Ethics VS Technology

Mike Cascini joins the Okayest Hunter Podcast to break down the side of archery and bowhunting most people completely overlook: the mental game. From target panic and self-doubt to elite-level performance psychology, this episode dives into how mindset impacts everything from shooting tournaments to punching tags. We also get into deer camp stories, New Jersey hunting culture, performance under pressure, ego in hunting, and why some of the best hunters and archers are usually the quietest people in the room. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence behind the bow, overthinking shots, comparing yourself to others, or simply trying to become more consistent as a hunter, this one’s worth the listen. We hit on the following topics: Archery performance psychology Target panic Bowhunting mindset Mental coaching in archery Confidence and consistency Hunting culture and ego Deer camp stories Tournament archery pressure The overlap between life, business, and hunting Shout out to our partners: ⁠Latitude Outdoors: ⁠Mobile hunting gear built for hunters who’d rather keep moving than sit in the same spot wondering if the wind betrayed them again. ⁠Rack Hub: ⁠Simple, smart gear storage that helps organize the growing pile of hunting equipment we all swear we actually need. ⁠Gerber Gear: ⁠Knives, tools, and gear built to actually get used instead of just photographed on tailgates. ⁠ASIO Gear: ⁠Technical hunting apparel designed for serious pursuit without taking yourself too seriously. ⁠HLRBO: ⁠Access to private land opportunities without the headache of knocking on doors or chasing down permission slips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Zima joins the podcast for a long-form conversation about deer camp traditions, fatherhood, hunting culture, public land, stoicism, and why hunting feels like it’s about a whole lot more than antlers. We talk about ego in hunting, raising kids outdoors, respecting wild game, the loneliness creeping into modern life, and why community still matters now more than ever. From Wisconsin deer camps to mountain hunts in Alaska, this one goes well beyond gear talk and big bucks. Big thanks to the partners: Latitude Outdoors: Mobile hunting gear built for hunters who’d rather keep moving than sit in the same spot wondering if the wind betrayed them again. Rack Hub: Simple, smart gear storage that helps organize the growing pile of hunting equipment we all swear we actually need. Gerber Gear: Knives, tools, and gear built to actually get used instead of just photographed on tailgates. ASIO Gear: Technical hunting apparel designed for serious pursuit without taking yourself too seriously. HLRBO: Access to private land opportunities without the headache of knocking on doors or chasing down permission slips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Levi Kary from the Western Territory podcast (from the Okayest Podcast Network) jumps in to talk spring bear hunting in Wyoming, what it looks like hunting bears, and why hunting out West isn’t always what you think. We get into baiting setups, close encounters, tag strategy, and the reality of hunting in grizzly country. Check out the Western Territory Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/46AmQrA5hoS5E75I05lco8?si=eeb2463367304950 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Leitsch isn’t coming at hunting from some polished highlight reel. He’s lived some real stuff. We get into his background, losing a leg, clawing his way back, and still choosing to get out there. We talk about what actually matters in hunting, why most gear is solving problems you probably don’t have, and how your mindset either helps you or ruins your season. There’s also a good chunk on first aid and being prepared in the field, which is one of those things you don’t think about until you really wish you had. If you’ve ever overthought a hunt, second-guessed everything, or felt like you’re chasing some version of hunting that doesn’t even feel like yours anymore, you’ll relate. Check out https://prepemwild.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most hunters spend way too much time trying to prove they’re right… and not enough time asking what they’re missing. This one turns into a solid conversation about staying curious in the deer woods. We get into the idea that the moment you think you’ve got it figured out is usually when things start going sideways. From hunting pressure and thermals to scouting, trail cams, and even turkey hunting, it all comes back to one thing… You don’t know as much as you think you do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turkey hunting has a way of pulling people in deeper than they ever expected. This week we’re joined by Paul Campbell to talk about how that obsession starts, the strange beauty of the wild turkey, and why the bird carries so much history and meaning for hunters who take the time to understand it. We get into youth hunts, early season stories, the heritage behind turkey hunting culture, and Paul’s work preserving some of that history for the next generation. Check out Paul's endeavors: https://www.wildturkeyarchives.com/ https://open.spotify.com/show/7yQ8IJU4gzxAsGq7wG8brU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sat down with Sam Jonas and Randy Johnson from the Wisconsin DNR to talk about the stuff most hunters don’t think about until it affects them. We get into what conservation actually means, why hunter numbers matter more than most people realize, and how wildlife management decisions really get made. From wolves and predator management to the funding model that keeps conservation running, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. We also talk about the future of hunting, why curiosity beats judgment, and how everyday hunters can meaningfully contribute to conservation in addition to buying a license. Also, Keagan Keddell stops by for a cameo and a few stories along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Wellens with Midwest MTN drove down from the Appleton area with food in hand and a brain full of archery knowledge. What followed was a deep dive into bow tinkering, tuning setups, and why some hunters just can’t leave their gear alone. Ben shares how a mechanical engineer from northeast Wisconsin ended up restoring bows, building tuning rigs in his garage, and helping friends get dialed before season. We talk about the rabbit hole of archery setups, the difference between tinkering and overthinking, and why learning by breaking things sometimes works best. From there the conversation drifts west, into elk country. Ben walks through his first elk hunt, drawing a rare tag, and the chaos of a 15-yard encounter that ended with a bull on the ground and a three-mile pack-out. We also get into planning western hunts with friends, the point system game, gear refinement over time, and why sometimes the best part is just hearing a bull bugle for the first time. Somewhere along the way we also cover raccoons, grizzlies, archery leagues, backpack setups, and the eternal truth that hunters will absolutely overthink their equipment. If you like archery, elk hunting, gear tinkering, or the kind of conversations that only happen around a campfire or workbench, this one’s for you. Enter our Strut Season Sweepstakes: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-x-gerber-gear-strut-season-sweepstakes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trail cams, drones, crossbows… and the line nobody can quite draw. This one turns into a real-time gut check on hunting ethics—where tech helps, where it crosses the line, and why most of it lives in the gray. Callers jump in, perspectives clash, and somehow it all comes back to one thing: hunt your hunt, but know where you stand. Enter the Strut Season Sweepstakes for a chance to win over $5K in turkey hunting gear: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-x-gerber-gear-strut-season-sweepstakes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shaun Ridderbush (Host of Camp Okayest) joins the show to share the wild story of the day his truck rolled into the river during a kayak tournament, and how walking away from it changed everything. We talk hunting, creativity, burnout, family, and why time in the woods has a way of resetting your priorities. A conversation about getting 1% better, finding stillness, and remembering what actually matters. Enter our Strut Season Sweepstakes for a chance to win over $5K in turkey gear: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-hunter-x-gerber-gear-strut-season-sweepstakes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices