The Hunting Collective (MeatEater)

On this week’s show we’re in camp in South Dakota for the first stop on the THC turkey tour. We check in with Sam Soholt, tell hunting stories, research turkey genitalia and marvel at the experience of hunting in our national forests. We also caught up with Drs. Alex and Libby Metcalf, a husband and wife professor team at the University of Montana who focus on human interaction with wildlife and our attitudes toward hunting.

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On this week's episode, Ben and Phil are joined by MeatEater's own Janis Putelis to talk about archery practice, the upcoming hunting schedule, and to debut Jani's newest segment, Ask the Eagle. In the interview portion of the show, Ben talks with Dr. Valerius Geist on his predator management philosophies, the problem with protectionism, and the intelligent intervention promoted by the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Enjoy. 

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Ecologist Charles Post returns for his third conversation on the podcast this week, and we went long. Real long. We talked for three hours, mostly on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It was an interesting debate backed by my love and affection for the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation and Charles's background studying wild creatures and their ecosystems. Enjoy.

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Aubrey Marcus is unique.

He's the rare guy that you can have a beer with, laugh and quote Will Ferrell movies and in the next instance be exploring spiritual oneness via psychedelics. He also happens to be a hunter with a passion for the pursuit and a deep understanding of the natural world. I first met Marcus three years ago on a South Texas pig hunt. It was clear then, as it is now, that he possesses a clarity of thought that you just don't find in most folks. For him, this life is a game and he's trying to find out what all the buttons do. It's safe to say he's got most of it figured out. Marcus is the CEO of Onnit, an athlete, a media mogul and consciousness explorer that runs in circles far, far outside of our hunting community bubble. All of that makes him a great guest for episode No. 3 in which we cover topics deep and shallow with a lot of laughs in between.

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On this week’s show we’re telling elk hunting stories with our favorite MeatEater crew members Ryan Callaghan, Sam Lungren, and Joe Ferronato. We're slinging tales of success and failure on opening day in Montana, plus the story of Cal's weekend wedding adventures. Enjoy.

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On this week's episode, Ben and Phil read your email reactions to episode 147 with animal rights activist Paul Bashir and welcome Brian Lynn of the Sportsmen's Alliance to dive into the conversation. Ben and Brian talk about the attempt to find the moral high ground, animal rights as a human construct, and take a hard look at the drama around the New Jersey black bear hunt. Enjoy. 

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On this week’s show we’re covering some pushback in the hunting world surrounding the public lands movement. I'm joined by Steven Rinella, Mark Kenyon and Sam Lungren to talk about the public versus private lands conversation and whether it's even worth having. We close things out with a great interview with Luke Macauley, a cooperative extension specialist at UC Berkeley studying the role of hunting in private land use and conservation. Enjoy.

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Biologist, historian, author and renowned conservationist, Jim Posewitz is among the foremost experts on Theodore Roosevelt, conservation history and fair chase philosophy.

For this podcast, my colleague Sam Lungren and I traveled to Jim’s home in Helena, Montana. He took us along on the history of his life, which closely mirrors the history of conservation—from making fake deer tracks in the mud at a deer-less summer camp in his native Wisconsin; to traveling West to play football at Montana State University and see robust wildlife populations; to a 40-year career at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on the front lines of conserving wild places and waterways; and a prolific “retirement” in which he founded Orion–The Hunter’s Institute and wrote five books: Beyond Fair Chase, Inherit the Hunt, Rifle in Hand, Taking a Bullet for Conservation and My Best Shot.

Jim’s work Beyond Fair Chase has been printed more than 800,000 times and has become a standard text for hunter safety courses nationwide. We ended the recording with a thoughtful discussion of fair chase and the considerations hunters should make afield to abide by this valuable mindset. I hope you learn as much as I did!

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This week Ryan Callaghan joins the podcast to discuss being single forever, we talk about the year of the cat, and I’m joined by bowhunting athlete Cam Hanes for an exclusive interview. Enjoy.

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil choose the winner of the THC turkey call contest, and Ben travels to Maryland to chase rabbits with his friend Charles "The Rabbit Man" Rodney and his six beagles. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show we’re talking about the controversial subjects of speciesism and animal personhood. Up first I chat with Ryan “Cal” Callaghan on the definition of chicken and we try to understand the purpose of a vegan butcher’s shop. We close things out with an interview with Matt Johnson, the press coordinator for Direct Action Everywhere, an animal rights organization based in Berkeley, California. Enjoy.

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The great and all-knowing Charles Post returns for another podcast in episode No. 20. Charles was born and raised in northern California, earning a B.S. and M.S. in ecology from U.C. Berkeley, but nowadays he resides (and hunts) in Bozeman, Montana with his lovely fiancé Rachel Pohl. Charles and I sat down in his home to continue our conversations on bringing outdoor user groups together, caring for ecosystems, celebrating the connection between science and hunting, Hunting’s perception problem, his upcoming nuptials, and the interesting issue of the ecological impacts of wild horses on public lands...and more. Enjoy.

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Here's John Dudley's resume: He has earned medals on multiple continents with 45 top 3 professional finishes in competition archery. He was APA Rookie of the Year, IBO National Champion (2X), NABH National Champion, European Grand Prix Gold medalist, World Field Championship Silver Medalist, US Open Silver and British National Indoor Champion.

In summary, he's pretty good at shooting a bow. He's also a great guy. His family is one-of-a-kind (shout out to his wife Shazz, a true gem) and he has one of the country's best whitetail havens in his backyard in Iowa. 

He joined me via phone to talk about so many things. Weirdly enough, the conversation didn't really land in Dudley's wheelhouse. We talked more about social media than we did anything else, but I think it led to some interesting topics. The impact of social media, how we decide who is influential and why the industry covets certain personalities. Oh yea, and whether hunters should continue the ol' grip and grin. 

Be sure to listen to the Nock On Podcast, follow Dudley on Instagram and get educated on archery. You won't regret it

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Russell Cunningham is an oral surgeon by day and an archeologist by night. He’s a trained professional at the former and an amateur at the latter. That said, I didn’t need any dental work when we sat down at his home near Dripping Springs, Texas, a few weeks back. I wanted to learn all about what this amateur archeologist is digging in his backyard. Russell is a lover of human history, hunting and the intersections of the two. He’s found an outlet for that passion in digging up ancient artifacts, namely arrowheads, on his family ranch. His passion is amazing and it’s matched only by his knowledge on the subject, plus he has amassed one of the Nation’s largest private arrowhead collections.

I hope you enjoy this conversation. I believe it’s one that displays how the simple act of digging up an arrowhead can connect you to the land, the people and the place where you live. Our ancestors have a story to tell all we have to do is listen.

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On this episode, Ben and Phil take a look back at 2020, a year that sucked real hard, and find some bright spots well beyond the riots and lockdowns. Get ready to relive the dumper's redemption, Phil's first poop in the woods, Chuck Norris reading Aldo Leopold, and more! 

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On this week's episode, Ben learns that Phil's dad is in the CIA, we welcome hate listeners, hear Phil's perspective on guns, and start working on a new theme song for THC. Next up, RECOIL's Iain Harrison joins the show to talk about the current ammo shortage, race and gun control, and more. 

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Randy Newberg is quite simply one of my favorite people. His podcasts, television shows and digital media efforts have always stood out to me as good, honest work on behalf of all hunters.

Randy is a champion for public lands, access and doing the right thing. Newberg once wrote: “Hunting is the truest form of participating in the natural world, probably because it is the oldest and most instinctive way of participating. Participation makes me more alive, more accountable and more engaged in the natural world.”

It’s this call for accountability that made me think that Randy would be the perfect guest to join myself and Janis Putelis from the Meateater crew to tackle some of your toughest ethical ponderings. From hunting crows to feeding wild game to your dog to ending the suffering of previously wounded game, we tackled it all.

Thanks to every single person who sent in a question or an ethical conundrum, we received many more than I ever thought possible. Enjoy this conversation and keep sending in your thoughts, they are appreciated.

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On today's show, we're joined by MeatEater's Joe Ferronato to finally select the winner of the 2020 Great Hand Turkey Contest. In the interview portion of the show, we're joined by Clay Newcomb to discuss his shooting a deer from a mule, his approach to quarantine, and a life fueled by family and the outdoors. Enjoy. 

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On this week’s show I'm joined by Remi Warren to talk about his big new podcast launch, his thoughts on what makes a good show, and Phil the Engineer reads mean (and nice) comments from the Internet. We close things out with an interview with Boone & Crockett Club’s Director of Marketing Keith Balfourd covering the history of the club and fair chase. Enjoy.

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In this week's episode, Ben and Phil are joined by First Lite's Conservation Manager Ford Van Fossan to discuss the Trek for Turkeys 2021 and how it all benefits the NWTF. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by Shane Mahoney to reflect on past conversations, discuss the desire to possess animals, and get an update on the Wild Harvest Initiative. Enjoy.

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On the first episode of The Hunting Collective, I’m joined by the great Steven Rinella. You probably already know him by now, whether it’s as an author, public speaker, host of MeatEater TV or the MeatEater podcast. No matter how you’ve discovered his work, there’s no doubt that you’ve benefitted from Rinella’s take on hunting.

I first met Rinella in 2011 on the heels of the debut of his Travel Channel show The Wild Within. Back then, his name was fresh, and his approach to presenting hunting to the mainstream was even more so. His pragmatic style centered on a cultural and historical exploration of wild animals, the land they inhabit, and a keen sense of who we are as hunters. The years that followed built Rinella’s presence in the hunting world and turned him into something more: a simple but authoritative voice that both speaks clearly to hunters and rings true to even the most ardent skeptics. That’s why he’s the perfect first guest for this podcast. I hope The Hunting Collective can mirror Rinella’s path. So join Steve and I on a glassing tit in Sonora, Mexico for an in-hunt conversation about life, hunting and our values in both. Show Notes: Introductions (2:00) Hunting Cous deer late in the year (4:30) Hunting public land (10:15) Discovering a new spot (13:00) Perspectives (19:15) Radio sidebar (23:00) Family influence (25:00) Early memories of hunting with Dad (31:45) Not expecting whats next in life (36:45) Steering people in the right direction (43:30) Individual value (53:00) The goal of starting this podcast (56:00) The emotional hurdle (1:02:00) “Types” of hunting (1:06:00) We are all in the same boat (1:11:00) Another guest appearance (1:16:00) High fence trophy hunters (1:17:00) Changing mentalities (1:23:00) A system of values (1:28:15) Final thoughts (1:33:30)

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil are joined by Janis "The Latvian Eagle" Putelis for the second edition of Ask The Eagle on THC. The guys talk about Jani's Colorado archery elk success, Ben's Montana failure, and Phil's procrastination. Then they take a series of calls from listeners on a variety of topics. Enjoy. 

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On today's Quarantine-Cast we're joined by Mike Hunsucker from Heartland Bowhunter to talk about his life in quarantine, 13 years of making hunting TV, and a pandemic turkey hunt in Nebraska. Enjoy. 

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This week Miles Nolte joins Ben and Phil to talk about baiting and backyard bird feeders, game laws during the apocalypse, filming hunting TV during the quarantine, and whether hunting is selfish or selfless. In the interview portion of the show, Shane Mahoney weighs in on how this pandemic is helping us understand our place in the natural world, whether hunting license sales will increase in the long term, and how our Model of Conservation creates real value for wildlife. Enjoy. 

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This week we chat with MeatEater’s most fashionable trio: Katie Finch Rinella, Maggie Smith and Tracy Crane. What’s the point of talking fashion on a hunting podcast? To explore the inner-most motivations of Steve, Jani and Cal. We also catch up with President and CEO of TRCP Whit Fosburgh to talk about climate change and other important issues facing our community. Plus some recorded listener feedback. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show, Phil the Engineer finally gets his own segment, we read the best emails from listeners, and find some international perspective from our friends in the United Kingdom. In the interview portion of the show, we’re joined by Mark Kenyon, Hunter Rud, and Jordan Riley to take a deeper look at MeatEater’s new whitetail-focused series, The Back 40. It’s the rut, so we have some great deer stories to tell! Enjoy.

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Afognak Island is a small land mass about 20 miles long and 40 miles wide off the coast of Alaska in the Kodiak archipelago. There aren't many reasons to visit this place and even fewer motivations for someone to take up residence on the island. In fact, there are only 39 permanent human residents today, most of which are workers at a state-run salmon hatchery. There are no roads, bars, grocery stores or shopping malls on Afognak, but there is a large population of Kodiak brown bears and a few healthy herds of Roosevelt elk. 

It's a harsh place that defines the environment of coastal Alaska. Wild swings in weather produce a climate that can feel like a rainforest in the summer and a despotic tundra when winter arrives. This place is no tourist destination, and it doesn't suffer fools. It's an unpredictable domain that calls for preparedness and as such, attracts some of the most dedicated hunters to its shores. 

Brad Jameson is one of those hunters. He's an experienced outdoorsman well-versed in wilderness medicine and survival. He'd hunted the island before without a hint of trouble, bringing home hundreds of pounds of venison and avoiding even a casual run-in with a brown bear. 

On Oct. 23, he boarded a boat with four hunting buddies to head back to Afognak. It was a normal trip for the Alaska residents, and they were looking forward to a tough-as-hell hunt.

Three days later everything would change. Brad suddenly found himself five yards from an old sow with nowhere to run and only a moment to prepare himself for what was to come next.

Be sure to listen to my entire podcast with Brad to hear his jarring story of grit and survival and how he made it out alive.

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On this week's episode, we're opening the new year with a pledge to all the new hunters out there, and we're teaching Phil the NRA's gun safety rules. In the interview portion of the show, Ben checks in with his good buddy and hunting guide Armando Vendittozzi to talk about the good ol' days, the end of caribou hunting in Quebec, and a tragedy in the duck blind. Enjoy. 

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On this week’s show, we’re joined by Sam Soholt and Phil the Engineer to finally name Phil’s mustache. We also talk about Sam’s #stampitforward project to help promote the Federal Duck Stamp. In the interview portion of the show we’re joined by Bear Hunting Magazine’s Clay Newcomb to talk about the ethics of baiting for bears. Clay is incredibly articulate and it’s one of the best conversations we’ve ever had on this show. Enjoy.

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On this week's show, Phil the Engineer and I read some listener emails and tie up the loose ends from past episodes. We also put Skimpy McWeakstache to rest for good. In the interview segment we're joined by Taylor Collins, Robby Sansom, and Marshall Seedorf from Force of Nature Meats to explore regenerative agriculture, how we can better consume meat on a large scale, and the power in our soil. Enjoy. 

You can also check out Roam Ranch and Force of Nature for more.

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On this week's episode, Ben reports back on his turkey success in Texas and his pure, unadulterated excitement for the rest of the season. The guys also cover the philosophical debate that is sit/git versus run/gun and update the progress of THC's regional chapters. In the interview portion of the show, Sam Soholt checks in with his top turkey hunting destinations and his new conservation campaign. Enjoy. 

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On this week's show we're celebrating you, the listener, with an insane slate of giveaways from some of our favorite partner brands including YETI, Vortex, Worksharp, Weston, First Lite, and more. Listening to this podcast is the only way to find out how to win. MeatEater's Janis Putelis, Ryan Callaghan, and Joe Ferronatto also join the conversation to cover PETA's newest plea to free Punxsutawney Phil, Mercy the rescued Chicago coyote, and Disney's new CGI Bambi remake. Enjoy! 

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil read a listener email that suggests Shane Mahoney might be a higher power, tease a story about crapping your pants in the woods, and check in on what's happening on Memorial Day. In the interview portion of the show, Ben chats with Nick Halla, SVP of International for Impossible Foods, about their quest to eliminate animal agriculture from our food system by 2035. That is followed up by a conversation with Robby Sansom from Force of Nature Meats about his company's alternative to Impossible's plan. Enjoy. 

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On today's daily quarantine-cast we're joined by Wired to Hunt's Mark Kenyon to talk about life in quarantine, getting vasectomies, the story of Uno the One-Legged Beaver, soil health in America, and life on the Back 40. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show, we’re talking whitetail with two of the most knowledgable guys in the space: Wired to Hunt’s Mark Kenyon and Spencer Neuharth. We cover a ton of thorny topics like misunderstanding the QDMA, shooting young bucks, why some folks think all giant bucks are on the juice, and more. Enjoy.

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On this week's episode, Ben is joined by Joe Ferronato to talk about his last days at MeatEater, and what's next in his career. They also cover the late Jim Posewitz and discuss what meant to the hunting community. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by Cornell's Dr. James Tantillo to talk about the validity of fair chase and the confusing nature of personal preference versus ethical action. Enjoy. 

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On this week’s show I'm joined by Ryan Callaghan and Seth Morris of MeatEater to cover mustaches, whether sports and hunting can mix, trailhead diplomacy, and the story of a dog owner who is embroiled in controversy. We close things out with an interview with writer Wes Siler of Outside Online's Indefinitely Wild to talk about journalism in the modern age, the backpack tax and more. Enjoy.

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil are joined by Remi Warren to catch up before the start of elk season and talk about what all hunters need to know about the great wapiti. Remi also tells the amazing story of the time he rescued his future wife after she was lost in the backcountry. To close things out, Ben and Phil prep for next week's conversation with animal rights activist Paul Bashir. Enjoy. 

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil pick the winner of the LMNT cocktail naming contest, read a story about cut fingers and feminine hygiene projects, and hear from the great David Hasselhoff in an attempt to motivate Phil as his first hunt approaches. In the interview segment, Olympic Gold Medalist David Wise talks about the ups and downs of his career, how competing in skiing compares to hunting, and overcoming depression in the outdoors. Enjoy. 

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On this week's show, Ben O'Brien and Phil the Engineer let listeners in on the deadline to enter the episode 100 giveaways, talk about Phil's trip to the NWTF Convention, introduce the THC Book Club, and react to actor Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar acceptance speech. In the interview portion of the show, author Bryce Andrews joins the show to talk about his time as a city boy turned Montana rancher and how he's helping others live with grizzly bears. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show we’re joined by Ryan "Cal" Callaghan to talk about eating man-eating bears, dogs loved and lost, and how to ask for hunting permission. In the interview portion of the show we're joined by Greg Lemon, Emily Almberg, and Jennifer Ramsey from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to talk about the wildlife diseases facing our populations and what we can do to combat the related issues. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show, we’re joined by Mark Kenyon of Wired to Hunt to get an update on the failures of turkey season, talk vasectomies, hear about Phil’s first crap in the woods, and answer some emails. We’re also joined by our favorite listener, Eric Hall, to hear about his quarantine perspective. Finally, filmmaker and conservationist Donnie Vincent joins Ben for a great conversation about how to get by during these tough times. Enjoy.

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In this episode we get the long-awaited conversation between Ben and animal rights activist Paul Bashir. Enjoy. 

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil talk about the new engineer on the MeatEater team, hear Ben's story about Jolene the Gas Station Queen, and cover off on a Montana incident in which 100 hunters surrounded and opened fire on a herd of elk. In the interview portion of the program, Ben is joined by Robbie Kroger from Blood Origins to talk about wolves on the ballot and how Robbie went from South Africa to Mississippi. Enjoy. 

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On this week's show we're rolling out the second volume of "Best of THC" with listener picks for the top moments of our show. Those include Steven Rinella learning about Game of Thrones, Cameron Hanes doing a pack dump and talking about The Bachelor, and when Ben traveled to Berkeley, Calif., to interview an animal rights activist and a vegan philosopher. Enjoy.

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On this week's show, the guys discuss PETA's new tofu propaganda campaign, usher in the return of Not So Sharp Moments, and learn that mocking liberal hunters is a good thing. Up next is an interview with Mark Carter. He’s a native of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, the son of a salt of the earth rancher, and a world-class snowboarder. Mark is a grab life by the balls type of guy that has lived a life of adventure most of us only dream about. He’s also a convicted poacher and a felon. In a time of cancel culture, his story is an important look at honesty, redemption, and guilt. As Mark said, “I got nothing to hide.” He lays it all out there. Enjoy. 

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil are joined by musical legend Kayla Ray to finally hear the new THC theme song. The guys also break down the death totals of large scale plant agriculture and discuss THC cult regional chapters. In the interview portion of the program, Ben chats with conservationist Paul McCarney on the nuances of animal rights, the movement's history, and more. Enjoy. 

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On this week’s show we're covering a lot of ground, including the most egregious dick moves in hunting and in the MeatEater office. Editor-in-Chief Anthony Licata rejoins the conversation to talk about our complicated role in reshaping the modern hunting narrative and whether we should even try. We close things out with an awesome interview with Modern Huntsman Editor-in-Chief Tyler Sharp. Enjoy.

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This week Ryan Callaghan and I are hanging out in Las Vegas, Nev., for the 2019 SHOT Show and we just so happened to run into our good buddy Iain Harrison. 

Harrison is the editor of RECOIL magazine and the first ever champion of History Channel's reality shooting competition Top Shot. He's also an all-around stand up human being and one of my oldest friends in the industry. 

We caught up with him halfway through the grueling marathon that is SHOT to talk about his upbringing, his service in the British military, what brought him to the States and a whole lot more. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show I’m joined by Sam Lungren and Miles Nolte, two of the top minds in conservation at MeatEater, to talk about a time to act for public lands advocates, the history of the Bureau of Land Management and what Acting Director William Perry Pendley is all about. We close things out with an interview with wildlife educator, taxidermist, and public speaker Brant MacDuff to chat about the history of taxidermy. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show we’re finishing off the “Best of THC” series with volume four. This week it's the outdoor legends we've had on our show including Dr. Valerius Geist, Col. Tom Kelly, and Jim Posewitz. Enjoy.

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Remi Warren is a badass. I know that's a term thrown around fairly liberally nowadays, but in Remi's case it's more than accurate.

He has weirdly pure instincts, a unique way of pursuing game that makes him as much of a professional as I've ever seen. It almost seems like he can make any shot, climb any mountain or take off by himself and come back with the biggest buck in the valley. Not to heap too much praise on him, but it's damn true. He's spent up to 300 days in the field in one calendar year, been charged by a bear, and guided hundreds of clients in Montana and beyond. He's walked me into the dirt a few times. Remi is also part of a new generation of hunting content creators and voices leading the charge in our industry. In this podcast we covered his upcoming nuptials, the great lost episode of 2018, whether men want their wives to hunt, social media's purpose, answer some tough questions, drink some beers and tell some hunting stories. Hope you enjoy.

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Sam Soholt is a nomad. As long as I’ve known him he hasn’t had a fixed address—and that hasn’t been a problem. Sam lives a life most of us dream of while we’re sitting at our desk staring at an inbox full of emails. He lives on his terms, travelling the world and making a living doing what he loves: photographing and filming hunts.

Nowadays when he doesn’t have a camera in his hand, Sam is at the wheel of a Blue Bird school bus. Why? He had the crazy idea to buy a used hunk of yellow metal and turn it into a DIY hunting camp on wheels. He also had the idea to use this venture to draw attention to America’s public lands. Hence the name of his latest project: The Public Lands Bus. 

Sam and I have traveled the world together and I can I trust him with just about anything. He’s a talented dude that makes everyone around him better. Anyway, not to lay the compliments on Sam too thick, but he has a lot to say. So enjoy episode No. 8 in which we talk building his bus, turks, shooting a cover image of Joe Rogan, how we met and other great stories. 

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In this episode, Ben and Phil are joined by writer and turkey expert Tony J. Peterson to talk tactics and help Phil prepare for his first hunt. Enjoy. 

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On this week's episode, Ben and Phil check in with the amazing progress of THC's regional chapters. In the interview portion of the show, writer and journalist Patrick Durkin details the drama around Wisconsin's recent wolf hunt and why he considers it a failure. Enjoy. 

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For this week's podcast I'm joined by Ryan Callaghan of First Lite in the brand spanking new offices of MeatEater, Inc., in Bozeman, Montana. Ryan is a veteran guest of the show and someone with great perspective on all things conservation and hunting.

We chatted about what exactly I've been up to over the last few months and how things are trending with the new venture, the perceived rising tension between public land hunters and private land owners, how a lot outfitters and guides could be labeled as promoting trophy hunting, and we took some killer questions from listeners about mustache care and wild game cookery. Enjoy.

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On this episode, Ben and Phil recap First Lite's Trek for Turkeys and read stories of podcast listeners that have had success this spring. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by BHA's Land Tawney and Rachel Schmidt to talk about the 2021 Rendezvous and why gathering to celebrate public lands means much more this year. Enjoy.

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On this episode I'm joined by Cole Kramer out of Kodiak, Alaska, one of the top guides in mountain hunting today. Cole, a small town Kansas kid, was inspired by his Aunt and Uncle to venture North after high school and has since made a living guiding hunters in Alaska's harshest conditions. 

 Cole and I first met a few years back when I hadn't yet been on what I would call a true adventure hunt--think backcountry drop camps in sub-zero temps or hiking to 18,000 feet of elevation to kill a sheep. It's through those experiences that I was able to challenge myself, and watch Cole overcome hunting's roughest conditions with ease. I've also gotten to know him as a friend.  On this episode Cole joined me at the Total Archery Challenge in Terry Peak, South Dakota for a weekend of shooting and a great conversation. We talked about how he came to be guide, how adventures sharpen the willing hunter, respecting bears, bear on bear violence, and our trip to Nepal chasing blue sheep. This is one of my favorite podcasts to date. Enjoy.

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There’s a press release hitting the wire today that leads with the following statement: “…Renowned writer, TV, and podcast personality Steven Rinella has launched MeatEater, Inc., a newly-formed outdoor lifestyle media and commerce company…”

That’s a pretty damn exciting development for the hunting world as a whole. For me, it’s also a relief, because I can finally announce that I’m proud to be part of this venture.

This special episode of the podcast should help explain better why I’ve decided to join Rinella, bringing The Hunting Collective along for the ride. I’ll be serving as Editorial Director for MeatEater, Inc., and producing the podcast as part of a network of badass content creators like April Vokey, Mark Kenyon, chef Eduardo Garcia and more.

“Our whole team loves the outdoors, regards it as sacred, and believes that a deeper connection to nature enriches all of our lives,” Rinella says in the release. “We are excited to build a community that is invested in understanding and exploring the natural world.”

 That couldn’t be more spot on. That statement is exactly why I joined and, other than my family, the reason I get out of bed in the morning. I’m damn proud to make this announcement and work hard to make good on some very lofty goals for The Hunting Collective. For now, enjoy this short podcast detailing why and how it all came to be. Thanks for listening.

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On this week's episode, Ben and Phil answer reader emails on the Bojangles Fraud, Ben's Minnesota lookalike, and the Virginia "emergent" hunter who now has a whole lot of friends in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by the founders of Hunters of Color to talk about diversity in our community on micro and macro levels. Enjoy. 

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This week Steven Rinella joins the podcast to discuss his least favorite fantasy show, our love of morel mushrooms and the ethical conundrum with coyote contests. I’m also joined by Brian Lynn and Evan Heusinkveld from the Sportsmen’s Alliance to chat about their ongoing battles with animal rights activists. Enjoy.

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Cody Rich has been podcasting for a while. In fact, as of this writing, he's 244 episodes deep. When I started The Hunting Collective Cody was one of the first guys to step up and teach a rookie the ropes. Just goes to show you that the hunting world is full of good guys. Cody is definitely one. 

He's also driven. Cody is a true entrepreneur, always looking to start a new venture and break new ground. He treats hunting the same way. He once broke his neck and was told he would never walk again. He very politely informed the doctor that hunting season was a month away and that he needed to get on the mountain. Like I said, he's driven.

I caught up with the host of The Rich Outdoors podcast at his home in Bozeman, Montana for a dinner, some whiskey and a great conversation. We talked about my past and his, hunting's past and future, the flaws of Yellowstone and much, much more. This one goes pretty deep. Enjoy.

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Charles “The Rabbit Man” Rodney is my guest for this week’s episode of the podcast. Charles is no hunting celebrity or any kind of influencer, but he is without a doubt one of my favorite people. You’ll find out why when you listen to this episode.

Simply put, Charles loves rabbit hunting, it’s the only game in town for him—it says so on his business card. Funny thing is, Charles isn’t in business to sell hunts. He doesn’t guide for a living. A devoutly religious man, he just meets folks he really likes and takes them rabbit hunting. No money exchanges hands, no favors at all, he just loves to hunt and will take every opportunity he can to add another to his congregation. Charles brings with him a loyal pack of “dawgs,” beagles to be precise, and they’re some of the best hounds you’ll ever find. 

Enjoy Mr. Rodney’s story and I hope it sheds light on one man’s giving nature and how spreading the good word of hunting can be its own reward.

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Ryan Callaghan, the long bow shooting, public lands loving, mustached Idahoan, joins me for his second appearance in episode 15. 

First Lite’s Director of Conservation and Public Relations, hunting guide and frequent contributor to MeatEater, Callaghan is just damn fun to have in hunting camp. 

He joined me and Casey Butler in Sonora, Texas for a crazy Axis deer hunt in the rut. We battled chiggers, ticks, 105-degree temps and the occasional rattlesnake and came out with coolers full of venison and a bunch of awesome stories. 

In this discussion we covered why and how Cal decided to hunt with a long bow, success and failure with that weapon, what record book animals really mean, Memorial Day mishaps, and my latest speeding ticket. 

Enjoy, and we’ll see you next week.

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On this week’s show, it’s all about bears. We check in with Janis Putelis to talk about bear rugs, New Jersey animal rights protestors, bears in the backcountry and catch up with infamous grizzly attack survivor Todd Orr. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show, MeatEater’s Miles Nolte and I discuss the issue of race in the hunting community and consider the idea of increasing diversity within and among hunters. For the interview segment, I’m joined by Dr. Carolyn Finney, a storyteller, author, and cultural geographer who wrote the book, Black Faces, White Spaces, which addresses the relationship of African Americans to the outdoors. It’s an incredibly difficult and important conversation for us all. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show we’re joined by Dr. Valerius Geist, by many estimations the most important conservationist in the last 50 years. Dr. Geist is the original author of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and a lifelong devotee to studying wildlife. He is a specialist in zoology, biology, and has studied elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and other wild ungulates intensely over the years. We covered predator pits, riding moose into battle, why wolves don’t eat us, and his upbringing. Enjoy.

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This week on the show, Ben and Phil figure out why the hell Ben can't get on the "People from Maryland" Wikipedia page and read a not so sharp poem. Janis Putelis also joins the show for the third installment of Ask the Eagle. Enjoy. 

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Episode No. 22 is a doozy. Three awesome guests packed into one conversation straight from Big Sky, Montana at the Total Archery Challenge.

I was joined by Sam Soholt, bus guy and frequent contributor, Janis Putelis, MeatEater producer and Latvian Eagle, and David Wise 2-time Olympic gold medal skier and avid hunter. We discussed Janis’s proper job title, Sam’s public Land bus maintenance record, David’s hunting history and recent success in the Olympic arena, how much turkey meat a man needs, and how 3D archery can help or hurt your real world hunting practice. And much more. Enjoy.

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On the week's show, Ben and Phil hear the story of the spike with one nut, reveal Phil's big news, and talk about the election. In the interview portion of the episode, Ben catches up with Jordan Jonas, the winner of season six of the hit reality show Alone. They talk about living off the land, sharpening the life knife, and riding reindeer in Siberia. Enjoy. 

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On this week's episode, Ben and Phil check in with California chapter leader Nurry Hong to talk about what's happening in his state, including an inspiring story of a disabled hunter who's kicking ass in the field. In the interview portion of the show, Ben chats with his favorite vegan and animal rights believer Dr. Robert C. Jones about whether animal rights ideologies could actually be translated into a model for conservation. You can find Robert's work by clicking here. Enjoy. 

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Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representative voted on the much-discussed Natural Resource Management Act (S. 47). When Sam Lungren, Miles Nolte and I got wind of the vote playing out on CSPAN, we figured what better way to cover the event than by podcasting as it unfolded on TV here at the MeatEater offices. To liven up the recording and add some color to the bill’s innerworkings, we were joined via phone by Steve Kline, director of government relations for TRCP and Land Tawney, CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Enjoy this special episode of the show.

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This week on the show, Ben is joined by Bear Hunting Magazine's Clay Newcomb on an elk hunt in the Missouri Breaks. The guys talk about their trip, the landscape, becoming a hunting craftsman, and valuing your kids. Clay extols the value of bear grease and talks about how his faith in God translates to his hunting pursuits. Enjoy. 

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In this week's episode, Ben and Phil are joined by Steven Rinella, Annie Raser, Kylee Archer, and Corinne Schneider from the MeatEater crew for a blind taste test featuring plant-based meat versus wild game. In the interview portion of the show, we're joined by author Rachel Carrie from the United Kingdom to talk about the threats hunting faces across the pond. Enjoy. 

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On this week’s show, Ben discusses his COVID diagnosis, how he is feeling, the problem with wolves in Colorado, and how Phil is hooking up with THC listeners to play video games. In the interview portion of the episode, Ben catches up with Doug Duren to talk about his time on the Back 40, generational farming, and the need for a new-age game cooperative. 

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On this week's episode, Ben and Phil talk about how cool it is being in a cult, announce the Great THC Holiday Contest, and solve a listener's duck hunting dilemma. In the interview portion of the show, Ben talks with Belcampo Farms CEO Anya Fernald about positive emotional eating, honesty in the meat business, and so much more. Enjoy. 

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On this week's episode, Ben and Phil are joined by First Lite's Ford Van Fossan to talk about the wonderful state of Maryland, why Old Bay rules, drinking Yuengling, and First Lite's new initiative Common Wild. In the interview portion of the show, the public land bus guy Sam Soholt speaks up for conservation and the Federal Duck Stamp. Enjoy. 

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It’s been a long road for Morgan Mason to get to where he is today. It’s a story not unlike many veterans who have struggled to find their way after coming home from deployments overseas.

Morgan is from a farm near a small town in rural Kansas, and he had a pretty normal upbringing, spending a ton of his time hunting and fishing with his dad and brother. But a deployment to Iraq in 2003, at just 20 years old, changed his world.  

Morgan spent his time post-war conflicted and searching for answers. The search led him to backcountry adventures in Colorado paddling whitewater or snowboarding the mountains and multiple season-long surfing and spearfishing missions in Baja. It was a time of experiential outdoor therapy that would help Morgan to rediscover hunting with an invigorating clarity.

Eventually, Morgan’s road led him to MeatEater, Inc., where we hired him as an associate editor just about a month ago. We’re happy as hell to have him. Enjoy this conversation with the newest member of our crew, because you’ll be seeing a lot from him on our platform very soon.

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This week Miles Nolte joins the podcast to discuss fake news, a mountain lion attacking a 7-year-old boy and the craft of writing in the digital age. I’m also joined by renowned writer, conservation and the host of the BHA Cast & Blast podcast Hal Herring. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show, we’re joined by Sam Lungren, Anthony Licata, and Spencer Neuharth to discuss halloween costumes, World Series action, and our different experiences with coyotes over the years. In the interview portion of the show we’re joined by author Dan Flores to talk about the cultural and spiritual history of the coyote in America. Enjoy.

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On this week's show, Ben and Phil talk about a brand new title sponsor, an oxymoronic cocktail, identifying birds, and the value of a good hunting nap. In the interview portion of the podcast, Ben is joined by the founder of the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance, Pete Muennich, to talk about the complicated management of some goat populations in our national parks, and how mountain goats hold an intriguing position in the conservation world. Enjoy. 

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Shane Mahoney is a conservationist to his core. He loves wildlife and has poured his entire life into their well being. Talk with him for a few minutes about hunting and you’ll hear it in his voice and know he means business. Over more than 30 years of experience working primarily as a scientist, wildlife manager, policy innovator and strategic adviser, Mahoney has gained a unique perspective on our world and the hunter’s place in it.

I was joined by Mahoney on the phone for episode No. 5. It was an enlightening conversation that covers our history as hunters, the rise of conservation in America, how we take care of wildlife and how hunters can better represent our pursuits. Shane is to me, clearly the most interesting man in conservation. I hope you enjoy this talk.

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On this week's episode, Janis Putelis and Seth Morris stop by to talk about an opening day snowstorm, hunting during the quarantine, public land scouting for birds, the death of our original turkey podcast, and one thing we always screw up as turkey hunters. We're also joined by legendary call maker Will Primos to talk about his life and times as an industry pioneer. Enjoy. 

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Chef Jesse Griffiths is a encyclopedia of wild game cookery. He's also a down-home Texan that does things his way and never apologizes. He's also an author, owner of Dai Due Supper Club and all-around educator of the art of butchering. All of that is precisely the reason I decided to sit down with Griffiths for episode No. 9. We talked about key concepts around sourcing food, appreciating the stories our food tells, wild pork, hunting to fill the freezer, tips on getting the most out of venison, wild turkey cooking tips, and more. Enjoy.

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On today's Quarantine-Cast, Ben helps Phil calculate how long his toilet paper will last and the guys announce the future of the daily podcasts. Ben is joined by legendary big wave surfer Shane Dorian and photographer Sam Soholt to tell the story of their first trip to the Hawaiian island of Lanai to chase axis deer. Enjoy.

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On this week's episode, we're joined by Spencer Neuharth and Anthony Licata from the MeatEater crew to talk about Phil's "dumper fan, what's happening in morel mushrooms, and drinking habits during the quarantine. In the interview portion of the show, we check in with Guy and Ike Eastman to tell the story of a very special Dall sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories. Enjoy. 

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On today's Daily Quarantine-Cast, we're joined by Get Hushin founder Casey Butler to talk about Ben's new addiction to wearing a robe, Casey's approach to being quarantined with his family, how to make YouTube a career, and the amazing new Netflix documentary "Tiger King." Enjoy.

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John Gale is the Conservation Director for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA). He’s also a fifth-generation Idahoan who grew up engaged in politics at a young age. Nowadays John is the man on Capitol Hill for BHA and he’s as immersed in public land policy as anyone in the conservation game.

I caught up with John at BHA’s Rendezvous to drink some local beer and try to get the whole story on the present and future of the battle for public lands.

We spoke about our public lands legacy, land transfer, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the North American Model for Wildlife, the national monuments issue, politicizing land use and much more.

Enjoy this in-depth conversation that I hope can provide some perspective in the conversation on how to keep our lands public.

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In the final episode of The Hunting Collective, Phil the Engineer becomes a hunter.

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On this week's episode, Ben, Phil, and Joe talk through the current state of affairs in this country, answer some questions about regenerative agriculture, and admit to some hypocrisies. In the interview portion of the show we're joined by Texas legend Wyman Meinzer to talk about growing up in the Big Empty, killing and regret, and avoiding rattlers as a kid. Enjoy.

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This week everyone’s favorite Latvian Janis Putelis joined the show to talk about the end of turkey season and what we learned this year. I also interviewed famed author Col. Tom Kelly, a legend in the literary space and turkey hunting’s unofficial poet laureate. Enjoy.

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On this week’s show, Ben and Phil are joined by Seth Morris, Janis Putelis, Joe Ferronato, and Spencer Neuharth to call a listener that just got engaged and vote for the best illustration of Phil’s voice face. In the interview segment, Ben talks with Ryan Holiday from the Daily Stoic about why every liberal millennial should go hunting. Enjoy.

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On this week's show, we're joined by Anthony Licata and Joe Ferronato from the MeatEater crew to talk about Phil's backstabbing appearances on another podcast, two Pennsylvania hunters charged with animal cruelty, and winning a hunt in New Zealand with Ben. In the interview portion of the show Cornell ethicist James Tantillo talks about the tragic wisdom hunting provides and how it can help us understand death. Enjoy.

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For this episode I traveled to our Nation's Capitol to catch up with Jeff Crane and Andy Treharne from the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF). Why did I travel all that way to find Jeff and Andy? I wanted to shed light on an organization that does important work on important issues and really never gets much publicity, or at the very least isn't as forward-facing as some other conservation groups we know and love. The CSF has been around since 1989 and they have a mission is to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. Their main work is done with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), which is a collection of 300 members of Congress that share a common objective with CSF. Jeff and Andy explain it much better than I can, but the bottom line is that CSF is the very crucial middle man in the conversation between the hunting and angling community and the CSC. So, I hope you learn as much from this conversation as I did, and I hope it drives you to continue to get educated about the legislative policies that protect and foster what we do. Enjoy.

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This week we’re coming to you from the YETI booth on the floor of the Wild Sheep Convention in Reno, Nev., with Tim Burnett and Remi Warren. If you’ve never been to the Sheep Show, you’re missing out. It’s one hell of an event that brings together the best mountain hunters in the world and raises a pile of money for conservation.

In between entering raffles to win sheep hunts, live shows and fancy banquets I caught up with Warren and Burnett to talk tag draw strategies, Nevada living, sheep hunts and test out some new segments for the show. Enjoy.

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I, for one, am thrilled to be a part of a community that understand the importance of America's public land and is willing to fight to keep this shared resource intact. Hunters and anglers have historically been very willing stewards of the overall well-being of our lands and wildlife. 

That's why when Senator Mike Lee of Utah announced on Twitter his plan to introduce a trio of bills into Congress that would redefine how we use public lands, our group stood up and took notice. Specifically the following statement on June 29, "...our long-term goal must be the transfer of federal lands to the states."

Brian McElrea of Get Hushin almost immediately sent me a text suggesting a roundtable discussion of like-minded hunters to talk through our concerns and general outrage. A few weeks later I was joined by Brian, Casey Butler of Get Hushin, Sam Soholt and Ben "Shed Crazy" Dettamatni for episode No. 23, which is a great expression of how we all feel about these lands. Take a listen to our discussion and let us know what you think. Hopefully we can all keep having this most important conversation. Enjoy.

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As Father’s Day approaches, I open the show this week with some reflections on hunting with my dad and what it’s meant to me over the years. I’m also joined by writer Eddie Nickens to talk about raising kids in the outdoors, ethics in hunting and the East versus West dynamic in our community. Enjoy.

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This week on Episode No. 21 I'm joined by Jason Matzinger and Sam Soholt for a killer conversation and lots of laughs. Matzinger is a Montana-dwelling film and television producer and host of the TV show Into High Country on the Sportsman Channel. What really makes Matzinger stand out to me though is his true, unabashed commitment to conservation. He's a lifetime member of RMEF and Mule Deer Foundation and works on content projects with Wild Sheep and many other groups. Sure, he's featured in most of his own films, but that's not the purpose. Most of the time the purpose is to promote real efforts to do good work outside. He's traveled the West for decades, most recently with Sam at his side, filming, hunting and developing some pretty damn unique perspectives on our world. Not to mention a pile of great stories. 

 I caught up with Jason and Sam in Big Sky, Mont., for a late night pizza and beer fueled chat on wild sheep, the community of sheep hunters, Jason's latest film and so much more. Also, our buddy Greg was hanging out providing color commentary. It was past midnight before we wrapped up, so excuse any colorful exchanges. Enjoy.

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On a fairly normal Wednesday afternoon in Bozeman, I sat in Dusan Smetana’s living room sipping brandy and enjoying a damn nice fire. It was slow and calm, the perfect setting to learn about the life of a man with a novel’s worth of stories to tell. Dusan, a renowned outdoor photographer, has a great life on his Montana homestead with his family, dogs, Icelandic sheep, chickens, pigs and a rather athletic flock of homing pigeons.

It’s not unusual on a cold winter day to find Dusan doing exactly what we did that day—enjoying life. It’s a stark contrast to his upbringing in communist Czechoslovakia and his immigration to the United States. We talked about that journey, how his community handled hunting during his childhood and where hunting is headed today. Please enjoy this conversation with a one-of-a-kind man.

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On today's show, we're joined by First Lite's Kevin Harlander to hear the story of "The Heartbreak Bull" and recount one hell of a turkey hunt on public land in eastern Oregon. Enjoy.

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