This episode dives into the realities of modern farming with Tyler Coppin, a seasoned hay farmer. We explore the economic challenges farmers face, where a single storm can devastate a year's work. Tyler shares the difficult decisions farmers make, like managing crop insurance and navigating generational changes. We also discuss the barriers new farmers encounter, the impact of global trade, and the high costs of equipment. The episode explores the hardships of rural life, the mental strain...

My sister Adele, owner of 6 Ranch Livestock, takes over the podcast this week! Brooke Hoffman, a local veterinarian, gives a really interesting perspective on the challenges of being a vet in a small town. Her return to her roots after vet school, choosing family and community over potentially greater financial rewards elsewhere, paints a picture of dedication and love for both her craft and her upbringing. This episode is a testament to the spirit of those who serve rural communities. We...

Navigating life after military service presents unique challenges, where the personal battle with ego often defines the road to success or failure.  Join us for a deep dive into the mind of a Marine Corps veteran, where swagger meets strategic thought and where violence is not only redefined but understood as a tool for overcoming trauma and building resilience. Check out the new DECKED system and get free shipping.

My grandma, a vibrant 90-year-old, returns to the show! We chat about her love of gardening, her secret to longevity (staying active!), and the art of making delicious gravy. We discuss harvesting and preserving food, the cultural importance of shared meals, and the magic of cooking on a wood stove. We'll also hear stories about hunting trips, the respect for where our food comes from, and the bonds built around the dinner table. This episode celebrates the journey of our food, the strength...

My dad is running for state senate. Listen up to hear about Oregon's issues and how he plans to deal with them. Check out the new DECKED system and get free shipping. Click HERE to learn more about Todd Nash for Senate.

We head out with Captain Cade and Blake from Tripletail Charters and dive into the world of sportfishing on the open ocean. We'll chat about the challenges and excitement of catching fish like Atlantic sailfish and yellowfin tuna, and explore the diverse ecosystems we encounter, from the deep waters where swordfish live to the surface where redfish require a strategic approach.  The episode doesn't just focus on the catch. We'll also discuss important conservation issues facing our oceans. We...

Kiley Umeda can hold her breath for almost four minutes while freediving to spearfish in the clear waters of the pacific ocean near her home on the big island of Hawaii. She has also dove 186 feet deep on a single breath. Kiley has helped me on my journey to learn the sport of freediving and spearfishing and I finally made the trip to Hawaii to spend two days diving and hunting fish and octopus with her. Spearfishing requires a mastery over the hunter's body and mind. A dive of 30 seconds in...

Jana and I dive into the lessons imparted by military veterans—stories told with resilience and gratitude—and how these experiences transform our perspectives on life and hunting. We discuss the profound connection hunters share with the wilderness and ponder the cultural and therapeutic impacts of hunting, the humility learned in nature, and the fierce dedication to conservation that defines the hunting culture. Check out the new DECKED system and get free shipping.

Joined by Brian from Bakcou, we discuss the latest e-bike technologies that are revolutionizing outdoor adventures. From motor power to long-range batteries, we'll guide you towards the perfect e-bike for an unforgettable hunt. Check out the new DECKED system and get free shipping. Check out BAKCOU to learn more about their e-bikes.

Join Butch Whiting and I as we explore camouflage's evolution, the impact of veterans, and stories that weave brand and audience together. Kryptek is based in American traditions, celebrating the spirit of guns, game, and the great outdoors. Check out the new DECKED system and get free shipping. Check out KRYPTEK for your camo gear needs.

Luke Kennedy, a former Chicago PD officer and military veteran shares stories from his time undercover in Afghanistan and Iraq, showcasing the human side of intelligence work. From integrating refugees to identifying key intelligence assets, the role of language skills and cultural understanding is pivotal and often heartbreaking. Check out the new DECKED system and get free shipping. Check out Tier1Kinetics for guns, ammo, and optics accessories.

Jordan Manley has spent more time in the wilderness than anyone I know. We talk survival, best and worst kinds of guiding, white wolves, and what it means to be a cowboy.  Check out the new DECKED system and get free shipping 

Coltin Weber is not a millionaire. He didn't win a sheep tag at a raffle, and he doesn't work in the hunting industry. Typically, those are the most common ways to be able to hunt Dall sheep in Alaska, as it's an expensive endeavor. But Coltin had a goal to make it happen, so he found a guide, booked the trip, and worked for 4 years to pay it off. It's a hunt of a lifetime, but what do you do when you can't find a legal ram? In this episode, Coltin shares the story of his Alaskan Dall sheep...

Bears are fascinating, and I was blown away by last week's conversation with Toogee Sielsch on the urbanization of black bears in Lake Tahoe Basin (if you haven't listened to the episode yet, go back). This week, I wanted to learn more about bear biology and behavior, and who better to ask than wildlife biologist Jim Akenson. Jim conducted a tremendous black bear study in Northeast Oregon back in the early 90s. He and his team used a variety of methods, including hounds and climbing trees, to...

What happens when black bears are drawn to urban areas? Here to tell us, is long time Lake Tahoe resident and bear expert, Toogee Sielsch. For Toogee, what started as an interest in black bears quickly snowballed into helping neighbors evict them from under their homes.  He now uses his knowledge and skills to give back through bear safe education, bear evictions, and lending out electric bear mats to community members, all free of charge. The black bear population in Lake Tahoe Basin is...

Ryan Pace and I have a lot in common. We're both from Wallowa County, with multigenerational ties to this place. We both went off to college, then joined the Marines, serving tours in the Middle East. And we both fought our way back home. Ryan served as an Intelligence Officer in the Marines, then worked at the Pentagon as an Intelligence Analyst. He's been a real lifeline to me over the years and I value his advice and opinions. In this episode, we discuss our time in the Marines and our...

Bjorn Skovlin doesn't shy away from hard work or adventure. He spent 13 years in wildland fire, 8 of which as a smoke jumper. During the off seasons, he spent his winters traveling, which included a stint cowboying on a ranch in Argentina and a trip through Southeast Asia that almost killed him. Now, Bjorn is a structural firefighter and member of Boise Fire's swiftwater rescue team. In this episode, Bjorn shares stories of fighting fire, remote global travel, river rescue, and how you can be...

Hannah Mabbot wears a lot of hats. She's the Hunting Operation Manager and guide for Hunt Oregon LLC, a large hunting ranch that offers just about any big game or upland bird hunt. She's a conservationist, serving on the board of her local chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association. On top of all of that, she also happens to be a model. Hannah and I cover a lot in this episode, from predator hunting and overly aggressive mountain lions, to our feelings on some of Oregon's hunting regulations...

At twenty-five, Taylor Chism is already a legend. She grew up ranching, fought wildland fire as a hotshot, and is currently working as a helicopter pilot capturing big game for research. Taylor has some wild stories to tell. She's crash landed a helicopter, spent 3 days in a Mexican prison, and regularly jumps out of moving aircraft to tackle bighorn sheep. For Taylor, it's not about chasing adrenaline. It's about living a fully aware life. Because what's a good life without a little...

While spending time in one of my favorite places, Eastern North Carolina, I sat down with Pamlico Sound local legend, Captain Owen. Owen has the coyote hunting and tarpon fishing figured out. He, in fact, was one of the very first to discover tarpon fishing in the Sound and somehow managed to keep the method a secret for years. Owen also taught a high school class called Marine Occupations for 25 years, in which students would operate a shrimp trawler, learning everything they needed to be a...

I'm back in beautiful Pamlico County, North Carolina, joined this time by NASCAR legend, and now, rice farmer, Tommy Wheeler. According to Tommy, making cars go faster is all about manufacturing unfair advantages, whether through innovation or hard work. And that's exactly what he did as an engineer for NASCAR. Tommy worked as a team engineer, engineering manager and technical director for teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Evernham Motorsports. In 2021, he ended his career as operations...

This week on the podcast, we're continuing our conversation with local historian, David Weaver. David is the Board President of the Wallowa History Center, and his knowledge of my home, Wallowa County, is extensive. In part 2 of our conversation, we cover early species migration, hunting strategies of the Nez Perce and early settlers, buffalo trips to Montana, and what life was like in the county around the turn of the 20th century.  Learn more about Wallowa County History  Check out the...

History always starts with a question. For local historian David Weaver, that question takes us back to the mid to late 1800s. David is the Board President of the Wallowa History Center, and his interest lies in learning more about the relationship between the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce Tribe and the early European settlers who came to Northeast Oregon. In part one of this two-part episode, David and I sat down to discuss the lifestyles, cultures, and conflicts of the people of Wallowa...

Many are called to go out west, whether to satisfy a desire for adventure, or live in vast country. Alex Mojcher is one of those folks. Originally from New England, Alex bought a KLR motorcycle and rode it west across the county camping and exploring as much as he could along the way. Now, as the Social Media Manager for DECKED, Alex is living the western dream. He's been practicing with his 1968 Remington 870 Wingmaster shotgun, and we finally got him out on his first ever hunt for ducks. In...