In Episode 22 of the SCI: First For Hunters Podcast, we sit down with Minister Todd Loewen for a powerful conversation at the intersection of policy, conservation, and the future of hunting.

As a government leader with deep roots in the outdoors, Minister Loewen brings a unique perspective on what it takes to protect wildlife, preserve hunting traditions, and ensure responsible stewardship of natural resources. From boots-on-the-ground experience to shaping legislation, he shares how policy decisions directly impact hunters across North America and beyond.

This episode dives into the critical role advocacy plays in safeguarding hunting rights, and why collaboration between hunters, conservationists, and policymakers is more important than ever. Minister Loewen also speaks to the importance of science-based wildlife management and how sustainable use remains one of the most effective tools for long-term conservation.

At its core, this conversation reinforces a simple truth: the future of hunting depends on those willing to stand up, speak out, and stay engaged.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Minister Todd Loewen’s background and path into public service
• The role of government in wildlife conservation and hunting access
• Why advocacy is essential to protecting hunting rights
• The importance of science-based wildlife management
• How hunters can stay involved and make an impact

Listen now and join us as we continue to stand—First For Hunters.

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In Episode 21 of SCI First For Hunters, we sit down with Brian Nesvik, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a lifelong conservationist shaped by decades in the field.

From his early days as a Wyoming game warden to leading one of the most influential wildlife agencies in the country, Nesvik brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the realities of wildlife management, public access, and the future of hunting in America. His career spans more than 30 years across conservation and military service—giving him a rare, balanced view of policy, pressure, and responsibility.

In this conversation, we dig into the challenges facing modern wildlife conservation, the critical role hunters play in funding and advocacy, and what it takes to protect opportunity for the next generation. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense look at the issues that matter most—told by someone who’s lived them.

If you care about the future of hunting and conservation, this is one you don’t want to miss.

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This is where the real conversations about hunting happen.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Jackie Bushman — the visionary behind Buckmasters and one of the most influential voices in modern deer hunting.

Long before outdoor television, podcasts, and digital storytelling shaped the culture, Jackie Bushman was building it from the ground up — creating a community where whitetail hunters could connect, learn, and carry the tradition forward. From launching a simple newsletter in the 1980s to producing the longest-running hunting show in history, his impact on the hunting industry is undeniable.

In this conversation, Jackie shares the origins of Buckmasters, the evolution of hunting media, and why community has always been at the center of it all. He reflects on decades of experience in the woods, the responsibility hunters carry as conservationists, and how the next generation will shape the future of the lifestyle.

Jackie’s perspective is rooted in experience, driven by passion, and grounded in a deep respect for the traditions that define hunting in America.

If you care about where hunting has been — and where it’s going — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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This is where the future of hunting is being built—long before the first tag is filled.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Keith Tidball, Executive Director of the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation—a leader at the intersection of conservation, education, and community.

With a background spanning decades in conservation science, public service, and outdoor recreation, Keith brings a unique perspective on what it truly takes to secure the future of hunting. From his work at Cornell University to advising national conservation initiatives, his career has been centered on one core idea: if we want the outdoors to endure, we have to intentionally pass it on.

Together, they dive into the growing role of education in recruitment, retention, and reactivation—and how programs like Outdoor Adventures are introducing hundreds of thousands of students to hunting, fishing, and conservation through the classroom.

This conversation goes deeper than curriculum. It’s about cultural relevance, access, and the responsibility of today’s hunters to shape tomorrow’s advocates. Through the partnership between SCI and OTF, the path forward is clear: bring the outdoors to where the next generation already is—and invite them in.

Because the future of hunting isn’t just protected in the field…
It’s taught.

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This is where the real conversations about hunting happen.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Nick Freitas — veteran, public servant, and unapologetic advocate for personal freedom, responsibility, and the values that define the American hunter.

Nick brings a perspective forged through service — both on the battlefield and in the public arena. As a lifelong hunter and outspoken voice on constitutional rights, his connection to the outdoors runs deeper than recreation. It’s rooted in self-reliance, stewardship, and a belief that the hunting lifestyle is inseparable from the broader principles of liberty.

This conversation goes beyond the hunt.

It’s about responsibility — what it means to provide, to protect, and to preserve something worth passing down. Nick shares how hunting shaped his worldview, how it ties into the fabric of American identity, and why the fight to protect it doesn’t just happen in the field — it happens in culture, policy, and everyday conversations.

They dig into the intersection of hunting and freedom, the growing disconnect between modern society and the source of its food, and why hunters have a role to play far beyond season dates and tags.

No fluff. No filters. Just real perspective from a man who’s lived a life of service — and understands exactly what’s at stake.

Because hunting isn’t just something you do.

It’s a responsibility you carry — to your family, your community, and the principles that make the lifestyle possible.

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This is where the real conversations about hunting happen.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Pedro Ampuero — a globally respected hunter, conservationist, and voice for ethical hunting in some of the world’s most wild and demanding environments.

Pedro brings a perspective shaped far beyond borders. From the mountains of Central Asia to the plains of Africa, his experience isn’t just about the pursuit — it’s about understanding the deeper responsibility that comes with it. As a leader in international conservation efforts and a passionate advocate for sustainable hunting, his work lives at the intersection of tradition, science, and stewardship.

This conversation goes deeper than stories from the field.

It’s about perspective — how hunting connects cultures, how it’s perceived across the world, and what it means to carry the lifestyle in places where the stakes are often higher and the margins thinner. Pedro shares insight into the realities of global conservation, the role hunters play in protecting wildlife, and why ethical standards matter now more than ever.

They dig into the misconceptions surrounding international hunting, the importance of education and advocacy, and what the future looks like if the next generation gets it right — or wrong.

No fluff. No filters. Just real perspective from someone who’s lived hunting at a global scale — and understands exactly what’s on the line.

Because hunting isn’t just something you do.

It’s something that connects people, protects wild places, and carries responsibility far beyond the moment of the shot.

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This is where the real conversations about hunting happen.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with J. Alain Smith and Nick Hoffman — two voices deeply rooted in the traditions of hunting, yet actively shaping its future through storytelling, media, and an unwavering commitment to the lifestyle.

J. Alain Smith brings decades of experience as a hunter, communicator, and ambassador for the outdoors. Known for his thoughtful perspective and deep respect for the heritage of hunting, his voice has long been a steady force in a world that’s constantly evolving.

Nick Hoffman, a lifelong hunter and host of Nick’s Wild Ride, represents a different but equally important lane — one that bridges global adventure with a grounded appreciation for the people, places, and cultures that define hunting around the world.

Together, this conversation goes beyond the surface.

It’s about legacy — what’s been passed down, what’s being preserved, and what responsibility today’s hunters carry moving forward. From North American traditions to international experiences, Alain and Nick share stories that highlight not just the pursuit, but the purpose behind it.

They dig into the role of storytelling in modern hunting, the importance of authenticity in a digital world, and why staying connected to the roots of the lifestyle matters now more than ever.

No fluff. No filters. Just real perspective from two men who’ve lived it from different angles — and understand exactly what’s at stake.

Because hunting isn’t just something you do.

It’s something you carry — across generations, across borders, and into the future.

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This is where the real conversations about hunting happen.

On Episode 15 of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Eva Maria Schrittwieser — a lifelong hunter, storyteller, and one of the most authentic voices representing the next generation of the outdoors.

Raised in a family where hunting wasn’t a hobby but a way of life, Eva brings a perspective grounded in tradition, shaped by experience, and sharpened by a deep respect for the land and the animals that inhabit it. From whitetails in the hardwoods to the everyday moments that never make it to camera, her story is built on more than tags filled — it’s built on connection.

But this conversation isn’t about curated feeds or highlight reels.

It’s about the reality of living this lifestyle — the early mornings, the missed opportunities, the quiet lessons learned when no one else is watching. Eva speaks openly about carrying on family traditions, navigating the modern hunting landscape as a woman in the field, and staying true to what matters in a world that’s constantly trying to redefine it.

This episode digs into identity, responsibility, and the role hunters play in protecting what they love — not just for today, but for those who will follow.

No fluff. No filters. Just real perspective from someone who’s living it every season.

Because in the end, hunting isn’t about proving anything to the outside world —

it’s about knowing exactly why you’re out there in the first place.

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