Truth From The Stand Deer Hunting Podcast · Clint Campbell

EP.449: Unplug, Hunt Harder | Cody D’Acquisto

·1 hr 42 min·5 clips

Cody describes how his NICU trauma created an aura that made deer literally arc around him in the timber.

Host Clint Campbell welcomes Cody D’Acquisto, a dedicated bowhunter known as "The Dying Breed," to discuss mental approaches to hunting. They explore the challenge of disconnecting from technology and daily pressures to achieve greater focus and presence in the woods. Cody shares his recent month-long family road trip, which he uses as an annual reset to escape screens and recharge before hunting season. He describes observing a man reading a book for seven hours straight as an example of profound presence he aspires to achieve. Cody explains his struggle to balance work demands with the need to unplug, noting that returning from trips often highlights how "everyday life" feels burdensome by comparison. The conversation shifts to the impact of AI, with both agreeing it often raises productivity expectations rather than freeing up personal time. Cody details his upcoming "roadshow" events, which are intimate, ticket-based gatherings for mobile hunters featuring handpicked speakers from various regions and hunting styles. These events include gear demonstrations, mapping workshops where speakers walk through actual kill sites, and panel discussions on tactics like scouting and bed hunting. Cody emphasizes learning from attendees, recalling an older hunter's insights about acorn production at specific elevations and a customer's improvised gear modification that inspired a design change. He stresses the value of absorbing information from diverse sources, whether about tracking, soil analysis, or local food patterns, to continuously refine one's approach. A key insight is Cody's hunting philosophy of eliminating unproductive ground to focus intensely on a few high-potential areas, rather than spreading efforts too thinly. He compares this to athletic training, where specializing yields better results than dabbling in everything. The mapping segment at his roadshows is particularly popular, allowing hunters to analyze real scenarios involving thermals, access, and terrain. Cody believes many hunters are close to success but need a slight mental shift or new perspective to connect the final dots. The tone is casual and conversational, with two friends exchanging experiences and philosophies about hunting and lifestyle. This episode would appeal to hunters interested in the mental game, scouting strategies, and building a more intentional, focused approach to the sport. Listeners seeking highly technical gear reviews or purely narrative hunting stories might find less value here.

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