Advertise on podcast: Rookie Hunter

In this speical episode, Mike guest hosts the 2025 season finale of Roost with Ben O'Brien and Sam Soholt. Recorded at the end of the 2025 turkey season, they recap the Western Turkey Tour from early highs to late season frustration, and reflect on why turkey hunting is as mentally demanding as it is addictive. The conversation covers family, filming hunts, road life, go fast setups, missed opportunities, hard earned birds, and why the struggle is part of what keeps them coming back every spring. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the wildsheepfoundation.org If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

Shane Mahoney returns for our 200th episode to reflect on a life shaped by Newfoundland's wild places, a career spent living alongside big game in remote country, and why those experiences can be hard to translate back home. Shane also shares major updates from the Wild Harvest Initiative, including new regions of expansion and what the latest data suggests about the scale and social value of wild food in North America. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the wildsheepfoundation.org The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this follow up episode, Mike sits down with Kelly to reflect on almost a decade of Rookie Hunter, what has stayed the same, what has changed, and why the community around hunting and conservation has meant so much along the way. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the wildsheepfoundation.org The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this special episode, Mike revisits the very first Rookie Hunter recording from March 1, 2016, sharing a short snippet that dives into how he and Kelly got into hunting and why they started the podcast in the first place. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the wildsheepfoundation.org The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this episode, Mike welcomes Adam Janke back to the podcast for a wide ranging conversation that looks back on more than a decade of hunting media, podcasting, and storytelling. Adam reflects on the early days of the Journal of Mountain Hunting and Beyond the Kill, how the podcast landscape has changed, and why long form conversations still matter.  WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this field guide episode, Mike shares practical ways to stay motivated through the off season and use the slower months to set yourself up for success in the fall. From organizing and cleaning gear, sharpening knives, and taking advantage of sales, to reviewing what worked and what didn't last season, scouting new areas, and building a solid fitness baseline, this episode is all about preparation. Mike also talks partner dynamics, fixing nagging injuries, planning hunts early, and why the work you put in now pays off when the season comes fast. WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Dana to talk about her brand new podcast, Ignite, and the path that led her there. From coming to hunting later in life and learning where your food comes from to first bears and first bucks, the conversation explores the learning curve, the community, and the moments that hook you for life. WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this special episode, Mike runs an episode of The Outdoor Life Podcast titled "Our Senior Staff Writer Nearly Died on a Backcountry Hunt." Episode Description: 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.

In this episode, Mike, Kelly, and Garrett close out the season with a few more stories, a look back at some highlights, and some potential hunts for 2026. WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this special episode, Mike introduces the Wild Sheep Foundation's brand new podcast, Kicked Out. Episode Description: When Chelsea drew a coveted Alaska sheep tag, she knew it would require everything—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this episode, she walks listeners through the full journey: months of preparation, the doubt and determination that shaped her mindset, and the pivotal moments on the mountain that tested her limits. Hunting alongside another woman added a unique layer of support and camaraderie, reminding her that shared grit can carry you further than sheer strength. Chelsea about the highs and lows of the hunt, from chasing rams across steep country to the quiet moments of reflection when no one else was around. Her story reveals the dedication behind a dream hunt and the sense of fulfillment that comes from earning every step. This isn't just a hunt—it's a testament to what happens when passion, preparation, and opportunity collide. Whether you're a seasoned mountain hunter or simply someone who loves stories of perseverance, this episode will leave you inspired to chase your own "once-in-a-lifetime" goals. To hear more, subscribe to Kicked Out, on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to share your Kicked Out story, email Maddie Richards at [email protected]   WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Jesse Zeman from the BC Wildlife Federation to talk through the history of the grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia, why the ban came into place, and how things have changed on the landscape since 2017. Jesse shares what he is hearing from communities across the province, the rise in human bear conflicts, the role of behavior and habitat, and what a balanced path forward could look like. They also discuss funding gaps, First Nations partnerships, and why respectful storytelling matters when it comes to wildlife and conservation. WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Maddie Richards from the Wild Sheep Foundation to talk about Kicked Out, WSF's new podcast that highlights stories from the WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this episode, Mike chats with Chris Barker from the Wild Sheep Society of BC about the latest conservation work underway in the province, including habitat projects, disease management, collaring programs, and how new technology is helping monitor sheep. They also cover the Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo, updates on key herds, and a few recent hunting and fishing stories. WSF's Sheep Show 2026 runs January 22 to 24 in Reno, Nevada and registration is now open. Visit wildsheepfoundation.org for full details. The Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo takes place February 26 to 28 in Penticton, BC. To secure tickets, visit wildsheepsociety.com. If you need a blade for the backcountry or a new chef's knife for your kitchen, check out our friends at North Arm Knives.

In this Field Guide episode, Mike shares how he prepped his mule deer and whitetail for the butcher after both went into the freezer whole, covering thawing just enough to work with, cleaning and cubing the meat, keeping everything cold, and organizing cuts for pepperoni, chorizo, grinding, and bone broth.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the wildsheepfoundation.org Are you in the market for a new satellite communicator? We've been using ZOLEO since the start of the 2024 spring season, and its passed the test and earned our official stamp of approval. Safety is import, and so is a reliable device! Get yours at ZOLEO.com Need a blade for the hunting season, or a new chef's knife for your kitchen? Check out our friends at North Arm Knives

In this Field Guide episode, Mike dives deep into backcountry shelters, from budget-friendly starter tents to high-end options like Hilleberg and wall tents. He breaks down the pros and cons of different designs, materials, and season ratings, plus shares tips on tent care, maintenance, and how to make your gear last. Whether you're gearing up for your first hunt or planning a northern expedition, this episode will help you find the right shelter for any adventure. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the wildsheepfoundation.org Are you in the market for a new satellite communicator? We've been using ZOLEO since the start of the 2024 spring season, and its passed the test and earned our official stamp of approval. Safety is import, and so is a reliable device! Get yours at ZOLEO.com Need a blade for the hunting season, or a new chef's knife for your kitchen? Check out our friends at North Arm Knives