The Field And Stream Podcast

Slip into hardwood ridges and learn how to call pressured gobblers into gun range. Few pursuits in the hunting world rival the intensity of chasing Eastern wild turkeys through big timber. This conversation digs into the craft behind successful turkey hunting in hardwoods, where terrain, patience, and decision-making matter more than anything in your vest. From locating gobblers on ridges to understanding how turkeys use strut zones, you’ll hear practical turkey hunting tips that translate directly to more opportunities in the spring woods. The discussion breaks down how to move quietly through rolling terrain, when to call and when to stay silent, and how to set up in a way that keeps birds from slipping in unseen. There’s a strong focus on woodsman skills like reading topography, predicting movement, and making the right call at the right time. You’ll also pick up insight on realistic turkey calling, including why soft yelps and restraint often outperform aggressive tactics on pressured birds. Gear stays simple, but strategy stays sharp, with a minimalist approach that prioritizes mobility and awareness. The episode closes with a story that captures the heart of the outdoors—catfishing, family, and the kind of memories that stick with you long after the season ends. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock aggressive early-season trout tactics and rediscover why opening day still matters. Early spring trout fishing rewards anglers willing to embrace high water, cold temps, and aggressive fish behavior. In this conversation, Field & Stream fishing columnist Joe Cermele breaks down how to target big trout when rivers are up, slightly stained, and primed for movement. From reading water in elevated flows to understanding how trout shift into softer seams and banks, you’ll walk away with practical trout fishing strategies you can apply immediately. The discussion leans into a “go big or go home” mindset for early season success. Expect insights on streamer fishing, jerkbaits, and spinning gear tactics that help cover more water and locate larger fish efficiently. Cermele also explains why downsizing your gear and focusing on fewer, high-confidence presentations can lead to better results when chasing wild brown trout. Beyond tactics, this episode captures the deeper culture of trout fishing. Opening day traditions, stocked trout debates, and the role these fisheries play in introducing the next generation all come into focus. It’s a blend of technical fishing knowledge and the kind of storytelling that reminds you why you started fishing in the first place. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why a legendary fly fishing book still resonates deeply with anglers and river lovers today. Few works of outdoor literature have shaped fly fishing culture like A River Runs Through It. Fifty years after its publication, Norman Maclean’s classic still speaks to anglers who understand that time on the river is about far more than trout. Host Colin Kearns sits down with John Maclean, award-winning journalist and son of Norman Maclean, for a thoughtful conversation about the legacy of the book that helped define modern fly fishing storytelling. Together they explore the passages that have inspired generations of anglers, from the famous “shadow casting” scene to the quiet reflections that capture the emotional pull of standing in moving water with a fly rod. Along the way, the discussion moves from Montana’s Blackfoot River to the deeper reasons people fish. The conversation touches on the mental clarity that comes with wading a trout stream, the rhythm of fly casting, and why fly fishing continues to help veterans and others reconnect with the outdoors. Later, John Maclean reads his essay Fishing into the Twilight, a meditation on aging as an angler, family traditions on the river, and the quiet beauty of evening trout fishing. It’s a reminder that while the fish matter, the river, the memories, and the people who taught us to fish matter even more. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From king eiders to campfire stories, this episode captures the full spectrum of hunting culture. The Field & Stream editorial team brings together the kind of range that defines modern hunting culture, moving from extreme waterfowl pursuits to campfire debates and classic upland storytelling. The conversation opens with a firsthand account of sea duck hunting in Alaska, where chasing king eiders on the edge of the Bering Sea tests judgment, preparation, and respect for conditions that dictate every decision. It’s a reminder that some waterfowl hunts demand the mindset of a big game expedition. From there, the focus shifts indoors as the Field & Stream editorial crew squares off in a wild game draft, breaking down their favorite big game, waterfowl, upland birds, small game, and even fish. The debate reveals how taste, tradition, regional access, and cooking methods shape what hunters value most on the table, offering listeners plenty of ideas for wild game meals and future hunts. The episode closes around the campfire with a modern classic upland hunting story by Phil Bourjaile titled “Lucky Break”, following a pheasant season nearly derailed by injury. It’s a grounded reminder that hunting isn’t just about limits or trophies, but about savoring time afield, trusting good dogs, and appreciating seasons that almost slip away. Taken together, these segments paint a complete picture of the hunting life, equal parts adventure, camaraderie, food, and storytelling, rooted in hard-earned experience and deep respect for the outdoors. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One rifle, one deer, and generations of memory reveal what really matters in deer season. Writer and lifelong hunter Richard Mann reads and reflects on his modern classic, The Gun and the Ghost. What begins as a simple deer hunting story unfolds into something deeper; an exploration of memory, family, and the emotional weight we carry into the woods each fall. Mann uses the guns of his past as touchstones, objects that connect him to family, memory, and the moments that made him a hunter. The story isn’t about performance or preference, but about the emotional weight certain tools carry long after the season ends. Listeners will walk away with a renewed perspective on deer hunting, one rooted in connection rather than caliber. This episode touches on classic rifles, heirloom firearms, ethical hunting, and the quiet moments that define life in the outdoors. It’s a reminder that hunting isn’t just about filling a tag; it’s about honoring where we came from, who taught us, and why we keep returning to the mountains, timber, and old camps year after year. Whether you’re passionate about whitetail hunting, fascinated by classic firearms, or simply drawn to powerful outdoor storytelling, this episode delivers the kind of reflection that lingers long after the fire burns down. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know the author, Richard Mann: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/richard-mann 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/ Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Editing and sound design by Trout Stream Studios AMBForst-Summer_early morning woods, birds, crickets, snapping twigs, 630AM_QCF_Mammoth Cave KY_Zoom H2n Surround Binaural Mixdown by treytatum3 -- https://freesound.org/s/819335/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Apple_Crunch_13.wav by Koops -- https://freesound.org/s/20276/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Biting an apple.wav by Elandre01 -- https://freesound.org/s/594383/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Apple Cut and bite by sonictimm -- https://freesound.org/s/712209/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 A rifle gun shot by 1234Thekrebwgus -- https://freesound.org/s/686074/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Sniper Rifle Shot Sound Effect by qubodup -- https://freesound.org/s/182051/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for another Campfire short this week, where we crack open a modern Field and Stream classic as senior editor Ryan Chelius revisits his unforgettable season patrolling the famed Salmon River in Pulaski, New York. What begins as a broke college kid’s workaround to access the best steelhead fishing water quickly spirals into confrontations with trespassers, counterfeit pass-holders, and the kind of hardened characters you only meet during a full-blown salmon run. Ryan shares what it’s really like to enforce regulations on two miles of private river during peak season, navigating angry anglers, heated riverbank standoffs, and the creative “walkie-talkie bluff” that saved him more than once. Along the way, you’ll hear insider stories about the daily grind of river patrol, the chaos of the fall steelhead migration, and the camaraderie that forms among young anglers chasing fresh chrome before and after their shifts. Beyond the drama, this story offers a rare look at pressured water, angler behavior, and how hard-earned lessons from the river translate into better steelhead tactics, smarter reading of crowded water, and a deeper appreciation for the fish that drive us nuts, and keep us coming back. If you love stories from the riverbank, gritty seasonal work, or hard-earned wisdom from public and private water alike, this one’s for you. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Read the original story: https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/fishing/freshwater-fishing/chasing-steelhead-and-fish-poachers Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know the author, Ryan Chelius: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/ryan-chelius 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/ Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Editing and sound design by ⁠Trout Stream Studios⁠ Truck Door Open and Close by Jofae -- https://freesound.org/s/361823/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 A000051_5.flac by WaveAdventurer -- https://freesound.org/s/254555/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 OPEN TRUCK DOOR & START.mp3 by tubbers -- https://freesound.org/s/184326/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Walking0_gravel.wav by tec_studio -- https://freesound.org/s/98490/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 River Walk by silentseason -- https://freesound.org/s/407528/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Fly Fishing Reel Running_1.wav by paulprit -- https://freesound.org/s/507098/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 4 guys having a laugh.wav by tlabrant1 -- https://freesound.org/s/670243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Kayaking in calm weather by AugustSandberg -- https://freesound.org/s/509323/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 water near the boat 02.wav by jazbavac -- https://freesound.org/s/198524/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 2021-08-30-boat-003.wav by ilmari_freesound -- https://freesound.org/s/620290/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In another immersive Campfire short, we revisit one of Field and Stream’s most powerful pieces ever published: “Dad’s Gun” by Phil Bourjaily. What starts as a simple pheasant hunt in the brutal Iowa winter of 1979 becomes a defining moment, one that pulls a young hunter into the outdoors and reveals the complicated, often unspoken truths between fathers and sons. Phil guides listeners through the history of a battered Beretta over/under that survived decades of pheasant hunting, duck marshes, barbed-wire crossings, and hard Midwestern winters. The story isn’t just about a gun. it’s about how hunting binds generations, how the outdoors can heal, and how unspoken grief shapes a family. You’ll hear how a single right-to-left crossing shot on a flushing rooster ignited Phil’s lifelong passion for upland hunting, and how that same gun carried quiet memories of his father’s best days afield. Through stories of snipe hunts, duck scouting, dog work, and the restoration of a cherished firearm, Phil explores what hunting can teach us about forgiveness, legacy, and the weight of time. If you love the emotional backbone of outdoor life, family tradition, heirloom guns, and the moments that turn us into hunters, this is a story you won’t forget. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Read the original story: https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/guns/shotguns/fs-classic-dads-gun Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know the author, Phil Bourjaily: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/phil-bourjaily 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/ Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Editing and sound design by ⁠Trout Stream Studios⁠ Walk in the snow and wind.wav by Tezzio -- https://freesound.org/s/676186/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Winter Forest River Coyote Rain Snow Wind Birds Dogs Nature Atmosphere Ambient Surround.wav by szegvari -- https://freesound.org/s/609033/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Wind during snow storm #2.m4a by guyburns -- https://freesound.org/s/473816/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Wind during snow storm #1.m4a by guyburns -- https://freesound.org/s/473815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Dawn-with-a-Pheasant.wav by LolitaPerdurabo -- https://freesound.org/s/188699/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Pheasant-male-crow with wing flap by Sonic-ranger -- https://freesound.org/s/234382/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 shotgun shoot by MrGungus -- https://freesound.org/s/773873/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock the whitetail rut’s most explosive moments with proven rattling tactics from a true legend. Few hunters have rattled in more mature whitetails across North America than Larry Weishuhn, and in this episode, “Mr. Whitetail” breaks down his lifetime of lessons for hunters gearing up for peak rut action. If you’ve ever wondered when to rattle, how to build a realistic rattling sequence, or why bucks react the way they do during the breeding season, this conversation delivers the answers. Larry walks listeners through the biology behind rising testosterone levels, sparring behavior, and the moment when friendly bachelor groups turn into all-out brawlers. You’ll learn how mature bucks circle downwind, the biggest mistakes hunters make during rattling setups, and why staying put for 30–40 minutes after a sequence is critical for success. He also explains how to use natural cover, wind direction, and vocalizations, like grunts and snort-wheezes, to add realism that pulls pressured deer those last few yards. Later in the episode, Field & Stream’s Travis Hall breaks down two major conservation stories impacting hunters and anglers, including a proposed rare-earth mine threatening one of Montana’s premier trout fisheries and a sweeping rollback of Clean Water Act protections that could reshape waterfowl habitat across the country. Shooting editor Richard Mann closes with his picks for the best deer rifles of 2025 and a classic story for our Campfire segment from the F&S archives about how sometimes it’s not the gun, but the ghost that comes with it, that matters. Whether you chase whitetails, spend your spring on trout rivers, or just love the rhythm of the outdoor season, this episode offers hard-earned insight from experts who live it every day. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 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/ Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: AMBForst-Summer_early morning woods, birds, crickets, snapping twigs, 630AM_QCF_Mammoth Cave KY_Zoom H2n Surround Binaural Mixdown by treytatum3 -- https://freesound.org/s/819335/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Apple_Crunch_13.wav by Koops -- https://freesound.org/s/20276/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Biting an apple.wav by Elandre01 -- https://freesound.org/s/594383/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Apple Cut and bite by sonictimm -- https://freesound.org/s/712209/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 A rifle gun shot by 1234Thekrebwgus -- https://freesound.org/s/686074/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Sniper Rifle Shot Sound Effect by qubodup -- https://freesound.org/s/182051/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Great Lakes steelhead runs to the wisdom of “Mr. Whitetail,” this episode celebrates the wild heart of hunting and fishing. On this episode of the Field & Stream Podcast, host Colin Kearns takes listeners through a trio of stories that capture the best of the outdoors. Senior Editor Ryan Chelius kicks things off with a deep dive into Great Lakes steelhead fishing - how it differs from the Pacific runs, why accessibility makes it so special, and the chaotic beauty of hooking into a chrome-bright fish in shoulder-to-shoulder waters. Ryan shares hard-won steelhead fly fishing tactics, his personal record catch, and unforgettable stories from his days patrolling the Salmon River in this week’s “Campfire” short. Next, Larry Weishuhn - “Mr. Whitetail” himself - reflects on a lifetime of deer hunting, conservation, and stewardship. From his early days in Texas to his philosophy on land management and calling game, Larry’s lessons go beyond hunting—they’re about honoring wildlife and the land itself. Finally, Phil Bourjaily rounds things out with his breakdown of the best shotguns of 2025, revealing the innovations that impressed even a seasoned gun tester. Whether you hunt whitetails, chase steelhead, or live for upland days with a shotgun in hand, this episode has something for every outdoorsman. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 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/ Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Truck Door Open and Close by Jofae -- https://freesound.org/s/361823/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 A000051_5.flac by WaveAdventurer -- https://freesound.org/s/254555/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 OPEN TRUCK DOOR & START.mp3 by tubbers -- https://freesound.org/s/184326/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Walking0_gravel.wav by tec_studio -- https://freesound.org/s/98490/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 River Walk by silentseason -- https://freesound.org/s/407528/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Fly Fishing Reel Running_1.wav by paulprit -- https://freesound.org/s/507098/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 4 guys having a laugh.wav by tlabrant1 -- https://freesound.org/s/670243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Kayaking in calm weather by AugustSandberg -- https://freesound.org/s/509323/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 water near the boat 02.wav by jazbavac -- https://freesound.org/s/198524/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 2021-08-30-boat-003.wav by ilmari_freesound -- https://freesound.org/s/620290/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than a century, Field & Stream has told America’s best hunting and fishing stories—in print, online, and through video. Now, the editors are bringing that legacy of storytelling to life in a brand-new podcast. In the premiere episode, Editor-in-Chief Colin Kearns kicks off the show with six distinct segments that capture the full spirit of the outdoors. First up, in The Season, longtime Field & Stream writer T. Edward Nickens dives deep into his wood duck obsession—from scouting beaver ponds to carving hand-painted decoys—and shares lessons any waterfowl hunter can use. Next, in Bullet Points, associate editor Travis Hall breaks down the latest outdoor news, including the controversial rollback of the Roadless Rule, a poaching case that rattled Montana, and a groundbreaking wolf migration study that changes what we know about elk behavior. Then, in How I Hunt, filmmaker and conservationist Sam Soholt—host of Legends of the Wild—joins to talk public lands, photography, family, and the bus that made him a household name in modern conservation. Later, in Cheers & Jeers, Kearns reads a selection of feedback from real listeners in the Field & Stream community—which includes a few spicy takes about Euro-nymphing and venison burgers. In Gearing Up, F&S contributing writer Jace Bauserman joins to share his hard-won advice on cellular trail cameras, how the technology has evolved, and which models stand up to the toughest hunts. Finally, in our closing segment, Campfire, we’re joined again by T. Edward Nickens as he narratives a classic story of his from the Field & Stream archives. If you live for whitetail season, duck blinds, or chasing trout across public water, this episode will feel like you’re at a familiar hunting or fishing camp with old friends. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 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/ Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Marc Anderson of Wild Ambience Paul Driver of Pennsylvania swamp.wav by Zbyhek -- https://freesound.org/s/167493/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices