Revive Outdoors

On May 1, 2020, 11-year-old Troy Ellis lost his life during a turkey hunt with his father. What followed was a father's struggle with grief, anger, faith, and the question no parent ever wants to face: How do you keep living after losing your child?In this emotional episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot sits down with Obed Ellis, father of Troy Justice Ellis and a leader of the Troy Ellis Foundation.Oid shares the events of that morning, his final moments holding Troy, the impact on his wife and children, and the faith that helped him move forward.Taylor also opens up about losing his daughter, Hattie Ruth, in 2020. Together, they discuss how two families turned unimaginable pain into ministries serving children, families, and people facing difficult seasons.**IN THIS EPISODE:**- The turkey hunting accident that took Troy's life- A father's experience of grief, anger, and God's presence- How the Ellis family found a way forward- The story behind the Troy Ellis Foundation- Youth sports, scholarships, and father-son hunting opportunities- Why men need community, counseling, and faith during grief- Finding purpose while continuing to honor those we've lost**SUPPORT THE TROY ELLIS FOUNDATION**Help honor Troy's memory by supporting youth athletics, outdoor experiences, and community outreach.https://www.thetroyellisfoundation.com/**MENTAL HEALTH & RECOVERY RESOURCES**If you're struggling with grief, trauma, addiction, or mental health, asking for professional help is a sign of strength.Guardian Recovery offers mental health and addiction treatment resources:https://www.guardianrecovery.com/If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a suicidal crisis, call or text 988 in the United States.**CONNECT WITH REVIVE OUTDOORS**Website & Store: https://www.reviveoutdoors.org/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himPodcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastAcademy: https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/revive-outdoors/id1885416577**OUR MISSION**Making a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.**CHAPTERS**00:00 Introduction: A Father's Powerful Testimony03:16 Meet Obed Ellis05:39 Growing Up Hunting and Losing His Father10:08 Football, Coaching, and Family17:18 The Story of Winston24:10 Taylor Shares His Own Experience With Grief28:10 How Taylor First Heard About Troy33:38 The Turkey Hunt That Changed Everything44:37 The Shot and the Tragedy48:57 Holding Troy and Experiencing God's Presence51:11 The Hardest Part: Telling His Family52:28 The Trial, Responsibility, and Faith55:05 Finding Purpose Through Troy's Story59:11 Two Families, Two Ministries, One Mission1:01:22 How the Troy Ellis Foundation Began1:04:18 Returning to Hunting After Tragedy1:05:38 Youth Programs, Scholarships, and Outreach1:08:14 Father-Son Hunting Opportunities1:10:12 Grief, Counseling, and Mental Health1:14:02 Closing Prayer and Encouragement#TroyEllis #ReviveOutdoors #ChristianTestimony

We drove 30 HOURS from Alabama to Idaho to hunt public-land mule deer. After five days of searching, blown trailer tires, dangerous storms, and countless miles of scouting, it all came down to ONE last morning and a 102-yard crossbow shot!In this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot and co-host Jad Buchanan share the full story of their Idaho mule deer hunt, from the challenges of planning a western hunt to the moment Taylor finally filled his tag in the 12th state of his 50-state hunting challenge.We cover:- Idaho public-land mule deer hunting and western scouting tactics- How hunting pressure, elevation, migration routes, and water affected our strategy- Crossbow hunting in Idaho with an approved disability permit- Spot-and-stalk hunting and the final 102-yard shot- Blown trailer tires, dust storms, a close lightning strike, and a wild road trip- Encounters with pronghorn, elk, and a massive bull moose- The purpose behind hunting all 50 states to raise PTSD and mental health awareness- Finding peace in God's creation through Psalm 46:10**WHY THE 50-STATE CHALLENGE MATTERS**My goal is to harvest a buck in every state where deer hunting is legal, using those experiences to bring attention to PTSD, mental health, perseverance, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.Idaho became state #12.Hunting has taught me to adapt, keep going when plans fall apart, and appreciate the moments when God calls us to be still. This trip reminded us that success is about far more than filling a tag.If you're going through a difficult season, don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk with someone you trust, reach out to a licensed mental health professional, and remember that you don't have to face it alone. In the United States, call or text 988 for immediate suicide or crisis support.**SCRIPTURE FROM THIS EPISODE**Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."Exodus 14:14: "The LORD will fight for you. Just stay calm."**SUPPORT REVIVE OUTDOORS**Shop hunting gear and support our nonprofit ministry:https://www.reviveoutdoors.org**MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT**https://www.guardianrecovery.com/**CONNECT WITH REVIVE OUTDOORS**Main YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himPodcast:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastAcademy:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/revive-outdoors/id1885416577

Corn. Crossbows. Cell cameras. Saddle hunting. High fences. We're settling some of the biggest debates in deer hunting.On this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot and Justin Grogan go head-to-head answering controversial hunting questions without knowing the questions or each other's answers beforehand.There's also a catch.Matt judges every debate, keeps score, and the loser has to go knock on 10 doors asking strangers for permission to deer hunt their property.Some of these questions get heated.Is hunting over corn really hunting?Should crossbows be allowed during archery season?Have cell cameras gone too far?Is saddle hunting actually better?Is scent control mostly marketing?Has social media ruined the way hunters define a successful season?Should you shoot does during the rut?Are public-land hunters actually better hunters?And finally...Is hunting a high-fence deer really hunting?Taylor and Justin don't agree on everything, but these conversations reveal a larger issue in modern hunting.Hunters spend a lot of time arguing about the "right" way to hunt.The reality is that your hunting situation, goals, property, state regulations and experience can look completely different from the hunter you're arguing with online.And social media hasn't helped.Recent hunting conversations have focused heavily on trophy culture, comparison, hunter shaming and the pressure to measure your season against somebody else's highlight reel.Taylor and Justin also debate where technology fits.Cell cameras can give hunters information that simply wasn't available to previous generations. Taylor admits they've made him a more successful hunter while also making him spend less time physically scouting. That debate isn't theoretical either. Trail-camera regulations now vary substantially by state, with places such as Utah restricting their use for taking big game during certain periods.Then there's one of the quickest ways to start an argument at deer camp:Crossbows during archery season.Are they simply another way to get kids, older hunters and hunters with physical limitations into the woods?Or has modern crossbow technology changed archery season too much?Taylor and Justin give their takes.But one of the most important conversations comes around 30 minutes into the episode.Stop letting social media decide if you had a successful deer season.A 200-inch Iowa whitetail shouldn't determine how you feel about the mature Alabama buck you spent all season pursuing.Your first deer matters.Putting meat in your freezer matters.Taking your child hunting matters.Learning something new matters.And if you choose to pursue mature bucks, that's fine too.Set your own hunting goals.Then go hunt.Website & Store:https://www.reviveoutdoors.orgMain YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himRevive Outdoors Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastRevive Outdoors Academy:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CMaking a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.

Everyone waits for the rut. But if you're trying to kill one specific mature buck, you may already be missing your best opportunity.In this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot breaks down his pre-rut whitetail strategy and why this can be one of the most predictable windows of the entire deer season.As testosterone rises and the first does get closer to estrus, mature bucks begin checking does, working scrapes, establishing dominance and spending more time on their feet. Instead of waiting for the chaos of the rut, Taylor explains how he uses that behavior to target individual bucks.We cover:• Why the pre-rut can beat the rut for targeting one buck• Finding the first does likely to enter estrus• Hunting between bedding and food• Pinch points and transition areas• How Taylor uses mock scrapes• Getting aggressive around buck bedding• Morning vs. evening setups• The "elevator method" for stand access• Why your exit route matters as much as your entrance• Pre-rut grunting and rattling• How to create realistic sparring sounds• When it's time to push deeper• Using mistakes to become a better deer hunterTaylor also shares an important lesson from Ecclesiastes 11:4 and James 4:17 about the difference between patience and refusing to act because of fear.There are times to wait. There are also times when you've read the sign, studied the conditions and know it's time to move.Don't wait for perfect.SHOP REVIVE OUTDOORShttps://reviveoutdoors.orgFOLLOW REVIVE OUTDOORSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himRevive Outdoors Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastRevive Outdoors Academy:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/revive-outdoors/id1885416577Questions about Revive Outdoors or your relationship with [email protected] a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.

Your buck disappeared in October. Did he go nocturnal, leave your property, get pressured out, or simply change his pattern?In this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot breaks down the October lull and what may actually be happening when a mature whitetail suddenly disappears from your trail cameras.We cover bachelor groups breaking apart, changing food sources, falling cover, hunting pressure, rising testosterone, scrape activity, bedding shifts, historical trail-camera data, and the transition toward the pre-rut.Taylor also explains why a buck you've watched throughout the summer and early season may suddenly establish a different core area, only to show back up during a cold front or later during the rut.You'll learn:• Why mature bucks can seemingly disappear in October• What happens when bachelor groups break apart• How changing food and cover can shift deer movement• How hunting pressure affects mature bucks• Why you shouldn't automatically assume a buck went nocturnal• How to use scrapes to track changing buck behavior• Why historical trail-camera data matters• How to hunt October mornings• What to look for when a cold front arrives• How October movement sets up the coming pre-rutThe biggest mistake you can make is hunting October exactly like you hunted September. Deer behavior is changing. Your strategy needs to change with it.Mississippi State University GPS-collar research supports an important part of this discussion: bucks don't simply stop moving. Their location, habitat use, daylight activity, and response to hunting risk can change throughout the season. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us:"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."Hunting gives you time to sit still, pay attention, and remember that the seasons changing around you can also remind you to examine what's changing in your own life.At Revive Outdoors, our mission is to make a positive and eternal impact through conservation.SHOP REVIVE OUTDOORShttps://reviveoutdoors.orgFOLLOW REVIVE OUTDOORSYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoors4himInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoors4himTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoors4himQuestions about Revive Outdoors or your relationship with [email protected]

Andrew Maxwell has spent years talking with some of the best deer hunters in the country. But this conversation isn't primarily about killing mature bucks.It's about what actually matters when the hunt is over.In this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot and Justin Grogan sit down with Andrew Maxwell of The Southern Outdoorsmen to talk about faith, losing his father at 14, marriage, fatherhood, hunting, grief, priorities and the man he's trying to become.Andrew shares how losing his dad changed his life and how the foundation his father built continued shaping him long after he was gone. He explains why the outdoors became a place where he could process grief, think, pray and spend time with God.We also talk about something hunters don't discuss enough: what happens when hunting becomes an idol.Andrew shares how marriage and fatherhood changed the way he approaches hunting, why some trips aren't worth taking, how he communicates with his wife before traveling, and why being present at home matters more than another deer on the wall.We discuss:• Losing a father at 14• Processing grief through faith• Why the woods aren't your church• Why men need quiet time with God• Reading and studying the Bible for yourself• Christian community and accountability• Balancing hunting, marriage and fatherhood• When hunting becomes an idol• Knowing when to skip a hunting trip• Bringing your wife and children outdoors• Building a foundation your children can carry after you're gone• The Great Commission• The hope of Heaven• What it means to put your faith in JesusAndrew also explains how The Southern Outdoorsmen grew while he learned to protect his family from the demands of travel, hunting and running a business.If hunting is important to you, this conversation asks a harder question:Is it in the right place in your life?The deer won't be standing around your hospital bed one day. Your family might be.Put God first. Love your family. Enjoy hunting for what it is.CONNECT WITH REVIVE OUTDOORSWebsite & Store:https://www.reviveoutdoors.orgMain YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himRevive Outdoors Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastRevive Outdoors Academy:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CMaking a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.

You probably know Michael Perry for giant public-land whitetails. But there's another side of his story that rarely gets told.Michael Perry has spent decades hunting some of Alabama's toughest public land. He's killed record-book bucks, including a massive Alabama public-land muzzleloader buck, written a book about hunting mature bucks on public land, and helped countless hunters become better woodsmen.But this episode isn't about how to kill a mature buck.On this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot and Justin Grogan sit down with Michael to talk about faith, family, fatherhood, church hurt, marriage, hardship and the legacy a man leaves behind.Michael opens up about parts of his life he doesn't normally talk about.He shares what it was like growing up without the support he wanted from his father, leaving home at 17 to join the Navy, serving aboard an aircraft carrier, losing a child, going through divorce and experiencing painful situations inside the church.He also shares the story of meeting his wife Kathy and how their marriage, faith and shared love for the outdoors shaped the life they have today.We talk about:• Michael's childhood and relationship with his father• Leaving home at 17 and joining the Navy• Military service and life aboard an aircraft carrier• Losing a child and going through divorce• Michael and Kathy's marriage• Church hurt and separating people's failures from God• Finding peace outdoors• Seeing God's creation through hunting and fishing• Raising a son differently than you were raised• Becoming the father you didn't have• Free will, mistakes and God's direction• What sin actually does to your life• Fatherhood and becoming a grandfather• Passing faith to the next generation• The Perry family legacy• Why your hunting accomplishments eventually won't matter• Michael's influence on younger hunters• Using hunting to serve other people• The body of Christ working together• What it means to leave an eternal legacyMichael has spent a lifetime learning how to pursue mature whitetails. His 2021 public-land muzzleloader buck grossed 196 3/8 inches, and his public-land hunting success has been documented across the hunting industry.But that's not what makes this conversation important.At some point, the deer on the wall won't matter.The people you impacted will.Near the end of this episode, we pray specifically for anyone who knows about God but has never placed their faith in Jesus.If that's you, reach out to us.If you need a Bible, help figuring out where to start reading, a church, or simply another believer to talk with, we'd love to help.CONNECT WITH REVIVE OUTDOORSWebsite & Store:https://www.reviveoutdoors.orgMain YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himRevive Outdoors Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastRevive Outdoors Academy:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CMaking a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.

He was told there was a good chance he wouldn't survive the ambulance ride to the hospital. What happened next changed everything.In this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot and Justin Grogan sit down with taxidermist, hunter, author, and content creator Daniel Williams of The Cedar Ridge Chronicles.Daniel spent years working constantly, building his taxidermy business, processing hundreds of deer, making money, and trying to prove himself.God had almost completely disappeared from his daily life.Then, at 40 years old, Daniel's heart began fluttering while riding a stationary bike.Doctors found a massive aortic aneurysm and a 9-centimeter aortic dissection. He needed emergency open-heart surgery, and doctors told Daniel and his wife there was a real chance he wouldn't survive the trip to UAB.During that ambulance ride, Daniel wasn't thinking about money, work, or everything he had accomplished.He was thinking about everything he had missed.After a 10½-hour surgery, Daniel woke up with a second chance.But surviving wasn't the end of his story.Daniel shares how recovery led him into the woods, where slowing down eventually brought him face-to-face with the condition of his own heart and his need for Jesus.Daniel's story raises a question worth asking:If you were told today might be your last day, would you be at peace with the life you've lived and where you're going next?Near the end of this episode, we pray specifically for anyone who feels far from God or realizes they need a relationship with Jesus.If that's you, don't walk through it alone.Reach out to us. We'd love to help you take your next step, get you a Bible, and connect you with people who will walk alongside you.CONNECT WITH REVIVE OUTDOORSWebsite & Store:https://www.reviveoutdoors.orgMain YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himRevive Outdoors Podcast YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastRevive Outdoors Academy:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CMaking a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.

Deer hunting changes throughout the season, and your strategy has to change with it. Life isn't much different.In this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot sits down with Dakota to talk about the different seasons we experience as hunters, husbands, fathers, and Christian men.We start with life.Dakota shares his transition from college and single life into marriage, fatherhood, faith, and learning that each new season requires different priorities.Then the conversation gets personal.Dakota shares the story of his newborn son Denver becoming seriously ill, experiencing seizures, being admitted to the hospital, and the uncertainty their family faced about his future. He talks about what it felt like to be a medical professional suddenly sitting on the other side of the hospital bed and how prayer, Christian community, family, and faith carried them through that season.Today, Denver is thriving.We also talk about grief, marriage, fatherhood, serving others, finding Christian community, and why you weren't designed to walk through difficult seasons alone.Then we take the same principle into the deer woods.Taylor breaks down the major phases of whitetail season and explains how mature buck behavior changes through:• Preseason• Early season• Pre-rut• Primary rut• Secondary rut• Late seasonYou'll learn why early-season bucks can become highly predictable, what changes when bucks transition from velvet to hard antler, why cold fronts can increase pre-rut opportunities, how mature bucks expand their range, and why historical trail-camera data can become one of your best tools during the rut.Taylor also explains why the full rut isn't always the best time to target one specific mature buck, why secondary-rut bucks can show up miles from their normal range, and why late season can create another highly predictable bed-to-feed pattern.We finish with practical early-season hunting strategy for Alabama, using multiple trail cameras to identify a mature buck's travel direction, hunting edge winds, locating bedding without blowing the area out, and using real deer scent in mock scrapes throughout the year.Alabama's current 2026-27 regulations also show why location matters when discussing "early season." Zones D and E open for archery October 1, while Zones A, B and C open October 15. Always check the regulations for the zone and property you're hunting.If you're going through a difficult season right now, remember this: the season will change. Stay close to God, stay connected to people, and keep moving forward.CONNECT WITH REVIVE OUTDOORSWebsite & Store:https://www.reviveoutdoors.orgYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himRevive Outdoors Podcast YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastRevive Outdoors Academy:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoorsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CMaking a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.

Are you all in with God, or have you gotten comfortable standing near the shore?In this episode of the Revive Outdoors Podcast, Taylor Philpot and Jad Buchanan use a simple river analogy to challenge you to evaluate where you are in your relationship with God.Are you standing on the bank watching?Are you ankle-deep, close enough to feel something but unwilling to commit?Are you waist-deep, feeling God pull you forward while you fight the current?Or have you gone all in, taken your feet off the bottom, and trusted God with where He takes you?We talk about why comfort can become dangerous, how pride quietly pulls us away from God, why difficult seasons can deepen our faith, and what it looks like to live with humility instead of constantly making life about ourselves.Taylor also shares the story of how Revive Outdoors opened its retail store and how prayer, timing, other people, and circumstances helped provide clarity when the next step wasn't obvious.Then things take a completely different turn.Taylor and his family recently visited Jad's Alabama hunting club, brought out the thermal gear after dark, and found themselves surrounded by hogs.We break down the chaos of their first night thermal hog hunting together, Jad's first experience looking through thermal optics, a side-by-side encounter with a hog, Taylor testing Jad's new electric dirt bike, fishing with the kids, and a weekend that reminded them why sharing the outdoors with other people matters.In this episode:Where are you in your relationship with God?The river analogy for faithWhy comfort can stop spiritual growthTrusting God when you can't see what's aheadWhy humility mattersPride in hunting and everyday lifeThe danger of making everything about "me"How God develops you before giving you the next assignmentPractical steps for growing your faithFinding a church that challenges youWhy Christian men need a small groupServing other people with your giftsThermal hog hunting in AlabamaJad's first thermal hog huntA wild nighttime hog encounterTesting a high-powered electric dirt bikeFamily, hunting, fishing and fellowshipWhat's coming as deer season approachesThe 2026 Revive Outdoors Squirrel TournamentThe challenge is simple: evaluate where you are, then take a step deeper.You don't have to have everything figured out. You do have to decide if you're willing to trust God enough to move.Connect With Revive OutdoorsWebsite:https://reviveoutdoors.org/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@reviveoutdoors4himRevive Outdoors Podcast YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsPodcastRevive Outdoors Academy YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveOutdoorsAcademyFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/reviveoutdoorsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/reviveoutdoors/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@reviveoutdoorsSpotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/4v13TKsfW80m0pgmsIV89CMaking a Positive & Eternal Impact through Conservation.