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.

Links:

Website

I had a chance to sit down with Evan from Zero Trace Baits here at the Professional Outdoor Media Association Summit in Minnesota.

This young entrepreneur has come up with a genius biodegradable bait system and he's sharing how it started, how it's going and how he's making a difference in the fishing world.

Links:

• Website

What makes a perfect fish fry?

That is exactly what I set out to explore in this episode of the Hunt Fish Travel Podcast with Sheila Pederson, president of Chef Robert's Gourmet Breading Mix. We dive into what really matters when it comes to cooking fish, wild game, and the meals that come after the hunt or the catch.

I have always believed that the moment you sit down to eat what you harvested is just as important as the time spent in the field or on the water. In this conversation, we talk about why that meal sticks with you, how to keep the focus on the fish instead of the breading, and simple ways to elevate your wild game cooking without overcomplicating it.

Sheila shares the 40 year history behind Chef Robert's, how it started in a Minnesota restaurant, and how it has grown into a go to option for anglers, hunters, and families who want an easy, consistent, and flavorful way to cook walleye, perch, pheasant, venison, and more.

We also get into real world fishing stories, including guides cooking fresh catches right on the pontoon, and why those experiences turn into the kind of memories you never forget. From shore lunch staples to quick weeknight meals, this episode is all about making the most of what you harvest.

If you have ever been disappointed by a fish fry that tasted more like breading than fish, or you are looking for a better way to cook your wild game, this episode is for you.

Links:

• Chef Robert's Gourmet Breading Mix Website
• Chef Robert's Gourmet Breading Mix Facebook

"HuntFishTravel Episode 254 - Jim Crowley, host of Hook and Hunt TV at the All Canada Show"

Jim Crowley stops to chat about how the All Canada Show got started, why you should attend and how he got started in the outdoor industry.

Check out his show Hook and Hunt TV!

Episode #253 - Ice Fishing Safety and Strategy: Tip-Ups, Moving Fish, and Avoiding Disaster with Matthew Crawford

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Crawford, a passionate Wisconsin angler who has built a reputation for sharing real-world fishing knowledge, honest experiences, and practical ice fishing tactics.

Matthew walks me through how he went from casually fishing with family to becoming deeply committed to ice fishing during COVID, including the early mistakes that shaped how he fishes today. We talk about why movement is critical on the ice, how to use tip-ups more effectively, and how understanding fish behavior can turn slow days into successful ones.

We also dive into ice safety in a very real way. Matthew shares a firsthand experience of falling through early-season ice and what he learned from it. It's a powerful reminder that ice fishing requires not fear, but respect, preparation, and caution.

This episode is packed with Wisconsin-specific insight, tactical advice for ice anglers, and lessons that apply whether you're brand new to fishing or have been chasing fish for decades.

Links:

• Wisconsin Fishing Club
• Matthew Crawford on YouTube
• Matthew Crawford on Facebook

Timstamps:

00:00 Introduction to Matthew Crawford and His Fishing Journey
02:20 The Evolution of a Fishing Enthusiast
05:17 Exploring Wisconsin's Fishing Hotspots
08:09 The Importance of Movement in Ice Fishing
10:50 Ice Safety Lessons Learned from Experience
17:29 The Reality of Ice Fishing Risks and Precautions
19:56 Understanding Tip-Ups for Northern Pike Fishing
26:13 Choosing the Right Hole Size for Ice Fishing
28:23 Strategies for Fishing New Bodies of Water
32:32 Techniques to Trigger Fish Strikes
37:43 Learning from Experience and Observation