learning Japanese & Culture Shock
1:30:00 Final Thoughts on the Trip

Joel, creator of Dryads Outdoors, shares his journey from frustration with existing outdoor apps to developing his own all-in-one solution. Discover how his background in AI and coding led to a powerful tool for outdoor enthusiasts, emphasizing user feedback and real-time data accuracy.

key topics:

Development of Dryads Outdoors app

Use of AI and mapping tools in outdoor activities Importance of user feedback and community engagement takeaways

Joel's journey from frustration with existing apps to creating his own solution

The significance of real-time, precise data for outdoor safety and activities

Community feedback drives continuous improvement of the app

key frameworks

Community-driven development

Iterative app improvement

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dryads Outdoors

02:47 The Development Journey of the App

04:49 User-Centric Features and Community Engagement 06:17 Innovative AI Features and Wind Analysis

07:14 Understanding AI in Hunting Applications

10:00 The Role of Moon Phases and Animal Behavior

13:00 Scent Control and Hunting Strategies

15:47 Community and Learning in Hunting

18:59 Achievements and Competitions in the App

21:49 Future Goals for Dryads Outdoors

24:43 User Experience and App Features

28:32 Innovative Tracking Features in Hunting Apps

31:34 Ethical Hunting and Animal Recovery

34:27 Hunting Regulations and Community Dynamics

38:27 Future Aspirations for Dryads Outdoors

42:16 Exclusive Offers and Community Engagement

47:34 Drills Gone Wild Intro.mp4

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The conversation delves into the significance of understanding animal tracks, particularly in the context of hunting and fishing. It explores the insights that can be gained from animal tracks, the behavior and patterns of deer, and the strategies employed in hunting and fishing. The conversation covers the topics of animal behavior, hunting, deer mating, tracking, fishing, and health/environmental impact. It emphasizes the importance of understanding animal behavior for successful hunting and fishing, as well as the impact of experience and observation in learning how to pattern animals.

Takeaways

• Understanding animal tracks can reveal valuable information about the gender, age, and behavior of the animal.
• Animal behavior and survival instincts play a significant role in hunting and fishing strategies. Understanding animal behavior is crucial for successful hunting and fishing.
• Experience and observation are key to learning how to pattern animals.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Tracking Animals

02:36Understanding Tracks: What They Reveal

05:17Patterns of Deer Behavior

08:14The Art of Patience in Hunting

11:01Identifying Deer Movement

13:52The Importance of Terrain Knowledge

16:34Scrapes and Rubs: Social Signals

19:42Deer Diet and Its Implications

22:25Finding Core Areas of Deer

25:12The Connection Between Hunting and Fishing

27:51Final Thoughts on Animal Tracking

Mastering Animal Tracking and Wilderness Navigation: Insights from Army and Outdoors Experts

In this episode, we dive into the art and science of tracking animals, reading terrain, and navigating challenging outdoor environments. Whether you're a hunter, hiker, or military enthusiast, learn practical tips on patterning deer and fish, reading signs, and avoiding dangers like muskeg traps or bears.

Key Topics

How to interpret animal tracks for size, gender, speed, and travel patterns

Differentiating bass beds: bluegill vs. smallmouth preferences and signs

Reading deer rubs, scrapes, and travel corridors to predict behavior

Navigating muskeg terrain and avoiding sinkholes in Alaska

How pressure, terrain, and time influence animal movements

Lessons from military land navigation: importance of terrain association and attention to detail

Real-life stories of survival and mishaps in the woods and swamp situations

Tips for identifying signs of bears and avoiding nighttime encounters

Tools and mental models for effective wilderness tracking

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to tracking animal signs for hunting success

02:06 - Differences between bass species and what their beds indicate

03:13 - Common mistakes in tracking and how to interpret signs

04:34 - Terrain awareness: how terrain shapes animal movement patterns

05:52 - First near-death experience in Alaska muskeg terrain

07:25 - Navigating muskeg and avoiding deadly sinkholes

08:54 - Using game trails and terrain cues to locate points in land navigation

10:00 - The dangers of swamp water and how to survive underwater mud pulls

12:01 - Military land nav lessons: importance of terrain association and detail orientation

13:58 - How distractions and equipment loss can impact survival and mission success

16:12 - Nighttime navigation in bear country and spotting signs of predators

17:45 - The significance of terrain familiarity and avoiding surprises in wilderness

19:21 - Lessons from failed land nav and equipment loss during military training

20:51 - Wild animal encounters: identifying wildlife and avoiding dangerous cats

22:23 - The pitfalls of poor terrain awareness in the woods and swamp

23:44 - Equipment and chain of command issues during outdoor operations

25:19 - The importance of attention to detail in tracking equipment and personnel

27:34 - Final thoughts on becoming better trackers and terrain readers

Resources & Links

The Hunter's Guide to Tracking Deer by David Petzal

Bluegill and Bass Bed Identification - Fish Finder

Land Navigation Techniques - US Army Field Manuals

Muskeg Terrain Overview

Connect with the Hosts

RJ Steiskal

@the1robertsteiskal - Instagram |Tiktok |Youtube |Facebook

Gentry Ward

@Heathenoutdoors - Tiktok |Youtube

RJ Steiskal and Gentry Ward are joined by special guest Tristan Mussatti, former Army infantryman and skilled hunter and angler from the Pacific Northwest. The conversation spans Army life—first-day challenges, live-fire training, and lessons from JRTC and AP Hill—before shifting to the outdoors, where Mussatti breaks down real-world hunting and fishing tactics. From chasing steelhead to tracking massive bull elk across the high plains and vast coastal wilderness of Oregon, this episode blends hard-earned military lessons with elite outdoorsman knowledge, tied together by humor, camaraderie, and lived experience.

In this episode, RJ and Gentry discuss some late season tactics for tackling the various challenges of hunting and fishing during the winter.

Offering advice, gear recommendations, knowledge, and another wild conversation.