The True North Lifestyle Podcast

Episode 31 is about more than announcing a new partnership. It’s about passing on the legacy.Joe and Lee sit down with Ken Chase of L.L. Cote to officially announce a new partnership between The True North Lifestyle and one of New Hampshire’s most recognized North Country sporting goods destinations.At the heart of the partnership is a shared goal: getting more kids involved in hunting, fishing and the outdoors — and making sure the traditions we grew up with are passed on to the next generation.To kick things off, True North and L.L. Cote collaborated on a limited run of 25 True North Marlin lever-action rifles, featuring the True North name and compass rose on one side and an American flag with the word LEGACY on the other. A portion from each firearm will go toward youth-focused outdoor initiatives, including helping provide lifetime hunting licenses to young hunters.But that’s only the beginning.Ken talks about L.L. Cote, its history in Errol, New Hampshire, and the outdoor community that has grown around the store. From there, the conversation covers Marlin lever actions, different calibers, changes in the firearms industry, suppressors, Walker Knife Co., STAGR, True Estrus and True Dominance, and plenty of hunting-camp conversation.Ken also shares his incredible story as an Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, including surviving an IED blast in Iraq, before the conversation turns back to family, kids and why preserving the outdoor lifestyle matters.The guys also get into Maine moose hunting, calling bulls, hunts donated to veterans, lessons learned in the woods and a preview of Joe’s upcoming episode about his Alaska moose hunt.For us, this partnership represents what The True North Lifestyle has always been about.The outdoors gave all of us something worth holding onto. Now it’s our responsibility to pass it on.CHAPTERS00:00 — Welcome Back01:20 — Meet Ken Chase from L.L. Cote02:13 — The True North x L.L. Cote Partnership02:46 — Getting More Youth Into the Outdoors05:15 — The True North Marlin & the Meaning Behind “LEGACY”06:05 — The History & Community of L.L. Cote10:17 — Supporting Youth Hunters12:20 — Walker Knife Co. & STAGR16:15 — True Estrus & True Dominance17:02 — Marlin Lever Actions & Gun Talk24:26 — Suppressors & the Firearms Industry28:30 — Ken’s Purple Heart Story30:07 — Family, Kids & Wild Game32:14 — Maine Moose Hunting Stories37:54 — Moose Calling & Hunting Strategy43:53 — Donating a Moose Hunt to a Veteran48:21 — The Limited True North Marlin Run53:06 — Joe’s Alaska Moose Hunt Preview55:39 — What’s Next for True North & L.L. Cote57:51 — Passing On the Legacy🤝 PARTNERS & SPONSORS🧥 STAGR GearPremium hunting apparel built for serious hunters. Save 10% with code TTN.https://stagrgear.com🏪 L.L. CoteProud partner of The True North Lifestyle. A North Country destination in Errol, New Hampshire for hunting, fishing, firearms, archery and outdoor gear.https://llcote.com🦌 Peak Taxidermy — You Hunt It, We Honor ItHigh-quality, long-lasting mounts built to honor your hunt and preserve the memory for a lifetime.https://www.peaktaxidermy.com🔪 Walker Knife Co.Handcrafted knives made in Maine for hunters, guides and outdoorsmen.https://walkerknifeco.com🏕 Lake Parlin LodgeCabin rentals, hunting-season stays and Maine outdoor adventures.https://lakeparlinlodge.com🦌 THE TRUE SERIESTrue Estrus & True Dominance Buck Tarsalhttps://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop📲 STAY CONNECTED🌐 Websitehttps://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📺 YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruenorthlifestyle👍 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📧 Sponsorship OpportunitiesInterested in featuring your business in future podcasts, films and [email protected]

Jeff from Peak Taxidermy returns to The True North Lifestyle Podcast for Episode 30.The last time Jeff joined us, he was getting ready to take a chance on himself — leaving a good full-time job to pursue Peak Taxidermy. Now he’s back to tell us how that decision has played out and what his first year working for himself has really been like.We go behind the scenes of the taxidermy business and talk about what happens after you drop off your trophy, tanning and turnaround times, custom forms, pricing, mount longevity, moose and detachable antlers, and why quality taxidermy can take a year or more.With hunting season here, Jeff also shares some important advice on field care and caping, including common mistakes hunters make and what you can do to give your taxidermist the best possible starting point.We also talk about balancing the busiest time of year in the shop with Jeff’s own hunting season, his favorite animals to work on, upcoming hunts, and plenty more.Whether you’ve got a trophy on the wall or you’re hoping to put one there this fall, this episode gives you a look at the work that happens between the day of the hunt and the day that memory comes home.🤝 PARTNERS & SPONSORS🧥 STAGR GearPremium hunting apparel built for serious hunters. Save 10% OFF with promo code TTN.https://stagrgear.com🏪 L.L. Cote- Proud partner of The True North Lifestyle. A Maine destination for hunting, fishing, firearms, archery equipment , outdoor gear, and everything you need for your next adventure.https://llcote.com🦌 Peak Taxidermy — You Hunt It, We Honor ItThis video is brought to you in part by Peak Taxidermy. Jeff at Peak Taxidermy delivers high-quality, long-lasting mounts that honor your hunt and preserve the memory for a lifetime.https://www.peaktaxidermy.com🔪 Walker Knife Co.Handcrafted knives made in Maine. Built for hunters, guides, and outdoorsmen.https://walkerknifeco.com🏕 Lake Parlin LodgeNow booking weekly deer season cabin rentals and unforgettable Maine outdoor adventures.https://lakeparlinlodge.com🦌 THE TRUE SERIESTrue Estrus & True Dominance Buck Tarsalhttps://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop📲 STAY CONNECTED🌐 Websitehttps://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📺 YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruenorthlifestyle👍 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📧 Sponsorship OpportunitiesInterested in featuring your business in future podcast episodes, films, and YouTube [email protected]

What should you do after the shot when an animal doesn’t go down and the blood trail starts to disappear? Do you keep tracking, back out, or call in a dog?In Episode #29 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, Joe Kruse and Jeff Paradis sit down with veteran Maine blood trackers Susanne Hamilton and Lindsay Ware for an in-depth conversation about tracking and recovering wounded game, including deer, moose, and bear.With hundreds of tracks each season and years of experience working tracking dogs, Susanne and Lindsay have seen just about everything that can happen after the shot. They explain when hunters should keep tracking, when to back out, when to call a tracker, and why common mistakes like grid searching can make recovering an animal much more difficult.They also break down how tracking dogs can follow wounded game for hundreds of yards with little or no visible blood, what the dogs may actually be following, and why archery and firearm tracks can present very different challenges.The conversation covers high-spine shots, gut shots, leg hits, shot reactions, recovery timing, tracking wounded bears, dangerous moose encounters, recovery rates, and what hunters should do when a blood trail disappears.Joe also shares a memorable moose hunt where the animal dropped instantly, appeared to be down for good, and then unexpectedly got back up and ran—leading to an important discussion about high-spine hits and why hunters shouldn't always assume an animal that drops immediately is dead.Most importantly, Susanne and Lindsay share practical advice every big-game hunter should know: mark where the animal was standing, mark its direction of travel, physically mark blood and other sign, avoid walking directly on the track, and know when it's time to stop and call for help.Whether you hunt deer, moose, bear, or other big game, this episode is packed with real-world blood-tracking and recovery knowledge that could make all the difference when a hunt doesn't go according to plan.Save this episode before hunting season and share it with another hunter.🧥 STAGR GearPremium hunting apparel built for serious hunters. Save 10% with promo code TTN.https://stagrgear.com🏪 L.L. CoteProud partner of The True North Lifestyle and a Maine destination for hunting, fishing, firearms and outdoor gear.🦌 Peak Taxidermy — You Hunt It, We Honor ItHigh-quality, long-lasting mounts built to honor your hunt and preserve the memory for a lifetime.https://www.peaktaxidermy.com🔪 Walker Knife Co.Handcrafted knives made in Maine for hunters, guides and outdoorsmen.https://walkerknifeco.com🏕 Lake Parlin LodgeMaine lodging and unforgettable outdoor adventures.https://lakeparlinlodge.com🦌 THE TRUE SERIESTrue Estrus & True Dominance Buck Tarsalhttps://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📺 https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle📸 https://www.instagram.com/thetruenorthlifestyle👍 https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📧 Sponsorship Opportunities: [email protected]#BloodTracking #Hunting #TrackingDogs #MaineHunting🤝 PARTNERS & SPONSORS📲 FOLLOW THE TRUE NORTH LIFESTYLE

An underwater drone revealed a 1974 Camaro sitting on the bottom of Sebago Lake.Jason Smith of Maine Freshwater Exploration: Going Deep joins Joe Kruse, Rick Labbe, and Jeff Paradis to tell the incredible story behind the discovery—and what happened when a recovery team tried to bring the car back to the surface after nearly 50 years underwater.Jason originally returned to Sebago Lake searching for a 1991 Polaris Indy 500 snowmobile that had disappeared through the ice. With only minutes of battery power remaining, he spotted something unexpected in the distance: a 1974 Camaro resting on the lake bottom.The discovery led to an investigation and recovery effort involving divers, law enforcement, lift bags, boats, and plenty of questions about how the car ended up there.Jason also shares how his curiosity about Maine’s lakes, rivers, fish, and hidden underwater world inspired him to launch Maine Freshwater Exploration. The crew discusses underwater drone technology, recovering lost fishing equipment, exploring beneath the ice, locating sunken vehicles, and the strange objects Jason has discovered underwater.They also dive into brook trout, lake trout, cusk, spawning areas, spring holes, thermoclines, river currents, and what underwater footage has taught Jason about where fish actually hold.From schools of lake trout to lost phones, fishing rods, anchors, bottles, sunken vehicles, and a tree covered in fishing lures, you never know what the drone will reveal next.If you enjoy Maine fishing, underwater exploration, lost treasure, sunken vehicles, fish behavior, and outdoor mysteries, this episode is for you.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:43 Meet Jason Smith03:30 What inspired the underwater drone07:58 Launching Maine Freshwater Exploration13:40 Dropping his phone in 130 feet of water15:00 Recovering lost items18:19 Navigating without GPS20:16 Exploring beneath the ice21:40 Can you fish with an underwater drone?23:00 What fish finders may really be showing25:32 Jason’s strangest discoveries29:30 A tree covered in fishing lures32:25 Finding a 1991 snowmobile37:31 Discovering a 1974 Camaro38:45 Investigating the sunken car40:25 Planning the recovery42:04 Who owns a recovered vehicle?42:45 Divers inspect the Camaro45:48 The Camaro rolls during the first lift52:10 How badly the car had deteriorated54:00 Could a drone help solve a cold case?1:02:17 What Jason learned about fish behavior1:04:08 Fisheries biologists and underwater drones1:05:17 Hundreds of spawning lake trout1:06:58 How deep do fish live?1:12:08 Find Maine Freshwater ExplorationFOLLOW JASON SMITHYouTube & Facebook: Maine Freshwater Exploration: Going Deep📧 [email protected] & SPONSORS🎟 HuntstockSave 10% with promo code TTN.https://huntstockevents.com/buy-tickets🧥 STAGR GearSave 10% with promo code TTN.https://stagrgear.com🔪 Walker Knife Co.Handcrafted knives made in Maine.https://walkerknifeco.com🏕 Lake Parlin LodgeWeekly deer-season cabin rentals and Maine outdoor adventures.https://lakeparlinlodge.comSPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES📧 [email protected] CONNECTED📺 https://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕 https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 https://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 https://www.instagram.com/thetruenorthlifestyle

After 35 years of chasing giant Saskatchewan whitetails, Rick and Mike Labbe have stories most hunters will never experience. From once-in-a-lifetime bucks to remote fly-in fishing trips, close calls, and unbelievable adventures, this episode is packed with stories you'll remember long after it's over.If you love deer hunting, big bucks, fly-in fishing, brook trout, lake trout, and authentic hunting camp stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Welcome to the new podcast studio00:42 Meet Mike Labbe01:10 STAGR's new wool hunting gear03:10 Lanny Benoit's deer hunting clinics04:10 Lanny's handmade knives05:55 Podcast updates07:30 Spring fishing season08:20 Canada's incredible fly-in fishing10:00 Family adventures in remote wilderness12:45 Giant brook trout & lake trout stories15:45 Labrador, Ontario & Alaska fishing adventures19:10 How Rick discovered Saskatchewan hunting20:40 Their unforgettable first Saskatchewan trip22:00 The giant buck Rick still thinks about23:20 Rick announces the 2026 Buck Bash24:15 Bring your biggest buck to display25:00 FREE official deer scoring26:30 Knife making & giveaways27:50 Live taxidermy demonstrations28:40 Food trucks, music & family activities30:00 Buck Bash details & ticket information31:10 Mike's incredible 193-inch Saskatchewan buck34:30 Why Saskatchewan produces giant whitetails38:45 The giant 8-pointer Mike passed43:45 Returning to Alberta after 20 years44:10 Alberta outfitter horror stories49:00 One of the wildest hunting stories you'll ever hear🦌 Rick Labbe's 2026 Buck Bash📅 Saturday, July 25, 2026📍 Clinton Fairgrounds • Clinton, Maine✔ Bring your favorite buck to display✔ FREE official scoring by Northeast Big Bucks✔ Maine Antler & Skull Trophy Club scorers✔ Live taxidermy demonstrations✔ Knife making demonstrations✔ Free knife sharpening✔ Huge raffles & giveaways✔ Live music✔ Food trucks✔ Kids activities🎟️ Buy tickets early to receive bonus raffle tickets!🎟️ Tickets:https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop/ols/products/2026-buck-bash-tickets🤝 Partners & Sponsors:🎟 HuntstockGet 10% OFF your tickets with promo code TTN.https://huntstockevents.com/buy-tickets🧥 STAGR GearPremium hunting apparel built for serious hunters. Save 10% OFF with promo code TTN.https://stagrgear.com🔪 Walker Knife Co.Handcrafted knives made in Maine. Built for hunters, guides, and outdoorsmen.https://walkerknifeco.com🏕 Lake Parlin LodgeNow booking weekly deer season cabin rentals and unforgettable Maine outdoor adventures.https://lakeparlinlodge.com🎯 Sponsorship OpportunitiesInterested in featuring your business in future podcast episodes and YouTube videos?📧 [email protected] Connected📺 YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@TrueNorthLifestyle👕https://thetruenorthlifestyle.com/shop🌐 Websitehttps://thetruenorthlifestyle.com📖 Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BC7Yrdq1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr👍 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/16597WbQ3B/?mibextid=wwXIfr📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruenorthlifestyleIf you enjoy whitetail deer hunting, big woods bucks, Saskatchewan hunting, Canadian whitetails, fly-in fishing, brook trout, lake trout, moose hunting, outdoor adventures, and hunting camp stories, make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE. New videos and podcasts are released every week!