Talk Is Sheep

From a frosty morning in BC’s Cariboo, Hana Erikson sits down with a special guest Thomas Giles for a raw, powerful conversation about grit, wilderness, and what it takes to fight your way back. Thomas is a hardcore hunter and horseman—until life flips overnight. After pushing through a fly-in moose hunt with a broken shoulder, Thomas suffers a massive stroke at age 34 and has to relearn how to sp...

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 meani...

What matters most in conservation—perfect opinions, or real effort? In this year-in-review conversation, Kyle Stelter and Greg look back on the Wild Sheep Society of BC’s biggest wins, hard lessons, and the reality of doing conservation work in real time. They dig into major investments on the ground, the role of the Mountain Wildlife Conservation Society in expanding capacity, and why building a...

In this special episode of Talk Is Sheep, we sit down with Frances Golata Nicolson—daughter of famed Stone sheep outfitter Frank Golata—for a rare, first-hand look at a life that can’t be replicated today. Born in Dawson Creek in 1938, Frances shares vivid stories of growing up on a remote quarter section in a log home with no running water, where winter meant melting snow for laundry, food came f...

This episode of Talk is Sheep features Kyle Stelter in conversation with Nolan Osborne and Tanner Dannish—two familiar names in B.C.’s sheep hunting and conservation community. The trio recaps a standout guiding season, the grind behind “work hard, play hard,” and what it takes to stay sharp when the mountains don’t give you a break. They also share the story behind Frontiersman Textiles, a new ve...

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, host Kyle Stelter sits down with Justin Kallusky for an honest, vulnerable conversation about men’s mental health, the pressures men face, and the healing power of time spent in wild places. Kyle and Justin unpack the cultural expectations around “being a man,” the stigma that keeps so many guys silent, and why asking for help is actually one of the bravest things...

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, Kyle sits down with wildlife scientist Dr. Clayton Lamb to dig into the state of bighorn sheep and wildlife conservation in British Columbia’s Kootenays. From rugged winter ranges to busy valley-bottom highways, Clayton walks us through the complex landscape these sheep are trying to survive in. We explore how decades of fire exclusion have choked out historic she...

In this episode, we sit down with one of the most recognizable new faces in BC’s mountain hunting community — Tysen Bjorn, owner of Custom Pack Rigging, sheep hunter, devoted dad, and a guy who doesn’t do anything halfway. Tysen shares the unlikely, honest, and downright gritty story of how he went from a Lower Mainland kid with no horses in his life… to a full-blown horseback mountain hunter with...

In this episode, Kyle connects with Dallas Safari Club Executive Director, Russell Stacy and Brian Fienhold, Director of Development. from the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) to discuss the organization's mission, global impact, and the importance of conservation and education in the hunting community. They explore the role of volunteers, the success of the DSC convention, and the recent Summer Gala, whi...

In this inspiring episode of Talk Is Sheep, we welcome Keia Holm to discuss the importance of empowering young women in the conservation space. Keia shares her insights on leadership, courage, and redefining what it means to be involved in conservation. We also discuss her journey to hunting and how she grew up in a family that was not supportive of hunting. Keia highlights how women are shaping t...

In this episode of Talk Is Sheep, host Kyle Stelter welcomes Justin Spring, Executive Director of Pope and Young, for a deep dive into one of North America’s most respected bowhunting organizations. Justin shares how Pope and Young is championing ethical bowhunting, wildlife conservation, and hunter advocacy in today’s rapidly changing landscape. From preserving the legacy of fair chase to expandi...

In this episode of Talk Is Sheep, hosts Kyle Stelter and Greg Rensmaag, President of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, for an engaging update on everything happening within the Society. The two discuss major upcoming events including the Salute to Conservation & Mountain Hunting Expo and the Northern Fundraiser in Dawson Creek, while also highlighting membership promotions, current conservation pr...

We sit down with the leadership team behind the newly launched Canadian Wildlife Conservation Partners (CWCP) for an in-depth conversation on Talk is Sheep. Fresh off their September debut, we welcome CWCP Chair Chris Everett, Vice-Chair Brian McRae, and founding partner representatives Doug Chiasson and Kyle Stelter (host) to unpack the vision behind this new national collaborative. The group sha...

Talk Is Sheep Podcast – Episode: Maddie Richards | Kicked Out We welcome Maddie Richards to the podcast to talk about conservation, hunting, family, and her new "Kicked Out" series on the Wild Sheep Foundation’s "Sheep Fever" podcast platform. Maddie is a dedicated, hardcore, and accomplished hunter, having taken several trophy-class animals. This fall, she arrowed a pronghorn antelope buck and co...

We welcome two hardcore mountain hunters to the podcast — Anthony Klubi and Brandon Roth. These guys have been grinding it out in sheep country for the better part of a decade, yet the elusive ram has always slipped through their fingers. That changed this year. After an early-season hunt that came up short on harvest but full of lessons, Anthony and Brandon laced up their boots once again and pus...

We welcome Pursue the Wild host Kristy Titus to Talk Is Sheep! Fresh off an incredible Fannin Sheep hunt with Blackstone Outfitters in the Yukon, Kristy shares the story of harvesting her second North American wild sheep. We retrace Kristy’s steps on this memorable adventure, discuss her journey toward completing the Grand Slam of North American wild sheep, and look ahead to what’s next on her lis...

The Wild Sheep Jurassic Classic is truly an experience like no other. This past August, 56 conservation-minded anglers joined us on the Fraser River to raise funds for wild sheep. Beyond the camaraderie, fresh air, and world-class sturgeon fishing, the event is about something bigger—coming together to celebrate and support our wild sheep resource. Over the years, the Jurassic Classic has generate...

We welcome Doug Chiasson, Executive Director of the Fur Institute of Canada, to the podcast. Doug shares the rich history of Canada’s trapping industry and the critical work being done to preserve trapping and promote sustainable use. Our conversation explores the growing threats to hunting, trapping, and conservation, with a deep dive into the seal industry. Doug highlights how current regulation...

We welcome Chuck Peeling to the podcast to share his recent journey into BC’s rugged North in pursuit of a mature Stone’s Sheep. A dyed-in-the-wool hunter, Chuck had long dreamed of notching his first wild sheep tag — and this year, that dream became reality. We dig into his approach, why he held out for the one, and what it meant when he finally anchored a tremendous Stone’s ram. Together, we rel...

Back from the Wild: Sixteen Days in Pursuit of Stone’s Sheep We sit down with Hana and Rebecca as they return to everyday life after sixteen days in the deep wild chasing Stone’s Sheep. These two adventurers kicked off sheep season with a fly-in hunt, spending two weeks in pursuit of Rebecca’s very first ram. Hana, an experienced sheep hunter, took on the role of mentor, guiding Rebecca through he...

In this special episode, we welcome a true legend in wildlife conservation and hunting — Mr. Whitetail himself, Larry Weishuhn. With over six decades of experience as a wildlife biologist, outdoor writer, television personality, and advocate, Larry shares his inspiring journey, the passion that drives him, and his unwavering commitment to conservation. We explore the evolving perception of hunters...

We sit down with WSSBC Vice President Chris Barker to discuss what is happening in the wild sheep world. We receive updates on our three legacy projects. Specifically: Fraser River Test and Remove Okanagan Bighorn Disease - Psoroptes Trial Northern Prescribed Burn Chris also dives into a story as he has been accused of never talking about his hunting experiences. This is a great update on the work...

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, we welcome Sam Cunningham to the podcast for a deep dive into one of the Lone Star State’s most pressing wild sheep issues, Aoudad. Often overlooked and sometimes glamorized, aoudad (Barbary sheep) have become a major concern for native wildlife managers. Sam breaks down the challenges these non-native invaders pose to desert bighorn populations, the ecological ri...

Greg and Kyle sit down with Omer Hrbinic for a conversation that started out focused on gear and upcoming fall hunts but quickly transformed into something much deeper. Omer—the gear guru, but also a deep thinker and self-described spiritual individual —opens up about the wild sheep community and what it truly means to be part of it. While the Wild Sheep Society’s mission is to protect wild sheep...

New Episode: Safeguarding Bighorns – A Health Initiative in the Kootenays In this episode, we’re joined by the Provincial Wildlife Veterinarian Caeley Thacker and WSSBC representative, Josh Hamilton to discuss an exciting new initiative aimed at protecting one of British Columbia’s most iconic species — the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. We’re proud to announce the launch of a comprehensive wild sh...