Elevate the Hunt

Faith Johnson's journey into the world of pageantry began in 2016 when she won the prestigious title of Miss Montana's (Outstanding) Teen in her very first attempt. Her story is one of determination, talent, and a heart dedicated to making a difference.  An actress since the age of 4, Faith's love for theater has always been a driving force in her life. She pursued her passion for u...

Brittany Boddington's hunting career began after high school when, as a graduation gift, she went on her first safari with her father, taking five trophy animals. She now spends most of the year happily living out of a suitcase in pursuit of exotic animals and exciting adventures. She writes for several notable outdoor publications and was honored as the first woman to ever appear on the cove...

Since he was a boy running around the woods and water of Southern Ohio, hit songwriter Andrew Scott Wills has been enamored with American history. He spent his summers combing the dirt for arrowheads and visiting historical forts and memorials. As he a teenager he discovered Eckert's "The Frontiersman" and built his first CVA Kentucky long rifle kit. Around the same time he bought a...

Carrie Bilbao is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Public Affairs Specialist at the National Interagency Fire Center .  Before diving into her wildland fire management career, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Boise State University.  She has spent 26 years working for the BLM in Boise in wildland fire management as a wildland fire investigator, fire prevention officer...

Ethan Yazel is a 4th generation muzzleloading enthusiast, with a familial love of muzzleloading dating back to the 1930s. He’s always had a passion for history and thinks it is important to archive the stories of today's muzzleloaders for future generations.  His platform I Love Muzzleloading hosts a ton of great resources for the beginner or enthusiast, including his own podcast and YouTube...

Charles Whitwam is the founder and president of Howl for Wildlife . Howl For Wildlife provides streamlined tools and resources with regards to issues surrounding wildlife, hunting and/or fishing management.  Howl For Wildlife provides content & education sourced from biologists, partner organizations, and boots on the ground experts/individuals who are directly involved in the sustainable grow...

Aaron Schmaus   is a multi-faceted professional with a distinguished background in the military, literature, as an athlete and in videography, and digital marketing. As a dedicated father and husband, he channels his diverse expertise to enrich the experiences of individuals navigating the great outdoors. Through insightful discourse, he sheds light on pivotal issues such as wildlife conservation,...

Mark Damian Duda is executive director of Responsive Management . Over the past 35 years he has conducted over 1,000 studies on how people relate to the natural world. He is the author of four books on wildlife and outdoor recreation and more than 150 published articles and peer-reviewed papers. He is a certified wildlife biologist and social scientist and holds a masters degree in natural resourc...

Michael Sabbeth is a lawyer, author, and lecturer on ethics and rhetoric. His recent work, The Honorable Hunter: Defending and Advancing Our Hunting Heritage , is a step by step guide on how to develop your own conversations on hunting that will be effective helping non-hunters better understand our passion.   He has been a lecturer at Master Hunter Education programs, is an NRA-certified instruct...

Hannah Downey is the policy director at PERC, leading policy strategy and government affairs efforts to implement key policy reforms based on PERC’s groundbreaking research. She has applied her passion for the outdoors to advance lasting conservation wins since joining PERC in 2015. Hannah has testified before Congress and works closely with policymakers at the federal and state levels on conserva...

Gary is one of those old timers we all hope to be someday:  retire early, move to the land of your boyhood dreams, and spend the rest of your life hunting and fishing.   Born in raised on a farm in central Michigan, he completed his degree in Fisheries and joined the Army.  In 1962 he married his sweetheart and spent 52 years with her and his two boys.  His work as a fisheries biologist took aroun...

Rick Brazell is the founder and president of the First Hunt Foundation .   After 36 1/2 years of working for the U.S. Forest Service as a wildlife biologist, natural resource staff officer and a line officer managing millions of acres, he wanted to find a way to share his love of hunting and help others learn.   He has a passion for hunting and helping others discover the life changing benefits of...

Sue Tidwell is a multi-award-winning author whose thirst to explore wild places took her to the Tanzanian bush where she was infected with an extreme case of African fever, a condition that grips a person’s heart like a vice and never lets go. Tidwell, in her debut title Cries of the Savanna , is determined to light that fire in the heart of her readers as well.  If you enjoy the podcast, I’d real...

Chad Bishop is Director of the Wildlife Biology Program at the University of Montana.  He is responsible for a wide array of functions tied to running the wildlife program, with an emphasis on faculty and student support and program outreach and development.  Prior to University of Montana, Chad spent nearly 16 years working for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, initially as an ungulate researcher and...

Janelle Hansen  is not a hunter.   She doesn't have an aspirations to become one, either.  Yet she is like 90% of America who approve of hunting as long as it is regulated and the animals' death serve a purpose.   Growing up in Washington, she moved to Montana and works in early education.  Conversations like this one give a glimpse into mind vital demographic, their questions, and conce...

Catherine Semcer has worked with the Sierra Club and federal land management agencies to reduce climate, ecological, and regulatory risks to their operations.  After leaving the Sierra Club, she was part of the executive team of an NGO that provides training, advisory, and assistance services to anti-poaching units in Africa.  Now as a research fellow at the Property and Environment Research Cente...

Alex Valdivia   was born in Cuba just west of the capital city of Havana.   He grew up watching fisherman bring in the daily catch and then would forage around his home for dinner.  After his family won visas to the US, he arrived in Florida at 15.  He quickly found that cooking would be his passion.  This led him to culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Miami from 2006 to 2008 and the world of bei...

Montana State Representative Marilyn Marler and Montana Outfitter's and Guide's Association Executive Director Mac Minard discuss how differing political views find common ground on wildlife issues while attending the National Association of Sportsmen Caucuses Convention in Bozeman, Montana.  There is no shortage of tribalism in our world today and wildlife issues are not an exception. ...

JD Tanner is the Director of Education and Training for Leave No Trace. As a member of the Center’s Education Team, JD manages the long-term, strategic organizational education and training initiatives. With over 20 years of experience as an outdoor educator and administrator, JD brings a perspective from over 17 years in higher education, as well as previous experience as a Traveling Trainer. JD...

Justin Iverson is a third generation rancher on a legacy ranch in the Potomac Valley of Montana.  In his time he has seen what happens when ranches don't plan for succession and success.  He often speaks to sportsmen groups and stock grower association meetings about finding ways to cooperate.  Topics Discussed: Working on a legacy ranch in Montana Rancher stereotypes. The best way to get acc...

Kjell Hedström is from the northern part of Sweden, just 1.5 hour drive south of the Arctic circle.  Growing up in Sweden meant to be immersed in a society that had deeply rooted hunting traditions and where many relied on moose for sustenance.  After winning two National championships in karate, Kjell transitioned from being challenged in sports to being challenged through hunting.  As late as 34...

Gilbert Villegas was born and raised in Deming, New Mexico and spends most of his time hunting and fishing with family and friends. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. For the last 19 years he has worked as the Wildlife Biologist and Hunt Administrator on the largest military installation in the country.  Working on 2.2 million acres has rewarded hi...

Logan Metesh is a historian with a focus on firearms history and development. He runs High Caliber History LLC.  With more than a decade of experience working for the Smithsonian Institution, the National Park Service, and the NRA Museums, his ability to present history and research in an engaging manner has made him a sought after consultant, writer, and museum professional. The ease with which h...

Rick Sacca is an American hunter living in Japan.  He has hunted in the US Northeast, the Carolinas, Hawaii, and worked in the hunting industry in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of NW Montana.  He has been fortunate enough to have earned hunting licenses and firearms permits as a foreign resident in Japan and had the opportunity to experience hunting Japan-Style.  Using his experience as a Montana hu...

Dr. Jared Beaver grew up in North Carolina and received a B.S. in Biology from Wake Forest University, an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at the University of Tennessee, and a Ph. D. at Texas A&M University.  His research has focused on the various aspects of white-tailed deer population ecology and habitat management.  Jared’s career ambition has always been a position allowing the op...