West Coast Hunting & Fishing Tactics From Army Veteran and Guide: Tristan Mussati

We Didn't Crappie Fish.. We Just Fished Crappy

What started as a simple crappie fishing trip in Virginia, for the season one finale, quickly turned into one of the most chaotic outdoor trips we’ve had yet. Three veterans, Co-Hosts of Drills Gone Wild, and Guest Speaker, long-time Veteran friend of RJ, James Baughn, head out on the water expecting to fill a cooler. Instead, we spent the weekend battling wind, cold weather, bad fishing, and our own questionable decisions. From failed fishing tactics and homemade lures to Army stories, combat training memories, and the strange situations you only experience in the military, this episode turns into the kind of conversation that happens when veterans sit around after a long day outdoors. No script. No filters. Just real stories, real laughs, and a fishing trip that didn’t go as planned. Topics in this episode include: • Crappie fishing in Virginia • Why early-season fishing can be brutal • Homemade fishing lures and tackle finds • Army basic training and Drill Sergeant stories • Combat training chaos and combatives • Veteran life after the military • Hunting, bowhunting, and wild game • Why sometimes the best trips are the ones where nothing goes right Even though we didn’t catch a single fish, we still managed to come back with some good stories. And that’s what Drills Gone Wild is really about. ---------------------------------------- 🎣 Follow Drills Gone Wild YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Instagram TikTok New episodes weekly. Veteran mindset meets the outdoors. 0:00 The Fishing Trip That Went Completely Wrong 2:30 Learning to Fish on a Boat 5:40 Shooting Bows and Bad Aim 7:30 Drill Sergeant Stories from the Army 10:00 Living Off Wild Game and Venison 14:30 Homemade Fishing Lures 18:00 Why Fishing Was So Tough 21:30 Getting Hooked by a Crankbait 23:30 Combat Training & Army Combatives 27:00 Fishing Strategy and Reading Water 31:00 Cooking and Eating Bass 34:00 Basic Training Shower Chaos 39:00 Army Deployment & Overseas Stories 46:00 Combatives and Barracks Brawls 52:00 Military Stories That Probably Shouldn't Be Told 56:00 The Gas Station Incident 1:01:00 Bowhunting and Beginner’s Luck 1:05:00 Field Dressing Deer 1:11:00 The Best and Worst Parts of Fishing Trips 1:17:00 Random Internet Culture & Harambe 1:22:00 Japan Deployment Story 1:28:00 Learning Japanese & Culture Shock 1:30:00 Final Thoughts on the Trip

AI for Hunters & Anglers: The Dryads Outdoors Story

Joel, creator of Dryads Outdoors, shares his journey from frustration with existing outdoor apps to developing his own all-in-one solution. Discover how his background in AI and coding led to a powerful tool for outdoor enthusiasts, emphasizing user feedback and real-time data accuracy. key topics: Development of Dryads Outdoors app Use of AI and mapping tools in outdoor activities Importance of user feedback and community engagement takeaways Joel's journey from frustration with existing apps to creating his own solution The significance of real-time, precise data for outdoor safety and activities Community feedback drives continuous improvement of the app key frameworks Community-driven development Iterative app improvement Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dryads Outdoors 02:47 The Development Journey of the App 04:49 User-Centric Features and Community Engagement 06:17 Innovative AI Features and Wind Analysis 07:14 Understanding AI in Hunting Applications 10:00 The Role of Moon Phases and Animal Behavior 13:00 Scent Control and Hunting Strategies 15:47 Community and Learning in Hunting 18:59 Achievements and Competitions in the App 21:49 Future Goals for Dryads Outdoors 24:43 User Experience and App Features 28:32 Innovative Tracking Features in Hunting Apps 31:34 Ethical Hunting and Animal Recovery 34:27 Hunting Regulations and Community Dynamics 38:27 Future Aspirations for Dryads Outdoors 42:16 Exclusive Offers and Community Engagement 47:34 Drills Gone Wild Intro.mp4 FREE 60-DAY TRIAL: 📣 Dryads “Founding Community Access” – 2 Months Free We’ve unlocked 2 months of Pathfinder FREE for your community. Use code: DRILLSGONEWILDFREE How to Redeem (Takes 2 Minutes) 1️⃣ Go to https://web.dryads.app [https://web.dryads.app] (Must be done on web browser — phone or computer. Not inside the iOS/Android app.) 2️⃣ Create your account. 3️⃣ Click on any locked feature inside Dryads. 4️⃣ Select the Pathfinder subscription. 5️⃣ Click “Add Code” 6️⃣ Enter: DRILLSGONEWILDFREE 7️⃣ Complete checkout → You’ll see $0.00 due today (2 months free) Once you’re subscribed through web, you can log in and use Dryads normally on iOS or Android.

How to Track Animals Like the Military pt. 2

The conversation delves into the significance of understanding animal tracks, particularly in the context of hunting and fishing. It explores the insights that can be gained from animal tracks, the behavior and patterns of deer, and the strategies employed in hunting and fishing. The conversation covers the topics of animal behavior, hunting, deer mating, tracking, fishing, and health/environmental impact. It emphasizes the importance of understanding animal behavior for successful hunting and fishing, as well as the impact of experience and observation in learning how to pattern animals. Takeaways * Understanding animal tracks can reveal valuable information about the gender, age, and behavior of the animal. * Animal behavior and survival instincts play a significant role in hunting and fishing strategies. Understanding animal behavior is crucial for successful hunting and fishing. * Experience and observation are key to learning how to pattern animals. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Tracking Animals 02:36Understanding Tracks: What They Reveal 05:17Patterns of Deer Behavior 08:14The Art of Patience in Hunting 11:01Identifying Deer Movement 13:52The Importance of Terrain Knowledge 16:34Scrapes and Rubs: Social Signals 19:42Deer Diet and Its Implications 22:25Finding Core Areas of Deer 25:12The Connection Between Hunting and Fishing 27:51Final Thoughts on Animal Tracking

How to Track Animals Like the Military pt. 1

Mastering Animal Tracking and Wilderness Navigation: Insights from Army and Outdoors Experts In this episode, we dive into the art and science of tracking animals, reading terrain, and navigating challenging outdoor environments. Whether you're a hunter, hiker, or military enthusiast, learn practical tips on patterning deer and fish, reading signs, and avoiding dangers like muskeg traps or bears. Key Topics How to interpret animal tracks for size, gender, speed, and travel patterns Differentiating bass beds: bluegill vs. smallmouth preferences and signs Reading deer rubs, scrapes, and travel corridors to predict behavior Navigating muskeg terrain and avoiding sinkholes in Alaska How pressure, terrain, and time influence animal movements Lessons from military land navigation: importance of terrain association and attention to detail Real-life stories of survival and mishaps in the woods and swamp situations Tips for identifying signs of bears and avoiding nighttime encounters Tools and mental models for effective wilderness tracking Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to tracking animal signs for hunting success 02:06 - Differences between bass species and what their beds indicate 03:13 - Common mistakes in tracking and how to interpret signs 04:34 - Terrain awareness: how terrain shapes animal movement patterns 05:52 - First near-death experience in Alaska muskeg terrain 07:25 - Navigating muskeg and avoiding deadly sinkholes 08:54 - Using game trails and terrain cues to locate points in land navigation 10:00 - The dangers of swamp water and how to survive underwater mud pulls 12:01 - Military land nav lessons: importance of terrain association and detail orientation 13:58 - How distractions and equipment loss can impact survival and mission success 16:12 - Nighttime navigation in bear country and spotting signs of predators 17:45 - The significance of terrain familiarity and avoiding surprises in wilderness 19:21 - Lessons from failed land nav and equipment loss during military training 20:51 - Wild animal encounters: identifying wildlife and avoiding dangerous cats 22:23 - The pitfalls of poor terrain awareness in the woods and swamp 23:44 - Equipment and chain of command issues during outdoor operations 25:19 - The importance of attention to detail in tracking equipment and personnel 27:34 - Final thoughts on becoming better trackers and terrain readers Resources & Links The Hunter's Guide to Tracking Deer by David Petzal Bluegill and Bass Bed Identification - Fish Finder Land Navigation Techniques - US Army Field Manuals Muskeg Terrain Overview Connect with the Hosts RJ Steiskal @the1robertsteiskal - Instagram |Tiktok |Youtube |Facebook Gentry Ward @Heathenoutdoors - Tiktok |Youtube

West Coast Hunting & Fishing Tactics From Army Veteran and Guide: Tristan Mussati

RJ Steiskal and Gentry Ward are joined by special guest Tristan Mussatti, former Army infantryman and skilled hunter and angler from the Pacific Northwest. The conversation spans Army life—first-day challenges, live-fire training, and lessons from JRTC and AP Hill—before shifting to the outdoors, where Mussatti breaks down real-world hunting and fishing tactics. From chasing steelhead to tracking massive bull elk across the high plains and vast coastal wilderness of Oregon, this episode blends hard-earned military lessons with elite outdoorsman knowledge, tied together by humor, camaraderie, and lived experience.