Built, Not Born: Becoming a Public Land Hunter w/ Greg Kimbell

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 setting up too close 
• cold weather lessons and why late-season clothing matters 
• first harvest story and how it changes confidence 
• bowhunting learning curve including draw length, releases, and sighting in 
• saddle hunting versus climbers for comfort, cost, and mobility 
• the double-up hunt story with a doe then a mature buck 
• why shots and pressure do not always end movement 
• hunting on military bases including check-in rules and the skinning shed 
• dream hunts, traveling for new terrain, and building skills across states 
• best advice for new hunters including licensing, safety, and committing to a plan 
If you have any questions, make sure one, you follow Greg. Two, yeah, please, you you go let him know. If you got any questions, let him know anything like that. 

Transcript

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Cold Open And Show Mission

SPEAKER_01 0:00

There has a moment when the woods go quiet, the air shifts, and time slows down. And in that stillness, you realize you're not chasing the game. You're chasing something bigger. Welcome to the Chase the Unknown podcast, where we go beyond the saddle, past the trail cameras, and deep into the stories that fuel the fire. The show is for the ones who lose sleep over the rut, who hike miles into the public land for just a chance, and who live for that silence before the shot. From the backcountry to the back roads, we sit down with hunters and trappers, with the relentless stories who live for the thrill, embrace the unknown, return with the stories we're telling. This is more than a podcast. This is the start of something real. Let's chase it.

SPEAKER_00 1:15

I appreciate it, man. Welcome to the show.

Meet Greg Kimball And His Why

SPEAKER_01 2:02

So, you know, I'll I'll let you get into all the backstory and everything like that. But Greg, for those of you who do not know you, why don't you give yourself a quick introduction?

SPEAKER_00 2:11

So hey guys, I'm Greg Kimball. I'm from born and raised Sacramento, California. Uh, been in the military for about 20 plus years. It's taken me everywhere from Alaska to Hawaii to Missouri, Georgia. I've deployed a bunch of times. So um that's what brought me to North Carolina. Um when I started outdoors with grade because I just remember being that new hunter and like, hey guys, I want to hunt, you know, and people just like making funny on Facebook and groups, and you know, and I'm like, what size bullet do I use? What do I do? And like that feeling kind of made me just want to inspire. And then additionally, outdoors with grade kind of aspired because you know, you post a picture, and you know, for so long I've seen people post these like deer photos. I'm like, man, it's cool, right? Now I started doing it, and people are like, You killed Bambi. And like I just realized, I was like, what's the difference in me doing it than them doing it? Or like, you know, or just weird feedback. So I kind of just move that to kind of a separate thing and just kind of I just think about how I felt walking into the woods and like wanting to learn and like maybe cut the then maybe you can't cut the grind, but maybe the skill craft or stuff I use, you know, using Facebook Marketplace or eBay or like secondhand just to like build your craft and get into the woods, and that's what brought me here, man.

SPEAKER_01 3:32

Yep. Well, one, thank you for for your service. Um and then, you know, two, before you know, we get so what was you know Sacramento, California? What what was that life? And and like you said, you've been hunting for about you, you said five about five years and everything like that. Five years. What were you doing growing up in California? Like, I really I don't really have too many people that I know from from California.

SPEAKER_00 3:59

Sacramento was known for like the sharks used to because uh San Jose was there, so like that became kind of like a kind of thing until they got bigger and new stadium. But but we're mostly known for like farming and the kings, and it's the state capital. Outside of that, um a lot of guys do duck hunting and why uh maybe up north, uh just learn there's like other other hunting, but it's not really like I I grew up not knowing what I wanted to do. I played sports. I'm I'm tall. Like I I was like probably like five, nine in the sixth grade, you know, like at by by um by eighth grade, I was probably six, two. And the freshman year I was six, you know. So I was I was tall. I mean, I am tall. So I played basketball, volleyball, cross country, track. I did a bunch of just different sports, just trying to find my niche. And somehow hunting just became my thing, you know, my new outlet, man. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:58

What um what year did you officially start hunting?

Starting Hunting During COVID

SPEAKER_00 5:02

Uh so it's five years ago. So I started during COVID. So during COVID, I spent a lot of time because North Carolina was locked down like a lot of places. And then um, I just had my fire stick, and I'm just on YouTube a lot and just kind of looking. And then um I saw a video and I was like, that looks pretty cool. And I did a lot of hiking because like before I got my truck out of Kia, so I was just like zooming around because you know, I was trying to save gas. So I just would like just zoom around, go to places, hikes, walk with my dog, kind of just you know, just doing outdoor, what I thought at the time was outdoor stuff, and my buddy going to like these scenic areas. I was like, that's pretty cool. And I'd see hunters, and I'm like, oh, that's kind of cool, but I just never thought. And then one day I was just on YouTube, I was like, it's pretty cool. I want to hunt. And that's what happened. Like, that's literally the story. And I just went down this rabbit hole. I reached out to um a lot of guys I won't name because they they weren't nice, they weren't cool, they weren't helpful. Like it was a lot of jokes. Like it was a really, it was really rough trying to to kind of learn skill craft or like genuinely wanting to know, like, where do I start? Um Joe, Outdoors of Color. Don't know if you know him, but like became a good friend. But I was like, hey, bro, I was like just I think it messages on like Facebook, something. I was like, what do I do? And he's like, hey man, come out, my family. We're gonna like like Joan's family, they're they're great in my book. Like they like kind of brought me in because like he grew up doing that versus me. I was just like, I knew guns from the army, but like yeah, yeah. Besides that, no, yeah, but the skill craft, I had no idea. So I just went down this YouTube university rabbit hole asking the questions, a lot of just dumb mistakes I would make to become like what I had. Like, yeah, like I would walk because I had a Kia and it's really low. So I would have to like stop at an area and then just walk. I would be drenched in sweat, didn't connect my sticks, didn't walk up. And it was just bad, man. It was like, or even my first year, like I had no idea about a pop-up line. I knew I needed one, so I would have a chair, a pop-up line, and I would just like walk in and just place it. I'm like, yeah, I'm honey. Like that wasn't honey, but like in my mind, like we've all been like, yeah, in my mind, I was like, man, I'm I'm mobile. I'm you know, I because you know, you see, I guess YouTube's getting better now. But you'd see a lot of guys like, I'm in my blind. I was like, I can do that, pop up a blind, fight a random area. Like, I didn't I didn't even know about Onyx. Like, I I think I used a Venza because like that's kind of how they how they do it. So I was like on a Venza and I would like, okay, cool, this looks like an area, and I would just go to these, like now I know they're like public air, public land, but I would just like walk in these places, I'm just like, and not even like 10 feet in, because I'm like, this looks pretty good, and I would just plop it down and sit and just freeze. And I'm just in there, like, a deer's gonna come, a deer's gonna come. Cause like it's funny when I hiked with my dog, I'd run deer all the time. So I just I was like, oh, this is this is money. I know they come back, no deer, nothing. Just sitting there and just like freezing. Like, what am I doing? And that was like the the bug that, like, you know, I take from sports or CrossFit or anything else. It just that bug to like get better, uh, just like drove me to want to learn what mobile hunting is, like what scouting is, sign, where deer go, how they move, how they operate. In scent control, like like one of my fate, like one of my stories I I tell I went out with Joe. You know, I've been in the army, so I got you know, I was in Alaska, so I'm like, I know cold. He's like, You got some hand warmers? I don't need hand warmers, bro. Like, I got this, and I remember, and he he laughs about it to this day. Like, I was wrapped up in this, like in a blanket in a uh in a stand, just like, and it was so cold, the deer walked by me, and like I was just like, Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I couldn't even shoot because I was I was freezing. And I was just like, what am I like? I I legit had a blanket like wrapped up like this is hunting. And I just was like, never again. Like I invested in some some gear to get warm. Like I learned because I was like that moment right there, I was like, never again. I'm never gonna feel like cold again. I mean, I have, but not to that extreme. Um, and just like learning the craft, I really know how to like be where I am because at that point, man, I was like, this is something I want to do. Like, I you know, like in my mind, I was like, yeah, do this? Like, hand warmers, what do I need those for? So, like, after that, I just was like, never again, never again.

SPEAKER_01 9:56

I I think like there I would I would probably say like one of the most important parts of hunting, especially when you're getting in, and I don't generally I don't care if you're a brand new beginner or you could be the most experienced hunter. There's something different about when you get cold in the woods, yes, when you get cold in a tree or a blind or something, and I you know it I had to learn this the hard way. Everyone has probably learned this the hard way, you know what I mean? Is same thing. Like, I'm like, all right, like I'm warm, like that. This is no problem. And you get in, and yet again, when you're hiking in, it's one thing you're moving, you're warm, like whatever, the sun's still out, whatever the situation is. And then an hour or two, once you stop moving, then you start to get cold, and it's such a normal thing because that's how our body works, is to keep our core warm, it pulls from our extremities, yeah. And that's what I always tell people like, yes, like wolves, it works. Don't get me wrong, it does, but still, I I've tried almost everything. No matter what, your feet still get cold. Your fingers they'll they'll get I've kind of given up on trying to keep my I can as a bow hunter because I kind of bow hunt all throughout the year. I need to have my I don't like feeling material really on my hands. Um, so I use um just like fingerless gloves once it gets to a certain point. Yeah, mine pop out.

SPEAKER_00 11:38

Yeah, I um and I I think about those moments of that cold, and I just was like, why didn't someone tell me? You know, the fun thing, funny thing about like some of the gear we have in the military, it's perfect for when you're moving. It's when you stop where you're just like, Oh my god. And it's like a like a come to Jesus moment. You're just like, yeah, mental note, I never want to fill this again. You know, it's like I think for a normal someone normal, I like I would be like, I'm not gonna do that again. But I remember like telling my wife that, and she bought me all this like stuff from the store, like all these big giant puffy jackets, and like you know, the the bibs and everything else. And I was like, Okay, it's a different experience. Okay, okay, now we're gonna find the deer, you know.

SPEAKER_01 12:25

And let me tell you, it's and it gets worse. You've yet to experience like a winter up here, up up north.

SPEAKER_02 12:32

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:33

You know, I know you've been in, like you said, you've been in Alaska and everything, but when you're out hunting, it's a whole different situation.

SPEAKER_00 12:39

Oh, yeah, no, Colorado, dude. Colorado. I was in Colorado, and that was miserable. Like, I like I went fourth rifle because I was like, oh, I couldn't, I couldn't, couldn't bring my bow. I was like, all right, well, my buddy doesn't bow hunt. So I was like, all right, I'll bring my rifle, whatever. Four, whatever, fourth. And you know, I tell people, I'm like, yeah, I'm going in fourth, fourth, um scene, like fourth. Yeah, so yeah, they were like, and it's funny, like, we're in there in this like tent with a buddy heater, and there's just two dudes just in there, and and the guys next to us parked in like this big, giant, like Gucci, like uh, like it was so nice, and they had to check on us because they're like, You boys okay? Like, again, this is like this was a year ago, so like me and him laugh about that, and I was like, bro, we gotta stay in like an Airbnb or something and just walk in or something, man. I can't, I can't suffer like that again, man. That was like, oh, that was that was real. That was real.

SPEAKER_01 13:38

So no, well we'll take it as like you, you, you're it's back during COVID. Yep, you're on your fire stick, you're you know, you're looking up YouTube. What was kind of like next? And I I do know you you said like you you talk to people, I would definitely say like around that time there was like this kind of there was a shift in a lot of people, a lot of people who know who didn't hunt before, everyone was looking for the healthiest thing at what to do, how to get more into the outdoors and everything like that. And I did see a big shift on how people handled that online, and I also 100% agree, like before COVID, right, the community wasn't that welcoming, right? I I just generally you had a lot of especially old timers, like no one wanted to share, like, yes, you always had a few of those guys and everything like that, but I feel like it wasn't as easy as it is now, and yet again, you still get some bad apples in it and everything like that nowadays, but I would definitely say the community has definitely grown, you know, since COVID, where everyone's very welcoming. You get a lot of people who are new trying to get into hunting and have a good um response by the community and when they do reach out. Yeah, I would definitely say being in those Facebook groups is still kind of brutal. Like I don't know, I don't talk into my Facebook groups at all. I always I really only in them just to see when people say something and then the comments just like they eat you alive, and it's like, listen, there is a point if you didn't grow up doing this, these are very valid questions because hunting and fishing in the outdoor, it's so complex, and you don't want to break rules, you want to be able to go to the right place, like gosh forbid, you go to the wrong place, or you know, someone's property, yeah, someone's property are a rule that is simple to me because I've been hunting for so long is not so simple for for you, Greg. Like you could come to New Jersey and you could come out and hunt, and yeah, for us, it's like our cool, like we already know this, but you're gonna ask us a million damn questions, and same thing vice versa. If I go down there, I'm the rookie down there.

SPEAKER_00 16:02

I don't, you know, I don't know the rules, you know, where we're gonna live in the that's one of my yeah, that's one of my things of like if you become my friend, like I'm gonna talk to you or help you, or like I see something like bro, you gotta just because I always like I feel empathetic about that feeling of just like not knowing and people just like shaking their head at you. It's like, bro, why didn't you tell me? Like what you could have just told me, you know, like um, yeah, and that's where like the you know, my empathy and like North Carolina has some good programs, um fall in line, and then like there's D. He's he's

Finding Mentors And Welcoming Programs

SPEAKER_00 16:40

a he just retired, but he's with the state of North Carolina, so they have a lot of programs where like if you can guarantee you can be with them for like four months, they'll walk you through the entire process from scouting to what climber to pick to to how to even process your own. They'll they'll walk you through the process. So, North Carolina has like a how-to hunt day. You just go out there now. I I volunteer with them, but they have a how-to-hunt day, and they'll just walk you through all these steps. Um, and some of those were built based on COVID, and like that had such an impact on me that I wanted to get back because I just remember that feeling of just like, you killed that? What a yeah, a bow? Like, how is that even possible? How'd you do this? You know, it was mind-boggling. Now I do it, it's kind of like you forget, you know, like, and I I think you said it on one of your last podcasts. Like, you can have a week of like, it's just hell, you know. I have two hours, I drive out there where I sneak out of work, I go out there, and I'm just like, I got so much to do on my signal chat or whatever's going off, and like I'm just like defeated. But then like I'll climb and I'm like at 12 feet, 13. I'm just like, wow, I'm I'm really doing that. Like it blew a lot of people's minds when I went to my reunion, and they were just like, So you you're actually hunting. I'm like, well, yeah, and you eat it. I was like, well, what am I supposed to do with it? Yeah, that's always the funniest question. Yeah, and you do it yourself. I was like, well, yeah. And they're like, whoa. Like, but to other people, that's like second nature to them, you know. Like so it's it's it's interesting to see like that aspect. And I think that's what would like makes me want to make, and I hate saying this word, but better content for people to show like you can do this too, man. And like it's a different world, or at least gain a respect for it where you're just kind of like okay, I see why you do it. Like some, it's like, hey, my brother did it, so I did it, my grandpa did it, you know, and maybe that's gonna be me. Like, hey, my girls did it, they see me do it, and maybe they may not do it, but maybe someone else will be related to that, you know, or maybe like, you know, I'll pass down my bow, or you know, it's just something like just something so small and trivial. But to me, it's like that makes a big impact on someone. And because I went to the Dixie Deer classic, right? And like it's weird, there's weird because there's not really a lot of deer there. It's like turkey, like whatever the case, like that's that's a whole nother topic on like one of my rants. But um, like going there, it's like we all look different, but if you look at people, it's like we're all kind of dressed the same. We all kind of like we all have the look, the kind of like brother, like you know, and it's like it's a it's a good space, and you feel comfortable regardless of color or creed or whatever you got going on. It's like hey man, you Facebook somebody, or you know, like you face this bump somebody, and it's like, bro, bro, or you know, you're just connecting with people who are amazed by either your stories or like you're so similar that you're just like, why don't we know each other? You know, it's like and that's what like it's missing sometimes, you know, it's like about the hunting, and like I think for me, it's just like I want other people to experience that.

SPEAKER_01 19:55

Um I I think there is nothing, you know, we talk about this a lot on the show, and I've kind of said it from day one, like one something that we try to do, like hunting's for everyone. Um you know, and I work in inner city, uh you know, everyone who listens to our show, they they know that I you know I work in an inner city, and the kids are just amazed, people are amazed, but they're like, Oh, well, that's just a white person thing. Yeah, like no, I'm like, it's it's actually not because like no, it's not granted, especially if you go down south, like what everyone does. Yeah, it's you know what I mean, or you go, or you go to countries, other countries. That's how that's the way of life, and that's how our way of life used to be.

SPEAKER_00 20:41

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:42

I mean, it's like we're we're just inner we're in the inner city, so no one does it anymore. Yeah, you know, there there is no woods.

SPEAKER_00 20:49

Yeah, my uncle tells this story because like I've I put I kind of told him kind of rut, like when the rut is kind of because he's like he he used to live in Missouri, and he's like, he's like, Yeah, in Missouri during, you know, obviously like from November 2nd to about November whatever, people would take it off and he couldn't understand. He's like, Where's everyone going? He's like, everything would shut down, the schools. And I'm like, and I told him, like, it was probably like two weeks ago. I was like, Well, it's the rut. He's like, What? And I explained the rut and to shop, you know, theater and movement. And he's like, Well, that makes so much sense. Because at the time he didn't know, he's like, Why is everyone on my payroll going on leave? It's like some of them save that, save up for that week, you know, for a week, they're gonna go out there every day and hit the pavement. And it's like, it's almost like a like a like a tradition. Even my wife, I told her, like, she was telling me, like, oh yeah, my because she she works in uh dental office, and she's like, Yeah, we got some patients coming in, and blah blah blah blah blah. I was like, When are you hunting? I was like, Well, that's the rut. I was like, You're probably not gonna get a lot of guys in, and like she's been able to use. Use that and and a lot of her customers are like, Well, how'd you know that? You know, and like because she know I I told her, like, they're not gonna show up. I was like, I like I probably you're gonna have a lot of no shows because a guy's gonna get a trail trail camera photo or something, and he's just gonna be like, I can I can I can get that removed or my teeth cleaned every other day.

SPEAKER_01 22:21

So you just you just push it off. Like I I tell I tell people don't bother from September, you know, from September 1st all the way till right like December. I was like, don't bother. Like you can ask me to go out or you can ask me to hang out. I'm not gonna be there. Like I got I got a wedding, I got a wedding this upcoming year. It's October 11th. And October 12th. Is bear season here in Jersey, and that's we take that serious. Yeah, and then it's the and it's the pre-rut too, and everything like to get into so like it's like man, I was like, you're getting close to that time. It works out where it's like I'll be able to go to the wedding and then go up to camp the the next day and get everything ready for camp and and everything like that. But people who who don't do it, they just they just don't understand. Um, and when I I try to explain it, I'm like, I've there is no other adrenaline rush, there is no other better feeling of just getting out in the pitch black as crazy as it sounds, people and you get into your spot, and then you just slowly just watch the whole entire woods just come to live.

SPEAKER_00 23:38

Come alive, the squirrels, like, and just you're just like what is going on, and it's like it's a different world, a different view, and you just kind of like put it into like it put it into perspective of like what you're doing and like all the effort you put in. Cause like me and her, me and my wife were talking the other day, and she was like, She watched the video, I forgot who it was, and she's like, You guys are so emotional about this deer. And I was like, Honey, you have no idea. I was like, Imagine your grandma got sick or something happened, a bad week, or like, like, there was another guy I met, like, he's been hunting for I forgot how long. He's like, he got his first deer in three years. It's like, I could not like just the emotion of just like, or shooting your grandpa's bow or gun or just something, you're just like, and you just all crying because it's like it's like a oh, it happened. And it's just like you can't even control it. And I think when you find a group that understands that, or like the pain it put in, like, no regardless of how big the deer is, it's just like, holy cow, like I I did that, you know. And then then, you know, obviously the the bad part when you gotta drag that boy out, it's like, oh, here we go. Now, then the fun part, the less fun part happens. You're just like, How far did I drive in?

SPEAKER_01 24:57

Oh, right, yeah. It's like, oh crap, we we gotta do, we gotta do all this, and and that's and that's a part of it. And I tell people, like, oh, you know, killing is not is a is a really small part of what we do. Yeah, it's the very small part. It's I was like, but the work really happens after that. But you know, for for you, great, like what was you, you you're in your your first year of hunting and kind of like were you were you getting out in the mornings? Were you

First Harvest And The Confidence Boost

SPEAKER_01 25:28

just the evening guy?

SPEAKER_00 25:29

Like, um you were just a full blown I at first, at first it was like evening-ish, so like, and I still do it to this day of like a two. So I have like there's a one or two properties like I can kind of go to, but for mostly I'll hunt on either public land or on base. So like there's tons of areas to go to. So um when I first started, like I was in a car, so a lot of times it was like from like two until like I say 550 because 551, it's pitch black. So like Rito, yeah, that that that's kind of like that. Was like my window of like just getting into the woods, and it was just like it was such a grind that like I'm shocked. I still like went back. But once I got my first deer, and like it was on a that call hunt where where like they were just trying to get rid of some deer. Yeah, like I get invited to this this thing, and like I already had a rough season, and this guy was like, all right, and then um I remember I shot at a deer, like it was point blank, and I missed. I was so nervous. And then he was like, You missed it. And I was like, Yeah, he's like, Have you ever killed? Yeah, have you ever harvested? I was like, No, he's like, Oh man, why'd you say that? Like, and then like once I said that, they were more friendly, and then they put me up in a stand and a deer came out, and this is before I had a range finder, this is before I had to go. I couldn't see, you know, like I even wear glasses or you know, sometimes when I can't see, so I'm like, is that a doe or is that a spike? Uh, because they didn't want us to shoot any any any uh male deer, you know. And I I was so nervous, I was shaking. I pulled I pulled, I I remember I was shooting center mass, and then it went right down and it skinned the neck and went down, like down. I was like, I did it. I freaking did it. And then like I remember the guy, I remember like it was yesterday, he was like, I'm happy for you, but look at this, and I was like, Well, what is that? A spike. I'm like, oh, but like that's not even killed the happy, and like once they realized it was my first year, you know, they got the blood, put it under my eyelids, and I'm just smiling from ear to ear. Like, I did it. I remember calling everybody, like, dude, like, I just did it, man, and took it to the processor. And then I remember getting like, you know, a couple packs, I was like, it was 90 pounds. What am I only? You know, I didn't get the process, but like it was so like that year. If you were in earshot of me or just were kind of friendly with me, I was offering you Vinnyson. I was like, here you go, here you go. Want to try it? I got it. And and like that made me want to do it more. And then once I learned that you can hunt earlier with a bow, I was like, Bo, it is, and like that was a whole nother world that I didn't know about,

Bowhunting Basics And Early Mistakes

SPEAKER_00 28:24

you know. Like, I didn't know my drawing. Like, I bought a bow on Facebook Marketplace. My draw is 31 and a half. The bow was probably like 29, 20, something low, and it was like this bear. And I remember pulling up and like I was shooting center mass. Like, I zero, like, I had it knocked, but I was just like, Yeah, my shoulders kind of hurting. Like, but like I didn't know, and the guy was like, Well, it's because it's too big. He's like, I let it out the 29, but your draw's pretty, and that's how I ended up with the Hoyt, because these guys just sold me on like, nah, man, you need this. I I didn't know the difference between Hoyt and Matthews. I just was like, Okay. And I ended up with this giant bow, and I there I have it. Um, so just those experiences, I always think back. If someone says, Hey, you want to learn how to hunt? I'm like, bro, listen, first of all, let's do this, let's let's set up some stuff. Like, what's your goal? Like, like, let's look at some stuff before you walk in and spend this money. Like, let's do some, like, yeah, yeah. Because if not, it's it's a rabbit hole. Cause like these guys will talk fast. And then um, like there's a good place here in um North Carolina, URAC, or there's done outdoors, like those dudes are like, man, you need to like they'll they'll walk you through. But there's a lot of guys who are like, it's like a card salesman, you know, they're just like they get you in, get you out, and then you go back asking questions, they're just kind of like, Hey man, we don't got time for that. But these other two places, like they actually like work with you, kind of like how to shoot, how to do. I'm like, why didn't anyone tell me this? Because I I thought I was doing good, you know. Yeah, someone's like, you know, you got to pull your, you know, I don't forgot what I was doing, but he's like, What are you doing? I was like, Oh, this just I just pull back and shoot, right? He's like, No man, you're punching the trigger. What's that? You know, I I no clue, no clue now. And then I had an issue too trying to sight in my bow because I kept thinking like a rifle. So I'm like, okay, it's going down. So I'm going the opposite way. Then it's like up here. I'm like, but I moved it down, and then I watched the video. I'm like, fall arrow. I was like, what do you mean, fall arrow? Like, I I when I tell you I had no clue, I was like, so then once I learned, I was like, well, why didn't they just say that? You know, and that's where like the the my energy of like wanting to help people kind of came out. Cause I just when I see that look of someone, I'm like, new, huh? Yeah, how'd you know? I just that glazed look of someone that just like like there was a kid that um me and my buddy surf, he was he was sighting in this bow, and this kid was shooting. Um, and then I was like, Well, what's he shooting? And he had this hand guard and all this crazy stuff. I was like, I was like, they didn't give him a release? That's the release they gave him. I was like, what? And I had an extra one. Yeah, then I was like, Well, you know, you can cite it. Because the kid was just like, I was like, no, man, you gotta move it. And then that that father, like, he gave us his number and everything. Like, he had he was new to um to North Carolina, and he was so happy because he's like, Yeah, I because the dad didn't know. So the son's just shooting, son's just shooting everywhere. And we're like, man, you gotta move it, you gotta do this. And then, like, he was so happy and like so excited that we helped his son, and like, and like it wasn't for for like a like or like anything. I was just like, I saw the look, and the dad was just proud that he was outdoors, but I was like, Of course, yeah, if you I was like, if you really want to get good, I was like, you see this little tool, this little clicker, you put that in, and it moves up. He's like, How come no one told me that? You know, like and the dad's like taking pictures, and like we did like a note of like, you know, I did like a note of like where to go, what to buy, like all this other stuff. And he was, yeah, dad was so happy because like he wants to get into hunting, but he didn't know where to start. So then we started a conversation, got him into the woods. So, like, that's the kind of stuff like I you know, I wish someone told me or been that kind to like walk me through the process, man.

SPEAKER_01 32:32

How long? So, from when did you what what season was it that you got? So your first season hunting gun, did you when did you get the bow? Okay, so one year, and then it was just all after that.

SPEAKER_00 32:44

It was all right after that it was a bow because I knew I could start in September versus later. That's all I cared about. I didn't really at the time I didn't care about like you know, and then I started saddle hunting then too. So that was a whole nother thing of like well, because you didn't know.

SPEAKER_01 33:02

You start saddle hunting the same year as you started.

SPEAKER_00 33:05

Yeah, so because that's all I saw people doing. I didn't know, yeah, roughly around that time, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, so so yeah, and I and and then there wasn't a lot of like lower cost sticks, so like I was lucky enough to like get some sticks, um, probably from Academy. Like, it's hard to find them now, but like I got some Hawk Heliums, got those. I was like, okay, cool. Then I got a platform, then I had a hawk saddle, and I was like, okay, cool. And like I remember my first time climbing, I was like, all right, I did it in my backyard, and then I got into the woods, and I was like, this is not the same as my backyard. I was like, like, I didn't know, like, I didn't know about angles, body positions. I was just like just amazed that I did it. And and after that, it just was like, it was game on after that, man.

SPEAKER_01 33:54

It was like how how long did that first hunt take you to get set up?

SPEAKER_00 33:59

Do you remember? Oh 45 minutes to an hour. Because I was I was I was extra, extra cautious because I was like, I was alone, like you know, backyard or kind of where I film. Like, I kind of feel like I kind of have a safety net, but then I was because then I wasn't practicing every day. I was like, I stuck it, I climbed it, cool. And then I didn't realize you're you're tired, so you don't have that same adrenaline, like it's early, it's dark. You know, you think your headlamp's good until you get out there, and it's just like I can't really see, like, you know, and so it took so long, but when I got up there, I was I was so proud of myself. I was just like, I did it. And I remember being so tight to the tree. Obviously, now I know you're not, but I just didn't want to fall. So, like my my my line was so close to the tree, I was almost hugging it, like, oh like it was like to see it was probably hilarious, but like I was just proud, like at that moment that I did it, that I was like, Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna, you know, I'm just like snapping pictures, and look at me, like you know, like opening morning, I'm out here, like, and then you know, and then I just started getting it, man. And then once I started hitting my rhythm, learning about on X, learning about where deer go, like it just became like a lot simpler, a lot smoother versus me just in the woods freezing, you know.

Saddle Hunting And Mobile Gear Choices

SPEAKER_01 35:28

Yeah, yeah. It's a yeah, it's a it's a big difference. But I'll I'll tell you, like, I highly recommend everyone's saddle. Like, that's that's the one thing of yeah, I'm a mobile hunter, I love being mobile, I move around constantly. Um, you know, the one proud thing, first saddle hunt, first deer on the ground on the saddle. Um, yeah, so I went I went one for one uh in the saddle, first ever sit, um, kill the doe um during opening opening weekend. It it was it's great, and I never I've never looked back. Like I've I've hunted in stands, I've hunted in climbers, like I've hunted in the ground blind, like I've I've done like all of that. The climber was cool. You you missed obviously the climber error of hunting. Um, and I still like I caught I can't even say the like the tail end of it, but like it was still relevant enough when when I started bow hunting. Um 2013 was when I started bow hunting. Um, so it it's it was a great piece of equipment. I loved it. Yeah, but the downside was just it's heavy, it's a it can be loud. Yeah, it's just such an inconvenient thing, but still hands down, I gotta say this, and I love my saddle, and I'm comfortable in my saddle. Yeah, at least the the climber that I had was the most comfortable thing I've ever sat in in my life. It was a summit climber, and it had like the kind of like a mesh kind of seat where you would just sit and melt and fall asleep into that tree. Opening mornings were easy because I'd get in there, get all snug, and just be out and be confident enough because you're not gonna like it. That's the only like I I think I do plan on getting a new uh one eventually again when I have my own property. Because I do like my goal is to kill a deer in one season, every method, like so.

SPEAKER_00 37:34

See, you're you're on you're you're on the ladder, you're on the same, same because during that second season, um, I tried the latitude sticks and they're light, but my feet are like 13, 14. So like the standoff distance was just such a pain. I remember it was rainy and I slipped, and I was like, never again. So I traded them for a for a climber. And then two days later, I got a deer. I was like, how why am I just now learning about this? You know, and it was funny because I I even have a lone wolf too. So I have two climbers that I keep just in case. And um it was it was like I saw the method, like I saw why people do it, but I also was like, it made me miss um saddle hunting because like if not, I pull my safety strap up, stand up, turn around, like do all these like movements that should have got me caught, got me busted, but never got me busted, probably because I was so high that I was just able to let off a let off an arrow and get my first deer. And I was like, I did it. I you know, it's just like my I was so excited that I did it, and like just going back to that, I think that's why like I did a series, like just showing people like this how to do a climber because I didn't know, you know, I'm just again, I'm I I'm not a gear junkie, but I was just trying to find the best way and easiest way to get into the woods. So he I'm like bought a climber. What do you do with it? Couldn't tell you, I just know I got a climber.

SPEAKER_01 39:01

So I think obviously, price-wise, too. I think if you're getting into the woods and getting your starting to hunt, obviously, like you just go out into the woods. Like, I definitely recommend that going out, spot and stalk, just just going to sit. I definitely, but like if you're looking to increase some things and try different, like a climber is going to be way more reasonable because it's going to be the cheaper with the options.

SPEAKER_00 39:28

Yeah, and you can find one off like uh like a more used one versus like now. There's now there's tons of saddle hunting equipment that's like for like used, but prior to that it was like it was either hawk or it was high quality. So there's no in-between. Now there's so many in-betweens that it's like, okay, I have other options. So you know, what's more comfortable? What's this? It's like, I don't know, man. I'm just trying to get into the woods. So now there's those options, man.

SPEAKER_01 39:56

Yeah, no, it's great. Where things have come, and like I said, since COVID, since all these things, there's so much that has come where you can get the help that you need from the community. You can there are tons of now, even supplies. Like, you don't have to go buy brand new, right? You you don't. Um, you know, I have damn, I have so much stuff that like I I keep my stuff just because, like, you know, there's things that we would eventually, you know, as boondocks hunting, want to start, or like I want to get people into the woods and stuff like that. So having clothes and some of the supply and everything like that, like I keep a um, it's right here, I keep a crossbow. I don't use a crossbow, but I keep one. It's if I ever get brand new people who want to learn how to hunt or get into hunt, it's the best way to get them in. Yeah, you know what I mean. So that it's that's and yet again, like you said, the post season, you get to just start way earlier, and you don't have to. Yeah, you get to make your mistakes.

SPEAKER_00 40:56

Yeah, you get to make your mistakes early, like it's sweaty, but you make your mistakes early, you get to fine-tune your gear, and you get to just get in the woods. I think once you're in the woods, I think it becomes more like reasonable. I think you're you know, all that self-doubt or what people post so the size of deer and all that stuff goes out of your brain because you're just like, dude, I'm it's it's almost like going into like a like a cool party. Like, I'm just happy to be here. I don't know anyone, like I'm just just excited I was invited, you know.

SPEAKER_01 41:25

Um what does you know, for so from your first year to to this year, right? You you look at this year, you're saddle hunting, you're the experience. Like I said, I you wouldn't never have guessed that you know, you've only been doing it for five years and everything like that. When you look back at it, and you you take a moment, like what are you thinking to yourself? Like, wow, like look at how far I've come and like you know, the things that I've accomplished and still want to accomplish and and everything like that, you know, kind of kind of go into that.

SPEAKER_00 42:00

It's

Doubling Up On Doe And Buck

SPEAKER_00 42:01

um, I'll tell you, like, so I was bow hunting up until probably the first week of gun season because I was like, I'm not pulling my gun out, right? So this happened probably the opening of Russ. So it was like the opening day of North Carolina um gun season, and I brought my gun out. I took my buddy out because he hadn't been out a lot. Um, and properties got weird out here because of the government shutdown. So, like you couldn't hunt on base, so you had to hunt on uh um public, but the the days are weird, you know, it's like Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, but not Sunday, or like the and each property has their own kind of rules. So I took my buddy out and another, he took his girlfriend out, and she got a she got a buck. It had to be like 7:15 opening day, and we're like, and he sends a text. I'm like, there's no way she got a buck, bro. I was like, Where at the same place you were at Thursday. How? Right? So we're we're like, we're mind blown, right? So we we get down, and I was like, Normally that would have crushed me, that would have hurt my entire soul. I would have just been like like super negative, and not towards her, but just like towards yourself, you think, yeah, just towards myself, like I have this experience, I know where I'm going. We've like we did all these things. Why aren't there deer here? And all that self-doubt was out the way, and we went back into the woods, and then we went back again, and my buddy was in a like this perfect line of sight. I was like, oh man, I wish I was there, but it's all good. So me and my buddy took this other route, and um, same deal, about like 4 15. I was like, I turned off my main camera, I just left my instant 360 up. I was like, whatever. And uh a dough came out. I heard brushes, I was like, a doe. I let off. I was like, boom. I was like, cool. Like I was just happy with a like my days of trying to like beat the numbers and rack them up, or like I'm just happy for the process. Cool, I gotta gotta. Gotta go. I was like, cool, reloaded. I was like, all right, let me get down. Well, my buddy hasn't got anything, so I waited. And then the biggest fuck of my life came out. This eight-pointer. Um, and it came, it was like, it was like uh like the old like Bambi's dad just like came out and I was like, and I froze because I'm like, he sees this deer, right? And he didn't see it. I was like, and I and we're in it, most of the areas I'm in, you don't really, you can't really text. It'll take a while. You see that bubble just like and he comes out and he doesn't see me because he he was looking for the you know, for the dough I just shot. This dude comes in looking around, and I'm like, Bruce, I know you see her. He has to see her. This, like it, it was like to me, it was like the culmination of everything, like you know, like the the flying graduation. It was just like there's no way that this mature deer doesn't see me. Like it if you see the video, it's hilarious because you just see me like no way. And I let off, and I was so like just nervous. Like, I felt I felt that adrenaline rush of like my very first deer, and I was like, click, I was like, my gun's never jammed. I was like, and the deer looks up at me and he's kind of like, What's that? But he's still walking and cruising. I reload and I shoot him. I was like, Oh god, but his adrenaline was so pumping that he started running, and I was like, This has never happened. This is like outside of my my bow hunts, I've never seen, I was like, Where is he going? He runs so fast, he runs into a tree, boom, and he just keeps kicking. So I had to shoot him again. Like it, if you see the video, it's wild because he just zips across. It's the fastest I've ever seen an animal move. And uh, I shot again, and I was like, I did it. And I didn't know how big it was. So, like, I'm six two, but if I laid down, he was taller than me laying down. And I remember looking at it and I was like, Oh my god, like it's the deer you see, like you used to see on ESPN when when ESPN played played hunting back in the day with my grandpa. Like, you saw something that was like this mythical beast. I'm like, and how did I, you know, even though like thinking about old me, I'm like, how did I get this? You know, like how is this possible? You know, like it all that was just like I was at a loss for words. And then I and I pull it and I'm just like, oh my god. And then, like, as I looked at the deer, you know, you see like the scars and the like the how many times he's been shot at or fought, and you just see all the scars, and you're just like, This guy's been through it. Like, this guy was like, he was a fighter, he wasn't going out without a fight. And I'm like, holy cow! And then when I tried to pull him, and like I'm not saying I'm a strong dude, but normally I'm like, this is nothing. I remember being drenched in sweat because we had been in the thicket. So we're in this super part, and I'm like, again, I've my deer have been like okay size, but I've never had something where like it was just getting caught on everything, and like everything, and I was like, oh my, and I remember being just drenched, like I couldn't even enjoy the moment because I was just like exhausted, and I remember hanging this deer, and we're just like cranking it, cranking it, and it just like it took all my strength, and I still was like, I I did this, you know, and I I do have a deer similar size the year prior, but like this one was just like a culmination of like it felt almost like COVID, where it's like there's limited restrictions, there's nowhere to hunt, I can only hunt certain periods of time, like I'm still trying to be a family, you know, do the things, hunting less, but still getting the most out of it. And getting that gear was like, I really did this. Like, and I just remember like like you know, all the positive and negative. And the one guy was like, Looks kind of small. And I was like, and I remember commenting on this dude, I was like, Well, it's the biggest one I've ever seen. So I'm happy because like this, it was had to be like 190 plus. Like it was a it was a hawk. Like it, like it was like when I tell you it was like three grown men just like hold on, hold on, hold on. Okay, you go, and then it made it worse because like it was dark, so we were going the wrong way. So my buddy's like, Where are you guys going? And we're like to the truck. He's like, No, man, it's the other way. Ah, yeah, and then we had to pull, and I forgot. I was like, Oh, and we have the dough. So my buddy got the dough, so we're just like, I mean, it was a day where it's like, I'm glad I didn't do one of my just going out by myself, because like that would have been a long night. But once I got that, it was like to go back to your question, like that was like a culmination of like I really did this. Like, you know, it doesn't matter when it happens, it's like I was able to get in there without him noticing me at a close distance and and get it done. And it just felt so good. And like this is the first year where I've gotten like bucks, like one in I think it was like October, and then one the opening day of of rifle. So like my season was almost over because it was part just to find a dough, you know. Like normally it's the opposite where I'm looking for bucks. I was like, because here we can only get two, you know, two bucks for dough. So like I was like, yeah, my you know, my wife's like still seeing looking at me around the house, like, why are you not hunting? I was like, I really can't, because you know, it my chances of seeing a butt, it just yeah, I still went out, but it wasn't as like intense of like I gotta get it done because I got it done so early. I was like, I've never had all December to hang out. You know, normally I'm just I'm I'm on the pavement, you know, like you know, Christmas Eve, you know, the day before Christmas. I'm out there like trying to get it. And I was like, Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got it done. And like that was the moment where I was like, Yeah, okay, I got this. Like, I got this, I got this, man. Like it it it like touched my soul of like, yeah, yeah, like just like like if I if I'm telling you, man, like if I if if old Greg could have seen himself now, like I would have never believed it, you know. I would have, I'd be like, You got that? Like, how? And like, like I even had it loaded just in case someone had any doubts, you know, because a lot of guys are like, you know, the North Carolina deer are small. It's like, oh yeah, boom. And they're just like, Yeah, like, yeah, on public land, yeah, North Carolina, yeah. You yeah, it's me. It's like it felt so it felt so good in my soul. I wish, I wish, like, I think that's where my passion comes from, where I'm like, if you can just experience that of like even a doe, it's just kind of like so freeing of like your expertise and time going into it. It's like it all when it all clicks, it's so perfect. Um, I don't know, man. That was just like, like I said, when if I would look at you know, Greg going through and these long boat, you know, just trying to figure it out versus Greg just like being confident, doing what he needed to do. It's just like you really did this, you really got a mature back-to-back season.

SPEAKER_01 51:29

It's like whoa, you know, like once it once it starts clicking, and I like I'm a firm believer, hard like and this is how I want it for my kids too. If they decide to get into hunting, yeah. I don't want it so freaking easy for you when you're first hunting, you're bagging a a giant buck. Like, and don't get me wrong, it's great for all the kids and everything that that that do, right? Yeah, but you have to, in my belief, you have to go through the suck first. Hunting is one of those things where you can't just have immediate success because you're not going to have success through your whole entire hunting career. So hunting is has a lot of a lot of mental toughness that you need to have. Yeah. And if you've just had it easy, easy, easy, yeah. When things get tough, you're just gonna quit. You know what I mean? And and look at like yeah, look, you know, look at you, uh, same thing for me. I I wasn't I I same issues, like it took me a while. I I had there was a lot of growing pains with learning, but it was fun and it was just addicting, and you just kept going and going and going, and you just push yourself to where it's like like I've had good seasons, and then what two years, three years ago, it'll be three years ago, I was on fire, things were going well. Shut it came to a halt where I arrowed a I shot a doe, shouldered her, and then I was chasing a specific buck. So I never I went a whole year, three years ago without killing anything. And I was chasing a specific deer, I'll never forget the one day he was I I was chasing him all over, moving cameras, finding him, and I went and set up a spot and I was like, Oh, you know, I gotta, it was after my repation. So I was like, it was the last day, and I was like, Oh, like I gotta get back to work tomorrow. I was like, you know what, I'm just gonna go move some cameras and just gonna go home. He showed up on my camera that that right when the spot where I would have been hunting, heartbreaking. So that of course, when I get back out into the woods after work, like a couple days later, just back to just like chasing him. A day we had uh I had to get my fiance's um cart, we had to get her new tires. So, like, all right, like I'll go out in the morning, and I was like, I'll skip the evening hunt. What happens in the evening hunt? It shows up in the evening hunt, right? And but it it was one of those things where it's like, all right, like it sucks. Don't get me wrong, like it's tough. But it's like, all right, like it just makes it better. I went the whole year, and then you know what? Killed a big buck the next year, killed you know one this year, shot a whole bunch of like, and it's like, all right, that suck made it so worth it.

SPEAKER_00 54:23

Yeah, you look you look, it's weird that it's like it's like a weird punishment that you look forward to. Like, I know mosquitoes are gonna be out, I know that I'm gonna go thorns, like even now. I I wait a little bit to scout because these places that I think are perfect are gonna be overgrown. And now I'm like, I got this marked on Onyx, but it looks a lot different, you know. Like, yeah, just knowing those places are like, yeah, this is easy for me to get in, but yeah, would it would a deer actually be here? You know, like you said, you like I think like the year prior, like I tagged out, and I was like, whoa, I can do this versus this year was like three deer, but it's like biggest deer I've ever seen. You know, it's like I it's hard to put out in the word, but that that stuck makes it all kind of all kind of worth it and makes you want to like continue just to get better, or just leave your gear alone, you know. Like I'll I'll like now, you know, I may I may go out to do a video real quick or just make sure I'm like still good, but I just leave everything alone. Like I don't want to mess with success, you know. I like I don't want to mess up my formula unless some unless there's a cool Boeing or something like some new shoes or just something like else. Yeah, like I want to stick to what I know because like that's what has made me successful.

SPEAKER_01 55:44

Yep, definitely. Well one question I I definitely have to ask. Like, I don't know, you know, with with your experience of of being, you know, was that your first time doubling up right away? Yes, that's never happened.

SPEAKER_00 55:59

Like I've like the it it I've heard of people doing this, but like it being me was like, yeah, I have never like my buddy did it last year um on this property we um we go on, like he did it, and I was like, holy cow, you know. But for me, that is never it's never happened, and like I've seen a ton of guys like they probably let that dough go, and then maybe that buck will come. But like in my brain, I'm like, I don't think anything's gonna come. Like, I have no doubling up was like, whoa, I really did this.

SPEAKER_01 56:37

Like, yeah, I I think like part of it is, and you know, definitely you're now you're looking back, you go with your your experience of right, you never would have thought this was possible just because people who did not grow up in it, yet again, you take a shot at an animal, there goes the woods, you're gonna scare the whole, and you're kind of learned and trained that way too, even as hunters.

SPEAKER_00 57:03

Like, oh, I was prepared to get down, I was full on prepared to like lower my like, all right, yeah, here we go.

SPEAKER_01 57:10

And I'm like this year, I I experienced it too. My first I I killed my first uh PA rifle deer this year, and we killed three deer in maybe 45 minutes. Of where, like, my buddy shot one, boom. I walked to him, he's like, dude, you gotta come. There's deer just everywhere. We're sitting, we're sitting there talking. More deer are coming in. A guy who's like maybe a hundred and something yards away from us, he left one rent, boom, he boom, right? Then we're just sitting there, like, all right, like this has got to be done. Like, there's there's gonna be no deer. Here comes another one. So I'm like, all right, cool, get the rifle up, boom, we shoot another. I'm like, and yet again, I'm a strictly bow hunter. Like, I yeah, I you've seen it on like the hunting public where there you hear shots all over the place, and they're but like to experience it yourself and be like, you think after the one shot, it's like all right, your your hunt's done. Like, you're that's it, there goes the woods. This goes, they're not gonna, but no, they just I don't know how much, like maybe in really high pressured areas, I would I could see it affecting you know movement a little more, but like that was one of my things too. I was so taken back of like it's a loud bang. We're bow hunters, we're we're taught to be quiet and stealthy and yeah, you know, not make any noise. Like, gosh forbid, your your bow hits something metal, or you like you do something wrong. You think you're you think your whole hunt's over. It's like, oh yeah, there it goes. Like uh, I'm done, but like that's it's not the case.

SPEAKER_00 58:48

Yeah, on

Hunting On Base And Checking Deer

SPEAKER_00 58:49

um, so on base, there's a there's a Facebook group that it's you know, everyone on base. So, you know, we'll hey, are you parking there? You know, they'll take like who you are you're blocking the path, you're blocking the fire break. Like people will kind of put out, you know, or they'll put out, was that someone who shot in like area so-and-so? So, like it's always funny to hear shots, like you're saying, and you're just like, I'm sitting there with a bow, and I'm like, my hunt's over. Like, yeah, it's a wrap, whatever. And then one comes out, I'm like, but did they not were they not in the same? But the thing is, you you know, sound travel, so you don't know how far the guy really is. It may sound like he's in your backyard, but that dude could be so far away that you're just like, because here, like on base, they have somewhere, you know, they call it the skinning shed. Because on base, you have to check in your deer. That's the that's the part that people kind of don't like. Um, you have to check in, like you shoot a deer, you have to log it, log it in, and then drive it back to what they call the skinning shed. Pretty much they weigh the deer, and then you can do whatever, but they also have a freezer, so you can freeze, break down your deer, and then hang it for a couple days. Um that's typical. I do hang it, hang it for a couple days, and then I'll just break it down then what I can, because they have this giant table. Um, so you can break it down, and then I do everything else at home. So, like, it's funny to see a guy that you're like, you were the guy that was in the gray truck, right? And he's like, Yeah, you were in the so-and-so, huh? And then, like, you both have a deer, and you're just like, huh. Okay, all right.

unknown 1:00:21

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:22

I love that. I I love that. The the only military base I've hunted on is I think Fort Drum in upstate New York. Huge. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's huge. It's huge. That's that's our New York, yeah. New York rifle. It was me and my cousin. So much fun. And it's funny, he's a um, he's a warrant officer if he flies black hawks in the in the army. But I I'll never forget we're hunting and we're we're like in this like pond, and we're we're checking like where the where the beavers they built their dam and everything like that. It's raining and stuff like that, and just the black hawks just start flying over and everything like that. It's like you forget for a second, it's like, oh wait, we're actually on a military base, and you know, there's I would say the the funny thing about it is like uh those deer are kind of desensitized to certain things, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:12

Like, but some of them are smart because, like, you know, obviously there's times when the day starts and the and the day ends. So 6:30, the day starts, and then five o'clock the day ends. So some of the deer will either hide, or like you'll see a lot of them in the dark, which you can't shoot, or like sling a bow, but they'll be moving, and then once they hear that, they're like, oh, because they know people run through these areas. Yeah, then once they hear the the last one at five, they come out because they know people go home. So it's it's a funny thing to see on on base. Um, see them just kind of like pattern us, you know, in a weird way. And I've heard people say that, they're like, Dear patterning. It's like, yeah, but that's a that's a true expression of like a herd knowing, like, hey, that one means you're free. Hide until this part. Okay, that one means you can walk around because there's not going to be some random dude running by.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:11

Yeah, I I I definitely agree with that. Um, Greg, got got a few more for for you here.

Dream Hunts Travel And New Terrain

SPEAKER_01 1:02:18

Um, you know, kind of for you know, more fun and and and stuff like that. Like, you know, what's your what's your what's your dream dream hunt? Like two weeks, this is my biggest question. I love asking this question to everyone. Money is money, money's not a thing, vacation, whatever. Two weeks could be anywhere in the country. What animal, where would you, where would you be chasing it?

SPEAKER_00 1:02:42

So I got two. Um, Access Deer in Hawaii, um, and going back to in and getting my first elk. I think those two are like what I just want to get that off my bucket list. I think like my bow skills have improved to a point where like I feel confident where I'm like, okay, cool. Um, and then just experiencing that, like that drag I had, you know, the in November, like November 6th or whatever it was, versus like how that elk is where it's like you're not gonna be alone because he's X amount of pounds. Like just experiencing that, I think that would kind of wrap everything up, you know. And I I I won't be like chasing a ghost, and maybe I'll get to a point where like I'm gonna fixate on one deer or something like that. But I think getting an elk, I think that would be kind of one of those experiences where it's like, again, like I like I said before, it's like I really did this, you know, like don't care what it is, you know, but just to be out there with a bow and just being able to just fling that arrow and just and just get it done would be, I think that would be like the chef's kiss, you know, that would be like the like, oh yeah, I did it. And that would that would that would kind of fulfill my you know honey ambition or probably make it worse, honestly, probably make it worse, but still, yeah, that would at least that would at least soothe the like the beast, you know, at least for now. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:14

Now you can only pick two. You can go on four guided hunts a year. You have unlimited ammo, but that would be unlimited unlimited arrows, private property access, free taxidermy forever, guaranteed a hundred, let's say it says monster buck here, but we'll say a hundred and seventy inch gear year. And top of the line gear. What two are you picking?

SPEAKER_00 1:04:46

Oh um, I would say outside of elk, like, you know, or moose or something wild like that, like I think I can find gear, so the guided hunt is out. Um I think having access to some property, I think that would be kind of the best because if you have true access, like you can kind of shape it your own way, you know, like you can just get in there, be yourself, or invite other folks for their first hunt and kind of make it your own. I think that would be that would be money. And the gear part, that would be cool too, you know, like trying new stuff, experiencing other things. Um, I think though that would be a cool thing. But like if I only have an option, it would be the access to to some different properties, just to kind of see how other places are, because that kind of changes um your aspects on it. Like, like I think even your hunt, like it was a like uh like uh it was like on a ridge and it was like or no, it was uh it was like a flower bed, maybe we were in uh cornfield cornfield cut corn and beans. Yeah, like I've see like to me that would be wild because I've never all I know is trees, oaks, and like

SPEAKER_01 1:06:00

Uh so if you ever come up, you ever, you know, you Joe, whatever, you guys ever come up, we always have open invite for all you guys, right? We'll take you through the state and we'll show you how different the state is. Every area of the state is so different. So, like that, where that one spot where I'm hunting, that's like our Midwest, like more of our like Midwest, where it's a lot of ag. And then we have up in West Jersey where it's all our bears and and everything, it's all our mountains and ridges and oak flats and swamps and thick, nasty, like we have the marsh, we have like all like that's the cool thing about hunting Jersey, is like you probably we probably have four to five really like different parts of the state that have four completely different.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:51

Yeah, see for me, that would be great because a lot of North Carolina is outside of like going up northwest, like hilly area. Most of it looks pretty similar. So, so yeah, unless you're on like a private property or something like that, majority of it just kind of looks the same. So getting that experience would kind of just be to me, that would be cool. Like, just to be like, Oh, I'm totally here on a what's up in that video, right?

SPEAKER_01 1:07:17

I shot at I shot at that deer. I think he was ended up being at like 50 something yards. I would never have shot at a deer like that up in West Jersey because you you don't have the ability to shoot up there, so I will like it it tests you in this in 100 like and you'll see, especially once you if you you decide to start traveling different states and everything like that. Like that's that's next on my bucket list. That's it, it adapts you who you are as a hunter and it makes you a better hunter, and it's so cool. Like, I hunt different states, but it's also like I like having that option in Jersey because where the two main spots that I hunt, they're just completely different areas, and they're both like 30 something minutes away, so it just in two different directions, and it's so cool, and it's made me now hunting that area has made me a better hunter. I've been so used to be like, all right, like you got to kill deer, like literally right on top of you, like you're on the edge of swamps or and stuff like that. Like, it's so thick and nasty, especially opening or early, early season. You may have one shooting lane, and I never had to really shoot past 20 yards. So, like, I never had to shoot at a deer like a 50 you know yards and everything like that. Went to Delaware two years ago, and then I started hunting, you know, this this more South Jersey spot and everything like that. It's like, whoa, these are at big ag fields, like yeah, you're not getting a fit, you might not get a 15-yard, 20-yard shot here. So it it changes you, you know, who you are as a hunter, and it makes you just a better hunter.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:52

Yeah, I I I did my first, or I guess now my second um 3D event, um, and different groups, and like even that fired my soul up a little more because like felt that confidence because like outside of sighting my boat, because my my backyard, it's big, but you can't really usable. So the usable area, like I'm on literally on the back of a fence line. So, like, and 60 yards is almost to the you know, sidewalk. So from a sidewalk to this area is 60 yards, and I've shot that maybe once or twice to sight in my bow. Uh, outside of that, it's like 20, 25, 35. But being able to like launch a bomb at at 75 and just like boom, I'm just like, I did that. You know, it that actually adds to my makes me want to get out and bow hunt even more. You know, the the excitement to hunt was more, but now it's like if it's at 42, I might send it before I would just be like not too sure about that. Now it's like, oh yeah, I I I think I could send it, you know. Like I would I would think twice about it more before I would just like just be quiet and let it walk by. So that like instilled more confidence in like making an ethical hunt and putting it down.

SPEAKER_01 1:10:19

Yeah. Um another one for you here. If you could work with one company, what company would you want to work with?

SPEAKER_00 1:10:30

I think the dudes from Latitude, I think they got a good, like, I like their vibe. I think they're like, Yeah, they seem like dudes that like I would hang out with. Like, they just like um like even without the gear, just like seeing how they grind. I think that's like a um like a true to life like example of like, dude, that would be that'd be cool. Like, um yeah, they're they're they're pretty good all cool. Yeah, like I love their show. Um yeah, hunting public, those those dudes are cool. They were at the butt like yeah, I think I think latitude, that would be like the maybe the jam of like um getting in with those guys and like just like you said, like experiencing different things of and not even harvesting a deer, just to be up and like in my saddle, like whoa, I'm in you know, filling the country and I'm here. It's like whoa. Because like I get taxed from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, like my little bubble. So it's like close enough to drive. I can get back, but like um, I got taxed for New York once from my buddy. Um but I just was never able to make it. But he's just like, man, you gotta come out here, man. You gotta come out. I just I just never made the trek, but like I I want to come out there somewhere new and like just do it. Just like, you know, what's what's it worth, you know. Like, who cares if I don't I don't harvest anything, but just the experience is like what I'm after, and um, you know, maybe fill the cup a little more, just like telling the story of like, dude, I was on an ag field, like, what really? You know, because the only time I really see an ag field is like open the dove season, and I I shoot that once, you know, or like waterfowl, or you know, something like that. Outside of that, it's like I'm not really in a fill, I'm I'm in bushes, thickets. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:12:22

It's uh yeah, it's a you'll I think you'll like a lot of people, you'll I think a lot of people enjoy, and I can see why people are so obsessed with hunting that type of style uh of hunting. Um, I've definitely become adept and I do definitely enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I still love the grind of the mountains and yeah, you know, it and stuff like that. And I, you know, I do that. Um, I still hunt like that and everything, especially for bears. But um, you know, it's each has its place and time and everything like that.

SPEAKER_00 1:12:53

But um motivates you to stay in shape, man. Like because you're just like, you know, like when I'm running or if I'm lifting a weight, I'm just thinking about like like it's a joke. Like, I think I've probably cut it out of the video, but like in the army, we have some called like a sprint drag carrier. Pretty much you have to like drag this thing up and down. And I'm just like, is it that big? I think I saw I think I saw it on your page. It's basically like a sled, and you have like these pulleys, so you're just like yeah, as fast as you can, right? And uh, I was telling my buddy as I was pulling the deer, I was just like, he's like, You're gonna be good to that? Like, dude, I can sprint drag carry. Like, I just said it, like, just as like I've been training for this. It's like finally my deer hunting has matched up to my workout style. Finally, like all the keys are lined up.

SPEAKER_01 1:13:38

I'll I'll tell I'll tell you, and everyone knows this about me. Once winter comes and all the holidays, and I start packing on the weight, and I'm not working out, it's always the roughest time, but like right now, like I love it. I love like when we get down to Delaware and we're running gunning all over the state in Delaware and just miles and miles, and just it's so much fun. And early, uh that's why I love early season October, November, winter, snow. We got hammered with snow this year.

SPEAKER_00 1:14:10

So, like, and see, that would be even a cool experience for me, too. Like, I have never for all the south guys, yeah. Yeah, like it's here, it's cold enough for snow, but it doesn't snow. So, like, yeah, if you can combine the two, I think that would be kind of like or if it does for you guys, it won't, it's not gonna stay long.

Late Season Cold And Staying Warm

SPEAKER_00 1:14:31

No, I mean, so like it gets bad, yeah. The roads, everything shuts down. Like the the first touch of snow here in North Carolina, state shuts down, schooled out for three days.

SPEAKER_01 1:14:41

Like, you're just like yeah, for for us, like I'm I'm pretty sure we had snow, we've had that snow for at least like a lot of snow for at least a month, month and a half of just like there that's all and you know, it the way it changes the deer and the things that you can see, and you know, all our you know, anyone listen from the south, like it is such a if you can't hunt in it, it's such a great scouting tool to use. Yeah, and it is like our if we have snow, we either want to hunt hunt it or we want to scout it. You know, though like you those are two must. Um our season goes runs late, so we go till mid-February. So, like for the most part, we have all the time to hunt winter and and all the snow. Like, I usually try to hunt a snowstorm, and you know, a lot of our guys will try to hunt in the blizzards and the snowstorms and everything like that. Um and just so much that you find out with movement. And I'll tell you, they're not for us, like they're not betting far, you know, and we're we're a lot of bait here. So at that time of the year, like there's no food source and everything like that. So we'll throw bait. They're on the bait 24-7, and that now has a whole different and complicated side. There's a hunt this year. I got in, I was going too far in. I was pushing them off. They're betting right on the on the ridge, and I was just it wasn't far, if it was any time of the year besides winter, and where they really weren't walking far. Um, so I had to push myself back a little bit, and then once I 15, 20 something deer in a sit, I had a big six-pointer that I was so close to killing this year uh for winter bow, but I had 20-something pair of eyes on me. So it's like, oh my god, like that's something that you don't think about now. You have so many eyes on you, so every little movement with you gotta remember, you don't have as much cover, so it's like every and they've been hunted hard and everything like that. So, like winter bow, if you haven't experienced it yet for our South Jersey guy or for our southern guys, like I definitely do highly like recommend it. It is definitely a really tough style of hunt. You learn a lot about movement where they're betting, everything like that, but it's also every little thing has to be on point, on point, yeah. Um, and it's freezing. I mean, we're talking some single digit hunts, yeah. You know what I mean? With the with the with the wind chill and everything like that, and I love that. I'm a you know, I'm a winner. Heated vest, dude. You gotta get that like that. I saw them on Amazon, like the little heated. You you have like that's my plan. I plan on I have uh the sick sickka's uh fanatic or not finat, whatever sick is winter, winter stuff. Um, yeah, and I give them full on credit for what they do with with their if I'm gonna get anything, and I always tell people, like, we're big on on osseo. I've been using osseo for another last year, I love their stuff. I still haven't moved to their winter stuff just because sick is like I already have it. I spent the money on it, yeah, it's expensive as hell. Yeah, so like unless you're gonna give me free free stuff, you know, it's hard to move. I always recommend if you're going to spend a lot of money on everything, like we're talking about earlier in the show when you're cold, and that is the one thing you spend money on is your late season winter clothes, especially up here, because it it goes a long freaky way, and then you pair it with that heated vest, you'd be nice and toasty and that thing.

SPEAKER_00 1:18:35

Yeah, yeah. No, that's that's all honestly. I went on a they there was like a veteran hunt that they had, and uh I remember I was in this like you know, giant puff coat, you know, all this stuff. I was warm and I was like super layered up, and this guy next to me was like in like a fleece and some pants, and I was like, Are you warm? He's like, Yeah, I was like, what is that? He's like sick, and like that was the next move. I was like, okay, I'm I'm gonna get that. And ever since then, I've been warm and toasty. Like, yeah, it's it's it's done me right. So, like you gotta you gotta validate out of me.

SPEAKER_01 1:19:16

I'll I'll I'll give you one more one more question.

Advice For Brand New Hunters

SPEAKER_01 1:19:19

It's kind of for you, anyone looking to get into the outdoors or hunting or anything like that. What is your biggest recommendation that you give to that you would give to people listening to this, or somebody you meet in person, or somebody who reaches out to you and stuff like that, and who's interested into getting out there? Like, what is your number one takeaway that you experience that you you would like to give to somebody?

SPEAKER_00 1:19:46

Um, I'd say be open, you know, find a mentor, but anyone I like who's new to hunting, I typically say get a license first because I know you're serious, you know, do your hunter safety, get the basics. After that, it's like, okay, now we have that. Where do you want to do it? Like, what areas are you comfortable with? Like, I'm not saying there's a grind, right? But there's also like, where are you comfortable driving? Like a distance, a time, a location. Like, some people have areas where it's like, I feel really comfortable here because I have family. So, like, find an area, and then once we have that area, let's find the deer there. And like, let's get you to where you need to go. And in worst case, I'll go out with you and I'll give you one of my spots. I did that uh this year. I took out a guy, he got his first dough. So, like, I'll give you the spot, you know, just be willing to like accept and like commit because that's really the hardest part. Like, what you're talking about, like the mental part, the group chats, the comments, all that stuff. It's like that deer's not big enough. It's like once you commit to like, you know, what I got my license, I want to boat on, or I got my license, I want to write, or what however you want to get it down, it's like commit to that, put in the effort. So, like when it time, when the time does come, it's like you can appreciate it more when you like you finally do it. And it's just like, yeah, dude, I did it, you know, like there's there's nothing like it.

SPEAKER_01 1:21:12

Yeah. I I'll also take of what you're kind of saying is also like know what you're comfortable with, like you said, with you know, that your area and stuff like that. But just because like if you're giving somebody advice or I'm giving somebody advice, there's gonna be things we're more established hunters and outdoorsmen, and not in a cocky way, but just as what we're comfortable with doing, or comfortable if you're not comfortable going out and pitch black in in the morning, I wouldn't force somebody to go do that. Yeah, you know what I mean.

SPEAKER_00 1:21:42

That that's that's the other part too. Yeah, that like it's like I remember first starting out hunting, and like people would give me these points. I'm like, oh cool. But like, how'd you how'd you get in there? I just followed the path. Oh, okay. Now it's like you know, doing that part of like putting the tell of doing the research, like going on on X, going on Google Maps, like researching before you go out there. Because I've gone, you know, now I'll do it, I'll just go somewhere blind. But a lot of times it's like, dude, we let's research how to get in here, the easiest way. Like, you know, let's let's ease your distance and then also find the deer so you don't alert them that you're walking in. Because there's a lot of times if you walk in perfect, you can make all the noise in the world, but like you might be on their path to food. So you're stopping him on his way to, you know, you're just stopping him going or coming. So, like, in reality, you could have been as loud as you want because he wasn't gonna know you were there. I mean, it's yeah, yeah, I look at it like you know, if someone's in your house or like you're gonna know someone's in your house. That's how I look at it. So I always tell people like when you're you have to treat the woods like it's their house. Like if you're in someone's house, they might be a little suspicious, you know, they might be a little on edge. So so and I think if you ever seen a deer like naturally behave, just kind of like poking his head, just kind of like chilling versus one that's just on edge. It's like it's a completely different body language. And like even knowing that is like, okay, this guy knows something's up. Like, okay, I better pick my points or where I'm gonna go. Cause this dude's either gonna bolt, or like when you said you had all the eyes on you, that one doe, there's gonna be, you know, yeah, there's gonna be 19, there's gonna be 20 doe. That one that's just gonna be like locked on you. Like, no, that's exactly what happened. There's something wrong.

SPEAKER_01 1:23:35

And this is the this is what's the so funny. Me and my buddies, like all the guys on the boondocks team, we're cracking up about this. It's because the one doe she saw me, but she wasn't sure what I was, so you know, she freaked out, and because she freaked out, all the other deer decided to freak out, but they had no idea what they're freaking out for. Because I remember even him, like I remember watching him run, and he ran like probably like a good hundred yards and stopped and looked back and turned and started walking back, and it's like, Well, why the hell did you freak out? Like it, like, I get it why the one do, and it's so funny because that happens during hunting season. But if this was outside of hunting season, I tell you, that does not happen. I've walked up on so many deer outside of hunting season, everything like that. And they they basically let you walk, it's like they know when they're being hunted, when you know, when they walk around my neighborhood all the time, dude.

SPEAKER_00 1:24:34

They they just like they'll just be in my front yard, nine or ten of them, just kind of like, hey, what's up? Yeah, like hey, you know, it's like the deer running, it's like that that joke when everyone says, like, you see everyone running. I don't know what I'm running from, but I'm running. It's like it's like the same thing, it's just like I don't exactly I don't I don't know what's going on, but everyone's going that way. I'm not gonna I'll ask questions once we get to where we're going.

SPEAKER_01 1:24:58

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Wild Game Dinners And Closing Thoughts

SPEAKER_01 1:25:01

Um, but I mean, listen, Craig, it's been an absolute pleasure getting you on. I agree. We're gonna have to get you and Joe on at the same time. That is that is our next step.

SPEAKER_00 1:25:12

Oh, I forgot to tell you, like, we did we just did our first um like because we our chat, it's it's names changed many times, but now we just call it Deer Team. Like it's just like straight up Deer Team. And like, you know, there's probably it's grown from like four of us. Now there's might be like 10 or 11 of us in the chat. And we finally did our like wild game dinner. So like Joe was always cooking, yeah. So like, and that was that's one of our running jokes. It's like, bro, when are you gonna cook for us, man? Like, you know, so he started he's he's Sue Chefin. Like, we we had um what did we have? We had we had kangaroo, um, elk, elk, bear. Um, my wife made some stuff. Like, we had all these things, and it was like cool to just get around and like be with that group. And we had so much food that it was just kind of like wow, culmination of like all these things. So it was like it was the first time we did it. So we're gonna try to make it our our next year thing of like coming up with something, and like, you know, it kind of gives you almost more motivation to hunt something because like now it's like now I gotta bring the best dish, or now I gotta bring the SummerSoft or just whatever.

SPEAKER_01 1:26:22

So funny enough, so we we hold uh annual wild game dinner here. Um we've we've done it three years in a row, we're on year four. Every single year, yeah. I always catch Joe on his work schedule when he has to work. This year, I literally text him, I go, Listen, my mom asks if you're coming. I was like, I gotta tell her, unfortunately. No, and he just laughs, she goes, Yeah, she sees all the all the food. I'm like, Yeah, like one year I'm going to get you to you, you're not gonna be working, you're gonna be able to come. You're gonna throw down for for us and bring some food and and stuff like that. And you know, Greg, we would love to obviously have you and everything like that.

SPEAKER_00 1:27:05

Yeah, just you know what, just let me like when it's number four, just just let me know. I'll I'll get you. I'll either drive or or take a or fly in and like I'll get down. Like, I'll just you just gotta let me know. I'll put the leave in there.

SPEAKER_01 1:27:18

Yeah, we we we definitely we definitely will. Um, it was an absolute pleasure. Like I said, um we'll we'll have to do a big episode with with all you guys and everything.

SPEAKER_00 1:27:28

Yeah, no, definitely, man.

SPEAKER_01 1:27:29

Greg, it it's been an honor um to have you on. We'll we'll definitely keep chatting and everything like that. Yeah, love. I appreciate it, man.

SPEAKER_00 1:27:38

I appreciate it hopefully it was a good podcast for everyone. Like I I really do. Like, I'm always like self conscious of like what I say, and then I just start talking like just whatever, man. But hopefully this was a good podcast for everybody in the group, man. And just like I hope so, man. Like, no, I'm just gonna say it it definitely was.

SPEAKER_01 1:27:58

It was one of those where yet again, like Like if I don't cut it now, we're gonna be here for another like Oh no, no, it's all good, man. No, it's all good. Like I I always like I I remember I look at we're we're talking and I I looked at I looked at the time and I was like, damn, it's almost already been an hour. Those are the best ones when you like you think it just started, and then you actually look and it's like, oh my God, like it's it's it's already been like like this long, like holy cow. But no, we we we definitely appreciate it. Uh quick way, you had it. You doing any uh do you get into turkey hunting yet?

SPEAKER_00 1:28:32

You go into the yeah, so turkey hunting is is I'm not as so that's like I'm yeah, me too. I just try it, but um, I think my first hunt is April because season's opening up. I think Georgia's so turkey is like I'm gonna try my hardest. I've been invited to a couple hunts, and we're gonna do some of that, and then um, and that's really it, man. I'm I'm gonna try to get some elk tags or find somebody somehow, some way. I want to slang an arrow at a at an elk. Uh just got a buddy who moved into uh Idaho. So I'm like, hey bro, like we're in the land so we can do it. So love it. Um, or even try hog, you know, like just something different. Um, yeah, we got some coyotes out on my buddy's property, um, and they like came up to the house. So he just was like, hey man, can you so we may try that this weekend? Just trying different things to still like keep the drive and um and keep pushing, man.

SPEAKER_01 1:29:25

I I absolutely love it. Well, Greg, thank you so much, everyone. I hope you guys enjoyed this episode. If you have any questions, make sure one, you follow Greg. Two, yeah, please, you you go let him know. If you got any questions, let him know anything like that. Um Instagram will be down in the description below. And we will see you guys next time.

SPEAKER_00 1:29:48

Hey guys, appreciate it. Thanks.