In this episode of the Outdoor Aligned Podcast, Luke sits down in his mancave to talk all things turkey hunting as the season quickly approaches.

He breaks down the latest Missouri regulation changes, including new rules affecting non-resident hunters, updated bag limits, and increased tag prices. Luke also dives into the recent changes to shooting hours—highlighting the shift to all-day hunting on private land and the continued 1 PM cutoff on most public land.

The conversation expands into broader wildlife management topics, including recent predator hunting regulation changes involving coyotes and raccoons, and how these decisions may be tied to improving turkey populations across the state.

Luke also tackles the controversial topic of “reaping” turkeys—where hunters use a decoy to close the distance on a bird. While some consider it unsportsmanlike, Luke shares why he enjoys the adrenaline rush it brings, when he chooses to use it, and tells a few thrilling stories from the field.

Finally, he discusses decoy strategies, emphasizing that success doesn’t always come from the most expensive gear. From budget setups to key details like realistic sizing and using a real tail fan, Luke shares what’s actually worked for him over the years.

If you’re getting ready for turkey season or just enjoy hearing real hunting stories and strategies, this episode is for you.

Thanks for listening to The Outdoor Aligned Podcast

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For bonus drops and raw in-the-field episodes, look for "The Outdoor Drop" releases.
Questions, guest ideas, or feedback? Email outdooraligned@gmail.com
Remember, stay aligned with the outdoors.

On this episode of The Outdoor Aligned Podcast, Luke sits down in the mancave with his buddy Kiley Harpster to talk everything deer.

Kiley shares the full story behind his 7-year-old, 147” 10 pointer he arrowed in December of 2025. This buck was never a “superstar” on trail camera and stayed low on his radar for years — until the end of the 2025 season when Kiley shifted his focus to age and maturity. Once he committed to hunting this deer, it didn’t take long to capitalize.

The craziest part? Kiley has sheds from this buck dating all the way back to the 2021 season, including antlers from when the deer was 3, 5, and 6 years old. Recently, he even picked up the final shed from his 2025 bow kill — bringing the entire story full circle.

From there, the guys dive into shed season 2026. As of early March, Kiley believes 40–50% of bucks are still carrying antlers based on trail camera intel. Luke shares that he’s found 16 sheds so far this season, and spirits are high heading into the back half of the grind.

To wrap things up, Kiley talks about attending the Quest Hunt Competition banquet, where he and his teammate placed 7th overall in Missouri with two outstanding archery bucks. They discuss the future of Quest under new ownership and why competitions like this keep bowhunters motivated.

This episode is all about patience, maturity, long-term deer history, and the moments that make it all worth it.

Thanks for listening to The Outdoor Aligned Podcast

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @TheOutdoorAlignedPodcast
For bonus drops and raw in-the-field episodes, look for "The Outdoor Drop" releases.
Questions, guest ideas, or feedback? Email outdooraligned@gmail.com
Remember, stay aligned with the outdoors.

On this episode of The Outdoor Aligned Podcast, Luke sits down with friend Tyler Cooper of Missouri — a consistently successful whitetail hunter with a passion for chasing mature bucks.

The guys kick things off by diving into the upcoming shed season. They break down how to set realistic goals and expectations when it comes to shed hunting. While “miles for piles” often holds true, the number of sheds you find can depend on several factors — from property layout and deer density to timing and pressure. This conversation keeps it honest and relatable for the everyday outdoorsman.

From there, Tyler shares details about his new Whitetail Consulting business, primarily serving North Missouri. Using his background in forestry and years of whitetail experience, Tyler works with landowners to help them effectively and efficiently manage and hunt for mature deer. If you’re interested in working with Tyler, reach out to him on Facebook or give him a call at 636-699-5814.

To wrap up the episode, Tyler breaks down his incredible 2025 deer season. He brings both of this year’s archery bucks into the mancave to share the stories behind them. Both are big, mature deer — and one comes with a wild backstory and awesome history that you won’t want to miss.

If you’re fired up about shed season, chasing mature whitetails, and learning from real-world experience, this episode is for you.

Thanks for listening to The Outdoor Aligned Podcast

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @TheOutdoorAlignedPodcast
For bonus drops and raw in-the-field episodes, look for "The Outdoor Drop" releases.
Questions, guest ideas, or feedback? Email outdooraligned@gmail.com
Remember, stay aligned with the outdoors.