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  • Episode 18 - Bird Dogs and the Obsession That Never Ends

    Episode 18 - Bird Dogs and the Obsession That Never Ends
    2026/02/25
    Upland hunting isn’t a hobby. It’s a lifelong obsession fueled by dogs, weather, and wild birds. Tyler Webster of the Western Wingshooter Podcast and co-host of The Flush joins the conversation fresh off the road and straight out of Pheasant Fest, where nearly 29,000 bird hunters gathered to celebrate conservation and bird dogs. This is a deep dive into the mindset of serious upland hunters. Tyler breaks down what it takes to hunt 140-plus days a season, how weather patterns dictate sharp-tailed grouse and pheasant populations, and why following rainfall matters more than following tradition. Wes Larabee brings a lifetime of dog experience, from running big game hounds to raising pointing dogs and retrievers built for both waterfowl hunting and upland bird seasons. You’ll hear what really drives bird dog handlers, how pheasant, Hungarian partridge, and sharp-tailed grouse numbers swing with moisture and cold snaps, and why scouting habitat and brood surveys matter more than social media reports. The conversation also touches on labs versus setters, balancing duck hunting with upland pursuits, and how events like Pheasant Fest fuel conservation funding across the country. If you care about bird dogs, wild bird numbers, and the culture that surrounds them, this one hits home. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from the front lines of wild places. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Check Out The Western Wingshooter Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4G1dEZmKle5Dp2t4QnDckT Check out the Prairie Tales Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prairie-tails-podcast/id1765350230 Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Leaf’s work: https://sportsmenbwca.org Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 時間 10 分
  • Episode 17 - Boundary Waters Under Threat: Why Sportsmen Must Speak Up Now With Lukas Leaf

    Episode 17 - Boundary Waters Under Threat: Why Sportsmen Must Speak Up Now With Lukas Leaf
    2026/01/28
    One vote could change the future of North America’s most iconic wilderness waters. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness isn’t just a postcard destination. It’s one of the most water-rich landscapes in the country, a place where canoe routes, cold-water fisheries, grouse covers, and family traditions intersect. In this conversation, Sam Soholt sits down with Lukas Leaf of Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters to unpack why this landscape is facing renewed pressure from proposed copper-nickel mining and why hunters, anglers, and outdoor users should be paying close attention right now. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how sulfide mining differs from traditional iron mining, why the Boundary Waters watershed is uniquely vulnerable, and how pollution upstream would directly impact fisheries, waterfowl habitat, and backcountry recreation. Lukas explains the current congressional push to overturn a long-standing moratorium using a rarely used procedural tool and why that move has implications far beyond Minnesota, potentially opening the door to weakened protections on public lands nationwide. The discussion also grounds the policy debate in lived experience. From spring lake trout openers and cast-and-blast grouse trips to the quiet lessons learned after days of traveling by canoe and portage, this episode captures what’s truly at stake for sportsmen who rely on clean water and intact wild places. It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t abstract, it’s personal, practical, and worth defending. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from the front lines of wild places. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Leaf’s work: https://sportsmenbwca.org Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 分
  • Episode 16 - Why Grasslands Matter for Wildlife; Native Habitat with Kyle Lybarger

    Episode 16 - Why Grasslands Matter for Wildlife; Native Habitat with Kyle Lybarger
    2026/01/14
    Grasslands built wildlife abundance long before food plots, timber cuts, and fire suppression changed everything. Grasslands shaped North American wildlife long before modern land management and in many places, they’re quietly disappearing. In this episode of Legends of the Wild, Sam Soholt sits down with Kyle Lybarger, a forester-turned-habitat specialist who’s helping hunters rethink how landscapes actually function. Kyle breaks down how fire, grazing, and native plant diversity once created productive ecosystems that supported whitetails, turkeys, quail, waterfowl, and pollinators year-round. The conversation goes beyond theory, digging into practical lessons from prescribed burning, restoring native prairies, and managing land in ways that work with natural systems instead of against them. Listeners will learn why grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in North America, how invasive species quietly undermine hunting habitat, and why native plants outperform food plots over the long haul. Kyle also explains how small-scale habitat work (whether on three acres or three hundred) can dramatically increase wildlife use without constant inputs of fertilizer, seed, and labor. From waterfowl habitat and ground-nesting birds to deer movement and seasonal forage, this episode connects the dots between conservation-minded land stewardship and better hunting outcomes. It’s an insider conversation for hunters, anglers, and land managers who want healthier ground, more resilient ecosystems, and wildlife habitat that lasts. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Kyle Lybarger’s work: https://www.nativehabitatproject.com/our-team Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 時間 5 分
  • Episode 15 - Boat-Built Ingenuity on the Chesapeake: Crabber, Camper Boats, and DIY Watercraft

    Episode 15 - Boat-Built Ingenuity on the Chesapeake: Crabber, Camper Boats, and DIY Watercraft
    2025/12/31
    A Chesapeake crabber turns scrap boats into floating camps, proving grit and creativity still rule the water. What happens when a first-generation waterman applies backcountry thinking to tidewater living? In this episode, Sam sits down with Chesapeake Bay crabber and boat captain Luke McFadden to unpack a mindset rooted in self-reliance, problem-solving, and life on the water. From building a camper atop a 12-foot jon boat to engineering pontoon stability and walk-around decks, Luke explains how minimalist design and reclaimed materials can unlock serious capability for hunting, fishing, and extended time outdoors. Hear how these DIY watercraft become functional tools for real pursuits, including float-based deer hunting, coastal fishing, and overnight camps in unpredictable weather. Luke breaks down the gear decisions that matter when space is tight, why every item must earn its place, and how safety planning changes on big water like the Chesapeake Bay. The conversation also explores Luke’s path into commercial crabbing, what it takes to survive as a young waterman today, and how direct-to-consumer thinking led to building a crab stand from a salvaged wooden workboat. Along the way, we dig into content creation, long-form storytelling, and why hands-on outdoor skills still resonate in a digital age. This is an insider conversation about working waterfronts, adaptive hunting strategies, and the satisfaction of building something that works because you need it to. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Luke McFadden’s work: https://www.youtube.com/@fvsoutherngirl?themeRefresh=1 Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 分
  • Episode 14 - Public Ground, Pressured Deer, and Why Access Still Matters With Meateater’s Tony Peterson

    Episode 14 - Public Ground, Pressured Deer, and Why Access Still Matters With Meateater’s Tony Peterson
    2025/12/17
    Public land whitetails reveal more about hunters, access, and limits than antlers ever will. Tony Peterson from the Meateater team has hunted enough whitetails and enough miles of public ground to know that the real challenge isn’t finding deer. It’s understanding pressure, access, and what actually limits opportunity in modern hunting. Tony joins Sam Soholt to talk about how obsession shapes a hunter, why public land remains the most honest proving ground, and how access programs across the country are quietly holding the line for everyday sportsmen. From traveling whitetail hunts to overlooked walk-in acres, Tony breaks down how deer respond to pressure and how hunters need to respond in kind. The conversation goes well beyond whitetails. We dig into the cycles of trophy culture, why expectations have shifted, and how social media has changed the way success is measured in the field. Tony also shares hard-earned perspective from years of hunting small game, birds, and fish, reminding us that variety and curiosity are often the antidote to burnout. This episode isn’t about shortcuts or secret spots. It’s about paying attention, respecting the ground you hunt, and understanding that access more than gear or genetics will define the future of hunting. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Tony Peterson’s work: https://www.themeateater.com/people/tony-peterson Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 時間 12 分
  • Episode 13 - Chasing Mallards Through Timber: Rusty Creasey on Management, Migration, and Mentorship

    Episode 13 - Chasing Mallards Through Timber: Rusty Creasey on Management, Migration, and Mentorship
    2025/12/03
    A veteran timber hunter reveals hard-earned lessons that transform everyday duck hunters into true waterfowl students. Sam sits down with Arkansas waterfowl legend Rusty Creasey to talk ducks… all ducks. Rusty has spent decades managing world-class flooded timber, running traffic on pressured mallards, studying migration shifts, and teaching new hunters the ins and outs of calling, concealment, and habitat strategy. This episode feels like stepping into the timber with someone who has lived the lifestyle since childhood. Rusty shares how early mornings in rural Arkansas shaped his obsession with hunting and fishing, why the Coca-Cola Woods became his crash course in waterfowl management, and what it took to step away and chase new opportunities. You’ll learn how he builds rest areas, why small-gauge guns change everything in green timber, and how thoughtful access routes can extend a property’s productivity deep into the season. He also breaks down modern migration patterns—short-stopping, weather trends, food availability, and how private and public land interact more than most hunters realize. Beyond tactics, Rusty dives into the responsibility seasoned outdoorsmen have to new hunters. From duck calling basics to ethical decision-making, he shows why mentorship matters more now than ever. Whether you hunt public timber, prairie potholes, or river corridors, this episode blends practical waterfowl wisdom with the kind of stories only decades in the woods can produce. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Rusty Creasey’s work: https://www.instagram.com/rustycreasey/?hl=en Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 時間 4 分
  • Episode 12 - Born for the Blind: Justin Martin’s Journey from Louisiana Woods to Duck Commander

    Episode 12 - Born for the Blind: Justin Martin’s Journey from Louisiana Woods to Duck Commander
    2025/11/19
    A lifelong waterfowler reveals the moments, mentors, and mistakes that shaped his obsession with duck hunting. Justin “Martin” Martin joins Sam to trace an outdoorsman’s path that starts in the crappie boats and deer woods of northern Louisiana and leads all the way to the Duck Commander call room. In this wide-open conversation, Martin shares how early days of deer camp, spring crappie fishing, and that first foggy mallard over the decoys set the foundation for a lifelong obsession with waterfowl hunting. Listeners get an inside look at how Martin learned duck calling the hard way studying wild mallards at a sanctuary, grinding through mistakes, and eventually guiding hunts just to pay for shells. He explains how those formative years sparked his love of habitat work, native grasses, and smartweed-filled wetlands, long before he ever appeared on camera. Martin also opens up about burnout, fatherhood, and why he’s shifted toward making outdoor content that’s slower, more intentional, and centered on kids, conservation, and the heritage of hunting. From the chaos of big mallard spins to the delicate art of working pintails on a clear sunrise, he breaks down the lessons that only decades in the blind can teach. Whether you’re deep into waterfowl hunting, exploring new duck calling techniques, or simply love authentic outdoors stories, this episode brings you inside a culture built around habitat, hard work, and shared sunrises. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Ryan Kirby’s work: https://ryankirby.com Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 時間 13 分
  • Episode 11 - Inside the Art of the Hunt: Ryan Kirby on Whitetails, Field & Stream, and Legacy

    Episode 11 - Inside the Art of the Hunt: Ryan Kirby on Whitetails, Field & Stream, and Legacy
    2025/11/05
    When Field & Stream brought its legendary magazine back to life, they turned to one artist to set the tone - Ryan Kirby. In this episode, host Sam Soholt sits down with Kirby to unpack the story behind the revival cover and explore how fine art, hunting heritage, and conservation collide in his work. From deer camp in Illinois to live painting events in New York City, Kirby shares how he built a career bridging the gap between wildlife art and the modern outdoorsman. The conversation dives deep into his creative process, how he studies animal behavior to make each whitetail scene biologically accurate, collaborates with top wildlife photographers for reference, and transforms real-life hunts into timeless pieces that hunters instantly recognize. Listeners will also learn the origins of Kirby’s famed Whitetail Aging Chart and Waterfowl Flyway Prints, why authentic detail matters in depicting hunting life, and how modern outdoorsmen can protect the storytelling tradition behind conservation art. Whether you’re a deer hunter, waterfowler, or art collector, this episode offers a rare look behind the easel of one of the outdoor world’s most influential creatives. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Ryan Kirby’s work: https://ryankirby.com Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 分