Guiding with Cliff Gray

Turkey hunting, bourbon tasting, and big chicken energy. This episode has it all. We kick things off debating whether bringing a bow to turkey camp is brave or just dumb, then crack open a bottle of Chicken Cock bourbon (yes, really) and spiral into owl trivia, KwikTrip chicken propaganda, and questionable whiskey barrel practices. Matt Streim from Weathered Oaks Game Calls joins us to talk about his new mini pot call—perfect for smaller hands but big on sound. We get into the weeds on call tuning, the art of matching hen energy, and why that mid-morning hunt window might be your best bet. Plus, Keegan finally calls in after 19 missed tries, and we start laying plans for what might just become an annual turkey camp tradition. If you like turkeys, gear talk, and unfiltered hunting camp nonsense, hit play. Presented by Nosler. Use code OHP for 20% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Almost America’s national bird. That’s where this one starts, and it spirals in all the right ways. This episode dives into what makes turkey hunting such a perfect gateway for young hunters. Between barn cats stalking the blind, 4-year-olds dropping longbeards, and kids forming camp friendships over early-morning hunts, it’s clear turkey season is less about trophies and more about tradition. We talk about the awkward magic of dads trying not to be embarrassing, the joy of youth tags turning into lifelong memories, and the totally underrated beauty of a quiet spring morning in the blind with your kids. If you’ve ever questioned the value of turkey season, this one might just change your mind. Also: ticks, toy guns, shed hunting detours, and the underrated brilliance of the Tick Tornado. Just press play. Presented by: Nosler, use code OHP for 20% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scout Speer joins the crew for a glass of bourbon, a BS session, and a great conversation about music, hunting, and the wild mix of adrenaline and stillness that ties it all together. From college soccer to a budding music career with Interstate Music, Scout breaks down her path to becoming an artist, what it’s like getting discovered on Music Row, and how duck blinds and heartbreak both end up in her lyrics. We get into her first deer hunting experience, buck fever, missed shots, and talk about the emotional rollercoaster that is being a hunter. Duck hunting is her favorite, but she's recently picked up a bow and has plans for Turkey season, too. There’s also a preview of some upcoming tracks (spoiler: they’re not just breakup songs), including a soon-to-drop single that captures her life in camo and sunsets. If you’ve ever tried to explain the pull of the outdoors or the adrenaline rush of watching a buck come into view, this one will hit home. Scout’s journey is just getting started, and we’re rooting for her every step (and season) of the way. Give her a follow @scoutspeer and keep an eye out for "F-250" dropping May 30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Duren joins the show and discusses the Sharing the Land initiative, explaining how it connects landowners and conservationists through habitat restoration, wildlife management, and community engagement. He outlines practical approaches to managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin, navigating policy controversies, and offering solutions like replacement deer tags to encourage responsible hunting. Throughout the episode, Doug emphasizes hunters' and landowners' shared responsibility in preserving natural resources, stressing the importance of collaboration and informed participation to ensure the health of wildlife and habitats for future generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Perry is a Wisconsin-born author, volunteer firefighter, and former nurse who's spent his life mastering the art of storytelling, often about his own hilarious misadventures. Which is a prerequisite for being a guest on our podcast! We dive into deer hunting as a New Year’s ritual, being an outsider in hunting culture, and what it's like hauling a buck out in a rebuilt 1951 International pickup. Michael might've been the only Wyoming cowboy putting himself through nursing school. It's a reminder that the best hunting stories aren't always about deer but the perfectly okay people behind them. Presented by: https://www.nosler.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cliff Gray lives the kind of life that makes most outdoorsmen envious, splitting his time between guiding hunters in the mountains and spearfishing in the waters of Puerto Rico. From the reality of selling his outfitting business and navigating the unpredictability of guiding to the obsession of spearfishing and the logistics of making a life in the Caribbean, this episode dives into the balance of adventure and practicality. Along the way, the guys cover the wild nature of spring bear hunts, the unique challenges of mountain lion hunting with hounds, and the realities of outfitting, both as a business and a lifestyle. Cliff shares stories of lost hunters, backcountry mishaps, and the surprising things you learn about people when the wilderness gets tough. Plus, a deep dive into what makes a great guide (hint: it’s not just being a good hunter). If you’ve ever thought about dropping it all for a life in the mountains or chasing adventure on your own terms, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss. Presented by: https://www.nosler.com/ https://pursuitwithcliff.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skyler Bradley joins the Okayest Hunter podcast for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and wildly relatable. From viral TikTok deer skits to the unpredictability of internet fame, Skyler breaks down how a simple idea, born from a tradesman’s workday gripes and turned into a massive social media following. It’s not just about dressing up in a deer costume and dodging imaginary arrows; Skyler has a knack for capturing the absurdity of deer hunting, tradesmen banter, and just about anything that makes hunters laugh at themselves. The conversation jumps from his process of making content in between work and hunting, to the wildest hate messages he’s received (some people take fake deer content way too seriously), to why he’s convinced his videos belong in every deer camp. There’s also plenty of scheming. From live TikToks in costume, dream collaborations, and ways to rope big-name hunters into his skits. If you’ve ever found yourself cursing a squirrel from a treestand or wondering how the hell a deer just vanished, Skyler’s content and this episode is for you. Check out the other shows on the Okayest Podcast Network: https://www.okayesthunter.com/pages/okayest-podcast-network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Kenyon joins the show for a deep dive into conservation, public lands, and the growing threats to access and wildlife management. He eloquently explains how conservation should be a nonpartisan issue, yet political and economic pressures put some of the country’s most treasured outdoor spaces at risk. Mark shares insights from That Wild Country and his recent work, highlighting the resurgence of land transfer efforts, resource extraction priorities, and the role hunters and anglers must play in protecting these places. This episode isn’t just about identifying the problems. We also talk about actionable solutions. Mark explains how grassroots efforts, public pressure, and strategic advocacy have successfully defended public lands in the past and why it’s time for the hunting community to engage again. Whether you’re an avid public land hunter or just someone who values having wild spaces to roam, this conversation will get you thinking about how to take action before it's too late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fellas dive into the ever-elusive mastery of deer hunting this week. Things like how experience builds in layers and how you don’t even hear the right lessons until you’ve suffered through enough mistakes to be ready for them. Buck beds, trail cam traps, wind shifts—every misstep is a lesson, whether you learn it the hard way or just listen to someone else’s. They get into the nuances of public vs. private land hunting, how assumptions are the fast track to failure, and why seasoned bucks move at the speed of continental drift when they know they’re being hunted. If you think you’ve got it all figured out, the deer woods will humble you fast. Between scouting talk, plans for Okayest Hunter's annual Foam Fest, and the never-ending pursuit of doing better without drowning in ego, there’s plenty to chew on. The biggest takeaway? No matter how much you learn, there's always another painful lesson waiting for you next hunting season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring Iowa’s Public Land: Big Rubs, Shed Hunting, and Scouting for Future Hunts In this episode of Dropping Pins, Derek embarks on his first-ever public land scouting trip in Iowa. With a possible tag draw in two years, he’s putting boots on the ground, marking stand locations, and soaking in everything the terrain has to offer. From massive rubs and historical scrapes to ideal bedding areas and overlooked hotspots, Derek covers miles of ground, uncovering prime whitetail sign along the way. The trek isn’t just about finding sheds (though he does walk away with two fresh ones). It’s about understanding how mature bucks use the land—where they bed, travel, and stage before heading to food sources. As he marks key locations on Spartan Forge, Derek shares his thought process on how to approach hunting these spots in the future. Whether you're gearing up for your own out-of-state hunt or just love the thrill of scouting new ground, this episode is packed with takeaways that will help you dial in your whitetail strategy. 🎧 Tune in to hear about Derek’s Iowa adventure, the biggest scrapes he’s ever seen, and why hill country scouting is both brutal and rewarding! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices