The True North Lifestyle Podcast

Episode 18 | Garnett “BIG G” | WILD Hunting Stories

Kick back and hang out with Garnett—aka BIG G, the “Master of Disaster”—as he unleashes the wildest hunting stories of his life! Mike Stevens, Rick Labbe, and Joe Kruse join in, sharing laughs, reflections, and their own unforgettable moments as Garnett takes us through a full season of adventures.From sneaking out at midnight at age 10 with a flashlight and a 410, to tracking giant bucks in Saskatchewan and Alberta, BIG G shares the chaos, tricks, and laughs that made him a legend. This episode is a season recap of epic tales and timeless hunting lessons, including:* Epic childhood mischief: stealing root beer bottles to trade for shotgun shells.* Family, friends, and legacy: revisiting his dad’s grave, honoring hunting mentors like Clark Perkins, and passing on lessons to the next generation.* Old-school hunting wisdom: BIG G and Rick break down strategies for tracking smart, older bucks—even modern hunters will take notes.* School vs. deer: how “buck fever” got him excused from class, and the tenderloin deliveries that kept him out of trouble.* Seasoned adventures: epic encounters with “Ghost Bucks” in Saskatchewan, monster bucks in Alberta, and classic Maine hunting stories that span decades.* Camaraderie and chaos: moments of laughter, friendly bets, and the off-the-cuff brilliance only Garnett can deliver.* Whether you’re a hunter, outdoors fan, or just love larger-than-life storytelling, BIG G’s tales are equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and jaw-dropping. This episode is the perfect look back at a season full of adventure, friendship, and unforgettable memories.🎯 Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell to catch more legendary stories from The True North Lifestyle!**Sponsors & Shoutouts:**STAGR GEARSave 10% & gear up for hunting season with STAGR GEAR using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check that it’s applied to claim your discount!Handcrafted Knives & Tools (Maine-Made)🔪 Check out Walker Knife Co.: https://walkerknifeco.com🧭 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle:📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle🦌 Preserve Your Trophy with Peak TaxidermyJeff at Peak Taxidermy delivers high-quality, long-lasting mounts that honor your hunt the right way. Trusted craftsmanship, built to last a lifetime.🌐 Website: https://www.peaktaxidermy.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaktaxidermy207🎣 Support The True North Lifestyle with Northeast TrollerGet fully geared up for trout and salmon fishing with spoons, flashers, dodgers, downrigger releases, live bait rigs, and more.👉 https://northeasttroller.com/discount/TTN💥 Use code TTN at checkout for 10% off your entire order.🏠 Looking to Buy or Sell in Western Maine? Gary Williamson is our trusted real estate guide for land, homes, and camps across Western Maine.📞 Call/Text: (207) 364-5326🔗 https://www.cassiemason.com/about/julia-gary-williamson🏕️ Four Seasons Rentals: https://www.fourseasonsrealtymaine.com🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities:Interested in being featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video?📧 Email: info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com

Episode 17 | Say Yes to the Adventure | Elk Hunting, Flying & Tracking Bucks w/ Josh Tripp

This episode is pure True North Lifestyle storytelling. Some opportunities only come once — and this conversation is all about having the courage to say yes when they do. The central theme of this episode is recognizing opportunity and taking action, even when the outcome is uncertain. Josh explains how the biggest adventures of his life: hunting, flying, traveling, and building an outdoor lifestyle which all started by stepping into moments most people hesitate to take.Joe, Rick, and Lee sit down with guest Josh Tripp for a wide-ranging, honest conversation that dives deep into what it really means to chase hard adventures, from tracking big Maine bucks, to solo archery elk hunting in Colorado, to bush flying, aviation mishaps, and the grit it takes to keep pushing forward.Josh shares unforgettable stories from his first experiences tracking deer in the Maine big woods with Rick, learning lessons the hard way and developing the patience and mindset required to consistently hunt mature bucks. The conversation then shifts west to a raw, boots-on-the-ground breakdown of solo elk hunting, including the mental grind, packing meat, hiring packers, and navigating the reality of doing it alone in the mountains.The episode also takes a wild turn into aviation stories — from wrecked planes and Super Cubs, to flying in harsh conditions, Hurricane Gloria, and a full-circle Saskatchewan story that sounds too crazy to be true (but is). Along the way, the guys connect the dots between hunting, flying, risk, experience, and why the most meaningful pursuits in life are rarely the easiest.This is a laid-back, hilarious, and thoughtful episode packed with real lessons, Northeast hunting culture, and the kind of stories that only come from years of getting after it.🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode:• Josh’s philosophy on saying yes when opportunity presents itself• Josh’s first experiences tracking deer with Rick in the Maine big woods• Lessons learned chasing mature bucks and choosing the right track• Solo archery elk hunting in Colorado — mental battles, pack-outs, and reality checks• Hiring packers and what it’s really like getting an elk out of the mountains• Why waiting for “the right time” often means missing the moment• Aviation stories: Super Cubs, wrecked planes, bush flying & Hurricane Gloria• The unbelievable Saskatchewan plane story that comes full circle years later• How risk, age, experience, and grit shape better hunters and outdoorsmen• Why big adventures demand patience, preparation, and humility• Laugh-out-loud camp banter and classic True North storytelling• A running joke revealing Rick’s “unique” taste in hotels (yes… mannequins 😆)If you love big woods deer hunting, elk hunting, tracking stories, aviation, and real conversations about pushing limits and learning the hard way — this episode is for you.**Sponsors & Shoutouts:**STAGR GEARSave 10% & gear up for hunting season with STAGR GEAR using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check that it’s applied to claim your discount!Handcrafted Knives & Tools (Maine-Made)🔪 Check out Walker Knife Co.: https://walkerknifeco.com🧭 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle:📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle🦌 Preserve Your Trophy with Peak TaxidermyJeff at Peak Taxidermy delivers high-quality, mounts that honor your hunt the right way. 🌐 Website: https://www.peaktaxidermy.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaktaxidermy207🎣 Northeast Troller:👉 https://northeasttroller.com/discount/TTN💥 Use code TTN at checkout for 10% off your entire order.

Episode 16 | Legendary Lanny Benoit | Big Buck Tracking Stories

In this episode, Joe Kruse and Rick Labbe sit down with Glenn Bombardier and the legendary Lanny Benoit, one of the greatest buck trackers to ever walk the big woods.From jaw-dropping deer stories across Maine, Vermont, and the Golden Road, to the brutal camps, school buses, wild adventures, and the early years of the Benoit brothers, this episode is packed with deep woods knowledge, humor, history and big buck stories!If you love tracking big bucks in snow, 200-lb Maine bucks, big woods adventures, and old-school deer camp storytelling, this episode is pure gold.Lanny covers everything from how he learned to read a track as a kid, to shooting giant bucks in the 70s and 80s, to the evolution of deer herds, coyotes, wolves, road systems, and why track selection and patience are the real keys to consistent success. He even dives into his days racing snowmobiles, the “veteran” pain tolerance he developed from it, and how that played into becoming a world-class buck tracker.🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode:• Lanny Benoit’s earliest days learning to track with his father and brothers• Stories from Maine’s Parlin Pond Road, Spencer Road, and the Golden Road• Why Lanny shot so many 240–260 lb bucks—and how he chose the right track• Aging a track, reading stride width, and how to judge a buck by his chest• The difference between long-bodied bucks vs. short-bodied bucks• Wild stories: school buses as hunting camps, wall tents blowing over, fires, storms & deep snow• The Ontario years—massive deer, sheds everywhere, and the story behind the big 300-lb ledge buck• Party hunting days in Vermont and crazy double-kill stories• How wolves and coyotes changed the big woods forever• Snowmobile racing, injuries, grit, and building the mental toughness needed for tracking giant whitetailsThis podcast that captures exactly what makes Northeastern big woods hunting so special: tradition, knowledge, camaraderie, storytelling, and the thrill of following a single buck track through miles of wild country.**Sponsors & Shoutouts:**STAGR GEARSave 10% & gear up for hunting season with STAGR GEAR using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check that it’s applied to claim your discount!Handcrafted Knives & Tools (Maine-Made)🔪 Check out Walker Knife Co.: https://walkerknifeco.com🧭 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle:📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle🦌 Preserve Your Trophy with Peak TaxidermyJeff at Peak Taxidermy delivers high-quality, long-lasting mounts that honor your hunt the right way. Trusted craftsmanship, built to last a lifetime.🌐 Website: https://www.peaktaxidermy.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaktaxidermy207🎣 Support The True North Lifestyle with Northeast TrollerGet fully geared up for trout and salmon fishing with spoons, flashers, dodgers, downrigger releases, live bait rigs, and more.👉 https://northeasttroller.com/discount/TTN💥 Use code TTN at checkout for 10% off your entire order.🏠 Looking to Buy or Sell in Western Maine?Gary Williamson is our trusted real estate guide for land, homes, and camps across Western Maine.📞 Call/Text: (207) 364-5326🔗 https://www.cassiemason.com/about/julia-gary-williamson🏕️ Four Seasons Rentals: https://www.fourseasonsrealtymaine.com🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities:Interested in being featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video?📧 Email: info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com

Episode 15 | This is Your Day w/ Stephan White | 36 Years to Get His First Buck!

This is a podcast you won’t forget. Stephan White joins Joe Kruse in the studio to relive the unforgettable hunting story where he finally tagged his first deer—after 36 years of hunting since 1987. Guided by Joe for two seasons with Big Woods Outfitters at Lake Parlin Lodge, this was Steve’s third year hunting on his own under the American Plan, and he finally connected with the buck he had been chasing for decades.From the emotional high of seeing that deer standing in front of him, to the drag, the fire-starting mishaps, and the reflective moments sitting alone beside his buck—this episode captures everything we all love about deer camp: camaraderie, adrenaline, frustration, laughs, and once-in-a-lifetime memories.Set in the snowy Maine woods and staying at Lake Parlin Lodge, this episode is pure Northeast hunting storytelling at its best—heartfelt, hilarious, and packed with wisdom from decades in the woods.🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode:• Steve’s once-in-a-lifetime buck after 36 years of hunting• How Joe tracked another buck, got Steve’s text, and rushed to celebrate and help get the deer out• Steve following a pamphlet word-for-word to gut his first deer ever• How Steve’s mother-in-law used to tell him every day: “This is your day”• The surreal moment every hunter dreams of—and how it matched his exact vision• Dragging the deer, smoke signals, frozen fingers & gear lessons learned the hard way• Why starting a fire in cold weather is harder than it looks—and what to pack next time• The emotion of doing it on your own, and why that made the hunt even better• Ben Allen of Epic Adventures sharing a funny story about a client NOT seeing a deer• Ben’s upcoming trip to the North Maine Woods to hunt deer• Rifle, snow, tracking conditions & how the hunt truly unfolded• Joe’s reflections on why this kind of hunt never gets old—no matter how many bucks you’ve taken• The community of deer camp: long-time friendships, shared stories, and why this lifestyle keeps us all coming back• Patriots vs. Dolphins banter (because it’s a tradition!)• Listener shoutouts & what your support means to the team⸻Sponsors & Shoutouts:Stagr GearSave 10% & gear up for hunting season with Stagr Gear using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check that it’s applied to claim your discount! Preserve your trophies with Peak Taxidermy🌐 Website: https://www.peaktaxidermy.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaktaxidermy207👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Peak-Taxidermy-61572674926781/🔪 Check out handcrafted knives and tools made in Maine: ➡️ https://walkerknifeco.com🧭 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle:📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities:Reach out for sponsorship opportunities to be featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video at 📧 info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com

Episode 14 | Stories w/ STAGR GEAR |Hunting Gear, Clothing & Tips

The boys from STAGR GEAR, Adam Lamson and Greg Gove, join us for an action-packed podcast, we talk hunting in the Northeast, sharing epic stories, gear tips, and family hunting moments you won’t want to miss. From bow season thrills to crossbow game-changers, and from teaching a 3-year-old grandson to hunt, to a wife’s first moose —this episode has it all!🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode:* The story behind Stagr Gear: Blaze Capes, Gloves, and the evolution of jackets & pants for Northeast conditions* Upcoming women’s & kids’ gear lines, plus new colors like snow camo and classic red & black* Hunting updates from Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine—bow season, public land pheasant hunts, and more* Heartwarming family hunting moments and first-time experiences in the blind* Crossbow insights: extending range, boosting accuracy, and keeping older hunters in the game* Incredible moose, deer, and turkey hunts, including first kills and lessons in patience & confidence* Tracking tips: estrus scent, drag rags, and following blood trails for maximum success* Gear updates: Nor’Easter Grunt Calls, Stagr Gear custom hems, Walker knives, Peak Taxidermy, plus promo code TTN discounts* Behind-the-scenes hunting stories: town deer dynamics, Rangeley big bucks, Vermont tracking adventures, and snowmobile tales* Community, collaboration, and connecting with fellow hunters in the Northeast* How to support the podcast: subscribe, follow on social media, and leave a reviewWhether you’re a seasoned hunter, a family looking to get outdoors, or just love hunting stories, this episode is packed with laughs, tips, and unforgettable real-life adventures.Sponsors & Shoutouts:Stagr GearSave 10% & gear up for hunting season with Stagr Gear using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check that it’s applied to claim your discount! Preserve your trophies with Peak Taxidermy🌐 Website: https://www.peaktaxidermy.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaktaxidermy207👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Peak-Taxidermy-61572674926781/🔪 Check out handcrafted knives and tools made in Maine: ➡️ https://walkerknifeco.com🧭 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle:📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities:Reach out for sponsorship opportunities to be featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video at 📧 info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com