Black bears probably are not the first thing that come to mind when you picture the coast of North Carolina, but maybe they should be.

In this episode of The Evolving Hunter Podcast, Jae sits down with Chase Luker of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for a deep dive into black bears, bear hunting, and the hunting culture of eastern North Carolina.

Chase shares how growing up hunting in rural Alabama eventually led to a career in conservation and outdoor education, along with the experiences that turned bear and waterfowl hunting into two of his biggest passions.

From there, the conversation gets into the bears themselves. Why does eastern North Carolina produce such massive black bears? What are they eating? How do their seasonal habits differ from bears in colder parts of the country? And what should a hunter actually look for when scouting bear country?

Jae and Chase also talk about the long tradition of hunting bears with hounds, stand hunting and spot-and-stalk opportunities, identifying boars and sows in the field, choosing hunting areas, reading bear sign, managing human pressure, and some of the mistakes new bear hunters can make.

For someone interested in trying bear hunting, Chase offers a simple starting point: do your research, find a mentor or experienced guide, learn the country, and spend time watching bears before worrying about harvesting one.

They also swap a few memorable bear stories, talk about just how good bear meat can be, and somehow finish the conversation discussing handmade duck decoys and why creating something yourself can add another layer to the hunting experience.

Whether you are thinking about hunting black bears for the first time or simply want to better understand one of North America's most fascinating game animals, there is a lot to take away from this conversation.

Thank you to our partners at CertifiedHunter! Hunter Education is a critical (and often required) part of starting your hunting journey. CertifiedHunter has created an online course that will help you get started on the right foot and meet your state requirements to purchase your hunting license. Visit certifiedhunter.com/evolvinghunter to get started!

Have a question for the show? Send it to community@evolvinghunter.com.

Follow The Evolving Hunter Podcast on Instagram and YouTube at @EvolvingHunterPodcast.

Stay safe, stay curious, and keep evolving.

In this episode of The Evolving Hunter Podcast, Jae sits down with Jordan Likes, Hunter and Angler Program Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, to talk about what it really takes to become a hunter.

Jordan shares his own path from growing up in a Colorado hunting family, to working as a wildlife officer, to eventually helping lead hunter education and outreach efforts across the state. Along the way, Jae and Jordan explore the role hunter education plays in creating safe, ethical hunters and, just as importantly, what hunter education cannot teach you in a weekend.

They dig into one of the biggest challenges facing new hunters: what comes next?

How do you find a mentor when you don't come from a hunting family? How can parents support a child who suddenly wants to hunt? What skills should a new hunter focus on first? And how do you avoid comparing your first season to the elk hunts and mountaintop success stories you see online?

Jordan and Jae talk about mentorship, preparation, managing expectations, starting with small game, building outdoor skills one piece at a time, and why becoming a hunter is less about reaching some imaginary finish line and more about continuing to learn.

Whether you're trying to figure out how to start hunting in Colorado or you're several seasons into your own journey, this conversation is a reminder that nobody has hunting completely figured out. And that's part of what makes it worth pursuing.

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Send it to community@evolvinghunter.com.

Thank you to our partners at CertifiedHunter! Hunter Education is a critical (and often required) part of starting your hunting journey. CertifiedHunter has created an online course that will help you get started on the right foot and meet your state requirements to purchase your hunting license. Visit certifiedhunter.com/evolvinghunter to get started!

Follow The Evolving Hunter Podcast on Instagram and YouTube @EvolvingHunterPodcast.

Stay safe. Stay curious. Keep evolving.

In this episode, Jae Ellison interviews Brandon Maahs from South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks about hunting, hunter education, and community building. They discuss shot decision-making, public land etiquette, essential gear for beginners, and how to get involved in hunting in South Dakota.

A huge thanks to Brandon for joining us for this episode!

Check out the SD agency website: Click Here

Thank you to our partners at CertifiedHunter! Hunter Education is a critical (and often required) part of starting your hunting journey. CertifiedHunter has created an online course that will help you get started on the right foot and meet your state requirements to purchase your hunting license. Visit certifiedhunter.com/evolvinghunter to get started!