So, you’ve been binge-watching Moonshiners, right? You’re hooked on the drama, the still explosions, and the sheer audacity of folks boiling corn mash in the dark. Then you look up and think, “Wait, where did Tickle go?”
It’s like that one friend who ghosts you after a great party. You just don’t see him anymore, and it feels weird. Let’s dig into the mystery of Steven Ray “Tickle” Tickle, the show’s lovable, chainsaw-wielding goofball.
First, a little backstory. Tickle wasn’t just some random guy with a mullet and a laugh that could cure hiccups. He was a fan favorite because he made illegal moonshining look like a fun summer camp project—if summer camp involved armed confrontations and questionable welding.
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His job title was basically “Apprentice Chaos Coordinator.” He worked closely with “Pops” (aka Mike) and later with Mark and Jeff. He was the guy you’d trust to watch your still, but not to babysit your kids.
So, what happened? Did he get arrested? Did he retire to a beach in Florida? Did he finally run out of jokes? Nope, none of that—mostly.
The real answer is a bit of a letdown, honestly. Tickle wasn’t kicked off the show for being too wild. He wasn’t kidnapped by the ATF. He just… stepped back. The official word from the network is that he decided to leave the show after Season 12 to focus on his personal life and other business ventures.
Think about it: filming a reality show is exhausting. It’s not all whiskey sipping and campfire sing-alongs. It’s long days, fake drama, and producers breathing down your neck. Tickle probably realized that being a TV star is about 10% fun and 90% paperwork.
He also had some legal hiccups that didn’t help. In 2020, he was charged with, you guessed it, moonshining—possession of an unregistered still and intent to sell. It’s kind of ironic when your entire job on TV is to do that exact thing, but legally, the law doesn’t have a sense of humor.
He took a plea deal and got probation. It wasn’t a huge scandal, but it probably made him want to lay low. Nobody wants to be the guy who gets caught on his own show. That’s like a baker getting burned by his own oven.
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Another factor? Money and fame. Tickle became a mini-celebrity. He started doing paid appearances, selling merchandise, and even launched a line of (legal) hot sauce. He likely realized he could make a decent living without having to pretend to be scared of the law every week.
He also got into custom knife making and chainsaw art. The man is a walking, talking hobby shop. Why spend your nights in a muddy creek when you can sell a $500 knife to a fan on Etsy?
There were also rumors about creative differences with the producers. Reality shows love conflict, but Tickle’s charm was his cheerful, easygoing nature. You can’t force a golden retriever to act like a guard dog. Maybe they wanted him to stir up drama, and he just said, “Nah, I’m gonna go whittle a wooden duck.”
So, is Tickle gone forever? Not necessarily. He’s popped up in a few interviews and on social media, looking happy and healthy—and still rocking that incredible mullet. He’s like the legendary cryptid of Moonshiners: rarely seen, but always remembered.
He even hinted that he might return for a cameo. Never say never, folks. Reality TV is a circus, and clowns always come back for one more show.
What’s Tickle doing now? He’s living the quiet life in Virginia. He runs a small business selling his handmade knives and chainsaw carvings. He’s also a proud grandpa. Imagine being his grandkid: “Yeah, my grandpa used to be on TV cooking illegal whiskey. He’s the coolest.”
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He also does the occasional podcast and fan meet-up. He’s basically retired from the moonshine game, but he’s still a legend in the fandom. He traded the still for a workshop. Smart move.
Here’s the uplifting part: Tickle didn’t disappear into a ditch or a jail cell. He walked away from a TV show on his own terms. He prioritized his peace of mind, his family, and his sanity over the chaos of reality stardom. That takes guts.
He’s proof that you can be a lovable redneck with a chainsaw and have a solid business plan. He didn’t let the fame break him. He just laughed, waved goodbye, and went back to doing what he loves: making stuff, telling jokes, and probably drinking a tiny bit of legal bourbon.
So, next time you watch an old episode of Moonshiners and see Tickle giggle while a copper pot explodes, don’t mourn his absence. Celebrate his escape. He’s out there, somewhere, carving a giant wooden squirrel and living his best life.
And honestly? Good for him. We should all be brave enough to say, “You know what? I’m done with the drama. I’m going to go make hot sauce and whittle.”
Tickle taught us that the best way to handle a chaotic situation is with a big, goofy smile and a side of bacon. Here’s to you, Steven Ray. Keep that mullet glorious, and never stop being the most tickled guy in the room.