Okayest Hunter ®

In this episode of Dropping Pins, Derek sits down with our good friend Jacob Sklenar of the Wild Calling YouTube channel. Jacob is an accomplished big-buck hunter on the heavily pressured public lands of southeastern Wisconsin. He has documented his hunts through some impressive self-filmed content and shared his knowledge across several platforms and podcasts, including hosting a podcast for the Mobile Hunters Expo.

Jacob breaks down what he believes is the most important factor in consistently getting on mature deer: approaching every hunt with a mindset built around learning. He talks about remaining open to failure, reflecting honestly, and growing from every experience in the deer woods.

Drawing from his past as a collegiate wrestler and his current career as an engineer, Jacob explains how hard work, relentless drive, and the steady collection of information can ultimately point a hunter in the right direction.

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This week, Caleb Frostman makes a trip to the Okayest Hunter podcast studio for an in-person discussion on his journey in hunting. Caleb discusses his vast experience in just about every type of terrain WI has to offer, along with MN. 

Caleb cut his teeth as a rifle hunter in the Northwoods of the National Forest and later got the opportunity to hunt a large tract of private property in the Driftless Region of SW WI. There he was able to hone his skills at killing deer, and some big bucks, while observing how deer move through the hill country terrain. 

Around 2019, Caleb got the OnX mapping application, which helped him find some public land to turkey hunt on, and after walking some public land and coming across some buck sign, the light bulb went off, and he decided to explore public land for deer hunting. Caleb discussed a great honey hope spot he found right off the get go and how he killed two bucks from the spot in his first two years. 

Caleb has killed the majority of his archery deer from the ground, which we discussed heavily. Caleb talks about a few other properties he has scouted and what he looks for when scouting for archery and why a limited hunting schedule shapes his view of scouting for a timeframe as opposed to all season sign. 

We wrap up the discussion with a dive into how he turned a late start morning in November into an incredible memory of a beautiful 8 point buck. We end with Caleb’s upcoming season goals, and his selfless disposition shines through with his willingness and desire to take 3 different first time hunters into the deer woods this season. That is exactly what our hunting community needs! Thanks for being an excellent exemplar, Caleb!

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Are we taking hunting too seriously?

In this episode, we dig into a question that more hunters may need to ask themselves: Have we gotten so good at hunting—or at least so obsessed with becoming better at it—that we've gotten worse at actually enjoying it?

Modern whitetail hunting comes with more information, technology, gear, trail cameras, mapping tools, tactics and access to hunting content than ever before. Add social media to the mix, and every time you open your phone it can look like everyone else is killing giant bucks while you're sitting in a tree wondering what you're doing wrong.

But is that reality, or are we comparing our entire hunting season to everyone else's highlight reel?

We talk about the pressure hunters put on themselves to kill bigger bucks, own the latest gear, run more cameras, scout harder and constantly optimize every part of deer season. We also discuss how social media can magnify the relatively small number of hunters finding immediate success and create the feeling that you're somehow falling behind.

The conversation goes beyond whitetails, too. Have our obsession with deer hunting and trophy bucks pushed small-game hunting, trapping, grouse hunting, waterfowl hunting and simply wandering around the woods with our kids to the side? Some of the best opportunities to create new hunters and lifelong memories may have nothing to do with sitting over a giant buck.

Callers join the conversation to share their own experiences with hunting pressure, social media, expensive gear, public-land competition and changing expectations of what makes a successful season.

At some point, every hunter has to decide what success actually means.

Is it killing the biggest buck?

Filling the freezer?

Becoming a better hunter?

Spending time with your kids?

Making memories with friends?

Or sometimes… is it enough to simply go hunting?

This episode is a conversation about modern hunting culture, whitetail hunting, bowhunting, social media, hunting technology, trophy buck expectations, public-land pressure, small-game hunting and remembering why we started hunting in the first place.

If hunting has ever started feeling more like a competition or a job than something you genuinely enjoy, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe for more honest conversations about whitetail hunting, bowhunting, deer hunting, hunting culture, outdoor life and everything that happens along the way.

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Why do we hunt?

It's one of the simplest questions a hunter can be asked—and one of the hardest to answer.

In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, the crew starts with summer fishing stories, archery practice, scouting updates, new hunting gear, upcoming seminars, and preparations for another deer season. But the conversation eventually turns into something much deeper.

What keeps us coming back year after year? Is it the challenge? The meat? The tradition? The friendships? The pursuit of mature whitetails? Or is there something much more instinctual buried within all of us?

The hosts share honest perspectives about why they continue to hunt, discussing everything from mindfulness and personal growth to adrenaline, responsibility, conservation, and the emotional experience that comes with harvesting a deer. It's an authentic conversation that every hunter—new or experienced—can relate to.

Along the way, they also discuss:

Whether you're counting down the days until opening morning or reflecting on what hunting truly means to you, this episode offers plenty of laughs, practical insights, and one question every outdoorsman should answer:

Why do you hunt?

Be sure to leave a comment with your own answer and join the conversation.

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In this episode, Derek talks to local WI hunter and videographer Kyle Hollibush of Avon Legend. Kyle was a late-onset hunter starting only 8 seasons ago, but has the drive and thirst for knowledge that has really helped him “figure it out” in the marsh bottoms. 

Kyle discusses his experience getting into hunting, where he found inspiration and information, and how the COVID pandemic helped accelerate his learning curve. Kyle discusses how he used trail cameras to help monitor ditches and water crossings to help locate traveling bucks. After finding a good buck, Kyle likes to locate nearby doe bedding thickets and leave soaker cameras up on the outside transitions to learn yearly patterns of pre-rut and rut buck movements checking does. 

Kyle dives into detail of how he found a buck on one such camera and, over the course of a couple of seasons, continued to explore and learn more about the area and timing of the buck's movements. One massive scrape in a thicket near a doe bedding area gave Kyle the intel he needed to set up and kill “Tiny” with his bow during the prerut. 

Kyle also explains his desire to bowhunt the Ohio rut after having the privilege of gun hunting Ohio and seeing the mature buck sign some of the Republic Ground offered. 

Kyle ends the episode with 3 major takeaways that are absolute truths for anyone looking to get serious about killing mature bucks.

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Getting dialed in for bow season isn't just about buying a new bow or shooting a few arrows before opening day. It's about building a setup you trust, developing repeatable shooting form, understanding your equipment, and putting in the reps so you're ready when the opportunity finally comes.

In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we're joined by Dan from Whale-Tales Archery in Dousman, Wisconsin, for a deep dive into bow setup, archery form, tuning, equipment, practice, and what it really takes to become a more confident and ethical bowhunter.

As Dan puts it, “Archery is a hobby. Bowhunting is the reward.”

We break down what happens when someone walks into an archery shop looking to get into bowhunting—from choosing a compound bow and establishing a budget to getting draw length and draw weight right, selecting a release, building a consistent anchor point, tuning arrows, setting up a bow sight, and figuring out what actually matters versus what might be overthinking it.

We also talk about one of the biggest variables in archery: the shooter. Perfect textbook form isn't always the answer. Repeatability and consistency matter, and learning how your shooting form, release, anchor point, elbow position, draw length, and equipment work together can make the difference between chasing problems and confidently stacking arrows.

The conversation also dives into choosing between bow brands, buying your first bow, the risks and advantages of used archery equipment, crossbow hunting and the stigma that still surrounds it, ethical shot distance, understanding your personal limitations, and why being capable of shooting farther doesn't necessarily mean you should take that shot on an animal.

Whether you're brand new to bowhunting, upgrading your compound bow, trying to tighten your groups, or getting your hunting setup ready for whitetail season, this episode is a reminder that better bowhunting starts long before you're sitting in a tree.

Topics include compound bow setup, archery form, bow tuning, draw length, draw weight, releases, bow sights, arrows, shooting consistency, crossbows, ethical shot selection, bowhunting gear, practice, whitetail hunting, and preparing for deer season.

If you're getting ready for bow season, now is the time to shoot your bow, learn your equipment, know your limitations, and get dialed in before the moment that matters.

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Derek kicks off this season solo with some updates on the upcoming Okayest Hunter Seminar, summer trial cams, IL scouting, and prepping for his son's WI youth hunt. 

In Dropping Pins, Derek tells the story of how his group's Illinois public land hunt unfolded and how he was lucky enough to arrow a nice IL buck. The story tells a tale of not settling, asking yourself the tough questions, and not being afraid to make a move or take a shot when a fleeting opportunity presents itself. No one wants to wound a deer, but sometimes you have to try to make it happen.

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Whitetail season is getting close, and we're breaking down everything that's changing in our mobile hunting setups for this year.

In this episode, we dive into saddle hunting systems, climbing sticks, platforms, mobile hunting packs, bow setup, archery tuning, and the gear we're trusting this fall. We also discuss the latest Latitude equipment, organizing a streamlined hunting pack, reducing weight without sacrificing efficiency, and why simplicity often leads to better hunts.

We also talk about preseason preparation, practicing with a new bow, release choices, organizing gear before opening day, and what we're looking forward to at our upcoming live mobile hunting seminar featuring experienced public-land whitetail hunters.

Whether you're new to saddle hunting or looking to fine-tune your mobile whitetail system, this episode is packed with practical tips and honest opinions from hunters who spend countless hours chasing mature public-land bucks.

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What does it take to consistently find—and kill—mature whitetails? Sometimes the answer isn't hunting harder… it's making one bold move at exactly the right time.

In this episode, Dave Bechtel returns to the podcast to break down the story behind his impressive gun buck, the in-season decisions that led to success, and why adapting to hunting pressure can completely change your season. The crew dives into trail camera strategy, public land and permission property tactics, aggressive stand moves, and how reading both deer and other hunters can put you in the right place when it matters most.

Dave also shares the incredible story behind his recent ACL injury, suffered while rushing to protect his young son at swim lessons, and discusses the long road through surgery, rehabilitation, nutrition, and the goal of being back in the woods by October.

Along the way, the conversation covers summer scouting, hanging cameras in brutal heat, surviving poison ivy, hunting overlooked spots, and plenty of laughs that make this classic Okayest Hunter conversation one you won't want to miss.

If you're preparing for deer season, this episode is packed with practical whitetail hunting insights, relatable stories, and real-world lessons that can help you find more mature bucks this fall.

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Deer season is almost here, and now is the time to turn months of scouting into a solid hunting plan. In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we dive into the final weeks before opening day and discuss what serious whitetail hunters should be doing right now to increase their odds of tagging a mature buck.

We cover trail camera placement, identifying fresh rubs and deer sign, accessing hunting spots without alerting deer, scouting your way into a stand, managing scent, and knowing when to stop scouting and start hunting. We also break down how to identify early-season hotspots, organize properties for different phases of the season, and make better decisions before the first arrow ever flies.

Whether you hunt public land, private land, or small properties, these whitetail hunting strategies will help you approach opening day with more confidence.

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