Truth From The Stand Deer Hunting Podcast · Clint Campbell

EP. 448: Crafting Tradition | Trent Wengerd

·1 hr 25 min·5 clips

Trent Wengerd risked everything to build bows full-time after a quote changed his perspective on passion.

This episode features host Clint Campbell interviewing bowyer and hunter Trent Wengerd, who grew up hunting in the Idaho-Montana border region. They discuss the significance of hunting location and the concept of "type 2 fun" in outdoor pursuits. Wengerd shares his background, having started hunting with a traditional bow at age 12 and later building custom bows professionally. The conversation covers Wengerd's early hunting experiences with his older brothers, who primarily pursued archery elk. He recalls learning from them but also emphasizes the value of solo hunting to accelerate skill development. Wengerd describes the challenging timbered terrain of northwest Montana and northern Idaho, noting elk populations there have changed over time. He mentions a recent moose scouting trip with family in a Montana basin, referencing a tag his father filled in 2009. Campbell shares his own difficult elk hunting experiences in Idaho, including a close encounter with a bull that remained unseen at 15 yards. An interesting insight is Wengerd's view that becoming a proficient elk hunter often requires learning to hunt effectively alone. He contrasts hunting styles within his family, noting one brother focuses almost exclusively on whitetail deer and enjoys rattling sequences. The discussion explores how personal preference shapes hunting, with Campbell stating his own preference for hunting big whitetails in open country where he can glass. Wengerd reflects on the added value of choosing a demanding location, like an eight-mile backpack trip, to elevate a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. The tone is casual and conversational, filled with personal anecdotes and reflections between two experienced hunters. It adopts an educational style, imparting lessons learned from decades in the field. Listeners who enjoy stories about Western big-game hunting, family hunting traditions, and philosophical discussions on hunting ethos will appreciate this episode. Those seeking highly technical advice on gear or tactics might find the broader, narrative-focused approach less immediately applicable.

As heard by us

Brotherly rivalry and whitetail talk, with a blunt reminder to hunt your own way.

This episode stays on the quieter, more domestic side of hunting talk: family comparisons, different styles, and the old question of who really spends the most time in the woods.

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Why you'd press play

Brotherly hunting talk that turns sibling rivalry into a reminder that everyone hunts their own way.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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