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.

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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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This episode packs a punch—literally. From bourbon-fueled banter to hard lessons in deer drives, it’s everything you love about hunting stories with the "Okayest" twist. Eric, Derek, and Greg dive into chaotic coyote encounters, thick-cover tactics, and near-tree-stand disasters that somehow lead to success. We’ve got tips on keeping your feet warm, hilarious missteps, and a couple of killer bucks to round it out. Plus, live calls from our listeners that remind us why we all keep showing up. It’s raw, unfiltered, and packed with laughs—just like your deer camp.

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In this episode, Derek talks with good friend and big buck slayer Blake Below. Blake comes from an incredibly dedicated hunting family of die hard archers and Blake fell right into line. Through the years Blake has created his own success and documented many of them while self filming for the Ghost Bucks YouTube channel. 

In this episode we dive into Blake’s 3 year quest to kill a mature buck on public ground here in WI. Blake walks us through the process of locating public properties that caught his attention, scouting, trail camera set up, and hunting. His hard work and dedication all came together this past season as Blake made a perfect shot of a gorgeous public land buck. Blake also killed a great buck down in IL. 

We laugh and reminisce on what it takes to kill mature public land deer. Blake is as humble and kind as they come, and every big buck should watch their back when he is around. 

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Deer camp vibes are in full swing! We’re chatting coyotes, chili, and classic deer camp camaraderie. Friends of Eric's take the mic in place of Greg and Derek as the crew dives into everything from quick gear grabs to KwikTrip runs, sharing laughs and stories about public land struggles, predator encounters, and the timeless "scent control vs. luck" debate.

With callers weighing in from South Carolina to the Nicolet National Forest, the hunting spectrum is as broad as the variety of firearms—30.30s, 300 Blackouts, and even a muzzleloader's and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Meanwhile, we honor the unspoken camp traditions, from splitting venison with the crew to arguing over who’s packed and who’s procrastinating.

Good luck out there, hunters. Remember: it’s your tag; hunt how you want.

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Eric's redemption hunt took center stage as he shared the story of his spike buck success on public land after a tough season. Battling a cough and missing gear, he adapted, hunted from the ground, and made it happen with a well-placed shot. The episode wove humor and heart, from close encounters with bucks and lessons learned on scent and setup to candid reflections on hunting challenges.

Listener calls added depth, with tales of mishaps, food plot tweaks, and grappling with CWD realities. The big takeaway? Hunt your own hunt, embrace the grind, and celebrate every hard-earned moment in the woods.

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In this video blog segment of Dropping Pins, Derek is scouting the National Forest in Northeastern Wisconsin for potential stand locations for next weekend's Firearms season opener. 

Derek revisits some of his old honey holes, but things are different…VERY different! After a large straight-line wind storm hit the area about 8 years ago, logging crews have been busy clear-cutting most of the area. This has added plenty of browse and new food sources for the wildlife, but it definitely requires boots on the ground to locate the new best spots to intercept a buck during the high-pressure gun season. 

Derek walks the viewer through the thought process of how and where he is scouting. We look at how deer relate to clear cuts and different terrain “traps” that help funnel deer into monotonous terrain. 

In the end, we find a few promising spots, hang four cameras, and get one hang-one stand prepped for opening morning.

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This week, Derek recaps an unforgettable blacktail hunt in the rugged beauty of Oregon. From high-stakes moments to laid-back camaraderie, this is what hunting is all about. The team battled through steep shale bluffs and shifting winds while adapting to a new hunting style. But the pressure didn't stop them. Supported by friends old and new, they came together for an experience more about the journey than the trophies.

Derek’s 783-yard shot on a forked horn buck was a personal victory. Keegan's media magic captured every raw moment, from the anxious dry-firing practice to the adrenaline-filled trek to recover the buck. Meanwhile, Greg nailed a still-hunting buck, flipping the usual roles between the two of them.

This hunt wasn’t just about deer, though—it was about teamwork, perseverance, and the emotional highs and lows that come with it. Whether it was Keegan sprinting up mountains to catch the perfect shot or the shared thrill of packing out Greg’s buck, the entire crew played a crucial role. And let’s not forget Lindon, who brought the trip full circle with his mom’s “Big Chicken Energy” (yes, seriously—chicken might just be the new secret to hunting success).

With a film in the works that will bring all this to life, Derek and Greg's Oregon adventure is one for the books. Tune in for some heartfelt laughs, some near-misses, and one epic finish. If you’re hunting this season, don’t forget your BBQ chicken—trust us, it works.

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