The True North Lifestyle Podcast

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 authen...

What creates a legendary deer hunter? In Episode #26 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, the crew sits down with the legendary Lanny Benoit alongside Timmy Bolduc and Glenn Bombardier for one of the most personal and in-depth conversations yet about the origins of the Benoit Bucks legacy, growing up in the Vermont woods, learning to track deer, competitive shooting, snowmobile racing, and the min...

What actually makes fish bite? Why do fish hit one lure… and completely ignore another? If you’ve ever wondered why one lure works one day and not the next… this conversation will change how you think about fishing. In this episode, Christian Carlson of Northeast Troller https://northeasttroller.com/discount/TTN breaks down the real factors behind what triggers fish to strike—from lure design and...

What happens when you stop avoiding the tough topics… and finally say what everyone’s thinking? In this episode, Joe, Rick, Lee Libby, and “Old Guide Mike” dive headfirst into some of the biggest hot button issues in the hunting and outdoor community right now—from Maine legislation to hound hunting, Sunday hunting, and the future of our traditions. This one gets real. From celebrating the passing...

Ever had one of those trips where everything turns into chaos… in the best way possible? 13 guys. Moosehead Lake. Ice fishing. A massive bonfire. And a podcast recorded right in the middle of it all. But this trip wasn’t just fun—it got real. This episode of The True North Lifestyle Podcast is different than anything we’ve done before. We brought the mics to camp, rotated guys in and out (musical...

🚨 Maine moose hunting is at a turning point and this conversation matters. This could be voted on Thursday (3/26) — action is needed NOW! In Episode 22 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, Joe sits down with James Cody, Executive Director of the Maine Professional Guides Association, and Lee Schanz Jr of Big Woods Bucks to break down two major issues that could impact the future of moose hunting,...

Stranded in the Alaskan bush. Giant brook trout in Labrador. Snowmobiling in Jackman. A lifetime of wild outdoor stories. In Episode 21 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, the guys are joined by a special guest we’ve been wanting to get behind the mic for a long time — Rick’s dad, Mike Labbe. Mike shares decades of unforgettable hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling adventures that helped shape Rick...

What part of winter in Maine are you living for right now — snowmobiling, ice fishing, bobcat hunting, grooming trails, or scouting for spring? The boys are finally back behind the mics. In Episode 20 of The True North Lifestyle Podcast, Joe sits down with Rick Labbe and Lee Libby for a long-overdue winter catch-up that covers everything from western bowhunts to Maine cat season to the future of o...

Some hunts become stories. Some stories become legends. In Episode 19, we sit down with Kode Paradise, a 19-year-old hunter from Jackman, Maine, who spent three seasons chasing the same buck. He missed him twice, learned hard lessons, and finally crossed paths with him again — running with a doe — making a shot that changed everything. This episode is about more than one buck. It’s about focus, pa...

Kick back and hang out with Garnett—aka BIG G, the “Master of Disaster”—as he unleashes the wildest hunting stories of his life! Mike Stevens, Rick Labbe, and Joe Kruse join in, sharing laughs, reflections, and their own unforgettable moments as Garnett takes us through a full season of adventures. From sneaking out at midnight at age 10 with a flashlight and a 410, to tracking giant bucks in Sask...

This episode is pure True North Lifestyle storytelling. Some opportunities only come once — and this conversation is all about having the courage to say yes when they do. The central theme of this episode is recognizing opportunity and taking action, even when the outcome is uncertain. Josh explains how the biggest adventures of his life: hunting, flying, traveling, and building an outdoor lifesty...

In this episode, Joe Kruse and Rick Labbe sit down with Glenn Bombardier and the legendary Lanny Benoit, one of the greatest buck trackers to ever walk the big woods. From jaw-dropping deer stories across Maine, Vermont, and the Golden Road, to the brutal camps, school buses, wild adventures, and the early years of the Benoit brothers, this episode is packed with deep woods knowledge, humor, histo...

This is a podcast you won’t forget. Stephan White joins Joe Kruse in the studio to relive the unforgettable hunting story where he finally tagged his first deer—after 36 years of hunting since 1987. Guided by Joe for two seasons with Big Woods Outfitters at Lake Parlin Lodge, this was Steve’s third year hunting on his own under the American Plan, and he finally connected with the buck he had been...

The boys from STAGR GEAR, Adam Lamson and Greg Gove, join us for an action-packed podcast, we talk hunting in the Northeast, sharing epic stories, gear tips, and family hunting moments you won’t want to miss. From bow season thrills to crossbow game-changers, and from teaching a 3-year-old grandson to hunt, to a wife’s first moose —this episode has it all!🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode:* The...

This episode starts off with Jason Delpalazzo sharing stories from his Alaska moose hunt, from the long travel days and camp life to the challenges of filming in the backcountry. He talks about the scale of Alaska’s wilderness, the differences in calling moose compared to Maine, and the unforgettable moments that come when you finally connect after putting in the work. Then Rick dives into his Wyo...

Ever wonder what it’s like to run a general store at the heart of Maine’s big woods hunting culture? In this episode, Joe, Lee, and Rick sit down with Ryan Cowper, owner of the Flagstaff General Store in the Stratton–Eustis region. Ryan and his family have built a true community hub, serving food, renting cabins, and operating one of the busiest deer tagging stations in western Maine. Last season...

Ever wonder what it’s like behind the scenes at a taxidermy shop? In this episode, we sit down with Jeff to talk all things taxidermy, Maine’s legendary bucks, and the stories hunters bring with their mounts. From hearing the same story three times (when a deer gets dropped off, checked in on, and finally picked up) to preserving giants from the big woods, Jeff shares the heart and passion that go...

Ever wonder what really goes on inside a beehive? 🐝 In this episode, we sit down with Nancy to talk all things beekeeping, honey, and hive life. From swarms and queen bees to the legendary “wiggle dance,” we dive deep into the fascinating world of honeybees and why they’re one of nature’s most intelligent and organized species. We also swap stories from Huntstock, share personal experiences with...

In this episode, Joe, Rick, and Ol’ Guide Mike sit down with Garnett Robinson, nephew of the late Gordon Berry. Garnett shares stories of his early years hunting and fishing with Uncle Gordon and Uncle Ronnie, painting a vivid picture of time spent in the big woods and on the water. The guys reflect on Gordon’s lifelong outdoor passions, hunting, fishing, and shed hunting and celebrate the legacy...

Episode 8 covers stories from harpooning tuna to flying into inaccessible public land, this episode of The True North Lifestyle Podcast is packed with summer stories, western hunting insight, and hilarious guide tales you won’t want to miss. Joe Kruse, Lee Libby, Rick Labbe, and Mikey Stevens sit down to share updates and unforgettable experiences — from DIY moose hunts in brutal terrain to the co...

Episode 7 | Made By Hand: The Story of Walker Knife Co. & Taylor Walker | The True North Lifestyle PodcastIn Episode 7, we sit down with outdoorsman, filmmaker, and master knife maker Taylor Walker of Walker Knife Co. Taylor’s journey—from guiding whitewater rivers and fly fishing to crafting custom knives built to thrive in the toughest backcountry conditions, reveals the heart, soul and pass...

"The Stories That Built Us." In Episode 6, we sit down with our own Jeff Paradis, one of the driving forces behind The True North Lifestyle, lifelong hunter, friend, and storyteller with a passion for pushing limits and making memories in the wild. From the big woods of New England to the jungles of Africa and the peaks of Alaska, Jeff shares what it means to chase your curiosity and say...

Maine Moose Lottery, Winter Ticks & Moose Management with Biologist Lee Kantar | The True North Lifestyle PodcastIn this episode, we’re diving deep into Maine’s moose population with none other than State Moose Biologist Lee Kantar from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife — just in time for the Maine Moose Lottery on June 21st! Topics we cover include:🟤 Winter ticks and th...

Episode 4 | Hunting, Determination & Diagnosis | Brian Aubry | The True North Lifestyle PodcastWelcome back to The True North Lifestyle Podcast! In Episode 4, we’re joined by Brian Aubry, a hunter and outdoorsman who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2019. When you’re faced with a progressive disease, your perspective changes and Brian shares how that urgency has fueled his passion...

Episode 3 : Tall Tales of The True North | Garnett Robinson Welcome back to The True North Lifestyle Podcast! In Episode 3, we sit down with the one and only Garnett "Big G" Robinson, a man full of stories, controversy, and comedy. While we don’t necessarily approve of his methods, you can’t deny he’s entertaining. His adventures and storytelling are second to none. On this episode Garne...