The Hunting Collective

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Foss is officially our third Canadian ever on the podcast. Quite the honor, indeed. Foss is not just a Northerner, though, he happens to be one of the top sheep hunters in North America and beyond. At the ripe young age of 24, he became the youngest hunter to earn the wild sheep grand slam with a bow. Since then he’s travelled the world seeking out bowhunting’s toughest challenges, all the while developing his skills as a filmmaker, photographer and story-teller.I caught up with Foss in Bozeman over a growler of 406 beer to talk all things mountain hunting, his upbringing, philosophies on adventure, a brief but important description of cookbook night, and how to make the perfect “Caesar.” Enjoy. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roy & Ryan Seiders were born and raised in Driftwood, Texas, a small town outside of Austin. Their parents cultivated a family-first environment and dad, Roger, brought his boys up in an entrepreneurial environment. They also went hunting and fishing...a lot. What seems like a pretty typical childhood turned into the fuel that would power the brothers as they hit the real world. They both started businesses after college in the fishing space until Roy discovered something that would change it all: the need for a better cooler. Next thing they knew, these two regular guys were at the helm of one of the fastest growing companies in the country. The company was called YETI. It's an amazing story. One that I was very privileged to be a part of for almost four years. YETI was the reason I went to Texas and I wouldn't change it for anything. So, there's no better way to end our Texas series of podcasts and for me to say goodbye to the state than with a conversation with the founders of YETI. Enjoy. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On episode No. 26 I’m joined by Sgt. Omar “Crispy” Avila. Omar is an amazing Texas character. He’s had a life of service dedicated to his country and his fellow veterans.Sgt. Avila joined the U.S. Army in 2004 as an Infantryman, deploying to Iraq in 2007. On May 14, 2007, his vehicle was struck with a 200 lb IED, resulting in burns to 75% of his body and amputation below the knee of his right leg.Upon retiring from the U.S. Army in 2010, Sgt. Avila never allowed his injuries to slow his success. Powering through his injuries, he became the current world record holder for the World Association of Bench and Deadlift in the Paralympics category. Sgt. Avila now serves as a liaison for Sons Of The Flag, helping other wounded warriors through their recovery process. A lifelong avid hunter, Omar also spreads his passion for the outdoors by assisting wounded veterans.Enjoy this conversation and what is truly an amazing story. One that changed me and I hope will do the same for you. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was late July in the Texas Badlands, a time of year Wyman Meinzer says turns his home into a "hell hole of a place." We sat in his living room drinking whiskey and talking politics. We were both sweating a bit despite the best efforts of the air conditioning, but managing to get a few laughs in between fits of intense conversation meant to solve the world's problems. Wyman and his wife Sylinda had spent the day with three of their grandchildren, leaving the house cluttered with dolls, juice boxes and the like. Just another sign of changing times for my friend Wyman. He's 67 now and gone are the days when he lived in the old dugout, trapping coyotes and bobcats. Gone are the wild days when he crashed planes and crawled into rattlesnake dens. Things are slower now in Benjamin, Texas, and Wyman is enjoying telling his story rather than furiously writing more chapters. He doesn't mind petting the cat, drinking some whiskey and just talking. He's got enough stories to tell that he and I could fill a lifetime of evenings like this, and I'd be happy to do just that. Sadly, I don't get all that much time with Wyman, so I'm happy to have recorded this podcast. I'll listen back to it quite often I'm sure, when I'm in need of a reminder of what hard work means and how much I can still achieve in this life. In this episode we cover just about all of Wyman's life and times, and gathered some perspective on how he made it. Enjoy. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don't have to hang around very long and it's easy to figure out that the hunting industry has some interesting stories to tell. One of the most interesting is that of Ben "ShedCrazy" Dettamanti, a Utah-based content creator and shed hunter known for his funny-as-hell social media presence. Here's a guy that left his job as a school janitor to post videos on YouTube about running around the mountains collecting antlers and making folks laugh. It takes some courage to make that jump. Ben joined me at the Total Archery Challenge in Terry Peak, SD, to fling arrows and attempt to make each other crack up at full draw. It was a great weekend, highlighted by our conversation about his career as a content creator, the lures of social media fame, grip and grins (gasp!) and how much money a guy can make from selling sheds. It was an interesting chat and I look forward to hanging out with ol' ShedCrazy again soon. Enjoy. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Janke is the host of the Beyond the Kill podcast, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Mountain Hunting (JOMH). Adam, a British Columbia resident and diehard mountain hunter, is a deliberate dude. He came into the hunting industry recently and has made a name for himself early on as someone who cares about hunting's image and is striving to celebrate the experience. We spoke about the recent hunting ban on grizzly bears in his home province, the state of hunting media today, how to talk to non-hunters, the greatest challenges with communicating what we do and his recent crazy-as-shit goat hunt up North. Be sure to check out the film "Toeing the Line" from Adam and the JOMH at journalofmountainhunting.com and the newest print edition of the magazine. In the meantime, enjoy our conversation. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Casey “LaVere” Butler is a success story. A few years back he decided to leave his 9-to-5 job at a steel mill to do something crazy: create a hunting and fishing YouTube channel. With no assurances he'd make anything of the idea, he took the leap and started Hushin. His friends Eric Chesser and Brian McElrea joined him and together in just a few short years they have created one of hunting's most unheralded media powerhouses. They have a dedicated audience that follows their every move as the crew creates semi-live content from the field. It's raw and unedited, something new to the space. There's more to Casey than just his branded content. He's a family man, raising four kids with his wife in the mountains of Idaho, and a guy who truly enjoys the experience of hunting. To say Casey comes off as a "regular guy" is no slight. It's easy to relate to his honest approach to capturing his hunts and Hushin's diverse fan base is evidence that his message resonates. I met up with Casey and Ryan Callaghan from First Lite to chase free-range axis deer in Sonora, Texas. We had a kickass few days dodging chiggers, rattlesnakes and ticks tracking rutting bucks in 100-degree heat. Afterwards we sat down to discuss the dangers of hunting the Lone Star State, success and failure in bowhunting, winning the mental game, and covered some deep topics on life, death and what we can learn about both in hunting. Enjoy. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode is a little different. I'm joined by Sam Soholt for a recap of an epic hunt for Axis deer on the Hawaiian island of Lanai.I've been lucky to be a part of many great hunting camps over the years, but I don't think I'll ever top thins one. Sam and I were joined by John and Sharon Dudley, Cameron Hanes, Joe Rogan, Shane Dorian, Remi Warren, Adam and Kimmi Greentree and the great El Chapo. If the crew isn't enough to make this one damn awesome adventure, we added in the most switched on impossible to stalk deer on the planet. Not to mention the most delicious. Enjoy this recap and be sure to check out everyone's social media pages for all the highlights. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fred Eichler lives the dream. His ranch near Aguilar, Colorado is tucked in the game rich foothills of the Spanish Peaks holding elk, mule deer, whitetail, pronghorn, turkeys, bears and more. He lives there with his three boys and awesome wife Michele, running Full Draw Outfitters and living off the land. The Eichler homestead features a garden, bee hives, chickens, hounds, fainting goats and as many dogs as you can count. The fruits of this labor is fresh honey, homemade jams, veggies, eggs and of course wild meat. I’d move in tomorrow if I could. Following a kickass turkey hunt I got together with Fred to talk about his two decades in the industry, the changes in archery and how that change is perceived. It was a fun one, recorded in his truck rolling through the ranch. He also claims to be the originator of #justglassin, which I support. Enjoy Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aron Snyder's official title is President/CEO at Kifaru international and Host of the Kifarucast podcast, but he's a whole lot more than that. He's handy with a trad bow, and spends up to 150 days a year on the mountain. He's been in the hunting podcast world for as long as just about anyone, and he's a wealth of knowledge because of it. Snyder also doesn't really care what most folks think. He's brutally honest in all the best ways. The result is a conversation with little held back that for me resulted in a lot of perspective.Perspective on hunting's perception in popular culture, how we can do better representing ourselves, defining trophy hunting, and why hunters feel the need to in-fight so much. We also went pretty deep in to what gear he packs into the backcountry, how he prepares and how to pick the right pack and boots. You're going to enjoy episode No. 10, I promise. Be sure to check out Kifarucast in the meantime. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop MeatEater Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Post might look like a walking contradiction. Dig a bit deeper and you'll find he's far from it. Born and raised in northern California, Charles earned a B.S. and M.S. in ecology from U.C. Berkeley, serves as a conservation advisor for Sitka and editor of Modern Huntsman.He's a Montana based filmmaker with a penchant for wildlife conservation stories that challenge the norms of perception. Whether it's Sky Migrations, a film Charles co-directed and is featured in, which shines a light on the conservation of raptors across two hemispheres, or a pair of upcoming films he's co-directing with Ben Masters: one that shines a light on bighorn sheep conservation in West Texas, and another that exposes the ecological impacts of wild horses on public land.His approach stands out because he tells conservation stories through a lens free from the strings of politics or blind emotion. His social media account has become a forum for thoughtful conversations around wildlife, ecology and hunting. With his first season bowhunting public land ending with the harvest of a nice bull, Charles has waded further into the conversation, something we explore in this episode. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop The Hunting Collective Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop The Hunting Collective Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop The Hunting Collective Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop The Hunting Collective Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Callaghan is one of the good guys.There are a bunch of other things that can be said about First Lite’s Director of Conservation and Public Relations, hunting guide and frequent contributor to MeatEater. One of the more apt descriptions, though, is that Callaghan is real. The things he says and the things he does are one in the same. He backs up his passions with action. Callaghan is truly a conservationist because he gets involved. Whether it’s city council meetings, public land rallies, or his recent election to the National Board of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers; the Montana-native has built up a distinct voice in the world of conservation during his six years at First Lite. His opinion matters because it’s grounded in his efforts to fight for lands and wildlife. Also Cal know a whole heck of a lot about the pursuit. Callaghan joined me at the Western Hunting Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City for a great conversation on the trade show floor that explores many of the hunting toughest topics. 3:05 - Are we creepy? 6:28 – Podcast ground rules 8:18 – Ben’s upbringing 14:20 – What is the hunting industry? 18:00 – Michael Pollon’s “Omnivore’s Dilemma” 19:40 – Hunting’s generational changes 22:58 – BHA’s National Board 25:09 – Are hunters conservationists? 33:03 – Do hunters know what Pittman-Robertson is? 38:02 – Daunting new hunter challenges 42:25 – Discussing National Monuments 48:00 – The slippery slope of losing public land 53:18 – Public Land hunting in Texas or lack thereof 1:00:01 – Peas are the devil’s balls 1:06:19 – Promoting the end result and the fear of failure 1:08:20 – Generation gap in hunting 1:09:15 – Hunting with The Chive and the urban bubble 1:15:00 – Seattle’s Batman and his hunting journey 1:18:14 – More urbanites is good for hunting? 1:23:12 – Positivity in hunting 1:26:50 – Talking to your younger self about hunting 1:28:56 – Describing the scene at The Expo (Ben is finally quiet.) 1:32:20 – Where the podcast is headed Enjoy, and we’ll see you next week. Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop The Hunting Collective Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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) Connect with Ben and MeatEaterBen on InstagramMeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YoutubeShop The Hunting Collective Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.