Fourche Creek Podcast

Alabama's Bob Walker is a name recognized as one of the elite turkey hunters in the country.  Bob is highly respected for his knowledge, experience, skill, woodsmanship, and insight.  Bob guided for the legendary Bent Creek Lodge, in Jachin, Alabama,  for over 32 years and was also a member of the Mossy Oak Turkey Thugs TV show.   Bob covers it all from locating, morning access, set ups, when to call/when not to, calls used, reading gobblers, hunting in bad weather, and much more.  This episode was originally released on March 18, 2024. 

This episode features 3 well known and accomplished turkey hunters in Ernie Calandrelli (Quaker Boy Game Calls), James Harrison (Phelps Calls/MeatEater and Harrison Custom Calls), and Josh Grossenbacher (Rolling Thunder Game Calls). This trio has a multitude of contest calling titles between them as well as many successful years of killing turkeys.  They take us through what makes them successful each spring, sharing a lot of knowledge as well as a lot of laughs. This episode was originally released in April of 2023.  Since that time, Ernie has been elected to the NWTF Hall of Fame.   

This episode features 3 hunters and what they experienced this past week in regards to buck activity.  They share what they were seeing, what worked for them and what they anticipate in the coming days.   First, is Jordan Blissett who took 313" of antler in a 24-hour period in Missouri and Kansas on November 5th and 6th.  The second is Kenyon Wright of Southeast Missouri who took a mid 140's buck on Friday, November 8th and lastly, Justin Rogers of Central Mississippi who has been doing more prep work than hunting with the Mississippi rut being nearly a month out.  

Today's episode features Tommy Nails, the owner of Whiskey Ridge Hunts in Milton, Iowa. Tommy discusses what to look for when selecting a hunting outfitter.  He discusses things such as the overall expectations, opportunity rate, lodging, how many hunters allowed each season, how many hunters allowed in camp at one time, keeping pressure low on properties, prep work involved, deer hunting specifics, turkey hunting specifics, the importance of wind direction, and generally how to get to know the hunting ethics and character of an outfitter and to do your homework before you commit.  

In this episode, we check in with Jordan Blissett of Open Season Properties.  Jordan has formerly worked with Mossy Oak and Primos Hunting.  We talk about his Jordan's past turkey season, along with Justin's misses and mishaps.  We discuss Open Season Properties, the land market, his "Speak the Language" Podcast with Lake Pickle, Open Season's new Arkansas duck hunting property, and his upcoming "Consumed" YouTube hunting and land channel.  We also talk about the fall hunting season which includes an elk hunt in Colorado, a pronghorn hunt in Colorado, and whitetails in Kansas.

Justin Rogers and I visit with Kenyon Wright, who has been an avid bowhunter for most of his life.  During the first part of June, Kenyon ventured out of his normal hunting routine of whitetails and went on a black bear hunt in New Brunswick, Canada with some friends he made through his wife McKenna's work. Kenyon talks about the preparations made for the trip, traveling through customs and the hunt itself, including him taking his first black bear with his Mathews bow.   Kenyon is an educator by trade and currently serves as a high school principal at his alma mater in Bell City, Missouri.  Previously, Kenyon served as a varsity basketball coach where he won 3 state championships.  

This episode features Chase Roberts; Chase is a high school junior from Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  This past February, he became the 2024 NWTF Grand National Calling Championship Intermediate Champion.  Chase began competing at the National level at 9 years of age.  The very first contest he attended, he simply went to watch with his family after hearing about it earlier in the day.  He ended up competing in it and won first place. He is a fine young man with a bright future and he is definitely one who knows how to take his dreams and aspirations to a much higher level.

Cody Harrison discusses his involvement in Missouri's oldest turkey calling contest that was recently held in Festus, Missouri on March 23rd.  Cody also discusses his first two days of the turkey season in Missouri, along with a turkey report on what he sees in the coming days and weeks.

Ronda and James met at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Missouri during Study Hall class.  On their 2nd date, James brought a briefcase with him to her house and sat down with her Dad and made turkey calls with him for 2 hours.  Somehow, they survived those initial first dates and 32 years later they have 2 sons and a granddaughter.  As "empty nesters", Ronda has started going hunting with James, who is a 16 time National and World Championship caller. They discuss their start to the Missouri turkey season, as both of them filled a tag on opening morning.  Few people can rival Ronda's turkey hunting footwear, as she took her gobbler while wearing red and black chicken boots.  This is a great episode with 2 of the finest people you could ever meet.

Patrick Hill tells us what he has been experiencing in South Alabama since the start of turkey season and Justin Rogers does the same, as it relates to Central Mississippi. Justin and Patrick have both hunted approximately 15 days of the season, to date.  Patrick has found success on 12 of those first 15 days, through hunts for himself, his buddies, his kids, and his clients.  Justin, on the other hand, has experienced a slower start to the season.  

This episode features brothers, Jonathan and Joseph Patterson, as they discuss  B & P Family Farms of Florence, Mississippi. Co-host, Justin Rogers (Bienville Outdoors/Old South Lures) met Jonathan and Joseph through his affiliation with the Mississippi Trapper's Association and as a result, has developed a working relationship with them, as well as utilized their services on his own hunting properties. B & P Family Farms is a family owned business that provides expertise in conserving and improving our native forests, wildlife, and wildlife habitat. They provide consulting services, timber management, wildlife management, tree planting and food plots, predator trapping, and prescribed fire, to name a few.  They will provide whatever is needed for their respective clients through their planning, implementation, and maintenance of the particular projects.

Alabama's Bob Walker is a name that most people, who hunt, recognize as one of the elite turkey hunters in the country.  Bob is highly respected for his knowledge, experience, skill, woodsmanship, and insight, to name a few.  Bob guided for the legendary Bent Creek Lodge, in Jachin, Alabama,  for over 32 years and was also a well known face of Mossy Oak, as he was a member of the Mossy Oak Turkey Thugs TV show.   Bob covers it all from locating, morning access, set ups, when to call/when not to, calls used, reading gobblers, hunting in bad weather, and a much more. 

In today's episode, I visit with James Harrison at his wood shop, near Hillsboro, Missouri, where he makes his "Harrison Custom Calls". James also designs calls for Phelps Game Calls of MeatEater; James is a multiple time World Champion Caller.  The "Harrison Hooter" is widely known and used each year in the turkey woods all across the United States.  James has also developed the Harrison Owl Screamer, the Harrison Crow Call, and the Phelps Triple Locator. In addition, James developed the "The Harrison Grunter" deer grunt call.  James is a master craftsman and is always working on something new to assist hunters in the field. James' custom calls can be found on Facebook at "Harrison Custom Calls".

Today's episode features Patrick Hill of South Alabama.  Patrick spends 40-50 days each spring hunting turkeys in South Alabama and 5-6 other states in the South and Midwest.  Patrick goes at it with a lot of drive, focus and preparation; but, he also spends a lot of time sharing the outdoors with others and making sure his kids and friends get their share of opportunities, as well. 

Today's episode features Justin Rogers and his past deer and duck seasons, along with talking about the upcoming spring turkey season.  Justin hails from Morton, Mississippi and is the owner and founder of Bienville Outdoors and Old South Lures. 

Shed and I visit about his recent job change, summertime, his daughter's boyfriend, what Ben Rising is currently doing to prepare for deer season, legislative changes effecting game laws, sports and getting older, Mississippi High School Football talent, sticking out hunts and the best time to go is simply when you can, as well as new gear thoughts.  

In this episode, Shed and I visit with 3 gentlemen who know their way around the turkey woods.  Ernie Calandrelli (Quaker Boy Game Calls), Josh Grossenbacher (Rolling Thunder Game Calls), and James Harrison (Phelps Calls/MeatEater and Harrison Custom Calls), take us through what makes them successful each spring.  

In this episode, we visit with Steve Stoltz.  Steve has won or placed in over 200 calling contests for 44 consecutive years, including winning the World Turkey Calling Championship 3 times, NWTF Grand National Champion of Champions, 2020 Mid American Open Champion, and 20 State Titles.  Steve is also one of the original Drury Outdoor Team Members, and is a Team Member of Mossy Oak and Woodhaven Custom Calls.  Steve has spent his career serving his community as a Firefighter in the Mehlville, Missouri Fire Protection District. Steve is a wealth of outdoor knowledge, having approximately 50 years of experience in the turkey woods.  He brings a lot of information to this podcast episode, as we approach Spring Turkey Season.

In today's episode, Shed and I visit with Justin Rogers of Old South Lures.  Justin is from Morton, Mississippi and is an avid outdoorsman; he is also the owner of Old South Lures and is high school teacher and athletic coach.  In addition, he spent several years working in the medical field.   Justin has some great stories and he discusses everything involved with his lure company, including how he makes mock scrapes, the use of interdigital and pre-orbital glands and all scent tactics as it relates to whitetail deer.  Justin also discusses 5 gallon buckets of coyote urine, racoons, alligators, and basically anything that has urine and secretes from its' scent glands.  Justin also has an interesting story about Kroger Grape Concord Jelly, from his time working in the emergency room.  

In today's episode, Jordan Blissett discusses the steps one should take when looking to buy a hunting property.  From securing the down payment, preferred lenders, what to look for, opportunities to offset costs, red flags to avoid, along with many other things that Jordan believes to be beneficial for those who are chasing the dream of owning their own hunting ground.   Jordan also delivers this information while navigating around weed eaters, mowers, leaf blowers and a high level security guard dog.   

Shed and I get together to "shoot the bull" about our recent career changes, food plots, fall hunting plans, the cost of fuel, the cost of swimming pools, and future podcast guests, among other things.

In today's episode, Shed and I visit with Ernie Calandrelli of Quaker Boy Game Calls.  Ernie resides in Lewistown, New York and has spent over 40 years in the hunting industry and is one of the most genuine and knowledgeable people in the outdoor world.  With turkey season just around the corner, in most states, Ernie discusses the various tactics that he uses and that have made him successful over the years.  Ernie also shares some deer hunting stories with us; it is impossible to find anyone more interesting, engaging, and knowledgeable than Ernie Calandrelli.   Ernie is a legend in the hunting and fishing world; having been named to the New York State Outdoorsman Hall of Fame, as well as being selected as the New York Outdoor News Person of the Year.

This episode features Greg Glesinger of Drury Outdoors.  Greg has taken several Boone and Crockett caliber bucks over the years, including 3 bucks that have scored over 200" and 2 of those scored 239" and 233", respectively. Greg dives in to discuss how he has evolved as a deer hunter and also the strategies and thought processes that he utilizes to help him reach his goal of taking mature whitetails.

In this episode we visit with Gary Roberson of Carnivore TV and Burnham Brothers Game Calls about all things related to predator hunting.  Gary is a wealth of knowledge and has shown what can happen when a person decides to follow their dreams, as he went from being a bank president to the hunting industry.  His Carnivore TV show has been the most popular predator hunting show in outdoor programming for many years.

In this episode, we discuss Shed's early season whitetail hunt in Wyoming, along with treestand safety, trespassers, and all things leading up to that magical time of November.  

In today's episode, we visit with big buck killer, Mr. Ben Rising.  Ben came to prominence in the whitetail world, when he began filming his hunts, through his involvement with Drury Outdoors back in 2001.  Ben spent 13 years with Drury Outdoors and was featured in Boone Town, Dream Season, Winchester's Natural Born, and Whitetail Madness, among other Drury Outdoor Productions. Ben is in the timber business, having been a logger and a timber buyer for most of his adult life.  He currently has his on production, Whitetail Edge, which can be found on MyOutdoorTV, as well as on Youtube.  Ben has taken several Boone and Crockett bucks, including 2 that scored over 200".  When it comes to consistently locating and taking big mature bucks, Ben is a must listen. 

In this episode of the Fourche Creek Podcast, we visit with Dave Barrett of the Pro Talk Outdoors Podcast (Sportsmen's Nation) and In A Rut (Carbon TV).   Dave is an entertaining guest with a strong passion, a high level of enthusiasm and energy, and a positive outlook toward the outdoors and all aspects of the hunting lifestyle.  Dave is a committed and loyal family man and a great story teller!

Today's episode features Cragg Fitz, formerly of Realtree and the Trained Assassins TV show.  Cragg has served in law enforcement, as a narcotics agent, and also as a firefighter.  Cragg has been involved in a variety of work in the hunting industry and is now a certified health coach and licensed realtor.  Cragg has some great stories and we also learn that his wife and Britney Spears grew up together in Louisiana and his brother-in-law, Ethan, is on the highly acclaimed television series, Yellowstone.  Cragg is entertaining and worth the listen.  

Austin Delano of Mossy Oak Biologic and Mossy Oak Gamekeepers joins the podcast to discuss food plots, food plot varieties, soil preparations, common mistakes made, and all things that can assist in making one's food plot successful this fall. Austin is a habitat and wildlife consultant and is directly involved with the research and development of Mossy Oak Biologic.

Today's guest is James Harrison of Harrison Custom Calls.  James is also affiliated with Hook's Custom Calls and Dr. Grant Woods of Growing Deer TV.  James has developed the Harrison Hoot'n Stick, the Harrison Owl Screamer, the Harrison Crow Call, and "The Messenger" grunt call.  James is a master craftsman, as well as a champion caller; he is a multiple time Owl Hooting World Champion, Turkey Calling World Champion, and the NWTF Locator Call Maker of the Year. James' custom calls can be found on Facebook at Harrison Custom Calls.  

Josh Grossebacher joins today's episode.  Josh is the 2015 World Champion and 2017 Grand National Champion Turkey Caller.  Josh works for Rolling Thunder Game Calls and his content can be found on the Rolling Thunder Game Calls channel on Youtube.  Josh discusses his path into the hunting industry, his ascension into the turkey calling ranks, and various tactics that he utilizes during turkey season.  Josh and Shed have known and worked with each other for over 20 years and have some interesting stories to tell, as well.

In this episode, Joby and Shed visit with Slade Johnston, the CEO and Founder of Trips4Trade.  Slade is a Butler, Alabama native where he grew up hunting with and being positively influenced by his Grandpa, Mr. Gary Fortenberry.  This relationship and his Grandpa's ability to trade hunts with others, led to Slade creating Trips4Trade where individuals can exchange trips related to outdoors, adventure, vacation, and sports.

In this episode, Joby and Shed step off the path of wild game hunting and instead, visit with Matt Welge of Naperville, Illinois, who enjoys the Art of Whiskey Hunting.  Matt is developing into quite the connoisseur; he is highly knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to tasting, selecting, and judging varieties of whiskey.  Take a sip of your favorite and have a listen to Matt.

Joby Holland and Mossy Oak's Shed Whitacre discuss their 2020 deer seasons.  Shed discusses his early season Wyoming hunt, where he connected on a 140's velvet whitetail and also a close encounter he had with a 190's Kansas whitetail and his COVID adventure in his home state of Ohio. Joby started the archery season with an upper 130's in Missouri, then travelled to Iowa for a 165" whitetail, and followed that up with a mid 150's whitetail in Illinois and then a 160" class mule deer in the Sandhills of Nebraska.  

In today's episode, Joby and Shed visit with Cody Robbins of "Live2Hunt with Cody and Kelsy".  Cody resides in Saskatchewan, Canada and is a highly dedicated, consumed, and focused hunter.  He discusses how he began his career in the hunting industry while filming and editing for Jim Shockey, as well as his rise in becoming one of the most respected mule deer buck experts, today.  Cody took a potential world record mule deer called "Tiny" in 2011 that scored 294 6/8" gross and his most recent mule deer buck, "Sleepy", scored 266 7/8". Cody is also a dedicated and highly successful whitetail hunter, as well.  This was a great podcast to be a part of, as Cody's enthusiasm,  knowledge, passion, and stories were quite infectious for Shed and I.  

In today's episode, Joby and Shed visit with Doug Hampton, formerly of Drury Outdoors and now with his own production, "The Rival".  Doug is of strong Christian faith, is a dedicated family man, and spends his days pursuing his passion for hunting large whitetails.  

Jordan Blissett of Primos Hunting joins Shed and I in today's episode and discusses his ascension into the hunting industry, his current role and responsibilities, as well as the first time he videoed for Will Primos.  He also discusses his recent New Mexico Elk hunt and "The Son of Rocker", which was a large buck he took last year at Cottonmouth.

Tim Wells "Slock Master" of Relentless Pursuit visits with Joby and Shed of the Fourche Creek Podcast and discusses his adventures, along with the current state of our great nation.

In this episode, Dustin "Shed" Whitacre and Jake Meyer of Mossy Oak discuss their respective careers and how one should go about getting into the hunting industry.