Strange Encounters: Insider Stories From the Field | Big Hunt Guys, Ep. 224

Brady and Trail read real listener-submitted stories from Insider members—packed with bizarre encounters, unexpected chaos, and moments you couldn’t make up if you tried. Think hitch-hiking murderers, giant gators, demons in the woods, and stories that blur the line between hilarious and unbelievable. Got proof? Even better—these stories come with photos that bring the madness to life. Even better, Brady and Trail pick one winner who will walk any, pun intended, in a new pair of Crispi boots!

Shed season is more than just picking up antlers—it’s a grind, a puzzle, an obsession, and I think it makes you an all-around better hunter. Christian Batty of Next Gen Hunting joins us to share shed hunting stories, lessons learned in the mountains, and what it takes to find success chasing elk and deer sheds out west. Whether you're new to shed hunting or already hooked, this episode offers real-world insight and plenty of earned information.

In this episode, Chris Young joins me the day before he heads out on a spring bear hunt, and we dive deep into everything that makes spring bear hunting so special and challenging. We kick things off by talking about e-scouting bear country, tracking snowpack, and satellite imagery to build Plans A through F before ever setting foot in the mountains. A little storytelling on one of the best-looking color-phase bears. And if that wasn’t enough, we get into the story of how he killed an absolute giant boar on the last day, last light of a six-day backpack hunt after having an absolutely brutal hunt. Pure grit. We also crack the puzzle on bear seasonality — why understanding what bears are doing in April vs. June is the single biggest thing that’ll make you more successful. We wrap up talking tarps (the most underrated piece of your spring hunting system), the power of research papers for understanding bear biology, and why Google Scholar might be the best scouting tool you’re not using.Learn more about GOHUNT.Follow Brady on Instagram.Follow GOHUNT on Social Media:InstagramYouTube - Podcast ChannelYouTube - Main ChannelFacebook

In this episode, Brady and Trail lay out their blueprint for building a reliable hunting clothing system. They cover everything from next-to-skin base layers to insulation, outer layers, and footwear—breaking down how each piece plays a role in comfort and performance. They cover the purpose behind each layer, how to adapt for different seasons, and the small details that make a big difference.

In this solo episode of Game Trail Podcast, Trail dives deep into one of the most frustrating challenges archers and bowhunters face—target panic. Drawing from personal experience, he shares how target panic affected his shooting, the mental battles that came with it, and the turning point that helped him break free. Trail walks through the exact steps he used to overcome it, along with practical tips you can apply right away to regain control, rebuild confidence, and improve your shot execution. Whether you're struggling with freezing up, punching the trigger, or just feeling off your game, this episode offers real-world advice from someone who’s been there.Learn more about GOHUNT.Follow GOHUNT on Social Media:InstagramYouTube - Podcast ChannelYouTube - Main ChannelFacebook

Travis Nowotny is one of the most lethal mountain hunters I know. In this episode, we sat down to talk bears, and it turned into one of those conversations I just didn’t want to end. Travis breaks down his entire approach to spring black bear hunting — from reading the green-up to picking the right terrain, hunting pressure-free country, and how early-season warmth like we’re seeing this year completely changes where bears will be. We dig into bow vs. rifle tactics, why backpacking into bear country makes sense, and the one terrain feature he always keys on. We also get into e-scouting strategies for out-of-state tags, building hunting circles with guys who actually want to help each other, and why your hunting approach has to evolve as life gets busier. Travis opens up about balancing running Goat Knives, electrical work, family, and still finding a way to put himself on animals year after year — and honestly, the perspective he brings on why we hunt is something I greatly respect.Learn more about GOHUNT.Follow Brady on Instagram.Follow GOHUNT on Social Media:InstagramYouTube - Podcast ChannelYouTube - Main ChannelFacebook

Brady fills the guys in on his marathon—highs, lows, and everything in between. Then it’s straight into Utah draw talk: is it worth applying as a nonresident, or are the odds just too brutal? The episode wraps with some good old-fashioned Utah general season deer hunting stories —missed chances, tough conditions, why we keep going back and why you should too!Learn more about GOHUNT.Follow GOHUNT on Social Media:InstagramYouTube - Podcast ChannelYouTube - Main ChannelFacebook

In the outback of Australia, Brady sits down with Drew Miles of Tricer to talk Sambar deer, hunting styles, and gear built to work when it counts. They break down what makes Sambar so tough to hunt, what they learned hunting with Australian locals, and why some shot opportunities in that country only last seconds. They also get into the nuts and bolts of the hunt—field care, packing meat, cooking Sambar deer, and the little details that matter when you’re a long way from the truck. We talk a lot of gear, including the Neville brothers’ Rough Ridge Stove company, Tricer gear innovation, and building products for hunters who actually use their gear hard. From bipods and panheads to micro-panning and backcountry stoves, this conversation is all about finding better ways to hunt.Learn more about GOHUNT.Follow Brady on Instagram.Follow GOHUNT on Social Media:InstagramYouTube - Podcast ChannelYouTube - Main ChannelFacebook

Trail talks with Towson Jenkins to break down their weekend at the Las Vegas archery shoot—the nerves, the pressure, and everything they learned stepping into one of the largest archery shoots in the world. They get into why they decided to shoot it in the first place, how their setups performed, and what surprised them most when it counted. From equipment choices and mental game struggles to shot execution under pressure, this episode is a raw look at what happens when bowhunters step into the target world. They also connect the dots back to hunting—what actually translates, what doesn’t, and how this experience will change the way they approach next season.Learn more about GOHUNT.Follow GOHUNT on Social Media:InstagramYouTube - Podcast ChannelYouTube - Main ChannelFacebook

Trail and Brady sit down with Zack Boughton of Montana Wild to break down what really goes into building an accurate rifle—and more importantly, how to make that accuracy translate in the field. From rifle setup and component selection to practical ways to tighten your groups, this episode dives into the details that actually move the needle. They also get into the crossover between hunting and the competitive world of NRL and PRS shooting—what carries over, what doesn’t, and how competition can expose weaknesses in your system and your shooting. Whether you’re dialing for distance on steel or making a one-shot count on an animal, this conversation offers insight to help you become more confident and capable behind the rifle.Learn more about GOHUNT.Follow GOHUNT on Social Media:InstagramYouTube - Podcast ChannelYouTube - Main ChannelFacebook