Fall Obsession Podcast

Two Colorado natives, five bears on a hillside, and a bear hunt that turned into an absolute adventure. In this episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam is joined by Fall Obsession's Western Regional Coordinator, John Kesler, and Colorado hunter Connor Rohrbaugh to recap their unforgettable 2026 Colorado bear hunt. What started as a last-minute plan with minimal preparation quickly turned into a wild experience filled with steep shale slopes, close encounters, split-second decisions, and a whole lot of adrenaline. When Connor makes a shot on a bear and John heads up the mountain after another, things get a little complicated when they realize they may have both shot the same bear! From figuring out whose bear it was to heading back the next morning for another round, these two share the full story of a hunt neither will soon forget. Along the way, we talk about Connor's journey from whitetail hunting in the East to chasing elk and other big game in the mountains, the learning curve of western hunting, the value of trial and error, and why some of the best hunting memories are the ones shared with good friends. It's a conversation about adventure, friendship, learning as you go, and making the most of every opportunity in the outdoors. Tune in for the full story! Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with HootBear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear RiverTactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media has completely changed the outdoor industry. Today, you don’t need a television show, a magazine column, or a massive advertising budget to build an audience—you can have a phone, a story, and the ability to connect with people. In this episode, Sam sits down with Brittany Jill from Walk2West Marketing to take a deeper look at the world of social media marketing in the outdoor industry. From brands and influencers to creators and everyday outdoorsmen and women, Brittany breaks down what actually works—and what doesn’t—in today’s crowded social media landscape. We talk about the difference between followers and real influence, why engagement and community can matter more than a follower count, and how authenticity fits into an industry where almost everyone is trying to sell something. We also dive into the algorithms, short-form video, sponsored content, creator burnout, the pressure to constantly produce, and whether outdoor content is becoming too polished and manufactured. Is the goal to create content for people—or for the algorithm? And in a world obsessed with likes and followers, what does it really take to build something that lasts? Join us for a candid conversation about social media, marketing, authenticity, and the future of the outdoor industry. Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with HootBear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear RiverTactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we sit down with longtime whitetail hunter and outdoor personality Spook Spann for a deep dive into the pursuit of mature bucks! With decades of experience and a long history of chasing some truly incredible whitetails, Spook shares the lessons, strategies, and experiences that have shaped the way he hunts today. The conversation gets into how Spook approaches unfamiliar ground, locates mature bucks, studies individual deer, and uses trail cameras for more than just collecting pictures. He breaks down what makes a buck truly “killable,” knowing when to stay patient versus getting aggressive, and why access into and out of a stand can be just as important as where you hang it. Spook also shares the mistakes he still sees experienced hunters make, the bucks that have taught him some of his biggest lessons, and much more! After all the years, miles, and giant whitetails, we also unpack what still drives Spook Spann to chase whitetails every fall? This one is packed with mature-buck strategies, hard-earned experience, and plenty of whitetail hunting talk! Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with HootBear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear RiverTactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re taking the show on the road and stepping inside the incredible new Bear River Archery facility in Van Alstyne, Texas for a conversation with owner and operator Justin Cannaday. A lot has changed since our last conversation with Justin. What started just three years ago in a 400-square-foot starter shop has grown into a massive archery destination! Justin walks us through the vision behind what they have created, the overwhelming response to the grand opening, and what it’s like watching something you have built from the ground up continue to grow. We also get into the stuff that really matters to hunters — Justin’s upcoming Colorado elk hunt, the difference between elk camp and whitetail camp, why elk hunting becomes such a team effort, mountain horses, bow setups, shot placement, and the preparation that goes into chasing an elk with a bow. The conversation eventually turns toward whitetails, hunting with family, the stories behind the taxidermy filling the walls of Bear River, balancing work and hunting, and the reality of turning something you love into your livelihood. And perhaps most importantly, Justin talks about where Bear River goes from here — and why he's willing to put the future of the business in God's hands rather than trying to control every step of the journey. This one is a true shop talk — bows, hunting, business, family, faith, elk, whitetails, and a whole lot of catching up between friends. Welcome back Bear River Archery! Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with HootBear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear RiverTactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when mountain lions become a much bigger conversation about the future of hunting in Texas? In this episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam sits down with Jeremy Harrison, founder of the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest and a longtime advocate for predator hunting and predator control in Texas. Jeremy shares the story behind his battle surrounding predator hunting contests, his experiences with animal-rights activists, and the events that led him to take a much closer look at the people, organizations, and relationships influencing wildlife policy in Texas. The conversation dives deep into the ongoing debate surrounding mountain lions, harvest reporting, wildlife management, and the fear among some hunters that seemingly small regulatory changes could eventually lead to seasons, tags, bag limits, and broader restrictions. But this episode goes beyond just mountain lions. Jeremy lays out his concerns about influence within Texas Parks and Wildlife, connections between deep pockets and the agency, and what he believes Texas hunters need to understand before the landscape of hunting begins to change. Are these legitimate warning signs—or is the fear of a “slippery slope” being overstated? Where does science-based wildlife management end and political or ideological influence begin? And perhaps most importantly: Who controls the future of hunting in Texas? This is a conversation about predators, politics, conservation, hunting rights, and the responsibility of hunters to pay attention before they’re forced to react.  Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with HootBear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear RiverTactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices