ep.036 - Pre-Season Prep - Solo Pod

In today’s episode of The Non-Typical Project, Derek “DRock” Bradeis comes on to tell us a little about himself and talk all about everyone’s favorite hunting series: Grit. DRock calls Grit a “creative accident” but if you didn’t hear that from him, you would think it was a calculated artistic move to shake up an industry that needed exactly what Grit has become; raw, unpolished, unmanicured story telling. We get a behind the scenes talk through of how it all started; how a Union Carpenter turned rookie hunting filmmaker became the pro that created the show we all know and love today, and how it all stems from Tradition. Before DRock was, well, “DRock” ; Derek spent his youth going to hunt camp with grandpa and watching hunting VHS tapes, but Derek was quick to stay in on some hunts if the “older guys”  stayed in; instead of taking to the field chasing bucks, he kicked back in camp to listen to their stories and soak up what they said. He realized early on, the deer wasn’t the part of hunt camp or those old VHS hunt films that he liked; no, it was the stories, the ambiance, the feel.Derek is a man of simple and meaningful traditions. The little things that become customary year after year. New settings, new people, new year, but a hint of familiarity that connects those close to him and keeps old times and heritage connected to new adventures. Maybe that's what makes Grit so great, maybe that's why watching an episode feels like hanging out with your own friends and family. Or maybe there’s something more to it all, nonetheless, you’ll just have to listen to this week's episode to hear all about it and make your own conclusion. If you love public land bowhunting, tradition, Grit, Latitude, or just plain old good stories; this one is for you. I hope you guys enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!To see more of our special guest: @drock_create on InstagramDerek Bradeis on FacebookLatitude Outdoors on InstagramWatch Grit on YouTube To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week!

Alex and Stella are back again on today's podcast and as always we had an absolute blast. This episode was cause for celebration as it's a kill episode! This time though, we're chatting with the podcasts smallest guest, and one of the biggest bucks we've seen taken this season! That's right, this one is all about Stella! We jump right into the story of how this rockstar 10 year old killed a 180" Missouri giant. This father-daughter duo wasted no time at all making a splash this season, as they got this done within 2 sits. We talk about this buck, the story, and everything that came after; including the big buck drama, oh yeah, that's a real thing. If you're looking for a great story, big bucks, and a good laugh, this one is for you! Congrats again to Stella and Alex! To see more of our special guest: @alex_obrien_94 on InstagramAlex O'Brien on Facebook To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

Today we have another kill episode! Bryson Ziegler is back on to talk about his early season Oklahoma stud of a buck. Bryson capitalized on his best intel on the buck and went straight in for the kill. The wind? Not right. The conditions? Questionable at best. The hunter? Ready to make it happen. Bryson walks us though the whole thing from start to finish and we even hear about how being willing to be bold can get you some permission ground. We even talk a bout the use and controversy surrounding the use of drones and thermal imaging. Bryson shares with us what Oklahoma is doing to change how the laws are written, and we take a deep dive. I hope you all enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording! To see more of our special guest: @bryson_ziegler on Instagram To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

Oh yeah, it's that time again. Hunting is hard and we're here to talk about it. Daniel Carlton joined me for today's edition and we get into on this one. Everything we've been struggling with and all the things that make filling a tag so damn hard to do. From the weather and mosquitos, to whatever is turning my legs red and being afraid of the dark. We even get into wether or not I still have my man card and the dreaded October Lull, aka the easiest time to kill a buck.I hope you guys enjoy hearing Daniel and I shoot the breeze and just talk about how hard hunting is.To see more of our special guest: @dcarlton01 on InstagramTo keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

In today’s episode of The Non-Typical Project, Austin Culberston comes back on to tell us the incredible story of “Junior”;  a massive 183 inch Missouri public land buck he watched grow for FIVE YEARS.Austin had history with Junior long before he ever had any idea what he would turn into. Year after year, Austin watched this buck grow, learned his habits, and even watched him breed his first doe;  yep, the story is as funny as it sounds. Slowly, over the years, Austin passed  Junior again and again and built a history with what would become the biggest public land whitetail he had ever taken.Just days into Missouri’s 2026 bow season, everything finally came together.Junior was still in FULL VELVET when Austin got his opportunity at this legendary public land buck.In this episode, we break down the entire story, from watching Junior grow over the years, seeing him evade being shot by other hunters, all the way to the moment Austin finally got the chance to put his tag on a true Missouri giant.If you love public land bowhunting, Missouri whitetails, early season deer hunting, velvet bucks, and stories about chasing mature bucks that seem nearly impossible to exist on public land, this is one you don't want to miss.I hope you guys enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!To see more of our special guest: @austin_culbertson22 on InstagramAustin Culbertson on FacebookTo keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

Boy have I been waiting to do this one. Dylan Foster joins us today on the podcast! Dylan works with our friends over at Skre Gear and he is no stranger to pushing gear to it's limits. Dylan is a bowhunter hailing from Texas but leaving blood trails all over the country, and even in other parts of the world. Dylan walks us through layering, merino wool, clothing care, all things Skre Gear, and how to dress, layer, and stay comfortable enough all season long to be there and ready when it matters most. We take a dive talking about archery, hunting in Texas, opinions on high fence hunting for Texas locals, and even get into some of Dylan's bowhunting adventures.This is a fun one that has some great info for those of you still looking for your "system" to keep you comfortable all season long.To see more of our special guest: @dylancfoster5 on Instagram To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

In this episode of The Non-Typical Project, I recap my first out-of-state whitetail hunt; a three day public land bowhunting trip in Kentucky.After getting eyes on two mature bucks from a perch tree, I took an aggressive approach and went after them on the ground, working my way directly into their bedding area to attempt a spot and stalk. What followed was hours of stalking through cockleburs in 100+ degree heat, all for the chance to get within bow range.I eventually closed the distance to just 18 yards, but never got the shot opportunity.This is the reality of public land whitetail hunting: long, brutal days, aggressive tactics, close encounters, and sometimes walking away empty handed. I break down the hunt, what went right, what went wrong, and what I learned from my first Kentucky bowhunting adventure. To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

The season doesn’t start when you climb into a tree, it starts long before that moment. In this episode of The Non-Typical Project, I break down everything that goes into getting ready for my deer season, from preseason preparation and new hunting gear to bowhunting equipment, truck camping, and the work that happens behind the scenes before opening day.I talk gear, getting the truck camping setup ready, preparing for long hunts, and all the little things that can make a difference once deer season finally arrives. Because the hunt is only part of it, the preparation, anticipation, and work leading up to it are half the fun.If you're getting ready for whitetail season, this one is for you.I hope you all enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed breaking it down!To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

We've got a short one today! Summer scouting is hotter than ever and I just returned from my first out of state scouting mission - we found a shooter! This all led me to think back on the past few podcast episodes and the 1 thing we can all seem to agree on... visibility kills bucks. Glassing, driving, watching the most land you can at one time. When you put the odds in your favor and lay your eyes on a shooter, 90% of the work is already done. I hope you guys enjoyed todays episode and got something out of it! To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week! 

Big buck hunters do not need perfect conditions. They need the right system, the right instincts, and the nerve to make a move when everyone else would wait. Chancy Walters breaks down the aggressive whitetail tactics that have helped shape Whitetail Adrenaline. From scent control and glassing strategy to the high risk, high reward ground game that puts him face to face with mature bucks. Chancy explains why cover scent still matters, how he treats clothing and boots before a hunt, and the simple sock swap trick that can keep your feet warm without giving away your position. He also shares why he relies on glassing, covering ground, and reading deer movement instead of over scouting or living by trail cameras. You’ll hear about:Why cedar based cover scent became his go to and how he thinks about scent in the real world.The exact clothing and boot routine he uses to reduce odor and keep feet dry on long sits.How he decides when to push in, when to hold back, and when a decoy changes everything.Why frontal decoys, body language, and satellite bucks matter so much in the ruthow he spots and hunts deer on public land without overcomplicating the process.Chancy also opens up about traveling state to state, why he prefers giving himself real time to hunt instead of forcing success in a 2-3 day window, and how his approach changes between Iowa, Kansas, and western whitetail country. Along the way, he shares stories from the field, the lessons he’s learned after blowing opportunities on giant deer, and why his confidence comes from seeing the animal first and then making the move. If you hunt whitetails, chase public land deer, or want a more aggressive way to turn sightings into kills, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Perfect for anyone who wants fewer theory sessions and more real world tactics that actually work when the pressure is on.I hope you guys enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!To see more of our special guest: @chancywalters on Instagram@whitetailadrenaline on Instagram To keep up with The Non-Typical Project:Check us out @thenontypicalproject on InstagramCheck me out @dean_hunts on InstagramSponsors and Friends of the Show:Shop SKRE Gear - Code: Dean15 for 15% OFF Your Order!@skregear on Instagram Be sure to swing in and check out Denny Dennis Sporting Goods if you’re ever in or around the Saint Louis, Missouri area! @dennydennissg on Instagram@ddtackle on InstagramYou can see their Website HereThank you guys for listening, and I'll catch ya next week!