Is the hunting community becoming too judgmental? Are social media, hunting shows, and trophy-buck culture taking the joy out of deer hunting?On this episode of Cross Trails Outdoors, John Kelley, Troy Whittemore, and Taylor Wilson have an honest conversation about the pressure hunters face to kill bigger bucks, use the best gear, and measure their success against everyone else. From spike bucks and first deer to trail cameras, hunting leases, and public land, we're talking about why every hunter's experience matters.But this conversation goes beyond hunting.We discuss how comparison, pride, and criticism affect our relationships, our families, and even the church. Through Scripture, including Romans 14:4, Philippians 2:14–15, James 4:11, and Psalm 24, we explore what it means to stop judging others, celebrate their victories, and remember that everything we have ultimately belongs to the Lord.Our challenge to you: Stop comparing your hunt to someone else's. Celebrate the new hunter, encourage the person who is learning, and be willing to share what you've learned along the way.Is the deer hunting community becoming too judgmental? Let's talk about the pressure to kill big bucks.We are having an honest conversation about the hunting pressure many of us face today. From social media influence to trophy-buck culture, it is easy to feel like you need to measure your success against everyone else. We discuss why this competitive mindset affects our relationships and how we view our own time in the woods.

Why are men so afraid to admit, "I don't know"?In this episode of the Cross Trails Podcast, we have a brutally honest conversation about something a lot of men struggle with: trying to figure everything out on our own.It starts with hunting. John shares what it was like learning to hunt later in life, feeling embarrassed to ask questions, and being afraid of looking stupid around guys who had been hunting their whole lives. But the conversation quickly goes much deeper.We talk about fatherhood, parenting, anxiety, comparison, faith, vulnerability, and the pressure men put on themselves to have everything figured out. We talk about what happens when we stop pretending, start asking questions, and allow other people to speak wisdom into our lives.Most importantly, we talk about how our faith in Jesus changes the way we deal with anxiety, insecurity, and the fear of not being enough.Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to bring our anxiety to God. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. And Hebrews 4:16 reminds us that we can approach God's throne with confidence to receive grace and mercy when we need it.

What makes a great shotgun? Is it the gauge, the brand, the price, or the gear you put on it?In this episode of Cross Trails, John and Taylor talk all things shotguns, hunting, duck hunting, turkey hunting, dove hunting, deer hunting, and the different gauges hunters use in the field. From 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotguns to the .410, they talk about their favorite guns, how they got into hunting, the gear they use, and why shotguns have become such a big part of their outdoor lives.But this conversation eventually goes somewhere much deeper.Being prepared matters. Knowing your equipment matters. Practice matters. And owning the most expensive gear doesn't automatically make you better at using it.That same principle applies to our faith.You can't wait until the last minute to pick up your Bible and expect to be prepared. Just like a hunter needs to know his firearm, understand his equipment, practice, and prepare before heading into the field, Christians need to spend time in God's Word and develop their relationship with Jesus before the difficult moments arrive.