Western Hunter

Chris and Kevin were recently invited to tour the Leupold factory and visit the Leupold Optics Academy in Oregon for some long-range and NRL training. During a break, they sat down with CEO Bruce Pettet and Shooting Sports Marketing Manager Nic Kytlica to talk legacy, optics, rifles, and Leupold's bright future in American manufacturing.

Western Hunter Magazine introduced a western bird hunting section starting with the September 2024 issue. Kevin Guillen and Chris Denham explain many of the reasons the editorial staff decided to offer this new content.  

On the March/April cover of Western Hunter Magazine we have a spectacular image of Casey Richmond with his Idaho bull. When I first saw the picture, I knew there had to be a crazy story behind it. Casey works for Eberlestock so while we were at the Wild Sheep Foundation show we took the time to record this podcast. Greg Williams also with Eberlestock joined the conversation. Of course, we talked about the hunt, but we also discussed the history of Eberlestock and the future of this dynamic company.     Casey's hunt was filmed by Limitless Outdoors and is available on YouTube, Click HERE to watch. 

The Western Hunter crew just returned from a blacktail deer hunt on Kodiak Island, Alaska.  This was a boat-based hunt meaning we lived, ate, and slept on the boat. Each morning one of the two boat captains would run us to shore in a zodiac type small boat to hunt and pick us up each night. The captains do this every single day from early October until the middle of December. The life they lead is a crazy one, so I decided to sit down with boat captain and owner Ross Hodek and talk a little about the year in the life of a Alaskan boat captain.  By the way, if you are interested in booking a Kodiak Island blacktail hunt on The Spirit you need to reserve your spot soon! It is the dollar-for-dollar value for Alaskan hunting adventure. You can book through Alaska Coastal Adventures 907-262-4359. Tell them Western Hunter sent you.

I have hunted blacktail deer on Kodiak Island in Alaska and believe the experience offers the most adventure for the dollar in all North America.  This year our crew included three guys who had never hunted in Alaska; Mark Denham, Levi Sopeland, and Kevin Guillen (who had never been to Alaska prior). We sat down to capture their emotions and thoughts, there enthusiasm and awe reminded me of my first trips to the state.  After you listen to this show, you will want to book your own adventure.  If the boat-based trip interests you call Alaska Coastal Marine at 907-262-4359

OnX Maps pioneered the hunting GPS industry and has become the gold standard for western hunters. In this episode I sit down with Dylan Dowson from OnX to discuss the past, present and future of this technology.  onxmaps.com

2021 was a heck of a year for The Western Hunter.  Nate Simmons and I sit down and talk about the lessons learned and what we will do differently heading into the 2022 hunting season.

My guest today is Jordan Jonas the winner of the hit TV show Alone season 6.  Jordan is a hunter and his hunting skills contributed directly to his ability to survive in the Arctic for 77 days.  We talked about behind-the-scenes stuff, dreams, family, hunting and mental preparation.  He is a character, if you have watched the show then you know what I mean.  It is obvious that the guy you saw on TV is the same guy I am talking to…fame hasn't changed him at all.  Jordan offers survival schools in the Montana backcountry which I just might have to attend.  You can learn more about Jonas from his website jordanjonas.com.

Remi Warren doesn't need an introduction to this audience. Like most of you, I think Remi is one of the most interesting people in the world as well as one of the top ambassadors for the hunting community. While attending the Pope and Young convention we found some time to sit down and talk again. I didn't have any specific agenda; with Remi I didn't need one. We just talked about life, parenthood, and anything else that was on our minds.

In this episode I sit down with Dean Capuano from Swarovski.  Dean and I met via phone on his very first day on the job at Swarovski over 20 years ago. Since then, we have hunted together in Austria, Africa, Mexico and many different US states.  We go into detail about what it takes to make the best optics in the world and what the future may hold. 

Connor Gabbott is a professionally trained chef, photographer, videographer and hunter.  In this episodes he shares his secrets for preparing and sharing wild game. But we also dig into his evolution as a hunter, his entry into the camera world, and career changes.  Connor wrote the introduction and shared some of his favorite wild game recipes in The Wild Kitchen Volume 3 from Wilderness Athlete. I have read and re-read his advice in this cookbook multiple times. It is currently on sale for only $18.71 (May 2021).  You can buy it HERE We discuss the importance of a tool called a jicard tenderizer. This is not the exact model that I use but I really like the ability to disassemble this one for easier cleaning.

Rafe Nielsen from Browning is back again! In this episode we talk about life without a SHOT Show in 2021. We dig into new rifle products and how those products are developed and brought to market. We also spent time talking about gun safes, why we should all invest in one and the process of purchasing and installing a safe in your home. One of the coolest new products from Browning this year is the new Recoil Hawg muzzlebrake.  Check out this short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF-j9C5diRQ  

Roy Grace has been bowhunting his entire life and has hunted every species the west has to offer. Roy is also the records chairman for the Pope and Young club. In this episode we talk about why the record book is important and why we should all consider entering a trophy if it qualifies for the “Book”.  He got me so fired up for this summer’s convention in Reno, that I have already made plans to attend! If you are interested here is the link: https://pope-young.org/convention/default.asp https://pope-young.org

There are dozens of boot companies, each with dozens of different models from which to choose. Making the wrong choice can cost money and ruin a hunt. In this episode I talk again with Kendall Card from Crispi, about how to research websites to narrow down what features to improve your chances of making the best choice. 

Electric assisted (e-bikes) are exploding in popularity worldwide. When it comes to western hunting e-bikes, Bakcou is leading the way. In this episode I sit down with Bakcou founders Bryan and Dave to discuss their company, their bikes, the current status and the future of hunting with e-bikes.  These guys are hunters first and bike enthusiast second. With years of experience their perspective and expertise is unparalleled. Besides that, they are a lot of fun to hang out with. Check out their bikes as you listen to this episode https://www.bakcou.com/

Not long after the turn of the 19th century the Glenn family settled in Southeast Arizona. Warner and Wendy Glenn raised a son Cody and daughter Kelly in the same country.    Cody and I became friends the first day of junior high. His friendship and the Glenn family changed the course of my life. I shot my first deer with Cody and Wendy. I built fences and corrals, branded calves and learned how to work 16 hours a day on the ranch they have owned for more than 100 years.  Wendy has passed away but Warner, Kelly and her daughter Mackenzie still saddle up almost daily. In this episode I sit down with  Kelly to discuss the realities of modern ranching, their family history and “the wall” along the Mexican border.   A family friend Ed Ashurst, authored a book titled “The Life and Times of Warner Glenn” telling the story of the Glenn family along with some amazing adventure stories that had me riveted.  You can purchase this book and “Eyes of Fire, Encounters with a Boderland Jaguar” right here. https://colablancaproductions.com/collections/books

Not long after the turn of the 19th century the Glenn family settled in Southeast Arizona. Warner and Wendy Glenn raised a son Cody and daughter Kelly in the same country.    Cody and I became friends the first day of junior high. His friendship and the Glenn family changed the course of my life. I shot my first deer with Cody and Wendy. I built fences and corrals, branded calves and learned how to work 16 hours a day on the ranch they have owned for more than 100 years.  Wendy has passed away but Warner, Kelly and her daughter Mackenzie still saddle up almost daily.   In this first of two episodes I sit down with Warner first, to discuss the realities of modern ranching, their family history and “the wall” along the Mexican border.  Warner had a farrier coming the next morning so he had to head out and catch his horses and mules so they could be shod. Warner Glenn is a special man, his story is better than Hollywood could ever dream up. Not only is he a rancher, but he has been hunting mountain lions since he was 5 years old, documented the first jaguar in the US, and worked on multiple films.  A family friend Ed Ashurst, authored a book titled “The Life and Times of Warner Glenn” telling the story of the Glenn family along with some amazing adventure stories that had me riveted.  You can purchase this book and “Eyes of Fire, Encounters with a Boderland Jaguar” right here. https://colablancaproductions.com/collections/books

Boots are one of the most important pieces of hunting gear in our kit. I sit down with Kendall Card from Crispi and cover some important topics we all need to consider when purchasing footwear. Kendall is also the co-founder of Camofire and Black Ovis, so I couldn’t resist digging into how they launched both of these industry leading companies.

Rafe Nielsen is not only a hunting partner he is the marketing director at Browning.  We spent time talking about John Browning and many of his contributions to modern firearms and to our military.  We also dive into modern production practices and why we now have the best hunting product that we unimaginable just a decade ago.

Remi Warren has been a field editor for Western Hunter Magazine for so long that neither of us can remember! In this episode we dive into his hunting career, how he got started, and what is really doing right now. Remi is one of the most adventurous hunters I know. Long before New Zealand was a hunting destination he bought a one what ticket there just to check it out….who does that? Take a look behind the scenes of his life.

In this episode I sit down with Steve Opat from Fairbanks, Alaska.  Steve is an avid hunter and is also a medical helicopter flight nurse. He is in a unique position to learn from peoples mistakes. We talk about the what brought him to Alaska, his experiences, and the survival mindset. Steve always has a unique perspective and this conversation could have gone on for hours! I have no doubt he will be a frequent guest on this podcast. You can follow Steve on Instagram @alaskanodysseys

Ralph and Vicki have been producing some of the best video hunting content since before outdoor TV even existed! Not only are they absolute pioneers in the business they are two of the most sincere and authentic ambassadors in the hunting industry. No offense to any of my previous guest but this was the most enjoyable podcast I have recorded in our short history.  Though I had been dying to know how they met, I waited until I turned on the recorder to ask…and it was as entertaining has I had hoped. We also talk about Ralph’s Russian brown bear hunt only months after the fall of the Soviet Union and Vicki’s experiences being one of the first women ever on outdoor TV.  We spent some quality time discussing the past, present and future of the hunting lifestyle and each of our roles in its preservation. You can catch “America’s favorite hunting couple” and mine on the Outdoor Channel and MOTV. The have two shows, “Archers Choice” and “The Choice”. @ralphandvicki on Instagram www.archerschoicemedia.com

Bob Lacher was born and raised in Alaska. As a child he hunted with his dad to feed the family, not for trophies. The adventure bug bit him hard! He started flying a bush plane at an early age and has been exploring and hunting the far reaches of Alaska every since.   I first got to know Bob through his book “Alaska Raw”, which is available at www.westernhunter.net. This book is filled with some of those adventures.  His engaging and honest reflection of these hunt is absolutely captivating. So on a recent trip to Alaska Bob and I found the time to sit down and record a conversation.    I am always amazed by the fortitude and self-reliance of Alaskan bush pilots and hunters. It is the stuff that most of us dream about! I can assure you that this will not be the only podcast I do with Bob, there are just too many insights and stories to call this the end. 

Native Alaskan Heather Kelly was tired of the limited food options available to backcountry travelers. So she did what nobody thought was possible and created her own foods, which lead to the creation of Heather’s Choice. Her dehydrated (not freeze dried) meals were the first pre-packaged options with real meat that were not overly processed.  She literally started the trend and now has the biggest companies in the business paying attention. I sat down with Heather and her boyfriend/business partner/operations manager/personal comedian Brad Hurd at the kitchen in Anchorage to talk about their history. They lead a fascinating life and have tremendous insights regarding backcountry nutrition. After you listen to this podcast, do yourself a favor and buy some of their foods as fast of possible. We also have a limited inventory but growing inventory of Heather’s Choice available at www.westernhunter.net www.heatherschoice.com

In 2016 Steve killed the largest bull elk ever taken with a bow.  At almost 430” it is my opinion this record may never be broken. I met Steve while on business in Montana. Fortunately I had the recording equipment with me and he had to time to sit down. We talked about the hunt and how his thoughts have changed in the years since that crazy day in Montana. 

If they were looking for a new “Most Interesting Man in the World” I would nominate George Bettas.  He has worked with the Boone & Crockett Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and was one of the founders of the Mule Deer Foundation, most of which was after he retired from a career at Washington State! He is the author of the regular column “The Hunting Horseman” in Western Hunter Magazine and has packed thousands of miles in the wilderness areas of the Northern Rockies. In this episode we talk about his passion for conservation and hunting from horseback. We also get into a new Master Hunter initiative that he has worked on for several years now, which I think will revolutionize the relationship between hunters and private landowners. http://mtmasterhunter.com/

Wayne Carlton is truly a legend in our industry. He pioneered the art of calling elk with diaphragm calls. Back in the 80’s his elk calling seminars were epic, and folks would drive hundreds of miles for the privilege of listening to his educational, inspirational and always entertaining talk.  Though slowed down by Parkinson’s disease, this 76 year old giant still captures my imagination with every story. In this episode I sat down with Wayne and his son Marc. We talked about the old days, how things have changed, and their new call company Native by Carlton. They are making the most innovative elk and turkey calls in the market. I don’t use the word “legend” lightly, Wayne as earned this. https://www.nativebycarlton.com/

Last fall Justin Gordon killed the largest mule deer ever taken with a bow. In this episode Justin and I talk about his buck, but being one of the most introspective hunters I have ever met, our conversation goes much deeper than just inches of antler. From mental and physical preparation to the plight of mule deer, we cover it all. The Gordon buck will in all likelihood be the highest scoring deer ever taken in my life. This is the full story of this remarkable deer and the remarkable man who was blessed to harvest it. The Gordon buck is the cover story in the May/June issue Western Hunter Magazine. You can purchase a copy here  https://shop.westernhunter.net/collections/single-issues

Mike Duplan is one of best mule deer hunters I have ever met.  He has taken huge bucks in some of the most heavily hunted areas in Colorado…and I mean huge.  He co-authored “The Edge, The Complete Approach to Hunting Mountain Mule Deer”, which is regarded as the finest book ever written on the subject. But Mike is far more than an mule deer hunter, he is and adventure hunter.  He has taken a grand slam of sheep, some huge elk and hunts with a persistence and patience that I envy.  Mike has been a field editor and confidant to me at Western Hunter Magazine from the very start and it was an honor to sit down and have this discussion. You can purchase Mike’s book at https://shop.westernhunter.net/collections/books-journals/products/the-edge-by-david-long-mike-duplan Subscribe to Western Hunter Magazine at https://shop.westernhunter.net/collections/frontpage

As the sun set on our last night in an Arizona Coues deer hunt I sat down with Mark Denham and The Western Hunter videographer Matt Neddermeyer to talk about the realities of hunting the grey ghost. The sun was setting as we built a big fire and started the conversation. It was almost a shame that we did not film this episode, I highly doubt anyone has recorded a podcast in a more beautiful setting.  We cover a wide range of topics like footwear, pack requirements, optics tripods, glassing techniques and attitude.  Of course we filmed this hunt so keep your eyes open for this episode in the Fall of 2019. 

In this episode I sat down with Western Hunter shooting editor Colton Bagnoli at his home in Kalispell Montana.  He is one of the most talented and hard working people I have ever known. He is an accomplished gunsmith, taxidermist, trapper, bow mechanic as well as being police officer and sniper for their tactical team. This episode was brought to by Browning, The Best There Is. Check out the full line of Browning products at browning.com

On this episode, Chris sits down with Nate Simmons at his home in Cody, Wyoming. Nate is one of the most extreme backcountry bowhunters on the planet and prides himself on being a self-sufficient DIY hunter. He is the Producer and Co-Host of The Western Hunter TV show, a past Co-Producer of Eastmans’ Hunting TV, and has written dozens of hunting articles. This episode was brought to by Browning, The Best There Is. Check out the full line of Browning products at browning.com

Welcome to the Western Hunter Podcast! On this pilot episode our host, Chris Denham, explains what you can expect to hear in future episodes.  For more on Western Hunter including our magazine and television show, please head over to our Website and YouTube channel.  The Western Hunter Podcast will officially launch on January 25th, so watch for Episode 1 and don't forget to subscribe to the show.