The Hunt Stealth Podcast

By Ryan UffensLeisure Hobbies

The Hunt Stealth Podcast episodes

October 23The Bow That Helped Him Find Peace After Afghanistan | Jay McCoy
After returning home from Afghanistan, Jay McCoy was struggling with depression, anger, sleepless nights, and the weight of losing six teammates during a deployment.
He had stopped doing many of the things he loved. Then one day, he noticed his bow case collecting dust in the garage.
He picked it up and headed to the range.
For the next two hours, something happened that he hadn't experienced in months. His mind was quiet. He wasn't thinking about Afghanistan.
That experience didn't fix everything, but it became an important turning point in his life.
In this Hunt Stealth mini episode, Ryan Uffens talks with Jay McCoy, military veteran, former FBI special agent, and founder of Endex Archery, about the struggles he faced after returning home, how archery helped him reconnect with himself, and why he ultimately realized he couldn't work through everything alone.
Jay also shares the advice he would give to anyone facing similar challenges: don't wait to ask for help.
Today, Jay has turned his experience into a mission to help other veterans and first responders through archery, mentorship, and community.
This conversation is about more than shooting a bow. It's about finding purpose, recognizing when you need help, and discovering that there can be a way forward.
Jay's struggles after returning home from Afghanistan
The isolation, depression, and sleepless nights he experienced
How he rediscovered archery during a difficult period
The two hours at the range that changed his perspective
Why archery became an important part of his recovery
The moment he decided to seek professional help
His advice for veterans and others who may be struggling
Originally featured in Episode #094 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast with Jay McCoy.
Learn more about Jay's mission to support veterans and first responders through archery, equipment, mentorship, and community.
https://www.endexarchery.org
Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
Get a $49 Furnace Tune-Up by mentioning HUNT STEALTH.
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Juniper Meat Company — Official Wild Game Processor of Hunt Stealth
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BSN KNG — Save 10% with code STEALTH
https://www.bisonking.com
North 29 — Save 15% with code STEALTH
https://www.thenorth29.com
BLK FLG — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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CANATI Tripods — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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Sheep Feet Outdoors — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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Website: https://www.huntstealth.com
Instagram: @hunt.stealth
Subscribe to the Hunt Stealth Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
If this conversation could help someone you know, please share it.
Mental Health Resources: Archery is not a replacement for professional mental health care. If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support in the United States, call or text 988. Veterans and service members can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
7 min
October 14 #094 Jay McCoy | He Lost Six Teammates in Afghanistan. Archery Helped Him Find His Way Back
On December 21, 2015, six of Jay McCoy's teammates were killed during a patrol in Afghanistan. It was a mission Jay was originally supposed to be on.
When he returned home, the weight of that loss followed him. Anger, depression, sleepless nights, and isolation became part of his everyday life.
Then one day, he found his bow collecting dust in the garage.
He took it to the range and spent two hours shooting. For the first time in months, his mind was quiet.
That moment didn't fix everything. But it helped change the direction of his life.
In Episode #094 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with Jay McCoy, military veteran, former FBI special agent, and founder of Endex Archery, to talk about loss, resilience, faith, and how a simple bow became the foundation for a mission that's now helping other veterans and first responders find purpose and community.
What started as Jay's personal path toward recovery has grown into something much bigger.
Through Endex Archery, he's helping others discover that sometimes the most important thing you find through archery isn't a bullseye. It's a reason to keep showing up.
If this episode reminds you of someone who might need to hear it, please share it with them. You never know what that one conversation could mean.
Learn more about Jay McCoy's mission, how to get involved, or how to support veterans and first responders through archery.
Website: https://www.endexarchery.org
Partner's & Discounts
Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
Get a $49 Furnace Tune-Up by mentioning HUNT STEALTH.
https://www.salmonhvac.com
Juniper Meat Company — Official Wild Game Processor of Hunt Stealth
https://www.junipermeats.com
BSN KNG — Save 10% with code STEALTH
Premium bison jerky made for wherever your adventures take you.
https://www.bisonking.com
North 29 — Save 15% with code STEALTH
Purpose-built outdoor gear for hunters and adventurers.
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BLK FLG — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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CANATI Tripods — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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Sheep Feet Outdoors — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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For more conversations about hunting, archery, conservation, outdoor adventures, and the people who make this community special:
Website: https://www.huntstealth.com
Instagram: @hunt.stealth
Subscribe to the Hunt Stealth Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Veterans and service members can call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
1 hr 16 min
October 09From Wild Living to Faith | Adam Grenda
From Wild Living to Faith: Adam Grenda's Unexpected Journey | Hunt Stealth Podcast
What happens when a hard-partying Alaska bush pilot who never imagined himself becoming religious starts questioning the direction of his life?
In this Hunt Stealth Podcast mini episode, Ryan Uffens sits down with Alaska bush pilot, hunter, and entrepreneur Adam Grenda for a conversation that goes well beyond hunting.
Adam opens up about a near-death experience in the Alaskan wilderness when he nearly drowned trying to save an airplane. As he struggled to stay above the freezing water, Adam says he heard a voice tell him, "I'm with you, my son." It was a moment he never forgot.
Not long afterward, Adam met a woman on Tinder who was unlike anyone he'd dated before. She loved hunting, had recently taken a Dall sheep, and happened to be a committed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
At the time, Adam was drinking heavily, living hard, and wondering whether the life he was living would ever lead to the family he wanted. Meeting Tana gave him a reason to reconsider where he was headed, eventually leading him to embrace faith and make some significant changes.
Ryan also shares his own journey back to church, including becoming a young father, struggling to understand his beliefs, and the people who helped him develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The conversation turns to what faith actually looks like when life gets uncomfortable. Adam talks about leaving a secure career flying for the federal government, building businesses, dealing with financial uncertainty, and learning that trusting God doesn't mean sitting around waiting for things to happen.
In this mini episode, we cover:
Adam's near-death experience and the spiritual moment that stayed with him
How meeting his future wife changed the direction of his life
Walking away from heavy drinking and destructive habits
Adam's unexpected conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ryan's personal journey back to faith and the mentors who helped him
Why faith is a process rather than something you figure out overnight
The importance of family, personal accountability, and living with purpose
Leaving a secure career to pursue entrepreneurship
Why trusting God still requires hard work, preparation, and sacrifice
This isn't a conversation between two guys claiming to have everything figured out. It's two husbands, fathers, hunters, and entrepreneurs talking openly about mistakes they've made, what they've learned, and how their relationship with Jesus Christ has changed the way they approach life.
Whether you're deeply rooted in your faith, trying to find your way back, or simply wondering what it means to trust something bigger than yourself, there's something worth hearing in this conversation.
Faith doesn't mean you have all the answers. Sometimes it means moving forward, doing the work, and trusting that you'll understand more along the way.
Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
Get a $49 Furnace Tune-Up by mentioning HUNT STEALTH.
https://www.salmonhvac.com
Juniper Meat Company — Official Wild Game Processor of Hunt Stealth
https://www.junipermeats.com
BSN KNG — Save 10% with code STEALTH
https://www.bisonking.com
North 29 — Save 15% with code STEALTH
https://www.thenorth29.com
BLK FLG — Save 20% with code STEALTH
https://www.blkflg.com
CANATI Tripods — Save 20% with code STEALTH
https://www.canatitripods.com
Sheep Feet Outdoors — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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For more hunting stories, practical advice, gear discussions, and conversations about family, faith, and life in the outdoors, visit:
https://www.huntstealth.com
Subscribe to the Hunt Stealth Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it.
Learn more. Hunt better.
SPONSORS & PARTNERSHUNT STEALTH DISCOUNT CODESFOLLOW HUNT STEALTH
20 min
October 09The Empty Bag of Skill: Surviving Alaska's Bush | Adam Grenda
What does it take to survive as a bush pilot in one of the most unforgiving environments in the world?
In this Hunt Stealth Podcast mini episode, Ryan Uffens sits down with Alaska bush pilot, hunter, and entrepreneur Adam Grenda to talk about the hard-earned lessons that come from flying in the remote Alaskan wilderness, where one bad decision can have deadly consequences.
Adam shares an analogy that stuck with me: You start with an empty bag of skill and a full bag of luck. Every mistake costs you a few luck chips, and the goal is to gain enough experience before that luck runs out.
With thousands of hours flying in Alaska, Adam has learned firsthand why experience, good judgment, and knowing when to turn around matter more than confidence alone. He talks about the veteran pilots who mentored him, the pressure to push through dangerous conditions, and the mistakes that taught him lessons he'll never forget.
Then Adam shares one of his most terrifying experiences: nearly drowning in 39-degree Alaskan water while trying to save a $500,000 airplane that had drifted into a massive lake during a storm.
In this mini episode, we cover:
What it really takes to become an Alaska bush pilot
Why a pilot's license doesn't automatically prepare you for the Alaska bush
The importance of mentorship and learning from experienced pilots
Why poor judgment can be more dangerous than bad weather
The difference between relying on luck and developing real skill
Adam's near-death experience in freezing Alaskan water
How mistakes and close calls shape better decisions
Whether you're a hunter, pilot, outdoorsman, or someone trying to get better at your craft, Adam's experiences are a reminder that confidence doesn't replace competence.
Luck might get you through a few bad decisions. Experience teaches you how to avoid making them again.
Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
Get a $49 Furnace Tune-Up by mentioning HUNT STEALTH.
https://www.salmonhvac.com
Juniper Meat Company — Official Wild Game Processor of Hunt Stealth
https://www.junipermeats.com
BSN KNG — Save 10% with code STEALTH
https://www.bisonking.com
North 29 — Save 15% with code STEALTH
https://www.thenorth29.com
BLK FLG — Save 20% with code STEALTH
https://www.blkflg.com
CANATI Tripods — Save 20% with code STEALTH
https://www.canatitripods.com
Sheep Feet Outdoors — Save 20% with code STEALTH
https://www.sheepfeetoutdoors.com
For more hunting stories, practical advice, gear discussions, and conversations with experienced hunters and outdoorsmen, visit: https://www.huntstealth.com
Subscribe to the Hunt Stealth Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
If you enjoyed this conversation, give it a like, share it with a friend, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway.
13 min
September 29 #093 - Art'om Rank | Scout More. Hunt Less.
In Episode 093 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Michigan hunter Art’om Rank for a conversation about what actually makes hunters better over time.
Art’om grew up hunting from a young age and brings an analytical approach to mature whitetails that was shaped in part by his background in competitive baseball. They talk about why the best hunters often spend more time scouting than hunting, how access can ruin a hunt before you ever reach the stand, and why experience can sometimes create its own kind of complacency.
Art’om also shares the story of a Wisconsin buck he wounded after a small equipment-maintenance mistake caused his bow to shoot dramatically off target. It’s a hard lesson that changed the way he approaches equipment, preparation, and ethical shot opportunities.
Ryan and Art’om also get into new hunters overthinking gear, practicing for buck fever instead of just shooting targets, conservation and educating non-hunters, the role of faith and failure, and why adaptability may be one of the most important skills a hunter can develop.
If you’re trying to become a better hunter—not just collect more gear—this conversation is packed with lessons worth taking into the woods.
Follow the Hunt Stealth Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
Get a $49 Furnace Tune-Up by mentioning HUNT STEALTH.
https://www.salmonhvac.com
Juniper Meat Company — Official Wild Game Processor of Hunt Stealth
https://www.junipermeats.com
HUNT STEALTH DISCOUNT CODES
BSN KNG — Save 10% with code STEALTH
https://www.bisonking.com
North 29 — Save 15% with code STEALTH
https://www.thenorth29.com
BLK FLG — Save 20% with code STEALTH
https://www.blkflg.com
CANATI Tripods — Save 20% with code STEALTH
https://www.canatitripods.com
Sheep Feet Outdoors — Save 20% with code STEALTH
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1 hr 23 min
September 22 He Drew a Desert Sheep Tag... Now Where The Hell is The Dirty Devil?
Jeremiah Plyer had been building points for years, originally thinking moose was the once-in-a-lifetime hunt he wanted. Eventually, he shifted his attention to desert bighorn sheep because the draw landscape looked different, even though he admits he knew very little about sheep hunting at the time.
Then one spring, instead of just buying another point, he put in for an archery sheep tag in the Dirty Devil.
He drew it.
There was only one problem: he had no idea where the unit even was.
In this Hunt Stealth mini episode, Jeremiah tells the story of going from surprise draw to scouting some of the most intimidating country he had ever seen. He talks about the steep canyon terrain, trying to figure out how to bowhunt sheep with almost no cover, why his original goal was simply to get four legitimate stalks, and what he learned about late-season desert sheep behavior.
He also shares what it was like hunting with Brad Hunt behind the camera and how much work goes into capturing a high-level hunting film in difficult country.
It’s a great reminder that sometimes the hunt starts long before you feel ready for it.
HUNT STEALTH PARTNERS
JUNIPER MEAT COMPANY
Official Wild Game Processor of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
www.junipermeats.com
SALMON HVAC
Official HVAC Partner of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
Hunt Stealth listeners can get a furnace tune-up for just $49.
Mention HUNT STEALTH when scheduling.
www.salmonhvac.com
HUNT STEALTH DISCOUNT CODES
BSN KNG
10% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.bisonking.com
NORTH 29
15% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.thenorth29.com
BLK FLG
20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH

CANATI
20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH

SHEEPFEET OUTDOORS
20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH

Some discount codes or links may support Hunt Stealth at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the brands that support the Hunt Stealth Podcast.
If you've been enjoying the podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. It helps us reach more hunters and continue building Hunt Stealth into a resource for hunters who want to keep learning.
12 min
September 15 #092 - Tanner Davis + Seth Anderson | You Don't Need Better Hunting Gear. You Need More Reps.
In Episode #092 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Tanner Davis and Seth Anderson to talk hunting technology, archery innovation, learning through failure, and what actually helps someone become a better hunter.
Tanner is the co-founder of Kiba Outdoors, an off-grid mapping and communication system designed to help hunting partners stay connected when cell service disappears. He explains how Kiba pairs a smartphone app with mesh radios so hunters can message each other, share locations, track where members of the group have traveled, and communicate in the field without relying on a satellite network.
Seth also shares the story behind Stratus Archery and the bow sight technology he developed after becoming frustrated with traditional movable sights. His system is designed to maintain a consistent 10-yard gap between two pins as the sight is adjusted for different distances.
But the conversation goes well beyond products and gear.
Tanner and Seth talk about growing up hunting, learning through failure, the experiences that hooked them, dream hunts, and why newer hunters don't need to spend thousands of dollars before getting into the field.
Seth makes an especially important point for newer bowhunters: eventually you have to stop watching animals through binoculars and start putting stalks on them. Make mistakes. Get reps. Learn what works.
They also get into overrated and underrated hunting equipment, expensive rifles and optics, good boots, rain protection, stabilized binoculars, elk vs. mule deer, and why hunting keeps pulling us back even when things don't go according to plan.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• Hunting communication without cell service
• How mesh radio technology works
• Kiba Outdoors and live group tracking
• The idea behind Stratus Archery
• Learning to hunt through failure
• Why new hunters don't need expensive gear
• Why bowhunters need more stalking reps
• Overrated and underrated hunting equipment
• Boots, optics and backcountry rain protection
• Elk vs. mule deer
• Dream hunts in Alaska and Canada
Learn more about Kiba Outdoors at KibaOutdoors.com.
Learn more about Stratus Archery at StratusArchery.com.
HUNT STEALTH PARTNERS
JUNIPER MEAT COMPANY
Official Wild Game Processor of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
www.junipermeats.com
SALMON HVAC
Official HVAC Partner of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
Hunt Stealth listeners can get a furnace tune-up for just $49.
Mention HUNT STEALTH when scheduling.
www.salmonhvac.com
HUNT STEALTH DISCOUNT CODES
BSN KNG
10% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.bisonking.com
NORTH 29
15% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.thenorth29.com
BLK FLG
20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
https://blkflg.com/
CANATI
20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
https://canatitripods.com/
SHEEPFEET OUTDOORS
20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
https://sheepfeetoutdoors.com/
Some discount codes or links may support Hunt Stealth at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the brands that support the Hunt Stealth Podcast.
If you've been enjoying the podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. It helps us reach more hunters and continue building Hunt Stealth into a resource for hunters who want to keep learning.
1 hr 1 min
September 10#091 - Curtis Bryner | Stop Moving. Start Seeing.
Sometimes becoming a better hunter means doing less.
On Episode 091 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, I sit down with Curtis Bryner to talk about the lessons he's picked up through years of hunting across the West and beyond—and the biggest one might be the simplest: patience.
Curtis grew up hunting the Wasatch Front here in Utah and has spent years working in the hunting industry. But some of the lessons that stuck with him most came long before that. He shares a story from hunting elk with his grandfather as a kid, when his grandpa had an opportunity at a spike and chose not to shoot. His reason was simple: they weren't out there just to kill something. He was there to spend time with Curtis and teach him.
We also get into one of Curtis's favorite adventures—a 14-day Alaska moose hunt with his brother. After days of rain, glassing and seeing almost nothing, they finally decided what they were doing wasn't working. They picked a direction, started moving and soon spotted the bull that would turn the entire hunt around.
Curtis also talks about hunting bears in Idaho, chasing mule deer, preparing for western hunts and why newer hunters often underestimate both the physical demands of the mountains and the amount of preseason work required.
But the conversation keeps coming back to patience.
Curtis remembers being the hunter who heard a bugle and immediately took off after it, or glassed for 20 minutes and decided there couldn't be any deer there. Experience taught him differently. Sometimes the buck appears in a place you've already looked a hundred times—you just had to stay long enough to see him.
That's a lesson I'm still learning myself.
In this episode we talk about slowing down, knowing when to make a move, getting physically prepared, scouting before the season and giving yourself enough opportunities for things to finally come together.
If you're a newer hunter—or you've been hunting for years and still find yourself forcing things when nothing seems to be happening—there's a lot in this conversation worth taking with you into the mountains.
Follow Hunt Stealth wherever you listen to podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, and visit HuntStealth.com for more hunting stories, tactics and lessons from people who know a whole lot more about this stuff than I do.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Juniper Meat Company
The Official Wild Game Processor of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
www.junipermeats.com

Salmon HVAC
The Official HVAC Partner of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
Hunt Stealth Listener Offer: $49 Furnace Tune-Up
Mention HUNT STEALTH when booking.
www.salmonhvac.com

HUNT STEALTH DISCOUNT CODES
BSN KNG — 10% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.bisonking.com

North 29 — 15% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.thenorth29.com

BLK FLG — 20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.blkflg.com

CANATI — 20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.canatitripods.com

Sheep Feet Outdoors — 20% OFF
Promo Code: STEALTH
www.sheepfeetoutdoors.com

Some discount codes or links may support Hunt Stealth at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the brands that support The Hunt Stealth Podcast.
53 min
September 01 #090 - Kellen Hansen | The Weight We Carry: Hunting, Health and the Battles Men Don't Talk About
In this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Kellen Hansen for a conversation that starts with fly fishing, hunting, food, and the outdoors... but eventually goes somewhere much deeper.
Kellen shares how growing up in southeastern Idaho and losing his dad at a young age shaped his connection to the outdoors. He tells the story of catching his first cutthroat trout on a grasshopper fly he tied himself, the moment that sparked a lifelong obsession with fly fishing, and some unforgettable adventures chasing fish from Mexico to Canada.
The conversation also dives into hunting, processing and cooking wild game, building community in the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and why sharing knowledge instead of guarding it can make the hunting and fishing world better.
But the episode takes a personal turn when Kellen opens up about his health journey. After reaching a point where his weight was keeping him from hunting and doing the things he loved, he decided something had to change. He has since lost nearly 90 pounds and is working toward becoming healthier, stronger, and capable of spending more years doing the things that matter to him.
Kellen also speaks candidly about his complicated relationship with food, including cycles of binge eating and purging and the shame and isolation that came with it. It's a vulnerable conversation about something he believes more men struggle with than we realize, and about replacing negative self-talk with progress, community, discipline, and hope.
From fly rods and elk tags to weight loss, mental battles, friendship, and finding your way back to the life you want to live, this episode is ultimately about realizing that it's never too late to change direction.
1 hr 2 min
August 25 #089 - James Nash | Stop Chasing, Hunt Like a Predator
n this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with James Nash of Six Ranch Outfitters, a lifelong hunter, rancher, Marine Corps veteran, and guide with more than two decades of experience in the field. James brings a completely different perspective to becoming a more effective hunter—one built around patience, observation, understanding animal behavior, and learning to think like a predator rather than simply covering more ground.
The conversation dives deep into why hunters may actually hurt their chances by constantly moving, how becoming a “student of the place” can reveal more than miles of hiking, and why success often comes from focusing on the process instead of the outcome. James breaks down lessons from cougars and other ambush predators, discusses realistic bowhunting distances, challenges common ideas around camouflage and scent control, and explains why understanding the wind may be one of the most important skills a hunter can develop.
Ryan also opens up about his own six-year journey as an adult-onset bowhunter, the mistakes he’s made, missed opportunities, impatience, and what he’s learning as he continues chasing his first successful archery harvest. James reframes those failures as necessary lessons and offers practical advice for building experience, controlling buck fever, getting closer to animals, and becoming more lethal without losing sight of why we hunt in the first place.
This episode is packed with practical hunting knowledge, unconventional perspectives, and lessons that go far beyond gear and tactics.
James’ final piece of advice says it all: Don’t forget to have fun.
1 hr 7 min

About The Hunt Stealth Podcast

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The Hunt Stealth Podcast dives headfirst into the wild, whether you're an aspiring hunter or an adventurer seeking the untamed. Together, we'll explore the strategies and stories that lead to…