Down The Barrel With Jimmy, Deano, and Jared

In this episode of the Down the Barrel Podcast, the crew sits down with Minnesota bowhunter Brandon Ledoux to talk about his journey into serious bowhunting and the lessons learned along the way. Brandon shares how losing his father at a young age helped shape his connection to the outdoors and fueled a lifelong passion for hunting. What started with rifle hunting eventually turned into a full commitment to bowhunting, where constant learning, adapting, and learning from mistakes became the keys to success. The conversation covers everything from missed shots and tough hunts to spot-and-stalk successes, filming hunts for the Ledoux Crew YouTube channel, and how hunting strategies evolve over time. Brandon also talks about balancing family life with hunting and how becoming a husband and father forced him to hunt smarter and make the most of limited time in the woods. It’s a great conversation about perseverance, storytelling, and the reality of chasing whitetails—successes, failures, and everything in between. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com) First Call For Help (www.firstcall211.net) Wolf Report (www.wolf,report)

In this episode of Down The Barrel, we’re joined by public land hunting standout Greg Lease. Greg is a member of MNBOW, a former deputy, and someone who has built a reputation for consistently finding success chasing whitetails on public land across the Midwest. Greg shares his passion for the hunt and breaks down how he approaches public land in multiple states, including Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri. From scouting strategies to adapting to different terrain and hunting pressure, Greg talks about what it really takes to get it done on public ground. If you’re interested in traveling to hunt, learning how to unlock overlooked public land opportunities, or just hearing stories from the road chasing Midwest whitetails, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Grab a seat, tune in, and learn how Greg consistently finds success where everyone else is hunting. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com) First Call For Help (www.firstcall211.net) Wolf Report (www.wolf.report)

In this episode, we dig into where the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) stands on some of the most talked-about issues facing hunters and gun owners today. We break down the latest wave of proposed anti-Second Amendment legislation in Minnesota and what it could mean for our community—not just for deer hunters, but for predator management and the future of hunting as a whole. We also dive into a growing national conversation around Fourth Amendment concerns involving conservation officers and access to private property—an issue that’s raising eyebrows across the country and hitting close to home here in Minnesota. Throughout the episode, we share MDHA’s stance, our personal perspectives, and what we believe is at stake. If you’ve been wondering where we stand on these issues, this is the episode to listen to. And of course, it wouldn’t be us without mixing in a little humor along the way. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) First Call For Help 211 (www.firstcall211.net) Wolf Report (www.wolf.report) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com)

In this episode we sit down once again with our good friends Josh and Katie to hear all about their recent Utah turkey hunting adventure. What started as a quick trip to chase a couple Merriam’s turkeys turned into a great story. Along the way we dive into Minnesota turkey hunting, talk about walleye fishing on Lake of the Woods, and swap stories about a few classic Canadian staples—from Tim Hortons coffee to shore lunches on the lake. We also check in on how the whitetail deer population is doing in Ontario and what hunters are seeing north of the border. As always, the conversation goes wherever it wants—plenty of laughs, a few good hunting stories, and even a little marriage counseling sprinkled in along the way. If you enjoy hunting, fishing, road-trip adventures, and good friends around the mic, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) First Call For Help 211 (www.firstcall211.net) Wolf Report (www.wolf.report) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com)

All the way from South Africa, we’re joined by Pieter Viviers, owner of Marupa Safaris, along with our good friend Tony Roettger for an unforgettable conversation about African big game hunting. In this episode, Pieter shares how he got started bringing American hunters to South Africa and what a true African safari experience really looks like. We break down the trophy options available, realistic costs, travel planning tips, and what hunters should expect when booking the adventure of a lifetime. We also dive into the inherent dangers of hunting Africa’s largest game — including intense stories of Cape buffalo encounters and lion charges that will have you leaning in a little closer. From rifles and calibers to timing your trip and preparing properly, we cover the details that matter. If Africa has ever been on your bucket list, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe — and as always, thanks for listening to Down The Barrel. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) Wolf Report (www.wolf.report) FirstCallForHelp211 (www.firstcall211.net) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com)

We sit down with Tom Gable of the Voyageurs Wolf Project for a straight-up, science-driven conversation about wolves, deer, and what’s really happening in Northern Minnesota. Tom breaks down their new three-year deer survival study—59 deer collared and counting—as researchers dig into winter severity, predation, logging practices, and habitat changes. The big takeaway? It’s not just about wolves. Habitat—especially thermal cover and forest age—may be the real key to healthy deer populations. We talk shortened logging rotations, the loss of conifer cover, fire suppression, predator-prey dynamics, and why managing deer resilience might matter more than managing predators. We also get into public opinion, wolf policy, trail camera research, and the challenges of navigating science in today’s online world. If you care about deer, wolves, forestry, or the future of wildlife management in Minnesota, this is a must-listen episode. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) Wolf Report (www.wolf.report) FirstCall For Help 211 (www.firstcall211.net) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com)

In this episode of Down The Barrel, we sit down once again with Tony Roettger, from Safari Club International - Minnesota Chapter—and as always, it’s a great conversation. We dive into the upcoming MN SCI Expo happening in Brooklyn Park, breaking down what this incredible event is all about. From conservation-driven fundraising to supporting wildlife initiatives and protecting our outdoor heritage, Tony shares why this expo matters and how you can join us for a night dedicated to great causes, camaraderie, and conservation. Of course, we also get into some unforgettable hunting stories. Tony talks about his one-of-a-kind archery bobcat hunts—a rare and challenging pursuit that few hunters ever experience. We also hear about incredible moments in the field during archery ram hunts with his kids. These stories are what it’s all about: family, tradition, conservation, and making memories that last a lifetime. It’s packed with great information, conservation impact, and the kind of hunting stories that keep us all coming back for more. Don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Down The Barrel Podcast.

In this episode of Down the Barrel, the crew recaps how SHOT Show went this year—highlights from Vegas, the chaos, the conversations, and the gear that actually stopped us in our tracks. We also hit on what’s coming up with MDHA regional meetings and why members should be paying attention. We break down who we ran into on the SHOT Show floor, with honorable mentions going to Off Grid Armory, Athlon Optics, Christensen Arms, Real Avid (including their slick new range bags), and HM Defense—because yes, their big guns definitely turned some heads. And of course, it wouldn’t be Down the Barrel if we didn’t wander off into a few random, only-interesting-to-us rabbit holes along the way. Vegas stories, gear talk, MDHA updates, and plenty of side trails—this one’s got a little bit of everything know-and-go crowd loves. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) First Call For Help (www.firstcall211.net) Wolf Report (www.wolf.report) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com)

In this episode, the guys are joined by Justin Wiese of Wheezy Outdoors for a laid-back conversation covering ice fishing, trapping, and winter life in northern Minnesota. Justin shares what he’s seeing on the ice this season, from strong panfish bites to tricky ice conditions caused by warm weather and pressure ridges. They dig into modern ice fishing tools like LiveScope and Vexilars, how technology can save time when fishing with kids or guiding clients, and why responsible use matters. The conversation also covers bobcat and coyote trapping, predator dynamics, ice shelter setups, heaters, trout fishing on stocked lakes and the Gunflint Trail, and what it takes to keep winter outings fun for the whole family. It’s an honest, experience-driven discussion that feels like a fish house conversation—full of practical tips, stories, and Northwoods perspective. BTYB: MDHA (www.mndeerhunters.com) Wolf Report (www.wolf.report) First Call For Help 211 (www.firstcall211.net) MNBOW (www.mnbowhunters.com)