Lance Porter’s episode of A Hunter’s Legacy begins with an Iowa deer season that did not follow the usual expectations. A south-central Iowa farmer, agronomist, husband, and dad, Lance describes fewer deer, limited mature-buck opportunities, and a decision to leave his own tag unfilled.
In episode 3, he and longtime friend Mitchell Fox talk about how their hunting priorities have changed. The conversation covers family deer camps, pressure to shoot bigger bucks, and why helping someone else can become the best part of a season.
From Shotgun Parties to Bowhunting
Lance’s first exposure to deer hunting came through his dad and a large shotgun group. Family and friends gathered for deer drives, giving him a way to participate before he was ready for long sits in a stand.
His dad also bowhunted with friends. Lance remembers stories about the group drawing stand assignments from a hat, hunting for a week, and then returning to farm work. By his early teens, Lance had a bow of his own.
The equipment was basic compared with what he would use later. His first bow was a Golden Eagle, and he remembers a collection of aluminum arrows with different colors and worn fletching. The interest grew as he experienced deer up close and began thinking more about the animals he wanted to pursue.
Why Age Matters to Lance
Over time, Lance became more interested in a buck’s age than its antler score alone. He explains that he would be excited to hunt an old deer even if its rack was smaller than the bucks attracting attention online.
That distinction matters in a state known for big whitetails. Lance and Mitchell compare their experiences in southern and northern Iowa, including differences in cover, visibility, access, and the chances deer have to reach older age classes.
Lance is careful about the expectation that simply hunting Iowa guarantees a giant. A mature deer still has to be present, and a hunter still has to get an opportunity. His own season was an example of that uncertainty.
A Tough Year on Familiar Ground
During the season discussed in the episode, Lance noticed a major change on properties he knew well. A food plot where he once expected to see around 25 deer sometimes held only five to eight.
He described six consecutive sits without seeing a deer during a stretch when he normally expected activity. He attributed much of the decline to repeated EHD losses in his area. These were his observations on the farms he hunted, rather than a count of Iowa’s statewide herd.
After reviewing his camera pictures and the deer he was seeing, he decided to step back. Without an older buck he wanted to pursue, he was willing to finish the season without a harvest and see what the following year brought.
Helping Seth Fill a Long-Awaited Iowa Tag
There was one mature buck that became central to a friend’s season. Seth Spire had waited six years for an Iowa tag, and Lance helped him plan a hunt on private ground.
Camera pictures showed the buck traveling in a consistent direction. Lance suspected it was using water near its bedding area before continuing toward food. He suggested a stand that might intercept that movement.
Seth made the trip, hunted the spot, and connected with the deer. For Lance, the success belonged to a friend who had waited years for that opportunity. Seth tells his side of the hunt in the next episode.
Keeping Hunting Personal
Lance also talks openly about the competitive side of deer hunting. Chasing antler scores, comparing properties, and worrying about who might lease neighboring ground can wear on the enjoyment.
His own priorities have shifted alongside marriage, kids, and work. He still cares about deer and the challenge of hunting them, but does not need every season to produce a mount or a social-media post.
Hear the full conversation in episode 3 of A Hunter’s Legacy, then read Seth Spire’s account of the Iowa hunt Lance helped make happen.
