The Huntsman Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Every December I come back to this same spot in the state forest to take a breath, look back on the year, and talk openly about what’s coming next. 2025 was massive for The Huntsman — we launched huntingcourses.com.au, Australia’s new online hunting education platform, and we filmed (and started rolling out) Season 3. And we’re only just getting warmed up. In this video I share what’s ahead for 2026 and what you can expect from The Huntsman as we move into another big year. 2026 is going to be HUGE! You can watch a video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/nufHZlCDO1k?si=Q3uAyWyTb-2u9QSX

In this episode, Chris Waters reflects on a recent hunt where he recognised that he didn’t follow best practice as closely as he should have—specifically around the use of binoculars and the importance of identifying game. Using this as a learning opportunity also Chris unpacks the legal requirements around safe and ethical hunting in Australia, and why correct identification is non-negotiable.

The discussion also touches on a recent article in a hunting magazine highlighting a serious incident where a firearm was pointed at another hunter, thankfully without tragic consequences. Finally, Chris explores the importance of accountability in the hunting community, and how hunters can support one another in maintaining both high community and high standards of safety, responsibility, and respect in the field.

Watch video version: https://youtu.be/Y9m-Ze7ACWI

In this episode of the Huntsman Podcast Chris Waters going into detail regarding the reasons for his absence from the podcast channel and provides a update on what's coming up. WATCH EPISODE AS A VIDEO: Rather watch this episode as a video? Watch the video version here, or search 'The Huntsman' on YouTube, or check out this playlist on the channel.

AUDIO ONLY PODCAST CHANNELS : If you are wanting to enjoy just the audio you can listen in to the The Australian Huntsman Podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google  Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music/Auditable, Tune In/Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Samsung, Podcaster and Stitcher. Just search 'The Australian Huntsman Podcast'

AUSTRALIAN HUNTERS CLUB: Support yourself and this podcast by joining the Australian Hunters Club!

www.australianhunters.com.au

We are a diverse and authentic community of like minded & passionate Aussie hunters who care about hunting & the life and fullness it provides. New hunters & veterans, deer, waterfowl, pig, fox, rabbit, large game hunters, all hunters are welcome in our community.

Through our hunting club membership you can get access to free member hosted hunts, events as well as:

• go in the draw to win monthly hunting product gear giveaways
• go in the draw to win monthly professionally guided hunts from HuntingTrips.com.au
• early access to The Australian Huntsman podcast episodes and YouTube videos hunting public liability insurance
• genuine reason to own a firearm
• access to member run events as well as official events like our annual camp
• discounts on hunting products from leading Aussie hunting brands and a bunch more...

Benefits aside, ultimately people join our hunting club because they share our passion and enthusiasm for hunting in Australia and want to connect with like minded people and share life together.

In this episode of the Australian Huntsman Podcast Chris Waters speaks with Pete Christian, a multi generational resident of the Baw Baw region in Victoria, Australia, a lifelong Sambar deer hunter and brilliant sambar hunting guide through his business Baw Baw Adventures.

During this conversation Chris and Pete discuss Pete's family connection to the region and how his grandfather migrated over after the war, how the Baw Baw regions sambar deer populations have changed and how the Australian government is handling the wild brumbies in the region. 

You may not agree with everything Pete says (I don't), or the way in which he says it, but I encourage you to take the time to listen and evaluate Pete's position. People like Pete have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that can be minded for those willing to put aside their agenda and see the person and their unique story underneath.

WATCH EPISODE AS A VIDEO: Rather watch this episode as a video? Simply search 'The Australian Huntsman' in YouTube or check out this playlist on the channel.

AUDIO ONLY PODCAST CHANNELS : If you are wanting to enjoy just the audio you can listen in to the The Australian Huntsman Podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google  Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music/Auditable, Tune In/Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Samsung, Podcaster and Stitcher. Just search 'The Australian Huntsman Podcast'

AUSTRALIAN HUNTERS CLUB: Support yourself and this podcast by joining the Australian Hunters Club!

www.australianhunters.com.au

We are a diverse and authentic community of like minded & passionate Aussie hunters who care about hunting & the life and fullness it provides. New hunters & veterans, deer, waterfowl, pig, fox, rabbit, large game hunters, all hunters are welcome in our community.

Through our hunting club membership you can get access to free member hosted hunts, events as well as:

• go in the draw to win monthly hunting product gear giveaways
• go in the draw to win monthly professionally guided hunts from HuntingTrips.com.au
• early access to The Australian Huntsman podcast episodes and YouTube videos hunting public liability insurance
• genuine reason to own a firearm
• access to member run events as well as official events like our annual camp
• discounts on hunting products from leading Aussie hunting brands and a bunch more...

Benefits aside, ultimately people join our hunting club because they share our passion and enthusiasm for hunting in Australia and want to connect with like minded people and share life together.

In this episode of the Australian Huntsman Podcast Chris Waters speaks to Kyal Grant, personal friend, Queensland antique rifle hunter and all round deep thinker. The guys talk about the value of an animals life, the suffering that's required to obtain it and whether or not we can kill animals while maintaining our ethics.

Kyal has some interesting and unique positions on 'right' and 'wrong' as well as the value of personal suffering as it pertains to growth favouring a self hatred that many people would struggle to understand.

WATCH EPISODE AS A VIDEO: Rather watch this episode as a video? Simply search 'The Australian Huntsman' in YouTube or check out this playlist on the channel.

AUDIO ONLY PODCAST CHANNELS : If you are wanting to enjoy just the audio you can listen in to the The Australian Huntsman Podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google  Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music/Auditable, Tune In/Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Samsung, Podcaster and Stitcher. Just search 'The Australian Huntsman Podcast'

AUSTRALIAN HUNTERS CLUB: Support yourself and this podcast by joining the Australian Hunters Club!

www.australianhunters.com.au

We are a diverse and authentic community of like minded & passionate Aussie hunters who care about hunting & the life and fullness it provides. New hunters & veterans, deer, waterfowl, pig, fox, rabbit, large game hunters, all hunters are welcome in our community.

Through our hunting club membership you can get access to free member hosted hunts, events as well as:

• go in the draw to win monthly hunting product gear giveaways
• go in the draw to win monthly professionally guided hunts from HuntingTrips.com.au
• early access to The Australian Huntsman podcast episodes and YouTube videos hunting public liability insurance
• genuine reason to own a firearm
• access to member run events as well as official events like our annual camp
• discounts on hunting products from leading Aussie hunting brands and a bunch more...

Benefits aside, ultimately people join our hunting club because they share our passion and enthusiasm for hunting in Australia and want to connect with like minded people and share life together.

In this episode of the Australian Hunters Podcast Chris Waters speaks to Ian Hurley co host of  @TheHuntersCampfire  podcast and past president of the Queensland ADA branch. During this conversation Chris and Ian talk about Australian hunting clubs, the good, the bad and the ugly. Ian shares his unique insights having been involved in a few different clubs, leading clubs as well as starting his own new venture and has some fantastic insights worth hearing.

What Ian and I both agree on is that it's important for Australian hunters to be involved in a hunting club. It's through healthy clubs that you can learn  and develop your craft as well as grow and connect with other hunters. 

TIMESTAMPS:

01:46 - What' makes a good/bad hunting club? 04:09 - Clubs that focus on benefits 07:55 - How broadly can you use the name 'hunting club'? 12:51 - Ian's first club 20:58 - Put in, and get out... Is that ok? 24:56 - Clubs run as a business, is that ok? 27:27 - Clubs and money 33:03 - Is it ok to change hunting clubs regularly? 40:05 - How money is spend, (or not spent) by community driven clubs  50:27 - Who has a voice to change things in a club? 53:00 - Leadership in club as a private company. 56:04 - How do you scale a national private club? 1:03:44 - Hunting club horror stories. 1:10:54 - Hunting rules 1:19:33 - Hunting club leadership. 1:26:33 - Should people join a hunting club? 1:32:02  - Wrap up

AUDIO ONLY PODCAST CHANNELS : If you are wanting to enjoy just the audio you can listen in to the The Australian Huntsman Podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google  Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music/Auditable, Tune In/Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Samsung, Podcaster and Stitcher. Just search 'The Australian Huntsman Podcast'

AUSTRALIAN HUNTERS CLUB: Support yourself and this podcast by joining the Australian Hunters Club!

www.australianhunters.com.au

We are a diverse and authentic community of like minded & passionate Aussie hunters who care about hunting & the life and fullness it provides. New hunters & veterans, deer, waterfowl, pig, fox, rabbit, large game hunters, all hunters are welcome in our community.

Through our hunting club membership you can get access to free member hosted hunts, events as well as:

• go in the draw to win monthly hunting product gear giveaways
• go in the draw to win monthly professionally guided hunts from HuntingTrips.com.au
• early access to The Australian Huntsman podcast episodes and YouTube videos hunting public liability insurance
• genuine reason to own a firearm
• access to member run events as well as official events like our annual camp
• discounts on hunting products from leading Aussie hunting brands
•  and a bunch more...

Benefits aside, ultimately people join our hunting club because they share our passion and enthusiasm for hunting in Australia and want to connect with like minded people and share life together.

In this episode of the Australian Hunters Podcast Chris Waters The Australian Huntsman speaks to Steve Lee, Australian Country music artist and host of the famous (some say infamous)  Australian shooting and hunting YouTube channel 'I Like Guns'.

This is Steve's first media appearance since he lost his firearms licenses and permits (and over 100 guns) 10 years ago, in what became known as Australia's biggest firearms legal case. 

In this conversation Steve and I go over genesis of the I Like Guns YouTube channel and it's rapid success, as well the legal case Steve Lee VS NSW Police department, that has only in the last 4 weeks reached it's ultimate conclusion with the return of Steve's permits and firearms (that's a over 10 years). We also talk about some of Steve's amazing hunting adventures, notably his British Columbia Moose and Bear hunt which you can watch on the I Like Guns YouTube channel (linked below)

You may or may not have a strong option on Steve's history or how compliment he was in the legal matters arising from that case, but what I ask of you is this as you listen to this podcast episode. Keep an open mind and see Steve for what he is, a man, a person of value. Someone who has lived through a life and context that we can only begin to understand, a person who loves life, relationships and people.

It's ok to have strong options on matters of law, in fact when laws are ethical we should champion and enforce them as a society. But don't make the mistake of being blinded by these options and miss out on the gold that lives within each of us, if we only dare look. 

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Steve Lee as much as I did and can take away some knowledge, wisdom and learning’s.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction 02: 41 - Do you still like guns? 06:00 - Is there a type of firearm you like the most? 07:33 - The background behind the creation of the I Like Guns YouTube channel 13:36 - The legal battle - Steve Lee VS NSW Police 26:14 - Do people prematurely judge you? 30:46 - Pushing the boundaries and doing dangerous things. 34:00 - Infamous '45 Calibre Birthday Party' video.  41:44 - Should people who commit crimes or driving offences be able to get their gun license? 54:37 - Involvement with Living With the Enemy (2014) -  SBS Series 01:06:10 - Hunting,  British Columbia Moose and Bear trip 01:20:46 - Chris' South Australia Buck Hunt with Paul Convery 01:27:02 - People are valuable. Don't judge people 01:29:10 - Wrap up

Links mentioned in this video

https://australianhunters.com.au/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCf90M7whFs2cezl_xrsZEbg  https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/Living_With_The_Enemy?id=32gvYQ4bFZQ&hl=en_SG&gl=US https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6COZLCF-kpU (British Columbia bear hunt) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL6VsZQU88A&t=685s (British Columbia moose hunt) https://youtu.be/j3w15SMupoo (The Huntsman SA Fallow Buck Hunt)

Watch this episode on YouTube If you'd rather a visual representation of this podcast you can watch Australian Huntsman Podcast episodes on YouTube here youtube.com/c/TheAustralianHuntsman

In this episode of the Australian Hunters Podcast Chris Waters The Australian Huntsman speaks to Dodge Kier Australian hunter, hunting podcaster, international hunting booking agent and man of faith.

In this conversation we talk about what role truth has to play in the hunting community. Is it ok to lie or exaggerate the success of a hunt, the size of the trophy, the experience and story itself? Are white lies harmless if they help you connect with other hunters? We also discuss Dodges faith and how this interacts with his hunting worldview and lifestyle. Is it ok to enjoy killing an animal? (you might be surprised by Dodges answer). Finally we talk about silence in hunting, and how it brings out the best and worst in us. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Dodge Keir as much as I did and can take away some knowledge, wisdom and learning’s.

Watch on YouTube If you'd rather a visual representation of this podcast you can watch Australian Huntsman Podcast episodes on YouTube here youtube.com/c/TheAustralianHuntsman Support yourself and this podcast by joining the Australian Hunters Club! www.australianhunters.com.au

We are a diverse and authentic community of like minded & passionate Aussie hunters who care about hunting & the life and fullness it provides. New hunters & veterans, deer, waterfowl, pig, fox, rabbit, large game hunters, all hunters are welcome in our community.

Through our hunting club membership you can get access to free member hosted hunts, events as well as:

• go in the draw to win monthly hunting product gear giveaways 
• go in the draw to win monthly professionally guided hunts from HuntingTrips.com.au 
• early access to The Australian Huntsman podcast episodes and YouTube videos
• hunting public liability insurance
• genuine reason to own a firearm
• access to member run events as well as official events like our annual camp
• discounts on hunting products from leading Aussie hunting brands
• and a bunch more...

Benefits aside, ultimately people join our hunting club because they share our passion and enthusiasm for hunting in Australia and want to connect with like-minded people and share life together. - Chris Waters, The Australian Huntsman

In this episode of the Australian Hunters Podcast Chris Waters The Australian Huntsman speaks to Jason Mensies from the popular Australian Hunting YouTube channel 'Liquid Antler'.

In this conversation we talk openly about the intersection of pain, suffering, death and in hunting. Jason opened up about a recent tragedy that saw two of his friends die from suicide last year and how used hunting and exercise as we way to make sense of the chaos.

Death is not an easy thing to talk about, but by doing to opening and authentically together we can try and make sense of it and grow together.

Suicidal thoughts can occur to anyone at any point in their life. They are more common than many may realise. Many people feel overwhelmed by pain, hopeless, worthless, isolated, or feel like there is no way out. While it is OK to have suicidal feelings, it is important to reach out and let someone know how you’re feeling. If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, they are here to listen and help you.

Watch on YouTube If you'd rather a visual representation of this podcast you can watch Australian Huntsman Podcast episodes on YouTube here youtube.com/c/TheAustralianHuntsman Support yourself and this podcast by joining the Australian Hunters Club! www.australianhunters.com.au

• go in the draw to win monthly hunting product gear giveaways 
• go in the draw to win monthly professionally guided hunts from HuntingTrips.com.au 
• early access to The Australian Huntsman podcast episodes and YouTube videos
• hunting public liability insurance
• genuine reason to own a firearm
• access to member run events as well as official events like our annual camp
• discounts on hunting products from leading Aussie hunting brands
• and a bunch more...

Welcome to the first The Australian Huntsman Podcast episode - #1 Introductions.

There is no guest in this first episode, just me Chris Waters breaking down the goals of the podcast, format and a little bit of information about the values that sit behind it and what you can expect.

If you love hunting in Australia, whether that be deer, pigs, goat, ducks, buffalo, quail, foxes, rabbits hare or anything else, I'm sure you will love this podcast.

I've been really looking forward to starting up this Australian hunting podcast and can't wait to hear the feedback from all of you. Look forward to sharing episode #2 with you in a month's time. Until then, happy hunting. If you are wanting to enjoy just the audio you can listen in to the The Australian Huntsman Podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music/Auditable, Tune In/Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Samsung, Podcaster and Sticher. Just search 'The Australian Huntsman Podcast' You can watch Australian Huntman Podcast episodes on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheAustralianHuntsman

- Chris Waters (The Australian Huntsman)