Okayest Hunter ®

Most hunters dream about owning hundreds of acres. What if you only needed 2.8?

In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we're joined by Jimie Deegan to discuss one of the most overlooked strategies in whitetail hunting—targeting tiny parcels that everyone else drives past. From killing mature bucks on properties smaller than most backyards to finding overlooked permission ground, Jimie Deegan explains why big deer don't always need big properties.

We also dive into the traditions of deer camp, cooking at camp, how hunting has changed over the years, and why the shared experience keeps us coming back every fall.

Whether you're hunting public land, knocking on doors, or trying to maximize a small piece of private ground, this episode will change how you look at the map.

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What if the biggest mistake in deer hunting isn't your setup, your gear, or your scent... but simply refusing to leave a spot that isn't producing?

This week, Eric sits down with Anthony Heller of Deer Vane to talk public land whitetails, mobile hunting, mock scrapes, cell camera strategy, and why comfort zones keep hunters from finding better deer. Anthony shares the unbelievable story of a 171" Wisconsin buck, how a single midday trail camera photo changed his entire approach, and why sometimes the best move is abandoning tradition and hunting where the deer actually are.

The conversation also dives into leased land, HLRBO, spot-and-stalk whitetail encounters, hunting pressure, entrepreneurial lessons, and why success in both business and hunting is usually years of work that nobody sees.

If you've ever caught yourself saying, "This is just where we hunt," this episode might change the way you look at every property you step onto.

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Summer scouting kinda sucks. It's hot, buggy, full of ticks, and half the time you're wondering if you're learning anything at all. So this week we're breaking down what we're actually looking for when we're out there suffering through thick cover, creek crossings, and mosquito swarms.

We dig into buck beds, water access, rub lines, trail crossings, trail cameras, and how to gather useful intel without feeling like you're wasting your time. More importantly, we talk through how average hunters can stop overcomplicating scouting and start putting together small pieces of the puzzle.

Whether you're chasing early season bucks, trying to understand a new property, or just wondering if summer scouting is worth it, this episode is for you.

Because sometimes getting 5% more information is the difference between guessing and having a plan.

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How much practice does saddle hunting actually require? More than most of us want to admit.

This week, we sit down with Martin Ringeisen with the Mobile Hunters Expo team to talk saddle hunting, putting in the reps, one sticking, gear organization, avoiding common mistakes, and why practicing in your backyard might matter more than buying new gear.

We cover:

If you've ever felt like a walking wind chime climbing into a tree, you're one of us, and there's hope for you!

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What happens when hunting becomes more than a hobby?

In this episode, Eric sits down with Eddie Boyer of Rags to Ridges for an incredibly honest and vulnerable conversation. Eddie shares his journey from prison life to discovering purpose through hunting, public land, faith, photography, and the outdoors.

What started with hunting magazines behind bars eventually turned into a complete life shift centered around self-reflection, personal growth, conservation, and chasing adventure in the Pacific Northwest.

This episode dives into:

This is one of those conversations that goes way beyond deer hunting.

Follow Eddie / Rags to Ridges: Instagram: @ragstoridges

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Mike Cascini joins the Okayest Hunter Podcast to break down the side of archery and bowhunting most people completely overlook: the mental game. From target panic and self-doubt to elite-level performance psychology, this episode dives into how mindset impacts everything from shooting tournaments to punching tags.

We also get into deer camp stories, New Jersey hunting culture, performance under pressure, ego in hunting, and why some of the best hunters and archers are usually the quietest people in the room.

If you’ve ever struggled with confidence behind the bow, overthinking shots, comparing yourself to others, or simply trying to become more consistent as a hunter, this one’s worth the listen.

We hit on the following topics:

Shout out to our partners:

⁠Latitude Outdoors: ⁠Mobile hunting gear built for hunters who’d rather keep moving than sit in the same spot wondering if the wind betrayed them again.

⁠Rack Hub: ⁠Simple, smart gear storage that helps organize the growing pile of hunting equipment we all swear we actually need.

⁠Gerber Gear: ⁠Knives, tools, and gear built to actually get used instead of just photographed on tailgates.

⁠ASIO Gear: ⁠Technical hunting apparel designed for serious pursuit without taking yourself too seriously.

⁠HLRBO: ⁠Access to private land opportunities without the headache of knocking on doors or chasing down permission slips.

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Brad Zima joins the podcast for a long-form conversation about deer camp traditions, fatherhood, hunting culture, public land, stoicism, and why hunting feels like it’s about a whole lot more than antlers. We talk about ego in hunting, raising kids outdoors, respecting wild game, the loneliness creeping into modern life, and why community still matters now more than ever.

From Wisconsin deer camps to mountain hunts in Alaska, this one goes well beyond gear talk and big bucks.

Big thanks to the partners:

Latitude Outdoors: Mobile hunting gear built for hunters who’d rather keep moving than sit in the same spot wondering if the wind betrayed them again.

Rack Hub: Simple, smart gear storage that helps organize the growing pile of hunting equipment we all swear we actually need.

Gerber Gear: Knives, tools, and gear built to actually get used instead of just photographed on tailgates.

ASIO Gear: Technical hunting apparel designed for serious pursuit without taking yourself too seriously.

HLRBO: Access to private land opportunities without the headache of knocking on doors or chasing down permission slips.

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Levi Kary from the Western Territory podcast (from the Okayest Podcast Network) jumps in to talk spring bear hunting in Wyoming, what it looks like hunting bears, and why hunting out West isn’t always what you think.

We get into baiting setups, close encounters, tag strategy, and the reality of hunting in grizzly country.

Check out the Western Territory Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/46AmQrA5hoS5E75I05lco8?si=eeb2463367304950

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Jordan Leitsch isn’t coming at hunting from some polished highlight reel. He’s lived some real stuff.

We get into his background, losing a leg, clawing his way back, and still choosing to get out there.

We talk about what actually matters in hunting, why most gear is solving problems you probably don’t have, and how your mindset either helps you or ruins your season.

There’s also a good chunk on first aid and being prepared in the field, which is one of those things you don’t think about until you really wish you had.

If you’ve ever overthought a hunt, second-guessed everything, or felt like you’re chasing some version of hunting that doesn’t even feel like yours anymore, you’ll relate.

Check out https://prepemwild.com/

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Most hunters spend way too much time trying to prove they’re right… and not enough time asking what they’re missing.

This one turns into a solid conversation about staying curious in the deer woods. We get into the idea that the moment you think you’ve got it figured out is usually when things start going sideways.

From hunting pressure and thermals to scouting, trail cams, and even turkey hunting, it all comes back to one thing… You don’t know as much as you think you do.

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