Legends of the Wild, A Field And Stream Production | Hunting, Fishing and the Outdoors

A lifetime chasing wild birds reveals hard truths every hunter needs to hear. What happens when a legendary outdoor photographer spends decades documenting North America’s greatest hunting destinations and starts seeing the landscape change? Lee Kjos has built a career capturing iconic moments in waterfowl hunting, upland hunting, and outdoor storytelling. His images have appeared across the hunting industry, but behind the camera is a lifelong sportsman deeply connected to ducks, wetlands, grasslands, and the future of conservation. This conversation explores how photography became a way to preserve memories, tell stories, and communicate the beauty of wild places. Lee shares lessons from a lifetime spent hunting prairie Canada, chasing mallards across the flyways, and documenting the traditions that shaped generations of hunters and anglers. The discussion also tackles bigger questions facing modern hunting culture. From social media and content creation to habitat loss, disappearing prairie grasslands, wetland conservation, and shifting waterfowl populations, Lee offers a candid perspective on where hunting is headed and what sportsmen can do to protect the resource. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for outdoor photography, waterfowl conservation, ethical hunting, and the responsibility every hunter carries to leave healthy habitat and abundant wildlife for the next generation. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Paul’s work with Wild Turkey Archives: https://www.wildturkeyarchives.com/ Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two brothers unpack the hunts, failures, builds, and public land fights that shaped their outdoor lives. Sam Soholt sits down with his older brother Josh Soholt for a conversation rooted in bowhunting, backcountry hunting, conservation, and the projects that helped define both of their careers in the outdoors. From South Dakota duck blinds and pheasant fields to chasing bugling bulls in the Rockies, the two break down the experiences that pushed them deeper into elk hunting, archery, and DIY adventure culture. Josh shares how an early obsession with waterfowl hunting and western big game hunting eventually led to the creation of Garnet Ridge, one of the first gear shops focused on technical hunting apparel and mountain hunting systems. The conversation dives into bow tuning, archery mechanics, public land advocacy, and why becoming a better hunter means learning every discipline possible, from bowfishing to spot-and-stalk antelope hunting. The brothers also swap stories from building hunting rigs, converting off-road vehicles, and launching projects like Public Land Tees and Bow Tune School. Along the way, they tackle the realities of conservation politics, the importance of access, and why modern outdoorsmen need to stay engaged in protecting public lands. This one feels less like an interview and more like campfire conversation between two hunters still chasing the next adventure. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Paul’s work with Wild Turkey Archives: https://www.wildturkeyarchives.com/ Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Mark Kenyon turned passion for hunting into a career while protecting public lands and wildlife for future generations. Mark Kenyon built Wired to Hunt from a simple blog into one of the most influential voices in whitetail hunting, podcasting, and conservation. This conversation traces that path from early days learning HTML and writing daily with no income, to launching a podcast before the outdoor industry understood the format, to eventually joining MeatEater and shaping national conversations around public lands and wildlife policy. There’s a clear throughline for anyone chasing a career in hunting media or outdoor storytelling. Consistency matters more than talent early on. Developing a unique voice is critical in a crowded space. And long-term success comes from stacking small daily wins, not chasing overnight growth. Kenyon also breaks down the evolution of hunting content from early whitetail media and VHS tapes to today’s digital ecosystem, offering practical insight for aspiring creators. The conversation moves beyond content into conservation, including the importance of public land access, the reality of policy battles, and projects like the Tucker Town Game Lands initiative. It closes with a look at modern conservation storytelling, large-scale wildlife restoration, and a western bison hunt that brings it all full circle. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from the front lines of wild places. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Mark’s work: https://www.themeateater.com/listen/wired-to-hunt Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when hunting media stops playing it safe and starts telling the truth? Ben O’Brien has spent the better part of two decades pushing the boundaries of hunting media, and this conversation tracks the path that got him there. From growing up hunting whitetails and squirrels in the East to navigating the early days of digital content, Ben shares how he found his footing in an industry that was still figuring itself out. This is a deep dive into the evolution of hunting storytelling. You’ll hear how traditional outdoor magazines operated, what changed when digital platforms emerged, and why the shift toward authentic narratives around wild game, conservation, and the full hunting experience mattered. Ben breaks down the moment when media began focusing less on trophy photos and more on the reality of the hunt, from field to table. There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at the risks that come with challenging the status quo. From controversial magazine covers to building new platforms in uncertain territory, this conversation highlights what it takes to innovate in the hunting and outdoor industry. If you care about where hunting culture is headed, how content shapes public perception, and what it means to tell better stories about wild places and wild game, this one delivers. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from the front lines of wild places. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Check Out The Western Wingshooter Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4G1dEZmKle5Dp2t4QnDckT Check out the Prairie Tales Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prairie-tails-podcast/id1765350230 Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Leaf’s work: https://sportsmenbwca.org Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Upland hunting isn’t a hobby. It’s a lifelong obsession fueled by dogs, weather, and wild birds. Tyler Webster of the Western Wingshooter Podcast and co-host of The Flush joins the conversation fresh off the road and straight out of Pheasant Fest, where nearly 29,000 bird hunters gathered to celebrate conservation and bird dogs. This is a deep dive into the mindset of serious upland hunters. Tyler breaks down what it takes to hunt 140-plus days a season, how weather patterns dictate sharp-tailed grouse and pheasant populations, and why following rainfall matters more than following tradition. Wes Larabee brings a lifetime of dog experience, from running big game hounds to raising pointing dogs and retrievers built for both waterfowl hunting and upland bird seasons. You’ll hear what really drives bird dog handlers, how pheasant, Hungarian partridge, and sharp-tailed grouse numbers swing with moisture and cold snaps, and why scouting habitat and brood surveys matter more than social media reports. The conversation also touches on labs versus setters, balancing duck hunting with upland pursuits, and how events like Pheasant Fest fuel conservation funding across the country. If you care about bird dogs, wild bird numbers, and the culture that surrounds them, this one hits home. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from the front lines of wild places. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Check Out The Western Wingshooter Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4G1dEZmKle5Dp2t4QnDckT Check out the Prairie Tales Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prairie-tails-podcast/id1765350230 Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Leaf’s work: https://sportsmenbwca.org Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grasslands built wildlife abundance long before food plots, timber cuts, and fire suppression changed everything. Grasslands shaped North American wildlife long before modern land management and in many places, they’re quietly disappearing. In this episode of Legends of the Wild, Sam Soholt sits down with Kyle Lybarger, a forester-turned-habitat specialist who’s helping hunters rethink how landscapes actually function. Kyle breaks down how fire, grazing, and native plant diversity once created productive ecosystems that supported whitetails, turkeys, quail, waterfowl, and pollinators year-round. The conversation goes beyond theory, digging into practical lessons from prescribed burning, restoring native prairies, and managing land in ways that work with natural systems instead of against them. Listeners will learn why grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in North America, how invasive species quietly undermine hunting habitat, and why native plants outperform food plots over the long haul. Kyle also explains how small-scale habitat work (whether on three acres or three hundred) can dramatically increase wildlife use without constant inputs of fertilizer, seed, and labor. From waterfowl habitat and ground-nesting birds to deer movement and seasonal forage, this episode connects the dots between conservation-minded land stewardship and better hunting outcomes. It’s an insider conversation for hunters, anglers, and land managers who want healthier ground, more resilient ecosystems, and wildlife habitat that lasts. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Kyle Lybarger’s work: https://www.nativehabitatproject.com/our-team Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Public land whitetails reveal more about hunters, access, and limits than antlers ever will. Tony Peterson from the Meateater team has hunted enough whitetails and enough miles of public ground to know that the real challenge isn’t finding deer. It’s understanding pressure, access, and what actually limits opportunity in modern hunting. Tony joins Sam Soholt to talk about how obsession shapes a hunter, why public land remains the most honest proving ground, and how access programs across the country are quietly holding the line for everyday sportsmen. From traveling whitetail hunts to overlooked walk-in acres, Tony breaks down how deer respond to pressure and how hunters need to respond in kind. The conversation goes well beyond whitetails. We dig into the cycles of trophy culture, why expectations have shifted, and how social media has changed the way success is measured in the field. Tony also shares hard-earned perspective from years of hunting small game, birds, and fish, reminding us that variety and curiosity are often the antidote to burnout. This episode isn’t about shortcuts or secret spots. It’s about paying attention, respecting the ground you hunt, and understanding that access more than gear or genetics will define the future of hunting. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Tony Peterson’s work: https://www.themeateater.com/people/tony-peterson Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lifelong waterfowler reveals the moments, mentors, and mistakes that shaped his obsession with duck hunting. Justin “Martin” Martin joins Sam to trace an outdoorsman’s path that starts in the crappie boats and deer woods of northern Louisiana and leads all the way to the Duck Commander call room. In this wide-open conversation, Martin shares how early days of deer camp, spring crappie fishing, and that first foggy mallard over the decoys set the foundation for a lifelong obsession with waterfowl hunting. Listeners get an inside look at how Martin learned duck calling the hard way studying wild mallards at a sanctuary, grinding through mistakes, and eventually guiding hunts just to pay for shells. He explains how those formative years sparked his love of habitat work, native grasses, and smartweed-filled wetlands, long before he ever appeared on camera. Martin also opens up about burnout, fatherhood, and why he’s shifted toward making outdoor content that’s slower, more intentional, and centered on kids, conservation, and the heritage of hunting. From the chaos of big mallard spins to the delicate art of working pintails on a clear sunrise, he breaks down the lessons that only decades in the blind can teach. Whether you’re deep into waterfowl hunting, exploring new duck calling techniques, or simply love authentic outdoors stories, this episode brings you inside a culture built around habitat, hard work, and shared sunrises. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Ryan Kirby’s work: https://ryankirby.com Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major public lands ruling just changed the game for hunters and anglers across the West. Sam sits down with Devin O’Dea, Western Policy and Conservation Manager for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, to unpack one of the biggest wins for public land access in decades — the corner crossing case. From his vantage point at BHA, Devin explains how this legal gray area became a national flashpoint and what the recent court decision means for the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation across the West. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how public land laws actually work, why checkerboard access has been so controversial, and what this ruling means for everyone who hunts elk, chases trout, or explores the backcountry. Sam and Devin dig into how BHA helped defend the rights of outdoorsmen, the legal nuances behind the case, and what still needs to happen to ensure access for future generations. Whether you’re a lifelong public land hunter or a new angler dreaming of Western adventures, this episode will give you the insider perspective on the most important conservation battle of the year. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Hal’s work: https://www.halherring.com Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the art, hunting heritage, and conservation power behind America’s iconic Federal Duck Stamp. Wildlife artist Adam Grimm joins Legends of the Wild to share his journey from a childhood spent hunting and fishing in Ohio to becoming a three-time Federal Duck Stamp winner. Grimm’s photorealistic waterfowl paintings aren’t just art—they’re part of a conservation legacy that has raised billions for wetland and habitat protection. We explore: The origins of Grimm’s wildlife art and his passion for the outdoors What it takes to win the prestigious Duck Stamp Contest Why duck stamps matter to hunters, anglers, and anyone who loves wild places The role of the Prairie Pothole Region in producing North America’s waterfowl Stories of conservation, hunting traditions, and passing on an outdoor legacy to future generations Whether you’re a duck hunter, pheasant chaser, or simply love spending time outdoors, this episode dives deep into how art, hunting, and conservation intersect. From the impact of predator management to the importance of protecting grasslands and wetlands, Grimm brings both an artist’s eye and a sportsman’s perspective to the conversation. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Adam’s work: https://www.adamgrimm.com/ Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What separates elite hunters from the rest? Remi Warren breaks it down through hard-won lessons. In this episode of Legends of the Wild, Sam Soholt sits down with legendary bowhunter, guide, and outdoor storyteller Remi Warren for an in-depth look at what makes a great hunter great. From spending 323 days a year in the field to filming solo bowhunts and now running Day Six Gear, Remi shares the experiences that shaped his approach to the outdoors. They dive into: What consistently successful elk hunters do differently How guiding others taught Remi next-level hunting awareness The training value of hunting with a camera—twice the work, twice the learning Bowhunting drills that actually simulate real-world field conditions Why custom arrows and gear confidence matter more than you think The mindset shift that comes from balancing adventure and family life Plus, Remi shares the story behind acquiring Day Six Archery, building premium hunting gear, and the learning curve of bowhunting with a mouth tab after injury. This is a conversation for anyone serious about improving in the field, understanding animal behavior, and staying sharp through intentional practice. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Day Six Archery: https://www.daysixgear.com/ Learn more about Remi Warren: https://remiwarren.com/ Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you build a hunting brand that lasts 50 years? Dan Moultrie shares the secret. Dan Moultrie, founder of Moultrie Feeders and a 50-year industry veteran, joins host Sam Soholt to unpack the innovations that shaped modern hunting—and why company culture rooted in outdoor passion still matters. From the compound bow revolution to thermacell breakthroughs and Gore-Tex game changers, this episode tracks the gear, mindset, and market shifts that helped grow the sport. Whether you're a whitetail bowhunter, backcountry elk chaser, or just looking to get your family outdoors, you'll find valuable insights in this conversation about recruitment, retention, and what it really means to “sell the brand.” Topics covered include: Why compound bows changed everything for hunters Building an outdoor company culture that recruits and retains talent The evolution of hunting gear: from wool to Gore-Tex and thermacells Why innovation matters for the future of hunting and fishing The importance of making the outdoors accessible and enjoyable for new hunters Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Moultrie’s legendary products: https://www.moultrie.com Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Soholt sits down with Ryan Callaghan from MeatEater fame for an unforgettable dive into the Arctic wilderness and beyond. Together, they swap stories from remote places where biting cold and vast landscapes shift your entire outlook on life. But this conversation is about more than adventure. Sam and Ryan dig deep into why wild places matter — not just for those who hunt or fish, but for every American who treasures the freedom to roam public lands. They explore how technology can help conservation rather than harm it, and why telling personal stories might be our most powerful tool for protecting the places we love. From the anxiety of watching wild lands disappear to the hope found in grassroots movements, this episode is a rallying cry for anyone who believes that the wild should remain wild — for us, and for the generations coming Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Follow the Cal Of The Wild podcast: https://www.themeateater.com/listen/cals-week-in-review Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices