Advertise on podcast: The Field And Stream Podcast

The whitetail rut offers a handful of unforgettable days. Know when to hunt, where to sit, and what to watch for. When does the 2026 whitetail rut offer the best opportunities to tag a mature buck? Field & Stream contributing writer and whitetail expert Adam Lewis breaks down seven dates worth circling on your hunting calendar, from late October through the late-season action in December. Lewis explains how the breeding cycle, doe behavior, daylight buck movement, hunting pressure, and weather can help you identify high-percentage opportunities. Learn why Halloween can be a prime time to catch mature bucks on their feet, how the chasing phase changes your approach to stand placement, and why Friday the 13th could be your best all-day sit of the season. He also shares practical whitetail scouting strategies, including using trail camera intel, mock scrapes, food sources, and terrain features to make smarter decisions on public and private land. The key is knowing when to trust the calendar and when fresh scouting information should guide your next move. Then, hunting editor Will Brantley joins Colin Kearns for a reading of Lily’s Last Hunt, a moving story about a beloved bird dog, the fading tradition of Southern quail hunting, and the memories that make time in the field matter. Brantley reflects on his childhood hunts, the bond between a hunter and his dog, and the irreplaceable gift of one final hunt. From whitetail hunting tactics to the timeless stories behind our outdoor traditions, this conversation delivers practical insight and a reminder of why we hunt. Follow the Field & Stream podcast for more hunting advice, outdoor storytelling, and conversations from the field. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The right shotgun, a legendary fly fisherman, and decades of hard-earned lessons reveal what makes great days outdoors. Two conversations explore the craftsmanship, instincts, and curiosity that separate good days in the field from unforgettable ones. First, Field & Stream shotgun expert Phil Bourjaily breaks down what makes an upland shotgun worth carrying, from weight and balance to fit, gauge, and the demands of different bird-hunting environments. Whether you're chasing pheasants across South Dakota, hunting ruffed grouse in thick cover, or pursuing wild quail over pointing dogs, Bourjaily explains how to choose a gun that shoots where you look and fits the way you hunt. He also shares why shooting fundamentals matter more than finding the lightest shotgun on the rack. Then, fly fishing legend Tom Rosenbauer reflects on five decades at Orvis and a lifetime spent learning, teaching, and chasing fish. From tying flies commercially as a teenager to helping popularize beadhead nymphs and tungsten beads, Rosenbauer shares the experiences behind his lasting influence on modern fly fishing. He explains how to read trout streams, identify productive water, improve your approach to unfamiliar fisheries, and become a more effective angler by slowing down and observing conditions. The conversation also explores conservation, the next generation of anglers, and why even experienced fishermen should never stop learning. Whether you're refining your upland hunting setup or looking to sharpen your fly fishing skills, these are practical lessons from two experts who have spent their lives in pursuit of better days outdoors. Follow the Field & Stream podcast for more expert hunting, fishing, and outdoors conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A remote Alaska fishing trip turns terrifying when a canoe disappears beneath the river. Every angler dreams of Alaska, but the wildest fishing trips rarely go exactly as planned. In this classic Field & Stream story, writer T. Edward Nickens revisits The Descent, his 2007 account of an ambitious, unguided canoe expedition through southwestern Alaska's remote Kipchuk and Aniak river country. The goal was simple on paper: reach isolated water, chase multiple species of wild salmon and trout, and experience a part of Alaska few anglers ever see. The reality was a relentless combination of swift current, fallen timber, dangerous strainers, exhausting portages, and increasingly serious consequences. What began as a search for untouched fishing water eventually put Nickens and his companions in a fight for survival. Nickens and host Colin Kerns unpack what happened on the river, from close calls in the canyon to explosive salmon fishing, including kings, sockeye, chum salmon and huge rainbow trout. More importantly, they examine what the trip taught Nickens about preparation, confidence, responsibility and respecting wild country. For hunters, anglers and anyone drawn to remote wilderness, the story offers more than adventure. It is a firsthand look at the cost of pursuing solitude and the moment when confidence can become recklessness. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Editing and sound design by Trout Stream Studios River Walk by silentseason -- https://freesound.org/s/407528/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Fly Fishing Reel Running_1.wav by paulprit -- https://freesound.org/s/507098/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Kayaking in calm weather by AugustSandberg -- https://freesound.org/s/509323/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 water near the boat 02.wav by jazbavac -- https://freesound.org/s/198524/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Hook and Release.wav by paulprit -- https://freesound.org/s/591348/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Trout splashing after being caught by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/592784/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Short cast by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/641698/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Slow Casting.wav by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/641700/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Large River Rushing by deleted_user_7146007 -- https://freesound.org/s/383775/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 river rushing rapids close smooth liquidy detail.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/454154/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Rushing River Loop by ThanksForTheInspiration -- https://freesound.org/s/523022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Guy retching water and gasping for air.wav by Tonsofpaperbrokenpen -- https://freesound.org/s/157835/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 WATRSplsh_Water Splash, Big, Dive Into Water, Person or Animal_Nicholas Judy_TDC by designerschoice -- https://freesound.org/s/811439/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Kayak or Canoe, Paddling on Lake by CHallSmith -- https://freesound.org/s/870597/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NFL star Randy Moss sits down with Field & Stream alongside World Bass Enterprises CEO Brian Byrd and angler Andrew Greene to talk bass fishing, life on the water, and the massive Champions Tournament coming to Nashville. Moss traces his fishing roots back to growing up along the rivers of West Virginia before discovering a deeper passion for bass fishing. He shares what he has learned chasing largemouth and smallmouth bass across the country, why getting outdoors feels like therapy, and how those experiences became the foundation for his fishing show, Chasing Ten. The conversation also breaks down the vision behind the World Bass Enterprises Champions Tournament, which brings elite anglers together on Old Hickory Lake for a high-stakes championship designed to crown a true world champion. The crew digs into the tournament format, forward-facing sonar rules, the inclusion of everyday anglers, and why a challenging fishery could make for an unpredictable finish. Moss also recounts landing his first 10-pound bass while filming Chasing Ten, talks about traveling the country in pursuit of fish, and explains the show's mission to introduce more people to bass fishing and the outdoors. The conversation closes with a look at his partnership with the Children's Cancer Research Fund and his efforts to use fishing to give back. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dove opener is coming. Here’s how to scout smarter, shoot better, and savor the hunt. With dove season just days away, Phil Bourjaily breaks down what makes a successful opening day in the field, from finding productive cut corn and alfalfa fields to choosing the right spot on public land. He shares practical dove hunting tips on scouting, decoys, shot selection, ammunition, and recovering downed birds without turning a good hunt into a search party. The conversation also gets into dove guns, including why Phil favors a 20 gauge, how barrel length and balance affect a gun’s performance on fast-flying birds, and why a slightly heavier shotgun can make swinging on crossing doves easier. He explains the toughest dove shots, including overhead birds and doves floating into a decoy, and how shooting skeet can build the repetition needed to make those shots instinctive. Then T. Edward Nickens returns for a reading of his Field & Stream classic, “The Healing Hunt.” Nickens reflects on an opening day spent hunting through bad weather, personal setbacks, and a friend battling cancer, ultimately finding something much bigger than a limit of birds. From practical wing-shooting advice to the reasons we keep coming back to the field, this is a celebration of dove hunting and everything that makes opening day special. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer hog hunting gets better after dark, while a bizarre bass bait takes over tournaments and carp anglers reveal their cult-like world. Will Brantley breaks down the appeal of summer hog hunting after dark, from finding predictable feeder patterns to closing the distance with a bow. He explains why wind matters, how pigs react to light, and the tactics that can turn a nighttime stalk into a close-range bowhunting opportunity. The conversation also covers thermal optics, night vision, crossbows, and the role of hog hunting in southern states where feral pigs are already well established. Then Ryan Chelius and Shaye Baker dive into the urchin bait craze sweeping bass fishing. Learn why these strange soft plastics have become tournament-winning lures, how anglers are rigging them, why they work so well on the pause, and why specialized tackle storage has suddenly become a major part of the bass fishing market. Finally, Kirk Deeter reads “Carp Crazy,” his classic Field & Stream story about the competitive carp fishing scene. From tiger nuts and boilies to remote-controlled bait boats and twenty-five-pound mirror carp, the story explores the tactics, gear, culture, and obsession surrounding one of the world's most underrated game fish. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock one of fly fishing's toughest hatches and fool selective trout with confidence. Tiny flies, selective trout, and razor-thin margins separate frustration from unforgettable success during the Trico hatch. Veteran angler and longtime outdoor writer Kirk Deeter shares the subtle details that consistently produce fish when trout are locked onto one of summer's most demanding dry fly events. Learn how to recognize the difference between male and female Tricos, identify the most productive feeding windows, and understand why timing a trout's rise can matter more than casting accuracy. Kirk explains how current seams concentrate insects, why an H&L Variant often outperforms tiny spinner patterns, and why many experienced anglers now choose stronger tippet instead of ultra-fine leaders. If you've struggled to see your fly, pick the right target fish, or get clean drifts during heavy hatches, these practical fly fishing tips can immediately improve your success. The conversation also shifts beyond the river with Kirk's new book, A Fishable Feast, exploring how food, travel, and local traditions enrich fishing adventures around the world. From Colorado trout streams and elk backstrap dinners to dream destinations still waiting on the bucket list, it's a reminder that the best fishing stories rarely end when you leave the water. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer nights hold unforgettable hunts and shotgun lessons every wingshooter should experience at least once. Field & Stream’s Will Brantley and Phil Bourjaily share two timeless outdoor traditions that deserve a place on every hunter’s summer calendar. From slipping quietly along pond banks in search of trophy bullfrogs to sharpening wing-shooting skills before dove season, this conversation is packed with practical advice and memorable stories. Brantley breaks down the art of frog gigging, including how to locate productive ponds, choose the right gear, stalk wary bullfrogs, and decide when a frog is worth taking. Along the way, he shares why fried frog legs rank among his favorite wild game meals and reflects on passing the tradition to the next generation of hunters. Then shotgun expert Phil Bourjaily explains how trap, skeet, and sporting clays each prepare hunters for the field. Learn which target game best simulates upland bird hunting, waterfowl hunting, and dove hunting, plus common shooting mistakes, choosing your first target shotgun, and why summer range sessions pay dividends when opening day arrives. The show wraps with one of Field & Stream's funniest campfire stories as Brantley reads the unforgettable tale of frog gigging in his Aunt Tanya's infamous "shit pond," proving that some hunting memories only get better with time. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Great camp meals create lasting hunting memories long after the last shot is fired. Wild game, camp traditions, and great food have always gone hand in hand. This conversation explores why the meals shared around the table often become just as memorable as the hunt itself. Chef, outdoorsman, and Duck Camp Dinners host Jean-Paul Bourgeois joins the show to talk about the storytelling behind his James Beard Award-winning series, how authentic duck camp culture connects hunters from every background, and why food remains one of the strongest traditions in waterfowl hunting. From Louisiana duck camps to the Texas coast, he shares lessons on building meaningful outdoor stories while celebrating wild game cooking, conservation, and regional food traditions. With the Fourth of July around the corner, the conversation shifts to practical summer grilling tips, favorite barbecue recipes, camp cooking strategies, duck recipes, wild game meals, and the ideal cookout menu featuring burgers, ribs, baked beans, vegetable kebabs, peach cobbler, and more. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or feeding a crowded hunting camp, there are plenty of ideas to elevate your next outdoor gathering. The episode closes around the campfire as hunting columnist Will Brantley revisits his unforgettable story, "Beaver-Q," proving that trapping, wild game cooking, and family traditions can produce some of the best hunting stories ever told. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Check out Duck Camp Dinners: https://www.instagram.com/duckcampdinners/ Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best hunting lessons aren't learned from books, they're passed down afield. Father's Day is about more than celebrating dads. It's about honoring the traditions, lessons, and memories that shape who we become in the outdoors. In this special Field & Stream podcast, listeners and contributors share unforgettable hunting and fishing stories about the fathers and father figures who taught them everything from gun safety and patience to fly fishing, deer hunting, and finding joy in wild places. Veteran outdoor writer Keith McCafferty reflects on helping his father fulfill a lifelong dream of catching a bonefish in the Florida Keys, a trip that became one of their most meaningful adventures together. Alice Jones Webb shares a heartfelt story about learning to hunt without her father after his passing, and the challenge of carrying family traditions forward. Ryan Cornelius looks back on fishing trips with his dad and the moment their roles quietly reversed during a Colorado trout fishing adventure. Executive Editor Dave Hurteau rounds out the collection with a classic story about pheasant hunting, family, and the small moments that often matter most. Along the way, Field & Stream listeners call in from across the country to share the best hunting and fishing advice they've received from their dads, grandfathers, and mentors. From deer hunting wisdom and waterfowl hunting lessons to fly fishing tips and life advice learned in the woods, this episode is a reminder that the greatest outdoor legacy isn't measured by trophies or limits, but by time spent together. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: cell phone ring by jordanielmills -- https://freesound.org/s/654935/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 phone hotel pickup, put down various.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/454105/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 answer machine beep - generated.wav by vestibule-door -- https://freesound.org/s/668976/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 answer machine beep - generated.wav by vestibule-door -- https://freesound.org/s/668976/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 answering_machine_beep.wav by pillonoise -- https://freesound.org/s/160775/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A broken finger, a conservation fight, and a hunting dog you'll never forget. Field & Stream's Will Brantley kicks things off with one of the most unique fishing traditions in America: catfish noodling. From wrestling giant flathead catfish by hand to the injuries, close calls, and camaraderie that keep him coming back every summer, Brantley shares what makes this high-risk fishing adventure so addictive. Then conservation columnist Hal Herring and associate editor Travis Hall sit down for an honest conversation about the state of conservation in America. They break down the biggest public lands, clean water, and wildlife management issues facing hunters and anglers today, discuss why grassroots engagement matters more than ever, and explain what gives them hope for the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The episode closes with a powerful Campfire reading of Hal Herring’s beloved story, Seasons with Bear. More than a gun dog story, it’s a reflection on loyalty, loss, bird hunting, and the unforgettable bond between hunters and their dogs. Whether you spend your fall chasing ducks, upland birds, whitetails, or trout, this story will stay with you long after the final words. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: FIREBurn_Campfire.Close.Long.Crackling.Flame roar.Squeack.Hiss.Artificial 1_EM by newlocknew -- https://freesound.org/s/730704/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Peaceful Autumn field OCTOBER 6 2022.WAV by kvgarlic -- https://freesound.org/s/652652/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 shotgun shoot by MrGungus -- https://freesound.org/s/773873/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Shotguns_racking_and_handling_sounds_part2 by Artninja -- https://freesound.org/s/741111/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Editing and sound design by Trout Stream Studios Marc Anderson of Wild Ambience Paul Driver of Pennsylvania Dog_panting_20090425T1417.wav by gurkboll -- https://freesound.org/s/95934/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Dog Panting in Woods.WAV by hargissssound -- https://freesound.org/s/321127/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock shallow-water muskie patterns and figure-eight secrets from a seasoned guide chasing giant predators. Muskie fishing has a way of turning casual anglers into full-blown obsessives, and this conversation with muskie guide and Field & Stream contributor Steven Paul explains exactly why. From shallow spring patterns to the psychology of apex predators, Stephen breaks down what makes muskellunge one of freshwater fishing’s most addictive pursuits. You’ll learn how warming water temperatures trigger spring muskie movement, why post-spawn fish stack in shallow bays, and how changing weather conditions impact feeding windows. Steven also dives deep into figure-eight techniques, boat-side strikes, trolling adjustments during cold fronts, and the subtle details that separate follows from eats. If you’ve ever wondered why muskies seem lazy one moment and violent the next, this episode gets into the biological and behavioral reasons behind it. The second half of the show focuses on practical muskie fishing tactics and the five essential lures Stephen keeps tied on during the spring season. From giant killers and spinnerbaits to glide baits, crankbaits, and fly fishing streamers, the conversation covers versatile presentations for shallow weeds, timber, river systems, and cold-front conditions. Whether you’re a hardcore muskie angler or a bass fisherman looking to level up into predator fishing, there’s a pile of useful insight packed into this one. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duck camps, giant striped bass, and fading hunting traditions collide in this unforgettable outdoor storytelling conversation. The latest edition of the Field & Stream Journal centers on one theme that every hunter and angler understands instinctively: tradition. Host Colin Kearns sits down with editors Dave Hurteau and Ryan Chelius to unpack the stories behind the new issue, from vanishing duck camps and Adirondack deer traditions to nighttime trout fishing with mouse flies on the Upper Delaware. The conversation dives deep into waterfowl hunting culture, fly fishing history, turkey hunting, striped bass surfcasting, and the traditions that keep hunters and anglers connected across generations. Listeners will hear the backstory behind standout features like “The Schoolhouse Boys,” a legendary Michigan deer camp story by Bill Heavey, and “A Bit of Heaven,” Ryan Chelius’s look inside Long Island’s disappearing bay house duck camps. Later in the episode, master plug builder Gary Soldati explains how he crafts some of the most sought-after striped bass lures on the East Coast, including giant surf plugs designed for trophy stripers in rough water. From surfcasting tactics and plug design to the obsession behind chasing 50-pound bass, this conversation captures the craftsmanship and culture surrounding saltwater fishing traditions. If you care about hunting camps, trout fishing, duck hunting stories, or the future of outdoor traditions, this one belongs around the campfire. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wide open prairie gobblers, tight roosts, and the fight to protect rivers. Will Brantley breaks down hunting open country turkeys across Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, and beyond, contrasting Rio Grande and Merriam’s birds with Eastern timber gobblers. From early season Texas leases to late-spring prairie hunts, he explains how vast terrain changes everything from glassing strategy to calling distance. Open country birds cover ground fast, often forcing hunters to read roost patterns, use optics, and cut distance quickly instead of easing through timber. He details setup fundamentals in wide landscapes: prioritizing creek bottoms, cottonwood drainages, and scattered shade trees where birds roost and regroup. Calling shifts heavily toward louder friction calls like box calls and pot calls that can cut wind and carry across long distances. While decoys and even controversial tactics like fanning or reaping can be effective, success often comes down to positioning on travel routes and anticipating daily movement between feed and roost. The episode also shifts into conservation reporting on Montana’s Blackfoot River, where a proposed gold mine and AI data center raise concerns about water use, energy demand, and long-term river health. The show closes with a Campfire reading of “The Norwegian Mafia,” a classic turkey hunting family story that captures the humor, grit, and connection that defines time in the field. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Editing and sound design by Trout Stream Studios FIREBurn_Campfire.Close.Long.Crackling.Flame roar.Squeack.Hiss.Artificial 1_EM by newlocknew -- https://freesound.org/s/730704/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Campfire 02 by HECKFRICKER -- https://freesound.org/s/729396/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Campfire 01 by HECKFRICKER -- https://freesound.org/s/729396/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 chickens_scratching_turkey_gobbling.wav by wil_j_wil -- https://freesound.org/s/571660/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Hiking by Beethovenboy -- https://freesound.org/s/678650/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 hiking Forest.wav by mastermind76 -- https://freesound.org/s/671320/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slip into hardwood ridges and learn how to call pressured gobblers into gun range. Few pursuits in the hunting world rival the intensity of chasing Eastern wild turkeys through big timber. This conversation digs into the craft behind successful turkey hunting in hardwoods, where terrain, patience, and decision-making matter more than anything in your vest. From locating gobblers on ridges to understanding how turkeys use strut zones, you’ll hear practical turkey hunting tips that translate directly to more opportunities in the spring woods. The discussion breaks down how to move quietly through rolling terrain, when to call and when to stay silent, and how to set up in a way that keeps birds from slipping in unseen. There’s a strong focus on woodsman skills like reading topography, predicting movement, and making the right call at the right time. You’ll also pick up insight on realistic turkey calling, including why soft yelps and restraint often outperform aggressive tactics on pressured birds. Gear stays simple, but strategy stays sharp, with a minimalist approach that prioritizes mobility and awareness. The episode closes with a story that captures the heart of the outdoors—catfishing, family, and the kind of memories that stick with you long after the season ends. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices