The True North Lifestyle Podcast

TTN
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  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join Joe Kruse, Rick Labbe, and Lee Libby as they discuss all aspects of The True North Lifestyle. The topics include hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, flying, and much more. We combine years of experience along with some humor as we interview the characters that live it every day.

  1. #23 - Ice, and BONFIRE… WILD STORIES: Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Trip | The True North Lifestyle Podcast

    1D AGO

    #23 - Ice, and BONFIRE… WILD STORIES: Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Trip | The True North Lifestyle Podcast

    Ever had one of those trips where everything turns into chaos… in the best way possible? 13 guys. Moosehead Lake. Ice fishing. A massive bonfire. And a podcast recorded right in the middle of it all. But this trip wasn’t just fun—it got real. This episode of The True North Lifestyle Podcast is different than anything we’ve done before. We brought the mics to camp, rotated guys in and out (musical chairs style), and captured real, unfiltered conversations from one of the best—and most eventful—weekends we’ve had. You’ll hear from familiar voices and new faces including Oscar, Phil, Greg, and Griffin—each bringing their own stories, perspective, and energy to the table. From sketchy ice conditions and pressure ridges to helping pull a machine out of the lake… and even hearing about a truck going through the ice near the Kineo docks—this weekend was a reminder of how quickly things can change out there. At one point, the crew even talks about it straight up: 👉 they’d take the risk for a big buck… but not for a fish. And that mindset showed when Rick made the call to keep the group from crossing the lake in tough conditions, avoiding a situation that could’ve gone sideways fast. And for the first time ever… Neil steps in and takes over hosting duties in the second half of the podcast, switching roles with Joe and running the show. 👉 How do you think Neil did? Would you want to see another episode with Neil hosting? Let us know in the comments. 🧊 What Went Down This Weekend Ice fishing on Moosehead LakeA 13-man crew at campA legendary lake bonfire 🔥Helping rescue a machine through a pressure ridgeReports of a truck going through the ice near KineoRick making the call to avoid a risky lake crossing“Risk it for a buck… not for a fish” conversationGarmin LiveScope debate (game changer or cheating?)Kids, mentorship, and growing up in the outdoorsBehind-the-scenes with our film crewGriffin’s brutal first experience trying to keep up with Rick tracking 😅 📌 Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to camp (13 guys, Moosehead trip begins)1:30 Ice conditions & bonfire tradition3:30 Fish caught + recap5:00 LiveScope discussion10:00 Camp chaos & stories 😅14:30 Oscar joins the podcast28:00 Machine through the ice rescue story31:00 Dangerous ice & pressure ridge discussion34:00 Meet Phil & Griffin (film crew)46:00 Tracking story (Griffin vs Rick)52:00 Neil takes over hostingEnd: Wrap up + what’s next 📍 Locations Moosehead Lake, MaineLake Parlin Lodge 🎯 Coming Up We filmed this entire trip—full video dropping soon 🎥Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it. 💬 Comment Below Have you ever had a sketchy moment on the ice? And seriously… 👉 Should Neil host another episode? 🌲 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle 📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle 👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop 🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com 📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr 👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr 📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle Lake Parlin LodgeWeekly deer season cabin rentals in November + Sunday & Friday night happy hour included.🔗 https://lakeparlinlodge.comSTAGR GearSave 10% and gear up for hunting season using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check it’s applied.Gary Williamson – Western Maine Real Estate GuideLand, homes, and camps across Western Maine.📞 (207) 364-5326🔗 https://www.cassiemason.com/about/julia-gary-williamson🏕️ Four Seasons Rentals: https://www.fourseasonsrealtymaine.comWalker Knife Co.Handcrafted knives & tools.🔗 https://walkerknifeco.com🎯 Sponsorship OpportunitiesInterested in being featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video?📧 info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com

    55 min
  2. #22 - Maine Moose Lodge Tags L.D. 2054: Why We Must Act Now | The True North Lifestyle

    MAR 24

    #22 - Maine Moose Lodge Tags L.D. 2054: Why We Must Act Now | The True North Lifestyle

    🚨 Maine moose hunting is at a turning point and this conversation matters. This could be voted on Thursday (3/26) — action is needed NOW! In Episode 22 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, Joe sits down with James Cody, Executive Director of the Maine Professional Guides Association, and Lee Schanz Jr of Big Woods Bucks to break down two major issues that could impact the future of moose hunting, guiding, and sporting camps in Maine. This episode focuses on L.D. 2054, the bill aimed at cleaning up Maine’s lodge tag program, protecting the integrity of the moose hunt, and making sure the system works the way it was originally intended. The conversation also covers the push for expanded September moose hunts in more zones across the state, and why that matters for guides, sporting camps, hunters, and the rural Maine economy. From the economics of nonresident moose permits and sporting camps, to fairness for guides and outfitters, to what listeners can do right now to support the bill, this is an important and timely discussion for anyone who cares about Maine’s outdoor heritage. If you care about Maine moose hunting, sporting camps, guiding, and protecting the future of the outdoors in Maine, this is an episode worth listening to and sharing. Timestamps / Chapters 0:00 Podcast intro 0:06 Special guests James Cody & Lee Schanz 1:32 What this emergency legislative update is about 2:23 Breaking down L.D. 2054 4:03 The original purpose of the lodge tag program 6:13 How lodge tags affect nonresident permits 8:01 How the current system works 11:20 Why this program needs to be cleaned up 12:38 Zone access and adjacency issues 16:03 Who should qualify for lodge tags 18:48 Lee Schanz’s perspective as a guide 22:12 Why the public should support this program 24:14 Key changes proposed in L.D. 2054 28:00 Why moose tags shouldn’t become currency 32:23 Stopping resale and flipping of tags 36:08 Preference for camps running their own hunts 38:01 Permit process issues being addressed 41:28 Why this matters to everyone 42:12 Where to read and follow the bill 44:31 The 12–1 committee vote explained 46:01 Attempted revote and what happened 48:30 Why you should contact legislators 51:16 September moose hunts explained 53:08 Greenville, Rangeley, and pushback 56:04 Why September hunts matter 58:55 Business and biological benefits 1:02:18 Final thoughts on the future of moose hunting 1:04:00 Call to support L.D. 2054 1:04:35 Closing thoughts 1:05:18 Shoot Straight Call to Action: If you support cleaning up the lodge tag program and protecting the integrity of Maine’s moose hunt, take a few minutes to contact your local representative and senator and ask them to support L.D. 2054. Every voice matters. Sponsors & Shoutouts Lake Parlin Lodge Weekly deer season cabin rentals in November + Sunday & Friday night happy hour included. 🔗 https://lakeparlinlodge.com STAGR Gear Save 10% and gear up for hunting season using our exclusive affiliate link: 🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m 💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check it’s applied. Gary Williamson – Western Maine Real Estate Guide Land, homes, and camps across Western Maine. 📞 (207) 364-5326 🔗 https://www.cassiemason.com/about/julia-gary-williamson 🏕️ Four Seasons Rentals: https://www.fourseasonsrealtymaine.com Walker Knife Co. Handcrafted knives & tools. 🔗 https://walkerknifeco.com ⸻ Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle 📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle 👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop 🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com 📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr 👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr 📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle ⸻ 🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities Interested in being featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video? 📧 info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com

    1h 5m

  3. MAR 12

    #21 – Stranded in the Alaskan Bush: Mike Labbe’s Wild Outdoor Stories | The True North Lifestyle

    Stranded in the Alaskan bush. Giant brook trout in Labrador. Snowmobiling in Jackman. A lifetime of wild outdoor stories.In Episode 21 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, the guys are joined by a special guest we’ve been wanting to get behind the mic for a long time — Rick’s dad, Mike Labbe.Mike shares decades of unforgettable hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling adventures that helped shape Rick’s passion for the outdoors. From raising a family around hunting camps in Maine to wild trips across Alaska, Canada, and Labrador, this episode is packed with unbelievable stories, humor, and lessons learned from a lifetime spent chasing adventure.You’ll hear the story of getting stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness, remote fly-in fishing trips chasing giant brook trout, the early days of snowmobiling in Jackman, Maine, and what it was like raising kids in a family where hunting season meant school could wait.If you love hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, Maine outdoor culture, and wild wilderness stories, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.In This Episode:• Rick’s dad Mike Labbe joins the podcast• The heyday of snowmobiling in Jackman, Maine• Family hunting traditions in the Maine woods• A crazy story about getting stranded in the Alaskan bush• Giant salmon, lake trout, and wilderness fishing trips• Labrador fly-in brook trout adventures• Floatplanes, wilderness travel, and close calls• Stories from Rick growing up in a hardcore outdoor familyTimestamps / Chapters0:00 Podcast Intro0:23 Rick’s Dad Mike Labbe Joins the Podcast1:44 Starting the Jackman Snowmobile Rental Business3:20 The Heyday of Snowmobiling in Maine6:36 Family Snowmobiling Trips & Trail Culture9:19 Grooming Trails & Volunteer Work12:38 The Alaska Road Trip Adventure13:38 Stranded in the Alaskan Bush17:19 Canoeing 70 Miles Toward Civilization20:04 The Floatplane Rescue31:17 Maine Hunting Traditions34:58 Fishing the Allagash & Canada38:31 Alaska Fishing & Giant Crab Story49:08 Labrador Fly-In Fishing Trips1:07:00 Giant Lake Trout Stories1:09:43 Confrontation on a Remote Lake1:12:20 Maine Sportsman’s Show Talk1:16:45 Upcoming Adventures1:18:17 Podcast Outro – Shoot StraightSponsors & ShoutoutsMaine Sportsman’s Show 2026Come see us, catch the seminars, and stop by to say hello.🔗 https://mainesportsman.com/sportsmans-show/Lake Parlin LodgeWeekly deer season cabin rentals in November + Sunday & Friday night happy hour included.🔗 https://lakeparlinlodge.comSTAGR GearSave 10% and gear up for hunting season using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check it’s applied.Gary Williamson – Western Maine Real Estate GuideLand, homes, and camps across Western Maine.📞 (207) 364-5326🔗 https://www.cassiemason.com/about/julia-gary-williamson🏕️ Four Seasons Rentals: https://www.fourseasonsrealtymaine.comWalker Knife Co.Handcrafted knives & tools.🔗 https://walkerknifeco.com🎯 Sponsorship OpportunitiesInterested in being featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video?📧 info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com⸻Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle⸻👍 Like, comment, and subscribe to follow along with our adventures, podcasts, hunting films, and outdoor stories.

    1h 19m

  4. FEB 27

    # 20 - Maine Winter Stories: Snowmobiles, Bobcat Hunting | The True North Lifestyle

    What part of winter in Maine are you living for right now — snowmobiling, ice fishing, bobcat hunting, grooming trails, or scouting for spring? The boys are finally back behind the mics. In Episode 20 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, Joe sits down with Rick Labbe and Lee Libby for a long-overdue winter catch-up that covers everything from western bowhunts to Maine cat season to the future of outdoor access in our state. Rick shares the story behind his Arizona buck and why this year’s rut timing had everyone guessing. The guys break down Maine’s bobcat season — what conditions matter most, how hounds are progressing (including pup “Patches”), and how to recognize a big, clean cat track… even when you’re spotting them at 40–50 mph from a moving truck. From there, the conversation shifts to trail grooming realities — breakdowns, bony sections, rider responsibility, and the kind of winter mileage goals that leave your throttle hand numb. If you’ve been logging miles or running a groomer this winter, you’ll relate. We also take time to remember Dave Jones and what he meant to the Jackman snowmobile community and the people who ride those trails every winter. The discussion eventually turns toward land access, dams, energy, outdoor recreation, and the changes that could impact how we live and hunt in Maine. It leads into politics — but no matter where you stand, our shared love for the outdoors is what brings us together. That’s what The True North Lifestyle is all about. And of course, we wrap with what’s ahead: Allagash and St. John trips, the Spider Lake True North ride, the Maine Sportsman’s Show, new gear, seminars, and more guests lined up. ⸻ In This Episode: • The podcast is back (and the boys get called out for missing meetings 😅) • Rick’s Arizona buck & why the rut was late • Maine bobcat season recap & reading clean cat tracks • Bobcat hunting with hounds & pup “Patches” coming along • Trail grooming realities: breakdowns, bony stretches & rider responsibility • Big winter mileage goals & remote ride plans • Remembering Dave Jones and his impact on the Jackman community • Real talk: dams, land access & Maine’s outdoor future • Maine Sportsman’s Show & upcoming True North projects ⸻ Chapters: 0:00 Intro – The crew is back 2:30 Arizona buck story 10:30 Cat season recap + reading tracks 22:30 Grooming talk + trail realities 34:30 Big miles + winter ride plans 51:00 Remembering Dave Jones 1:02:00 Outdoors & Maine access discussion 1:18:00 Sportsman’s Show + upcoming projects 1:27:00 Wrap-up ⸻ If you enjoy the episode, it genuinely helps when you subscribe, like, and share. ⸻ Sponsors & Shoutouts Maine Sportsman’s Show 2026 Come see us, catch the seminars, and stop by to say hello. 🔗 https://mainesportsman.com/sportsmans-show/ Lake Parlin Lodge Weekly deer season cabin rentals in November + Sunday & Friday night happy hour included. 🔗 https://lakeparlinlodge.com STAGR Gear Save 10% and gear up for hunting season using our exclusive affiliate link: 🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m 💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check it’s applied. Gary Williamson – Western Maine Real Estate Guide Land, homes, and camps across Western Maine. 📞 (207) 364-5326 🔗 https://www.cassiemason.com/about/julia-gary-williamson 🏕️ Four Seasons Rentals: https://www.fourseasonsrealtymaine.com Walker Knife Co. Handcrafted knives & tools. 🔗 https://walkerknifeco.com 🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities Interested in being featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video? 📧 info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com ⸻ Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle 📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle 👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop 🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com 📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr 👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr 📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle

    1h 12m

  5. JAN 29

    Episode 19 | A Buck Worth Waiting For | 3-Year Hunt (Jackman, Maine) | Kode Paradise

    Some hunts become stories.Some stories become legends.In Episode 19, we sit down with Kode Paradise, a 19-year-old hunter from Jackman, Maine, who spent three seasons chasing the same buck. He missed him twice, learned hard lessons, and finally crossed paths with him again — running with a doe — making a shot that changed everything.This episode is about more than one buck.It’s about focus, patience, and the kind of hunting that only happens in the big woods.If you love true hunting stories — this one is for you.⚠️ Quick heads-up: From 7:45–18:00 the camera angle stays the same due to a switch issue. Audio never drops — and the story is too good to skip.⸻What You’ll Hear in This Episode:• The 3-year history of one Jackman giant• Missed shots and the lessons they taught• The final encounter and a running shot• Why Jackman bucks are different• Deer nutrition myths (and why feeding corn is a joke)• The truth about taxidermy and mounting• Maine deer genetics and how the herd has changed• Big-woods hunting in Maine• Why patience beats pressure every time• A taxidermy shop stealing a buck… and how it was recovered• The real cost of mounting a full moose• Why antlers are dropping early this season• What the future of hunting access could look like• How to track deer without obsessing over trail cameras⸻⏱️ Episode Timestamps0:00 – Welcome to the True North Lifestyle Podcast0:54 – Cody Paradise & the Jackman dream buck2:10 – Growing up in Jackman & learning the big woods early3:58 – Muzzleloader heartbreak: missing the same buck twice5:19 – Going all-in on one deer7:13 – Passing deer & the mindset to kill a true giant8:41 – The week before Thanksgiving: conditions line up11:15 – Spotting the buck from the truck11:45 – Close-range encounter in thick cover13:32 – The shot sequence & recovery16:01 – A 151″ Jackman giant & what it meant19:16 – Big Maine bucks: then vs. now25:03 – How weather instantly changes deer movement31:21 – The taxidermy disaster no hunter wants to experience49:40 – Chasing big racks out west51:45 – Spotting a buck over a mile away56:00 – 293-yard muzzleloader shot (and a surprise)57:20 – Why both antlers were already gone1:05:20 – Blake Shelton flies over the hunt 🤯1:10:30 – “We’re living the good old days right now”🧭 Stay Connected & Live The True North Lifestyle:📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 Gear: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Website: https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagram: @thetruenorthlifestyle **Sponsors & Shoutouts:**STAGR GEARSave 10% & gear up for hunting season with STAGR GEAR using our exclusive affiliate link:🔗 https://stagrgear.com/?sca_ref=9797309.KPojGto3e6m💥 Use promo code TTN at checkout and double-check that it’s applied to claim your discount!🏠 Looking to Buy or Sell in Western Maine? Gary Williamson is our trusted real estate guide for land, homes, and camps across Western Maine.📞 Call/Text: (207) 364-5326🔗 https://www.cassiemason.com/about/julia-gary-williamson🏕️ Four Seasons Rentals: https://www.fourseasonsrealtymaine.com Handcrafted Knives & Tools (Maine-Made)🔪 Check out Walker Knife Co.: https://walkerknifeco.com🎣 Support The True North Lifestyle with Northeast TrollerGet fully geared up for trout and salmon fishing with spoons, flashers, dodgers, downrigger releases, live bait rigs, and more.👉 https://northeasttroller.com/discount/TTN💥 Use code TTN at checkout for 10% off your entire order.🎯 Sponsorship Opportunities:Interested in being featured in a future podcast episode or YouTube video?📧 Email: info@thetruenorthlifestyle.com

    1h 12m

  6. JAN 16

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

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

    1h 32m

  7. 12/25/2025

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

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

    1h 14m

  8. 12/12/2025

    Episode 16 | Legendary Lanny Benoit | Big Buck Tracking Stories

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

    1h 6m
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4.9
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79 Ratings

About

Join Joe Kruse, Rick Labbe, and Lee Libby as they discuss all aspects of The True North Lifestyle. The topics include hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, flying, and much more. We combine years of experience along with some humor as we interview the characters that live it every day.

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