With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the decisions made at the ballot box could have a direct impact on the future of hunting, conservation, and our outdoor heritage.

In Episode 26 of the Safari Club International “First For Hunters” Podcast, we sit down with Chris Tymeson, SCI’s Vice President of Government Affairs, to break down what hunters need to know heading into the midterms. From the issues and policies that could shape hunting opportunities to the importance of staying informed and engaged, Chris provides insight into the political landscape and why hunter participation matters.

What’s at stake? How can hunters make their voices heard? And what should sportsmen and women be watching as election season unfolds?

This is a conversation about advocacy, engagement, and the responsibility hunters have to protect the future of our hunting heritage.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay First For Hunters.

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From the mountains and forests of North America to the pursuit of some of the continent’s most iconic species, Mark Peterson has built a life around hunting, the outdoors, and the traditions that connect generations of hunters.

In Episode 25 of the Safari Club International “First For Hunters” Podcast, Mark joins the conversation to talk about hunting across North America, pursuing a wide range of native species, and the experiences that make each hunt unique. He shares stories from the field, the challenges and rewards of hunting different regions and species, and what it means to experience North America’s incredible hunting opportunities firsthand.

The conversation also explores the importance of conservation, preserving access to wild places, and ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to experience these traditions for themselves.

From big game to the places that make each hunt memorable, this episode is a look at what it means to hunt North America.

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From music and television to hunting and conservation, Nick Hoffman has built a career around telling stories rooted in the outdoors.

In Episode 24 of the Safari Club International “First For Hunters” Podcast, Nick joins the conversation to talk about his journey as a hunter, storyteller, musician, and advocate for the outdoor lifestyle. He shares what hunting means to him, the responsibility that comes with being a voice for the hunting community, and why protecting access and preserving our hunting heritage matters for generations to come.

From chasing adventure around the world to introducing new audiences to the traditions that define hunters, Nick brings a unique perspective on conservation, advocacy, community, and the future of hunting.

This is a conversation about more than the hunt—it’s about the people, places, traditions, and values worth protecting.

Listen to Episode 24 of the SCI: First For Hunters Podcast and hear why we’re all #FirstForHunters.

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In Episode 23 of SCI: First For Hunters, we sit down with Bruce Pettet, President & CEO of Leupold & Stevens, Inc.—a fifth-generation, American-owned company that has been building some of the most trusted optics in the world for over a century.

Bruce brings a unique perspective to the conversation, blending leadership, innovation, and a deep-rooted passion for hunting and conservation. Under his guidance, Leupold has continued to push the boundaries of performance optics—delivering the clarity, durability, and confidence hunters rely on in their “moment of truth” in the field.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The evolution of American manufacturing in the outdoor industry
• Why precision optics are critical to ethical, effective hunting
• Innovation inside Leupold and what’s next for hunters and shooters
• The role of conservation, advocacy, and industry leadership in protecting the future of hunting
• Bruce’s personal journey and the values that continue to shape one of the most respected brands in the space

From the backcountry to the boardroom, this conversation highlights what it means to stay committed to quality, heritage, and the hunters who depend on it.

This is more than a discussion about gear—it’s about responsibility, legacy, and ensuring that future generations remain First For Hunters.

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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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