Addicted Hunting Podcast

Most people think the biggest cost of hunting is buying tags, boots, or expensive gear—but that's only the beginning. In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we dive into the hidden costs that every serious hunter eventually discovers. From countless hours of scouting and staying in shape to balancing family, work, and hunting seasons, we talk honestly about what it really takes to become consistently successful in the woods.

Whether you're just getting started or you've been chasing deer and elk for decades, this conversation will help you understand why hunting becomes more than a hobby—it's a lifestyle. We also share stories about injuries, burnout, mental toughness, budgeting for out-of-state hunts, and why, despite everything it costs, we wouldn't trade this lifestyle for anything.

Topics Covered:

• The true financial cost of hunting
• Time, scouting, and preseason preparation
• Balancing hunting with family and work
• Staying physically fit for the mountains
• Mental toughness and avoiding burnout
• Hunting safety and backcountry preparedness
• Planning out-of-state hunts and tag costs
• Why hunting changes your life for the better

Whether you're brand new to hunting or you've spent years chasing deer and elk, there are lessons that only come through failure. In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we share the advice we wish someone had given us when we first started hunting. From scouting and reading the wind to patience, glassing, and learning from missed opportunities, we're breaking down the mistakes that cost us years of success so you don't have to learn everything the hard way.

This isn't a conversation from "expert hunters" who claim to know it all. It's an honest discussion about the lessons we've learned through missed shots, blown stalks, frustrating seasons, and unforgettable successes. If you're hoping to become a more confident and successful hunter this season, this episode is packed with practical advice that can save you time, frustration, and maybe even help you fill your next tag.

Topics Covered

• Why most new hunters struggle
• How to find animals before the season
• Scouting vs. just hunting
• Why wind direction matters
• When to move—and when to stay put
• Patience and mental toughness
• Learning to glass effectively
• Reading terrain and using maps
• Practicing with your weapon
• The importance of work ethic
• Common mistakes every hunter makes
• Lessons from years of trial and error

If you've ever wondered why some hunters spend every free weekend searching for antlers instead of chasing game, this episode is for you. We sit down with experienced shed hunter Zach Sperling to talk about what makes shed hunting so addictive, how to consistently find more antlers, and the lessons that carry over into becoming a better deer hunter. From giant blacktail sheds to mule deer and elk, we're covering years of hard-earned experience in the mountains.

Whether you're just getting started or you're looking to level up your shed hunting game, you'll pick up practical tips on reading terrain, finding wintering areas, locating food sources, and avoiding the mistakes that keep most hunters from finding sheds. Plus, we share some unforgettable stories about giant antlers, close calls, and the bucks that keep us coming back year after year.

In this episode:

• Why shed hunting is so addictive
• How shed hunting makes you a better hunter
• Where to find blacktail sheds
• Mule deer and elk shed hunting strategies
• Reading winter range and snow lines
• Finding overlooked spots
• Common mistakes new shed hunters make
• Funny and unforgettable shed hunting stories
• Tips for covering more ground effectively
• Pacific Northwest shed hunting advice

For years, social media has transformed the hunting world—but has it actually made hunting better? In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest debates in modern hunting. From trophy culture and hunting influencers to crowded public land and the pressure to create content, we discuss the good, the bad, and everything in between. Is social media inspiring more hunters, or is it changing the sport for the worse?

We also talk about hunting ethics, filming hunts, sharing successful harvests online, protecting hunting locations, and how comparison can affect the way we view success in the field. Whether you're a lifelong hunter or just getting started, this conversation is sure to challenge your perspective.

Talking Points

• Has social media changed hunting forever?
• Trophy hunting vs. hunting for meat
• Hunting influencers and online pressure
• Public land overcrowding
• Protecting hunting spots online
• The positives of social media for recruiting new hunters
• Hunting ethics and creating content
• Is social media creating hunters...or spectators?
• How Addicted Hunting approaches content creation
• Why authenticity matters in hunting

Why do so many experienced deer hunters spend their off-season chasing coyotes? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, Alex, Cliff, and Corey break down the role predators play in modern wildlife management and explain why they believe predator hunting is one of the most important—and most exciting—forms of hunting available today.

From cougars and coyotes to thermal scopes and electronic calls, this conversation is packed with practical tips, hunting stories, and hard-earned lessons from years spent pursuing predators. If you've ever wondered whether predator hunting is worth your time, this episode may change your mind.

Topics Covered

• Predator hunting fundamentals
• Why every deer hunter should hunt coyotes
• Wildlife management and predator control
• Electronic calls vs mouth calls
• Thermal optics and night hunting
• Cougar encounters and hunting stories
• Ranch life and livestock protection
• Scouting predator-rich areas
• Calling sequences that work
• Gear recommendations
• Public land predator hunting
• The future of predator management

Turkey hunting looks easy… until you actually try it. In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, the crew talks all things spring gobblers with longtime turkey hunter Corey Sweeney. From birds hanging up just out of range to the adrenaline rush of calling a tom into your lap, this conversation covers why turkey hunting hooks people for life.

The guys share wild hunting stories, lessons learned over decades in the field, and practical tips for finding and killing more birds. They also break down turkey myths, scouting strategies, roosting habits, decoy setups, and why turkeys are way smarter than most hunters think. If you love hunting stories, spring mornings, and hearing gobbles echo through the timber, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered

• Turkey hunting myths debunked
• Why turkeys aren’t “dumb birds”
• How to locate gobblers at daylight
• Calling strategies that actually work
• Turkey hunting gear and shotgun setups
• The thrill of calling in a wild turkey
• How turkey populations have changed
• Hunting with bows vs shotguns
• Roosting birds and scouting tactics
• Turkey hunting memories and stories
• Beginner turkey hunting advice
• Why spring turkey season is so addicting

From stuffing deer into the trunk of a Toyota Camry to building fully dialed hunting rigs, this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast is all about the trucks, side-by-sides, upgrades, and gear that make hunting better. Marlin and Jonathan break down their favorite hunting rigs, debate Tacoma vs diesel trucks, talk tires, lifts, winches, lighting, reliability, and all the little details that separate a good hunting rig from a great one.

Whether you’re driving a beat-up budget rig or a brand-new truck, this episode is packed with real-world experience from years of hunting the Pacific Northwest and beyond. From emergency gear and recovery setups to side-by-sides and long road trips, this is the ultimate conversation for hunters who are obsessed with building the perfect hunting setup.

 

Topics Covered

• Best hunting trucks
• Toyota Tacoma vs full-size diesel trucks
• Best tire setups for hunting
• Lift kits and suspension
• Hunting truck accessories
• Winches, bumpers, and recovery gear
• Side-by-side setups
• Budget hunting rigs
• Emergency gear for hunters
• Hunting truck lighting upgrades
• Tacoma build ideas
• Hunting rig organization
• Backcountry truck essentials
• Favorite hunting mods
• Pacific Northwest hunting rigs

What separates successful duck hunters from everyone else? According to waterfowl guide Brandon Powers, it isn't expensive gear, fancy calls, or massive decoy spreads. It's understanding bird behavior, scouting effectively, and knowing when to let the ducks tell you what they want.

In this episode of the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we dive deep into duck hunting strategy, waterfowl migration, calling techniques, decoy setups, hunting stories, and conservation. Brandon shares what he's learned after years of guiding hunters and why some of the most common advice in duck hunting can actually hurt your success in the field.

Topics Covered

• Waterfowl hunting fundamentals
• Reading duck body language
• How much calling is too much?
• Choosing the right shotgun and ammo
• Best decoys for ducks and geese
• Scouting strategies that produce results
• Hunting pressured birds
• Why weather changes everything
• Guide life and tough hunting seasons
• Duck hunting stories and lessons learned
• Waterfowl conservation
• Getting new hunters into the sport

What happens when it takes five years to finally punch your first tag? In this episode of the Addicted Hunting podcast, the crew shares stories about failure, persistence, and the moment everything finally comes together. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of hunting, the close calls that still haunt them, and why success means more after years of grinding it out.

This episode is full of honest hunting stories, blacktail hunting talk, mountain memories, and conversations about why hunters willingly endure miserable weather, exhaustion, and failure just for a chance at one unforgettable moment. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s worth sticking with hunting after tough seasons, this one will hit home.

Topics Covered

• Five-year journey to a first buck
• Hunting perseverance
• Public land hunting struggles
• Blacktail hunting stories
• Why hunters embrace failure
• Mental toughness in hunting
• Memorable deer encounters
• Hunting camp conversations
• Lessons from missed opportunities
• The addiction to the hunt

This week on the Addicted Hunting Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into one of the biggest debates in hunting: rifle vs muzzleloader vs archery. The guys break down the pros, cons, frustrations, advantages, and unforgettable experiences that come with every weapon choice — and things definitely get heated along the way.

From screaming elk during archery season, to muzzleloader misfires, to long-range rifle setups and shotgun stories from the old days, this episode is packed with real hunting experiences, hard lessons, and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re a hardcore bowhunter, a rifle addict, or somewhere in between, this episode will probably make you defend your favorite setup in the comments.

Topics Covered

• Archery hunting pros and cons
• Why elk bugling changes everything
• Rifle hunting advantages and pressure
• Muzzleloader hunting stories and failures
• Ethical shot placement discussion
• Long-range shooting setups
• Crossbow and shotgun hunting talk
• Hunting pressure on public land
• Washington hunting seasons
• Why hunters argue about weapon choices
• Favorite hunting setups
• Lessons learned from missed shots
• Hunting mistakes that still hurt
• Why every weapon has tradeoffs