Hunting Matters With Joe Betar

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," host Joe Betar sits down with Alfredo "Rick" Franco, a man whose life has been defined by service, leadership, and the spirit of camaraderie. Rick Franco's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as a Marine Infantry Officer to his pivotal roles as a CIA protective contractor and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection contractor, Rick has seen it all.After transitioning from the battlefield, Rick continued to lead with honor as the COO of Heroes and Horses, a non-profit dedicated to helping veterans find purpose and healing. Now, as the Co-Founder of Four Branches Bourbon and the Director of Safety and Security at the Troubadour Club in Tennessee, Rick combines his leadership skills with his passion for creating something truly special.Join us as we explore Rick's fascinating career, the story behind Four Branches Bourbon, and how he continues to make an impact both in and out of the hunting world. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, leadership, and the bonds formed through shared experiences.

In this episode of "Hunting Matters With Joe Betar," we delve into the rich hunting heritage and operations of DEA Ranch with our esteemed guest, Leo Martinez. As the ranch manager of DEA Ranch in Mathis, Texas, Leo brings over thirty-five years of experience in the ranching and hunting industry. Born in Freer, Texas, his extensive background encompasses not just hunting and fishing, but also a profound knowledge of Texas history.Leo takes us on a journey through the offerings of DEA Ranch, short for Dancing Elk Alexander, which includes hunting white-tailed deer, elk, exotic game, quail, and dove. We explore the ranch's location, its cattle operation, and Leo's personal hunting experiences both within Texas and beyond. Additionally, we get a glimpse into his fishing background and hobbies, painting a full picture of a life deeply embedded in the outdoors.Join us as we uncover the stories, challenges, and triumphs that define Leo's career and the unique hunting experiences offered at DEA Ranch. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or a curious enthusiast, this episode promises valuable insights and engaging tales from the heart of Texas hunting country.

Join host Joe Betar on this week's episode of "Hunting Matters" as he interviews Dan Adler, the owner and outfitter of North America’s largest big-game hunting guide service, Diamond Outfitters. Dan’s impressive background includes serving as a Veteran Officer of the United States Air Force and a Command Pilot for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. His expertise and experience have earned him the Safari Club International’s “Hunter of the Year” award in 2017.Dan is a well-known public figure in the hunting community, regularly speaking at national hunting conventions and serving as the Master of Ceremonies for many regional sportsmen’s banquets. His presentations are celebrated for being both educational and entertaining, blending patriotism with humor.In this episode, Dan shares his extensive hunting knowledge, covering his experiences hunting 17 big-game species across five states and two countries, spanning over 30 million acres of public and private land. He also discusses the origins and growth of Diamond Outfitters, a family-owned business he started with his wife Terri in 2006, which has since become the largest full-time outfitter for a variety of species including bull elk, mountain lion, black bear, oryx, and Coues deer. Additionally, Dan highlights their world-class hunts for mule deer, antelope, Desert and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, and exotic species like ibex and aoudad.Don't miss this insightful episode that explores the adventures and expertise of Dan Adler, one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable guides in the industry.

Welcome to "Hunting Matters," the podcast where we dive deep into the world of hunting and outdoor adventures. Join us as we explore the passion, expertise, and thrilling experiences of hunters like Tim Weddington, owner and guide at 10 Gauge Outfitters, a premier Kansas pheasant hunting lodge.Learn about the diverse types of hunting offered, including prairie dog, turkey, quail, dove, and deer hunting. Hear the fascinating stories behind lodge renovations, the importance of bird dogs, and the unforgettable moments that define the hunting experience.Tim Weddington brings his wealth of knowledge and love for the outdoors to the forefront, sharing insights on what clients can expect from a guided hunt, the joy of seeing clients succeed, and the excitement of calling in a strutting tom within 15 feet. Whether you're a novice or an experienced hunter, "Hunting Matters" offers valuable tips, heartfelt stories, and a deeper appreciation for the hunting tradition.

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," we sit down with Bruce Pettet, the President & CEO of Leupold & Stevens Inc., a leading company in performance sporting and tactical optics. Bruce shares insights from his impressive career, which spans leadership roles at Collective International LLC, Airwalk International, and Brooks Sports Inc. He also discusses his contributions to the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA).Bruce's achievements include being named one of Advertising Age Magazine’s “Marketing 100” and an “Industry Pacesetter” by Sporting Goods Business Magazine. Under his leadership, Leupold & Stevens has received numerous awards, such as the NASGW Optics Manufacturer of the Year and the Oregon Ethics in Business award.Join us as we explore Bruce’s journey from founding Collective International to leading one of the world’s foremost optics companies, and his passion for outdoor sports. Learn how his strategic vision and relentless drive have made Leupold & Stevens a leader in the industry.

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," we are joined by Luke Coccoli, the Director of Conservation Programs for the Boone and Crockett Club. Based at the Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center on the Club’s expansive Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch in Montana, Luke brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in wildlife management and conservation. We delve into the Boone and Crockett Club's Fair Chase and Hunter Ethics eLearning module, discussing its importance in promoting ethical hunting practices.Luke shares his personal journey growing up along Montana's Rocky Mountain Front, hunting deer and elk, and fly-fishing for trout. With a background in Fish and Wildlife Management and a master's in education, Luke's passion for the outdoors is evident in his diverse roles, from wildlife biologist to NRA rifle and shotgun instructor. He also talks about his adventurous lifestyle, accompanied by his Airedale terriers, Olive and Otis, and the various hats he wears in his conservation work.Tune in to gain valuable insights into ethical hunting, conservation efforts, and the vital role education plays in sustaining our natural heritage. Whether you're an avid hunter or simply enjoy the great outdoors, this episode offers something for everyone.

Join us on this episode of Hunting Matters as host Joe Betar welcomes McCauley Williams, the CEO and Chairman of Morningside Brands Inc. McCauley is not only an experienced entrepreneur and spirits brand builder but also a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. With a background in law and a rich history of founding and scaling businesses in the craft beer, bourbon, rye whiskey, rum, tequila, and gin sectors, McCauley brings a wealth of knowledge and unique insights to our discussion. In this engaging episode, McCauley shares his journey from growing up hunting and fishing to becoming a leading figure in the spirits industry. We delve into his mission-based approach with Morningside Brands, focusing on their sustainably produced spirits that aim to raise awareness and impact for various causes. Highlighting this commitment is Alma del Jaguar Tequila, which directly supports the Northern Jaguar Project, dedicated to protecting wild jaguars in the Mexico/U.S. borderlands.Tune in as we explore the intersections of hunting, conservation, and the spirits industry. Whether you're a hunting enthusiast, a conservation supporter, or simply curious about the journey of a successful entrepreneur, this episode promises to deliver insightful and inspiring content.

Join us on "Hunting Matters," where we dive into the world of hunting, wildlife conservation, and outdoor adventures. In this episode, we are thrilled to have two exceptional guests, Aidan The Hunter and Seth Stokes.Aidan The Hunter, the young and passionate host of the "See Ya In The Woods" podcast, is an international big game hunter with an impressive track record. At just eleven years old, Aidan has already achieved remarkable milestones in his hunting journey. From learning gun safety at the age of five to taking down his first feral hog at six, Aidan's love for the outdoors and hunting is truly inspiring. His adventures span across continents, including his recent safari in South Africa.Seth Stokes, Aidan's father, discovered his love for hunting later in life and has since dedicated himself to passing on this passion to his children and other youth. As a Rifle Coach, Archery Coach, and Hunting & Wildlife Coach for their local 4H Chapter, Seth emphasizes the importance of gun safety and respect for firearms. His commitment to teaching the next generation of hunters is evident in his plans to expand his coaching expertise to include muzzleloader and shotgun disciplines.Tune in to hear Aidan and Seth share their unique perspectives on hunting, the joys of spending time in nature, and the critical role of education and conservation in preserving our wildlife heritage. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just starting out, "Hunting Matters" is your go-to podcast for all things hunting.

Let's delve into the captivating world of custom firearms with our esteemed guest, Chad Chapman. Chad is the founder of Red Desert Rifles and a master craftsman with over a decade of experience building custom rifles in Wyoming.In this episode, Chad shares his journey and passion for creating the most accurate, beautiful, and functional wood-stocked rifles available. From selecting the finest Tiger (Curly) Maple to customizing every detail to fit the shooter's needs, Chad's dedication to his craft is unparalleled. Join us as we explore the meticulous process behind building one-of-a-kind rifles, discuss the various options for customization, and get expert tips on maintaining and upgrading your firearms. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a shooting enthusiast, or someone who appreciates fine craftsmanship, this episode offers a unique insight into the world of custom rifles.Tune in to "Hunting Matters" to hear Chad's expert advice, fascinating stories, and the passion that drives Red Desert Rifles to create lifelong companions for their customers. Don't miss this chance to learn from a true master in the field!

Heidi Lyn RaoHeidi launched her business North American Outdoors  https://northamericanoutdoors.org/ in 2013 to introduce people to the outdoors, especially hunting and the shooting sports, by delivering quality firearms training, related outdoor products, guides and a weekly podcast “North American Outdoors.” She has published 7 books to date, as well as hundreds of articles related to the outdoors, hunting, and firearms training.  Heidi is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and is a Training Counselor.  She not only conducts basic firearms training classes, but also certifies NRA Instructors in the disciplines of Range Safety Officer (RSO), Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol, Defensive Pistol, and Personal Protection Inside and Outside the Home.  She is also a Texas License to Carry (LTC) Instructor.  Heidi has served on the NRA Youth Programs Committee and currently serves on the NRA Ladies Pistol Project Team.  She is a contributing author to NRA Women, NRA Family, and NRA Hunter’s Leadership Forum.  She is the proud recipient of two prestigious NRA awards: • 2023 “NRA Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction” award, and the • 2022 Golden Bullseye Award for NRA Women: "Woman of the Year."  Heid is very active in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).  Three of her sons are Eagle Scouts with the fourth one soon to be.  She is an Assistant Scoutmaster with a Troop, and in 2018 started her own BSA co-ed Venturing Crew that focuses on introducing young adults to hunting and improving their marksmanship skills through education and training.  They are very active and are called Venture Hunting Crew .30-06.  Professionally, for over 25 years, her career has been with Texas Parks and Wildlife as the Assistant Hunter Education Coordinator, responsible for the state’s Hunter Education Program across Southeast Texas.  She is also the statewide Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Coordinator.Heidi and her retired Game Warden husband John continually teach the outdoor traditions of hunting, trapping, camping, and the shooting sports to their four boys.  Heidi has always believed that when you train the mom, you involve the entire family!

Kent, a seventh generation Texan (g, g, g, grandfather Emilius Savage landed in TX 1829), grew up on a 2200-acre cow-calf, rice and row-crop farming operation in Matagorda County.  After graduation from Texas A&M University in 1985, Kent has worked all his career in sales & marketing, primarily in the livestock production & grain crop industry before starting with Capital Farm Credit in January of 2013. Kent joined Capital Farm Credit as a Relationship Manager where he worked with the corporate marketing team for most of 8 years and then transitioned to more loan production duties.   Kent’s long career in the agriculture industry has given him the opportunity to amass a large network of customers and business affiliates within agriculture, real estate & conservation associations across Texas. He also credits his large network of friends across the entire state for helping him create and grow his relationship sales & lending style.Kent also understands the importance of preserving the sensitive Texas prairie habitat system and has served on the Wildlife Habitat Federation’s Board of Trustees the last 7 years, a non-profit organization that provides on-the-ground restoration, management and generational sustainability of prairie habitat for the conservation of soil, water, air and wildlife. While growing up on the ranch he was always ready to go hunting or fishing, either on his family’s land or across Texas, Colorado & Wyoming.  Kent has tried to carry that passion on to his own two sons, Parker (27) and Nicholas (25). He currently resides in Sugar Land with his wife Kim where they have lived for the last 30 years, however they do look forward to moving out to a more rural lifestyle in the future.

Jeff Crane joined CSF in 2002 and brings over 40 years of experience in on-the-ground natural resource management and policy expertise at the federal, state and international levels. A life-long outdoorsman, Jeff spent five years working in the US Congress and was instrumental in establishing the Maryland legislative sportsmen’s caucus prior to joining CSF. In addition, he has experience developing wildlife habitat management plans in the United States and South Africa. During his eight years in Africa, Jeff obtained his professional hunter’s license and guided hunts for big game animals. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Business Administration.At CSF, Jeff ensures a steadfast and successful relationship between the bipartisan National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus. He develops and manages the organization’s strategic business strategy and policy priorities, and serves as the primary liaison between CSF and leaders within the governmental and non-governmental conservation community. Jeff also supervises all program areas to achieve overall organization goals, including, but not limited to directing and supervising development, administration, fundraising, strategic planning and the day-to-day operations of the organization.Jeff served as the Chairman of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council (HSSCC), a federal advisory council that reports to the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior. He is a past Chairman of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), the largest coalition of hunting conservation organizations. He is a Boone and Crockett member, served on the Government Affairs Committee for Safari Club International (SCI) and served as Vice-Chairman of Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Committee for the National Rifle Association (NRA). Additionally, he serves as the Co-Chairman of Legislative Policy for the Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife.

Tyler Sharp is the photographer, writer, publisher and creative director for Modern Huntsman. In his past life as a freelancer, he worked for many of the top outdoor brands and publications, traveled extensively to over 35 countries and slept under the stars in some of the world's most remote regions.He is the founder, CEO and Editor in Chief of Modern Huntsman, a creative media and publishing company focused on high-quality storytelling, design and curation of the best stories, characters and cultural adages from hunting, fishing, conservation and wild food. Tyler calls Dallas home, and when he's not at the desk or on the phone, he splits his time between Montana and East Africa.

Chester Moore is an award-winning wildlife journalist and conservationist.  He is Editor-In-Chief of Texas Fish & Game magazine and contributes to Sports Afield, Hunter’s Horn, Deer & Deer Hunting, Tide, The Lakecaster and many others. He is host of “Moore Outdoors” on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI and of The Higher Calling and Dark Outdoors podcasts.  Chester is the author of 15 books including Hog Wild: Hog Hunting Facts, Tips & Strategies, Texas Waterfowl and Flounder Fever.   He is a lifelong hunter and angler who enjoys everything from bowhunting wild turkeys to surf fishing for sharks to fly fishing for rainbow trout.  Chester’s heart is for conservation and youth.  He was awarded the Advocatus Magni award in 2020 from the National Wild Turkey Federation for his work with wild turkeys, the Mossy Oak Outdoors Legacy award in 2017 for his work with children and wildlife and was named a “Hero Of Conservation” by Field & Stream magazine. Altogether he has won more than 150 awards for conservation, writing, radio and photography.  He and his wife Lisa operate the Kingdom Zoo Wildlife Center® and Wild Wishes® programs which give wildlife encounters to children with a critical illness, in the foster system or who have lost a parent or sibling.  Their latest project is Higher Calling Wild Wishes Expeditions which takes teens from those programs into the forest and mountains to mentor them in using photography and video to raise awareness and funds for wildlife conservation.  His favorite animals are wild sheep and his most amazing wildlife encounter was cage diving with great white sharks in the Pacific.  His most important roles however are as a follower of Christ, husband, father and mentor.

Choosing to pay it forward after age 50 can be a difficult decision if only due to life’s personal complications, but Bruce has managed to build upon his personal experiences in ranching/farming, hunting/fishing, wilderness leadership and navigation, project management, and scientific research to actively contribute towards greater climate change adaptation and mitigation capacities in the community of El Carrizal, QRO (population ~350).Here, he works closely with local leaders to advance community-driven quality of life improvements by leveraging the assistance of local technical experts, US and Mexican government agencies, and student volunteers from nearby universities. One of his primary directives from SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources) is the active management and conservation of the native white-tailed deer population through regulated hunting and the re-establishment of the native wild turkey population. One of the primary ways to combat outward population migration plaguing communities across Mexico is to provide increased economic viability locally. Hence, his focus on ecotourism marketing of the Rancho El Carrizal and the Colon, QRO municipality as safe destinations for tourists to visit the central Mexico highlands with its mild annual climate, plentiful natural areas and world-class vineyards.

Nic De Castro is an entrepreneur based in Bozeman, Montana where he's building LandTrust, a recreation access network that opens up outdoor recreation opportunities on private lands across the US. Prior to founding LandTrust, Nic spent a decade in the marketing and advertising technology industry where he ledsales and partnerships for early-stage companies and built relationships with Fortune 500 companies. Nic grew up fishing, surfing, spearfishing, hunting, and playing baseball in Southern California.Website: https://landtrust.com/huntprivate

Willard Franklin, III is the CEO of Four W’s Fishing Team and Four W’s Outdoors. Four W’s Outdoors is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. They specialize in safety, diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and careers in the outdoors. Their team of expert guides and outdoor enthusiasts are dedicated to providing unforgettable experiences. Their mission is to include all Americans in outdoors sports, especially hunting, shooting and fishing. The R3 effort (Recruit, Retain and Reactivate) (is a big part of their program as well.Four W's Outdoors believes in the transformative power of nature. Their team is made up of experienced and passionate outdoor enthusiasts who are dedicated to sharing their love and knowledge of nature with others. They offer a range of outdoor sports and activities that are designed to challenge, inspire, and enthuse, no matter the participants level of experience.

Jon LaCorte grew up in Queens, New York, an area not known for having large numbers of hunters. So you might say it takes some folks by surprise when they find out Jon’s been doing it his entire life. Luckily, taking to the outdoors in pursuit of wild game is a long-standing tradition in the LaCorte family and it’s no surprise that after spending a few years following his father, grandfather and uncle through the woods as a boy, Jon found one of his true loves and never looked back.Now, many hunts and many miles traveled, Jon has never forgotten his roots or what guides his life - the love and support of his wife and children, an unwavering faith in God and a passion for the outdoors - all of which have served to make TRACT Optics a reality. Having spent more than 15 years working in product development and marketing for the hunting optics division of Nikon, he learned a great deal about every aspect of the outdoor industry, from sales and logistics to press relations and customer service. Jon worked to develop patented reticle systems as well as expand the product offerings from just a few SKU’s to a plethora of options in riflescopes, binoculars, rangefinders and spotting scopes.While it was a great experience helping build Nikon into a major player in the optics category, Jon had the opportunity to go to work for Flint Holdings, a family-owned group that controls Montana Decoy and WASP Archery Products. Being a die-hard bowhunter, he jumped at the chance to work more closely within the archery product category and take on the challenge of helping grow these companies from a product and marketing standpoint.It became apparent to Jon that the consumer market has evolved in a new way. Instant gratification, meaning people with less time are looking for easier methods of purchasing products. As many large corporations are more concerned with satisfying investors and increasing their top and bottom lines, the focus on what is really important, the customer, has diminished. This spurred the idea to start an optics company with a vision of providing you, the customer, not only a great product and a great value, but a truly awesome experience.

Coming over from terestrial radio is a change for us. We wanted to (re)introduce ourselves and explain what you can expect from us each show. We hope you enjoy the journey as much as we do.