The Western Huntsman Podcast

Sam Davis is a husband, father, and passionate bowhunter out of Sheridan, WY. Growing up with a dad that was a guide, Sam doesn't know life without hunting in it. He's been exclusively bowhunting since the early 2000's with insane success. He's also now a guide, rancher, and the epitomy of Wyoming life.  In this episode, Sam and I discuss all things bowhunting from what it takes to be a successful bowhunter to tips and strategies on elk, deer, and bear. We also dive into what Sam thinks about hunting and social media, what hunters should and shouldn't do to protect the future of hunting, and what hunting looks like ten years from now. This was an absolute blast to record, and I can't wat to get Sam back on the show! Sam Davis on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]  

Jordan Sillars is a managing editor at MeatEater who writes about firearms, conservation, and American literature. He hails from the East Texas piney woods, where he likes pursuing squirrels, whitetail, wild hogs, and sand bass. This week, Jordan joins me to discuss a disturbing topic of how the anti-hunting activists are infiltrating our fish and game commissions, legislatures, and other wildlife management entities in an effort to control the narrative. Jordan does a great job explaining how they do it, and we discuss how we need to react. Jordan is a fantastic writer and powerful advocate for hunting. Make sure you check out his article on this topic for the full story! Jordan's recent article Jordan on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]

Anti-hunting activist Lorna Smith has been operating as a commissioner on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission since 2021, and doing so illegally. Finally, a sportsmen organization has stepped up to the plate to do something about it. Hopefully in the nick of time, Lorna Smith has been wreaking havoc on the hunting community of Washington since her governor appointed position took place. Interestingly, she still hasn't even been confrimed as a commissioner.  Brian Lynn, Vice-President of Communications and Marketing for Sportsmen's Alliance, joins me in this bonus episode to go over the details of the suit. Sportsmen's Alliance has been following the destructive path of the WFWC with an emphasis on the bizarre nature of Lorna Smith's values, taking legal action was the next necessary step. We discuss the why's and hows in this episode, and how you in the sportsmen's community can help Sportsmen's Alliance! Major kudos to Brian, and the entire team at Sportsmen's Alliance! Sportsmen's Alliance Website Become a member of SA As discussed in the episode, every penny of profit made from any purchases on The Western Huntsman Podcast website will be going to Sportsmen's Alliance for the entire month of March, 2023. Here is the website link if you want to help! Email the host at [email protected]

Chris and Guy are back as a part four of our Is Hunting Conservation series. As usual, these guys bring the thunder on some of the following topics in regards to the future of hunting: How the activists sunk their teeth into the Colorado wolf plan, how tag dollars are allocated and how they're not, how sportsmen organizations can step up, breaking down our sportsmen organization membership, what's considered bad press that hunters post to social media, and Jim's new TWHP ad for Chris and Guy... Guy on Instagram Chris on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]

Back by popular demand, Tom Schneider joins me this week!    Tom is one of the founders of Stuck N The Rut, a popular YouTube channel and Podcast, he’s a lifelong hunter, fellow North Idahoan, and perhaps one of the most successful hunters I know. He’s also known for his consistent ability to locate and kill wolves. In this episode, we wander through some wolf hunting stories and techniques, and discuss the impacts wolves bring to the landscape. We talk about some of the expectations that Coloradans should have on the upcoming reintroduction, and the realities of having wolves in the mountains you hunt. As usual, Tom brings his A-Game to this episode, and it’s loaded this week! Tom on Instagram Wolf Hunting Master Class Online Course Email Tom for the Western Wolf Academy at [email protected]   Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]

Travis Hall is an Associate News Editor for Field and Stream. He’s made a career of writing and journalism in the hunting and outdoors space. Living in Montana’s beautiful Bitterroot Valley, he spends his time covering important sportsmens issues , fly-fishing, and hunting.   This week, Travis joins me to talk about his trajectory in outdoors journalism, hunting, fishing, and the anti-hunting movement. We discuss some of the challenges we face and how we go about addressing them. Travis is a great guy and talented writer, a perfect match for the show!    Show Sponsors!   Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off!   Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots   Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/   Hit me up at [email protected] ____________________________________________________________________________ Show Sponsors!   Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off!   Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots   Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]

Wild Quetzal is a hunter and content creator focused on bringing awareness to the human connection with nature. His Instagram is action-packed with short-form messages about the history of humanism of hunter/gatherers, why anti-hunting misses the mark, and how we can dettach from this modern society and connect with nature the way we were designed. We talk about his journey from being a vegan to now living a sustainable life as a hunter in Hawaii. We discuss the anti-hunting message of colonization, and how people suffer in the modern world of urbanized norms. Quetzal is a fantastic conversationalist and modern day philosopher, I really enjoyed the talk! Find Wild Quetzal on Instagram Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]

Matt Rinella is a research scientist, hunter, host of the Hunt Quietly Podcast, Montanan, and passionate llama owner. Oh, he’s also Steve Rinella’s brother, the founder of perhaps the most prolific hunting media company in history: Meateater.  Matt joins me this week to offer his unique perspective on hunting TV, hunting celebrities and “influencers,” sharing grip & grin hunting photos on social media, and how the monetization of hunting has destroyed public access for average hunters. It’s an interesting discussion, Matt and I debate some of the merits of our varying opinions. We agreed on a surprising amount of topics, and disagreed on others. Either way, I respect Matt for coming on and defending his principles. The man has a lot of conviction, and as a hunter, I’d encourage you to listen to his perspective since I believe all hunters not only have a stake in this craft, but should also have a voice.  I’d appreciate your feedback on this episode through the email address at the bottom. I’m not here to convince you of my way or Matt’s way, but to offer a vehicle for tougher discussions to be had. In the end, I really like Matt and think there are parts of his message that we should all consider. You be the judge.  Hunt Quietly Podcast on Instagram   Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]  

After 39 years, Director of Idaho Fish & Game is calling it a career and retiring from the agency he has dedicated his life to.  Not long after taking the reins of IDFG, Director Schriever joined me in The Broken Tines Studio for one of this podcast's first episodes. We talked about his career and his goals as Director. In this episode, three years later, we bring it full circle to his decision to retire. We talk about what the agency has achieved under his leadership, challenges Idaho and other Western states face going forward, dealing with Idaho wolves, non-resident hunters, legislative rules versus commission decisions, and the Director’s plans for the future.  I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to Director Schriever. Despite some of the contentions the IDFG has faced on social media, the reality of this agency is undeniable. The IDFG does a great job at operating closely to the values of Idahoans. In my opinion, no other state agency in the West has shown the commitment to the resident sportsmen than IDFG. This is a direct reflection of Director Schriever’s leadership and influence. For me, he will be missed. From The Western Huntsman Podcast, we offer our sincerest of best wishes to his future!   Show Sponsors! Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off! Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/ Hit me up at [email protected]

Bob Terwilliger is an avid hunter, fly-fisherman, hunting guide, and someone we can all look up to.    In this episode, Bob joins me to talk about his experience as an elk hunter in Colorado. Between hunting for himself and family, and his years a guide, Bob is a master of his craft and doesn’t mind helping others shorten their learning curve. We talk about elk hunting, calling elk, hunting on mules, how to not irritate your guide if you’re hunting with one, and how he stays in shape to still venture into the mountains at sixty-some-odd years young. Bob is an ideal mentor for all hunters, young and old!   Bob on Instagram   Show Sponsors!   Phelps Game Calls - The game call company of The Western Huntsman! https://phelpsgamecalls.com/  -Use Promo Code “Huntsman10” for 10% off!   Hoffman Boots: Best hunting boots you’ll ever own. I guarantee it! Use promo code “HUNTSMAN10” for 10% off! https://hoffmanboots.com/hoffman-mountain-boots   Eastmans Hunting Journals: What Western Hunter doesn’t know Eastmans Hunting Journals?? I’ve been a fan and subscriber to the magazine since I was a kid, and you should too. Between the magazine, Eastmans TagHub, and the new Mule Deer eCourse, Eastmans has something for everyone and the tools every Western Hunter should have! Check it out at https://www.eastmans.com/   Hit me up at [email protected]