The Field And Stream Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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

From the pheasant fields of Iowa to the public lands of Wyoming, this week’s episode celebrates freedom, tradition, and the stories that define hunting season. For more than a century, Field & Stream has been home to America’s best hunting and fishing stories—and now, those stories come alive in this podcast. In this episode, host Colin Kearns is joined by Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream’s shotguns columnist and upland expert, for a deep dive into the passion, tradition, and nostalgia that define pheasant hunting season. Phil shares what makes the pheasant opener feel like a sacred holiday, why bird dogs make every hunt better, and how Iowa’s upland legacy continues to evolve. Later, Travis Hall returns with a major conservation update on the corner-crossing Supreme Court decision, a win that unlocks millions of acres for public land hunters and anglers across the West—and breaks down the latest controversy surrounding Alaska’s Ambler Road project. Finally, Ryan Chelius joins to reveal the results of Field & Stream’s annual fly rod test, naming the best fly rods of 2025 and what makes each worth casting. From pheasants to fly rods, this episode captures the changing rhythm of the American outdoors—one story, one hunt, one cast at a time. Follow the Field & Stream Podcast for weekly stories, strategies, and gear tests from America’s original outdoor storytellers. 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: 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

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

The rut is on, the bucks are moving, and the stories in this episode will fire you up. This week’s Field & Stream Podcast delivers a full spread of hunting-season wisdom from peak whitetail rut strategy to modern insights on lever-action rifles, plus a Thanksgiving debate only true outdoorsmen could have. Hunting columnist Will Brantley joins the show first, breaking down why the rut remains the most unpredictable and electrifying stretch of deer season. He explains how shifting doe patterns, overlooked creek-line pinch points, and timing from Halloween through early December can make or break your hunt. Whether you’re looking for bowhunting tips, rut-phase tactics, or ways to read mature doe behavior to locate cruising bucks, this segment is stacked with takeaways for serious deer hunters. Then, Shooting Editor Richard Mann jumps in for a deep dive on lever guns—why they endure, why they still matter, and what modern builds like Marlin’s new 10mm bring to today’s hunters. From nostalgic 30-30 rifles to rugged camp guns set up for bear country, Richard walks through the balance, handling, and utility that make lever-actions timeless. The editorial crew wraps with a spirited “Side by Side” debate over the best Thanksgiving side dish (mashed potatoes vs. mac and cheese) followed by real reader cheers and jeers, and T. Edward Nickens’ short, heartfelt Thanksgiving prayer. Together it’s a campfire-style episode built for hunters, anglers, and anyone who loves time outdoors with family. 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 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

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

A cold fall swamp, rising light, and a duck hunter’s lifelong love collide at daybreak. In this special immersive Campfire short edition of the Field and Stream Podcast, veteran outdoors writer T. Edward Nickens brings listeners deep into the heart of a Southern swamp, where wood ducks whistle through cypress shadows and time moves with the slow pulse of rising water. This episode isn’t just a reading; it’s a full-on immersion into why swamps matter to waterfowl hunters, public-land diehards, and anyone who’s ever chased wild places for meaning. Nickens’ story, “The Swamp,” originally published in Field and Stream’s Wilderness Issue, captures the grit, solitude, and renewal that define duck hunting on public land. As he navigates flooded timber, old beaver dams, and knee-deep muck, he reveals hard-earned lessons about scouting remote backwaters, reading water levels, and understanding the rhythms of early-morning waterfowl movement. Listeners will walk away with more than wood duck hunting insight, they’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the swamps that shape the hunting life: the sulfur-tinged air, the quiet rush of wings you can hear before you can see, and the fleeting 20-minute window when everything comes alive. Whether you’re into waterfowl hunting, backcountry exploration, or the storytelling that defines the outdoor life, this is a campfire moment worth lingering over. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know the author, T. Edward Nickens: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/t-edward-nickens              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 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

From tide-driven duck hunts to unforgettable Christmas gifts, this episode captures the soul of the outdoors. Salt marsh waterfowl hunting is a game all its own and listeners get an insider’s look at one of North America’s most demanding and storied duck hunts. Host Colin Kearns sits down with Field & Stream senior editor Ryan Chelius to break down salt marsh duck hunting on Long Island, where tides dictate everything, black ducks rule the sky, and tradition matters as much as gear. Ryan explains how Atlantic Flyway tides shape every decision, why falling water exposes prime feeding zones, and what makes black ducks some of the wariest and most rewarding puddle ducks to hunt. You’ll hear practical insights on salt marsh hunting tactics, including grass boats, sneak boxes, cork decoys, and why calling takes a backseat to setup and concealment in the Northeast. The conversation also dives into hunting brant, navigating big water safely, and why harvesting just a couple of black ducks can feel more meaningful than punching a limit elsewhere. The episode then shifts into a fireside-style reflection on the holidays, with Field & Stream editors and contributors sharing the most memorable hunting and fishing gifts they’ve ever received from first duck calls and fly rods to BB guns and tree stands. The show closes with a powerful reading of Lost Soul by the late Scott Bestial, reminding listeners why time spent hunting, fishing, and living outdoors still matters. 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: Christmas Bells 1 by Cloud-10 -- https://freesound.org/s/536251/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Jingle bells.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/110158/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Deck The Halls - Christmas jingle played with bells by Ihaksi -- https://freesound.org/s/411420/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 DeerWalking.WAV by Damsteegt -- https://freesound.org/s/553116/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Deer2.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/58661/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Indian Springs State Park Night Insects Soundscape 3.21.17 .wav by GnomeKid -- https://freesound.org/s/388016/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Walking in snow #1 by musicbrain -- https://freesound.org/s/215690/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 SHOOTING_ARROW_SINGLE_ARCHERY_FOLEY_03.wav by JoeDinesSound -- https://freesound.org/s/534953/ -- 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

Flooded timber duck hunts, hard-won conservation victories, and one trout river that carried a man through grief. Flooded timber duck hunting has long been considered one of waterfowling’s most spiritual traditions and comes fully alive as Host Colin Kearns sits down with legendary outdoor writer T. Edward Nickens to talk about green tree reservoirs, the culture and history behind timber duck hunts, and why standing waist-deep among ancient oaks feels more like a rite of winter than a morning hunt. From Arkansas bottomlands to Mississippi backwaters, Nickens explains what makes a great timber day, how ducks work the woods, and why proper management is critical to preserving these places for future generations. Next, Field & Stream News Editor Travis Hall joins the show to break down the best conservation good news stories of 2025. From major public land sell-offs being stopped, to landmark corner-crossing victories, to salmon returning to long-blocked waters, this segment is a reminder that hunters and anglers still have real power when they speak up. The episode closes with a deeply personal Campfire reading. Colin shares his essay My Home Waters, a year-long trout fishing journey that becomes a story of grief, healing, and why certain rivers stay with us forever. This is Field & Stream storytelling at its finest; grounded in wild places, conservation wins, and the quiet power of water. 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: WATRMvmt_Outdoor, Small River, Wading Through water Though a Tunnel, Tascam DR-05X, Mono, 48Khs, 24 bit_JW Audio by JW_Audio -- https://freesound.org/s/803664/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Wading in Shallow Water.wav by ryansitz -- https://freesound.org/s/342932/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Wading through water.flac by guyburns -- https://freesound.org/s/320430/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Askeleet vedessä / Footsteps, wading, walking in the water, puddle, slush by YleArkisto -- https://freesound.org/s/368673/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 waterfront river spring 05 200418_0154.wav by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/555975/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Fish Release.mp3 by caitlynbananas -- https://freesound.org/s/563592/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Trout splashing after being caught by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/592784/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Fly fishing Stripping line out by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/641702/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Fly Fishing Reel Running_1.wav by paulprit -- https://freesound.org/s/507098/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices