The Outdoor Life Podcast

Brace for Public Land Sales, Development Under the Next BLM Director

Wed, 13 May 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Congress is poised to approve Stevan Pearce as the new leader of the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees some 245 million acres of public lands and 700-plus million acres of subsurface mineral rights. Hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean explains what we might expect from Pearce's tenure.

OL Podcast: Slashing and Burning at the US Forest Service
Randy Newberg's Fresh Tracks Podcast: ⁠Congressional Review Act⁠
Senate Votes 50 to 49 to Strip Boundary Waters Protections in Defiance of Public Opinion, Science
It’s a Dark Day for the Boundary Waters and the Future of Public Lands. Here’s How We Got Here

Hosted & produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Is Trout Fishing in the West Doomed This Season?

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:04:00 -0000

Minimal snow pack and record heat this spring have created a bit of a doomsday scenario for Western trout fishing, especially in the Southwest. However, there are some bright spots. There will still be opportunities in the West but the timing of the season will be much different, and earlier. In this episode of the podcast we interview News Editor Dac Collins, who is a diehard fly fisherman and Colorado resident. He's done a bunch of reporting on how this trout season is lining up.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/colorado-trout-fishing-forecast-2026/
Colorado faces its worst snowpack in recorded history, impacting water resources and increasing drought concerns.
Operating at 36% capacity, the river system’s over-allocation issues worsen, affecting millions in the Southwest.
Spring snow and summer rain could help salvage the season.

This episode is brought to you by SureFire.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by Executive Editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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It's Time to Reconsider Turkey Hunting Ethics

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:26:00 -0000

This week hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean and editor-in-chief Alex Robinson weigh in on a viral reaping video that sparked disagreement within the hunting community. Our editors may not necessarily align on turkey-hunting ethics , but they do agree turkey hunters should talk about where we're headed.

Video from Intro: https://www.outdoorlife.com/opinion/turkey-reaping-video-reconsider-hunting-culture/

Guest is hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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The Best Creedmoor Yet?

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0000

If you thought that we finally had enough new rifle cartridge introductions, well, you thought wrong. Shooting Editor John B. Snow explains why he can't stop shooting the new 25s, and the old.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/TvIuFnzY5i0

Full story: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/25-caliber/

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Slashing and Burning at the U.S. Forest Service

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0000

There's a lot happening at the U.S. Forest Service right now, including a full blown agency restructure just as a potentially historic fire season gets underway. To demystify all these changes and what it means for wildfires this year, we talked to former Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, and former hotshot and current wildfire researcher Camille Stevens-Rumann.

Hosted and produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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The Animal-Rights Movement Is Getting Weirder

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0000

There is some really strange stuff going on these days in the world of anti-hunting and animal-rights activism. Dr. Robbie Kroger of the Origins Foundation explains why.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest is Origins Foundation executive director and founder Dr. Robbie Kroger.

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Why Some Rifle Cartridges Thrive, and Others Die Out

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0000

There are more new cartridges being introduced today, and more marketing hype around them, than ever before ... right? Not so fast. Senior staff writer Tyler Freel explains.

The Living Cartridges, and the Dead, by Jack O'Connor — https://tinyurl.com/JOCcartridges

The .338 Winchester Magnum Is a Cartridge That No Longer Makes Sense — https://tinyurl.com/338winch

Hornady Says It Will Phase Out Creedmoor and PRC Cartridges, Shifts Focus to Proven Classics — https://tinyurl.com/hornadydiscontinuescreed

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guest is senior staff writer Tyler Freel.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Turkey Calling Secrets with Champion Caller Dustin Jones

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Dustin Jones is an accomplished competition turkey caller, hunter, and call maker. He's got plenty of awards to his credit (like winning the 2025 Grand National Calling Championship in the friction division), and plenty of tips for turkey hunters looking to take their pot calls to the next level.

Hosted by Executive Gear Editor Scott Einsmann.

Produced by Executive Editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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They Lived in the Boundary Waters for an Entire Year

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

A decade ago Dave and Amy Freeman spent a year living in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Now, as the fate of the wilderness hangs in the balance again, they revisit their epic adventure, and the place they call home.

House votes to strip BWCA protections.

Amy & Dave's book.

Hosted by News Editor Dac Collins.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Produced by Executive Editor Natalie Krebs.

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The Full Story Behind Our Controversial Helicopter Hunt on Landlocked Public Ground

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Last season, hunting editor Andrew McKean and his buddies accessed a piece of public ground by flying in. The aftermath of their once-in-a-lifetime hunt involved a stolen elk skull, a tense confrontation with a rancher, and charges in court. Here's what happened, and what McKean says could be solutions to a bigger problem with public lands.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Unexpected Takeaways from the Ultimate Turkey Load Test

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0000

This week, we're digging into the nuances of TSS and lead turkey loads, both in terms of price and performance.

Executive editor Natalie Krebs recently reported a deep-dive on the current TSS market and why prices have skyrocketed. Editor-in-chief Alex Robinson just finished range testing all of the top turkey loads on the market. So here's what you need to know about turkey ammo before the season opens.

Related: Why TSS prices have skyrocketed http://outdoorlife.com/tss

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Randy Newberg Breaks Down What’s Coming for Public Lands in 2026

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Randy Newberg and Andrew McKean explore how our lawmakers are eroding protections for public land, throwing out public input, and how this is all going to play out leading up to — and after — this year's elections.

This episode is brought to you by Vortex.

Hosted by OL hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest is Randy Newberg.

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Surprising Destinations for the DIY Turkey Hunter

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0000

For six seasons Roy Holdford, also known as Curl Hunts, has loaded up his van and hit the road for three full months of DIY public-land and permission turkey hunting. These are his picks for sleeper states to consider this spring, plus a few tips once you're there.

This episode is brought to you by Vortex.

YouTube video of that Georgia hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLrjcP6B098

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guest is OL multimedia producer Roy Holdford.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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NWTF's Top Researcher Explains the Turkey Decline

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Patrick Wightman gets that America’s turkey hunters are cranky. Understanding and applying turkey research, he says, can help. That's why he wants to make it as painless as possible for us.

Guest is Patrick Wightman, NWTF's new national director of wild turkey research.

Hosted by hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Here's Why the Plan to Recover Wild Bison Has Become So Controversial

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:27:00 -0000

Last month the U.S. Department of the Interior said it will revoke the grazing permits that have allowed American Prairie to run bison on roughly 63,000 acres of federal public land in Montana. In this episode of the Outdoor Life podcast news editor Dac Collins interviews our conservation editor Andrew McKean about the issue. McKean lives in eastern Montana, which is ground zero for the bison restoration effort. He'll explain why the effort to restore wild bison on the landscape is important, and also why it's become so controversial.

You can read our full story on BLM's decision here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/blm-revokes-american-prairie-bison-permits/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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The Flooded-Corn Controversy vs. Duck Hunting's New Reality

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0000

All duck hunters want to talk about right now is the growing debate over the culprit of shortened mallard migrations in the Mississippi Flyway. Here's what the data says — and doesn't — about what's actually affecting greenheads.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Reported and produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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New Guns, Trends, and Tech from the SHOT Show

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:40:00 -0000

This year's SHOT Show features new guns, of course, but we're also seeing introductions of electro-optics, the suppressor boom, and more.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guests are shooting editor John B. Snow and hunting & optics editor Andrew McKean.

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Director Brian Nesvik on the Future of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0000

OL hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean heads to D.C. to interview Brian Nesvik, the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under his direction the USFWS is deferring to states, assessing its refuges, leveraging technology, and enabling the energy-first agenda of the Trump administration.

Reporting by hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

Hosted and produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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I Corner Crossed the Wyoming Ranch That Started It All

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0000

Contributor and Wyoming resident Christine Peterson returned to the Elk Mountain ranch that started the legal battle over corner crossing all those years ago. Here's what she learned about how to corner-cross without getting sued — and ongoing barriers to public access.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor / Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by contributor Christine Peterson.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Our Senior Staff Writer Nearly Died on a Backcountry Hunt

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:14:00 -0000

As many Outdoor Life listeners and followers might have heard, our senior staff writer Tyler Freel was severely injured during a backcountry hunt in Idaho earlier this fall.

Tyler was thrown from a horse during the ride back to the trailhead. He knew that he was hurt the instant he hit the ground, but nobody quite knew the extent of his injuries at the time, which turned out to be extremely severe.

So today on the podcast Tyler is going to explain what exactly happened on that hunt. And our shooting editor, John B. Snow, who was there on the hunt with Tyler is going to outline what we’ve learned from the experience.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Spearfishing for Walleyes Is Coming to the Great Lakes. And That's Not a Bad Thing

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Spearfishing for walleyes and other game fish has slowly been gaining traction in the Great Lakes, and starting April 2026, the sport will enter a new phase there.

In November, after years of input from local spearfishermen, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission unanimously approved new and expanded spearfishing regulations for Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior. Although there are some exceptions for certain areas, the new regs that go into effect next spring will allow free-diving spearfishermen to target walleyes, northern pike, and lake trout in the Michigan portions of these lakes.

“It’s been one of largest expansions for freshwater game fish in the history of North America,“ says Jon Durtka, a lifelong Michigan sportsman and the guest on this week’s Outdoor Life Podcast.

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This Is Why You're Getting Bad Blood Trails with the 6.5 Creedmoor

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0000

There are lots of things to consider when it comes to cartridge selection for killing deer. But when it comes to recovering those deer, especially when hunting with a 6.5 Creedmoor, there’s still plenty of confusion. So what’s the deal? Is there an issue with the cartridge? Or are there other factors at play? Shooting editor John B. Snow explains.

Read more: https://www.outdoorlife.com/badbloodtrails

This episode is hosted and produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Levi Morgan’s Whitetail Secrets

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Our gear editor got a chance to hang stands and trail cameras with Levi Morgan this summer. Now he's back hunting with the championship archer in Illinois. Here's how Morgan thinks about everything from trail cameras to shot placement.

Guest host is gear editor Scott Einsmann.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest is Levi Morgan.

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How Trawling Is Robbing Alaska's Anglers

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Every year, trawlers operating off Alaska’s coast legally catch, kill, and toss overboard tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of salmon, along with millions of pounds of halibut, herring, crab, and, occasionally, some killer whales. It's leading to fewer opportunities for sport and subsistence fishermen.

STOP Alaskan Trawler Bycatch — https://www.facebook.com/groups/181111123119023/

Alaska Senate Bill — https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/34/Bills/SB0161A.PDF

Ocean documentary, narrated by Attenborough _ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9AwlypaY

Guest hosted by news editor Dac Collins.

Guest is David Bayes.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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The Bizarre Mystery Behind the World-Record Whitetail Sheds

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Antler collector Josh Duncan paid a premium to own the world-record whitetail shed antlers. But after he bought them, a troubling revelation came to light on social media.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Is Ryan Callaghan the Optimist Our Public Lands Need?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:46:00 -0000

The MeatEater personality and longtime conservationist has been tapped to run Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Here's how Ryan 'Cal' Callaghan thinks about public lands, safeguarding them, and why he's still an optimist about it all.

Guest hosted by hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Everything You Need to Know About Broadheads and Arrow Speed

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Gear editor and absolute archery geek Scott Einsmann explains all the testing he's done lately on arrow speed and broadhead performance.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by Executive Editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest is Gear Editor Scott Einsmann.

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The Ethics of Long-Range Hunting

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0000

There's probably nobody out there who has covered precision rifles, ammo, and optics more intensely than OL shooting editor John B. Snow. But John is not saying to go out there and shoot elk at a thousand yards. In fact, just the opposite.

Video — I Built the Ultimate Deer Rifle: https://youtu.be/1U96Mr3nXaE

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guest is shooting editor John B. Snow.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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The Truth About Bear Guns

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0000

There are a lot of things people get wrong about picking a bear rifle or defensive gun. According to our resident Alaskan and bonafide griz skinner Tyler Freel, here's what actually makes a great bear gun.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guest is senior staff writer Tyler Freel.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Trump Just Approved the Ambler Road Project. Here's What Outdoorsmen Need to Know

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In an unprecedented move, President Trump announced he was invoking an obscure federal provision to disregard public feedback and move forward with the 211-mile private industrial corridor in the Alaskan wilderness.

Details on this week's announcement: https://www.outdoorlife.com/ambler

Additional reporting on how the Ambler Road could affect caribou hunting: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/ambler-road-western-arctic-caribou/

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced and reported by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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What Really Happened to the Missing Colorado Elk Hunters

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0000

The biggest story in the outdoors recently was a tragic one. Two elk hunting buddies, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasco, were found dead in southern Colorado. The week-long search for the missing men captured the hunting community's attention on social media, and generated plenty of sympathy, interest, and misinformation. Here's what actually happened.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guest is news editor Dac Collins.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Jack O'Connor Was Right All Along

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0000

OL's former shooting editor is arguably the greatest outdoor writer of all time. And even though Jack O'Connor was writing decades ago, much of his wisdom still rings true. In today's episode, current shooting editor John B. Snow explains how, in a lot of ways, O 'Connor still looms large over the hunting and shooting world.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guest is shooting editor John B. Snow.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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A Kid Shot His First Turkey. Why Is He Being Charged with a Felony?

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:37:00 -0000

A teenager is facing a felony charge in Georgia for killing a turkey that was strutting on his family’s property this spring — a bird that his former high-school history teacher claims was her pet. Here's how a small-town dispute has upended the life of a high-school student, and sparked debate among the hunting community.

Read the full story: https://www.outdoorlife.com/turkeyfelony

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by news editor Dac Collins.

Editing by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Bowhunting Dall Sheep Solo — with a Longbow

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Alaska hunter Paul Forward explains what it's like bowhunting for doll sheep solo, why the Brooks Range is so special, and why he thinks the proposed Ambler Road is a problem that's worth our attention.

This episode is brought to you by Let's Get Real About Skin Cancer, an educational program about advanced non-melanoma skin cancers.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest is Paul Forward.

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The Drone Project That's Revealing Surprising Buck Behavior

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0000

After collecting hundreds of hours of drone footage of wild deer on his family's Missouri property, Derrick Dixson of the Whitetail Research YouTube channel doesn't think about deer hunting the same way. Here are just a few of his observations.

This episode is brought to you by Let's Get Real About Skin Cancer, an educational program about advanced non-melanoma skin cancers.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Hard Truths About Scouting Public Land

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0000

If you're hunting public land, you're probably not going to be able to pattern a mature buck before opening day. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Here's how Shane Simpson thinks about preseason on public ground.

10:44 - Blood Tracking Secrets with Shane Simpson:

Apple — bit.ly/45TKtss

Spotify — bit.ly/41pHrLi

This episode is brought to you by Let's Get Real About Skin Cancer, an educational program about advanced non-melanoma skin cancers.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is Shane Simpson of Shane Simpson Hunting. https://www.shanesimpsonhunting.com/

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Don't Buy a New Optic Without This Advice

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Thinking about a new pair of binos or a riflescope? Here's what optics editor Andrew McKean recommends before you spend your hard-earned cash.

This episode is brought to you by Let's Get Real About Skin Cancer, an educational program about advanced non-melanoma skin cancers.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

Guest is hunting and optics editor Andrew McKean.

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Why the Boundary Waters Mine Is a "Bad Trade"

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:29:00 -0000

Many outdoorsmen, conservationists, do not want to see a massive copper-nickle mine carved into the headwaters of the Boundary Waters.

To better explain why, in this episode of the Outdoor Life podcast we interview two folks who have dedicated their careers to the Boundary Waters. The first is Dave Seaton, the owner of Hungry Jack outfitters. Seaton has been making trips into the boundary waters since he was a kid, and he’s been outfitting folks so they can make their own trips for more than three decades.

Then we’ll talk to Lukas Leaf, the executive director for Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters whose main mission is to ensure the protections around this wilderness area remain. Unfortunately, right now, it seems that Leaf and his crew have their work cut out for them.

This episode is brought to you by Let's Get Real About Skin Cancer, an educational program about advanced non-melanoma skin cancers.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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One of the Greatest Archers of All Time Explains How to Be a Better Bowhunter

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:25:00 -0000

In this episode of the Outdoor Life podcast, gear editor Scott Einsmann sat down with Levi Morgan, a pro-archer, 16-time 3D archery world champion, and a diehard bowhunter who has hunted just about everything in North America.

Morgan gave candid advice on bow and arrow setups and how to properly prepare for hunting season. This podcast cuts through a lot of the noise and is direct advice from one of the best to ever shoot a bow. These are some of his takeaways.

This episode is brought to you by Let's Get Real About Skin Cancer, an educational program about advanced non-melanoma skin cancers.

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How I Stopped a Charging Griz at 5 Yards (with My 10mm)

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

On a hot summer evening, two Alaskans were scouting for the upcoming moose season when they accidentally walked right into a grizzly bear’s kill. The bear charged at them from just 10 yards and a barrage of gunfire ensued. Here's how one of those men, Brett TerBeek, describes the encounter.

Hosted by senior staff writer Tyler Freel.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is Brett TerBeek.

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Sued, Sabotaged, and Threatened: The Cowboys Caught Up in the Wild Horse Problem

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 20:09:00 -0000

Contractor and lifelong wrangler Jackie Hughes knows how to scout and bait-trap wary feral horses. She also knows how to deal with irate activists who sabotage her operations, call her a horse killer, and tie up her outfit with lawsuits. Here's how she's trying to manage wild horses in the West, and why the West needs her help.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Reported and hosted by news editor Dac Collins.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Are Conservation Groups Spending Our Money Wisely?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:38:00 -0000

After DOGE canceled funding for the Take Me Fishing campaign and the organization that administers it, the fishing industry was upset. Many online commenters weren't. Conservation editor Andrew McKean and executive editor Natalie Krebs explain what's going on with NGO funding, why critter group CEOs make the salaries they do, and more.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Deer Hunting with a .22 Creedmoor?

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:26:00 -0000

Earlier this spring, on a ranch in Texas, we got the chance to sit down with the two diehard predator hunters who developed the fast and flat-shooting .22 Creedmoor. While that cartridge had been developed as a long-range varmint and predator round Derrick Ratliff and David Stroud have also seen it produce some impressive results on whitetail deer.

In this episode of the podcast, you’ll hear the origin story of the .22 Creed, and learn about how it fits in with today’s lineup of modern rifle cartridges.

Learn more here: https://horizonfirearms.com/hot-calibers/22-creedmoor

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Why Can’t We Pass Silencer Deregulation?

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:47:00 -0000

The Hearing Protection Act got thrown out of the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill — as expected. Brandon Maddox, the CEO of Silencer Central, breaks down what happened, why the gun industry split into two camps over this, and what all this has to do with the death threats he's been getting.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson .

Guest is Silencer Central founder and CEO Brandon Maddox.

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The Best Bow of the Year Is...

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0000

It's telling (and fun) to test all the new flagship compounds side by side, but one of the highlights is mapping out where the archery industry is headed — and what bowhunters should look out for.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson .

Guests include P.J. Reily and Conner Kaufhold of Lancaster Archery.

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Randy Newberg on How Hunters Can Kill the Public Land Sales Bill

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:45:00 -0000

Contained inside the "Big Beautiful Bill," which will influence national priorities for health care, taxation, agricultural policy, and defense spending, is a provision that would require the U.S. government to sell between 2 and 3 million acres of federal land over the next five years to help fill the budget hole created by tax breaks.

Hunters and public land advocates strongly oppose this large-scale sale of public lands. And in this episode of the podcast public lands advocate Randy Newberg and OL's conservation editor Andrew McKean explain how bad the land-sale bill truly is — and how hunters have a real opportunity to kill it.

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The Washington Wildlife Commission Is “Bad Government on Steroids”

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0000

When lawyers for the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance finally got their hands on the thousands of texts and emails exchanged among four anti-hunting wildlife commissioners, they uncovered just how bad the anti-hunting takeover has gotten there.

Find all the evidence against the commissioners here: https://sportsmensalliance.org/news/exposing-washington-fish-and-wildlife-commissioner-violations/

Guest is Todd Adkins, senior vice president of the Sportsmen’s Alliance.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Father’s Day Special: One Last Hunt on the Family Farm

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

In this bonus episode, hunting editor Andrew McKean returns to his Missouri family farm in November for a farewell to his childhood home and his late father. He couldn't know that he'd come away with the best buck of his life.

The original story, "The Homecoming Buck," appeared in our Nov. 2010 issue. You can also see photos here: www.outdoorlife.com/homecoming

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Is There Really Price Fixing in the Archery Industry?

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0000

A class-action lawsuit is accusing retailers like Bass Pro and bowmakers like Hoyt of artificially inflating the prices of archery equipment. Industry insiders say they’re simply enforcing minimum advertised prices to help local bow shops and protect consumers.

Full story: https://www.outdoorlife.com/pricefixing

Guest is executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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What Happens After You Kill a Grizzly in Self Defense

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Justin Lee of Choteau, Montana, was mushroom hunting with his brother-in-law last month when they were charged by a grizzly sow. The encounter itself lasted seconds. Here's what Lee has to say about the aftermath.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted and produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is Justin Lee.

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The Game Wardens Who Cracked the CJ Alexander Case

Wed, 28 May 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Ohio DNR law enforcement officers Isaiah Gifford and Matt Roberts helped uncover one of the biggest poaching busts of the century. Here's how they did it — and why they had to keep it under wraps for so long.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by news editor Dac Collins.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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The Most Accurate Rifle Ammo We've Ever Tested

Wed, 21 May 2025 08:00:00 -0000

While he's written about ammunition plenty in the past, OL shooting editor John B. Snow has never been fully satisfied with how we (or anybody else in the outdoor industry) has gone about testing it — until now.

Full story: The most accurate rifle ammo, range tested

https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/most-accurate-rifle-ammo/

What is mean radius, and why do we care? https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/what-is-mean-radius/

A better way to zero and sight-in your rifle

https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/how-to-zero-a-rifle/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is shooting editor John B. Snow.

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Inside the 'Dark-of-Night' Scheme to Sell Public Lands

Wed, 14 May 2025 15:36:00 -0000

Introduced in the dark of night, with no debate, no actual maps, and no idea of fiscal impacts, the bill that requires the sale of 500,000 acres of federal land shouldn’t be supported in Congress or back home. Our conservation and hunting editor Andrew McKean explains why.

This episode is brought to you by Freedom Munitions.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is conservation and hunting editor Andrew McKean.

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Why Does Ammo Keep Getting More Expensive?

Wed, 07 May 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Ammo prices have come down since the pandemic spike, but they’re still higher than they were in early 2020. We asked ammo industry insiders about their pricing and why ammo is so dang expensive. Here's what we found — and why you shouldn't blame tariffs just yet.

This episode is brought to you by Freedom Munitions.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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The Shooting Match All Hunters Should Compete In

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:10:00 -0000

If you really want to become a better shot on big game, there's no better way than competing in an NRL hunter match. Our senior staff writer Tyler Freel is an experienced sheep, bear, and moose hunter — and he's still learned plenty from competing.

Zero your rifle with 20-shot groups: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/how-to-zero-a-rifle

Lessons from NRL hunter: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/5-things-i-learned-from-nrl-hunter/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is senior staff writer Tyler Freel.

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America's Great Public Lands Agitator Is Back

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:27:00 -0000

Land Tawney, the former CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, is back with a new lobbying group. And he's going hard against politicians who are pushing anti-public lands initiatives.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is Land Tawney of American Hunters and Anglers.

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Advanced Turkey Decoy Tactics with Mark Drury

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0000

There's a lot more to decoy strategy than simply staking out a hen and jake at 20 yards. Here's how Mark Drury of Drury Outdoors thinks about how to match your decoys to specific scenarios and — just as importantly — when to leave them in the bag.

Follow more from Mark on Deer Cast: https://www.deercast.com/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is Mark Drury of Drury Outdoors.

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The Best New Rifles & Handguns of the Year

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode from the annual OL gun test, shooting editor John B. Snow and senior staff writer Tyler Freel tackle rifle trends, the most interesting new guns of the year, how the 7mm Backcountry stacks up with extended testing, handgun optics, ammo accuracy, and more.

Suppressors Are the New Normal

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0000

No matter if you own half a dozen cans or you've never even shot one, there's a lot to learn about suppressors. In this week's episode we cover the rapid-fire evolution of silencer tech, the growing popularity of cans, and why you should really — no, really — be shooting suppressed.

Turkey Calling Tips with Shane Simpson

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0000

When it comes to calling and killing turkeys, Shane Simpson is the real deal. In this week's episode he calls in from the field with advice for striking birds, specific calling scenarios, setting up, and more.

To find Shane’s videos and custom calls, check out his website: https://www.shanesimpsonhunting.com/

This episode is brought to you by Vortex.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Guest is Shane Simpson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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The Real Story Behind the Pending World-Record Elk

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:21:00 -0000

After months of social media controversy and a formal Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife investigation, Casey Brooks shared his story with us. Here are the details behind the hunt.

Read the full story at https://www.outdoorlife.com/brooksbull

This episode is brought to you by Vortex.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Everything You Need to Know About Shooting Turkeys (Beyond 40 Yards)

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0000

We agree that close-quarters turkey hunting is always the goal. But if you need to take a longer shot or watch a gobbler walk off, you can't just assume your TSS load has you covered. Here's how shotgun writer Phil Bourjaily says to prepare for that make or break scenario.

This episode is brought to you by Vortex.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is shotgun writer Phil Bourjaily.

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It's Time to Start Taking Public-Land Transfer Seriously

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0000

A serious threat to federal land is unfolding across America right now. It's also—maybe, possibly—an opportunity to fix the management issues that've led to this crossroads.

Read the full story at https://www.outdoorlife.com/transfe r

Read more on the poll of Western voters: https://www.outdoorlife.com/westernpoll

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted & produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

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I Nearly Died on a Duck Hunt

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0000

When Utah duck hunter Chris Pebley was thrown out of his duck boat, his buddy Weston Leatherow thought Chris had only broken his leg. The stakes were actually much higher.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/duckboataccident

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guests are Chris Pebley and Weston Leatherow.

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The Feds Fired Key Public-Land Workers. Here's What It Means for You

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Contributor Christine Peterson spoke with many of the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Interior employees who lost their jobs on Friday in the latest round of cuts to the federal workforce. She explains who lost their jobs, the reason given, and what it means for anyone who hunts, fishes, or recreates on federal public lands.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Produced and hosted by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is OL contributor Christine Peterson.

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Friction-Call Secrets from the Winningest Turkey Caller in History

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Champion turkey caller and callmaker Matt Van Cise has soft spot for friction calls. Here's how he thinks about selecting a call, holding and striking it, and putting that all together in the woods.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest hosted by executive editor Scott Einsmann.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is High Class Calls maker and champion caller Matt Van Cise.

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Trump, Conservation, and Public Lands

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Our hunting and conservation editor dives into the recent federal funding freeze, the new secretary of the Department of the Interior, and more.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

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How Do You Wage a War on Poaching? With Lie Detectors, K9 Units, and Pure Grit

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0000

South Africa has a poaching problem. A decade ago, General Johan Jooste oversaw the transformation of Kruger National Park’s field rangers into an elite, anti-poaching unit whose efforts helped protect rhinos and other iconic species. Last year, news editor Dac Collins joined the rangers to see how Kruger's poaching problem has evolved, and spoke with Jooste to understand how we got here.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest hosted by news editor Dac Collins.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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New Guns, Trends, and Ammo from the SHOT Show

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 21:36:01 -0000

These are the new guns that have caught our team's attention at the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show this week.

Guests are shooting editor John B. Snow and staff writer Tyler Freel.

See more new rifles from SHOT Show 2025 here.

See more new handguns from SHOT Show 2025 here.

See more new shotguns from SHOT Show 2025 here.

See more new ammo from SHOT Show 2025 here.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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The Most Interesting (and Polarizing) New Rifle Cartridge of the Year

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0000

No one has more trigger time with the new 7mm BC — or more accuracy and velocity data — than our shooting editor. Here’s the full story behind Federal’s innovative high-pressure, high-velocity cartridge.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is shooting editor John B. Snow.

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Wolves Will Be Delisted, and Other Predictions for 2025

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Hunting editor Andrew McKean runs through the outdoor issues that will make headlines this year. Just take each with a grain of salt.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

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The Story Behind the Craziest Poaching Case of the Year

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0000

One year ago, Ohio resident CJ Alexander killed a truly monster buck and his story went viral. This month, he was sentenced for one of the biggest poaching crimes in Ohio history. News editor Dac Collins explains how we covered the saga at OL — and why we were suspicious long before Alexander was ever charged.

This episode is brought to you by Savage Arms.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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What We Get Wrong About Whitetails, with Jeff Sturgis

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0000

You've got everything dialed: food, habitat, stand setup, and day-of strategy. The only problem? You're not actually killing your target bucks. Jim Sturgis of Whitetail Habitat Solutions can tell you exactly what you're doing wrong — whether you want to hear it or not.

This episode is brought to you by Savage Arms.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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How to Miss Fewer Birds

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Wish you had practiced more this summer? Field and Stream's shotgun editor Phil Bourjaily explains how to tune up your wingshooting mid-season and, just as importantly, what not to tinker with right now.

This episode is brought to you by Savage Arms.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is Field & Stream Shotgun editor Phil Bourjaily.

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Are American-Made Knives Still the Best?

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Tester, collector, and all-around knife nerd Scott Einsmann explains what's going on with knives made in the USA, why Chinese-made knives might surprise you, and what models you should definitely put on your holiday wishlist.

This episode is brought to you by Savage Arms.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

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Real Talk About the Best Deer Cartridges and Bullets

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Shooting editor John B. Snow explains why a .300 Win Mag won't fix all your problems, and more wisdom to keep in mind this season.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is shooting editor John B. Snow

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Ditch Your Treestand and Hunt from the Ground, with Andrew McKean / Masters of the Rut

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0000

You don't have to sit in a treestand all fall. Hunting editor Andrew McKean has killed deer all over the continent. Most of the time, it was with two feet planted firmly on the ground. Here's how, and why, he chooses to hunt deer on their level.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is hunting editor Andrew McKean.

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How to Help New Hunters Shoot Their First Deer with Natalie Krebs / Masters of the Rut

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 19:59:15 -0000

Every year our executive editor takes someone from a non-hunting family on their first deer hunt with the NDA's Field to Fork program. Here's what she's learned from those experiences, and what new deer hunters have to say about the experience.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Secrets of Big Buck Killer Jared Mills / Masters of the Rut

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Hunter Jared Mills shares his tips for making the most of your opportunity when a big buck finally comes into range.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Advanced Trail Cam Tactics with Josh Honeycutt and Dr. James Johnson / Masters of the Rut

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Don’t just scroll through your trail cam pictures. Instead, apply these strategies from outdoor writer Josh Honeycutt and Dr. James Johnson, both of whom have extensive experience deploying trail cams to pattern whitetails.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Secrets of GPS Collared Bucks with Dr. Bronson Strickland / Masters of the Rut

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:38:00 -0000

At this point in the deer season, all serious whitetail hunters have two important questions to answer: When will that target buck move? And where will he go? To answer these questions, we can use recent and historic trail camera data plus traditional woodsmanship skills and good old hunter’s intuition. But it also helps to have an understanding of the bigger picture. And for that, you can’t beat GPS collar data from Dr. Bronson Strickland. Strickland is a co-director of the Mississippi State University Deer Lab, and a certified wildlife biologist. Through the Deer Lab, he conducts research that’s important for deer science but also has management and hunting implications.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hunting Big-Woods Bucks with Brett Joy / Masters of the Rut

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In this first episode of our six-part series, we're interviewing expert deer hunters from all around the country. Today we're talking to Brett Joy, a hunter with Just Hunt Club, about combining modern and vintage tactics to target big-woods deer.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Why Small Cartridges Are So Effective on Big Game

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0000

folks have been putting big animals down for over a hundred years with cartridges that would have social media commenters’ thumbs worked into a frenzy. They did it without a second thought — maybe because nobody ever told them they couldn’t.

This episode is brought to you by Federal Black Cloud.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is staff writer Tyler Freel.

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Why Your Trail Cameras Don’t Work

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0000

If you have a love-hate relationship with your trail cameras, you're not alone. That's why we sat down with Rich Howell, the founder of Trailcampro.com to unravel some of the biggest issues with setting, troubleshooting, and paying for trail cams.

This episode is brought to you by Federal Prairie Storm.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside the Strangest Fishing Competition in America

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Every September, trout guides and amateurs alike descend on the Snake River to compete in a charity event. It’s based around a simple yet formidable question: What if you only had one fly?

This episode is brought to you by Federal Terminal Ascent.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Reported by news editor Dac Collins.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did YouTube Ban Gun Videos?

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Social media has become an inhospitable place for anyone who is creating firearms content. That’s why a new, misunderstood YouTube policy has created plenty of trepidation among guntubers. Here's what we know about the latest crackdown.

This episode is brought to you by Federal Black Cloud.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Reported by contributor Dave Maccar.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where Are All the Ducks?

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 20:57:00 -0000

Duck hunters reported one of their worst years on record last year. The USFWS says mallard numbers are up and breeding ducks are looking their best in a decade. So what's going on? Are duck hunters just whining over a bad season? Or is the USFWS orchestrating some kind of cover up of bird declines so duck hunters keep buying licenses to fund their agency? As it turns out, neither.

This episode is brought to you by Federal Prairie Storm.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced and reported by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biggest Myths in Mountain Hunting

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

OL's resident mountain hunter Tyler Freel separates fact from all the fiction surrounding backcountry gear, prep, and execution. Here's what matters, and what to do when it all goes sideways.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/hunting-west-diy-reality/

This episode is brought to you by Federal Terminal Ascent.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is staff writer Tyler Freel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Today's College Anglers Are Tomorrow's Bass Pros

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:29:42 -0000

Some of the best bass fishing in America is happening on the college circuit. And as these leagues have expanded, they’ve become the ultimate proving grounds for professional bass fishing. In this episode, news editor Dac Collins sits down with Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton of Lander University, who won the 2024 Bassmaster College National Championship over the weekend. Here's how they think about the competition, the strategy they need to succeed, and what's next.

Read more: https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/college-fishing-bass-pros/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest hosting by news editor Dac Collins.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Only Bowhunting Gear That Actually Matters

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

As bow season approaches, you might be scrambling to get everything on your setup perfectly dialed. Instead, re-center and think about what actually matters: making a good shot, and worrying only about the gear that's going to make or break your hunt. Here's what matters this season, according to our in-house archery coach and resident gear nerd, executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

This episode is brought to you by Bowtech.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Best New Shotguns of the Year

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

We headed to Grinnell, Iowa, to test the newest field of sporting and hunting shotguns, plus an entirely new field for this year: tactical shotguns. Shooting editor John B. Snow explains how we test shotguns, why it's necessary, and what you need to know about the latest crop of duck guns, double-barrels, and home-defense models.

This episode is brought to you by Bowtech. Read more at outdoorlife.com/shotguns24

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by shooting editor John B. Snow.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Forward Facing Sonar Won’t Be Banned

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 13:04:28 -0000

There’s no more polarizing topic in the fishing world right now than forward facing sonar (FFS). At this point, it’s foolish to deny its effectiveness, as professional anglers who have perfected its use have left everyone else in the dust. It also makes the sport hard to watch. This week we're talking to Derek Horner, OL's manager of audience development and the former captain of Penn State's bass fishing team. Here's his take.

Why Traditional Backpacking Gear Is Dead

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0000

This week we sit down with staff writer and PCT veteran Laura Lancaster to explain our recent ultralight backpack test, why hunters might be interested in this new gear, and why traditional backpacking is on the way out.

You can read more on ultralight backpacking gear at outdoorlife.com/ultralight

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by staff writer Laura Lancaster.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What You Need to Know About New Optics

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:55:00 -0000

This week we sit down with our optics editor, Andrew McKean, to discuss the armloads of new optics he's been testing for weeks, including binoculars, riflescopes, and thermals. Here are the highlights from the test, including his advice for anyone looking to buy new glass this summer.

You can read the first of McKean's articles from the test — his binocular reviews — at outdoorlife.com/optics24

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by hunting and optics editor Andrew McKean.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s How Hunting Gets Banned

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 14:09:30 -0000

Anti-hunters have a playbook that's extremely effective at persuading the public to change wildlife management. This week on the podcast, Alex interviews Brian Lynn of the Sportsmen’s Alliance to learn how these anti-hunting organizations operate, and the strategic advantages they enjoy over hunters.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Find more on the potential ballot initiative here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/catban

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Has Trail Cam Technology Gotten Too Good?

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:53:07 -0000

There's a lot to love about new trail cameras as their features get more sophisticated and easier to use. There are also a few concerns with all that powerful new tech. Here's editor-in-chief Alex Robinson's take on all the new trail cameras he's been testing lately, and what it all means for deer hunters.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Find the full trail cam test at outdoorlife.com/trailcamtest

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Quick Strike with Joe Cermele: Old School Bass Lures You Should Be Fishing Right Now

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0000

This week on the podcast we're introducing you to Outdoor Life's newest podcast: Quick Strike with Joe Cermele. In this first episode of the show, OL's fishing editor sits down with down with Chris Bohlman of the Retro Bassin’ YouTube channel to shine a light on old, underrated, and affordable bass baits.

You can follow the show by searching "Quick Strike with Joe Cermele" wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted by OL fishing editor Joe Cermele.

Edited by Mike Pederson / Eighty Five Audio.

Produced by OL executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Fudd Lore: 5 of the Worst Myths in Rifle Shooting and Hunting

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 14:30:49 -0000

To be a Fudd, you simply have to hold onto an old idea no matter how much new and better information contradicts it. This mindset has always been a part of hunting culture, and everyone is probably guilty of being a Fudd from time to time. Here are the most common examples that we all need to move on from.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/fudd

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is staff writer Tyler Freel.

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Australia Has an Anti-Hunter Problem, and the U.S. Isn't Far Behind

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:22:00 -0000

Animal-rights activists have gained permanent ground in Australia in the fight to shut down recreational duck hunting. Much of what’s happening in Australia can absolutely happen in the U.S. Some of it already has.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/australia

Reporting and editing by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Mixed and mastered by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

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Budget Bows vs Used Flagships: What's the Better Deal?

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:22:00 -0000

P.J. Reilly has been reviewing bows for Lancaster Archery Supply since 2016 and that historical context makes him one of the most knowledgeable bow reviewers in the game. He just conducted a test of six budget bows that shot impressively well. Here’s what you should know if you’re trying to find a nice bow (including used compounds) without breaking the bank.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/budgetvscompounds

Read Reilly's reviews here: https://outdoorlife.com/budgetbows24

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is OL gear writer and LAS technical writer P.J. Reilly.

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You've Been Sighting in Your Rifle All Wrong

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:40:00 -0000

Most people walk away from the range with a “near-o” rather than a zero, as one of shooting editor John B. Snow's precision rifle buddies aptly puts it. And often that’s good enough. If all you need is minute-of-deer at 100 yards, your zero can be pretty elastic. But if you want to really know where your gun shoots, and how well it shoots, listen up to these simple steps.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/rifleaccuracy

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is shooting editor John B. Snow.

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Why Big-Game Auction Tags Are a Necessary Evil

Wed, 29 May 2024 14:20:00 -0000

Highly-coveted statewide big-game hunting tags have traditionally been auctioned to the highest bidders. But the idea that opportunities to pursue public wildlife are being sold to wealthy hunters and highest bidders conflicts with an expectation that wildlife is available to all. That's why more states are considering raffles, which have their own pros and cons.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/montana-raffle-mule-deer-tag/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by conservation and hunting editor Andrew McKean.

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I Shot a Mountain Lion at 7 Paces

Wed, 22 May 2024 16:59:00 -0000

Over the years Scott Haugen has hunted plenty of dangerous game animals, including man-eating lions and crocodiles in Africa and a man-eating tiger in Sumatra. In 1990, he tracked down and killed a man-eating polar bear in Alaska’s high Arctic. Hunting big predators is a passion. Hunting cougars close to home is a treat.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Deer Love Mushroom Food Plots. Why Aren’t More Hunters Planting Them?

Wed, 15 May 2024 21:53:00 -0000

Why is it so hard for deer hunters to believe that deer love mushrooms? We asked deer hunting and mushroom food plot evangelist Matt Williams about this, and how to grow a mushroom food plot.

You can read the full story, and see videos, here: https://outdoorlife.com/hunting/mushroom-food-plots

You can reach Matt at https://myco-habitat.com/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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PFAS Bans Will Radically Change How Outdoor Gear Is Made

Wed, 08 May 2024 15:27:41 -0000

The forever chemicals known as PFAS are in everything from takeout containers to your favorite breathable, waterproof rain gear. They're also getting banned in California and New York starting in 2025. This week we talked to staff writer Laura Lancaster about why PFAS are a problem, why they're so useful in your favorite waterproof gear, and why you're going to have to start taking better care of your rain gear.

Read the full story at outdoorlife.com/PFAS

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by staff writer Laura Lancaster.

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Why the Wyoming Wolf Torture Incident Could Shape Wolf Management for a Generation

Wed, 01 May 2024 14:27:58 -0000

If there’s anything redeeming about the February incident in which a wild wolf was run over by a snowmobiler, then muzzled and paraded around a Wyoming bar before it was killed, it’s as an opportunity for hunters to define ourselves against a rising narrative that equates the wolf abuser with restrained and purposeful hunting.

Read McKean's full story at outdoorlife.com/wyomingwolf

Read McKean's Q&A with the DOI's new wolf mediator: outdoorlife.com/hunting/wolf-management-mediator/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean.

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The Best New Guns of the Year

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:55:00 -0000

The 2024 Outdoor Life Gun Test introduced us to sweet-shooting rimfires, a pile of impressive centerfires and handguns, and what might be the best bolt-action hunting rifle ever made.

This episode is brought to you by Brownells. You can read the Sako 90 Adventure review at outdoorlife.com/sako90

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guests are shooting editor John B. Snow and staff writer Tyler Freel.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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The Time of the Lever Gun Is Now

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:21:00 -0000

The 2024 Outdoor Life gun test showed us just how relevant the lever gun still is, and that some gun makers are devoting the time and attention to crafting the highest quality production lever-action specimens we’ve ever seen. These guns are made better, incorporate more user-friendly features, and are more versatile than ever.

This episode is brought to you by Brownells. Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/podcast-lever-guns

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

Guests in this episode include shooting editor John B. Snow, staff writer Tyler Freel, and gun test team member Matt Foster.

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The Truth About TSS Turkey Loads

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:13:00 -0000

In hopes of shedding some light on this very dense, wildly expensive, and unnecessarily controversial pellet material, I sat down with Adam Moser, the director of product engineering for shotshells at Federal Premium. Federal, after all, was the first major ammo company to offer TSS loads to the mass market. I also caught up with my fanatical turkey hunting buddy Josh Dahlke, the VP of content for HuntStand. Dahlke has witnessed more than 100 turkeys get shot with TSS loads. If anyone can explain the physics behind TSS, it’s Moser. If anyone can detail its turkey killing capabilities, it’s Dahlke.

This episode is brought to you by Alabama's Beaches.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

Full stories on testing TSS turkey loads here and here.

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Ultra-Close Range Turkey Hunting Tactics with Mike Hunsucker

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 20:26:01 -0000

Turkey hunting at its very best is a close-range game. Few people know this better than Mike Hunsucker of Heartland Bowhunter, who hunts spring gobblers almost exclusively with a bow. Here, Hunsucker shares some tips and lessons about getting gobblers in close.

This episode is brought to you by Alabama’s Beaches.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

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The Most Remarkable Bow We've Ever Tested—and More from the 2024 Bow Test

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 16:07:42 -0000

The OL bow test is the most rigorous in the industry. We shoot all the flagship bows and crossbows for accuracy over the course of three days at Lancaster Archery. This year the most accurate bow was a true marvel, and it turns everything we thought we knew about bow design on its head.

This episode is brought to you by Alabama's Beaches. Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-compound-bows/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Guests are Scott Einsmann and P.J. Reilly.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

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Will Thermals Change the Way We Hunt?

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:14:59 -0000

Thermal devices have gotten more capable and less expensive as technology has fueled what an access evolution. Suddenly, thermals are more affordable and ubiquitous, and American hunters are hungry for additional ways to use them.

This episode is brought to you by Alabama's Beaches. Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/will-thermals-change-the-way-we-hunt/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Reporting by Andrew McKean.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

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Do We Really Need All These New Rifle Cartridges?

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:35:00 -0000

The 22 ARC blends new bullet technology with Modern Cartridge Design to get .22-250 Remington performance from MSRs. That's cool ... but do we need it?

This episode is brought to you by Alabama's Beaches. Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/22-arc-review/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Reporting by shooting editor John B. Snow.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

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What Will onX Do With All Our Data?

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:33:00 -0000

Some onX users wonder where all their data is stored, if we’re being tracked in the most remote spaces in the country, and if our waypoints could one day be sold.

This episode is brought to you by Alabama's Beaches. Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/the-onx-effect/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Alex Robinson.

Reporting by Christine Peterson.

Produced by Natalie Krebs.

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Making Deer Hunting Fun Again, with Lindsay Thomas

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 19:45:57 -0000

It's peak rut and all your carefully planning isn't panning out. Maybe you missed a buck. Maybe your neighbor shot him. Maybe you're just getting a little too serious. This week, we talked to Lindsay Thomas of the National Deer Association about how to set that stuff aside and focus on what deer hunting is supposed to be: fun.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge Pro.

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Busting Deer Movement Weather Myths, with Dr. Grant Woods

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0000

Should you be hunting cold fronts? Does wind direction matter less than wind speed? Who's still paying attention to the moon phase? Researcher and dedicated deer hunter Dr. Grant Woods addresses all these common weather-related questions in this week's episode.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge Pro.

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How Deer Use Habitat During the Rut, with Dr. Craig Harper

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:58:42 -0000

Dr. Craig Harper has published more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, extension publications, books, and manuals. But here's the important thing: He's also a serious deer hunter and he understands better than most how deer relate to habitat during the rut.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge Pro.

Read the full story on outdoorlife.com here.

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How to Hunt the Rut on Public Land, with Aaron Warbritton

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 18:21:35 -0000

Want to have more success on pressured ground while hunting the rut? Then start patterning other hunters.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge Pro.

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John Dudley on How to Beat Buck Fever

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 18:28:55 -0000

An archery coach is just what the bowhunters of America need right now.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge Pro.

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How to Hunt the Most Elusive Old Bucks, with Mike Hunsucker

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:03:00 -0000

Hunsucker had several years of trail camera pictures of Floppy—an old buck with drooping, injured ears—and he’d hunted him for multiple seasons. Even though Floppy would show up on trail cameras during daylight, Hunsucker was never able to truly pattern him the way he had with so many other mature bucks over the years. So when the buck showed up on his 300-acre Missouri property again last season, he decided to go all in. Here's what he learned.

This episode is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge Pro.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/how-to-hunt-mature-bucks/

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The Best Shotguns of 2023

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 22:07:29 -0000

We assembled more than a dozen shotguns that are new for 2023, which we tested over the course of an intense week of trigger pulling.

Read the full story at outdoorlife.com/shotguntest

Testing facility: Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club

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Rediscovering the M1 Garand: The Greatest Generation's Service Rifle

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:56:43 -0000

The OL gun team takes over the podcast to discuss staff writer Tyler Freel's M1 Garand project.

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Public Approval for Hunting Drops Sharply

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 16:36:52 -0000

The drop in public support for legal field sports comes after nearly 30 years of increasingly favorable attitudes. What gives?

Read the full story at outdoorlife.com/huntingsurvey

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Only Accurate Rifles Are Interesting

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 16:32:34 -0000

Who was Townsend Whelen? The soldier and backcountry big game hunter was one of OL's earliest shooting editors.

Read the full story on Outdoor Life

Grizzly Hunting with a 6.5 Creedmoor

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 22:31:00 -0000

Outdoor Life staff writer Tyler Freel knew how his hunt would turn out, but he did it anyway.

Read the full story here.

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Does Ultralight Backpacking Gear Make Sense for Hunting?

Wed, 31 May 2023 20:11:00 -0000

We asked our gear staff writer and resident thru-hiker Laura Lancaster what hunters can learn from ultralight backpackers. Then we compared notes with staff writer and expert sheep hunter Tyler Freel.

Gear tests and reviews mentioned in this episode:

The Best Ultralight Tents

The Best Ultralight Backpacks

The Best Backpacking Quilts

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What It Takes to Raise Diehard Hunters (A Mother's Day Special)

Fri, 12 May 2023 20:42:35 -0000

"You had fun turkey hunting, right? Why did you agree to take us squirrel hunting all those years ago? Do you even like hunting?" In this episode of the Outdoor Life Podcast, our editors asked our very own non-hunting moms all kinds of questions about what it was like to raise hunters.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Edited and produced by Executive Editor Natalie Krebs.

Music by Benjamin Peter McElroy, via APM Music.

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Why No One Else Tests Guns the Way Outdoor Life Does

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 21:08:00 -0000

There’s a lot of low-quality information about new guns out there. A combination of evaluators with questionable skills, limited resources, and a desire to please sponsors and advertisers results in a pile of ballistic drivel. The Outdoor Life Gun Test is an antidote to that.

Read the full rifle test here.

Read the full handgun test here.

Read the full 1911 test here.

Video: The Best Cheap Guns of 2023

Video: Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0 Ti

Video: The Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0 Ti in .338 Wby. RPM

Video: The Best Handguns of 2023

Video: The Best 1911s

This episode is brought to you by Vortex Optics. Read more about the new Defender CCW red-dot for EDC in our article, How to Choose the Ultimate Concealed-Carry Gun.

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The Turkey Biology Every Hunter Should Know, with Dr. Mike Chamberlain

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:57:26 -0000

The turkey hunters of America need a biology lesson. There are so many things we don’t fully understand. Like why exactly do toms gobble at owls? Does the camo pattern we wear even matter? And what about the bigger questions: Why are wild turkey populations seemingly declining in so many places? What should game agencies and hunters do about it? We sit down with Dr. Mike Chamberlain, a professor at the University of Georgia who has been researching (and hunting) wild turkeys for the past 30 years.

Related Links

Wild turkey vision

What do wild turkeys eat?

Wild turkey population declines

Chamberlain x Mossy Oak Wild Turkey Lab

This episode is brought to you by Vortex Optics. Read more about the new Defender CCW red-dot for EDC in our article, How to Choose the Ultimate Concealed-Carry Gun.

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Masters of the Rut: The Biggest Myths About Deer Rifles and Cartridges

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0000

In part six of our Masters of the Rut series, shooting editor John B. Snow busts the most common myths deer hunters believe about rifles, cartridges, shot placement, and more.

Masters of the Rut is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge.

Read the full story on OutdoorLife.com.

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Masters of the Rut: Billy Phillips on Why It's Time to Ditch Your Treestand

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:57:36 -0000

In part five of our Masters of the Rut series, year-round bowhunter Billy Phillips explains all the pros (and very few cons) of switching to a tree saddle to hunt deer.

Masters of the Rut is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge.

Read the full story on OutdoorLife.com.

Find more from Billy Phillips at hunturban.co or the Hang and Hunt podcast.

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Masters of the Rut: Kip Adams Explains Why Aging Deer Is Easier Than You Think

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0000

In part four of our Masters of the Rut series, Kip Adams of the National Deer Association talks about how hunters can age deer, and why we might want to.

Masters of the Rut is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge.

Read the full story on OutdoorLife.com.

Find more from Kip Adams at DeerAssociation.com

Show notes:

How to age deer (NDA video)

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Masters of the Rut: Dr. Grant Woods on Using A.I. to Improve Your Hunting

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:28:27 -0000

In part three of our Masters of the Rut series, Grant Woods talks about how hunters can use their trail cameras a little more scientifically and become a better deer hunter.

Masters of the Rut is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge.

Read the full story on OutdoorLife.com.

Find more from Grant Woods at GrowingDeer.tv

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Masters of the Rut: Inside the Mind of a Big Buck Serial Killer

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:41:11 -0000

In part two of our Masters of the Rut series, Dan Infalt talks about his approach to consistently tagging big public-land bucks by hunting their bedding areas.

Masters of the Rut is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge.

Read the full story on OutdoorLife.com.

Watch Dan Infalt's videos on YouTube.

You can learn more about Infalt's treestands and climbing sticks at HuntingBeastGear.com.

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Masters of the Rut: Blood Trailing Secrets from Shane Simpson

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:40:00 -0000

In part one of our Masters of the Rut series, Shane Simpson talks about what he’s learned as a tracking dog handler, and how that intel can help more hunters recover their deer.

Masters of the Rut is brought to you by Moultrie Mobile Edge.

Full story on OutdoorLife.com.

You can follow along with Shane and Callie's tracking adventures on YouTube.

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Epilogue: Crazy as a Sheep Hunter

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 20:27:39 -0000

“There is no half way. After his first exposure, a man is either a sheep hunter or he isn’t.” —Jack O’Connor

Read Tyler Freel's essay yourself, right here.

Sheep Hunting in Alaska by Tony Russ

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Tracking Big Bucks with the Mule Deer Master

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 18:59:21 -0000

Michael Hirschi just might be the best public-land trophy mule deer hunter on the face of the earth. And he’s ready to share (some of) his secrets.

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Rue Mapp Is a Woman on a Mission

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:47:55 -0000

Rue Mapp’s calling is to get more Black people involved in the outdoors. Her newest personal challenge? Learning how to hunt.

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Wild Horses and Burros Have Become Beasts of Burden

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 22:25:48 -0000

Free-roaming horses and burros are dying hard deaths on Western rangeland that’s already taxed by drought, wildfire, and habitat loss. So why don’t we do something different?

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Kristine Fischer's Rise to Kayak-Fishing Fame

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 18:58:11 -0000

Kristine Fischer risked it all just to make it as a pro kayak tournament angler. Now she just might be the rising star the sport needs.

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The Case Against Scoring Big-Game Animals

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 15:31:37 -0000

...and why you might want to enter your buck in the record books anyway.

See photos of McKean's Missouri whitetail here.

Read the full story about scoring and the record books here.

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Season 3: The Diehards

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 18:14:41 -0000

Season 3 of the Outdoor Life Podcast is dedicated to the diehards: hunters and anglers whose borderline insane passions have led them to develop some pretty interesting perspectives and, often, uncommon skill. Tune in every Wednesday for new episodes.

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Epilogue: Primitive Skills in a Modern World

Wed, 18 May 2022 22:52:43 -0000

Bushcraft doesn't just have a place in the 21st century—it might be more important than ever.

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When a Lost Kid Wanders into Your Camp

Wed, 11 May 2022 20:33:35 -0000

A kid walks out of the night and into your hunting camp—lost, scared, and half-frozen. Would you know what to do?

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Life and Death in Grizzly Country

Wed, 04 May 2022 19:38:07 -0000

Rising grizzly populations, mountain town sprawl, and more tourists mean we’re seeing a surge in deadly bear attacks. It’s a good theory. The only problem? It isn’t true.

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The Wilderness Isn't Out to Get You

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 18:35:48 -0000

Jessie Krebs is on a crusade to make the backcountry, and the skills required to thrive there, accessible to everyone—especially the people who need it most.

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Stranded in Sheep Country

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:37:38 -0000

What happens when a backcountry hunt turns into an unexpected survival situation? We talk with Alaska sheep hunter and OL staff writer Tyler Freel about suffering through the hungry side of a fly-in hunt.

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Can Hunting Survive in California?

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 16:29:47 -0000

And if it can’t, who's going to pay to conserve the state’s wildlife and habitat?

The list of obstacles looming before Golden State hunters reads like a doomsday letter: Megafires close millions of acres of forest during deer season and consume precious quail habitat; urban sprawl eats up increasingly large sections of wild land; drought turns reservoirs to puddles and puddles to cracked earth; duck populations struggle and deer numbers plummet; predator populations expand; ammunition becomes harder to find and much more complicated to purchase; and the possibility of a ballot initiative banning hunting lingers in a state with 63 percent fewer hunters than it had 50 years ago.

But don't worry—there's good news in this episode, too.

This episode is based on the story Can Hunting Survive in California? by Christine Peterson, which appeared in the No. 1, 2022 Issue of Outdoor Life. You can read more stories from this issue on Apple News, and subscribers can access them our iOS, Android, and Outdoor Life apps.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Edited and produced by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Theme song by Harrison Black, Zep Jameson, and Emerson Lee.

News clips in this episode include excerpts from The Sacramento Bee, ABC 7 News, ABC10, 23ABC News, with sound effects from the National Park Service and FreeSound.org.

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Miracle on the Tundra: Surviving a 5-Day Blizzard

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:32:37 -0000

Season 2, Episode 1: When a caribou hunter sets out from his small village in Nunavut, a snowstorm turns his day trip into a five-day ordeal.

This episode is based on the story Dreaming on the Tundra by Dac Collins, which appeared in the No. 1, 2022 Issue of Outdoor Life. You can read more stories from this issue on Apple News, and subscribers can access them our iOS, Android, or Outdoor Life apps. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Edited and produced by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Theme song by Harrison Black, Zep Jameson, and Emerson Lee.

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Season 2: The Survivor's Mindset

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:15:12 -0000

For Season 2 of The Outdoor Life Podcast, we're going to try something a little different. We're still bringing you the storytelling, adventure, and reporting you love, but this time our writers and editors will be telling hunting and survival stories that are, in some way, dedicated to our single greatest survival tool: The one between our ears. We have six new episodes about the survivor's mindset coming your way, and we'll be releasing one each week on Wednesday.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Edited and produced by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Theme song by Harrison Black, Zep Jameson, and Emerson Lee.

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Are Duck Hunters Really Losing 1 in 5 Birds? Here’s How We Can Do Better

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 21:18:06 -0000

There’s plenty of debate around crippling rates in waterfowl hunting, but the best duck hunters agree that we can reduce them and put more birds in the bag. Because if the numbers we do have are close to accurate, we duck hunters are losing way, way too many birds. We talked to two veteran duck hunters about how to improve our waterfowl recovery rates. Lee Kjos, a renowned wildlife photographer and the marketing guru behind Boss Shotshells, stresses the importance of identifying the right choke and load combination by pattering your gun. We also talked to legendary bird dog trainer Tom Dokken about how trained retrievers can help us recover more birds, and how to set yours up for success.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

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How I Made the Biggest Archery Shot of My Life

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 18:33:15 -0000

It took Jace Bauserman 19 years to draw an archery bighorn sheep tag in Colorado. So when he did finally draw, he got to training with his bow, meticulously. He tuned his gear, he perfected his form, and he kept a careful shooting log. But the most important thing Jace did was work on his mental game. Jace knew that he'd feel a wave of anxiousness as soon as the ram of his dreams offered him a shot. But he also knew that with careful training and the right attitude, he could execute a perfect shot—even if he was absolutely terrified in the moment. Here's how he did it.

Edited and produced by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Music composed and performed by Tandis Jenhudson, Federico Coderoni, Lorenzo Bergamino, Stefano Bergamaschi, Luigi Magnozzi.

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Wildlife and the Megadrought

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 21:21:30 -0000

The megadrought in the West and High Plains is hurting big game like mule deer and cold-water fish species like trout and salmon. Scorching temps are evaporating moisture from browse and creating dry tinder for the wildfires that are growing bigger and more frequent. Meanwhile, drought is hitting the Dakotas hard and causing problems in the prairie pothole region. The real question: Is this the new normal?

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by contributor Christine Peterson and Hunting & Conservation Editor Andrew McKean.

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The Wolf Wars are Getting More Extreme

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 19:50:21 -0000

Wisconsin wolf hunters nearly doubled last winter’s harvest quota. In the West, bounties are being paid for dead wolves. Meanwhile, the wild canines are increasing their range and redistributing big-game populations. Prodded by a celebrity-voiced campaign, the Interior Department is being pressured to return America’s wolves to the Endangered Species List. What will we do about wolves? Read the full story here:

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by Hunting and Conservation Editor Andrew McKean.

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The Story Behind Vincent Hancock's Gold Medal Win

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:51:24 -0000

What does it take to compete at the highest levels of shooting? We discuss this with Vincent Hancock, who just took Olympic gold for the third time in International Skeet in Tokyo.

Hancock is the only shooter in Olympic history to win multiple golds in skeet and he did it in dramatic fashion this summer. First, he staged a long-term comeback to Olympic excellence after a disappointing finish in Rio in 2016. (He won gold in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.) Next, he fought his way back into medal contention in Tokyo after dropping three targets in the last qualifying round before heading into the finals.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Shooting Editor John B. Snow

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The Remington Ammunition Comeback

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:27:23 -0000

As the ammunition shortage drags on, there’s one bright spot for hunters and shooters: The Remington ammunition plant in Lonoke, Arkansas, is up and running, almost at full capacity. While Remington went bankrupt last summer and sold off its properties in the fall, the factory had all but gone dark. But last week, Remington opened its doors to a handful of outdoor media and we got to the chance to see how ammo was being manufactured, plus interview Remington employees.

Remington ammunition is pushing hard to tell the story of its comeback. Afterall, it’s a more than 200-year-old American company that’s regaining its footing at time when there’s never been more demand for ammunition. But it’s also because they’ve got a bit of an uphill battle. The pervious Remington owners, Cerberus Capital Management (and then eventually its creditors), made year’s worth of bad financial and ethical decisions that hurt Remington’s quality and reputation. Overall, the “Big Green” brand story is still partly tangled up with questions around Remington firearms and lingering lawsuits from previous ownership. Read the full story here.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

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Trouble in Turkey Country

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:44:52 -0000

The National Wild Turkey Federation has been at the center of nearly every trend affecting wild turkey dynamics since its inception in 1973. Over its 48 years, it’s grown to about 250,000 members and has raised tens of millions of dollars to help state agencies increase the nation’s wild turkey flock to between 6 and 7 million birds.

Now, however, the national turkey population has been slipping away from its high-water mark, set in the early 2000s after decades of translocations that established flocks in new or historic habitats. In some parts of the country, hunters and wildlife managers now worry that turkey numbers could once again slide so far that hunting seasons might close and aggressive restoration efforts would be required to sustain flocks.

Ron Jolly is the co-founder of an upstart turkey conservation organization, Turkeys For Tomorrow that aims to help state agencies research and respond to turkey declines, specifically in the southeast. The group was formed just this year and already has several thousand “partners,” who contribute funds in exchange for a window decal and inclusion in the group’s communications and outreach.

In this episode, Hunting Editor Andrew McKean talks to both organizations about the future of turkey conservation. Read the full story (and see the new NWTF logo) here. Find McKean’s series on changing citizen conservation here.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Reporting by Hunting Editor Andrew McKean.

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What We Got Wrong About Snow Geese

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:40:42 -0000

Despite the predictions that overpopulated snow geese would destroy the tundra (and thus themselves), it seems snows aren't actually eating themselves into extinction. They've adapted to find different wintering grounds. They migrate around the most pressured hunting areas, and they are even cropping up in new nesting areas where they've never been seen before.

It turns out, there was plenty that hunters, researchers, and wildlife managers didn't know about greater snow geese, lesser snows, and Ross's geese—and still don't. In fact, we're just starting to ask the right questions, like: Why are snow geese expanding their range? Is the continued growth going to hurt other waterfowl species? Is the conservation season failing? And what does the future hold for snows and snow goose hunting? Here’s Associate Editor Joe Genzel on what we know so far. Read his full story here.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Reporting by Associate Editor Joe Genzel.

Special thanks to Tony Vandemore and Habitat Flats.

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The Godfather of Axis Deer Culling on Molokai Island

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 19:05:00 -0000

Desmund Manaba was born and raised on Molokai, Hawaii’s fifth largest island and home to a staggering population of axis deer. He started hunting the non-native animals when he was eight, and has been watching their numbers explode ever since. Axis deer are destructive to the island’s terrain, vegetation, crops, and ranchland. But where there are indisputable problems, Manaba has also found opportunity. Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs road around with Manaba during a nighttime cull. Read her full story here.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Supported by Camp Chef, Leupold and Nosler.

Music in this episode by Harrison Black, Zep Jameson, and Emerson Lee via APM Music.

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The Mysterious Chronic Lyme Disease Nightmare

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 14:40:40 -0000

Why are so many outdoorsmen and women coming down with long-lasting cases of Lyme disease? Lyme has been around for decades and it's very common, especially in the Northeast. It turns out that there are conflicting opinions within the medical community over what it takes to detect and treat Lyme disease. Plus, there's a serious knowledge gap in areas where Lyme disease is relatively new. This week, tech and fitness journalist Tom Gerencer explains why this common disease is still such a mystery, and such a nightmare, for so many people. Tom's been researching and reporting on Lyme disease for years, in no small part because of his own chronic case of Lyme. Read his full report here.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Reporting by Tom Gerencer, an ASJA content writer and editor for science, tech, business, and the outdoors. He's a regular contributor to HP Tech Takes and Boys' Life, with articles in The Boston Globe Magazine, Fast Company, Outdoor Life, and Costco Connection, and editing clients like Groupon, Poker.org, and Adorama. His book, "Think Like Google - Build SEO With Empathy" is now available on Amazon.

Music by Rebecca Harris and Franklin Mocket (APM)

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Why Do We Have Such Strange Hunting Laws?

Fri, 28 May 2021 17:02:29 -0000

Hunting regulations vary widely, and seemingly illogically, from state to state. This is partly because states have different habitats, species, and hunting traditions. But, it’s also because hunters (and the general public) can't seem to agree on ethical hunting practices. This week, contributor Christine Peterson explains how she recently got into reporting on hunting ethics and regulations while writing a story about a persistence antelope hunter. The hunter, Mike Wolfe, was attempting to run down an antelope and shoot it with a traditional bow. Read that feature story here. And find Christine's report on differing hunting regulations here.

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by Christine Peterson.

Music is by Loren Shane Humphrey (APM music).

Clarification: Rifle hunters in Idaho are allowed to use scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles.

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Where’s All the Ammunition?

Mon, 17 May 2021 20:06:03 -0000

We are in the heart of an unprecedented ammo shortage. But what’s causing it? Are ammo companies stockpiling supplies to intentionally increase demand (and prices)? Is the military buying up all the civilian ammo? Are ammo scalpers driving the price increases? And, when should you buy your next box of hunting ammo? We answer all those questions and more in this week’s episode. For more reporting on these topics, check out the following stories:

Federal Premium's President Has Some Answers

Is the Military Buying All the Civilian Ammo?

The President of Black Hills Ammunition on Making Ammo for the Military, Price Gouging, Shortage Conspiracies, and More

How to Buy Ammunition Online (Without Getting Totally Ripped Off)

Scalpers Are Driving Up Ammunition Costs and Contributing to the Shortage

Produced and edited by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by Alex Robinson, Andrew McKean, and David Maccar.

Music composed and performed by Tyler Schwartz and Nicholas Fernandez.

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The New World-Record Elk—That Almost Wasn’t

Fri, 07 May 2021 16:08:21 -0000

An Alberta bowhunter named Shawn O’Shea killed an incredible 449 4/8-inch non-typical bull in September 2020. Even though that bull is an all-time world record, the story of the hunt went mostly untold until the Pope & Young Club unceremoniously posted about it in late March. In this episode, Hunting Editor Andrew McKean tells the story of O’Shea’s hunt and explains why the modest bowhunter ultimately decided to get the bull scored and entered into the record books. Read McKean's full story and see photos of the bull here.

Edited and produced by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Reporting by Hunting Editor Andrew McKean.

Music by Matt Koskenmaki through APM Music.

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What Really Happened to the Duck Hunters Who Were Killed on Reelfoot Lake?

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:15:27 -0000

In late January, a small-town crime made national news and shook the waterfowl hunting world to its core. During the final week of Tennessee’s duck season, two hunters were shot and killed on Reelfoot Lake. A third hunter—suspected of killing both young men—was missing for nearly a week before his body was discovered. One witness survived.

All four men involved in the incident were loved and highly regarded by their friends and families. None of them had a criminal record. This week, we take an in-depth look at what the investigation has uncovered about this tragic shooting, discuss the survivor's side of the story, and examine the elements of the case that remain a mystery. Find the direct quotes from the survivor and read the full report here.

Edited and produced by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson.

Music composed and performed by Tyler Schwartz.

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Trailer: The Outdoor Life Podcast

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 21:58:26 -0000

Coming soon, the Outdoor Life Podcast is a brand-new series that brings in-depth journalism to the issues and controversies that are most important to sportsmen and women. It covers hunting, fishing, conservation, and more.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson and the editors of Outdoor Life.

Edited and produced by Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs.

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