The Hunt Stealth Podcast

You can shoot hundreds of arrows on the range, but when a buck finally steps into range, you might only get one shot. Are you actually ready to make it?

In this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, I sit down with Eric Christie, founder of Transcend Archery and creator of the Skyhook, to talk about bowhunting, preparation, innovation, faith, and what it really takes to build something from the ground up.

Eric's story started on a freezing November morning in an Ohio treestand. He reached for his bow hook, realized he'd forgotten it, and started improvising with a piece of string and a clip. That simple problem eventually became the Skyhook, a bow-holding system designed to keep your bow accessible and ready.

But this conversation goes well beyond hunting gear.

Eric talks about why being accurate at 80 or 90 yards doesn't necessarily mean you should take that shot on a whitetail, why your first arrow matters more than your fifteenth, and how past mistakes have changed his approach to ethical hunting.

I also share the story of a mule deer I missed because my bow wasn't where it needed to be, and because I made a mistake in the excitement of the moment. It's a reminder that preparation and execution aren't always the same thing.

We also get into the business side of Transcend Archery, including the manufacturing costs, financial risks, material changes, and personal sacrifices behind bringing a new outdoor product to market. Eric opens up about his faith in Jesus Christ, the challenges his family has faced, and how those experiences continue to shape his life and business.

In this episode:

•

How a forgotten bow hook led to the Skyhook

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Why the first shot is the one that matters

•

Practicing at long range while knowing when not to shoot

•

Ethical shot selection and learning from mistakes

•

What it costs to bring a hunting product to market

•

Building a company while supporting a family

•

The role of faith in business and everyday life

•

Why great products start by solving real problems

Connect with Eric Christie and Transcend Archery

Website: https://transcendarchery.com/

Instagram: @transcendarchery

If you're a bowhunter, an entrepreneur, or someone who believes that preparation matters long before an opportunity shows up, there's a lot to take away from this conversation.

THANK YOU TO OUR HUNT STEALTH PARTNERS

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After returning home from Afghanistan, Jay McCoy was struggling with depression, anger, sleepless nights, and the weight of losing six teammates during a deployment.

He had stopped doing many of the things he loved. Then one day, he noticed his bow case collecting dust in the garage.

He picked it up and headed to the range.

For the next two hours, something happened that he hadn't experienced in months. His mind was quiet. He wasn't thinking about Afghanistan.

That experience didn't fix everything, but it became an important turning point in his life.

In this Hunt Stealth mini episode, Ryan Uffens talks with Jay McCoy, military veteran, former FBI special agent, and founder of Endex Archery, about the struggles he faced after returning home, how archery helped him reconnect with himself, and why he ultimately realized he couldn't work through everything alone.

Jay also shares the advice he would give to anyone facing similar challenges: don't wait to ask for help.

Today, Jay has turned his experience into a mission to help other veterans and first responders through archery, mentorship, and community.

This conversation is about more than shooting a bow. It's about finding purpose, recognizing when you need help, and discovering that there can be a way forward.

•

Jay's struggles after returning home from Afghanistan

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The isolation, depression, and sleepless nights he experienced

•

How he rediscovered archery during a difficult period

•

The two hours at the range that changed his perspective

•

Why archery became an important part of his recovery

•

The moment he decided to seek professional help

•

His advice for veterans and others who may be struggling

Originally featured in Episode #094 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast with Jay McCoy.

Learn more about Jay's mission to support veterans and first responders through archery, equipment, mentorship, and community.

https://www.endexarchery.org/

Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth

Get a $49 Furnace Tune-Up by mentioning HUNT STEALTH.

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Website: https://www.huntstealth.com/

Instagram: @hunt.stealth

Subscribe to the Hunt Stealth Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

If this conversation could help someone you know, please share it.

Mental Health Resources: Archery is not a replacement for professional mental health care. If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support in the United States, call or text 988. Veterans and service members can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

On December 21, 2015, six of Jay McCoy's teammates were killed during a patrol in Afghanistan. It was a mission Jay was originally supposed to be on.

When he returned home, the weight of that loss followed him. Anger, depression, sleepless nights, and isolation became part of his everyday life.

Then one day, he found his bow collecting dust in the garage.

He took it to the range and spent two hours shooting. For the first time in months, his mind was quiet.

That moment didn't fix everything. But it helped change the direction of his life.

In Episode #094 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with Jay McCoy, military veteran, former FBI special agent, and founder of Endex Archery, to talk about loss, resilience, faith, and how a simple bow became the foundation for a mission that's now helping other veterans and first responders find purpose and community.

What started as Jay's personal path toward recovery has grown into something much bigger.

Through Endex Archery, he's helping others discover that sometimes the most important thing you find through archery isn't a bullseye. It's a reason to keep showing up.

If this episode reminds you of someone who might need to hear it, please share it with them. You never know what that one conversation could mean.

Learn more about Jay McCoy's mission, how to get involved, or how to support veterans and first responders through archery.

Website: https://www.endexarchery.org/

Partner's & Discounts

Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth

Get a $49 Furnace Tune-Up by mentioning HUNT STEALTH.

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For more conversations about hunting, archery, conservation, outdoor adventures, and the people who make this community special:

Website: https://www.huntstealth.com/

Instagram: @hunt.stealth

Subscribe to the Hunt Stealth Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Veterans and service members can call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.

From Wild Living to Faith: Adam Grenda's Unexpected Journey | Hunt Stealth Podcast

What happens when a hard-partying Alaska bush pilot who never imagined himself becoming religious starts questioning the direction of his life?

In this Hunt Stealth Podcast mini episode, Ryan Uffens sits down with Alaska bush pilot, hunter, and entrepreneur Adam Grenda for a conversation that goes well beyond hunting.

Adam opens up about a near-death experience in the Alaskan wilderness when he nearly drowned trying to save an airplane. As he struggled to stay above the freezing water, Adam says he heard a voice tell him, "I'm with you, my son." It was a moment he never forgot.

Not long afterward, Adam met a woman on Tinder who was unlike anyone he'd dated before. She loved hunting, had recently taken a Dall sheep, and happened to be a committed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

At the time, Adam was drinking heavily, living hard, and wondering whether the life he was living would ever lead to the family he wanted. Meeting Tana gave him a reason to reconsider where he was headed, eventually leading him to embrace faith and make some significant changes.

Ryan also shares his own journey back to church, including becoming a young father, struggling to understand his beliefs, and the people who helped him develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The conversation turns to what faith actually looks like when life gets uncomfortable. Adam talks about leaving a secure career flying for the federal government, building businesses, dealing with financial uncertainty, and learning that trusting God doesn't mean sitting around waiting for things to happen.

In this mini episode, we cover:

•
• Adam's near-death experience and the spiritual moment that stayed with him
•
• How meeting his future wife changed the direction of his life
•
• Walking away from heavy drinking and destructive habits
•
• Adam's unexpected conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
•
• Ryan's personal journey back to faith and the mentors who helped him
•
• Why faith is a process rather than something you figure out overnight
•
• The importance of family, personal accountability, and living with purpose
•
• Leaving a secure career to pursue entrepreneurship
•
• Why trusting God still requires hard work, preparation, and sacrifice

This isn't a conversation between two guys claiming to have everything figured out. It's two husbands, fathers, hunters, and entrepreneurs talking openly about mistakes they've made, what they've learned, and how their relationship with Jesus Christ has changed the way they approach life.

Whether you're deeply rooted in your faith, trying to find your way back, or simply wondering what it means to trust something bigger than yourself, there's something worth hearing in this conversation.

Faith doesn't mean you have all the answers. Sometimes it means moving forward, doing the work, and trusting that you'll understand more along the way.

Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
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For more hunting stories, practical advice, gear discussions, and conversations about family, faith, and life in the outdoors, visit:

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If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Learn more. Hunt better.

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What does it take to survive as a bush pilot in one of the most unforgiving environments in the world?

In this Hunt Stealth Podcast mini episode, Ryan Uffens sits down with Alaska bush pilot, hunter, and entrepreneur Adam Grenda to talk about the hard-earned lessons that come from flying in the remote Alaskan wilderness, where one bad decision can have deadly consequences.

Adam shares an analogy that stuck with me: You start with an empty bag of skill and a full bag of luck. Every mistake costs you a few luck chips, and the goal is to gain enough experience before that luck runs out.

With thousands of hours flying in Alaska, Adam has learned firsthand why experience, good judgment, and knowing when to turn around matter more than confidence alone. He talks about the veteran pilots who mentored him, the pressure to push through dangerous conditions, and the mistakes that taught him lessons he'll never forget.

Then Adam shares one of his most terrifying experiences: nearly drowning in 39-degree Alaskan water while trying to save a $500,000 airplane that had drifted into a massive lake during a storm.

In this mini episode, we cover:

•

What it really takes to become an Alaska bush pilot

•

Why a pilot's license doesn't automatically prepare you for the Alaska bush

•

The importance of mentorship and learning from experienced pilots

•

Why poor judgment can be more dangerous than bad weather

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The difference between relying on luck and developing real skill

•

Adam's near-death experience in freezing Alaskan water

•

How mistakes and close calls shape better decisions

Whether you're a hunter, pilot, outdoorsman, or someone trying to get better at your craft, Adam's experiences are a reminder that confidence doesn't replace competence.

Luck might get you through a few bad decisions. Experience teaches you how to avoid making them again.

Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
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For more hunting stories, practical advice, gear discussions, and conversations with experienced hunters and outdoorsmen, visit: https://www.huntstealth.com/

Subscribe to the Hunt Stealth Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

If you enjoyed this conversation, give it a like, share it with a friend, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway.

In Episode 093 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Michigan hunter Art’om Rank for a conversation about what actually makes hunters better over time.

Art’om grew up hunting from a young age and brings an analytical approach to mature whitetails that was shaped in part by his background in competitive baseball. They talk about why the best hunters often spend more time scouting than hunting, how access can ruin a hunt before you ever reach the stand, and why experience can sometimes create its own kind of complacency.

Art’om also shares the story of a Wisconsin buck he wounded after a small equipment-maintenance mistake caused his bow to shoot dramatically off target. It’s a hard lesson that changed the way he approaches equipment, preparation, and ethical shot opportunities.

Ryan and Art’om also get into new hunters overthinking gear, practicing for buck fever instead of just shooting targets, conservation and educating non-hunters, the role of faith and failure, and why adaptability may be one of the most important skills a hunter can develop.

If you’re trying to become a better hunter—not just collect more gear—this conversation is packed with lessons worth taking into the woods.

Follow the Hunt Stealth Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Salmon HVAC — Official HVAC Partner of Hunt Stealth
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Jeremiah Plyer had been building points for years, originally thinking moose was the once-in-a-lifetime hunt he wanted. Eventually, he shifted his attention to desert bighorn sheep because the draw landscape looked different, even though he admits he knew very little about sheep hunting at the time.

Then one spring, instead of just buying another point, he put in for an archery sheep tag in the Dirty Devil.

He drew it.

There was only one problem: he had no idea where the unit even was.

In this Hunt Stealth mini episode, Jeremiah tells the story of going from surprise draw to scouting some of the most intimidating country he had ever seen. He talks about the steep canyon terrain, trying to figure out how to bowhunt sheep with almost no cover, why his original goal was simply to get four legitimate stalks, and what he learned about late-season desert sheep behavior.

He also shares what it was like hunting with Brad Hunt behind the camera and how much work goes into capturing a high-level hunting film in difficult country.

It’s a great reminder that sometimes the hunt starts long before you feel ready for it.

HUNT STEALTH PARTNERS

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Some discount codes or links may support Hunt Stealth at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the brands that support the Hunt Stealth Podcast.

If you've been enjoying the podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. It helps us reach more hunters and continue building Hunt Stealth into a resource for hunters who want to keep learning.

In Episode #092 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Tanner Davis and Seth Anderson to talk hunting technology, archery innovation, learning through failure, and what actually helps someone become a better hunter.

Tanner is the co-founder of Kiba Outdoors, an off-grid mapping and communication system designed to help hunting partners stay connected when cell service disappears. He explains how Kiba pairs a smartphone app with mesh radios so hunters can message each other, share locations, track where members of the group have traveled, and communicate in the field without relying on a satellite network.

Seth also shares the story behind Stratus Archery and the bow sight technology he developed after becoming frustrated with traditional movable sights. His system is designed to maintain a consistent 10-yard gap between two pins as the sight is adjusted for different distances.

But the conversation goes well beyond products and gear.

Tanner and Seth talk about growing up hunting, learning through failure, the experiences that hooked them, dream hunts, and why newer hunters don't need to spend thousands of dollars before getting into the field.

Seth makes an especially important point for newer bowhunters: eventually you have to stop watching animals through binoculars and start putting stalks on them. Make mistakes. Get reps. Learn what works.

They also get into overrated and underrated hunting equipment, expensive rifles and optics, good boots, rain protection, stabilized binoculars, elk vs. mule deer, and why hunting keeps pulling us back even when things don't go according to plan.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Hunting communication without cell service
• How mesh radio technology works
• Kiba Outdoors and live group tracking
• The idea behind Stratus Archery
• Learning to hunt through failure
• Why new hunters don't need expensive gear
• Why bowhunters need more stalking reps
• Overrated and underrated hunting equipment
• Boots, optics and backcountry rain protection
• Elk vs. mule deer
• Dream hunts in Alaska and Canada

Learn more about Kiba Outdoors at KibaOutdoors.com.

Learn more about Stratus Archery at StratusArchery.com.

HUNT STEALTH PARTNERS

JUNIPER MEAT COMPANY
Official Wild Game Processor of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
http://www.junipermeats.com/

SALMON HVAC
Official HVAC Partner of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
Hunt Stealth listeners can get a furnace tune-up for just $49.
Mention HUNT STEALTH when scheduling.
http://www.salmonhvac.com/

HUNT STEALTH DISCOUNT CODES

BSN KNG
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SHEEPFEET OUTDOORS
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Some discount codes or links may support Hunt Stealth at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the brands that support the Hunt Stealth Podcast.

If you've been enjoying the podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. It helps us reach more hunters and continue building Hunt Stealth into a resource for hunters who want to keep learning.

Sometimes becoming a better hunter means doing less.

On Episode 091 of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, I sit down with Curtis Bryner to talk about the lessons he's picked up through years of hunting across the West and beyond—and the biggest one might be the simplest: patience.

Curtis grew up hunting the Wasatch Front here in Utah and has spent years working in the hunting industry. But some of the lessons that stuck with him most came long before that. He shares a story from hunting elk with his grandfather as a kid, when his grandpa had an opportunity at a spike and chose not to shoot. His reason was simple: they weren't out there just to kill something. He was there to spend time with Curtis and teach him.

We also get into one of Curtis's favorite adventures—a 14-day Alaska moose hunt with his brother. After days of rain, glassing and seeing almost nothing, they finally decided what they were doing wasn't working. They picked a direction, started moving and soon spotted the bull that would turn the entire hunt around.

Curtis also talks about hunting bears in Idaho, chasing mule deer, preparing for western hunts and why newer hunters often underestimate both the physical demands of the mountains and the amount of preseason work required.

But the conversation keeps coming back to patience.

Curtis remembers being the hunter who heard a bugle and immediately took off after it, or glassed for 20 minutes and decided there couldn't be any deer there. Experience taught him differently. Sometimes the buck appears in a place you've already looked a hundred times—you just had to stay long enough to see him.

That's a lesson I'm still learning myself.

In this episode we talk about slowing down, knowing when to make a move, getting physically prepared, scouting before the season and giving yourself enough opportunities for things to finally come together.

If you're a newer hunter—or you've been hunting for years and still find yourself forcing things when nothing seems to be happening—there's a lot in this conversation worth taking with you into the mountains.

Follow Hunt Stealth wherever you listen to podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, and visit HuntStealth.com for more hunting stories, tactics and lessons from people who know a whole lot more about this stuff than I do.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Juniper Meat Company
The Official Wild Game Processor of the Hunt Stealth Podcast
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Mention HUNT STEALTH when booking.
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Some discount codes or links may support Hunt Stealth at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the brands that support The Hunt Stealth Podcast.

In this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Kellen Hansen for a conversation that starts with fly fishing, hunting, food, and the outdoors... but eventually goes somewhere much deeper.

Kellen shares how growing up in southeastern Idaho and losing his dad at a young age shaped his connection to the outdoors. He tells the story of catching his first cutthroat trout on a grasshopper fly he tied himself, the moment that sparked a lifelong obsession with fly fishing, and some unforgettable adventures chasing fish from Mexico to Canada.

The conversation also dives into hunting, processing and cooking wild game, building community in the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and why sharing knowledge instead of guarding it can make the hunting and fishing world better.

But the episode takes a personal turn when Kellen opens up about his health journey. After reaching a point where his weight was keeping him from hunting and doing the things he loved, he decided something had to change. He has since lost nearly 90 pounds and is working toward becoming healthier, stronger, and capable of spending more years doing the things that matter to him.

Kellen also speaks candidly about his complicated relationship with food, including cycles of binge eating and purging and the shame and isolation that came with it. It's a vulnerable conversation about something he believes more men struggle with than we realize, and about replacing negative self-talk with progress, community, discipline, and hope.

From fly rods and elk tags to weight loss, mental battles, friendship, and finding your way back to the life you want to live, this episode is ultimately about realizing that it's never too late to change direction.

n this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with James Nash of Six Ranch Outfitters, a lifelong hunter, rancher, Marine Corps veteran, and guide with more than two decades of experience in the field. James brings a completely different perspective to becoming a more effective hunter—one built around patience, observation, understanding animal behavior, and learning to think like a predator rather than simply covering more ground.

The conversation dives deep into why hunters may actually hurt their chances by constantly moving, how becoming a “student of the place” can reveal more than miles of hiking, and why success often comes from focusing on the process instead of the outcome. James breaks down lessons from cougars and other ambush predators, discusses realistic bowhunting distances, challenges common ideas around camouflage and scent control, and explains why understanding the wind may be one of the most important skills a hunter can develop.

Ryan also opens up about his own six-year journey as an adult-onset bowhunter, the mistakes he’s made, missed opportunities, impatience, and what he’s learning as he continues chasing his first successful archery harvest. James reframes those failures as necessary lessons and offers practical advice for building experience, controlling buck fever, getting closer to animals, and becoming more lethal without losing sight of why we hunt in the first place.

This episode is packed with practical hunting knowledge, unconventional perspectives, and lessons that go far beyond gear and tactics.

James’ final piece of advice says it all: Don’t forget to have fun.

On this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Josh Terry, owner of Juniper Meat Company, for a conversation that goes far beyond wild game processing.

Josh shares his unlikely journey from military and law enforcement intelligence to building a business centered entirely around wild game, including the failures, hard lessons, and moments of doubt that came with taking the leap. But at the heart of the conversation is something bigger: why hunting matters and what it can build in us.

Josh talks about growing up hunting with his dad, the Arizona elk hunt at 12 years old that changed the course of his life, and the small sacrifices his father made to give him those experiences. That leads to one of the biggest messages of the episode: be the pioneer. Be the person willing to learn, struggle, make mistakes, and then pass what you've learned on to your kids, family, friends, and the next generation of hunters.

Ryan and Josh also get into the realities of becoming a hunter—the steep learning curve, failure, mental toughness, earning the trust of other hunters, and why simply spending time in the mountains can teach lessons that reach far beyond hunting.

There is plenty of practical knowledge as well, including Josh's three rules for protecting wild game meat—keep it cool, clean, and dry—along with field-care mistakes that can cost hunters an animal they've worked incredibly hard for.

Because sometimes the most important thing we bring home from the mountains isn't an animal.

It's who we are when we come back.

On this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Wyoming hunters and cousins Garrett King and Devan Moody to talk about growing up outdoors, becoming everyday working-class hunters, and why the experience matters just as much as punching a tag.

Garrett and Devan share the story of a Wyoming mule deer hunt that started with a late-night drive, a few too many alarms getting snoozed and an afternoon spent glassing nearly empty country. Just before dark, they finally spotted a mature four-point buck. What followed was a long-range shooting opportunity, a steep slide down the mountain, a late-night packout and a dead phone that left them navigating back to camp in the dark.

Garrett also recounts an unforgettable black bear hunt where an initial shot left a bear wounded. After a sleepless night and hours of searching the next day, Garrett and his friend pushed farther up the mountain and unexpectedly found the bear only eight yards away.

Throughout the conversation, the guys discuss family, friendship, perseverance, respecting the animals they pursue and the “mountain medicine” that comes from disconnecting from everyday life and spending time in wild country.

This episode is a reminder that hunting rarely goes according to plan—but the mistakes, challenges and stories created along the way are what keep us coming back.

At just 22 years old, Joey Visser is already building a name for himself in the hunting industry through hard work, great storytelling, and a willingness to bet on himself.

In this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, recorded at the Total Archery Challenge in Seven Springs, Joey shares how he walked away from college football to chase his lifelong dream of hunting and creating outdoor content for a living.

We talk about his relationship with SKRE, growing up hunting in Montana, transitioning from rifle hunting to archery, and the importance of producing authentic content—even without a massive following.

Joey also takes us inside his unforgettable late-season Utah archery elk hunt, where a 13-hour drive, freezing temperatures, unfamiliar country, swirling wind, and a herd of nearly 40 elk all came together for one incredible opportunity.

We also get into:

🏹 Why failure is part of becoming a successful hunter
🏔️ Why Utah has become one of Joey’s favorite places to hunt
🎯 Staying calm when adrenaline takes over
🦌 The importance of practicing from uncomfortable shooting positions
🐻 The costly lesson Joey learned after missing a bear
📸 Building a career through hunting, filmmaking, and social media

This episode is packed with honest hunting stories, hard-earned lessons, and plenty of laughs—including the beginning of the unofficial North American Forest Chicken Slam.

Follow Joey Visser on Instagram and YouTube, and check out the full episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast.

Stay safe and God bless.
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I can also tighten this into a shorter Instagram caption or write a more detailed YouTube episode description.

In this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with Brayden Staples at the Wilde Arrow Archery range to talk about hunting, family, personal growth, and the lessons that only time in the outdoors can teach.

Brayden shares how hunting with his father in the Kamas and Coalville areas shaped his childhood and created memories that had far more to do with time together than the animals they harvested. From traditional deer drives and mornings at deer camp to the difficult experience of taking his first buck at 12 years old, Brayden explains how those early moments taught him the importance of preparation, ethical shot placement, and respecting the animal.

He also tells the incredible story of passing on a bull elk that remained on the wrong side of a property boundary, only to have a larger six-point bull appear moments later on land he could legally hunt. It became one of his favorite memories with his dad and a reminder that doing the right thing matters, even when nobody else is watching.

Ryan and Brayden discuss the mistakes every hunter makes, including leaving a bow behind while scouting, moving too slowly during a stalk, placing a weapon out of reach, and allowing adrenaline to disrupt a shot process. Rather than viewing those moments as permanent failures, they explain how each mistake can become another step toward eventual success.

Brayden also breaks down Utah’s Dedicated Hunter Program, the conservation service required to participate, and why he appreciates having multiple seasons to pursue the same deer. He recounts spending months chasing one specific buck through the archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons before finally harvesting it. The experience reinforced that hunting is about much more than filling a tag, it is about studying an animal, building memories with family and friends, and appreciating the entire process.

The conversation also explores Brayden’s role with Dark Energy, where he helps market rugged portable power products designed for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. From shooting power banks with shotguns to running them over with heavy equipment, Brayden shares how the company tests its products far beyond what most customers will ever put them through.

Ryan and Brayden close by discussing how archery, fitness, discipline, and time outdoors can completely change a person’s life. Their advice is simple: start preparing now, get out of bed, improve a little every day, and do not let failure convince you to quit.

This episode is a conversation about hunting, ethics, family, conservation, perseverance, and becoming better through the challenges found on the mountain.

Alaska bush pilot, hunter, entrepreneur and father Adam Grenda joins Ryan for one of the most honest and unpredictable conversations yet on The Hunt Stealth Podcast.

Adam lives in King Salmon, Alaska, with his wife and six adopted children. He shares how a fascination with Alaska’s bush planes led him to begin flight training at 19, eventually building thousands of hours of experience flying in some of the most unforgiving conditions in the world.

That experience did not come without mistakes.

Adam recounts crashing a Super Cub when he was young and nearly drowning in 39-degree water while trying to recover a drifting airplane. As his strength disappeared and he believed he might die, Adam says he heard the words, “I’m with you, my son.” That moment became one of several experiences that eventually helped lead him toward faith in Jesus Christ and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The conversation moves from survival and bush flying into marriage, addiction, faith, entrepreneurship and fatherhood. Adam explains how meeting his wife challenged him to reevaluate the direction of his life and how faith gave his intense, addictive personality the structure he needed.

Adam and his wife also endured years of infertility treatments before becoming foster parents and eventually building a family through adoption. He opens up about learning that his own attitude sets the emotional tone inside his home and shares the three things he wants most for his children: to genuinely want a relationship with their parents, to become productive people who make a difference and to develop their own relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ryan and Adam also discuss honesty, overcoming people-pleasing, resisting the victim mentality and the importance of admitting your struggles instead of presenting a perfect highlight reel online. Adam shares his decision to speak publicly about pornography, nicotine and other personal battles because he believes vulnerability can help other men avoid the same mistakes.

They close the episode with hunting, cancel culture and practical advice for anyone trying to enter the hunting world. Adam encourages new hunters to pursue accessible opportunities, take ethical shots at legal animals, build experience and learn alongside hunters who are willing to mentor them.

This episode is direct, unfiltered and filled with lessons about faith, failure, family and becoming a better man.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Experience is built by surviving and learning from mistakes - A license or title does not automatically make someone competent. Real confidence comes from experience, humility and having multiple exit strategies before things go wrong.
• Faith requires effort. Trusting God does not mean sitting back and waiting for everything to work out. Adam believes you must meet God in the middle by working, preparing and being willing to step outside your comfort zone.
• A father sets the emotional temperature of his home. When dad is angry or stressed, everyone feels it. When he is calm, present and affectionate, the entire family feels more secure.
• Accountability creates freedom - Hiding mistakes creates shame. Admitting struggles, seeking help and speaking honestly can strengthen marriages, families and personal faith.
• New hunters need repetitions, not trophies - Start with realistic opportunities. Learn how to control your emotions, make a clean shot, recover an animal and complete the entire process before becoming consumed with chasing the biggest animal.

In this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with JT Maguire, outfield and base running coach for the Cleveland Guardians, to talk baseball, hunting, discipline, and the lessons that connect the diamond to the backcountry.

JT shares his journey from growing up in Maryland with baseball as his entire identity, to climbing the coaching ranks through high school, college, and eventually professional baseball. Along the way, he found hunting during the offseason in Arizona and quickly became hooked on mule deer, elk, scouting, and the challenge of the western mountains.

Ryan and JT dig into the parallels between baseball and hunting: preparation, failure, patience, aggressive decision-making, mentorship, and learning from mistakes. JT talks about the importance of being “selectively aggressive,” whether stealing bases or making a move on elk, and how scouting helped him harvest the biggest bull of his life just minutes into opening morning.

This conversation is for anyone who loves hunting, sports, personal growth, and the grind required to get better. Whether you’re a new hunter, a lifelong athlete, or someone trying to push yourself physically and mentally, JT’s message is clear: get in shape, lean on mentors, practice in real-world situations, and keep showing up. Success will come.

In this episode of the Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Taylor Lyman to talk about his path back into hunting, the addiction of bowhunting, and the lessons that only come from time on the mountain. Taylor shares how he grew up around hunting, stepped away during his football and work years, then came back to Utah and dove headfirst into archery hunting.

The conversation covers early rifle success, the grind of bowhunting, hard lessons from missed or imperfect shots, tracking animals, building confidence through failure, and why hunting becomes more meaningful when you earn it the hard way.

Key Takeaways:

• Taylor grew up around hunting but did not fully commit until later in life after returning to Utah.
• His first rifle buck came quickly, but the experience left him wanting more challenge and more of the chase.
• Bowhunting hooked him because of the grind, the emotion, and the reward that comes after putting in real effort.
• Taylor shares stories from successful mule deer hunts, including lessons learned from shot placement, blood trailing, and patience.
• Both Ryan and Taylor talk about how archery hunting exposes weaknesses, teaches humility, and rewards persistence.
• Fitness, preparation, and time on the mountain are key pieces of becoming a better hunter.
• Taylor’s biggest advice for new hunters: drop the ego, ask questions, talk to experienced hunters, and put boots on the ground.

In this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan sits down with Tyler Turco — a hunter, outdoor filmmaker, photographer, and professional saddle bronc rider.

Tyler shares how he got started in rodeo, what it was like competing at places like Cheyenne Frontier Days, and how serious injuries forced him to adapt, including relearning how to shoot a bow after tearing his tricep.

The conversation also dives into Tyler’s hunting background, from growing up bird hunting to becoming a self-taught bowhunter. He shares advice for new hunters, including why learning from someone with experience can speed up the process and help you avoid years of mistakes.

Tyler also breaks down what it was like filming a tough Arizona Strip mule deer hunt, where it took eight days of grinding, glassing, and covering brutal country to finally turn up the right buck. He also shares an unreal elk story where three bulls hit the ground in one canyon within about thirty minutes.

This episode is packed with rodeo grit, hunting stories, filming insight, and hard-earned lessons about confidence, toughness, and staying in the game.

Follow Tyler Turco:

https://www.instagram.com/tylerturco_outdoors/

https://www.instagram.com/tylerturco_/

Discount Codes:

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I had the opportunity to sit down with Brian Call on The Gritty Podcast at BLK FLG HQ for a conversation about bowhunting, starting later in life, and what hunting has done for me personally.

In this episode, Brian and I talk about the story behind The Hunt Stealth Podcast, how my son Jaxon helped pull me into archery hunting, and why I wanted to build a podcast for people who are new to hunting. We also get into the early days of trying to figure out tags, units, gear, and what it feels like to draw back a bow for the first time and realize there’s something different about this pursuit.

A big part of the conversation centers around the learning curve of archery hunting. Brian shares years of hard-earned elk hunting knowledge, from reading wind and thermals to understanding how elk move from bedding areas to feeding areas. We talk about why the wind can make or break a hunt, how to identify pockets where the wind behaves consistently, and why mastering those little details can make a hunter far more effective.

I also share the story of my first close encounter with a bull elk: a moment where I was drawn back, watching him come through the scrub oak, only to have the wind shift at the last second. I never released an arrow, but that encounter hooked me for life. Brian breaks down why those moments matter so much for new hunters—because they prove that it’s possible.

This episode is packed with lessons for anyone trying to become a better bowhunter, especially those grinding through OTC tags, tough country, missed chances, and the frustration of learning by failure. We talk about patience, solo hunting, hunting with friends, building confidence, getting more “at bats,” and why every close call teaches you something.

For new hunters, bowhunters, elk hunters, and anyone chasing growth through hard things, this conversation is all about the process: showing up, learning the wind, staying patient, and falling in love with the grind.

5 Key Takeaways

Bowhunting gives you purpose beyond the hunt - Ryan talks about how archery and hunting helped him get healthier, stronger, more focused, and more disciplined.

Getting close is what hooks you - Ryan’s close encounter with a bull elk proved that success was possible, even without releasing an arrow. That moment made him want to chase elk forever.

The wind is everything - Brian breaks down how elk use wind and thermals to survive, and why hunters have to understand wind patterns before making a move.

New hunters need more “at bats" - Bowhunting is hard because every encounter teaches a lesson. The more opportunities you get, the faster you learn how animals move, react, and beat you.

Patience kills more animals than aggression - The episode highlights the importance of slowing down, watching, waiting, and not blowing up a good spot just because you’re eager to make something happen.

Discount Codes:

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