In this Field Notes conversation, I sit down with Megan Plete to talk beagles — why they’re built the way they are, what makes them special in the field, and what it actually takes to own and train one. We get into instinct vs training, patience, and the realities of running dogs that are bred to follow their nose. We also touch on rabbit hunting as the backdrop for why beagles do what they do, along with stories that show just how tough, quirky, and driven these dogs really are. If you’ve ever thought about owning a beagle or running dogs, this one gives a real look at the good, the challenging, and the rewarding parts.

TakeAways:

• Beagles are small, dense, and tough — built to push through rough cover

• You don’t train instinct into a dog, you learn how to work with it

• Patience matters more than perfection when starting beagles

• Every beagle has its own personality and quirks

• Owning and running dogs is a commitment, not a shortcut

Ep. 42

In this episode of InCamp, I sit down with Nathan Endicott to talk about growing up in a hunting family and how those early camp experiences shaped the way he approaches the outdoors today. We get into the real differences between blacktail and whitetail hunting, what changes when you cross state lines, and how elk hunting forces you to level up—both mentally and physically.

Nathan shares why fitness matters when hunts get steep, long, and unforgiving, and how preparation off the mountain shows up when it counts. We also talk about faith, community, and how hunting has a way of putting life into perspective. From family traditions to chasing elk and blacktails, this conversation is rooted in experience, lessons learned the hard way, and a genuine love for being outside.

TakeAways:https://www.youtube.com/c/NathanEndicott_Films

• Growing up in a hunting family builds long-term perspective and respect for camp life

• Blacktail and whitetail require very different approaches and expectations

• Elk hunting exposes gaps in preparation fast—fitness matters

• Time in the mountains teaches discipline, patience, and humility

• Faith and hunting often intersect when things get hard

• Community and shared hunts make the experiences last longer than the kill

• Consistency and preparation are what turn opportunities into success

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

https://www.instagram.com/nathan4you/?hl=en

In this InCamp Field Notes episode, I break down a quick-hit conversation with fitness coach Chandler Marchman on how small, consistent daily habits can change your hunting season—and your life.Chandler shares how consistency builds discipline, how mobility keeps hunters effective, and why showing up—even on your busiest days—matters more than any perfect workout.

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

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

https://marchmanstrength.com/

In this episode of the InCamp Podcast, Ben and I sit down and talk through what growing up in the outdoors really meant for us — the memories, the lessons, and the responsibility that comes with hunting. From childhood pheasant hunts to out-of-state adventures, we dig into how hunting shaped our values, our family bond, and our respect for wildlife.

We talk honestly about the profound side of hunting — compassion for the animal, ethical decision-making, and why following the rules matters. We also get into the reality of planning big hunts: investing in tags, preparing physically for altitude, managing expectations, and handling frustration when things don’t go as planned.

This conversation is about the full experience — preparation, food, butchering, storytelling, and the memories that stick long after the hunt ends. Hunting has always been our way of connecting to nature, our food, and each other — and that’s what this episode is really about.

Takeaways:

• Hunting played a major role in shaping our identity and family bond

• Ethical hunting and compassion for wildlife matter

• Preparation and research are critical for out-of-state hunts

• Physical fitness impacts success at higher elevations

• Managing expectations makes the experience more enjoyable

• Hunting is about the process, not just the kill

• Butchering and meat care deepen respect for the animal

• The best hunting stories usually come from adversity

In this Christmas edition of the In Camp Podcast, I sit down with my wife Elizabeth for an honest conversation about marriage, hunting, family, and faith. We talk through what it’s really like balancing personal passions like hunting and outdoor activities with the responsibilities that come with marriage and family life.

We also open up about the emotional weight of losing a pet, how that season tested us, and why creating new traditions helped us heal and move forward together. This episode isn’t about tactics or tags—it’s about support, communication, and understanding each other through every high and low.

As the year comes to a close, this conversation is a reminder that time outdoors can recharge relationships, faith anchors us when life feels heavy, and the people who support us matter more than anything we chase in the woods.

Takeaways:

• Communication is the foundation of a strong marriage

• Support matters when balancing hunting and family life

• Personal passions and family responsibilities must coexist

• Pet loss is real grief and deserves space to heal

• Creating new traditions helps families move forward

• Shared moments—indoors or outdoors—build deeper connection

• Faith brings perspective during life’s toughest seasons

As the season winds down and hunting pressure is at its peak, this conversation with Tyson Pottenger zooms out and looks at what it really means to hunt whitetails for an entire season. From postseason scouting to scrapes, pressure, and mindset, Tyson shares the kind of lessons that only come from years of paying attention after most hunters pack it in.

We talk about tracking individual bucks, why scrapes and mock scrapes matter more than most hunters realize, and how deer behavior changes as pressure stacks up throughout the season. Tyson also shares what hunting Idaho’s rugged terrain has taught him about adaptability, resilience, and mental toughness when things don’t go as planned.

This episode isn’t just about tactics — it’s about understanding deer, learning from failure, and using every season as a stepping stone toward becoming a better hunter. Whether you’re still grinding through late season or already thinking about next fall, this one will help you see the bigger picture.

Takeaways:

• Postseason scouting should begin immediately after the season ends

• Tracking specific bucks year to year reveals critical movement patterns

• Scrapes are major communication hubs and deserve priority during scouting

• Mock scrapes are effective when placed in secure locations with natural movement

• Human scent management is critical when creating and maintaining mock scrapes

• Hunting pressure dramatically influences deer behavior and daylight movement

• Late October is often an overlooked but productive window for mature bucks

• Mountain and Western-style hunting requires adaptability and resilience

• Every buck has its own personality and behavioral tendencies

• Mental toughness is essential when seasons don’t go as planned

• Learning from failure is part of becoming a consistent hunter

• Mentorship plays a major role in developing hunters and strengthening the community

• Success in hunting is about the journey, not just the end result

In this episode of InCamp, I sit down with Jared Larsen from OnX to break down practical whitetail hunting strategies that actually translate from the map to the woods. We dig into how OnX hunting tools help speed up scouting, identify killable terrain, and understand deer movement, especially during the late season.

Jared shares how he uses topography, terrain analysis, and LIDAR to uncover overlooked features that most hunters walk right past. We talk about why postseason scouting is one of the most valuable times of year, how winter sign tells the real story, and how adapting your approach based on conditions is often the difference between hoping and consistently getting opportunities.

If you’re serious about improving your whitetail hunting, learning how to scout smarter, and using hunting technology like OnX with purpose, this episode is packed with takeaways you can apply immediately.

Takeaways:

• OnX simplifies scouting and terrain analysis

• Topography plays a major role in deer movement

• Late-season hunting means keying in on food and pressure

• LIDAR reveals hidden terrain features most hunters miss

• Winter scouting exposes true deer travel routes

• Killable terrain matters more than deer numbers

• Organized waypoints help build long-term hunting strategy

https://www.onxmaps.com/

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

Summary:

In this episode of the InCamp Podcast, I'm talking with Travis Frank — host of The Flush TV and podcast. Travis opens up about how hunting shaped his life, from guiding fishing trips to telling the best stories in the uplands. We dig into what makes bird hunting so addicting — the dogs, the wild places, the challenges, and the payoffs.

We break down out-of-state adventure hunts, late-season strategies, and why scouting and understanding the ecosystem matter more than fancy gear. We hit on building bird dogs the right way, lessons learned from the good dogs (and the stubborn ones), and making wild game meals that remind you why the work is worth it.

This one’s packed with good stories, grit, and the heart behind conservation and mentorship — because we all have someone who showed us the way into the outdoors, and now it’s our turn.

Takeaways:

• Mentorship keeps hunting alive — pass it on

• Bird dogs aren’t just tools; they’re partners

• Out-of-state success starts with e-scouting + habitat knowledge

• Conservation is our responsibility as hunters

• Wild food connects the whole experience

  
  

  https://www.theflush.tv/

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

  https://www.instagram.com/incamp_podcast/

Summary

Ice season is almost here, and we’re diving in. In this episode of InCamp Field Notes, Drew Mininger and I talk through the gear we trust, the fish we chase, and how to keep the ice fishing camp vibe strong — especially when kids are along for the adventure. We hit the must-know safety checks, the simple setups that catch more fish, and why winter might be the most underrated time to be outdoors. If you’re fired up to drill holes, swap stories, and maybe sneak in a late-season hunt…this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Ice safety first — spud bars, ice picks, smart decisions

• Keep gear simple: rods, tackle, shelter basics that matter

• How to find active fish under the ice

• Make it fun: snacks, heaters, and camp storytelling with buddies and kids

• Why winter hunting + fishing keeps the season alive

  
  

  
  

  https://www.instagram.com/incamp_podcast/

In this episode of the InCamp Podcast, I sit down with Autumn McEntee—trapper, predator hunter, and all-around outdoors advocate. We dig into the real fundamentals of trapping, from reading animal behavior to dialing in the right baits and lures. Autumn breaks down how mentorship shaped her journey, why the fur market still matters, and how tools like crossbows help make the outdoors more accessible.

We also talk about the growing presence of women in hunting, the importance of good gear, and those moments in the field that remind us why we love being outside. It’s a conversation rooted in respect for wildlife, growth, and keeping our traditions alive.

Takeaways:

• Success in trapping starts with understanding animal habits and habitat.

• The right baits and lures make or break your sets.

• Mentorship accelerates learning and keeps traditions strong.

• The fur market remains a renewable, usable resource.

• Crossbows open doors for new hunters and those with physical limitations.

• Women in hunting continue to push the culture forward.

• Good gear = more time, comfort, and success in the field.

• Appreciation for wildlife should guide every outdoorsman and woman.

https://www.instagram.com/pa.trapper.girl/?hl=en