This episode was chaos—just like every hunting season. Bourbon-fueled ramblings, shed hunting plans, and the occasional existential crisis about the meaning of a three-finger pour. But beneath the laughter and whiskey-soaked musings, there's gold: Iowa scouting, antler obsession, and the never-ending pursuit of finding the right place at the right time.

Derek recounts his solo mission into Iowa’s bluff country, covering 15 miles of rugged terrain in search of sheds, encountering fresh rubs, a dead buck, and one wise old owl keeping watch. The lesson? When you find one shed, there are likely more. And if your hips hurt afterward, you probably did it right.

Meanwhile, predator activity is ramping up, coyotes are stealing sheds, and somewhere, a turkey hunter is arguing about whether turkeys belong in the upland bird category. There’s also a sidebar on Kwik Trip snacks, the endless Big Buddy drink, and why a Kwik Trip cheeseburger might be the only thing keeping Midwesterners going through the late-season slump.

To top it all off, Taylor Swift makes an appearance—metaphorically, at least—because whether it’s antlers or bourbon, sometimes you just gotta shake it off.

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Ep. 21- Zack Robb aka Stache Squatch

In this episode Derek talks with Lone Wolf Custom Gear team member, Zack Robb. Zach is from central Virginia and has transitioned from somewhat agricultural hunting land to more rigorous mountain terrain. This challenging terrain has really inspired Zack to push himself and learn to hunt mountain bucks. 

Zack starts with a story about the first buck he was able to observe bump from a bed, then make a game plan to gain intel on the buck, and eventually set up to kill the buck. Zack used a few different tactics including knowledge of buck bedding tendencies, mock scrape intel with a trail cam, and a bump and dump after heading in to hunt the buck bed but jumping a doe group on his way in. 

We transition the conversation into hunting the rugged mountain terrain and how he went about scouting a somewhat monotonous terrain to locate and hunt a giant old 8 point. Zack talks about the importance of locating historical and signpost rubs, pushing into the cover when you know pressure is mounting on the edges, and the power of the first time sit. 

We cover many different small learning moments in this episode and finish out with one that got away that intertwines Zack’s rub stories with a giant old 10 point that ended up getting shot by a fellow mountain hunter over 4 miles away. 

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AI is creeping into every corner of the hunting world, but is it helping hunters, or just making us lazier? Greg, Eric and a handful of callers debate the rise of AI-powered trail cams, smart optics, and hunting apps that predict deer movement with machine learning.

Is technology making us better hunters, or just over-reliant on gadgets? Meanwhile, good ol’ woodsmanship—reading sign, knowing terrain, and putting boots on the ground—is becoming a lost art.

Our listeners chime in with their takes on e-bikes, electric bow sights, and the ethics of using drones for game recovery. This episode dives deep into where hunting is headed, whether we like it or not.

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In this episode, Derek sits down to talk with Alvin. Sitkiewicz of Michigan Gone Wild.  Michigan Gone Wild is celebrating their 10th year of production of awesome YouTube deer Camp videos.  Alvin and his group of friends have been filming from lower Michigan Archery and gun hunting along with out-of-state Whitetail hunts all across the country.

In this episode, Alvin and Derek talk about versatility and learning from every situation in the woods. They discussed hunting different terrains and styles and how getting competent in each helps you as a well-rounded Whitetail hunter.

Alvin talks about how hunters see the woods differently and how small details can make the biggest difference. Stories are told and tactics are discussed as we dive into chasing mature deer with both archery tackle and firearms.  Alvin is a true student of deer and has done an amazing job at amassing a wealth of knowledge that he can call upon while dissecting the Deer Woods. He does a great job bringing that information to our listeners today. Enjoy!

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This episode dives into the unique personalities and perspectives from across the Okayest Podcast Network, showcasing how there’s truly a podcast for anyone and everyone in the outdoors. From public land etiquette and gear tips to the challenges of late-season hunting and even trapping insights, the hosts share their expertise, humor, and stories. Whether you’re here for practical advice, entertaining banter, or just a deeper connection to the outdoor lifestyle, this episode—and the broader Okayest Podcast Network—has you covered.

https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-podcast-network

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Derek sits down to talk to Justin Synan from lone Wolf Whitetail Addictions and host of Run & Gun podcast. Derek and Justin talk about his upbringing of hunting public land and suburban areas of Maryland in his youth. Later in life, Justin and his family decided to move to Kentucky to pursue trophy whitetails having lived in Kentucky the last five years they discuss how he’s been able to gain permission and hunt some trophy class deer in different properties around the area he lives. 

Even though you live in areas with large mature bucks, it doesn’t always mean things are going to go your way. This season has been riddled with pitfalls and dead ends as Justin tried to track down one of the many bucks he had scouted before season began. This episode is an entire story about Justin season, the ups and downs, the hardships, and the successes that come with a long grinding season.

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This episode was a whirlwind of hunting stories, gear talk, and camaraderie. From navigating icy marshes and late-season challenges to reflecting on the ethics of public land hunting, the crew shared insights and laughs throughout.

Key takeaways included:

Sprinkled with humor, memorable anecdotes, and some good-natured shenanigans, this episode captures the essence of what it means to hunt, help others, and keep learning. Don’t miss the the new Daily Deer project for a fresh way to fuel your hunting obsession.

Presented by Nosler -- Use code OHP for 20% OFF.

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In this episode of dropping pins, Derek sits down with Josh Beaman, a Wisconsin native who lives in the Fox Valley area. Josh talks about how he got interested in hunting big deer by going to college at UW Madison, and exploring the driftless region of Southwestern, Wisconsin. We dive into tactics for thinking about and starting to hunt hill country. Josh explained some basic ideas that he’s learned from the hunting beast and other resources throughout the years.

Josh then discusses how he’s used these tactics to find success on mature bucks on the property he is now hunting. Josh explains a story of how he killed a 170 inch buck with his bow this past year on a ridge hub in which several ridges came together. We talk a little bit about mature buck tendencies, and how they move through the hills as they relate to wind and thermals.  We also discuss advantages and disadvantages to hunting in the hills at different times of the year.

The tail end of the episode features our first “the ones that got away“ segment in which Josh walks through a bow hunting mist that still haunt him today

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Ever wondered what happens when chaos meets the woods? This week, Eric and Greg sit down with Alex and Corey from Latitude Outdoors to talk about saddle hunting, product innovation, and the gritty reality of public land hunts.

From getting stuck in muddy ditches to rethinking how you pack gear for efficiency, this episode is a masterclass in adapting to the unexpected. Alex and Corey share insights into the development of their products, emphasizing simplicity and practicality born from real-world hunting chaos. They also dive into the importance of practicing from a saddle, mastering your setup, and how their gear is engineered to help hunters keep calm under pressure.

Whether you're figuring out how to shoot from a saddle, debating the best tree setup, or just enjoying the camaraderie of the hunt, this episode will help you get up the right tree.

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Eric goes solo to chat with JD and Cody from Primal Pursuit, two Utah-based hunters turned entrepreneurs. They share how their passion for hunting inspired their game-changing archery targets, including the lifetime-warrantied Endura Cube and their unique self-healing foam. Along the way, they dive into the challenges of backcountry hunting, the grind of building a business, and why mule deer might just be the ultimate hunt. It’s a mix of hunting stories, and innovation.

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