Okayest Hunter ®

Summer Scouting Sucks

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

Mobile Hunting Wind Chimes

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

From Prison to Public Land Conservation

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

The Hidden Psychology of Archery Success

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

Deer Camp, Fatherhood & Hunting Culture

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