#41 - What’s Your WILD: An Untold Story with Draya Grangroth of Upper Canyon Outfitters

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Jordan Budd @jordan.budd with @runningwaterhunting in Nebraska. Jordan is a life long hunter who has chased her passion of taking people hunting.  In this episode we discuss trail cams, growing up hunting, booking hunts through Craiglists, filming hunts, replacing your legs with glass and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Running multiple trail cams Guiding in high school Mountain hunts Cameras Setting expectations Discounting from the world Managing a herd Staying warm Tripod systems Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @jordan.budd @runningwaterhunting Facebook: The Guide Sessions, Jordan Piper-Budd, Running Water Hunting Website: www.theguidesessions.com www.runningwaterhunting.com

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Draya Grangroth @whats_your_wild with @uppercanyonoutfitters in Montana. Draya is a multi-talented guide who also designs clothes @ridgepatrol and most recently, a published author. She has overcome a difficult childhood by finding herself in the wilds. Draya has taken her life skills of living off of the land and passion for hunting to pursue numerous adventures that have eventually led her to becoming a hunting guide.  In this episode we discuss pursuing your passion, overcoming trauma, elk calling strategies, not dwelling on the past and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Grizzlies Learning on your own Public vs Private Learning new areas Use glass vs your feet 10 second hold Elk calling scenarios Overcoming childhood trauma  Being comfortable in the field Packs worth wearing Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @whats_your_wild @ridgepatrol @uppercanyonoutfitters Facebook: The Guide Sessions, Draya Grangroth, Ridge Patrol, Upper Canyon Outfitters Website: www.theguidesessions.com

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Steve Peachey @moosepeach with @macmillan_river_adventures in California. Steve is an adult onset hunter who fell in love with hunting moose after his first ever encounter with one. He leveraged his love for hunting and experience in customer service to land a moose hunting guide position that many only dream about.  In this episode we discuss becoming a guide, the importance of understanding your client, calling moose, not being afraid to make the right kind of noise, patience is key, fitness, gear and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Guiding is an email away Know your skill set Moose grunts Uses of shoulder blades Fending off bears  The mental game  Rifle vs. Bow How fit do you need to be Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @macmillan_river_adventures @moosepeach Facebook: The Guide Sessions, Steve Peachey, MacMillan River Adventures   Website: www.theguidesessions.com

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Joseph Sousa @joseph_sousa_ with @syvalleyguidedhunts in California. Joseph jumped right into the guide life as early as he could.  He took his childhood love of the outdoors and turned it into a full time career. Joseph runs the hills of California chasing pigs, blacktails, and turkeys. In this episode we discuss stalking, safety, helping novice hunters, pig strategies, broadheads and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Stalking blacktails Handling variety of clients Pigs and more pigs Broadhead selection  Turkeys Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @syvalleyguidedhunts  Facebook: The Guide Sessions   Website: www.theguidesessions.com

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Chris Stefanou @lisharkmanofficial @lihuntsman .  Chris is a lifetime resident of New York and was drawn to the outdoors at a very young age.  The majority of his success is attributed to his strong work ethic and that he never gives up on learning.  Chris not only guides hunters in woods of upstate New York, he also guides fishermen on the shores of Long Island where he mainly targets sharks from the beach.  In this episode we discuss social media and the outdoor industry, how fishing brings everyone together, chasing turkeys, catching great whites and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Outdoor industry and social media Fishing is therapeutic  Using ONX Approaching landowners Beginners luck Creative turkey hunting strategies  Dealing with Karens Sharks and more sharks Participating in shark conservation studies Shark fishing setup Ethical shark release Using drones for casting  Editing Videos  Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @lisharkmanofficial @lihuntsman Facebook: The Guide Sessions, LI Sharkman YouTube: LISharkman LIHuntsman Website: www.theguidesessions.com www.sharkbitegear.com

 On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Sam Breitenstein @samsofresh of Boulder Creek Outfitters @bouldercreekoutfitters in Idaho.  Sam jumped on an opportunity as a back country cook which quickly evolved into a guiding opportunity and he hasn’t looked back since.  After learning from his mistakes and listening to his co-guides, he has developed his skill set to be able to provide his clients with the experience they desire. In this episode we discuss capitalizing on opportunities, guiding for elk, sneaking across open spaces, wolves and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Going full send Hells Canyon Elk tactics Stalking Elk calling Dealing with stock Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @samsofresh @bouldercreekoutfitters Facebook: The Guide Sessions   Website: www.theguidesessions.com

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Steve Bland of Leatherstocking Guide Service in New York.  Steve has been guiding for nearly 20 years for numerous types of game.  He is an upland bird hunter at heart but is not shy about feeding his sense of adventure.  Steve loves sharing his experiences and truly enjoys helping others succeed. In this episode we discuss guiding for upland game, dog training, turkey hunting, mountain goat hunting, and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Catching pigeons Blue sky rule Dog training Lining up shooters Turkey tactics Hunting Mountain Goats Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions  Facebook: The Guide Sessions   Website: www.theguidesessions.com

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Steve Schwartz @south_african_hunting_journal of Nkwazi Safaris @nkwazisafaris_outfitters.  Steve has been guiding in South Africa for nearly 20 years.  He loves what he does and his passions can be felt in this conversation. In this episode we discuss filming hunts, archery tactics, better bullets, breathing, dangers of cape buffalo, stalking kudu, bow hunting giraffe while on crutches, capitalizing on opportunities,  and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Filming hunts Bow setups Bullet weights Shot placement How to stay calm Cape Buffalo Hunting Kudu with a bow Teams for Dangerous game Dealing with paperwork Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @south_african_hunting_journal@nkwazisafaris_outfitters Facebook: The Guide Sessions  Steven Schwartz Nkwazi Safaris Website: www.theguidesessions.com www.Nkwazisafaris.co.za

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Tyler Kuhn of A-Team Outfitting up in Alaska.  Tyler grew up in western Pennsylvania with a lifelong dream of becoming a hunting guide.  After a failed first attempt of guiding in Alaska, he found himself in a homeless shelter, however he wasn’t ready to give up on his dream.  After a second chance at his dream, he didn’t look back.  Tyler has spent the last 10 years chasing animals across the Alaskan tundra.  He guides nearly 260 days out of the year.  He has been put through some of the worst situations a guide can go through and has come out on the other side with a great appreciation and humbleness towards other up and coming guides. In this episode we discuss how employees should and should not be treated, never giving up on a dream, surviving charging grizzly bears, dealing with the Alaskan elements, and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Chasing a dream Learning from mistakes Never giving up Life of a packer Being a honest and upfront business owner Free education from clients Setting the correct expectations Gear to survive the Alaskan elements Moose hunting Grizzly hunting Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions Facebook: The Guide Sessions Website: www.theguidesessions.com www.ateamoutfitting.com

On this episode of the Guide Sessions Podcast, Jim Aiken of @theguidesessions is joined by Jordan Liske @theguideside of Agassiz Outfitters @agassizoutfitters in Manitoba.  Jordan grew up living the guide life and learned early on how much he wanted to be a guide. He guides nearly 7 to 8 months out of the year.  He has seen a lot and experienced even more, which has given him numerous opportunities to learn what it takes to become a top notch guide and outfitter. In this episode we discuss tips to identify trophy boars, fly suits, extreme temps, baits, trail cams, moose strategies, and much more! Streaming on @carbontvmedia Topics: Record book animals as a kid Canadian regulations Trophy bear identification How to prepare for Canadian hunts Baiting tactics Old school trail cam strategy  Prepping for remote camps Moose tactics Communication  Gear that works Trophy Whitetails Resources: Instagram: @theguidesessions @theguideside @agassizoutfitters Facebook: The Guide Sessions, Agassiz Outfitters Website: www.theguidesessions.com www.agassizoutfitters.com