John Stanley, 31 - Bordias, Texas

Stanley is a little indecisive when you ask him what he likes to fish for best, because he really loves going after catfish, bass, and crappies. It’s more of the same when it comes to hunting: Ducks, deer, and hogs all fire him up. “I don’t really have a preference, as long as I’m out there doing it,” Stanley says.

The Independence Regional third-place finisher quickly passed the trait down to his sons, Brayden, 9, and Dylan, 7. Both killed their first deer when they were 5, and each boy has taken at least three total. But their dad isn’t just a guide in the field—he’s also their baseball and basketball coach. “My advice for any one young would be, listen and get advice from anybody that you can,” Stanley says. “Try everything that you can and take everything in.”

That’s what Stanley, currently a general electrician, learned from his uncle, Michael McLendon, when he was about 9 years old. McLendon took Stanley under his wing in the outdoors, which supplemented the traditional sports he played growing up.

Stanley would like to think he’s been preparing for the TOC for much of his life. “When guys were going and partying, I was hunting and fishing,” he says. “I just can’t get enough of the outdoors.”

—Lance Madden

The Lightning Mountain Pack from Yamaha is the really cool swag this week for the first correct answer. No shot angle or target placement this year. We have discussed that way too much. Let’s go bowfishing and see what you know.

Scenario: Bowfishing for carp from shore in accordance with all fish and game regulations. Very clear water. Little to no structure in the stream or on the bank. Shots are in the 15- to 25-foot range with the fish cruising about two feet deep. Very little pressure put on the fish. Bluebird skies, but the stream has a stronger current than normal. Water is a little choppy due to a constant breeze. Most of the fish are in the ballpark of five pounds, with a few bruisers for a stream this size.

Question: In reference to making the shot, what is the single most important tidbit of information did you get in the scenario, and why?

—John Davis

Scot Marcin, 35 - Cottontown, Tenn.

It’s hard to think there has been a champion of the Total Outdoorsman Challenge not named Paul Thompson, but Marcin won the TOC in 2005. Last year Thompson just edged Marcin for first place overall.

“The first one, we had no idea what was going to happen,” Marcin says. “Every year it grows expectation-wise. You know some of the competition and some of the skills, but they’re always changing. I think it makes it more challenging, and that’s what it’s all about.”

From the beginning, the shooting events have always been a strong point for Marcin, a regional director for Delta Waterfowl in Tennessee. His weaknesses in the past have been the flyfishing and archery events, but of course he’s been working on them for this year’s competition.

Most of Marcin’s outdoor experience growing up came from his father and grandfather, but he says he gets his competitive drive from his mother, Patricia. The combination of all family members taught him what the outdoors is all about: “It’s called hunting and fishing, it’s not killing and catching,” Marcin says. “It’s watching the sun rise and the world wake up.”

- Lance Madden

David “Smitty” Smith, 40, Roswell, Georgia

Plenty of outdoorsman entered the wild-card contest for the last remaining spot in the TOC finals. It wasn’t an easy decision, but in the end we chose David Smith. “I am humbled and excited [to compete],” Smith said. “The TOC is the most exciting opportunity that I have ever had, and I am extremely grateful to be given the chance to compete.”

Smith says he goes through phases when it comes to hunting and fishing. “For a while I was all about the bass fishing,” he says. “Then, in my twenties, I couldn’t flyfish for trout enough.” To satisfy that passion, Smith worked as a professional flyfishing guide for seven years.

As for hunting, Smith loves to hunt waterfowl with his Black Lab, Chica—who Smith trained. “My wife complains that my dog is more well travelled than she is,” he says. “Chica and I have hunted together in a dozen states, plus Canada.” These days, however, Smith is really focused on big-game hunting. “I am especially eager to do some of the more physically challenging hunts. I love that.”

Smith says his biggest advantage going into the TOC is his attitude. “I can’t be concerned about how experienced the other competitors are,” he says. “I know there are better archers than me in this contest. And better gunners. But my fishing skills are likely on par as are my ATV handling and endurance skills. My ability to maintain a positive attitude, prepare properly, and to stay focused when the pressure is on can give me a fighting chance to be the next Total Outdoorsman winner.”

We’ll find out come September.

—Colin Kearns