HuntStand Podcast

We’re closing out the Turkey Hunting Special series with a bang as we hit the road with Roy Holdford and his Turkey Van Tour. From chasing gobbles across multiple states to living the run-and-gun lifestyle day in and day out, Roy breaks down what it takes to stay on birds all season long. This episode dives into the grind, the freedom, and the obsession that fuels turkey hunters—and what better way to wrap up the series than with a story that embodies it all. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for Episode 243 of the HuntStand Podcast as we sit down with Jeff Budz to talk about a true obsession—chasing the Grand Slam of wild turkeys.From Easterns to Osceolas, Rios to Merriam’s, Jeff dives into what fuels the addiction to traveling the country in pursuit of all four subspecies. We break down the challenges of each bird, the unique terrain and tactics required, and the mindset it takes to stay locked in when the grind gets real. Along the way, Jeff shares stories from the road, lessons learned from close calls and successes, and why the chase never really ends once you’ve caught the bug.If you’ve ever dreamed of completing a Grand Slam—or just love the pursuit of hard-earned gobblers—this episode is packed with insight, strategy, and straight-up turkey hunting passion. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step off the mainland and into one of the most unique turkey hunting experiences on earth. In this episode, we sit down with Jon Sabati to break down what it’s really like chasing gobblers in Hawaii. From volcanic terrain and unpredictable weather to birds that act nothing like their mainland counterparts, this conversation dives into the challenges, tactics, and surprises that make Hawaiian turkey hunting a true adventure. If you think you’ve seen it all in the turkey woods—think again. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into the history and heartbeat of modern turkey hunting with Rob Keck in this episode of the Turkey Hunting Special. From his start with the NWTF in 1978 to helping shape decades of wild turkey conservation, Rob walks through the milestones that built the foundation we benefit from today. We dive into the launch of the Wild Turkey Research Center, the rise of nationwide chapters, the impact of the Super Fund on habitat restoration, and the groundbreaking Target 2000 restocking efforts that helped restore turkey populations across the country. Rob also shares stories from the early days of the NWTF and how those conservation wins directly impact the gobblers we chase every spring. If you’re passionate about turkey hunting, conservation, and the legacy behind it all — this one’s packed with perspective you won’t want to miss. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go inside the big-picture strategy of wild turkey conservation with Ryan Boyer of the NWTF. In this episode, we break down how landscape-level habitat work, partnerships, and long-term planning are shaping the future of turkey populations—and what it means for hunters on the ground. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go inside the Wild Turkey DNA Project with Mike Chamberlain and Phil Lavretsky as they break down how this groundbreaking research is uncovering the truth behind unusual plumage in wild turkeys. Launched in 2025, the project invites hunters to submit samples from birds with unique feather patterns to determine if they’re truly wild, hybrid (Heritage), or something else entirely. Now continuing through the 2026 season, this episode dives into how you can be part of the research—and what these findings could mean for the future of wild turkey conservation.Check out Wild Turkey DNA: https://wildturkeydna.com/ FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode recorded live at the NWTF Convention, Josh Dahlke sits down with elite turkey caller Hunter Wallis to talk about what it takes to become one of the best turkey callers in the country. From competition calling and mastering realistic turkey sounds to the discipline behind the craft, Hunter breaks down the path to becoming a legendary caller. Shortly after this podcast was recorded, Hunter Wallis went on to win the 2026 Grand National Calling Championship at the NWTF, cementing his place among the top turkey callers in the world. If you’re passionate about turkey hunting, turkey calling, and the culture behind the sport, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the NWTF Convention, Josh Dahlke sits down with Brian Lovett, longtime NWTF Grand National Calling Championships judge, to talk about what it takes to evaluate the best turkey callers in the world. From judging criteria and calling realism to what separates good callers from the elite, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at competitive turkey calling and the art of sounding like a real wild turkey. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded live at the NWTF Convention, Josh Dahlke sits down with Patrick Wightman of the National Wild Turkey Federation to talk about the new era of wild turkey research and what it means for the future of turkey hunting. If you care about the future of wild turkeys, conservation, and the role hunters play in protecting the resource, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Listen to the HuntStand Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and learn more about how science and conservation are shaping the future of turkey hunting. JOIN THE NWTF: https://your.nwtf.org/members/membership/?action=member_information FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the NWTF Convention, Josh sits down with National Wild Turkey Federation CEO Kurt Dyroff for a broad, behind-the-scenes look at everything NWTF. From conservation and research to membership growth, leadership, habitat initiatives and the future vision of the organization, this episode covers the full scope of what the NWTF is doing to protect wild turkeys and preserve our hunting heritage. If you want to understand the mission, the impact, and where things are headed — this is the inside look you’ve been waiting for. JOIN THE NWTF: https://your.nwtf.org/members/membership/?action=member_information FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices