Talk Is Sheep

On this episode of Talk is Sheep, Kyle and Hana sit down with Joe Eppele, WSSBC Director, Chair of the Youth Committee, host of The Edge on Wild TV, former professional football player, and passionate advocate for hunting, conservation, and the next generation.Joe shares his story of growing up in Squamish, BC, where hunting, fishing, mushroom picking, family, hard work, and time outdoors shaped the foundation of his life. From there, the conversation follows Joe through college football at Washington State, a professional football career, an MBA, and eventually a path back home to British Columbia and into the outdoor industry.At the heart of this episode is youth, family, and the future of hunting. Joe talks about why introducing kids to the outdoors matters, how WSSBC’s youth initiatives and Half Curl Membership are helping build the next generation of conservationists, and why hunters need to be thoughtful, articulate, and intentional when communicating our values to the broader public.This is an honest, funny, and inspiring conversation about family, stewardship, communication, sacrifice, opportunity, and the responsibility we all share to keep wild sheep on the mountain for generations to come.Presented by: @sitkagearSponsored by: @wild_tv Supported by: @yeti @zeisshunting @frontiersmengear @onxhunt @stoneglacier @gunwerks @schnee_hunt @precision.optics

On this episode of Talk is Sheep, Hana sits down in 150 Mile House, British Columbia, with legendary predator control specialist, houndsman, trapper, and wildlife management professional Dan Lay.Dan brings a remarkable and hard-earned story to the podcast. Raised in a predator control family, he grew up around hounds, traplines, cougar complaints, livestock conflicts, and the realities of human-wildlife interaction in British Columbia. Over the course of his career, Dan has worked on grizzly, wolf, and cougar studies, responded to some of the most serious predator conflict files in the province, and built a line of working hounds known for their grit, intelligence, and ability to perform when the pressure is at its highest.This first episode begins with Dan’s early life, his struggles in school, his introduction to hounds, and the path that led him into government predator control work at a young age. From there, Hana and Dan dive into early cougar complaints on Vancouver Island, the politics of predator management, the pressure of responding to livestock and human safety concerns, and the deep trust required between a houndsman and his dogs.Dan also shares powerful stories from the field, including the role his dogs played in serious cougar conflict situations, the importance of genetics and instinct in working hounds, and the story of his first dog, Mike, and his first cougar hunt as a teenager.This is the first episode in what will become a multi-part series with Dan Lay. Future conversations will explore hound lineage, cougar behaviour, wolf trapping, grizzly work, predator-prey relationships, conservation, and the lessons learned from a lifetime spent working in wild places.This is a raw, honest, and deeply educational conversation about predators, working dogs, wildlife conflict, and the responsibility that comes with managing animals at the intersection of conservation, public safety, and rural life.Presented by: @sitkagearSupported by:@yeti@zeisshunting@frontiersmengear@onxhunt@stoneglacier@wild_tv@schnee_hunt@precision.optics@gunwerks

Hana Erikson and Rebecca Peters sit down with Jann Demaske, Secretary of the Wild Sheep Foundation and Chair of the 1 Campfire program.Jann shares her story of how she found her way into conservation and hunting, how she met her husband, and how they introduced their daughters to hunting at a young age. She is humble, deeply respected, and someone who truly leads through service. For over a decade, Jann has poured her time and heart into volunteering with the Wild Sheep Foundation. Her passion for conservation, mentorship, and community is inspiring. We talk about why mentorship matters for both women and men in the conservation and hunting space, what keeps her coming back and the lifelong friendships built through this work. Jann reminds us to think about the next generation, how we protect wildlife, preserve hunting heritage, and continue raising critical funds for wild sheep so they are here for generations to come.You don’t want to miss this conversation. Listen Now! Presented by: @sitkagearSupported by:@yeti@zeisshunting@frontiersmengear@onxhunt@stoneglacier@wild_tv@schnee_hunt@precision.optics@gunwerks

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, host Kyle Stelter sits down with longtime conservationist and Wild Sheep mainstay Don Stevenson. From growing up hunting in Alberta to becoming a dedicated supporter in the wild sheep world, Don shares the moments that shaped his conservation ethic—and why giving back isn’t optional if we want wildlife to thrive.The conversation weaves through Don’s 27+ years in conservation and the unexpected path that turned Don’s passion for knife making into a fundraising engine for mountain wildlife. Along the way, Kyle and Don dig into modern wildlife-management challenges, the need for stronger collaboration across organizations, and why outdoor education belongs in the classroom if we want the next generation to care.This episode of Talk is Sheep is brought to you by Penticton Honda.Presented by: @sitkagearSupported by:@yeti@zeisshunting@frontiersmengear@onxhunt@stoneglacier@wild_tv@schnee_hunt@precision.optics@gunwerks

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, host Kyle Stelter sits down with Kyle Kamp (Mountain Tough) to talk about the often-missed edge in mountain hunting: nutrition that’s consistent, flexible, and hunt-proof.Kyle breaks down why macronutrients matter, how to build a plan that actually fits real life, and why autonomy and flexibility are critical for long-term success—especially when training for the mountains. He also shares his personal weight-loss journey that launched his career in nutrition, and offers practical, field-ready strategies for maintaining energy on long days, staying fueled during multi-day hunts, and using supplements the right way (as support—not a substitute).If you want to show up stronger, recover faster, and keep your engine running when it counts, this one’s for you.Key takeawaysConsistency beats perfection—every time.Flexibility and autonomy make nutrition sustainable.Macronutrients directly impact performance and recovery.Planning your hunt nutrition is essential for success.Supplements can help, but fundamentals come first.Community support accelerates progress and accountability.Presented by: @sitkagear Supported by: @yeti @zeisshunting @frontiersmengear @onxhunt @stoneglacier @wild_tv @schnee_hunt @precision.optics @gunwerks

This week on Talk is Sheep, we sit down with longtime Wild Sheep Society of BC supporter and Lex Ross Award recipient Don Lynum.Don’s love for precision shooting and custom rifles is only matched by his passion for wild sheep conservation. We unpack the origin story behind the BiG BoaR rifle series—created in memory of Don’s friend Dave Marsh (aka “BiG BoaR”), and built into one of the most meaningful fundraising traditions in our community.Over the last decade, Don has donated 20 rifles in 10 years, a program that has generated an estimated $300,000 for conservation in BC. We also preview the Big Boar 2026 plan and what’s coming next.Episode Sponsor: Precision Optics In this episode, we cover:How Don’s “perfect mountain rifle” obsession started—and why it never really ends The legacy of Dave Marsh and the story behind the BiG BoaR name The real-world conservation impact of consistent community giving A look ahead at the Big Boar 2026 rifles and what makes them special Supporter credits (Talk is Sheep)Presented by: @sitkagearSupported by:@yeti@zeisshunting@frontiersmengear@onxhunt@stoneglacier@wild_tv@schnee_hunt@precision.optics@gunwerks