In this episode, Aaron sits down with Alex Grosso of BuckDown Podcast to discuss their experiences in deer hunting, focusing on the camaraderie and mentorship that comes with the sport. They share personal anecdotes about hunting successes and the importance of scouting, especially during the postseason. Alex emphasizes the significance of understanding deer behavior, utilizing maps for e-scouting, and the value of hunting with friends who may not have as much experience. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing hunting with family life, particularly for new dads, and how to make the most of limited scouting time.keywordsdeer hunting, hunting tips, postseason scouting, mentorship, hunting stories, camaraderie, hunting success, e-scouting, family and hunting, hunting strategies.

• "You can always learn something from somebody else."
• "The biggest thing I've learned is cover."
• "Access is the most important part of the game."
• "I like to paint a fictional story in my head of what I think the deer is doing."
• "If I can find dropping acorns, cover, good terrain, I'm in the right spot."

In this episode of the InCamp Podcast, Aaron Hepler and Byron Horton sit down to unpack recent hunts, hard realities in the deer woods, and where hunting is headed as technology keeps pushing forward. Byron shares lessons from a tough muzzleloader season in Ohio shaped by EHD, and how seeing the effects firsthand forces you to recalibrate expectations and effort.

From there, the conversation opens up into a deeper discussion around technology in hunting—cell cameras, fishing electronics like forward-facing sonar, and where the line is between using tools and losing the identity of a primitive pastime. The guys don’t argue against technology outright, but they question how much is too much, and what happens when efficiency starts replacing skill, patience, and learning.

They wrap it up talking about mentorship, bringing new hunters along the right way, and why the responsibility to pass this stuff on matters now more than ever. If hunting is going to last, it has to be taught—not shortcut.

• Technology isn’t going away—but how we use it matters

• EHD is a real reminder that hunting never owes us success

• Difficulty is what builds skill, confidence, and respect for the process

• Mentorship is how hunting survives long-term

• Taking someone new hunting carries real responsibility

  
  

  https://www.instagram.com/whitetail_experience/?hl=en

  https://garageguys-614.com/

  https://deerhuntergear.com/

Post-season scouting doesn’t stop when the season ends—it just changes shape. In this episode, Jared Larsen breaks down how he blends winter scouting with shed hunting to learn more about deer behavior without burning out a property. We talk about when it makes sense to scout, when it doesn’t, and how deer survival during winter should guide your decisions.

Jared explains how sheds fit into a bigger scouting plan, why narrowing your focus beats covering ground blindly, and what mature bucks do differently once the season is over. From bedding areas and travel routes to using the ONX Hunt app to log sheds and sign, this conversation ties post-season scouting directly into better decisions for next hunting season—with a little turkey hunting talk mixed in at the end.

⁠https://www.onxmaps.com/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/jaredclarsen/?hl=en

In this episode of the InCamp Podcast, Aaron Hepler sits down with Rich Yoder to break down predator hunting from the ground up—what works, what doesn’t, and what actually matters when you’re trying to consistently call in foxes and coyotes. From Pennsylvania farm country to wide-open Kansas ground, Rich shares real-world experience on how predators respond to pressure, terrain, and calling strategy.

They dig into fox hunting as the easiest entry point, why your call is the single most important tool, and how predator behavior differs drastically from big game. The conversation covers rifle and ammunition selection, adapting to weather challenges, and learning to read predator movement when things don’t go according to plan—which is most of the time.

Rich also goes deep on fur handling, explaining how small mistakes can ruin a hide and when it makes sense to outsource fur processing. The episode closes with a detailed discussion on night hunting optics, comparing thermal and night vision systems, and why clarity and target orientation matter more than raw tech specs. If you’re serious about predator hunting—or looking to get started the right way—this episode is loaded with usable advice.

https://www.instagram.com/bo_yoder/?hl=en

https://nightprowleroptics.com/

https://www.facebook.com/p/Precision-Tactics-LLC-100093144871167/

Post-season is where a lot of real progress gets made, and Jared Larsen lays out exactly how he approaches winter scouting with purpose. We talk about the mental shift after the season ends, how to balance learning with deer welfare, and why conditions should dictate when—and when not—to be in the woods. Jared explains how he revisits familiar areas while still forcing himself to scout new ground, stacking information year over year to better understand deer behavior.

We get into bedding areas, wind direction, trails, rubs, and how post-season scouting helps reveal how mature bucks actually use a property. Jared also shares how he uses tools like the ONX Hunt app to mark observations, track movement, and turn winter scouting into actionable hunting strategies for next fall.

https://www.instagram.com/jaredclarsen/?hl=en

https://www.onxmaps.com/v2

Dan Marcelin joins the InCamp Podcast to talk about getting started in deer hunting and what actually matters when you’re new. We cover his first time in the woods, the prep that went into it, the mistakes that showed up, and what he learned once it was time to track, harvest, and handle a deer.

This episode focuses on mentorship and why having the right people around speeds up the learning curve. Dan explains how gear choices, patience, and paying attention to sign made a difference, and why understanding deer behavior matters more than hype or shortcuts.

We also get into the reality of killing an animal—what it requires mentally, how to do it the right way, and the responsibility that comes with taking game for food. From time in the woods to putting meat in the freezer, this conversation keeps hunting grounded in preparation, respect for wildlife, and learning by doing.

If you’re new to hunting or helping someone through their first season, this episode lays out what to expect and what to focus on.

• First-time hunters learn fast when expectations are realistic.

• Good mentorship shortens the learning curve.

• Preparation matters more than gear trends.

• Deer behavior and sign tell you what’s actually happening.

• Tracking and recovery are part of the job.

• Killing an animal deserves respect and attention to detail.

• Bringing home meat makes the work worth it.

In this InCamp Field Notes episode, Aaron Hepler and Rich Yoder focus on the practical side of predator hunting—what you need to know before you ever make a stand. Rich explains why fox hunting is the easiest way to break into predator hunting, how to simplify calling setups, and what mistakes most beginners make right away.

https://nightprowleroptics.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bo_yoder/?hl=en

In this episode of InCamp, I sit down with Dirk Durham, a seasoned elk hunter and bugler, to dive into his journey and what shaped him as a hunter.

Dirk shares the moments that tested his skill and mindset, from chasing bugles in high-country timber to adapting when plans fell apart. Through his stories, you’ll hear how experience shapes intuition, why confidence comes from learning through failures, and how adaptability and perseverance separate hunters who succeed from those who just observe.

Along the way, we touch on the practical side of hunting: e-scouting, calling, understanding elk behavior, and executing the shot process—but always in the context of Dirk’s real-world experiences. We also explore the emotional side of hunting: family, passion, and the way a single hunt can leave a lasting impact.

https://www.youtube.com/@THEBUGLEROFFICIAL

https://www.instagram.com/thebugler/

https://phelpsgamecalls.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooNPLWnGBg2EnI0IXlnSdtr-HcK5LoLTY2hIWPScgFOgITe2TUT

In Part 2 of this Field Notes series, Megan and I shift deeper into rabbit hunting and the culture around it. We talk about why rabbit hunting has stuck around for generations, the group aspect of it, and how the dogs bring people together as much as the hunt itself. We also get into what makes a good rabbit dog, memorable hunts, and even how rabbit meat fits into the full experience from field to table. This episode is less about chasing limits and more about tradition, time outside, and listening to dogs do what they were born to do.

• Rabbit hunting is as much about the dogs as it is the hunt

• Running beagles is better with a group — it’s a shared experience

• Hearing a dog open up on a rabbit never gets old

• Great hunts turn into stories that last way longer than the season

• Cooking rabbit is part of honoring the hunt

  
  

  https://www.instagram.com/megan_plete/?hl=en

  https://athlonuntamed.com/

Ep. 43

In this episode of InCamp Podcast, I sit down with Nick Lindner to talk ice fishing — from walleyes to whatever else bites. We break down practical fishing techniques, how to use sonar technology effectively, and how bait selection changes depending on species, conditions, and local rules.

Nick shares stories from fishing competitions, family trips, and memorable days chasing fish on the ice. We cover ice fishing safety, including spud bars, flotation suits, and reading ice conditions, plus the gear that actually makes a difference.

Whether you’re chasing walleyes, panfish, or muskies, this episode is packed with insights on how to fish smarter, stay safe, and make time for family and tradition while on the ice.

Takeaways:

• Fish behavior: walleyes, panfish, muskies

• Ice fishing safety: spud bars, flotation, reading ice

• Sonar tech: speeds up finding fish, aids decisions

• Bait selection: species, conditions, local rules

• Family trips & traditions

• Competition fishing: sharpens skills

• Ice & weather conditions matter

• Patience and timing pay off

  
  

  https://www.youtube.com/c/NickLindner

  https://www.instagram.com/nicklindnerfishing/