Okayest Hunter ®

Whitetail season is getting close, and we're breaking down everything that's changing in our mobile hunting setups for this year. In this episode, we dive into saddle hunting systems, climbing sticks, platforms, mobile hunting packs, bow setup, archery tuning, and the gear we're trusting this fall. We also discuss the latest Latitude equipment, organizing a streamlined hunting pack, reducing weight without sacrificing efficiency, and why simplicity often leads to better hunts. We also talk about preseason preparation, practicing with a new bow, release choices, organizing gear before opening day, and what we're looking forward to at our upcoming live mobile hunting seminar featuring experienced public-land whitetail hunters. Whether you're new to saddle hunting or looking to fine-tune your mobile whitetail system, this episode is packed with practical tips and honest opinions from hunters who spend countless hours chasing mature public-land bucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to consistently find—and kill—mature whitetails? Sometimes the answer isn't hunting harder… it's making one bold move at exactly the right time. In this episode, Dave Bechtel returns to the podcast to break down the story behind his impressive gun buck, the in-season decisions that led to success, and why adapting to hunting pressure can completely change your season. The crew dives into trail camera strategy, public land and permission property tactics, aggressive stand moves, and how reading both deer and other hunters can put you in the right place when it matters most. Dave also shares the incredible story behind his recent ACL injury, suffered while rushing to protect his young son at swim lessons, and discusses the long road through surgery, rehabilitation, nutrition, and the goal of being back in the woods by October. Along the way, the conversation covers summer scouting, hanging cameras in brutal heat, surviving poison ivy, hunting overlooked spots, and plenty of laughs that make this classic Okayest Hunter conversation one you won't want to miss. If you're preparing for deer season, this episode is packed with practical whitetail hunting insights, relatable stories, and real-world lessons that can help you find more mature bucks this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deer season is almost here, and now is the time to turn months of scouting into a solid hunting plan. In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we dive into the final weeks before opening day and discuss what serious whitetail hunters should be doing right now to increase their odds of tagging a mature buck. We cover trail camera placement, identifying fresh rubs and deer sign, accessing hunting spots without alerting deer, scouting your way into a stand, managing scent, and knowing when to stop scouting and start hunting. We also break down how to identify early-season hotspots, organize properties for different phases of the season, and make better decisions before the first arrow ever flies. Whether you hunt public land, private land, or small properties, these whitetail hunting strategies will help you approach opening day with more confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most hunters dream about owning hundreds of acres. What if you only needed 2.8? In this episode of the Okayest Hunter Podcast, we're joined by Jimie Deegan to discuss one of the most overlooked strategies in whitetail hunting—targeting tiny parcels that everyone else drives past. From killing mature bucks on properties smaller than most backyards to finding overlooked permission ground, Jimie Deegan explains why big deer don't always need big properties. We also dive into the traditions of deer camp, cooking at camp, how hunting has changed over the years, and why the shared experience keeps us coming back every fall. Whether you're hunting public land, knocking on doors, or trying to maximize a small piece of private ground, this episode will change how you look at the map. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the biggest mistake in deer hunting isn't your setup, your gear, or your scent... but simply refusing to leave a spot that isn't producing? This week, Eric sits down with Anthony Heller of Deer Vane to talk public land whitetails, mobile hunting, mock scrapes, cell camera strategy, and why comfort zones keep hunters from finding better deer. Anthony shares the unbelievable story of a 171" Wisconsin buck, how a single midday trail camera photo changed his entire approach, and why sometimes the best move is abandoning tradition and hunting where the deer actually are. The conversation also dives into leased land, HLRBO, spot-and-stalk whitetail encounters, hunting pressure, entrepreneurial lessons, and why success in both business and hunting is usually years of work that nobody sees. If you've ever caught yourself saying, "This is just where we hunt," this episode might change the way you look at every property you step onto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer scouting kinda sucks. It's hot, buggy, full of ticks, and half the time you're wondering if you're learning anything at all. So this week we're breaking down what we're actually looking for when we're out there suffering through thick cover, creek crossings, and mosquito swarms. We dig into buck beds, water access, rub lines, trail crossings, trail cameras, and how to gather useful intel without feeling like you're wasting your time. More importantly, we talk through how average hunters can stop overcomplicating scouting and start putting together small pieces of the puzzle. Whether you're chasing early season bucks, trying to understand a new property, or just wondering if summer scouting is worth it, this episode is for you. Because sometimes getting 5% more information is the difference between guessing and having a plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much practice does saddle hunting actually require? More than most of us want to admit. This week, we sit down with Martin Ringeisen with the Mobile Hunters Expo team to talk saddle hunting, putting in the reps, one sticking, gear organization, avoiding common mistakes, and why practicing in your backyard might matter more than buying new gear. We cover: • Saddle hunting mistakes we’ve all made • Why most hunters don’t practice enough • One sticking, platforms, and mobile setups • Tree selection and shot positioning • What happens when your sticks fall out of the tree • Mobile Hunters Expo and trying gear before buying If you've ever felt like a walking wind chime climbing into a tree, you're one of us, and there's hope for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when hunting becomes more than a hobby? In this episode, Eric sits down with Eddie Boyer of Rags to Ridges for an incredibly honest and vulnerable conversation. Eddie shares his journey from prison life to discovering purpose through hunting, public land, faith, photography, and the outdoors. What started with hunting magazines behind bars eventually turned into a complete life shift centered around self-reflection, personal growth, conservation, and chasing adventure in the Pacific Northwest. This episode dives into: Finding hunting later in life Prison, redemption, and second chances Public land conservation Stoicism and personal growth Faith and spirituality in the outdoors Blacktail deer, mule deer, and western hunting Mental health and solitude in nature Why hunting can genuinely change lives This is one of those conversations that goes way beyond deer hunting. Follow Eddie / Rags to Ridges: Instagram: @ragstoridges Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Cascini joins the Okayest Hunter Podcast to break down the side of archery and bowhunting most people completely overlook: the mental game. From target panic and self-doubt to elite-level performance psychology, this episode dives into how mindset impacts everything from shooting tournaments to punching tags. We also get into deer camp stories, New Jersey hunting culture, performance under pressure, ego in hunting, and why some of the best hunters and archers are usually the quietest people in the room. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence behind the bow, overthinking shots, comparing yourself to others, or simply trying to become more consistent as a hunter, this one’s worth the listen. We hit on the following topics: Archery performance psychology Target panic Bowhunting mindset Mental coaching in archery Confidence and consistency Hunting culture and ego Deer camp stories Tournament archery pressure The overlap between life, business, and hunting Shout out to our partners: ⁠Latitude Outdoors: ⁠Mobile hunting gear built for hunters who’d rather keep moving than sit in the same spot wondering if the wind betrayed them again. ⁠Rack Hub: ⁠Simple, smart gear storage that helps organize the growing pile of hunting equipment we all swear we actually need. ⁠Gerber Gear: ⁠Knives, tools, and gear built to actually get used instead of just photographed on tailgates. ⁠ASIO Gear: ⁠Technical hunting apparel designed for serious pursuit without taking yourself too seriously. ⁠HLRBO: ⁠Access to private land opportunities without the headache of knocking on doors or chasing down permission slips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Zima joins the podcast for a long-form conversation about deer camp traditions, fatherhood, hunting culture, public land, stoicism, and why hunting feels like it’s about a whole lot more than antlers. We talk about ego in hunting, raising kids outdoors, respecting wild game, the loneliness creeping into modern life, and why community still matters now more than ever. From Wisconsin deer camps to mountain hunts in Alaska, this one goes well beyond gear talk and big bucks. Big thanks to the partners: Latitude Outdoors: Mobile hunting gear built for hunters who’d rather keep moving than sit in the same spot wondering if the wind betrayed them again. Rack Hub: Simple, smart gear storage that helps organize the growing pile of hunting equipment we all swear we actually need. Gerber Gear: Knives, tools, and gear built to actually get used instead of just photographed on tailgates. ASIO Gear: Technical hunting apparel designed for serious pursuit without taking yourself too seriously. HLRBO: Access to private land opportunities without the headache of knocking on doors or chasing down permission slips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Levi Kary from the Western Territory podcast (from the Okayest Podcast Network) jumps in to talk spring bear hunting in Wyoming, what it looks like hunting bears, and why hunting out West isn’t always what you think. We get into baiting setups, close encounters, tag strategy, and the reality of hunting in grizzly country. Check out the Western Territory Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/46AmQrA5hoS5E75I05lco8?si=eeb2463367304950 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices