The Ozark Podcast
Kyle Veit & Kyle Plunkett
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.Our guests and the information they share are especially relevant to men and women in northern Arkansas, southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma, and southeast Kansas.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 10, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 203 - Jack Barclay & Ethan Kemna - Harvesting Mature Whitetails with a New Hunter and a Veteran Hunter
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
It’s the holiday season and we've got two certified big buck hunters with two MASSIVELY different hunting experiences.
In this episode, we're joined by Jack Barclay and Ethan Kemna to discuss their hunting styles, their approaches to the season this year, and their stories of harvesting big ol' mountain bucks.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Prism Glass Co - Luxury residential glass and mirror installation
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 New Studio
7:30 Approaches to Season
14:00 Sam's Rifle Buck
30:30 Josh's Buck
44:00 Takeaways
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ep. 202 - Josh Matthews & Sam Hallam - Harvesting Mature Whitetails with a Weekend Warrior and a Full Time Hunter
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
It’s the holiday season and we've got two certified big buck hunters with two MASSIVELY different approaches this year.
In this episode, we're joined by Josh Matthews and Sam Hallam to discuss their hunting styles, their approaches to the season this year, and their stories of harvesting big ol' mountain bucks.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Prism Glass Co - Luxury residential glass and mirror installation
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 New Studio
3:00 Hunting Styles
7:30 Approaches to Season
17:00 Sam's Rifle Buck
25:30 Josh's Buck
39:30 Sam's Buck
54:00 Takeaways
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 27min
Ep. 201 - The Check Station - Our Solution to the CWD Issue and The Florida Black Bear Hunt Controversy
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
It’s November in the Ozarks which means deer season is in full swing, the trail cams are buzzing, and the cold fronts are making everyone (including the bucks) act a little weird.
In this episode of The Check Station, we recap everything that’s happened so far during the rut, including one of the wildest weeks in Ozark Podcast hunting history: missed deer, buck fever, high wind sits, drone recovery talk, trail cam busts, and multiple shooter sightings.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Prism Glass Co - Luxury residential glass and mirror installation
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 Welcome to The Check Station
3:00 Hither and Yonder
23:00 Reel Reactions
42:00 Shootin' from the Hip
56:40 The Check Station
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Nov 19, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 200 - Drew Atkinson - The Most Important Deer Feature for Late Rut Hunting (And How to Find It)
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
As peak rut dwindles and we enter into late rut, finding rut funnels is our guest's biggest advice for locating big, mature bucks.
In this episode, we're back with Drew Atkinson, a fan favorite and Ozark deer whisperer who mountain man strategies inspire us every time we sit down with him.
We get into rut funnels, doe groups, buck sign, and the late rut that most people forget about.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Prism Glass Co - Luxury residential glass and mirror installation
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 Rut Strategy
5:00 Finding 'Rut Funnels'
12:00 How to Hunt Funnels
26:00 Buck Sign
37:30 Late December Rut
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep. 199 - Derrick Dixon of Whitetail Research - The Hunting Ethics of Thermal Drones and Cell Cameras
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
Technology keeps advancing at rapid rates: should 'fair chase' and hunting ethicality evolve with it?
In this episode, we're back with Derrick Dixon of Whitetail Research, whose viral YouTube videos and data-driven insights are changing everything we thought we knew about mature buck behavior.
We get into thermal drones, cell cameras, trail cameras, and how Derrick uses (or rather doesn't use) his collected data to achieve an unwanted advantage over deer in the ozarks.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Prism Glass Co - Luxury residential glass and mirror installation
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 Ethics of Drone Research
13:30 Defining 'Fair Chase'
26:00 Drone Laws
35:00 Cell Cameras
44:30 Bumping Deer
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Nov 5, 2025 • 58min
Ep. 198 - Derrick Dixon of Whitetail Research - What Drone Footage of Mature Ozark Bucks Reveals About Preferred Bedding, Movement Patterns, and Cold Fronts
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
What happens when you skip an entire deer season to fly a thermal drone and collect over 150 data points per deer?
In this episode, we sit down with the man who did just that: Derrick Dixon of Whitetail Research, whose viral YouTube videos and data-driven insights are changing everything we thought we knew about mature buck behavior.
Derrick reveals why bucks don’t always bed on the leeward side, the shocking truth behind cold fronts, and the differences between morning and evening mature buck movement. Whether you're a die-hard hunter or curious land manager, this is your masterclass in understanding mature Ozark whitetails like never before.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 Derrick's "overnight" success
9:30 Drone research insights
23:00 Morning vs. Evening Movement
32:00 Mature Buck Bedding
40:00 Debunked Deer Myths
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Oct 29, 2025 • 53min
Ep. 197 - Brian Slane - The "Little Spike" Method for Finding Mature Bucks in the Ozarks
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
This episode is going to flip your hunting world upside down! We're back wtih Brian Slane, and this time, we go deep into his hunting system for Mature Ozark bucks.
From weather-first stand selection to why the little spike buck may be your best intel during the rut, Brian breaks down the hidden rules mature bucks live by and how you can finally crack the code.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 How to Get Mature Bucks in Range
10:00 The "Little Spike" Method
23:30 Still Hunting
29:00 Preferred Bedding Areas
38:00 Hunting from a Map
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep. 196 - Brian Slane - The Most Overlooked Deer Behavior that Most Hunters Miss
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
Strap in Ozarkers, this episode with Brian Slane is EXACTLY what we've been looking for heading into the spooky season that is...Ozark Mountain Buck Hunting.
In this episode, we discuss rub lines, wind switches, rattling methods, and the most overlooked deer behavior pattern that Brian uses to predict (to the day) when he'll harvest his buck each year.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 Developing a Deer System
16:30 Rattling
26:30 Rub Lines
49:00 Stand Placement
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com

Oct 17, 2025 • 21min
Ep. 195 - The Old Ozarks - Owning the Corn in the Field of Dreams (S1: E12)
Welcome to the Old Ozarks with Dr. Brooks Blevins...
For our Season 1 finale, we look back at the famous (or rather 'infamous') life of Southern Missouri native and major league catcher, Mickey Owens and his involvement affiliation with...corn? No, that's not a typo.
Let's dive into this episode of The Old Ozarks...
What is The Old Ozarks?
The Old Ozarks is your gateway to the forgotten history of the Ozarks. Hosted by renowned historian Dr. Brooks Blevins, the leading authority on the region’s history, this podcast explores the lives, legends, and landscapes that have shaped this unique region.
Whether you’re a native Ozarker, a new resident, or a curious listener, join us as we share the stories that make the Ozarks special and connect us to our past.
Oct 15, 2025 • 43min
Ep. 194 - McRee Anderson - The History of Fire Suppression on the Ozark Landscape (And Its Negative Consequences)
→ Join our community on Patreon "The Holler"
For thousands of years, fire shaped the Ozarks: clearing land, nourishing native plants, and creating the vibrant ecosystems once teeming with quail, wildflowers, and red-headed woodpeckers. But sometime around 1920, everything changed. ..
In this episode, we sit down with McRee Anderson with The Nature Conservancy, to talk about the history of fire in the Ozarks, what the landscape looked like before fire suppression, and how controlled burns are helping to restore the balance.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 History of fire on the landscape
15:30 What happened in 1920?
30:00 Benefits of adding fire to the landscape
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com


