In this episode, we dive into the ever-changing world of outdoor fads—those trends that explode onto the scene with big promises but quietly fade away when the seasons change. From gimmicky gear to viral fishing lures like the legendary Banjo Minnow, we explore some of the biggest trends and how they have changed with time.
If you’ve ever been tempted by the latest and greatest—or laughed at it—this one’s for you. Get outside. It's good for the soul.
#MaineOutdoorEnthusiast #GetOutsideItsGoodForTheSoul #OutdoorFads
In today’s fast-paced world, we often forget the simple, powerful medicine that surrounds us—nature. In this episode, we are joined by my sister, Dr. Brittney Guiou. Dr. Brit (AKA Sister MOE) is a double board certified Family & Obesity medicine physician. With her, we explore the therapeutic benefits of the great outdoors, from the calming effects of hunting on the mind to the deep sense of connection found in the stillness of the woods. Through personal stories, expert insights, and real-world experiences, we dive into how time spent outside can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and strengthen our emotional well-being. Whether you're a seasoned outdoorsman or just beginning to embrace nature’s gifts, this podcast will inspire you to step outside, breathe deeply, and rediscover the healing power of the wild. Get outside—it’s good for the soul. #hunting #getoutsideitsgoodforthesoul #maineoutdoorenthusiast
In a fast-paced digital world, we often overlook the simple practices that ground us. In this episode, Lacey Guiou, OTR/L, joins us to share the benefits of slowing down, embracing time-honored traditions, and rediscovering the value of handwriting. From improving memory and creativity to reducing stress, we’ll dive into why putting pen to paper is more than just nostalgia—it’s a powerful tool for clarity and connection. Join us as we discuss how returning to life’s basics can bring balance, mindfulness, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us. And don’t forget—getting outside is good for the soul! #simplicity #backtobasics #enjoynature
Deer season eve is here! Such a magical time for a deer hunter. A deer hunter has the same excitement as a child on Christmas Eve. The camp is filled with anticipation of the weeks to come in hopes of putting that tag on a buck of a lifetime and a year supply of the best meat known to man! Join us at camp as we sit back and relax the night before Maine's opener of the 2024 deer season. We discuss our plans for the following day and what we plan to accomplish this season! Enjoy!
Week 1 of Maine’s Deer season is in the books. Many hunters found success during that first week. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic deer season! (We just need some snow😉) Enjoy!
What started out as a slow season (as far as deer sightings), things turned on a dime. You never know when your big buck will be right in front of you. Mark capitalized on the first buck he saw of the season and it was a dandy. We definitely had an eventful end to our second week of Maine’s deer season. With rifle season half over, we are now consistently seeing bucks and are optimistic about what the second half of the season holds. Enjoy!
All good things eventually come to an end. It’s always sad when deer season in Maine comes to a close because it’s a long 11 months until next year. In this episode, we discuss the end of our season, what went well and what we would have done differently. We also discuss various things we enjoyed over the season such as our reunion deer camp trip, meat processing and our desire to keep our deer hunting as simple as possible. We hope you enjoy the latest episode and wish each all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy!
In this episode, we dive into the emotional and ethical complexities of hunting, exploring why many real deer hunters feel conflicted about harvesting deer. While hunting is often viewed as a tradition or a sport, for seasoned hunters, the act of harvesting a deer is never taken lightly. Join us as we uncover the deeper reasons why we feel a sense of regret, respect, or even sadness after making a successful harvest. From the connection to nature, to the responsibility of wildlife conservation, we discuss the unspoken truths behind what it means to be a true hunter and why, for many, the act of harvesting a deer is never as simple as it seems. Whether you're a hunter yourself or just curious about the realities behind the sport, this episode offers a raw and honest look at the emotional side of hunting. Enjoy!
These days, finding quality gear at a reasonable price is becoming harder and harder. The right outdoor gear can make or break your experience in the field. In this episode of "Built to Last", we break down our approach to finding high-quality hunting, fishing, and outdoor equipment. When we invest in gear that won't let us down, we are always searching for value that will meet our specific needs. By taking a customized approach- by first identifying our needs, how a new piece of gear can meet that need over a long period of time, what we can afford- creates a litmus test for identifying gear that will provide value for years to come. Enjoy!
In part 2 with Robbie Kilcollins, we continue on with our discussion about his stellar Maine 2024 buck. We share more stories and compare and contrast our different styles of hunting. We had great time and could have talked with Robbie for hours more. Enjoy!
This week, Robbie Kilcollins joins us to tell his story of harvesting Maine’s 2024 heaviest buck at 540 yards. Just as important, he explains how he prepares so he has the ability to make those shots consistently. It was a great conversation with lots of stories and laughs. Enjoy!
What does it take to become a better deer hunter in Maine? Or how about life in general? People don't become better by accident. In this episode, we break down how intentionality—through humility, patience, consistency and preparation—leads to growth both in the woods and in life. From simply being curious to learn or how well we manage bad experiences- these play a vital roll in how we grow and become better everyday. Join us as we embrace getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and understanding that failure can be our friend. Enjoy!
This week, we sit down and discuss a few stories, share some recent happenings and our views on calling bucks while tracking deer. 20-30 years ago, not many deer trackers used calls all that often. However, in recent years, calling while tracking has become more common. In fact, nowadays I'd think it's safe to say, most...if not every deer hunter in the northeast carries a call. So, we share our thoughts on calling while deer hunting in the big woods and if it really makes much difference. Enjoy!
With the holiday season over and deer season but a recent memory, winter is a time of reflection for a deer hunter. It may start with a review of the season but for me, it always turns down this path of various life lessons, experiences and what I have for near-term goals. Join us as we discuss some of everyday life lessons that always seem to be applicable to the deer hunter. From having an "attitude of gratitude" to handling the ups and downs of life...one thing is for certain...a deer hunter never gives up! Enjoy!
Remember to always anchor your portable ice fishing shack...or it could become a kite!
I get a lot of questions regarding what camera gear and mounts I use (particularly the over the shoulder mount). So here it is...just in time for hunting season! I go over my main cameras, mics and mounts and how I use them in a convenient fashion so as not to be too intrusive on my hunt. I still want to enjoy the hunt but want to film too...I want the best of both worlds! I hope this helps👍 Enjoy!
There are a lot of good sight options for today's deer hunter. They vary from simple iron sights to the latest and greatest telescopic sights. While the majority of deer hunters gravitate towards scoping their deer rifles (I'm guilty), there seems to be lesser thought about simpler sights. We tend to be bombarded by ads driven at selling us the latest and greatest scopes and much debate about which ones are the best. So much so, that we might lose focus on the fundamentals of why we choose the sights that we do in the first place. Especially if one is new to the sport...we must ask some very basic questions; What is my predominant style of deer hunting? What qualities should I be looking for in a sight that best suits my style of hunting? Is a scope even necessary? Let's answer these questions and more and discuss why I ended up choosing a scope...and why the Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm suits my style. Enjoy!
I spent the better part of the past 3 years in search of the perfect side-by-side shotgun. There are many nuances that are worth considering when buying the perfect side-by-side and I want to share some of the many intricacies that can make or break your shooting experience. Follow along as I break down the criteria I used to narrow down my search for the ideal side-by-side shotgun for myself. While your preferences may be different than mine, I feel this information can help anyone in their quest for a new shotgun. Enjoy!
A Dutch Oven: Your all-in-one camping cookware. What else can I say besides it's all you need?! Enjoy!
I frequently get asked how does one go about deer hunting northern Maine. What gear is required, where to hunt, how to hunt...etc. Deer hunting northern Maine is tough. There are very few deer per square mile. Somedays it can seem like you're hunting on a deserted island. However, deer hunting northern Maine is one of the most beautifully satisfying experiences...and it offers you a chance to possibly shoot the biggest bodied deer of your life! So, that being said, these next few videos are GEARED (pun intended😂) towards the individual who has never hunted northern Maine but would like to. In this video we cover the equipment we use and why we use it. I hope this helps answer some questions for that new deer hunter in northern Maine! Enjoy!
Where and how do we hunt northern Maine? The answer...it all depends😁. It depends on the weather, depends on the time, it depends on how we feel (we will explain😉). For the beginner, it can seem a bit daunting on where and how to start hunting northern Maine. The quickest path to success is go with someone you know who is experienced. If you don't know someone with experience, hire a guide. Education always costs something- time and/or money. In part II we break down some of the obstacles that stand in the way of the novice fast tracking their way to success in northern Maine and how we feel those obstacles can be overcome. Enjoy!
A little behind the scenes/tour of our camp and how it was acquired by the family. Enjoy!
Raw footage and unpublished scenes from Mark's 2024 Maine Moose Hunt.
