Boondocks Hunting Podcast

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We trade week-three bowhunting field notes with Quentin as he bounces from a hot Kentucky opener to Wisconsin sits full of deer, clean misses, and a hard reset on mindset. Along the way, we get real about saddle hunting growing pains, broadhead blood trails, EHD concerns, and why the chase still matters when the plan falls apart. 
• Kentucky heat, triggers, and an early-season miss that turns into a laugh 
• Clean misses in tight and what they reveal about timing and pressure 
• Switching to saddle hunting, changing draw mechanics, and fixing an early...

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We trade honest field updates from public land and break down the small decisions that turn a hunt into a win, a clean miss, or a blown setup. From crowded trailheads to a viral buck clip, we talk ethics, gear discipline, and why helping new hunters matters as much as tagging out. 
• dealing with restricted zones and last-minute backup plans on base land 
• handling heavy public land pressure and why most hunters do not walk far 
• reading early season movement windows and treating deer sightings as progress 
• diagnosing misses including ne...

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We’re back with Field Notes and we’re trading real early season updates from New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida. We talk heat, bugs, gear failures, self-filming setups, and the moment a tight shot window turns into a punched tag. 
• season timing differences from North to South and how rut timing changes everything 
• coping with brutal heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and short early season sits 
• camp and weather lessons after a tent-flipping storm 
• scouting disruptions from burns, closures, and downed limbs 
• one-stick climbing, aider wear, webbed vs cord options, and why safety chec...

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We sit down with Missouri trapper and hunter Jackson Knight to talk whitetails, hard training, and the moments that turn into lifelong hunting stories. We get into shot placement, bow setups, Spartan Race discipline, and how a career detour pushed him into building Trapper Jack. 
• Missouri deer tags, resident vs non-resident rules, and the state’s alternative season weapons 
• Jackson’s first deer story at home and how early hunts shape confidence 
• Shot placement realities with rifles and shotguns, luck vs skill, and how standards change over time 
• Bowhunting gear choices, he...

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We talk with Chris Ginder about growing up hunting in New Jersey, learning hard lessons early, and why bowhunting can spike your adrenaline like nothing else. Chris also breaks down how public land pressure and constant baiting led him to create Big A Deer corn coating attractant and turn a personal solution into a business. 
• meeting Chris through the Deer Classic and why NJ outdoors is underrated 
• what Big A Deer Corn Coating Attractant is and how it’s used on bait 
• early hunting memories that shape patience and expectations 
• first...

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We catch up with our friend Quinton to talk about what pressure does to your shot, what recovery looks like after a life-changing car accident, and why the closest encounters in the woods often teach the biggest lessons. From Wisconsin public land to Ohio ridge tops, we cover everything from competitive archery and deer behavior to bear baiting, predator management, and the experiences that keep us coming back each season.

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We sit down with Will from Timber and River Outdoors to talk about starting deer hunting in New Jersey in 2021 and learning the patience game fast after years of baseball. We trade stories on first kills, public land strategy, and the real-world decisions that shape ethical hunting when you only have weekends to make it happen. 
• starting hunting later despite growing up around it 
• navigating COVID-era online hunter safety and delayed field testing 
• first deer on a scouting walk and the delayed adrenaline dump 
• why early struggles build better long-term hu...

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We sit down with Drew, founder of Bullpath Gear, to talk about how one “Made in China” tag pushed him to build 100% American-made mobile hunting gear from the ground up. We get into the real grind of sewing, prototyping, stress-testing, and building a brand while hunting takes a back seat. 
• how a saddle hunting video sparked the idea to build gear 
• the moment “Made in China” changed the mission 
• running Bullpath as a mostly one-man operation 
• preparing inventory for the seasonal rush in whitetail hunting 
• designing pouches and packs that solve real m...

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New Jersey delivers way more hunting opportunity than most people believe, from Pine Barrens swamps to mountain ridges and serious bear country. We sit down with Kenny Cockerill to talk living on wild game, building skill through daily practice, and staying mentally tough when the grind gets real.

• why New Jersey is a slept-on hunting state with wildly different terrain
• long seasons and tag opportunity that make living off the land realistic
• eating only harvested meat, planning protein for the year, and losing 100 pounds
• growing up on upland birds, r...

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We sit down with DeAndre “Trey” Reed (DreadedArcher17) to talk about how archery and hunting helped him rebuild his life after football and a brutal slide into depression. We get real about identity, belonging, and why the quiet of the woods can feel like the loudest kind of relief. 
• Trey’s path from football scholarships to a post sports crash 
• Depression, drinking, and trying to stay numb by staying social 
• A random archery shop stop that turns into an obsession 
• Why bowhunting feels like a full football season cycle 
• Peace, sleep...

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We talk through what doubt looks like when the woods go quiet and how we reset our mindset with prayer, patience, and honest self-criticism. We also challenge trophy pressure, share stories from deer and turkey season, and come back to why hunting should keep us grounded, grateful, and connected. 

• praying through doubt and refocusing on what we can control 
• Alexa’s turkey hunt moment where faith replaces pressure 
• first bow kills and learning to own our decisions 
• blocking out outside noise from competition and social media 
• handling frustration with...

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We sit down with Paul from NJ Shed Hunters and dig into how he finds piles of sheds across New Jersey while turning every hike into real deer scouting. We also get into bear hunting, wild game cooking, and the strange things you can stumble on when you’re deep in Garden State woods. 
• Paul’s backstory and how NJ Shed Hunters starts 
• Logging miles and rotating properties for consistent shed finds 
• What to do with sheds including giving some away and returning old chewed antlers 
• How harsh winter weather pushes d...

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We sit down with Bo from Kuhle Archery to talk real-world arrow performance, how his hunting life started at five years old, and what it takes to build gear people trust when it counts. We get into arrow durability, downrange accuracy, and the small details like eye dominance and fatigue that can make a “good” shooter feel inconsistent overnight. 
• Bo’s hunting origin story and early bowhunting lessons 
• Why arrow durability shows up in real hunting mistakes 
• How eye dominance can wreck left-right accuracy 
• Switching bow handedness as a reset for form 

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Kayla from Fit to Hunt shares how she goes from curious beginner to first-time turkey hunter, and why the grind matters more than the highlight reel. We talk through missed chances, smart adjustments, and the father-daughter moment that finally puts a gobbler on the ground. 

• Kayla’s background as an Arkansas nurse practitioner, mom of three, and hunter 
• Making time for hunting, content, and family with support from her husband and parents 
• Getting curious about turkeys after seeing flocks during deer season 
• Practicing turkey calling early, posting the ugly reps, and...

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We sit down with Ben Baker of Rockin B GunDog's to talk about building reliable hunting dogs in New Jersey and why steadiness and clear commands matter more than flashy drills. Ben shares how his background with working animals and Texas training shaped his approach to Labradors, upland birds, and waterfowl, plus what handlers can do to avoid expensive mistakes. 

• Ben’s path from farm animals and sheepdogs to professional gun dog training 
• Texas heat and waterfowl focus changing daily training structure 
• Why every dog learns differently and why trainers sh...

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We sit down with Danny Cowan to swap stories about Pennsylvania’s big woods culture and the lessons that shape a hunter for life. Then we dig into why he built True North Woods and Water, a free nationwide database that makes traveling for hunts and fishing trips far easier.

• growing up in central Pennsylvania where hunting is family and food 
• learning moments from an early rifle season hunt and why safety sticks 
• how Maryland’s crabbing, offshore fishing, and regulations feel like a different world 
• why bowhunting exploded and ho...

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We sit down with Zack Bolcar from Wood Shark Outdoors to talk about growing up hunting New Jersey public land and how archery season changes the whole game. We swap stories about first deer, long seasons, bear chaos in North Jersey, and what it really takes to keep finding good hunting in a state that keeps getting developed.
• family roots in hunting and fishing across small game, waterfowl, and deer
• hunting Morris County public land and adapting as development wipes out old spots
• why New Jersey’s long archery season creates...

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Turkey season turns us all back into rookies, and Laurel makes it clear why that challenge is exactly the point. We talk mentors, mistakes, and the kind of hunting community that helps more people get outside and stick with it.
• why turkeys are addictive and why run and gun works
• how Laurel starts hunting in college with mentors
• building Sisterhood Of The Hunt to connect women hunters
• why the outdoors is more than harvesting animals
• first turkey adrenaline and learning to manage the moment
• calling strategy and why silence...

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We trade turkey hunting chaos stories with Seth Beatty, from filming a first-time bird to shaking off a brutal miss and earning a redemption tom the hard way. Then we pivot to a season-long whitetail chase where trail cameras, mock scrapes, and disciplined decisions finally lead to a 15-point payoff and a heavy dose of perspective.

• ground blind setups in open fields and why terrain forces the choice 
• decoy strategy with Avian-X and reading a gobbler’s body language 
• letting a new hunter shoot first and what that moment changes 

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We catch up with Brian from Timber Life Outdoors after a huge New Jersey bear season and then zoom out into what it really takes to consistently find success in the Garden State. We get honest about declining north Jersey turkeys, the reality of public land pressure, and how filming hunts changes your process, your mindset, and your results.

• planning turkey season around stronger south Jersey bird numbers
• switching from hunting to filming and why it does not feel like missing out
• choosing camera gear for low light and the re...

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We sit down with Greg Kimball to talk about going from total beginner to confident deer hunter in just a few seasons, and what it really takes to learn the craft on public land without a built-in mentor. We get honest about mistakes, cold sits, gear choices, and the mindset shift that turns frustration into hard-earned success. 
• Greg’s background and why he started Outdoors With Greg 
• starting hunting during COVID and learning through YouTube 
• dealing with gatekeeping and finding mentors who actually help 
• beginner mistakes with access, sweating in, and settin...

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We tell the full story behind Zach’s recent bison hunt, from a last-minute plan and intense bow prep to a high-wind 60-yard shot and a hard-earned recovery. Then we relive the real chaos, getting 100 pounds of frozen meat and a bow case through delays, tight connections, and baggage mix-ups. 
• calling the outfitter and locking in a fast plan 
• getting family support and committing to a bow-only hunt 
• practicing on a life-size bison target and learning forward heart placement 
• spotting bison at distance and stalking in on foot 
• managing crosswin...

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We sit down with South Jersey outdoorsman Steven Richards to talk about growing up hunting New Jersey and the hard-earned lessons that shaped his bowhunting and trapping today. We get into Pine Barrens realities, gear trust, crowded public land, and why he helped build an app that keeps hunters’ memories organized and protected.
• growing up in New Jersey hunting culture and learning through cold mornings and repetition
• first deer memories and how bowhunting turns into an obsession
• compound versus recurve expectations and why trad gear exposes mistakes fast
• broadhead confidence...

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We recap our third annual wild game dinner and the chaos that comes with great food, good friends, and a little too much pregame. We swap travel and airport stories, talk upcoming hunts and gear, and end up laughing about how weird everyday life has gotten. 

• third annual wild game dinner highlights, raffles, kids, and community 
• wild game menu talk, venison chili, shepherd’s pie, venison parm, desserts, and timing lessons 
• travel scramble, bar stop decisions, and almost missing the dinner 
• Uber ride to the airport story and Newark morning...

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We ride the high of USA’s overtime win over Canada straight into a storm that cancels plans, then close our whitetail season with honesty, humor and hard-won lessons. From dropped gear to perfect shots, we share how persistence, purpose and brotherhood carried us.

• USA vs Canada rivalry setting the tone
• Nor’easter canceling the show and travel chaos
• Season wrap across NJ, WI, DE and PA
• Momentum from late October into November
• Donating venison and hunting with purpose
• Misses, pressure and managing self-doubt
• Mobile saddle setups and...

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A rough month turns into a reset as we unpack a public land clash, hard lessons on courtesy, and a season saved by smart moves and better wind. We trade stories from urban edges, river funnels, and thickets while laying out a clear rule set for when to sit and when to go.

• unwritten public land etiquette and conflict deescalation
• switching properties based on daylight data not bias
• private versus public tactics and pressure management
• aggressive saddle hunting, wind-first setups, and mobility
• micro-scouting thickets from the tree to find in...

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We sprint through a 48-hour run that starts with a long-range doe in brutal wind, adds a dawn 10-pointer, then rolls to Texas for fallow, aoudad, and a red stag. Along the way, we talk wind calls, safety checks, minimalist waterfowl tactics, reliable gear, and why the right outfitter changes everything.

• long-range whitetail shot selection and wind calls
• safety discipline under adrenaline at first light
• fallow and aoudad timing, angles and tracking
• red stag stalk with wind and terrain decisions
• why 4B Outfitters’ logistics and hospitality matter
• Osseo...

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We sit down with Sean Johnson, Get Sauce NJ, to show how simple techniques and smart seasoning turn wild game into meals anyone can cook at home. Along the way we talk ethics, public land reality, social media noise, and why shank and heart beat backstrap.

• New Jersey’s overlooked outdoor culture and public land grit
• Sean’s path from COVID livestreams to viral short-form cooking
• Turning “gamey” fear into flavor with fat, acid, and heat
• Kid-friendly gateway dishes like heart poppers and tacos
• Why shank, heart, and football roast...

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We close out the year with a father-son hunt that turns a windy near-miss into a perfect recovery—and a moment that defines the season. From hard lessons and smart gear choices to team wins, big events, and what’s next, this one’s about what worked, what didn’t, and why the brotherhood always comes first.

• building a ground blind and bait site with a five-year-old in mind
• swirling wind, blown deer, predator screams, and safety-first calls
• a quick second sit, camera failure, steady shot, and short recovery
• muzzlelo...

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We celebrate Squatch’s first New Jersey harvest, break down iron-sight shot execution, and talk about why camp trust beats antler size. Then we pivot to urgent New Jersey legislation, predator management, and the next generation learning the right way to hunt.

• first NJ hunt with a Browning A5 and iron sights 
• ladder stand setup, moonlit movement, and a clean follow-up 
• camp vibes, gratitude, and sharing stands without ego 
• public land courtesy and why goodwill matters 
• NJ bills A6055/S4893 and risks to science-based management 
• bear overpopulation, col...

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A veteran EMT turned researcher shares the night that changed his life: tree knocks, rock throws, and a boulder at the fire, then digs into Sussex County’s startling sighting density, field evidence from High Point, and how AI and bias shape what we accept as real. We question proof, examine timing and behavior, and map a clear path between open-minded curiosity and careful skepticism.

• origin story of Mike’s research journey from Florida expedition 
• Sussex County as an East Coast hotspot with 71 sightings 
• witness stigma and 48 new reports surfaced at...

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A gritty urban whitetail story moves from a painful miss to a clean seven-yard heart shot less than 24 hours later. We share what it takes to ignore social pressure, read suburban habitat, and stay steady when the season tests your patience.

• passing deer on purpose and trusting the plan
• hunting amid construction noise and retention ponds
• adapting to wind in urban edges and funnels
• camera intel, mock scrapes, and timing the drop in temps
• diagnosing a high miss and rebuilding confidence
• Wisconsin tags, gun week strategy, and late-sea...

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November keeps giving as we chase whitetails across Oklahoma plains and New Jersey thickets, turn misses into clean kills, and rebuild confidence one fix at a time. We share how small tweaks, smarter setups, and steady minds led to an 11-point buck, a buddy’s perfect shot, and a father-son recovery.

• Lone Wolf hunt in Oklahoma with high wind and blinds
• Missed shots, target panic, and the shot process reset
• Final-day redemption on a surprise 11-point buck
• Donating meat and mentoring young archers
• Guiding a friend to a double lun...

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We talk with author and trapper Zach Hansen about late-onset hunting, moving to remote Idaho, and why trapping wolves sharpened every other outdoor skill. The path runs through failure, grit, and reclaiming trades we let slip as a country.

• adult-onset hunting sparked by nutrition and self-reliance 
• moving to a 35-person Idaho town at the end of an 80-mile dirt road 
• bowhunting mistakes, missed shots, and learning discipline 
• Sawtooth terrain realities and the mental game of backcountry hunts 
• why trades and shop-class skills matter for modern life 
• trapping as the f...

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A brutal Halloween storm gave way to a November surge, and our team caught fire with a string of kills anchored by a tight, suburban-style buck recovery and a five-yard heart shot. We trade trail cam dogma for aggressive rut moves, ethics in meat salvage, and practical filming tips that actually help.

• crew hot streak after storm
• small parcel strategy around orchards and marsh bedding
• target bucks Mr Perfect and Warrior weighed up
• shot details, rain, and recovery plan with thermal and dog
• meat salvage decisions and reporting...

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A cold front flipped the rut switch, and we ride the highs and lows: Peyton’s 650-yard recovery, Zach’s near-misses, a field-edge long shot with a dog track, and Connor’s October 28 magic. We dig into weather, wind, calling, ethics at low light, and why access wins.

• reading the wind and barometric pressure for rut movement
• edge sits with standing corn and late-morning cruising
• when to get aggressive with grunts and snort-wheezes
• low-light restraint and shot accountability
• long-range bow practice for field edges
• tracking strategy with and without a...

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We go deep on Florida’s brutal public land, the move back to New England, and how faith, family, and photography shape a better hunter and a better neighbor. AJ shares bear management realities, turkey plans, and the gear choices that build confidence when pressure rises.

• Florida’s extreme hunts and shifting rut windows
• Learning WMAs, quotas, and local regs
• Moving to Connecticut and finding community
• Balancing family time with a realistic season
• Photography as memory, mentorship, and meaning
• Bear populations, policy, and ethical methods
• Arrow builds for c...

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The rain hammered down, the wind never settled, and a 20-year mystery finally walked into view. We’re fresh off New Jersey’s bear week with stories that run from legendary to hard-earned: Eddie closes the book on “Diamond Bear,” a boar first photographed in 2004 with a hollow diamond blaze on his chest, and we unpack the meticulous bait logs, peanut-fueled strategy, and storm gamble that made the difference. It’s a masterclass in reading daytime bears, avoiding being patterned, and using scent-only sits to force curiosity when bait would only feed competition.

T...

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We trade the “October lull” myth for real field notes on wind, drought, and timing rain, while gearing up for New Jersey’s bear week and a patient whitetail plan built on funnels, scrapes, and clean access. Midwest drought, East Coast color, and tag policies collide as we map the best sits ahead.

• warm, dry, and calm evenings changing wind strategy
• why high winds don’t shut deer down
• drought impacts on scrapes, scent, and sign
• reading turkeys as deer security in open fields
• post-rain movement windows and minimalist rai...

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We chase the early-season swings from hot starts to quiet weeks, then ride along as Kyle breaks a ten-year out-of-state streak with a messy, memorable, and deeply instructive liver-hit recovery. Strategy shifts, habitat puzzles, and why patience under pressure still wins.

• early-season highs and lulls across states
• e-bike access, quiet entry, and setup choices
• New York opener timing and time-off planning
• beans vs corn, drought impacts, and harvest timing
• Kyle’s ten-year standard and the mindset switch
• blind heat, rushed mechanics, and the shot window
• backing out over...