Truth From The Stand Deer Hunting Podcast

EP.472: Chasing Mastery | Andy May

In this episode, I sit down with Andy May to talk bowhunting the hard way—how weather and wind messes with your shot, why traditional archery forces honesty, and what you give up when you decide to really chase mastery. We get into the mental side of hunting, the tension between time, technology, and ethics, and why the real competition is always with yourself. This one’s about sacrifice, perspective, and protecting the kind of hunting that still means something. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 472 Wind exposes flaws in shooting and forces you to practice with intention, not comfort. Traditional archery demands efficiency, close-range decision-making. Limited time can sharpen focus, while unlimited time often leads to overthinking. Technology has made hunters more effective, raising hard questions about ethics and the future of the sport. Growth in bowhunting comes through adversity, sacrifice, and learning from past mistakes. The real competition in hunting is internal—measuring progress against who you were last season. Preserving public land and long-term opportunity matters more than short-term success. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP.471: Expectations Vs. Reality

In this episode, I sit down with Cameron from Hawk Optics and we dig into the nuts and bolts of actually learning deer—how pressure, access, and human movement shape their behavior more than most folks realize. We talk about deer living in cattails, how their senses change with terrain, and why wind and entry routes quietly decide most hunts before you ever climb a tree. From a memorable Halloween sit to hard lessons pulled from past mistakes, this one’s about paying attention, adapting on the fly, and letting experience—not shortcuts—do the heavy lifting. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 471 Access routes and human pressure often dictate deer movement  Deer use their senses differently depending on terrain, especially in cattails and open cover Wind direction quietly determines most encounters before a hunt ever starts Bedding preferences shift with pressure and environment, requiring adaptable setups Experience sharpens shot selection and decision-making in tight windows Patience and observation reveal patterns that cameras alone can’t teach Learning from past mistakes is the foundation for future success SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP. 470: Why You Feel Stuck In Your Hunting

If you’ve ever hit that point in the season where you feel stuck—like the woods went quiet, the weather won’t cooperate, and your free time evaporated—this episode is for you. Chad Sylvester and I sit down and unpack everything from post-rut recovery to why late season success has far more to do with mindset and time management than perfect conditions. We get into the trap of comparing your season to anyone else’s, how to qualify your own process so you're actually improving, and what it looks like to reset and find opportunity when the plan starts to unravel. If you’re trying to figure out how to make the most of what’s left of the season—or how to learn from it—this is the kind of conversation that brings you back to center. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 470 Late-season hunting demands adaptability, strategic thinking, and realistic expectations. Feeling “stuck” is common in the deer woods, and shifting your perspective can open new opportunities. Time management and planning hunts around the best weather windows greatly improve success. Every hunt—successful or not—should be treated as an intel-gathering mission for future decisions. Comparison to other hunters derails progress; the real work happens in qualifying your own process. Regularly evaluating and adjusting your strategy is essential for long-term growth. Hunting is a slow burn—patience, mindset, and continuous learning matter more than short-term results. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP. 469: Authenticity In Hunting | Tony Peterson

Today’s episode is one of those conversations that feels more like sitting around a tailgate after a long hunt than recording a podcast. Tony and I get into all the stuff most folks don’t ever say out loud—the weird mix of privilege and pressure in modern hunting, what ‘authenticity’ even means anymore when everything online looks perfect, and how easy it is to forget what actually matters in this whole deal. We swap some stories about blown opportunities, the headaches of losing access and trying to scratch out a hunt on public, and the kind of hunts that shape you—especially the ones where nothing comes easy. We get into family hunts, the pull of different landscapes, and what it looks like to reevaluate your goals after a few seasons that didn’t go the way you planned. It’s raw, honest, and exactly the kind of conversation I think hunting needs more of. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 469 Authenticity matters more than ever in a digital world full of curated hunting content. Access—both private and public—shapes nearly every part of a hunter’s experience and opportunity. Missed chances and lost hunting ground take an emotional toll, but they’re also part of what makes the journey meaningful. Financial privilege and trophy-driven expectations can distort what real hunting success looks like. Family hunts and genuine time outdoors provide the fulfillment that social media can’t replicate. Link in Bio:  SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP. 468: Everyday Carry Hunting Gear

In this one, we’re talking gear. Not a gear breakdown that’s chalked full of “here’s the free gear I received that I’m obligated to tell you about”…there are plenty of people who do those. I’m going to focus on …you know…things I actually use. With a heavy focus on stuff I keep in my truck as everyday carry for hunting season or just general preparedness. Lots of deals for the holiday season, so I figured I may be using something you could benefit from, and you may be able to find a deal on some of these items  this time of year! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PODCAST 468 Truck prep for the bug out hunt and everyday carry  Power and water scarcity - not just for hunting Boots and socks Key apparel pieces If I had to pick my go to pieces SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: —Truth From The Stand Merch —Check out Tactacam Reveal cell cameras — Save 15% on Hawke Optics code TFTS15  —Save 20% on ASIO GEAR code TRUTH20 —Check out Spartan Forge to map your hunt  —Save on Lathrop And Sons non-typical insoles code TRUTH10 —Check out Faceoff E-Bikes —Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices