In this episode of The Spotted Dog Podcast, we sit down with John Hanks, Large Carnivore Biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, to unpack the historic 2025 Louisiana black bear hunting season.

Not long ago, the Louisiana black bear was on the brink of disappearing. Today, thanks to decades of research, habitat work, and careful management, the population has rebounded enough to support a tightly regulated harvest. John walks us through how that recovery actually happened, what biologists are seeing across the state right now, and why this season marked such an important milestone for conservation.

We talk population numbers, habitat expansion, how bears are being monitored, what surprised biologists during the 2025 season, and what the future holds for both hunters and the species itself. This is a behind-the-scenes look at modern wildlife management and a reminder that conservation success stories don’t happen overnight.

Whether you’re a hunter, landowner, or someone who simply wants to understand how Louisiana’s wildlife is managed, this conversation gives real insight into one of the state’s greatest conservation comebacks.

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In this episode of The Spotted Dog Podcast, we dive into suppressors, firearms, and the ATF changes scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2026, including the federal tax stamp moving to zero dollars.

We talk through what suppressors actually do, common myths, how the current process works, and what these upcoming changes realistically mean for hunters, shooters, and responsible gun owners. This is a grounded conversation focused on facts, legality, and real-world use, not headlines or hype.

If you’ve been curious about suppressors or wondering how these changes may affect you next year, this episode will get you up to speed.

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This episode is a sit down with Spotted Dog Sporting Goods owners Michael and Richard, joined by Zach Pool of Rafter P Custom Knives. We dig into the latest Mathews and Hoyt hunting bows, talk real world hunting gear that actually matters, swap a few hunting stories, and look ahead to Christmas season.

More than anything, this episode is a thank you! Thank you for supporting the shop, supporting local business, and supporting The Spotted Dog Podcast. None of this works without the community around it, and we don’t take that for granted.

https://www.spotteddogsportinggoods.com/