Moving to Iowa with Justin Synan

Moving states is one thing. Moving your family, your career, and your entire hunting identity is something else entirely.

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Synan to talk through the real story behind his move from Virginia to Kentucky and ultimately to Iowa. We dig into what actually drives those decisions: family, faith, frustration, opportunity, and the reality of chasing big whitetails without losing yourself along the way.

We talk about the culture shock of new states, the realities of hunting pressure and baiting laws, why you can’t just “trip into” a big deer, and how expectations can quietly ruin the experience if you’re not careful. Justin opens up about what worked, what didn’t, and how perspective changes when kids, marriage, and long-term goals start weighing more than inches of antler.

It’s a candid conversation about risk, patience, and figuring out what “success” actually looks like, both in the woods and at home.

If you’ve ever daydreamed about moving to a whitetail mecca, felt stuck where you’re at, or wondered whether the grind is worth it, this episode is a great example of what it could look like to make the move.



Presented by: Nosler
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Okayest Hunter
Deer Hunting Podcast
Putting an end to hunter shaming, returning to our roots as deer hunters, and having fun outdoors! Join us each week as we host a LIVE Listener Call-In Deer Hunting podcast every Tuesday, streaming to Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram at 6 PM CSD.
We’re the Okayest hunting podcast in the Midwest. We keep it casual and drink bourbon and beer while chatting with known and unknown deer, elk, and other hunters around the country.
Wisconsin-based deer hunting podcast. It's your tag; hunt how you want.

• No. of episodes: 493
• Latest episode: 2026-04-14
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