In this episode of The Mobile Hunters Dojo, I sit down with Michigan hunter Josh Arbogast to unpack his journey into public land hunting and the deep personal connection he’s built with the woods. Josh shares how he came into hunting later in life, how his background in boxing shaped his grit and discipline, and why scouting became the true heartbeat of his season. We discuss the flow state that comes from getting lost in the woods, the role of intuition over traditional sign, and why trusting the process—through failures and successes alike—is the real path to growth as a hunter.

We also dig into Josh’s strategic approach to swamp hunting, including how he scouts edge transitions, uses mock scrapes to gather intel in low-sign areas, and carefully balances aggressive moves with smart access. He shares lessons from pursuing a single elusive buck over multiple seasons, the reality of bumping deer, and why loving every part of the hunt—from the first boot print to the final pack out—is essential. This conversation is a gritty, honest look at the mindset, woodsmanship, and relentless passion that define true public land hunters.