Chase The Unknown Podcast

Escaping the City: Reclaiming Self-Reliance Through Hunting & Trapping

We talk with author and trapper Zach Hansen about late-onset hunting, moving to remote Idaho, and why trapping wolves sharpened every other outdoor skill. The path runs through failure, grit, and reclaiming trades we let slip as a country. • adult-onset hunting sparked by nutrition and self-reliance  • moving to a 35-person Idaho town at the end of an 80-mile dirt road  • bowhunting mistakes, missed shots, and learning discipline  • Sawtooth terrain realities and the mental game of backcountry hunts  • why trades and shop-class skills matter for modern life  • trapping as the fastest route to woodsmanship and animal behavior  • wolf population growth, management needs, and scent control  • policy pressure from lawsuits vs strong local support  • respect for predators, ethical realities, and community mentorship Make sure you go check Zach out. Make sure you go check out his podcast and his books. If you want to find out more about trapping or how to get into it, don't hesitate. Please hit Zach up. If he can't, he will be able to find somebody and tell them to help you out.

From Florida Swamps To New England Ridges: Faith, Family, And Fieldcraft

We go deep on Florida’s brutal public land, the move back to New England, and how faith, family, and photography shape a better hunter and a better neighbor. AJ shares bear management realities, turkey plans, and the gear choices that build confidence when pressure rises. • Florida’s extreme hunts and shifting rut windows • Learning WMAs, quotas, and local regs • Moving to Connecticut and finding community • Balancing family time with a realistic season • Photography as memory, mentorship, and meaning • Bear populations, policy, and ethical methods • Arrow builds for consistency and forgiveness • Why turkey hunting fuels group camaraderie • Keeping confidence over hype in gear choices Make sure you guys go give him a follow. The link will be down in the description below

Bed, Bang, Buck: Talking the 70 Rule W/Brandon Barlow

We dive deep into the 70 Rule with Brandon Barlow, a revolutionary system for timing your whitetail hunts based on fawn development and historical data rather than generic rut predictions. • Using fawn births to backdate and identify when your local rut actually occurs • How the 70 Rule gets its name from three key metrics - spots, track size, and body weight • The story of the 20-point "Magnolia Buck" killed through four years of pattern documentation • Why bucks found doing natural daylight behaviors are more consistent and easier to kill than those pulled by bait • The importance of distinguishing between daylight and nighttime buck behavior • The four types of food sources deer use and how to hunt them strategically • Why focusing on the "first food" when deer leave bedding areas creates high-percentage shot opportunities • Details on Brandon's upcoming books explaining his system and the history of whitetail hunting To learn more about the 70 Rule and Brandon's system, visit https://the70rule.com/ [https://the70rule.com/]or follow https://www.instagram.com/_brandon_barlow?igsh=MTVteDJzMnpyenoxdQ== [https://www.instagram.com/_brandon_barlow?igsh=MTVteDJzMnpyenoxdQ==] on Instagram. Brandon has set aside a budget for free books for podcast listeners - reach out to him directly to request a copy. Help support our show and also our sponsors HECSHUNTING: https://hecshunting.com/shop/?avad=385273_d418dd78d&nb_platform=avantlink&nb_pid=323181&nb_wid=385273&nb_tt=cl&nb_aid=NA [https://hecshunting.com/shop/?avad=385273_d418dd78d&nb_platform=avantlink&nb_pid=323181&nb_wid=385273&nb_tt=cl&nb_aid=NA] TIDEWE: https://alnk.to/5FcujEP [https://alnk.to/5FcujEP]

Preserving Your Trophy: The Story Behind Tagged and Bagged

Johnny Bauman never expected that a frustrating moment in the field would spark an entirely new business venture. After taking some buddies on their first duck hunt where they bagged trophy greenheads, he found himself scrambling to properly preserve their birds for mounting. What followed was an hour-long ordeal of researching techniques and gathering supplies – all while thinking, "There's got to be a better way." That moment of necessity became the birthplace of Tagged and Bagged, a comprehensive pre-taxidermy preservation system that's rapidly becoming essential gear for serious hunters. Johnny joins us to unpack how he transformed a simple idea into a full-fledged product line that's now backed by over 350 taxidermists across the country. What's particularly fascinating about Johnny's journey is his unwavering commitment to quality and American manufacturing. Despite the significantly higher costs and logistical challenges, every component of Tagged and Bagged kits is 100% made in America. From the waterproof outer bags to the extra-thick freezer bags, wet towelettes, gauze for blood absorption, and even migratory bird tags for legal transportation – each element has been meticulously designed based on extensive research with taxidermy professionals. The company's explosive growth allowed Johnny to leave his full-time job last December, but his motivation extends far beyond business success. Tagged and Bagged actively supports programs taking children with cancer on dream hunting trips, reflecting Johnny's belief that the outdoor experience offers profound healing and connection. "I don't care if you never buy my product," he explains. "I just want to build relationships and hear your hunting stories." Whether you're an experienced waterfowl hunter who's ruined trophy birds in the past, a fishing enthusiast looking to properly preserve your catch, or someone who appreciates American-made products created by passionate outdoorsmen, this conversation reveals how innovation happens when authentic problems meet determined problem-solvers. Take a listen and discover the remarkable story behind the product that's changing how hunters preserve their hard-earned success. Help support our show and also our sponsors HECSHUNTING: https://hecshunting.com/shop/?avad=385273_d418dd78d&nb_platform=avantlink&nb_pid=323181&nb_wid=385273&nb_tt=cl&nb_aid=NA [https://hecshunting.com/shop/?avad=385273_d418dd78d&nb_platform=avantlink&nb_pid=323181&nb_wid=385273&nb_tt=cl&nb_aid=NA] TIDEWE: https://alnk.to/5FcujEP [https://alnk.to/5FcujEP]

Field Notes 1: Matthews vs. Hoyt Showdown and Delaware preparation

That familiar anticipation is in the air – the rustling leaves, cooling temperatures, and the promise of another bow season. The Chase the Unknown team reunites for their first Field Notes episode, capturing the excitement and preparation that comes with early September hunts. The crew welcomes newcomer Connor to the Boondocks Hunting family, bringing Wisconsin perspective to the predominantly East Coast team. Connor shares his journey from Chicago suburbanite to dedicated whitetail hunter through a chance encounter with a mentor who introduced him to archery hunting two decades ago. His story echoes what many self-taught hunters experience – learning through trial, error, and the guidance of patient mentors. Gear talk dominates much of the conversation as Mike debates between his trusted Hoyt and a newly acquired Matthews bow. The discussion evolves into hilarious tales of hunting mishaps – from forgotten releases to dropped cameras and impromptu barefoot hikes through rough terrain. These stories highlight a universal truth among hunters: preparation is everything, but adaptability might be even more important. Delaware emerges as the team's early-season focus, with several members heading south to take advantage of what Real Tree has called "America's most underappreciated hunting state." They break down the abundant public land opportunities, manageable hunting pressure, and generous season dates stretching from September to February. The conversation moves to hunting regulations across states, contrasting Delaware's sensible two-buck limit with New Jersey's seven-buck allowance. Beyond the technical aspects of the hunt, the team touches on something more profound – the fading tradition of check-in stations and hunting camps, where stories and knowledge were exchanged in person rather than through screens. In their own way, they're preserving this camaraderie through their shared field experiences and willingness to drop everything to help track a wounded deer or troubleshoot a gear issue. Ready to join us for a season of hunting adventures, hard-earned lessons, and unforgettable moments in the field? Subscribe now and follow along as we document our 2023 bow season – the triumphs, challenges, and everything in between. Help support our show and also our sponsors HECSHUNTING: https://hecshunting.com/shop/?avad=385273_d418dd78d&nb_platform=avantlink&nb_pid=323181&nb_wid=385273&nb_tt=cl&nb_aid=NA [https://hecshunting.com/shop/?avad=385273_d418dd78d&nb_platform=avantlink&nb_pid=323181&nb_wid=385273&nb_tt=cl&nb_aid=NA] TIDEWE: https://alnk.to/5FcujEP [https://alnk.to/5FcujEP]