#083 - JT Maguire | Big Leagues to the Backcountry

#083 - JT Maguire | Big Leagues to the Backcountry

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.

#082 - Taylor Lyman | Chasing Mule Deer and Building Mountain Grit

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: 1. Taylor grew up around hunting but did not fully commit until later in life after returning to Utah. 2. His first rifle buck came quickly, but the experience left him wanting more challenge and more of the chase. 3. Bowhunting hooked him because of the grind, the emotion, and the reward that comes after putting in real effort. 4. Taylor shares stories from successful mule deer hunts, including lessons learned from shot placement, blood trailing, and patience. 5. Both Ryan and Taylor talk about how archery hunting exposes weaknesses, teaches humility, and rewards persistence. 6. Fitness, preparation, and time on the mountain are key pieces of becoming a better hunter. 7. Taylor’s biggest advice for new hunters: drop the ego, ask questions, talk to experienced hunters, and put boots on the ground.

#081 - Tyler Turco | Rodeo Grit, Elk Hunting, and the Arizona Strip

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_outdoors/] https://www.instagram.com/tylerturco_/ [https://www.instagram.com/tylerturco_/] Discount Codes: * www.bisonking.com Code: STEALTH 10% Off * www.blkflg.com Code: STEALTH

#080 - Brian Call | Elk Hunting for Beginners

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: BSN KNG Code: STEALTH - bisonking.com [ www.bisonking.com ] BLK FLG Code: STEALTH - blkflg.com [www.blkflg.com]

#079 - Nate Illingsworth | The Influencers... Influencer

In this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with Nate Illignsworth for a raw, honest conversation about the realities of hunting, growth, and what it takes to level up in the field. Nate shares his journey, lessons learned through failure, and the mindset required to push through the tough seasons every hunter faces. From strategy and preparation to the mental battles that come with chasing elk in the mountains, this episode dives deep into what separates average hunters from those who consistently find success. This isn’t just about hunting... it’s about discipline, resilience, and becoming the kind of man who doesn’t quit when things get hard. If you’re a new hunter or someone grinding to improve, this episode will hit home. Key Takeaways: 1. Failure is part of the process - The best hunters aren’t the ones who avoid failure, they’re the ones who learn from it faster. 2. You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of preparation - Success in the field starts long before the hunt. 3. Mental toughness separates hunters - When things go quiet, cold, and frustrating, that’s where most people quit. 4. Consistency beats intensity - Small improvements over time will outperform random bursts of effort. 5. Hunting reveals who you really are - The mountains don’t lie... your mindset and discipline show up real quick. Follow Nate Illingsworth: Instagram: @nate_illingsworth DISCOUNT CODES: BSN KNG - Code: STEALTH 10% OFF BLK FLG - Code: STEALTH 20% OFF Muley Maniacs - Code: STEALTH 20% OFF Sheepfeet - Code: STEALTH 10% OFF