EatWild Podcast

“Baby buck down.” That’s the text Dave Gu sent the group chat after heading up the mountain on his own. Last year, Dave was asking all the questions on our Campfire Q&A for new hunters. This year, he was the one with a buck on the ground and a hell of a story to tell. So we poured another cup of coffee, sat around the wood stove at mule deer camp, and got into the part of hunting that’s easy to talk about until there’s a buck standing in front of you. When do you shoot, and when do you hold? Ryan and Wyatt share what they look for before they take a shot. We talk about getting a steady rest, taking a breath, and waiting for a clear look at the vitals. We also tell on ourselves a bit. I’ve been hunting deer a long time and I still get a little rammy when a good buck jumps up and my brain starts telling me this might be my only chance. Dave had his own version of that moment. After two days of following me through the timber, he went out on his own, climbed the mountain, and waited for a buck to give him a clear shot. When he went to look for it, there was another buck staring at him from 20 yards. He still hadn’t found the first one, so he let that second buck walk and kept looking. By the time we caught up with Dave, he’d found his buck, gutted it, and dragged it down to meet us. We got to crack a beer and celebrate his first deer together. Pretty damn good day at mule deer camp. CWDBC.ca is an initiative by Hunters for BC to help educate Hunters on their role in limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in BC. Visit huntersforbc.ca today to join the conservation circle. The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for the hunt. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are all packed into it to provide you with the information you need for your next adventure. Stikine Packrafts are heavy on adventure and light on your back.  These versatile rafts are ideal for hunters, foragers and fishers to open up a world of adventures. Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire. If you need game bags, knives or lightweight gear from a Canadian company, check out HUTO LIFESTYLE – HUTO Lifestyle Clothing & Apparel

What makes a good deer hunting spot? And how much can we learn about where deer are going to be by understanding the habitat, weather, and behaviour that shape their lives? This week on the EatWild Podcast, I sit down with wildlife biologist and longtime hunter Craig McLean to take a deep dive into mule deer and white-tailed deer in British Columbia. Craig spent much of his career as a wildlife biologist with the Province of BC, working with deer, sheep, habitat, and wildlife populations across southern BC. He’s also a passionate hunter, which makes this conversation particularly interesting. We get to look at deer from both sides of the equation — understanding the biology and then applying that knowledge when we head into the mountains or the bush with a rifle. We talk about how mule deer and whitetails use the landscape, why they move between summer and winter ranges, how fire and habitat changes affect deer populations, and what harsh winters can mean for the animals we hunt. Craig and I get into glassing, still hunting, hunting open alpine country versus forested terrain, rattling for whitetails, seasonal movement, and some of the things newer hunters can do to become better at finding and understanding deer. We also talk about meat care during early-season hunts, disease and population management, the importance of research and local knowledge, and why sometimes the best hunting strategy is simply to slow down, be patient, and pay attention. There’s a lot in this conversation for both new and experienced deer hunters. If you want to become better at hunting deer in BC, understanding how they use the landscape is a pretty good place to start. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Craig McLean and the podcast 00:11 Introduction to Deer Hunting Strategies 02:04 Glassings Tips and Optics Use in Open Country 04:13 Still Hunting Techniques on Ridges and Slopes 04:17 Craig's background in wildlife management and hunting 07:37 Deer species in BC and their population dynamics 08:01 Evolution and habitat of white-tailed deer in BC 09:55 Seasonal Movement Patterns of Mule Deer 10:37 Mule deer habitat, fire impact, and population trends 14:47 Hunting in Alpine and Open Terrain 20:14 Deer Behavior and Cover in Forested Areas 21:29 Migration patterns and seasonal ranges of deer 24:58 Patience and Observation in Hunting Success 30:12 Managing Deer Populations and Seasons 30:33 Understanding summer and winter ranges 35:09 Meat Care Tips for Early Season Hunting 40:02 Impact of Disease and Winter Severity on Deer 43:03 Triggers for migration and habitat shifts 44:53 Strategies for Hunting Winter Range Deer 50:00 Using Rattling and Calling for White-Tails 50:54 Impact of harsh winters and snow conditions 54:29 Craig's passion for hunting and conservation 54:58 Success Stories and Personal Experiences 57:26 Essential gear and tips for new hunters 59:46 Final Tips and Advice for Hunters CWDBC.ca is an initiative by Hunters for BC to help educate Hunters on their role in limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in BC. Visit huntersforbc.ca today to join the conservation circle. The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for the hunt. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are all packed into it to provide you with the information you need for your next adventure. Stikine Packrafts are heavy on adventure and light on your back.  These versatile rafts are ideal for hunters, foragers and fishers to open up a world of adventures. Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.   If you need game bags, knives or lightweight gear from a Canadian company, check out HUTO LIFESTYLE – HUTO Lifestyle Clothing & Apparel

What makes someone a good hunting partner? Is it someone who consistently puts animals on the meat pole? Maybe. In this episode of the EatWild Podcast, I sit down with Joel and Ryan Primus of Finding Nowhere to talk about the often-overlooked human side of hunting: how we learn from each other, how we handle pressure, and what it really means to be a good partner in the field. Finding Nowhere grew from Ryan’s experience as a hunter, fisherman, gardener, and advocate for a more self-sufficient lifestyle, while Joel entered hunting from a very different place. With little hunting experience and a background largely disconnected from guns and hunting, Joel’s journey gives the series a unique perspective on what it feels like to learn hunting from the ground up. Our conversation explores the mentor-mentee relationship and the challenges that come with putting an experienced hunter alongside someone who is still developing the mental and physical skills required in the field. We talk openly about missed shots, wounded animals, frustration, the pressure of filming, and the emotional weight of taking an animal’s life. Ryan and Joel also share some hard lessons from their time together, including a memorable mountain goat hunt that tested both of them. The conversation also gave me a chance to reflect on my own experiences as a hunting partner, and how being focused on the outcome can unintentionally create pressure for the people we hunt with. We unpack what it means to slow down, communicate, understand different hunting styles, and recognize that being a good hunting partner is about much more than finding animals. This is a conversation about hunting, but more importantly, it’s about patience, humility, responsibility, friendship, and learning how to share the land with other people. Key Topics The mentor-mentee relationship in hunting Joel’s unconventional journey into hunting Learning to be comfortable being a beginner The responsibility of teaching new hunters Hunting pressure and performance anxiety Missed and wounded animals The emotional reality of killing an animal How frustration can affect hunting partners Communicating effectively in the field Matching hunting styles and expectations The importance of patience when mentoring Hunting ethics and responsibility in BC Gear, clothing, and preparation for challenging hunts Chronic Wasting Disease and hunter responsibility CWDBC.ca is an initiative by Hunters for BC to help educate Hunters on their role in limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in BC. Visit huntersforbc.ca today to join the conservation circle. The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for the hunt. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are all packed into it to provide you with the information you need for your next adventure. Stikine Packrafts are heavy on adventure and light on your back.  These versatile rafts are ideal for hunters, foragers and fishers to open up a world of adventures. Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.   If you need game bags, knives or lightweight gear from a Canadian company, check out HUTO LIFESTYLE – HUTO Lifestyle Clothing & Apparel

What really happens beneath the surface after you send your lure into the water? In this episode of the EatWild Podcast, I sit down with filmmaker, angler, and underwater storyteller Kai White—grandson of legendary West Coast fishing pioneer Charlie White. Charlie changed the way anglers understood salmon and halibut by capturing some of the first-ever underwater footage of fish reacting to lures. Today, Kai is carrying that legacy forward with stunning underwater cinematography and some of the most educational fishing content being produced in British Columbia. Through his production company, Wild Bus Films, and his Ocean Guy Kai YouTube channel, Kai reveals what fish are actually doing beneath the surface. We dive into salmon behavior, lure selection, water clarity, baitfish movements, and the subtle details that separate successful anglers from the rest. Along the way, we also discuss the encouraging signs of recovering herring and salmon populations in parts of BC's coast, the evolution of underwater filming technology, and why understanding fish behavior is one of the best ways to become a better angler. Whether you're a seasoned salmon fisher or just getting started, this conversation will change the way you think about fishing. With peak salmon season arriving on the West Coast, there's no better time to look beneath the surface. Kai White is a British Columbia filmmaker, angler, and the creator of Ocean Guy Kai. Through Wild Bus Films, he produces cinematic outdoor films and educational fishing content that helps anglers understand what really happens beneath the water's surface while inspiring stewardship of BC's incredible marine ecosystems. Follow Kai: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OceanGuyKai Website: https://www.wildbusfilms.com/ 00:00 Introduction 01:05 The Ocean Guy Kai Project 02:09 Growing Up with Charlie White 04:07 Historic Salmon Surveys 06:15 Signs of Recovery in BC's Marine Ecosystem 07:37 Why the Salish Sea Is Thriving 09:21 How Fish Sense Their Environment 13:34 The Evolution of Underwater Filming 14:13 What Fish Behavior Reveals 18:34 Why Fish Strike (or Don't) 21:37 Charlie White's Lasting Legacy 28:36 Capturing Underwater Footage Today 33:47 Advice for New Salmon Anglers 40:29 Conservation and Future Adventures 43:12 Working in the Film Industry 45:02 Upcoming Projects 49:37 Where to Follow Kai This episode is perfect for anglers, conservationists, and anyone fascinated by what happens beneath the surface. If you enjoy the conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's getting ready to hit the water this summer. Tight lines! You can help me and the podcast by checking out our sponsors and telling them you heard about it on the EatWild Podcast. Thanks! CWDBC.ca is an initiative by Hunters for BC to help educate Hunters on their role in limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in BC. Visit huntersforbc.ca today to join the conservation circle. The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for the hunt. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are all packed into it to provide you with the information you need for your next adventure. Stikine Packrafts are heavy on adventure and light on your back.  These versatile rafts are ideal for hunters, foragers and fishers to open up a world of adventures. Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.   If you need game bags, knives or lightweight gear from a Canadian company, check out HUTO LIFESTYLE – HUTO Lifestyle Clothing & Apparel

Some hunts stay with you forever, not because of the animal you harvest, but because of the moments when everything goes sideways and getting home becomes the only thing that matters. On this EatWild Podcast, I connected with Tanner Dannish of Frontiersmen Gear to talk about a life built around adventure, craftsmanship, and a relentless drive to explore wild places. Tanner shares the story of a remote mountain goat hunt that ended with a brutal lake crossing in a tiny overloaded boat, battling towering waves, screaming wind, and conditions that turned a successful hunt into a genuine survival story. But this episode is about much more than one incredible adventure. We dive into Tanner’s upbringing in the North, how a childhood obsession with making knives evolved into a proudly Canadian-made business, and why hunting, conservation, and building quality gear by hand are all deeply connected. From military lessons and years spent chasing sheep and goats in some of BC’s toughest country, Tanner shares the mindset that helps you stay calm when the mountains throw everything they have at you. We also get into the practical side of backcountry hunting—knife steels, sharpening, what makes a dependable hunting blade, and the gear decisions that matter when you’re days from the nearest road. It’s a conversation full of hard-earned knowledge, authentic storytelling, and the kind of adventure that reminds us why we keep going back into the wild. If you’re passionate about hunting, wilderness travel, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of a life lived outdoors, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Learn more about Tanner and check out his handcrafted Canadian-made knives and gear at Frontiersmen Gear.  Follow Frontiersmen and Tanner here!    You can help me and the podcast by checking out our sponsors and telling them you heard about it on the EatWild Podcast. Thanks! CWDBC.ca is an initiative by Hunters for BC to help educate Hunters on their role in limiting the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in BC. Visit huntersforbc.ca today to join the conservation circle. The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for the hunt. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are all packed into it to provide you with the information you need for your next adventure. Stikine Packrafts are heavy on adventure and light on your back.  These versatile rafte are ideal for hunters, foragers and fishers to open up a world of adventures. Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.   If you need game bags, knives or lightweight gear from a Canadian company, check out HUTO LIFESTYLE – HUTO Lifestyle Clothing & Apparel