Okayest Hunter ®

Okayest Podcast Network
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Okayest Hunter Deer Hunting Podcast Putting an end to hunter shaming, returning to our roots as deer hunters, and having fun outdoors! Join us each week as we host a LIVE Listener Call-In Deer Hunting podcast every Tuesday, streaming to Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram at 6 PM CSD. We’re the Okayest hunting podcast in the Midwest. We keep it casual and drink bourbon and beer while chatting with known and unknown deer, elk, and other hunters around the country. Wisconsin-based deer hunting podcast. It's your tag; hunt how you want.

  1. Marrying a Hunter (And Becoming One) with Elizabeth Kay

    3D AGO

    Marrying a Hunter (And Becoming One) with Elizabeth Kay

    This week on the pod, we sit down with Milwaukee radio host Elizabeth Kay for a conversation that’s less about inches of antler and more about everlasting memories. Elizabeth didn’t grow up hunting. No g💥ns or deer camp, but instead, city life, Bay View roots, and visits to the locker in Richland Center. Fast forward 13 years, a husband who “was practically born with a gun in his hand,” a German Shorthaired Pointer, and one unforgettable bear hunt that changed everything. We talk about what it’s like to marry into hunting culture, the intimidation factor of picking up a shotgun for the first time, why missing birds might matter more than hitting them, and the moment she looked at her son’s mounted bear and finally said, “Now I get it.” This one goes deep into storytelling, relationships, ego, imposter syndrome in the woods, and why hunting is often less about the kill and more about connection. It’s about supporting your partner’s passion, building traditions, raising kids in the outdoors, and realizing the mount on the wall might outlive all of us, but the memory is what really lasts. There’s pheasant poppers, vocal cord warmups, roadkill rack debates, and a whole lot of heart. If you’ve ever wondered how someone goes from “I’d never pick up a gun” to “Thank you, bird,” we think you'll enjoy this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 29m
  2. Evicted

    FEB 11

    Evicted

    This one’s a little different. No guest this week. Just a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about how the Okayest Hunter went from a half-serious idea, a couple bad logos, and some pretty average deer… into a community, a media company, and something that we believe means a great deal to a lot of people. We talk about the early days. The first deer that didn’t score big but meant everything. Why humor mattered. Why ego didn’t. How deer shaming became the line in the sand we didn’t even realize we were drawing at first. And how stories (not antlers) ended up being the point. This episode digs into the evolution of the brand, the podcast, the network, and the mindset behind it all: hunting as a grounding force, not a scoreboard. A space where kindness beats clout, where your tag is your tag, and where a “small” deer can still carry a big story. We also get honest about the business side. The risks. The mistakes. The merch boxes stacked in home offices. The trade shows that barely broke even. The realization that we’re a media company first, and why that actually matters if you care about hunting culture long term. If you’re new here, this is the origin story. If you’ve been around a while, this is the reminder. Either way, thanks for being part of it. We don’t take that lightly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m
  3. Moving to Iowa with Justin Synan

    FEB 4

    Moving to Iowa with Justin Synan

    Moving states is one thing. Moving your family, your career, and your entire hunting identity is something else entirely. In this episode, we sit down with Justin Synan to talk through the real story behind his move from Virginia to Kentucky and ultimately to Iowa. We dig into what actually drives those decisions: family, faith, frustration, opportunity, and the reality of chasing big whitetails without losing yourself along the way. We talk about the culture shock of new states, the realities of hunting pressure and baiting laws, why you can’t just “trip into” a big deer, and how expectations can quietly ruin the experience if you’re not careful. Justin opens up about what worked, what didn’t, and how perspective changes when kids, marriage, and long-term goals start weighing more than inches of antler. It’s a candid conversation about risk, patience, and figuring out what “success” actually looks like, both in the woods and at home. If you’ve ever daydreamed about moving to a whitetail mecca, felt stuck where you’re at, or wondered whether the grind is worth it, this episode is a great example of what it could look like to make the move. Presented by: Nosler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 9m
  4. Bows Built for Hunting

    JAN 28

    Bows Built for Hunting

    Laryngitis turns into an unexpected advantage as the conversation slows down and gets more thoughtful than usual. What starts as trade show chatter quickly becomes a grounded discussion about bows built for real hunting situations, not just spec sheets. Ryan Shutts from Bear Archery joins to walk through the thinking behind their 2026 lineup of bows like the Redeem, Alaskan Pro, Resilient, Adapt HP, and more. The focus stays on adjustability, forgiveness, and why confidence and comfort matter more than chasing maximum numbers. There is plenty of talk about short draw lengths, aging shoulders, youth shooters, and bows that can grow with someone or be passed down instead of replaced. Along the way, there are side tangents on trade show chaos, overengineering, minivans, and why Bear continues to be a first love for so many bowhunters and a brand people return to later in life. A practical, honest look at archery gear through the lens of actually hunting deer and enjoying the process. Presented by Nosler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m

  5. JAN 20

    Dropping Pins Season 2 - Derek’s WI Bow Buck

    In this episode, Derek recaps the scouting, access, and short-lived hunt for his 2025 WI public land buck.  Derek dives into the scouting process to find the location, the reasons he didn’t hunt this spot for 3 years, and the way he positioned and used timely intel from a camera to know it was time to get into the bedding area and make an aggressive move.  Although the access was less than ideal and led to Derek dripping water from his perch high in a tree, swinging in his Latitude saddle, he stayed warm long enough to arrow a buck sneaking back into the bedding pocket. We examine a few maps of an example location similar to the one where Derek harvested his buck and discuss the access route and choice of stand location.  Hopefully, you enjoy the story and can pick up a thing or two from the process he used to tag a bruiser of a SE WI buck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min
  6. Hunting Gear & Hunting Readiness

    JAN 14

    Hunting Gear & Hunting Readiness

    So, this week we kicked this one off by wondering where you’re actually listening to us (dog walk? treadmill? treestand?… hopefully not on the can...). Then we bounce from ATA into “staying hunt ready” the only way we know how; half gear talk, half real-life chaos, and a little bit of “don’t pee into the wind” wisdom that absolutely belongs in a hunting handbook. We recap the feel of ATA this year (more reunion than rave), catch up on seeing partners and buddies in-person, and talk through what actually matters about new gear—specs aside. Latitude’s new whitetail-focused packs (Praxis + Flyer) get broken down in plain English: why you’d care, what problems they solve, and which type of hunter they seem built for (from “all-day grind” to “two-hour grab-and-go”). From there we get into the real “hunt ready” stuff: dialing in a quiet and efficient mobile system, small upgrades that make a big difference, shooting through the offseason, and why archery leagues might be the most underrated confidence-builder you can do before fall. And because we can’t help ourselves, we go down the broadhead rabbit hole... fixed vs expandable, penetration vs blood trail, and the universal truth: I want my cake and I want to eat it too… and I’d also like to find the deer without needing a drone, a dog, and therapy. We also take a live call from a long-time listener, Noah, talk late-season realities, and end with what we’re most excited about next: scouting missions with friends, more in-person guests, and building our own circle—without chasing celebrity hunters or controversy for clicks. Bonus: There’s no episode next week (Vegas/SHOT), so enjoy this one while you’re shoveling the driveway… or sitting on the can… or pretending you’re “working.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 12m
  7. Winter Scouting

    JAN 7

    Winter Scouting

    New year. Same woods. Slightly better questions. This episode starts exactly how most seasons do for us: Drinks in hand, gear scattered, kids distracting us, and our brains still half-stuck in last season. From there, it turns into a wide-ranging, boots-on-the-ground conversation about what actually matters once the tags are filled and the pressure is off. We dig into postseason scouting, reading why deer use certain spots instead of just where, and how historical sign, fresh sign, terrain, and transitions all start telling a bigger story when you slow down enough to pay attention to the details. There’s talk of interior edges, overlooked pockets, daylight movement, camera intel, and when aggression helps versus when it hurts. But it’s not just tactics. We also unpack the tension between “hunt your own hunt” and herd health, the responsibility hunters carry whether they like it or not, and why sound wildlife management doesn’t live in comment sections or hot takes. It lives in nuance, regional context, and trusting the people actually doing the biology work. Along the way, we talk kids in the woods, adversity, mistakes, stolen trail cams, frozen fingers, missed opportunities, and the value of asking better questions instead of pretending you already know the answers. If you’re the kind of hunter who’s still thinking about last season, already poking around for next season, and trying to get a little better without getting louder or more arrogant about it, we've got you. Presented by Nosler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 9m
  8. An Okayest Year

    12/17/2025

    An Okayest Year

    We hit record, crack jokes, and somehow end up doing a full 2025 deer season year-in-review with the crew—public land chaos, private land chirping, a perfectly-orchestrated deer drive, and the universal truth that the freezer doesn’t fill itself (unfortunately). You’ll hear: Tyler’s first real taste of public land deer hunting (and the humbling that comes with it) The Thanksgiving-ish deer drive that turned into a full-blown tradition Matt’s “dumb luck” story that includes a 47-yard double-lung from the ground… after ditching the camera (as is tradition) Derek’s heater of a season across Wisconsin + Illinois, capped by the best kind of win: his son taking his first deer A few real talk moments on what Okayest Hunter actually stands for—kindness isn’t weakness, community matters, and the loudest negativity doesn’t get to define the mission It’s funny, it’s rowdy, it’s heartfelt in the least convenient way… and it’s the perfect sendoff into almost 2026. Brought to you by Nosler. Shoot straight. Keep it tight. And try not to lose your boots in the marsh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 19m
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5
out of 5
152 Ratings

About

Okayest Hunter Deer Hunting Podcast Putting an end to hunter shaming, returning to our roots as deer hunters, and having fun outdoors! Join us each week as we host a LIVE Listener Call-In Deer Hunting podcast every Tuesday, streaming to Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram at 6 PM CSD. We’re the Okayest hunting podcast in the Midwest. We keep it casual and drink bourbon and beer while chatting with known and unknown deer, elk, and other hunters around the country. Wisconsin-based deer hunting podcast. It's your tag; hunt how you want.

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