Western Hunter

In this episode, Kevin sits down with Brennon Fisher, owner of Montana Outwest Outfitters, to discuss Kevin's elk hunt, the guide business, and Brennon's background and experiences hunting the Bitterroot Valley. For more info on hunting with Montana Outwest Outfitters, visit https://www.montanaoutwest.com/ If you enjoy the podcast, give us a rating, a thumbs up, or a review on whatever platform you listen on! Got a topic you'd like us to cover or a guest you'd like us to feature? Send an email to Brody@westernhunter.net. Thank you for listening, and please bookmark, subscribe, or save the Western Hunter Podcast to be notified of future episodes!  

In this episode, Kevin and Brody sit down with Eric Stecker of both Defiance Machine and McMillan Stocks–two of the most reputable and precise rifle component manufacturers in the country. Eric shares some of his personal history with each company, the origins of their extraordinary products, and a little about what might be in store in the future for both. It was an honor to have him in the studio, and we're grateful for his time. We're also very grateful for your support of Western Hunter and the show, and we hope you enjoy! This episode is also available with video on the Western Hunter YouTube channel. Save this podcast to be notified of episodes (almost) every Tuesday and subscribe to Western Hunter Magazine for a tangible version of this type of content!

In this episode of the Western Hunter Podcast, Brody talks to Kevin and Tom before Kevin's Montana early archery elk hunt. They plan to create a film for Wilderness Athlete about the hunt. Topics include preparation, gear, camera gear, the dynamics of hunting with a cameraman, and more. Stay tuned for a follow-up de-brief episode after they return! If you enjoy this podcast, please consider subscribing to Western Hunter Magazine. One reader described it as, "The most beautiful magazine ever created." https://westernhunter.net/shop/subscriptions-2/western-hunter-subscription/  Follow Western Hunter on Instagram @westernhuntermagazine and @thewesternhunter. Your reviews are the best way for us to spread the word about this podcast! If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on whatever platform you are on. We'd really appreciate it.

In this episode, Brody and Levi (mostly Brody) flip the script and interview Chris Denham regarding his health and fitness routine as an extremely busy, extremely durable hunter over 60.  Chris explains his daily workout and supplement regimen as well as his strategy for staying fit and fueled during his 5+ month hunting season. Chris drives over 30,000 miles each season to film episodes for The Western Hunter, and his determination to continue is extraordinary. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future topics or guests, please email them to Chris@westernhunter.net. Thank you for listening!

This episode features Brody Layher and Levi Sopeland. Brody is our human gear library. He's also a die-hard hunter who moved to Arizona after experiencing the mountain West for the first time. Levi is a videographer/photographer for The Western Hunter as well as our family of companies. He's also the primary copyeditor and a member of the creative team for Western Hunter Magazine. In this episode, they discuss a project they've been working on that they call "The Workin' Man's Custom Rifle." Their idea is to see just how good you can make a "cheap" rifle with modifications and how the result would compare to a fully custom rifle that could cost more than five times as much. They also discuss the current trend toward lightweight, low-recoiling rifles and how the 6mm Creedmoor is becoming a standout caliber for hunters. Thank you for your patience as we progress in our podcasting skills! We hope you enjoy. If you have any questions, suggestions, or other feedback, don't hesitate to send them to Chris@westernhunter.net.

Welcome to a new type of Western Hunter Podcast. We've got a lot of interesting characters working in the background at Western Hunter Magazine, Updated Media, Outdoorsmans, and Wilderness Athlete (WHUMODWA). Moving forward, we plan to create more and more episodes for you to learn about the inner workings, their experiences, and their areas of expertise (or lack thereof), and offer perspectives from a wide variety of backgrounds. We will still be talking about hunting the West, but we will be doing it more frequently. Nothing about Chris' podcast that you've come to love will change. We only wish to bring you more content to enjoy. We've affectionately called it The Auxiliary Podcast. This episode features Brody Layher and Tom Hinski. Brody is a die-hard hunter who moved to Arizona after experiencing the mountain West for the first time. Tom Hinski is one of our in-house videographers, a total Coues deer fanatic, and a hunter who is wise beyond his years at just 24. Brody recently embarked on his first trip to Alaska to pack for a Dall sheep outfitter, and Tom sat down with him for a recap. We hope you enjoy!  If you have any questions, suggestions, or other feedback, don't hesitate to send them to Chris@westernhunter.net.

Ryan Holm is the new Director of Marketing for Leica's Sport Optics division. While Ryan is new to the high-performance optics industry, he is no stranger to the hunting market. I first met Ryan when he was in a similar position with the pack company, Mystery Ranch. I still give him major credit for building that brand into the category leader.    Revitalizing an optics company in the hunting, birding and outdoor recreation industries simultaneously is tricky business, they all have their own biases, and he has to be sensitive to all of them.  Ryan and I talk about how 20 years of experience will help him to accomplish just that. It was great catching up with him, but I more excited to see what he can do with a legacy brand like Leica.  

In this episode, I sit down with Exo Mtn Gear owner and founder Steve Speck. My son Mark Denham and I had just completed a tour of their innovative manufacturing facility, which was remarkable. Steve and I explore the fundamentals of not just making a pack but also building a business and customer base that will sustain a company.    In my opinion, Exo Mtn Gear has one of the best podcasts for western hunters called "Hunt Backcountry." In our conversation I referenced a few episodes in which they discuss the efficacy of small caliber rifles for big game hunting. Those are episodes 479 and 498. These are fascinating conversations and confirmed many of my personal thoughts on the topic.  

Chris and Kevin were recently invited to tour the Leupold factory and visit the Leupold Optics Academy in Oregon for some long-range and NRL training. During a break, they sat down with CEO Bruce Pettet and Shooting Sports Marketing Manager Nic Kytlica to talk legacy, optics, rifles, and Leupold's bright future in American manufacturing.

Western Hunter Magazine introduced a western bird hunting section starting with the September 2024 issue. Kevin Guillen and Chris Denham explain many of the reasons the editorial staff decided to offer this new content.  

On the March/April cover of Western Hunter Magazine we have a spectacular image of Casey Richmond with his Idaho bull. When I first saw the picture, I knew there had to be a crazy story behind it. Casey works for Eberlestock so while we were at the Wild Sheep Foundation show we took the time to record this podcast. Greg Williams also with Eberlestock joined the conversation. Of course, we talked about the hunt, but we also discussed the history of Eberlestock and the future of this dynamic company.     Casey's hunt was filmed by Limitless Outdoors and is available on YouTube, Click HERE to watch. 

The Western Hunter crew just returned from a blacktail deer hunt on Kodiak Island, Alaska.  This was a boat-based hunt meaning we lived, ate, and slept on the boat. Each morning one of the two boat captains would run us to shore in a zodiac type small boat to hunt and pick us up each night. The captains do this every single day from early October until the middle of December. The life they lead is a crazy one, so I decided to sit down with boat captain and owner Ross Hodek and talk a little about the year in the life of a Alaskan boat captain.  By the way, if you are interested in booking a Kodiak Island blacktail hunt on The Spirit you need to reserve your spot soon! It is the dollar-for-dollar value for Alaskan hunting adventure. You can book through Alaska Coastal Adventures 907-262-4359. Tell them Western Hunter sent you.

I have hunted blacktail deer on Kodiak Island in Alaska and believe the experience offers the most adventure for the dollar in all North America.  This year our crew included three guys who had never hunted in Alaska; Mark Denham, Levi Sopeland, and Kevin Guillen (who had never been to Alaska prior). We sat down to capture their emotions and thoughts, there enthusiasm and awe reminded me of my first trips to the state.  After you listen to this show, you will want to book your own adventure.  If the boat-based trip interests you call Alaska Coastal Marine at 907-262-4359

OnX Maps pioneered the hunting GPS industry and has become the gold standard for western hunters. In this episode I sit down with Dylan Dowson from OnX to discuss the past, present and future of this technology.  onxmaps.com

2021 was a heck of a year for The Western Hunter.  Nate Simmons and I sit down and talk about the lessons learned and what we will do differently heading into the 2022 hunting season.

My guest today is Jordan Jonas the winner of the hit TV show Alone season 6.  Jordan is a hunter and his hunting skills contributed directly to his ability to survive in the Arctic for 77 days.  We talked about behind-the-scenes stuff, dreams, family, hunting and mental preparation.  He is a character, if you have watched the show then you know what I mean.  It is obvious that the guy you saw on TV is the same guy I am talking to…fame hasn't changed him at all.  Jordan offers survival schools in the Montana backcountry which I just might have to attend.  You can learn more about Jonas from his website jordanjonas.com.

Remi Warren doesn't need an introduction to this audience. Like most of you, I think Remi is one of the most interesting people in the world as well as one of the top ambassadors for the hunting community. While attending the Pope and Young convention we found some time to sit down and talk again. I didn't have any specific agenda; with Remi I didn't need one. We just talked about life, parenthood, and anything else that was on our minds.

In this episode I sit down with Dean Capuano from Swarovski.  Dean and I met via phone on his very first day on the job at Swarovski over 20 years ago. Since then, we have hunted together in Austria, Africa, Mexico and many different US states.  We go into detail about what it takes to make the best optics in the world and what the future may hold. 

Connor Gabbott is a professionally trained chef, photographer, videographer and hunter.  In this episodes he shares his secrets for preparing and sharing wild game. But we also dig into his evolution as a hunter, his entry into the camera world, and career changes.  Connor wrote the introduction and shared some of his favorite wild game recipes in The Wild Kitchen Volume 3 from Wilderness Athlete. I have read and re-read his advice in this cookbook multiple times. It is currently on sale for only $18.71 (May 2021).  You can buy it HERE We discuss the importance of a tool called a jicard tenderizer. This is not the exact model that I use but I really like the ability to disassemble this one for easier cleaning.

Rafe Nielsen from Browning is back again! In this episode we talk about life without a SHOT Show in 2021. We dig into new rifle products and how those products are developed and brought to market. We also spent time talking about gun safes, why we should all invest in one and the process of purchasing and installing a safe in your home. One of the coolest new products from Browning this year is the new Recoil Hawg muzzlebrake.  Check out this short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF-j9C5diRQ