Drills Gone Wild Podcast

What started as a simple crappie fishing trip in Virginia, for the season one finale, quickly turned into one of the most chaotic outdoor trips we’ve had yet.Three veterans, Co-Hosts of Drills Gone Wild, and Guest Speaker, long-time Veteran friend of RJ, James Baughn, head out on the water expecting to fill a cooler. Instead, we spent the weekend battling wind, cold weather, bad fishing, and our own questionable decisions.From failed fishing tactics and homemade lures to Army stories, combat training memories, and the strange situations you only experience in the military, this episode turns into the kind of conversation that happens when veterans sit around after a long day outdoors.No script.No filters.Just real stories, real laughs, and a fishing trip that didn’t go as planned.Topics in this episode include:• Crappie fishing in Virginia• Why early-season fishing can be brutal• Homemade fishing lures and tackle finds• Army basic training and Drill Sergeant stories• Combat training chaos and combatives• Veteran life after the military• Hunting, bowhunting, and wild game• Why sometimes the best trips are the ones where nothing goes rightEven though we didn’t catch a single fish, we still managed to come back with some good stories.And that’s what Drills Gone Wild is really about.🎣 Follow Drills Gone WildYouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastsInstagramTikTokNew episodes weekly.Veteran mindset meets the outdoors.0:00 The Fishing Trip That Went Completely Wrong2:30 Learning to Fish on a Boat5:40 Shooting Bows and Bad Aim7:30 Drill Sergeant Stories from the Army10:00 Living Off Wild Game and Venison14:30 Homemade Fishing Lures18:00 Why Fishing Was So Tough21:30 Getting Hooked by a Crankbait23:30 Combat Training & Army Combatives27:00 Fishing Strategy and Reading Water31:00 Cooking and Eating Bass34:00 Basic Training Shower Chaos39:00 Army Deployment & Overseas Stories46:00 Combatives and Barracks Brawls52:00 Military Stories That Probably Shouldn't Be Told56:00 The Gas Station Incident1:01:00 Bowhunting and Beginner’s Luck1:05:00 Field Dressing Deer1:11:00 The Best and Worst Parts of Fishing Trips1:17:00 Random Internet Culture & Harambe1:22:00 Japan Deployment Story1:28:00 Learning Japanese & Culture Shock1:30:00 Final Thoughts on the Trip

Joel, creator of Dryads Outdoors, shares his journey from frustration with existing outdoor apps to developing his own all-in-one solution. Discover how his background in AI and coding led to a powerful tool for outdoor enthusiasts, emphasizing user feedback and real-time data accuracy. key topics: Development of Dryads Outdoors app Use of AI and mapping tools in outdoor activities Importance of user feedback and community engagement takeaways Joel's journey from frustration with existing apps to creating his own solution The significance of real-time, precise data for outdoor safety and activities Community feedback drives continuous improvement of the app key frameworks Community-driven developmentIterative app improvement Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dryads Outdoors 02:47 The Development Journey of the App 04:49 User-Centric Features and Community Engagement 06:17 Innovative AI Features and Wind Analysis 07:14 Understanding AI in Hunting Applications 10:00 The Role of Moon Phases and Animal Behavior 13:00 Scent Control and Hunting Strategies 15:47 Community and Learning in Hunting 18:59 Achievements and Competitions in the App 21:49 Future Goals for Dryads Outdoors 24:43 User Experience and App Features 28:32 Innovative Tracking Features in Hunting Apps 31:34 Ethical Hunting and Animal Recovery 34:27 Hunting Regulations and Community Dynamics 38:27 Future Aspirations for Dryads Outdoors 42:16 Exclusive Offers and Community Engagement 47:34 Drills Gone Wild Intro.mp4 FREE 60-DAY TRIAL: 📣 Dryads “Founding Community Access” – 2 Months FreeWe’ve unlocked 2 months of Pathfinder FREE for your community.Use code: DRILLSGONEWILDFREEHow to Redeem (Takes 2 Minutes)1️⃣ Go to https://web.dryads.app(Must be done on web browser — phone or computer. Not inside the iOS/Android app.)2️⃣ Create your account.3️⃣ Click on any locked feature inside Dryads.4️⃣ Select the Pathfinder subscription.5️⃣ Click “Add Code”6️⃣ Enter: DRILLSGONEWILDFREE7️⃣ Complete checkout → You’ll see $0.00 due today (2 months free)Once you’re subscribed through web, you can log in and use Dryads normally on iOS or Android.

The conversation delves into the significance of understanding animal tracks, particularly in the context of hunting and fishing. It explores the insights that can be gained from animal tracks, the behavior and patterns of deer, and the strategies employed in hunting and fishing. The conversation covers the topics of animal behavior, hunting, deer mating, tracking, fishing, and health/environmental impact. It emphasizes the importance of understanding animal behavior for successful hunting and fishing, as well as the impact of experience and observation in learning how to pattern animals.TakeawaysUnderstanding animal tracks can reveal valuable information about the gender, age, and behavior of the animal.Animal behavior and survival instincts play a significant role in hunting and fishing strategies. Understanding animal behavior is crucial for successful hunting and fishing.Experience and observation are key to learning how to pattern animals.Chapters00:00Introduction to Tracking Animals02:36Understanding Tracks: What They Reveal05:17Patterns of Deer Behavior08:14The Art of Patience in Hunting11:01Identifying Deer Movement13:52The Importance of Terrain Knowledge16:34Scrapes and Rubs: Social Signals19:42Deer Diet and Its Implications22:25Finding Core Areas of Deer25:12The Connection Between Hunting and Fishing27:51Final Thoughts on Animal Tracking

Mastering Animal Tracking and Wilderness Navigation: Insights from Army and Outdoors ExpertsIn this episode, we dive into the art and science of tracking animals, reading terrain, and navigating challenging outdoor environments. Whether you're a hunter, hiker, or military enthusiast, learn practical tips on patterning deer and fish, reading signs, and avoiding dangers like muskeg traps or bears.Key TopicsHow to interpret animal tracks for size, gender, speed, and travel patternsDifferentiating bass beds: bluegill vs. smallmouth preferences and signsReading deer rubs, scrapes, and travel corridors to predict behaviorNavigating muskeg terrain and avoiding sinkholes in AlaskaHow pressure, terrain, and time influence animal movementsLessons from military land navigation: importance of terrain association and attention to detailReal-life stories of survival and mishaps in the woods and swamp situationsTips for identifying signs of bears and avoiding nighttime encountersTools and mental models for effective wilderness trackingTimestamps00:00 - Introduction to tracking animal signs for hunting success02:06 - Differences between bass species and what their beds indicate03:13 - Common mistakes in tracking and how to interpret signs04:34 - Terrain awareness: how terrain shapes animal movement patterns05:52 - First near-death experience in Alaska muskeg terrain07:25 - Navigating muskeg and avoiding deadly sinkholes08:54 - Using game trails and terrain cues to locate points in land navigation10:00 - The dangers of swamp water and how to survive underwater mud pulls12:01 - Military land nav lessons: importance of terrain association and detail orientation13:58 - How distractions and equipment loss can impact survival and mission success16:12 - Nighttime navigation in bear country and spotting signs of predators17:45 - The significance of terrain familiarity and avoiding surprises in wilderness19:21 - Lessons from failed land nav and equipment loss during military training20:51 - Wild animal encounters: identifying wildlife and avoiding dangerous cats22:23 - The pitfalls of poor terrain awareness in the woods and swamp23:44 - Equipment and chain of command issues during outdoor operations25:19 - The importance of attention to detail in tracking equipment and personnel27:34 - Final thoughts on becoming better trackers and terrain readersResources & LinksThe Hunter's Guide to Tracking Deer by David PetzalBluegill and Bass Bed Identification - Fish FinderLand Navigation Techniques - US Army Field ManualsMuskeg Terrain OverviewConnect with the HostsRJ Steiskal@the1robertsteiskal - Instagram |Tiktok |Youtube |FacebookGentry Ward@Heathenoutdoors - Tiktok |Youtube

RJ Steiskal and Gentry Ward are joined by special guest Tristan Mussatti, former Army infantryman and skilled hunter and angler from the Pacific Northwest. The conversation spans Army life—first-day challenges, live-fire training, and lessons from JRTC and AP Hill—before shifting to the outdoors, where Mussatti breaks down real-world hunting and fishing tactics. From chasing steelhead to tracking massive bull elk across the high plains and vast coastal wilderness of Oregon, this episode blends hard-earned military lessons with elite outdoorsman knowledge, tied together by humor, camaraderie, and lived experience.

In this episode, RJ and Gentry discuss some late season tactics for tackling the various challenges of hunting and fishing during the winter.Offering advice, gear recommendations, knowledge, and another wild conversation.

This conversation explores the intricate world of taxidermy and hunting, focusing on the experiences of veterans transitioning from military life to civilian careers. The speakers discuss various techniques in taxidermy, the challenges faced in the field, and the importance of understanding wildlife behavior. They share personal stories and insights, emphasizing the value of hands-on experience and community in both hunting and taxidermy. In this engaging conversation, the hosts delve into various aspects of hunting and fishing, sharing personal experiences, techniques, and humorous anecdotes. They discuss the challenges of targeting specific game, the impact of hunting regulations, and the intricacies of processing game. The conversation also touches on the influence of outfitters in the hunting industry and the importance of genetics in deer breeding. With a mix of practical advice and entertaining stories, the episode offers insights into the outdoor lifestyle.

In this engaging conversation, RJ Steiskal and Gentry Ward reflect on their experiences and resolutions for the new year, discussing personal growth, challenges in content creation, and the importance of community in the outdoor industry. They share insights on fishing and hunting, memorable catches, and the learning curves they faced throughout the year. The duo emphasizes the significance of continuous development and offers advice for newcomers in the industry, all while maintaining a light-hearted and humorous tone.

In this episode of the Drills Gone Wild podcast, hosts Robert Steiskal and Gentry Ward discuss their Thanksgiving experiences, hunting adventures, and the challenges of targeting specific game. They share insights on the importance of discipline in the military, comparing the Shark Attack and First 100 training methods. The episode also highlights the launch of the Future Soldier Prep Program on the SKOL app, designed to prepare recruits for basic training.

Thanking our Veterans.The conversation delves into the mental health crisis faced by veterans, highlighting alarming statistics on suicide rates and PTSD. Personal stories of loss and grief are shared, emphasizing the impact of leadership and the challenges of coping with the death of a fellow soldier. The discussion reflects on the need for better mental health support and the importance of effective leadership in maintaining morale within military units.

In this episode of Drills Gone Wild, hosts RJ Steiskal and Gentry Ward share their experiences with hunting, fishing, and the cultural nuances of America. They discuss the transition from bank fishing to boat fishing, reflect on their military experiences, and address serious allegations of abuse within the military. The conversation is light-hearted yet insightful, touching on leadership styles and the importance of local businesses.

In this episode of Drills Gone Wild, RJ Steiskal and Gentry Ward discuss the transition into fall for both fishing and hunting. They explore the behavioral changes in deer as the season shifts, the importance of understanding terrain features for effective hunting, and the preparations needed for opening day. The conversation also touches on fishing techniques and the impact of environmental factors on both fishing and hunting success.