- 1 hour 24 minutesEp. 492: 2026 Pennsylvania Elk Hunting — New Seasons, New Rules w/ PGC Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield
Beau Martonik sits down with Pennsylvania Game Commission elk biologist Jeremy Banfield to break down the biggest changes to Pennsylvania's elk hunting program in years.
They cover the new October season that overlaps the rut, once-in-a-lifetime bull tags, the non-resident cap and higher application cost, how bonus points from all three old seasons are now combined into one application, and the completely redrawn hunt zones numbered 301–309. Jeremy also gives an honest update on the current state of the herd — population estimates, bull to cow ratios, habitat improvements, and where CWD stands relative to the elk range.
If you're applying for a Pennsylvania elk tag, this is required listening before July 12th.
Apply at huntfish.pa.gov — drawing is July 25th at the Elk Expo in Benezette
Topics:00:00:00 – Intro
00:04:21 – Herd Population — 1,563 Elk and How They Count Them
00:10:31 – Bull to Cow Ratio and Why It's Too High
00:13:27 – CWD — What It Means for Pennsylvania Elk
00:17:21 – Why the Herd Grows Slowly by Design
00:23:05 – New October Season — Why It Was Added
00:26:47 – Resident vs. Non-Resident Changes
00:32:59 – Bull Tags Are Now Once in a Lifetime
00:33:50 – New Bonus Point System — One Application, Combined Points
00:41:11 – How to Apply and What Your Choices Mean
00:52:47 – New Hunt Zones 301–309 — How They Were Built
01:02:12 – Zone Selection Strategy
01:07:10 – Application Deadline and Drawing Day Details
01:16:08 – What Elk Eat and When to See Them
01:20:53 – Closing and Where to Find the Rules
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26 May 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 11 minutesEp. 491: We Killed a Turkey Mid-Podcast — Truck Talk w/ Josh Ilderton and Mason Holz // The Untamed
Beau Martonik sits down with Josh Ilderton and Mason Holz of The Untamed, recorded from the truck on the last morning of a West Virginia turkey hunting trip.
They recap the week — tough conditions, birds that gobbled all day but wouldn't commit, the grind of hunting hard while balancing real jobs, kids' sports, and a weekly YouTube channel. Josh talks about what camp culture means to him and why the relationships matter more than the kills. Then they spot a longbeard and three jakes off the road, sneak up the bank, and Beau kills the longbeard ten minutes later.
They also get into what's kept The Untamed going for eight years — persistence, authenticity, and playing a long game — and what Mason learned from his first season interning with a hunting media brand.
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19 May 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 35 minutesEp. 490: Turkey Camp Recap and New Timber Ninja Gear w/ Jason Redd
Beau Martonik sits down with Jason Redd of Timber Ninja Outdoors, recorded off the tailgate on the last day of a turkey camp trip in West Virginia.
They recap three days of hunting — birds that gobbled all day on day one, a tom that put on a show for 90 minutes and never committed, roosted birds that got crashed by trespassers on day two, and a quiet final morning that just didn't come together. Good conversation on when to stay on a bird vs. move on, and what makes mountain turkey hunting so hard to predict.
Jason also breaks down how he's been running the MTN Runner vest this season — what's working, what he'd change, and how he's setting it up differently for turkey vs. deer. Plus a first look at the Ronin, Timber Ninja's new single panel saddle coming out this summer.
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12 May 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 52 minutesEp. 489: How to Find and Kill Giant Mule Deer on Public Land w/ Dioni Amuchastegui
Beau Martonik sits down with Dioni Amuchastegui, one of the most respected public land mule deer hunters in the country, to break down what it actually takes to consistently find and kill giant bucks in the West.
They cover how Dioni approaches scouting from the macro level down, why most hunters are picking spots before they understand the area, how to efficiently cover country to find where deer actually are, and what changes in buck behavior through the season that most hunters misread. Dioni also explains why deer seem to disappear after velvet drop — and why it has less to do with hormones than most people assume.
He tells the full story of his buck from last year — finding him on the last day of his last scouting trip, waiting for the exact right weather window, making the stock, missing twice, and putting him down on the third shot.
Dioni also breaks down Deadfall Design, his company making a bino harness holster attachment built for backcountry hunters who carry a sidearm.
Topics:00:00:00 — Intro
00:04:30 – Who Is Dioni and How He Got Started
00:09:38 – Killing a 195-Inch Buck on His First Serious Season
00:20:06 – What He Does Differently Than Most Mule Deer Hunters
00:28:39 – How to Read Country and Know When to Move On
00:36:16 – Balancing Family, Work, and the Scouting Grind
00:41:51 – Dry Firing on Deer Before the Shot
00:53:56 – Where Big Bucks Bed and Why
01:00:06 – Empty Pockets — Why Winter Kill Creates Hollow Country
01:06:02 – Why Deer Seem to Disappear After Velvet Drop
01:09:09 – Finding the Buck and the Competition That Followed
01:18:28 – The Stalk, Two Missed Arrows, and the Kill
01:31:01 – Staying Focused on One Species
01:34:36 – Deadfall Design — How It Started and What It Does
01:49:02 – Closing
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5 May 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 18 minutesEp. 488: Everything You Need to Know About Muzzleloaders w/ Brad Watts // CVA
Beau Martonik sits down with Brad Watts, a 15-year muzzleloading hunter and precision rifle competitor who works at CVA, recorded live at the NWTF show.
They break down everything a hunter needs to know about muzzleloaders — how to choose the right one for your hunting situation, the difference between pellets, loose powder, and Blackhorn 209, how to properly clean and maintain your gun, and what actually causes misfires in the field. Brad also explains how competing in long-range precision rifle has made him a more confident hunter at every distance, and why that same mentality applies to how you should be practicing with your bow.
If you've been intimidated by muzzleloaders or feel like you're missing something, this one clears it up.
Topics:
00:00:00 — Intro
00:04:24 – Growing Up Hunting in PA
00:07:03 – Muzzleloader Seasons and Opportunities by State
00:09:30 – Getting Into Muzzleloading
00:13:53 – How Brad Got Into Muzzleloaders Through the Industry
00:15:03 – Keeping It Simple vs. Going Down the Rabbit Hole
00:17:51 – Precision Rifle and How It Makes You a Better Hunter
00:23:24 – The Importance of Practice
00:30:57 – Understanding Calibers, Bullets, and Powder Charges
00:36:47 – Pellets vs. Loose Powder vs. Blackhorn 209
00:42:05 – Cleaning and Maintenance
00:53:00 – Moisture, Misfires, and Storing Your Muzzleloader
00:59:32 – Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
01:07:43 – New CVA Products — Endura, Optima XP, Cascade Rimfire
01:15:16 – Closing + Where to Find CVA
Save 10% on CVA muzzleloaders, rifles, and accessories at bpioutdoors.com/cva — use code EASTMEETSWEST10
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28 April 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 43 minutesEp. 487: The Funnel System That's Killed Giants for 60 Years w/ Bobby Worthington
Beau Martonik sits down with Bobby Worthington — 21-time national and 8-time world archery champion, author of Final Quest, and one of the most respected whitetail hunters alive — to break down the funnel system he's used to kill mature bucks for 60 years.
Bobby explains why most hunters overcomplicate the rut, the exact window when hunting sign matters vs. when to focus on funnels, how to read terrain and natural restrictions on any property, and why hunting hard means committing to one or two spots — not jumping around. He also walks through a real consulting job he did the day before this interview, breaking down every stand location on a property he'd never seen.
Plus: the Mountain Mike story, what the whitetail deer has taught him about life, and why woodsmanship beats every tactic you've read online.
If you've been grinding hard and not connecting on mature bucks, this episode changes how you think about the rut.
Topics:00:00:00 — Intro
00:04:33 – Meet Bobby Worthington
00:12:29 – The Evolution of Hunting
00:24:13 – How To Navigate Information
00:29:14 – Analyzing Funnels
00:47:09 – The Importance Of Having Patience to Learn One Area
00:56:01 – Time In The Woods
00:59:23 – Historical Data
01:05:56 – When It All Comes Together
01:09:29 – Developing Experience
01:16:52 – Targeting A Buck In His Core Area
01:20:31 – Endless Information
01:23:28 – Mountain Mike Story
01:34:51 – Gift Giving
01:35:40 – Closing Statements and Resources
Resources:Final Quest — P.O. Box 461, Pikeville, TN 37367
Online Woodsmanship Course — [email protected]
Bobby’s consulting services - https://www.higginsoutdoors.com/bobby-worthington/
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21 April 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 16 minutesEp. 486: How We Scout Big Woods with No Habitat Diversity (Real Hunt Breakdown) w/ Just Hunt Club
Beau Martonik sits down with Jon Lewis, Eli McArthur, and Justin Mueller from the Just Hunt Club crew after a full day of scouting together in the PA big woods.
The conversation focuses on hunting remote terrain that has plenty of topographic diversity but almost no vegetation diversity — steep ridges, drainages, and saddles in mature timber where everything looks the same once you're on the ground. They break down how to find micro diversity in the vegetation, why that's what actually separates good spots from dead ones, and why you have to put boots on the ground to figure it out.
Jon tells the full story of his 2025 PA rifle buck — two days of tracking through fresh snow, committing to a track in the afternoon with 14 miles already on their legs, and packing a deer out in the dark. One of the better hunting stories you'll hear this season.
Topics:00:00:00 — Intro
00:04:20 – Getting to Know Eli
00:07:13 – Just Hunt Club and the Filming Experience
00:14:13 – Scouting Remote, Rugged Big Woods Terrain
00:20:47 – Hunting Strategies in Rugged Terrain
00:28:48 – Micro Diversity and What It Looks Like
00:43:18 – Jon’s Buck Story and Tracking in the PA Big Woods
01:01:49 – The Aftermath of Packing Out a Mountain Buck
01:09:32 – Expectations
01:13:00 – Resources to Connect with Guests
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14 April 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 13 minutesEp. 485: Old-School Turkey Hunting, Storytelling, and Why It Still Matters with Brent Reaves // Meat Eater
Brent Reaves of MeatEater joins Beau Martonik to talk turkey hunting, storytelling, and why the best parts of hunting have nothing to do with pulling the trigger.
From chasing gobblers across the South to lessons learned over decades in the woods, Brent shares stories, hard-earned wisdom, and why patience, tradition, and community still matter today.
They dive into turkey hunting tactics, how hunting styles have changed over time, and why sometimes the best move is simply sitting still and letting the woods work. This episode blends old-school perspective, humor, and real-world experience from a lifetime outdoors.
Topics:00:00:00 — Intro
00:04:27 – Intro at NWTF and meeting Brent Reaves
00:10:53 – Brent’s background and transition to MeatEater
00:15:35 – The art of storytelling and why it matters
00:20:40 – Why people connect to hunting stories
00:28:35 – Hunting community and bringing people together
00:30:53 – Why turkey hunting stands above everything else
00:36:41 – Lessons from long turkey hunts and failures
00:47:23 – How turkey hunting has changed over time
00:49:09 – Patience vs. run-and-gun hunting styles
00:54:02 – Calling strategies and reading turkey behavior
00:58:40 – Gear, knives, and hunting traditions
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7 April 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 25 minutesEp. 484: The Mindset Shift That Led to Two of His Biggest NC Bucks w/ Jacob Lishen
Beau Martonik sits down with Jacob Lishen to talk about the mindset shift that helped him kill two of his best North Carolina bucks to date. They discuss hunting pressure, confidence, community, learning from mistakes, and why mature bucks are so tied to security cover and sanctuary. This episode goes beyond tactics and gets into the deeper side of why we hunt and how the right perspective can make you both happier and more effective in the woods.
Topics:
00:00:00 – Intro
00:04:33 – Catching up with Jacob
00:10:43 – Tough seasons, pressure, and chasing the wrong things
00:17:18 – How pressure and expectations can hurt your hunting
00:23:28 – Why mindset and fulfillment matter more than success
00:31:22 – The importance of community and deer camp culture
00:37:08 – Why Jacob still pursues mature bucks
00:41:09 – Different goals, different definitions of success
00:52:27 – Reflection, vulnerability, and learning from struggles
00:59:19 – The 3.5-year pursuit and breaking bad habits
01:06:49 – What actually led to killing these two bucks
01:07:17 – Sanctuary and security cover for mature deer
01:15:41 – The “chink in the armor” for big bucks
01:19:19 – Applying these principles anywhere
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31 March 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 29 minutesEp. 483: Deer Habitat, Turkey Hunting & Woodsmanship w/ Catman (Jonathan Boehme)
In this episode, Beau Martonik sits down with Jonathan “Catman” Boehme at the NWTF show in Nashville.
They talk through Catman’s background, how he got into hunting, and what learning the hard way taught him over time. The conversation covers turkey hunting in hill country, adapting to pressure, food sources and tree identification for deer, self-filming, and the mindset that comes with experience in the woods.
00:00:00 — Intro
00:04:19 – The Growth of Nashville
00:07:00 – Jonathan’s Beginning To Hunting and Fishing
00:15:25 – Technology and Hunting
00:19:56 – Hunting New Spots
00:23:10 – Identifying Plants
00:27:48 – Hunting Different Food Sources
00:40:31 – The World Of Fishing
00:51:21 – Beginning On The Water
00:53:44 – Different Regions And Their Cultures
01:00:27 – Comparing Turkey and Deer Hunting
01:10:13 – Learning From Mistakes
01:20:24 – Jonathan’s Youtube Journey
01:26:20 – Closing Statements
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24 March 2026, 9:01 am - 1 hour 46 minutesEp. 482: What Every Hunter Should Know About Lyme Disease w/ Adam Kristan
Beau Martonik talks with Adam Kristan about his experience battling Lyme disease and why hunters need to take tick-borne illnesses seriously.
Adam shares how his symptoms started, the challenges of being misdiagnosed, and what finally led him to the right treatment. They also discuss early warning signs of Lyme disease, common misconceptions, and practical ways hunters can prevent tick bites while spending time in the woods.
If you hunt, scout, or spend a lot of time outdoors, this episode highlights why early detection and prevention are critical when it comes to Lyme disease.
Topics:
00:00:00 — Intro
00:04:25 – Lyme Disease Discussion
00:07:02 – Adam's Background
00:11:58 – Adam’s Deer Camp
00:19:53 – Adam’s Lyme Story
00:31:37 – Beau’s Lyme Experience
00:42:58 – Common Misconceptions About Lyme Disease
00:49:13 – Lyme Disease Prevention
01:13:22 – Hunting with Lyme
01:16:33 – Hunting Culture in the Northeast
01:32:30 – Tracking in the Northeast
01:42:37 – Conclusion and Takeaways
Resources:
Email: [email protected]
Stram Center for Integrative Medicine: https://stramcenter.com/
Ticknology: https://www.ticknology.org/
Global Lyme Alliance: https://www.globallymealliance.org/
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