The Wild Initiative

Byron Pace, photographer and filmmaker, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss conservation and our hunting media. In this episode, Byron discusses his involvement in Modern Huntsman and the changes in our consumption and presentation of hunting media as well as the important values his father imparted to him with regards to the outdoors. They also discuss the concept of individual versus ecosystem passions for animals, the existence of the Loch Ness monster, the blood-lust journey through hunting, offensive gingerism and, of course, Cecil the Lion. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/150. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Rowland, fishing guide and host of Saltwater Experience and the Tom Rowland Podcast, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss how fitness has improved his life as a hunter, angler and family man. In this episode, they discuss the sacrifices you have to be willing to make to live the life you want and how to discover your direction. Tom tells the story of falling out of shape, finding himself consistently beat, sore and injured and how that affected his time in the outdoors. He then talks about his journey, the importance of physical fitness to both the outdoors and your family life and why staying fit is critical rather than just a luxury. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/149. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robin Black, MMA Analyst and Commentator and king of the one-minute breakdown, joins Sam, in this bonus episode of The Wild Initiative, on an Instagram Live session. They have a fantastic conversation covering a little bit of everything including trophy hunting, masculinity, athlete hunters, the emotional connection to what we fight or kill and the numerous ways their individual passions coincide. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/podcast/2020/5/podcast-bonus-episode-robin-black-enjoy-the-hostilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blake Manning, a fellow California native, joins Sam to talk about the endless opportunities for hunting that California offers. In this episode, they discuss the ins-and-outs of reaching out to private landowners, their Spring turkey seasons, hunting coastal blacktail, taking his wife out on her first hunt, and sharing the bounty of the hunt with family and friends. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/148. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powerlifter Brandon Lilly joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss overcoming adversity and the power of stripping life down to the basics. In this episode, Brandon walks us through his journey as a powerlifter and through his recovery from a catastrophic rupture of both knees. He also provides his insight on a wide variety of topics including moving towards a primitive lifestyle, facing difficult situations, controlled breathing exercises, fitness routines and functional movement, the ethics of a “Texas Heart Shot” and learning to slow down and observe before taking action. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/147. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britt Longoria joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss what it truly means to be a hunter. In this episode, Britt reminisces about traveling the world hunting with her father, the important legacy he left, the start of her love affair with Africa and growing up with dreams of running an African Safari Company. They also discuss the controversial “leopard photo,” flipping the stereotypical image of a hunter, speaking at an emotional level about our reasons for hunting and learning to understand the non-hunter perspective in order to more effectively communicate. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/146. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Quiet Survivalist and 30+ year military and federal law enforcement veteran, Michael Lavalle, joins Sam on the Wild Initiative to talk about essential survival skills. In this episode, they discuss must-have survival gear for your pack, fire-starting tactics, how to find water in the desert, and even some super handy tricks for locating and tracking elk on “over-hunted” public land. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/145. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Locke Wheeler is back again, talkin' turkey with Sam on The Wild Initiative. In this episode, they discuss how the weather and seasons affect turkey behavior during the day, whether or not to use decoys, turkey rafter dynamics, decoy setup strategies, aggressive and timid calling techniques and how to locate toms in the morning. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/144. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anna Van Nostrand of Anna V Outdoors joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to talk all about wing-shooting, bird dogs and the hunting life. In this episode, they discuss her history as a firearms instructor, developing her passion for wing-shooting and bird-doggin', getting her daughters into hunting, how to get your start in the sport and the essential gear you'll need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fisher Neal of Learn to Hunt NYC and Yale Drama School joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to talk about his passion for teaching others to hunt. In this episode, they discuss wanting to pursue a career in acting without sacrificing hunting and fishing, the opportunities available to hunters in New York and New Jersey, the logistics of managing whitetails on Staten Island, city-dwellers' fascination with the ethical harvest of organic meat, starting Learn to Hunt NYC and the importance of mentorship. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/142. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Kenyon of Wired to Hunt and MeatEater joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss his new book, That Wild Country. In this episode, they discuss advice for someone building a career in the outdoor industry, the romantic mythology of “heading west” and his personal journey, advice for first-time mountain hunters, physical fitness, setting expectations, how public lands became foundational to his life and his ideal public lands tour for the newbie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isaac Aleman, formerly of Easton, joins Sam on the Wild Initiative at Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City to discuss, among other things, why FOC stands for "f**king overcomplicated." In this episode, they cover Easton's history and roots in California, Rambo First Blood Pt 2, the value of hunting the same area year after year, introducing your kids to hunting, getting into the hunting industry, the "Goose, Maverick and Iceman" levels of pro-staff, discovering your bad habits and starting simply as you're learning to shoot. NOTE: Since recording this episode, Isaac has moved on from Easton and is currently pursuing other opportunities. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/140. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Smith and Jeremy Dugger sit down with Sam on The Wild Initiative at Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City to talk hunting big muleys. In this episode they cover, locating big mule deer and learning to kill them where they are, important terrain features to look for, tracking deer, road hunting, laying down in deer beds pushing deer and pretty much everything you need to know to hunt big muleys. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/139, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Spring, Director of Records for Boone & Crockett Club joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Romney of Drift on the Fly joins Sam on The Wild Initiative at the Sacramento International Sportsman's Expo. In this episode, they discuss guiding fly fishing in California, how Steelhead runs can interfere with college courses, starter gear and how fly fishing is becoming more affordable for beginners, power versus style, the physics behind casting a fly, the step-by-step process of casting, "last cast syndrome" and simple tips and tricks you can practice to improve your fly casting. Learn more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/138. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President and CEO, Patrick Berry and Conservation Chair, Dave Peterson of Fly Fishers International, join Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kaitlyn Lowes joins Sam on the Wild Initiative in the NSSF Lounge at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. In this episode, they discuss hunting her family’s property in Texas and taking her first deer, the beauty of processing your own wild game meat, shooting and hog hunting from horseback, the ethics of high-fence hunting and hunting overseas. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/137. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Opre, Founder and CEO of the Shepherds of Wildlife Society, joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitch Hartley, Assistant Coordinator of the Atlantic Coast Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Smith, the Informative Fisherman, joins Sam in a boat at the Sacramento International Sportsmen’s Expo for this episode of The Wild Initiative. In this episode, they discuss his becoming the first full-time fishing YouTube’er and earning the name “Informative Fisherman”, the science of mother nature and how it affects bass fishing, calling fishing “audibles”, the easiest way to get started bass fishing, eating Double Whoppers on the treadmill, building a multipurpose fishing kit, different types of lures and why/when they work, shoot-and-release hunting and setting your fishing expectations correctly. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/136. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lindsay Thomas, Director of Communications for the Quality Deer Management Association, joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Hale, winner of the January Run, Ride or Ruck Challenge and one of the earliest subscribers of the podcast, joins Sam on the Wild Initiative for this bonus release. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Todd, President of Running Rivers joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robbie Kroger, founder of the Blood Origins Project, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative. In this episode, they discuss exploring what hunting means to each individual, fighting against the lack of authenticity in hunting media, trying to target the “why” in his stories and not just the kill, adding to the Blood Origins family tree and how hearing these stories has expanded his view of hunting. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/135. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen Black, Manager of Communications for the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey Mason, Executive Director and CEO of Dallas Safari Club joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Hoffman, of Nick’s Wild Ride on The Outdoor Channel, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative at the NSSF SHOT Show in Las Vegas. In this episode, they discuss being wired as a hunter versus being wired as a gatherer, feeling a longing for the wild without knowing what’s missing, wanting to start an Anthony Bourdain-style hunting show, running away at the age of 17 to play fiddle in Branson, Missouri, his experiences from hunting cape buffalo in Africa to Dall sheep in Alaska, putting in work to take advantage of lucky strokes and believing in your ability to succeed. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/134. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Morrisey of The National Shooting Sports Foundation joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casey & Regina Stafford of CICC Outdoor Adventures join Sam on The Wild Initiative. In this episode, they discuss the abundant hunting opportunities offered by the State of California, waterfowl as an easy introduction into hunting and an in-depth discussion of locating and hunting hogs on public land. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/133. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Scott joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss his successful 2019 elk season in Oregon. In this episode, they discuss how to recover after misses, hunting big bulls on his 10th anniversary, difficulties and differences when solo hunting, hunting as a big red runaway sign and why we love taking on something that is, at times, so miserable. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/132. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared Wiklund of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Turner of Shot IQ joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to take your bow and rifle shooting up a notch. In this episode, they discuss the importance of shot control and Joel's development of his Controlled Process Shot System, learning to override your nervous system and consciously defy human nature, the four fundamentals of shooting, finding your determination, how to blueprint your successful shots and learning to decide, not shoot. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/131. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Lynn of Sportsmen's Alliance joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Collin Cottrell joins Sam on the Wild Initiative for the first episode of 2020. In this episode, they discuss the difference between working in the hunting industry and being a professional hunter, finding old MySpace photos, giving others power over you by putting so much effort into hating on them, his perspective of Ryan Michler's first hunt, the exponential value of introducing others to hunting, Al Gore's invention of the Internet and the value of making yourself available. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/130. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenna McCoubrey of the She Does What?! Podcast joins Sam on The Wild Initiative. Brenna and Sam have recently worked to launch a brand new design and website for her podcast, which focuses on providing a resource to women who are new to the outdoors. In this episode, they discuss hunting ducks and fishing for striped bass out in New England, things she’s learned from running the podcast, addressing fears as you go along through your hunting journey and what she’s doing to grow as a hunter. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/129. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Michler, of Order of Man, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative. In this episode, they discuss how a focus on masculinity often leads directly to hunting, finding fulfillment, not in success, but in overcoming challenges, seeing remorse and embarrassment as positives, communication and compromise and his reasons behind starting Order of Man. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/128. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaden Bales joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to talk about his successful 2019 archery elk season. In this episode, they discuss the factors leading to his success after five years of unfilled tags, The Rich Outdoors Elk 201 mini-course, pushing through disappointments, elk calves trying to crawl into your pack and tactics to be a more consistent elk hunter year after year. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/127. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill “The Gravel Bar Gourmet” Cooper and “Paddle” Don Cranfill sit down around the campfire at Driftwood Acres with Sam during their whitetail hunt to have a few drinks and swap old hunting stories. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/126. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pro angler and GoWild CSO, John Hunter, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative. In this episode, they discuss the differences between whitetail and elk hunting, techniques and essential gear for along with what to expect from your first whitetail hunt, the differences between expectation and reality when it comes to elk hunting and tips for a whitetail hunter heading out on their first elk hunt. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/125. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Webster of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his drive back home from Montana, Sam recaps his 2019 fall elk season. In this episode, he covers lessons he’s learned in his time hunting, discusses his thoughts and feelings about the hunt and tells a story or two about his time in the field. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/124. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode, Sam joins Brad Luttrell on the Restless Native podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kalvyn Herring of 2% for Conservation joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Moran, co-founder of Built4theHunt, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to talk about his recent epic elk hunt. In this episode, they discuss Jeff’s inability to enjoy the outdoors without a goal, the horrors of rifle season on public land, putting in the time to increase your success, packing in and out of some of the roughest elk country in the West, what you envision never quite lining up with reality and the key factors that lead to his success. They also discuss founding Built4theHunt, an unbiased supplement and fitness platform for the outdoorsman, along with understanding your goals and what goes into your body. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/123. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Tarwater of National Wild Turkey Federation joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Donovan, author of The Way of Men, sits down with Sam on the Wild Initiative to discuss masculinity. In this episode, they discuss examining the definitions of masculinity through history and various cultures, how masculinity can only be defined by men, the difference between being a good man and being good at being a man, testing yourself against other men, craving elements of danger in our lives, conserving masculine spaces and time just for the guys and the association between masculinity and violence. Also in this episode, they discuss Jack preparing to go on his first-ever hunt up in Oregon, the steps he’s taking to prepare and the difficulties he’s encountering along the way. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/122. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ty Stubblefield of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Lampers, the StHealthy Hunter, and "Doc" Hillary Lampers of Hunt Harvest Health join Sam on The Wild Initiative. In this episode, they discuss the idea behind Hunt Harvest Health, staying healthy in order to chase your passions until you're old an gray, hunters leading the charge for healthy eating, the hard work and conditioning required for backcountry hunting and things hunters can focus on to begin improving their health and readiness. Also, in this episode, they discuss launching Western Hunting Summit 2020, investing in yourself and key ways to increase your consistency and success as a hunter. Take advantage of the lowest price available. Make sure you pick up your limited-time presale passes for Western Hunting Summit 2020 starting Friday, October 18, 2019 at 10am MT at westernhuntingsummit.com. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/121. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gray N. Thornton of Wild Sheep Foundation joins Sam on today's Conservation Coffee Break. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie Burgert of Fish Untamed joins Sam on the Wild Initiative to provide a beginner’s guide to fly fishing. In this episode they cover, figuring out the right questions to ask, finding new terms in videos and podcasts, why you would fly fish instead of spin fishing, essential fly fishing gear, learning to cast, different fly fishing techniques, different flies and their purposes and launching the Fish Untamed Podcast as part of The Wild Initiative Network. See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/120. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices