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.

What happens when a simple dove hunt with your kids turns into a conversation about fatherhood, faith, legacy, and discipleship?In this episode of Cross Trails, John and Troy talk about taking their kids dove hunting—and how the experience became a reminder of what really matters. The hunt wasn't just about birds, guns, or being outdoors. It was about spending time together, teaching responsibility, building memories, passing down a heritage, and creating opportunities to point our kids toward God.We talk about the importance of being present with your children, putting the phone down, teaching kids how to work, simplifying life, and making the outdoors a place where conversations about Jesus happen naturally.We also get real about the challenge of balancing work, ministry, marriage, fatherhood, and the temptation to become so busy doing good things that we neglect the people God has placed closest to us.One of the biggest questions of the episode is this:What are you actually passing down to your kids?Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to train up a child in the way he should go. Deuteronomy 6 reminds us to continually talk about God's commands with our children—when we sit at home, when we walk along the road, when we lie down, and when we get up.The goal isn't simply to raise kids who know how to hunt, hike, fish, camp, or navigate the outdoors.It's to raise kids who know Jesus.

Four years. One incredible Kentucky buck. And a bow shot at just 12 yards.In this episode of Cross Trails, Troy tells the story of the full-velvet buck he had been watching and patterning for years. Originally nicknamed “Uni” because of a unique kicker on his antler, this buck finally presented an opportunity on opening day of September bow season.But the hunt didn't end when the arrow hit.After waiting 45 minutes to an hour, Troy climbed down expecting to find the buck where he believed he had heard him crash. Instead, the deer was gone. What followed was a lesson in patience, discipline, and proper blood tracking that every deer hunter—especially new hunters—needs to hear.Most importantly, this conversation goes beyond the hunt. We talk about why the experience, the people you're with, and learning to enjoy the process can sometimes matter more than whether you tag the biggest buck.

What does it really take to get ready for a day of hunting?In this episode of the Cross Trails Podcast, John Kelley, Troy Whitmore, and Taylor Wilson sit down to talk about everything that goes into preparing for a successful day in the woods.From waking up before daylight and getting your gear organized to scent control, hunting clothes, boots, backpacks, headlamps, cameras, bows, safety equipment, and more, the guys walk through how they prepare before heading out to hunt.The conversation also gets into experimenting with new hunting gear, including camo and concealment systems, and the importance of practicing with your bow before the moment of truth arrives. One thing becomes clear: you don't just show up on opening day and expect everything to go perfectly. Preparation matters.But then the conversation takes an unexpected turn.The guys begin talking about one of the most important things they can do before a hunt: pray. That leads into a conversation about Ephesians 6 and the full armor of God—the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, shoes of peace, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit.Whether you're getting ready for bow season, deer hunting, or simply trying to grow in your faith, this episode is a reminder that being prepared matters—in the woods and in life.What is the ONE thing you never leave home without when you're going hunting? Let us know in the comments.If you enjoy conversations where faith and the outdoors intersect, make sure to like this video, subscribe to Cross Trails, and join us for future episodes.

Bow season is almost here—but being prepared for the hunt is about more than having the right bow, equipment, and strategy.In this conversation, we take a deeper look at preparation, hunting, faith, discipline, and life. Preparing for bow season can teach us some powerful lessons about how we prepare ourselves for the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities that come our way.

Every hunter, fisherman, backpacker, or outdoorsman learned what they learned from someone else. In this episode, the guys discuss why it's so important to learn from those who have been though it and simply know more than we do.