Talk Is Sheep

What happens when you combine a once-in-a-lifetime bighorn sheep tag, a lifetime of mountain experience, and a hunter who simply refuses to take the easy road? You get one of the most incredible stories we've ever shared on Talk Is Sheep.We're back in the studio with Wild Sheep Society of BC Director Justin Kallusky, and once again, he delivers an absolute legendary adventure.Fresh off harvesting a world-record Rocky Mountain goat in years past, Justin has done it again. This time, it's a magnificent 15-year-old Rocky Mountain bighorn ram from the rugged wilderness of British Columbia's East Kootenays.But this story is about so much more than a giant ram.From months of scouting and reclaiming forgotten mountain trails to terrifying grizzly encounters, relentless rain, snowstorms, a sick hunting partner, and even a wolverine making off with part of his ram, this adventure has everything.What makes this conversation truly special, however, is Justin's perspective on hunting, life, and conservation. We explore the importance of mentorship, the legendary sheep hunters who came before us, the power of gratitude, and our responsibility to ensure future generations have the same opportunities to experience wild sheep in wild places.We also dive into the challenges surrounding limited-entry sheep hunting in the Kootenays, the importance of maintaining hunting opportunities, and why protecting our hunting heritage requires more than simply purchasing a membership.Justin is a storyteller, a conservationist, a philosopher, and one heck of a mountain hunter. His message is powerful: It's not just about the animal we harvest. It's about the journey, the people, the connections, and what we give back.This is a long one, but trust us, you're going to want to hear every minute.Long live the hunt. Long live wild sheep.Proudly supported by our Talk Is Sheep partners: SITKA, YETI, ZEISS, Frontiersmen Gear, onX Hunt, Stone Glacier, Wild TV, Schnee's, Precision Optics, and Gunwerks.Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by guests on Talk Is Sheep are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Talk Is Sheep, guest host Hana Erikson sits down with Amanda Plewes, a passionate hunter and dedicated Wild Sheep Society of BC volunteer, for an honest conversation about resilience, recovery, and finding purpose in the outdoors.Amanda shares her remarkable personal journey, from a challenging upbringing and years of struggling with alcohol addiction to finding sobriety, strength, and a renewed appreciation for life. With incredible openness, humour, and vulnerability, she reflects on the people who helped her along the way and the transformative role that hunting, family, and the mountains have played in her recovery.The conversation also takes listeners into the backcountry, with stories of mountain hunting adventures, an unforgettable chamois hunt in Austria, and a harrowing jet boat accident on the Tuchodi River that tested Amanda and her husband Richard's resilience.As an active member of the Women Shaping Conservation community, Amanda speaks passionately about the friendships, support, and sense of belonging she has found through the Wild Sheep Society of BC.This episode is about much more than hunting. It's about second chances, overcoming adversity, finding your people, and discovering that sometimes the greatest mountains we climb are the ones within ourselves.Join Hana and Amanda for an inspiring conversation filled with laughter, raw honesty, and a powerful reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other.Talk Is Sheep is brought to you by SITKA Gear. This episode is proudly sponsored by our conservation partner, Stone Glacier.Content note: This episode includes candid discussions about addiction, mental health, and recovery.Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by guests on Talk Is Sheep are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

????️ A special election episode of Talk Is Sheep.As British Columbians prepare to head to the polls, the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is taking a closer look at the issues that matter to our province’s wildlife, wild sheep, habitat, and conservation future.In this special episode, Kyle Stelter reflects on the importance of informed decision-making, understanding the priorities of political leaders, and recognizing the role that conservation plays in shaping the future of British Columbia. Our hope is to encourage thoughtful conversations, greater awareness, and meaningful engagement with the issues that affect the landscapes and wildlife we all care about.Because the future of conservation matters, and every voice matters. ???? Tune in to Talk Is Sheep and join the conversation.The Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is a non-partisan conservation organization. We do not endorse any political party or candidate. The views, policies, and positions expressed by guests in this series are their own and those of their respective parties and should not be interpreted as the views, positions, or endorsements of WSSBC.Our purpose with this series is not to tell anyone how to vote. It is to give our members and listeners an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders and better understand where wildlife, habitat, and conservation fit within their priorities.We encourage every eligible British Columbian to learn about the issues, listen to different perspectives, and exercise their democratic right to vote.

As British Columbians head to the polls, Talk Is Sheep is giving listeners an opportunity to hear directly from the people seeking to lead our province.For this special election series, the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia invited the leaders of all major political parties to join us for conversations about wildlife, habitat, conservation, rural British Columbia, and the future of our province.In this episode, Kyle sits down with David Evans of the BC Green Party, for a wide-ranging discussion about his vision for British Columbia and where wildlife, habitat, and conservation fit within it.The conversation explores the priorities and challenges facing British Columbia, including environmental protection, natural-resource development, rural communities, land use, wildlife management, habitat conservation, and the future of hunting, angling, and outdoor recreation in our province.The discussion offers listeners an opportunity to hear the BC Green Party's perspective on balancing environmental stewardship, economic considerations, and the needs of British Columbians who live, work, and spend time on the land. It also provides an opportunity to consider how provincial policy decisions can shape the future of wildlife and habitat conservation.The Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is a non-partisan conservation organization. We do not endorse any political party or candidate. The views, policies, and positions expressed by guests in this series are their own and those of their respective parties and should not be interpreted as the views, positions, or endorsements of WSSBC.Our purpose with this series is not to tell anyone how to vote. It is to give our members and listeners an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders and better understand where wildlife, habitat, and conservation fit within their priorities.We encourage every eligible British Columbian to learn about the issues, listen to different perspectives, and exercise their democratic right to vote.Talk Is Sheep is the official podcast of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, presented by SITKA Gear.Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by guests on Talk Is Sheep are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

What does the future hold for wildlife, habitat conservation, and responsible resource management in British Columbia?As part of our special provincial election series, Talk Is Sheep welcomes Donegal Wilson, BC Conservative candidate for Boundary-Similkameen and former Official Opposition Critic for Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.Host Kyle Stelter sits down with Donegal for a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing British Columbia, with particular attention to rural communities, natural resources, and the future of wildlife conservation.Drawing on her experience in outdoor recreation, land-use planning, and provincial politics, Donegal shares her perspectives on government accountability, economic development, and the need to better engage conservation organizations in decision-making.In this episode, we discuss:The economy, affordability, and the future of rural British Columbia.Balancing natural resource development with healthy wildlife populations and ecosystems.Provincial funding and priorities for wildlife and habitat conservation.The role of hunters, anglers, and conservation organizations in shaping wildlife policy.Wild sheep conservation, including disease prevention and the South Okanagan Psoroptes treatment project.Responsible firearms ownership and public safety.What a Conservative-led government could mean for British Columbia.This conversation is part of our commitment to giving British Columbians an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders about the issues that matter to our wildlife, wild places, and conservation community.Talk Is Sheep is presented by SITKA Gear, with special episode support from Gunwerks.A Note on Non-Partisanship: The Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is a non-partisan conservation organization. We do not endorse any political party or candidate. The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of WSSBC. Our goal is to encourage informed dialogue and ensure wildlife and habitat conservation remain priorities for all political parties.Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by guests on Talk Is Sheep are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

Some hunts are about far more than the pursuit of an animal. They're about dreams, perseverance, history, and the people who make the journey unforgettable.On this episode of Talk is Sheep, Kyle Stelter welcomes Nick Hoffman (@nickswildride), host of Nick’s Wild Ride, professional musician, storyteller, and passionate conservationist, for an unforgettable conversation about his recent Stone’s sheep hunt in northern British Columbia.Nick has hunted around the world, but he describes this adventure in the legendary Prophet Muskwa country as one of the hardest and most meaningful experiences of his life.Joined by legendary sheep guide Gary VanHee and the team at Prophet Muskwa Outfitters, Nick takes us through ten gruelling days in the mountains, the relentless pursuit of an elusive old ram, missed opportunities, and a last-day gamble that would ultimately fulfill a lifelong dream.But the story goes much deeper. Nick shares the emotional connection between his success on August 27 and the memory of his late mother, whose birthday fell on that very day. It's a powerful reminder that the most meaningful moments in the mountains often have little to do with the harvest itself.We also explore the rich history of Stone’s sheep hunting in British Columbia, the legacy of the Chadwick Ram, the extraordinary people who shaped the northern outfitting industry, and the responsibility we all share in conserving these magnificent animals.Nick also gives us a preview of his upcoming documentary, STONE, scheduled for release in 2027, which will tell the remarkable story of Stone’s sheep, the people connected to them, and decades of conservation efforts.This episode is about chasing dreams, honouring traditions, and recognizing that the future of wild sheep depends on the people willing to stand up for them.Whether you've hunted sheep, dream of hunting sheep, or simply appreciate wild places and incredible storytelling, this is one conversation you won't want to miss.Talk is Sheep is presented by SITKA Gear and proudly supported by YETI, ZEISS, Frontiersmen Gear, onX Hunt, Stone Glacier, Wild TV, Schnee's, Precision Optics, and Gunwerks.Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by guests on Talk Is Sheep are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

As British Columbians head to the polls, Talk Is Sheep is giving listeners an opportunity to hear directly from the people seeking to lead our province.For this special election series, the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia invited the leaders of all major political parties to join us for conversations about wildlife, habitat, conservation, rural communities and the future of British Columbia.In this episode, Kyle sits down with Dallas Brodie, interim leader of OneBC, for a wide-ranging conversation about her party’s priorities and vision for the province.The discussion covers taxation and government spending, healthcare, rural British Columbia, resource development, environmental regulation, firearms policy, wildlife and habitat management, and the role hunters, anglers and conservation organizations should play in provincial decision-making.On wildlife funding, Brodie says she supports directing revenues generated by users back toward the resources and programs they are intended to support. She also says hunters, anglers and conservation organizations should have a seat at the table when government develops conservation policy.Brodie also discusses OneBC’s approach to lawful firearms ownership and outlines policies her party is proposing regarding provincial participation in federal firearms programs.The Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is a non-partisan conservation organization. We do not endorse any political party or candidate.The views, policies and positions expressed by Dallas Brodie in this episode are her own and those of OneBC. They should not be interpreted as the views, policies, positions or endorsements of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.Our purpose with this series is not to tell anyone how to vote. It is to give our members and listeners an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders and better understand where wildlife, habitat, natural resources and conservation fit within their priorities.We encourage every eligible British Columbian to learn about the issues, listen to the different perspectives, and exercise your democratic right to vote.And when the election is over, stay engaged. Get to know your MLA, build a relationship and continue making sure wildlife and habitat conservation remain part of the conversation.Listen now: Talk Is Sheep with Dallas Brodie, Interim Leader of OneBCTalk Is Sheep is the official podcast of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, presented by SITKA Gear.This episode is supported by our conservation partner Wild TV. Thank you to SITKA Gear and Wild TV for investing in healthy wildlife and sustainable ecosystems.Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by guests on Talk Is Sheep are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

As British Columbians head to the polls, Talk Is Sheep is giving listeners an opportunity to hear directly from the people seeking to lead our province.For this special election series, the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia invited the leaders of all major political parties to join us for a conversation about wildlife, habitat, conservation, rural British Columbia, and the future of our province.In this episode, Kyle sits down with Elenore Sturko, leader of the CentreBC Party, for a wide-ranging discussion about her vision for British Columbia and where wildlife and the land fit within it.The conversation covers the economy and affordability, natural-resource development, the rural-urban divide, access to the land, wildlife and habitat funding, science-based wildlife management, sustainable hunting and angling, the role hunters and conservation organizations can play in conservation, and lawful firearms ownership.Sturko says CentreBC supports greater investment in wildlife management where science demonstrates the need and speaks about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems while allowing British Columbians to sustainably hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors.The Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is a non-partisan conservation organization. We do not endorse any political party or candidate. The views, policies and positions expressed by guests on this series are their own and those of their respective parties and should not be interpreted as the views, positions or endorsements of WSSBC.Our purpose with this series is not to tell anyone how to vote. It is to give our members and listeners an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders and better understand where wildlife, habitat and conservation fit within their priorities.We encourage every eligible British Columbian to learn about the issues, listen to the different perspectives, and exercise your democratic right to vote.And engagement shouldn’t end at the ballot box. Following the election, get to know your MLA, build a relationship and continue making sure that wildlife and habitat have a voice in British Columbia.????️ Listen now: Talk Is Sheep with Elenore Sturko, Leader of the CentreBC PartyTalk Is Sheep is the official podcast of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, presented by SITKA Gear.This episode is supported by our conservation partner Precision Optics. Thank you SITKA Gear and Precision Optics for investing in healthy wildlife and sustainable ecosystems.

In this episode of Talk Is Sheep, Kyle sits down with Brian Gustafson, Executive Director of the Golden District Rod & Gun Club, and filmmaker Jesse Bone of Filter Studios to talk about the powerful new conservation film, On The Landscape: Bighorn Sheep of the East Kootenays.The film tells the story of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep living alongside highways, railways, communities and an increasingly changing landscape in British Columbia’s East Kootenays. It also tells the story of the people working to make a difference—scientists, First Nations guardians, wildlife managers, filmmakers and grassroots conservationists coming together to find solutions.Brian shares the remarkable story of the Golden bighorn herd, which at one point had fallen to just 11 animals, and the work that has helped the herd begin to recover. The conversation explores highway mortality, wildlife fencing and crossings, habitat enhancement, prescribed fire, collaboration with government, and the importance of persistent grassroots conservation.Jesse takes us behind the camera and explains how the film evolved from what began as a call to action into something much bigger—a celebration of communities across the East Kootenays working together for wildlife. He also shares some incredible stories from filming bighorn sheep along the Trans-Canada Highway and what it was like capturing the very challenges the film was created to highlight.Now the film is hitting the road.ON THE LANDSCAPE FILM TOUROctober 20 — Castlegar, Selkirk CollegeOctober 21 — Cranbrook, Cranbrook Public LibraryOctober 22 — Fernie, Vogue TheatreOctober 23 — Radium Hot Springs, Bighorn Meadows ResortOctober 24 — Golden, Kicking Horse MoviesEach screening includes the film, a Q&A with the filmmakers and conservation partners, and draw prizes throughout the evening. Seating is limited at several locations, so we encourage you to register early.WATCH THE TRAILER, LEARN MORE & REGISTER:https://otlfilm.ca/RAFFLE TICKETS SUPPORTING THE CAUSE:https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/wss-bc-otl/This is a story about wild sheep, but it is also a story about what can happen when passionate people refuse to accept the status quo.As Brian says near the end of the episode: come watch the film, talk about the problems—and more importantly, let’s talk about the solutions.Talk Is Sheep is the official podcast of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, presented by SITKA Gear. This episode is supported by conservation partner Precision Optics.

What happens when two cousins take very different paths into the outdoors—and decide to tell the story together?Kyle sits down with Joel and Ryan Primus, the creators of Finding Nowhere. Ryan grew up hunting, fishing and exploring remote places in British Columbia. Joel built a business career far from that world before Ryan invited him into the backcountry and helped him learn to hunt.They share how a goat hunt became the start of a television series, what it takes to film their adventures, and why they want their stories to reach people who have never hunted. The conversation also explores family, food, conservation and the challenge of keeping the show true to who they are as it grows.Watch Finding Nowhere and learn more at FindingNowhereShow.com, or follow @FindingNowhereShow on Instagram.Talk Is Sheep is brought to you by SITKA Gear. Thanks to this episode’s conservation partner, YETI, for supporting healthy wildlife and sustainable ecosystems.