Failure, Consistency, and What Success Really Looks Like

Not every hunt goes as planned.

In this episode of Unlucky Hunters Matter, we dive into the side of hunting most people don’t talk about — the empty sits, the missed opportunities, and the lessons learned the hard way.

We talk about:

• The hunts nobody talks about
• How close failure really is to success
• The danger of measuring seasons only by filled tags
• What consistency actually looks like in the woods
• And why some of the best moments have nothing to do with pulling the trigger

Because the truth is… success in the outdoors isn’t just about what you harvest.

It’s about what you learn, what you experience, and why you keep showing up.

Some seasons test you more than others.

In this episode of Unlucky Hunters Matter, I break down one of the best seasons I’ve ever had in the woods — but it didn’t come easy. From missed opportunities and hard lessons to breakthrough moments that finally started to click, this season reminded me why hunting is never as simple as it looks.

We talk about public land pressure, mental battles during tough hunts, mistakes that still replay in my head, and the lessons learned from grinding it out when things don’t go as planned.

Because the truth is — the seasons that challenge us the most often become the ones we remember forever.

If you’ve ever had a hunt that humbled you, this episode is for you.

Use code UnluckyHuntersMatter at checkout with Dubby Energy to get 10% off your order and help support the podcast.

What is Unlucky Hunters Matter really about?

In this episode, I slow things down and share the story behind the podcast — why it started, who it’s for, and why the outdoor community needs more real conversations about failure, mistakes, and the lessons learned the hard way.

This isn’t a highlight‑reel show. It’s about the reality of hunting and fishing — especially on public land — where the wind shifts, pressure shows up, plans fall apart, and success is never guaranteed.

We talk about: • Growing up watching “pro hunter” TV and how reality looks different • Why hunting and fishing aren’t hobbies — they’re part of who we are • The everyday hunters and anglers who make up the backbone of the outdoor community • Why our stories deserve to be told and heard • A teaser about the first Unlucky Hunters Matter hat drop

If you’ve ever felt more defined by the lessons than the success… this episode is for you.

Because not all hunts go as planned.

Most hunts don’t go the way we plan them.

The wind shifts. Other hunters show up. Deer move differently than expected. A setup that felt perfect an hour ago suddenly falls apart. And just like that, the hunt you imagined never actually happens.

In this episode of Unlucky Hunters Matter, I break down the reality of public‑land hunting — from blown opportunities and shifting winds to pressure from other hunters and smart deer that refuse to follow the script. This isn’t about excuses. It’s about adaptability. It’s about humility. And it’s about understanding that the gap between expectation and reality is where the real lessons live.

Because the hunts that go perfectly according to plan rarely teach us much.

But the ones that fall apart? Those are the ones that make us better.

If you’ve ever walked back to the truck replaying a hunt in your head, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Unlucky Hunters Matter, I break down a season defined by missed chances, small decisions, and lessons learned the hard way. From passing shots that never came back, to pressure, timing mistakes, and the quiet choices that slowly end seasons, this episode is about the realities most hunters don’t talk about.

We dive into how pressure changes deer movement, how deer pattern us just as much as we pattern them, and why an entitlement mindset can quietly ruin hunts before we even realize it. This isn’t about trophies or highlight reels — it’s about honest reflection, accountability, and respecting every opportunity the woods give you.

Because seasons don’t usually end with one big mistake — they end with small decisions we didn’t think would matter.

This episode is a season‑wrap reflection on what ended up being my most successful hunting year to date—and the hard lessons that came with it.

We break down spring turkey and deer season on public land, talking honestly about what worked, what didn’t, and why preparation, patience, and understanding pressure mattered more than luck or trophies.

From preseason scouting and calling strategy to missed opportunities and decisions I wish I could take back, this episode is about learning the hard way and carrying those lessons forward.

Because success in hunting isn’t just measured by punched tags—it’s earned through mistakes, reflection, and showing up when things don’t go as planned.

This week we will be talking about the gear that we will be using this upcoming spring turkey season as well as the tactics that we will be using to get some birds down this year. So come join us here at Unlucky Hunters Matter.

This week we will be continuing our 5-week series on spring turkey hunting. We will be covering the rules and regulations of these two states and what is required to be able to hunt in these states as well as the license fees, tags required and tagging and reporting.