EP25 Hazen Downward

If you've listened to Kicked Out before, you'll remember Larry Clark. He was such a fun guest the first time around that we had to invite him back—and this time, there's another sheep hunt to talk about. After waiting more than 35 years to draw a coveted Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep tag, Larry found himself heading south just months later for a completely different sheep-hunting adventure: a desert sheep hunt in Sonora, Mexico. What was supposed to be another exciting sheep hunt quickly became an adventure full of unexpected twists and challenges. Along the way, they dealt with injuries, gear failures, extreme weather, and plenty of unexpected moments—including an encounter with a Gila monster. Through it all, Larry's sense of humor and enthusiasm never disappeared. His story captures the reality of sheep hunting: things rarely go exactly according to plan, and sometimes the biggest memories come from the moments you never saw coming.

In this episode of Kicked Out, Maddie Richards sits down with Taylor Sledge, an entrepreneur, husband, father, lifelong Mississippian, and passionate hunter, to hear how a love for the outdoors became an important part of his life—and a legacy he hopes to pass on to his children. For a hunter from Mississippi, sheep hunting might seem like an unlikely pursuit. But Taylor's story shows how curiosity, relationships, and a willingness to chase a new challenge can take you far beyond the familiar.

In this episode of Kicked Out, host Maddie Richards sits down with Nick Hoffman to explore the unexpected path that took him from playing fiddle as a kid to building careers in country music and outdoor television—and ultimately finding a deep connection to hunting, adventure, and conservation. Nick shares how curiosity, opportunity, and a willingness to try something unfamiliar opened the door to hunting. What began as a new outdoor experience grew into a passion and another way to connect with wild places, wildlife, food, people, and the landscapes he had always loved.

In this episode of Kicked Out Stories, Maddie Richards sits down with Hazen Downward, a passionate hunter from southern Idaho, to talk about the experiences, challenges, and people that have shaped his life in the outdoors. Hazen calls Buell, Idaho, home after moving from central Utah in 2021 in search of a slower pace of life and more time to pursue the outdoors. Hunting has been part of his life from an early age, thanks to a father and brothers who introduced him to the tradition. From his first camping trip just weeks after he was born to the hunts he now shares with his own family, the outdoors have remained a constant throughout his life.

In this episode of Less Than One Kicked Out Stories, we sit down with Alberta sheep hunter Kyle Short of Spruce Grove to explore the journey, challenges, and mindset behind pursuing wild sheep. Kyle grew up in a hunting family, surrounded by stories of the outdoors and influenced by his father's passion for hunting. Although he was introduced to the experience at a young age, it wasn't until later that hunting became his own passion. He shares memories from his early days in the field, including a memorable elk camp at 21 that taught him an important lesson: success isn't always measured by what you bring home. From there, Kyle's passion evolved into sheep hunting—drawn to Alberta's rugged mountains and the opportunity to pursue sheep with an over-the-counter tag. What began with excitement and enthusiasm quickly became a humbling education. Kyle and his friends entered the sheep mountains eager to learn, only to discover just how difficult success could be. It took Kyle 13 years of learning, adapting, failing, and returning before he finally achieved the success he had worked so hard for. Along the way, Kyle discovered that the toughest part of sheep hunting isn't always the physical challenge. The long days, steep terrain, weather, and miles are demanding, but the mental battle can be even greater. He opens up about managing expectations, dealing with disappointment, staying motivated through years of unsuccessful hunts, and learning to appreciate the experience rather than becoming consumed by the outcome. Kyle also takes a look at how Alberta's sheep-hunting landscape has changed. Advances in technology, gear, and access to information have made sheep hunting more approachable for newcomers, while simultaneously increasing competition and changing the way hunters prepare and pursue animals on public land. Ultimately, Kyle's story is about much more than harvesting a sheep. It's about perseverance, friendship, failure, personal growth, and the stories created along the way. Join us for a conversation about what it really takes to become a sheep hunter—and why sometimes the hunts that don't end with a trophy are the ones that teach us the most.  

In this episode of Kicked Out, John Legnard proves that you don't have to grow up in a hunting family to become a big advocate for sheep conservation. He grew up on the East Coast, where he spent his childhood teaching himself how to fish and trap, but hunting didn't enter the picture until his early 20s after moving to Colorado for college. What started with pheasants, deer, and elk eventually led to a chance encounter with the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society at a sports show, a meeting that changed the course of his life. Just four years after applying, John drew his first bighorn sheep tag, igniting a passion that has since fueled decades of involvement in sheep conservation. He's been a member of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society since the mid-1990s, served on its board of directors across three different decades, including as president, and currently serves as the organization's interim executive director. If you've ever attended the Less than One Club event, you may have John to thank. What started as a simple offer to donate a couple of kegs of Blue Moon to the very first gathering in 2013 turned into a lasting connection with the club and its mission. John's story is one of unexpected turns, lifelong service, and a reminder that sometimes the smallest decisions can shape an entire lifetime.  

British Columbia resident Anthony Klubi didn't grow up in a sheep hunting family, but after joining the Wild Sheep Society of BC, he committed himself to learning the mountains, studying rams, and building the skills needed to hunt sheep the right way. After several seasons of close calls and hard-earned experience, his persistence paid off with the harvest of a mature Stone's sheep.  In this episode of Kicked Out, Anthony shares what he learned through multiple unsuccessful hunts, how field judging and aging rams became one of the most important parts of his development as a sheep hunter, and why he and his hunting partners repeatedly chose to pass younger legal rams. He also recounts a hunt filled with memorable moments—from a porcupine chewing through camp gear to a close encounter with a grizzly bear—before finally harvesting a mature ram in a place that held special meaning after the passing of his grandfather. The conversation highlights patience, ethical decision-making, and the conservation mindset behind responsible sheep hunting.

Arizona sheep guide Joel Ingram has spent years helping others pursue wild sheep. When he finally drew his own Arizona desert bighorn sheep tag, he approached the hunt with a clear goal: find an old, mature ram and enjoy the opportunity the resource provides.  In this episode of Kicked Out, Joel discusses preparing for a hunt in unfamiliar country, scouting through extreme desert conditions, and the events that led to harvesting an 11½-year-old ram. He also shares practical advice on training for mountain hunts, the value of experience over score, and how conservation efforts made his opportunity possible. The conversation covers the realities of sheep hunting, the perspective gained from years of guiding, and why Joel is now focused on giving back through conservation and sheep management in Arizona.

After growing up hunting whitetails in Pennsylvania, Keith Hart never imagined his path would lead to the mountains of Alaska in pursuit of Dall's sheep. In this episode of Kicked Out, Keith recounts the journey that began with a Wyoming elk hunt, eventually leading him to the Wild Sheep Foundation's Less Than One Club and a once-in-a-lifetime sheep hunt. Keith shares the unforgettable experience of winning his hunt at Sheep Show, preparing for an Alaska adventure during the uncertainty of the COVID era, and the emotional highs and lows of harvesting his first ram. Along the way, he reflects on overcoming major health challenges, the friendships built through the Wild Sheep Foundation, and why supporting wild sheep conservation has become such an important part of his life. It's a story about perseverance, community, and the lasting impact a single sheep hunt can have on a hunter's future.  

In this episode of Kicked Out, Maddie Richards is joined by Colorado firefighter Josh Martin to relive the hunt that ended with his first wild sheep. After two years of physical preparation and countless hours planning for the trip, Josh travels to the Yukon for a horseback-supported Dall sheep hunt with Mervyn's Yukon Outfitting. On the first day, he and his guides, Brody and Otto, locate multiple bands of rams, pass a younger ram, and spend hours working into position before closing the distance to just 127 yards. Josh reflects on trusting his guide's judgment, overcoming early setbacks like blistered feet, and the surreal moment of putting his hands on his first ram. Rather than heading home after a successful hunt, he stays in camp for the remainder of the trip, helping around camp, glassing for sheep, fishing, and taking in an experience he had dreamed about for years.