Driftwood Outdoors Podcast

This week on the Driftwood Outdoors Podcast, Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod are joined by West Virginia guide and outdoorsman Charlie Mooney to break down a one-of-a-kind adventure: floating the New River while hunting squirrels and fishing—aka “Squirrelishing.”Charlie shares his journey growing up in Appalachia, working across the outdoor industry, fly fishing in the West, and eventually returning home to raise his family and guide on the waters he loves.The conversation covers creative ways to experience the outdoors, public land access, conservation, and why protecting these places matters for the next generation.Fore more info:Fly Rod Chronicles With Curtis FlemingWest Virginia AdventuresCountry Road CabinsRocky Mountain RaftsSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Missouri Department of Conservation Director Jason Sumners joins Driftwood Outdoors for an in-depth conversation on chronic wasting disease, MDC’s decision to pause post-season targeted removal, and what comes next.We ask the hard questions Missouri hunters and landowners are asking—what’s paused, why now, what replaces it, and what benchmarks could bring it back.This is a long-form, transparent discussion about science, trust, and the future of deer hunting in Missouri.For more info: Missouri Dept of Conservation websiteMissouri Dept of Conservation FB pageMissouri Dept of Conservation InstagramSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Driftwood Outdoors' Unpaid Pro-Staffer Paddle Don joins Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod to look back on a huge year for Driftwood Outdoors—historic adventures, conservation conversations, and a surprising announcement that now makes all three hosts married.Special thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

It’s a Christmas special on the Driftwood Outdoors Podcast, and Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod are joined by the one-and-only Lisa Snuggs for an episode packed with warmth, nostalgia, music, and outdoor tradition.A heartfelt conversation filled with outdoor traditions, music, and unforgettable stories. From growing up in a family rooted in fishing and hunting to singing her way into meetings with legends like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, Lisa shares memories that feel like Christmas around the campfire.Fore more info:Lisa McDowell Snuggs MusicFreshwater Fishing Hall of FameThe Lindsay Sale-Tinney AwardsSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

This week, Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod sit down with Paul Johnson of River Bend Resort to explore the heart and heritage of Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods.From family-run resorts to lifelong fishing traditions, Paul shares how he and his wife, Brandi, turned their love of the outdoors into a legacy that brings families together year after year.A warm, nostalgic, and inspiring look at how fishing trips become lifelong memories.For more info:River Bend Resort WebsiteRiver Bend Resort FacebookRiver Bend Resort InstagramWalley Capitol of the WorldSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Former NFL linebacker Don Cherry joins Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod to share his remarkable journey from professional football to groundbreaking research on service dogs and trauma recovery. Cherry opens up about life after the NFL, the impact of brain injuries, and how working with veterans and service animals led him to pursue a PhD at Mizzou.This episode explores the powerful bond between humans and animals—and how it’s helping redefine healing.For more info:ReCHAI WebsiteReCHAI FacebookSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Deer on the powerline, blacktails in the rainforest, and salmon on the Columbia—this episode celebrates every corner of the outdoors. Uncle Steve joins Brandon and Shags to recap his Missouri success, the hospitality of great landowners, the beauty of Oregon’s rugged hunting country, and how a Midwest/Oregon bond keeps growing year after year.A nostalgic, hilarious, heartfelt celebration of what deer camp really means. Big bucks get shot, big meals get cooked, and big stories get told. From Oregon blacktails to Missouri monsters, this episode proves the best trophy in the woods is the time spent with the people who matter.Special thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

It felt more like summer than deer season. The crew unpacks Missouri’s low opening-weekend totals, crazy heat, and the moments that still made it special.Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Unpaid Pro-staffers, Paddle Don, Joe Hawkins and Michael Collins. Emotions run high as Shags shares the story of harvesting a buck with his father’s rifle. While the rest of the crew break down the unusual opener and the odd weather that came with it.Special thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Chronic Wasting Disease, hunter recruitment, and outdoor education take center stage as Scott Cronin joins the Driftwood Outdoors crew to talk about the changing face of hunting and why sharing knowledge is key to the sport’s future.From the power of mentorship to lessons learned from wounded deer and missed shots, this conversation with Scott Cronin celebrates the honesty and heart that make hunting more than a hobby — it’s a way of life.For more info: Scott Cronin BioSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

This week, Brandon and Shags welcome veteran outdoorsman and award-winning writer Dan Stefanich, who’s been sharing his passion for hunting, fishing, and conservation across the Midwest for over three decades.From tales of close calls in the woods to tried-and-true deer strategies, Dan brings both knowledge and laughs. Plus, Brandon learns a valuable lesson about what not to do for social media likes.For more info:Boneyard Fishing websiteBoneyard outfitters hunting websiteBoneyard outfitters fishing and lodge FBDan Steff Outdoors WebsiteSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Fresh off Big Rock Candy Mountain, Shags returns from wedding bliss — the “Forever Fiancé” is now the “Former Fiancé.” Brandon and Shags welcome back their good buddy Michael Collins from Misty Mountain Guiding Service to talk about the wedding weekend, fly-fishing the Ozarks, and a few deer that almost stole the show. The crew also dives into the dos and don’ts of public land hunting, including Michael’s recent run-in with a not-so-friendly neighbor in the woods.For more info:Misty Mountain FB PageMisty Mountain InstagramMisty Mountain WebsiteSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

While Shags is off celebrating his wedding, we’re rolling back to one of our favorite conversations from the early days of the show. In this best-of episode, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Clay Newcomb — before he joined MeatEater and became a household name in the hunting world.Clay talks about building Bear Hunting Magazine and its podcast, managing bears, spot-and-stalk hunts, baiting, and how the Ouachita Mountains stack up against the Ozarks. Plus: traditional bows, the mystery bait bucket, and a gear review that takes us straight back to the roots of the show. New episodes return next week — but for now, enjoy this classic conversation.Special thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

While Shags is off tying the knot, we’re rewinding to one of our all-time favorite conversations.In this classic episode, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with fly-fishing legend Mark Van Patten for a wild and unforgettable ride. From Woodstock adventures and hitchhiking across the country to childhood street gangs, stream teams, the tying bench, mystery bait bucket, and gear talk — this is storytelling at its best.Episode 315 takes us back to where it all began: Episode 10.Special thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

What do alien encounters, Robin Hood arrows, and finely tuned bows have in common? They all collide in this wild episode as Brandon and Shags welcome Jared Westfall of Creed Archery Supply. From running a pro shop to prepping for prime Midwest whitetail season, this one hits the mark.From working inside a prison to owning one of Missouri’s premier archery shops, Jared Westfall built a dream around bows, bucks, and building a legacy. Brandon and Shags talk gear, passion, and hunting season in this can't-miss episode.For more info:Creed Archery Supply WebsiteCreed Archery Supply FacebookCreed Archery Supply InstagramSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Brandon Butler flies solo in Wisconsin at Doug Duren’s legendary farm for a deep dive into fall in the Driftless. From glowing autumn hillsides to cold spring creeks full of browns and rainbows, this multi-part conversation explores why the Driftless is one of the Midwest’s most unique outdoor destinations.In Part One, Brandon sits down with Eric Johnson, Community Marketing Manager for Trout Routes, to talk about mapping tools, OnX Hunt and OnX Fish, and how technology is helping anglers find public water. They’re joined by conservationist Doug Duren of Share the Land and Kyle Zempel of Black Earth Angling Co. to cover everything from smallmouth fishing to the top five flies you need in your box, plus the history that shaped this one-of-a-kind landscape.Part Two features Doug again along with Tim and Sarah Landwehr, owners of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company, as the conversation turns to muskie fishing, smallmouth trips, and the role of guides as not just teachers but counselors, educators, and storytellers. The crew also dives into destination angling—from the Amazon to Bolivia—and why hiring a guide on new water can change everything.Part Three brings in Lyndsey Braun along with Zach Heredia and Lucas to share tales of Alaska adventures, South American fisheries, cooking up great meals after long days on the water, and the shared responsibility of conservation.“It’s not ours—it’s just our time.” This episode is a celebration of trout fishing, public lands, and the people keeping the Driftless and beyond wild and welcoming for the next generation.For more info:Doug Duren WebsiteTrout RoutesBlack Earth Angling CoTight Lines Fishing CoSharing The LandSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

Brandon and Nathan welcome Joel Nelson from OnX Fish for a conversation that starts with a hat swap in a Wisconsin boat and quickly dives deep into the future of fishing.From the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers conference to chasing smallmouth and crappie, the crew shares stories about conservation, outdoor media, and the power of technology on the water. Joel explains how OnX Fish is revolutionizing angling with data-driven maps, giving anglers confidence to explore new lakes and target trophy fish.Packed with laughs, live-scope frustrations, and Midwestern fishing tales, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves time on the water.For more info:OnX FishJoel Nelson InstagramJoel Nelson OutdoorsSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

This week on Driftwood Outdoors, Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod welcome guest Keith Hannaman to talk all things bear hunting across the country and here in Missouri.What should’ve been a smooth conversation turned into one of the wildest recordings yet — Brandon’s iMac Pro took a nosedive, Missouri weather kept knocking Keith offline, and the whole thing quickly spiraled into a comical disaster.Still, amidst the chaos, the crew managed to cover bear hunting, Keith’s days playing football at Penn State, the kickoff of archery season, and of course, the Mystery Bait Bucket.It might be our most technically cursed episode yet, but it’s packed with good laughs and a little bit of outdoor wisdom.Special thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

In this episode of Drifting Outdoors, hosts Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Missouri farmer, rancher, realtor, and outdoorsman Bob Parker for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond Facebook debates.Together they dig into chronic wasting disease, habitat management, property rights, and the often messy relationship between conservation policy and life on the ground. Bob also shares the story of his viral canoe and metal wildlife art, his early start in land stewardship, and how growing up in Kansas shaped his love for the outdoors.At its heart, this episode is about finding common ground — even when disagreements run deep — and keeping conservation conversations rooted in respect, experience, and a shared passion for the natural world.For more info:Trophy Quest Outdoor Adventures Bob Parker Fine Art Special thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

This week on Driftwood Outdoors, the crew sits down with longtime friend and international fishing traveler, Bob Critser.From chasing whitetails in Indiana to hauling tuna off Mexico’s coast, Bob shares how his outdoor journey shifted from deer stands to the deep sea — and the adventures, challenges, and laughs along the way.To follow Bob's adventures:BC Instagram PageSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com

In this episode of Drifting Outdoors, the crew dives into what it really means to be a hunter in today’s world. Brandon returns from Indiana after keynoting a Backcountry Hunters & Anglers event, reflecting on conservation, community, and the responsibility modern hunters carry.Jameson Hibbs — BHA regional coordinator — shares insights on the organization’s mission, growth, and the fight for public lands. From the infamous Missouri Four corner-crossing battle to the culture shift from tradition to trophy obsession, the conversation explores hunting’s past, present, and uncertain future. It’s a candid, passionate, and sometimes controversial look at why we hunt, what’s at stake, and how hunters can protect both their legacy and the wild places we all share.For more info: BHA WebsiteBHA FacebookBHA InstagramSpecial thanks to:Living The Dream Outdoor PropertiesSuperior Foam Insulation LLCDoolittle TrailersScenic Rivers TaxidermyConnect with Driftwood Outdoors:FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail:info@driftwoodoutdoors.com