On this episode, James and Joe talk black bear baiting. Joe's hunted bears in the UP since his teens and has learned a lot. As fall approaches, we break down our 2025 plans, from scouting natural food sources to camera strategies and avoiding bait pitfalls.
Joe shares trial-and-error lessons on keeping baits hot, outsmarting wary boars, and why consistency trumps fancy setups. Whether you’re a newbie or vet, this episode packs practical tips for stacking the odds in your favor.
We also cover:
- Why bait near mass crops like berries or corn beats dark swamps
- Bait basics: granola binders, sticky treats, and avoiding empty stations
- Camera intel: cell cams for real-time hits without endless checks
- Bear smarts: how they sniff human swaps and ditch baits for acorns
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Joe Goes on a Grizzly Hunt
Episode 281
Thursday, July 3, 2025 • Duration 41:33
Welcome to another episode of The Fair Chase Podcast! Today, Joe and I are diving deep into his upcoming grizzly hunt in Alaska, now less than two months away. As summer heats up, the excitement is building for this unique adventure.
Joe shares all the details about his return to a favorite Alaskan hunting ground, a place he considers his top spot with no close second. This is a dream hunt for Joe (and most other hunters!). We're talking about the pressure, the anticipation, and the unique challenges of hunting these incredible animals.
In this episode, we also cover:
- The unique characteristics of interior grizzlies and how their diet influences their size and temperament.
- The diverse hunting strategies that will be used, including baiting, calling, and spot-and-stalk techniques, adapting to what the Alaskan wilderness throws at them.
- Essential gear and calibers
- The fascinating personalities of bears compared to other big game, and how their upbringing shapes their hunting behaviors.
- Why bear hunting has become Joe's favorite pursuit
- The importance of staying hunt-ready and avoiding that "winter fat" to tackle demanding backcountry hunts.
- The impact of current Alaskan wildfires on the hunting conditions and what that means for bear behavior.
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Land Access Unlocked w/ Nick DeCastro
Episode 272
Friday, March 7, 2025 • Duration 39:16
In this episode of The Fair Chase Podcast, we sit down with Nick DeCastro, founder of LandTrust, to discuss his attempt to change the land access game. Think Airbnb, but for things like DIY hunting, fishing and camping on exclusive private land. Nick shares how LandTrust is tackling the growing challenge of land access, offering a fresh alternative to crowded public lands and expensive leases.
We also cover:
- searching for properties and connecting with landowners
- the story behind the idea: from Nick’s Airbnb hosting days to solving the private land puzzle in Montana
- why private land access matters in today’s shrinking hunting landscape
- tips for first-timers booking a DIY hunt
This is a deep dive into another approach for getting outdoors and away from the crowds that you'll love.
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Chad’s New Mexico Elk: The Hunting Story Series
Episode 182
Tuesday, November 1, 2022 • Duration 29:15
If you could pick only one hunt a year, what would you pick? What's the most useless thing in your pack? What have you learned while hunting?
These are just a few of the questions we ask Chad Ryker from Backcountry Rookies on today's episode of The Fair Chase Podcast. We ask the question of the month as well as dive into Chad's favorite hunting story, his recent New Mexico elk hunt.
We cover:
- Chad’s background and Backcountry Rookies
- Learning from other hunters
- What’s your ideal hunt?
- Ideal hunts vs dream hunts
- What’s the most useless piece of gear in your pack?
- Chad’s elk hunting story
- Hunting with military
- Close calls with elk
- Sometimes the elk come to you
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This Ain't Disney - Managing Lions w/ Dr. Riley
Episode 271
Friday, February 28, 2025 • Duration 35:41
This episode comes from an interview we did with Dr. Shawn Riley in preparation for a mountain lion hunt. Dr. Riley is a wildlife ecologist and management expert with over 45 years of boots-on-the-ground experience.
From his early days tracking coyote-deer dynamics in Montana’s Missouri River Breaks to leading the charge in the human dimensions of wildlife management, Dr. Riley brings a ton of knowledge and experience to the table. He breaks down the science and the human side of hunting one of North America’s most elusive predators: mountain lions.
We also cover:
- How human values and perceptions shape mountain lion management
- The practical role of houndsmen and hunters in understanding big cats
- What top predators like cougars mean for ecosystems—and why balance matters
- The myths and realities of lion behavior in the wild
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Houndsmen & Lions w/ Dr. Julie Young
Episode 270
Friday, February 21, 2025 • Duration 30:23
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Julie Young, a wildlife biologist and professor at Utah State University, to discuss the complex world of mountain lion research, hunting, and conservation. With recent changes in (and attempts to change) hunting regulations and growing debates about predator management in mind, we talk about what science, and real-world experience, tell us about these elusive big cats.
We also cover:
- How hunting (or banning it) impacts cougar populations
- The role of houndsmen in mountain lion research
- Why balance—not total protection or elimination—is key
- What happens when predators disappear from an ecosystem
- The biggest misconceptions about cougars and hunting
- This is a deep dive into the science, policy, and boots-on-the-ground reality of managing one of North America’s top predators—tune in for an eye-opening conversation.
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What is DIY Deer Hunting, Kevin?
Episode 269
Friday, February 14, 2025 • Duration 01:31:48
In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Vistisen, host of the Deer Hunter Podcast, to dive into DIY hunting, Michigan’s evolving hunting culture and the strategies behind mock scrapes and synthetic deer scents.
We also cover:
- Why Kevin is ditching the public land/private land label for “DIY deer hunting”
- The ethics of sharing hunting spots (or not)
- The strategy behind synthetic scents and why scrapes are key
- Michigan’s hunting regulations, license costs and what needs to change
- Why hunting films deserve a big screen—and where you can watch ours on March 19
This one’s packed with some great stuff.
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Faith and Hunting w/ Fr. Stephen Gadberry
Episode 268
Friday, February 7, 2025 • Duration 45:17
In this episode, we sit down with Father Stephen Gadberry, a Catholic priest, hunter, knife maker and all-around cool guy. We dive into the intersection of faith & hunting, the lessons we can learn about life & mortality while we're in the woods, and why stewardship is so important.
We also cover:
Hunting as a way to live life fully
Why death is an essential part of creation
The role of stewardship in faith and conservation
The dangers of pride and division in the hunting community
His recent South Texas buck and custom taxidermy display
This one’s a deep dive into the spiritual side of hunting. Listen in for a unique perspective on the outdoors and our place in it.
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Building Strength for the Hunt w/ Todd Bumgardner
Episode 267
Friday, January 31, 2025 • Duration 36:14
In this episode, we sit down with Todd Bumgardner, founder of Human Predator Packmule, to talk about the physical demands of hunting and how to train effectively for the backcountry. Todd shares why most hunters fail in their fitness goals, the difference between training for hunting versus other sports, and how a strong aerobic base is the key to recovery and endurance in the field.
We also cover:
- Why most New Year's fitness resolutions fail
- The biggest training mistakes hunters make
- How to build strength endurance and avoid burnout
- Why low-intensity work is the secret to lasting performance
- If you’re serious about improving your hunting fitness and want to stay injury-free while pushing your limits, this one’s for you.
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West meets East: Kenny Hunts From a Treestand
Episode 266
Friday, January 24, 2025 • Duration 50:32
This week we talk with Kenneth Thrall from Kifaru. Last year, the guys from the Fair Chase and Kenny headed to Wisconsin during the whitetail rut.
Coming from the West, this was Kenny's first time hunting out of a tree stand. The guys spent the week island hopping and looking for cruising bucks. Listen as we recap 2024, talk about the trip to Wisconsin, and talk about our hunting plans for 2025.
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