Sitka Southeast Podcast

n Episode 14 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, we sit down with North Carolina State Deer Biologist April Pope to dive deep into the science behind whitetail deer behavior and how hunters can use it to become more successful throughout the entire season.Topics Covered:• How April Pope became NC's State Deer Biologist• What wildlife biologists actually do• The Triangle Urban Deer Study• A year in the life of a whitetail deer• Early season buck and doe behavior• The truth about the October Lull• Pre-rut and rut movement• Secondary and tertiary rut explained• Mock scrapes, calling, rattling, and scents• CWD management and testing• Why North Carolina needs more doe harvestIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more conversations with wildlife biologists, conservation professionals, and some of the most knowledgeable hunters in the country.As always, come into the store and mention the podcast for 15% off your next purchase.

Whether you're chasing whitetails from a tree stand or climbing thousands of feet after elk, your body can become one of your greatest hunting tools—or your biggest limitation.In Episode 13 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, Jacob Norris sits down with Preston Meyer of 1st Phorm Outdoors to explore the intersection of hunting and fitness. From strength and endurance to nutrition, recovery, and mental toughness, Preston explains why preparing your body can make you a more capable, confident, and effective hunter in the field.We dive into Preston's journey to 1st Phorm Outdoors, the mission behind the platform, and why today's hunters should approach training more like athletes. We also discuss common mistakes hunters make before season, the role nutrition and supplementation play on demanding hunts, managing buck fever, and how embracing discomfort builds success both in hunting and in life.Whether you're preparing for your first deer season or your next western adventure, this episode will challenge the way you think about hunting performance.As always, come into the store and mention the podcast for 15% off your next purchase.Learn more about st Phorm Outdoors Here: https://1stphorm.com/pages/1stphormoutdoorsHost: Jake Norris (@jnorri15)Co-Host: Landon Pearson (‪‪@BruteModeCollective‬ )Special Guest: Preston Meyer (@_prestonmeyer_)(@1stphormoutdoors)

Every hunter has a different story—and a different gear setup.For episode 12, we spent the day at the annual SITKA Charlotte Garage Sale talking with hunters from all over the Southeast to learn what they're shopping for, where they're headed this season, and the advice they'd give anyone trying to build the right hunting kit.From first-time hunters to seasoned veterans, you'll hear about upcoming whitetail, elk, turkey, and waterfowl hunts, the gear they refuse to hunt without, and how they make smart decisions when investing in clothing and equipment.Whether you're planning your own hunt this fall or just enjoy hearing hunting stories from fellow outdoorsmen and women, this episode offers an authentic look at our hunting community and the people behind it.Host: Jacob Norris (@jnori15)Co-Host: Landon Pearson ( @BruteModeCollective  )

In Episode 11 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, we sit down with Jaycey Stone, co-founder of Sisterhood of the Hunt, to discuss why the future of hunting depends on building stronger communities and welcoming more people into the outdoors. Jaycey shares her journey into hunting, the inspiration behind founding Sisterhood of the Hunt, and how the organization is helping women across the country gain the confidence, knowledge, and community they need to become lifelong hunters.We also dive into one of the most overlooked topics in conservation: how hunting license sales and the Pittman-Robertson Act directly fund wildlife management, habitat restoration, and conservation efforts across North Carolina and the United States. From the importance of introducing children—especially daughters—to hunting, to breaking down the barriers that keep new hunters from getting started, this episode explores what it will take to preserve our hunting heritage for future generations.Finally, we discuss the evolution of women's hunting gear, common mistakes new hunters make, the role of mentorship, and why community is one of the most powerful tools we have for growing hunting the right way.Whether you're a lifelong hunter, brand new to the outdoors, or simply passionate about conservation, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and perspectives you won't want to miss.As always, come into the store and mention the podcast for 15% off your next purchase.Host: Jake Norris (@jnorri15)Co-Host: Landon Pearson (‪‪@BruteModeCollective‬ )Special Guest: Jaycey Stone (@sisterhoodofthehunt)

In Episode 10 of the Sitka North Carolina Podcast, we sit down with mechanical engineer, bowhunter, and Additive Archery founder Thomas Pham to dive into the endless world of archery tinkering. From building custom gear to solve his own problems to launching a business centered around innovation through 3D printing, Thomas shares how small adjustments—not constant upgrades—can make the biggest difference in your shooting. We also tackle some of the hottest debates in modern archery, including FOC, broadheads, gear trends, bow setup, and why consistency will always beat chasing the latest fad. Whether you're a seasoned bowhunter, an archery gear junkie, or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical insights that will help you better understand your equipment and become a more effective archer.

As always, come into the store and mention the podcast for 15% off your next purchase.

Host: Jake Norris (@jnorri15)

Co-Host: Landon Pearson (‪ ⁨@BruteModeCollective⁩ )

Special Guest: Thomas Pham ( ⁨@Fulldraw_Tundra⁩ )

Episode 9 of the Sitka Southeast Podcas, Jake and Landon are joined by a very special guest, John Barklow—Senior Product Manager for Hunting at Sitka Gear and the driving force behind SITKA’s whitetail and western big game systems.In this episode, John walks us through his incredible journey from joining the U.S. Navy at 19, to decades of military service training special operations communities in extreme mountain environments, to becoming one of the most respected voices in modern hunting gear design. We get into the work behind the scenes at SITKA—how new products are designed, tested, and refined before ever reaching the hunter. We also cover the Fall 2026 lineup, including deep dives into whitetail and western systems and much, much more.As always, come into the store and mention the podcast for 15% off your next purchase.Host: Jake Norris (@jnorri15)Co-Host: Landon Pearson ( @BruteModeCollective  )Special Guest John Barklow ( @knowledgefromstorms8262  )

In Episode 8 of the SITKA Southeast Podcast, Jacob and Landon sit down with Hunter Purdue, a Master Wildlife Enforcement Officer with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, for one of our most informative conversations yet. We dive deep into what it really means to protect and manage North Carolina’s public lands while uncovering what hunters need to know before stepping into the woods this fall.In this episode we cover what a Wildlife Enforcement Officer actually does in North Carolina, how North Carolina game lands are acquired and funded, the biggest challenges facing North Carolina public lands today,t he most common game land violations officers encounter, and much more. If you hunt North Carolina Public Lands....the epsiode is for you.As always, come into the store and mention the podcast for 15% off your next purchase.Host: Jacob Norris (@jnorri15)Co-Host: Landon Pearson ( @BruteModeCollective  )Special Guest: Hunter Perdue (@ncwildlife)

In Episode 7 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, we're joined by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission District 6 Wildlife Biologist, Rupert Medford.Rupert brings years of experience studying deer behavior and habitat management as he sits down with Jake and Landon to discuss what truly makes prime mature buck habitat and how hunters can learn to recognize it in the field. We dive into effective trail camera strategies, understanding deer movement, and practical ways to reduce human pressure on the properties we hunt.Whether you're managing your own hunting property, scouting public land, or simply trying to better understand mature whitetail behavior and habitat, this episode is packed with valuable insights from a professional wildlife biologist.As always come into the store and mention the podcast to receive 15% off your next purchase.Host: Jacob Norris (@jnorri15)Co-Host: Landon Pearson (@brutemodecollective)Special Guest: Rupert Medford (@ncwildlife)(@rupertmedford)

Jacob, Jay, and Landon sit down with Corey Oakley, Chief of Inland Fisheries for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, for an in-depth conversation about the science and strategy behind managing North Carolina’s fisheries. In this episode, we dive into bass management (F1 Bass Program and Alabama Bass), the role of aquatic vegetation and plant life beneath Lake Norman, and how habitat impacts fish populations and angler success. Corey shares insight into fisheries management decisions, conservation efforts, and what anglers should know about the future of one of North Carolina’s most talked-about lakes. Whether you're a hardcore bass fisherman, conservation enthusiast, or just curious about what’s happening beneath the surface, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

As always come into the store and mention the podcast to receive 15% off your next purchase.

Also, be sure to check out Corey's Podcast "Better Fishing with Two Bald Biologists" to learn how to apply sound science to more fishing success.

Host: Jacob Norris (@jnorri15)

Co-Host: Landon Pearson (@brutemodecollective)

Fishing Wizard: Jay Stevens (@quackwhackpack)

Special Guest: Corey Oakley (@ncwildlife)

Stay tuned for the next episode where we dive into all things regarding whitetail habitat as well as iuman Interferance and deer behavior with NC Wild Life's very own District 6 Wild Life Biologist, Rupert Medford. Deer hunters... you don't want to miss this one.

In this episode, Jacob, Landon, OT, and Jeff Cordero sit down to cover everything from Jeff’s career in NASCAR to balancing a demanding schedule with a passion for hunting. The crew dives into how Jeff makes time for the outdoors, early season archery preparation, practical bow practice tips, and advice on dialing in your archery setup before the season kicks off. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your shooting, fine-tune your gear, or hear how a NASCAR professional stays connected to hunting, this episode has something for every bowhunter.

As always, come into the store and mention the podcast to recieve 15% off your next purhcase.

Host: Jacob Norris (@jnorri15)

Co-Host: Landon Pearson (@brutemodecollective)

Gear Wizard: OT Mitchell (@owentatemitchell)

Special Guest: Jeff Cordero (@jeffcordero_)Location: Stika Gear Charlotte (@sitkacharlotte)

Stay tuned for the next episode where we discuss Lake Norman's F1 Bass Program, Lake Norman Drought Conditions, and much more with NC Wildlife Fisheries Biologist Corey Oakley.