Episode 260 - Patrick Flanigan Returns. A Decade Later and Ready to Reload

Almost ten years ago, world famous trick shooter Patrick Flanigan joined me on the HuntFishTravel Podcast after one of my favorite turkey hunts in South Dakota's Black Hills. We swapped hunting stories, talked about life in the outdoor industry, and had one of those conversations that still makes me laugh every time I listen to it.

Then... he disappeared.

Patrick stepped away from the outdoor industry, left behind a career that included nine world records, television shows, sold-out exhibition shooting performances, and years on the road. Like many people, he reached a point where the constant travel and pressure outweighed the passion that had driven him for nearly two decades. Rather than burn out completely, he chose to step away and focus on what mattered most, his family and rediscovering himself.

Now he's back.

In this episode, Patrick shares why the timing finally felt right to launch his 2026 Reloaded Tour, what fans can expect from his live exhibition shooting shows, and why he's approaching this next chapter very differently than the first. Instead of trying to fit into someone else's mold, he's building shows around entertainment, authenticity, and bringing new people into the shooting sports, whether they've ever picked up a shotgun or not.

We also catch up on everything that's changed over the past decade, from raising four daughters who love the outdoors, to moving back to Wisconsin, to the role AI and social media now play in entertainment and outdoor content. Along the way, we revisit some of our old podcast memories, and laugh about just how much has changed... and how much hasn't.

If you listened to the newly republished Episode 259, you'll appreciate hearing where Patrick's journey has taken him nearly a decade later. And if you're new to Patrick Flanigan, this is the perfect introduction to one of the most accomplished exhibition shooters in the world, and someone who's rediscovering why he fell in love with the shooting sports in the first place.

Follow Patrick on Facebook, YouTube, and his social channels for announcements about upcoming 2026 Reloaded Tour dates and appearances. As public events are announced, I'll update the links here so you can catch one of his live shows.

Originally Published: March 9, 2016

Every once in a while, I come across an old episode that deserves another listen.

Back in March of 2016, shortly after attending the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Cast & Blast in Deadwood, South Dakota, I sat down with world-record exhibition shooter Patrick Flanigan to talk turkey hunting, hunting property management, outdoor media, and the unforgettable adventures we shared in the Black Hills.

That turkey hunt remains one of my favorite hunts to this day. The weather was unpredictable, the birds were stubborn, and while nobody tagged a turkey during our hunt, the memories made with Patrick and fellow outdoor writer Mike McGrew have lasted far longer than any harvest ever could.

Listening back nearly ten years later, what struck me most was how relevant so much of this conversation still feels today. Patrick and I discussed authenticity in outdoor media, the growing influence of social media, hunting culture, mentorship, and the importance of staying true to yourself in an industry that was already beginning to change.

I wanted to revisit this episode for a very special reason.

On Wednesday, June 10, I'll be releasing Episode 260, where I sit down with Patrick again, almost ten years to the day after this original interview. In that conversation, we talk about his return to the outdoor industry, his renewed passion for hunting and shooting sports, and his upcoming 2026 Reloaded Tour.

It's fascinating to hear where Patrick was in 2016 and compare it to where he is today. This episode serves as a snapshot in time and a reminder that while a lot can change in a decade, some things, like a passion for the outdoors and a good turkey hunting story, never really do.

So before Episode 260 drops, I invite you to take a trip back to the Black Hills with us.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Turkey hunting in South Dakota's Black Hills
• Hunting property management and trail camera strategies
• Quality deer management practices
• Outdoor media and authenticity in the hunting industry
• Mentoring youth in the shooting sports
• Women in the outdoor industry
• The evolution of hunting television and outdoor content
• Memories from the AGLOW Cast & Blast in Deadwood
• Legendary turkey hunter Mike McGrew and the stories that still make us laugh today

Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss Episode 260, where Patrick and I reconnect nearly a decade later to discuss his return to the outdoor industry and the launch of his 2026 Reloaded Tour.

Chris Avena, editor of American Outdoor News stopped by during the Professional Outdoor Media Association Summit to tell us all about his magazine and his podcast.

He shares his top two episodes and why you as a hunter or fisherman need to tell the world your story.

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