Driftwood Outdoors Podcast

After more than six and a half years, 339 episodes, and countless miles traveled, this isn’t goodbye… it’s see you later. In this special episode, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down to reflect on the journey of the Driftwood Outdoors Podcast—from the early days of clinking ice in whiskey glasses at the cabin to recording across the country and around the world. What started as a pas...

With Brandon Butler overseas in Europe, Nathan “Shags” McLeod calls in a special co-host—his wife Savannah—to help bring you a boots-on-the-ground episode from the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) State Archery Championship in Branson, Missouri. Held annually at the Branson Convention Center, the MoNASP State Championship is one of the largest youth archery tournaments in...

This week on Driftwood Outdoors, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod welcome Nick Boskovich, founder of HI-VIBE, a superfood juicery built around organic cold-pressed juices, cleansing programs, and lifestyle transformation. Nick shares the journey that led him to create HI-VIBE and his philosophy that health is about more than just food—it’s about energy, discipline, and reconnecting with yo...

Driftwood Outdoors went live in the Ozarks to celebrate one of Missouri’s great outdoor traditions — the opening day of trout season. Recorded in front of a live audience at Big Rock Candy Mountain Retreat near Jadwin, Missouri, this special episode brings together storytellers, conservationists, and lifelong outdoorsmen to talk about trout fishing, Ozark heritage, and the traditions that keep peo...

Former Professional Outdoor Media Association Executive Director Kevin Orthman joins Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations in Driftwood Outdoors history. Kevin shares stories from living and fishing overseas, including fly fishing for smallmouth near Mount Fuji, the realities of fishing culture in Japan, and hunting opportunities in Cali...

This week on Driftwood Outdoors, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod welcome CFM Executive Director Tyler Schwartze. Tyler explains how CFM represents thousands of Missourians and more than 100 affiliate organizations in the fight for wildlife, clean water, healthy forests, and outdoor access. The conversation covers policy, funding, and the importance of citizen involvement. For more info: C...

Brandon Butler travels to Devils Lake, North Dakota for the second year in a row to pursue the hot walleye bite through the ice with McQuoid Outfitters. Aaron McQuoid has been a premier provider of fishing trips and comfortable accommodations on Devils Lake, North Dakota for over 20 years.  McQuoid specializes in walleye, northern pike, white bass and jumbo perch Brandon and Aaron are joined on th...

This week on Driftwood Outdoors, Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod welcome Texas native and professional photographer Russell Graves. From roaming creeks as a kid to becoming one of the most recognized outdoor photographers in the country, Russell shares stories of wildlife, teaching, hunting, fishing, and why capturing a trophy buck on camera might be harder than doing it with a bow. This...

Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Curt Morgret and Doug Grove from Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited to talk cold-water conservation, share fly fishing stories, and how Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited is protecting Missouri’s trout waters. Plus details on their 2026 fundraising banquet and the always unpredictable Mystery Bait Bucket question. For more info: Mid-MoTrout Unlimited Webs...

Week three of Brandon’s 50-by-50 adventure takes him to Virginia’s eastern shore where he meets Joe Enders and chases Sika deer in the marshes. Along the way, the guys talk hunting, fishing, life after loss, medical comebacks, and how the outdoors has a way of putting the right people in your path. Special thanks to: Living The Dream Outdoor Properties Superior Foam Insulation LLC Doolittle Traile...

Brandon Butler joins a crew of Delta Waterfowl members from Missouri for an unforgettable “body booting” duck hunt on the Susquehanna Flats of Maryland. The crew takes 21 ducks, including nine different species and receives a private tour of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, which houses one of the finest collections of working and decorative Chesapeake Bay decoys ever assembled.  Located at the no...

This week on the Driftwood Outdoors Podcast, Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod are joined by West Virginia guide and outdoorsman Charlie Mooney to break down a one-of-a-kind adventure: floating the New River while hunting squirrels and fishing—aka “Squirrelishing.” Charlie shares his journey growing up in Appalachia, working across the outdoor industry, fly fishing in the West, and eventual...

Missouri Department of Conservation Director Jason Sumners joins Driftwood Outdoors for an in-depth conversation on chronic wasting disease, MDC’s decision to pause post-season targeted removal, and what comes next. We ask the hard questions Missouri hunters and landowners are asking—what’s paused, why now, what replaces it, and what benchmarks could bring it back. This is a long-form, transparent...

Driftwood Outdoors' Unpaid Pro-Staffer Paddle Don joins Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod to look back on a huge year for Driftwood Outdoors—historic adventures, conservation conversations, and a surprising announcement that now makes all three hosts married. Special thanks to: Living The Dream Outdoor Properties Superior Foam Insulation LLC Doolittle Trailers Scenic Rivers Taxidermy Connec...

It’s a Christmas special on the Driftwood Outdoors Podcast, and Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod are joined by the one-and-only Lisa Snuggs for an episode packed with warmth, nostalgia, music, and outdoor tradition. A heartfelt conversation filled with outdoor traditions, music, and unforgettable stories. From growing up in a family rooted in fishing and hunting to singing her way into meetings wi...

This week, Brandon Butler and Nathan McLeod sit down with Paul Johnson of River Bend Resort to explore the heart and heritage of Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods. From family-run resorts to lifelong fishing traditions, Paul shares how he and his wife, Brandi, turned their love of the outdoors into a legacy that brings families together year after year. A warm, nostalgic, and inspiring look at how fis...

Former NFL linebacker Don Cherry joins Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod to share his remarkable journey from professional football to groundbreaking research on service dogs and trauma recovery. Cherry opens up about life after the NFL, the impact of brain injuries, and how working with veterans and service animals led him to pursue a PhD at Mizzou. This episode explores the powerful bond...

Deer on the powerline, blacktails in the rainforest, and salmon on the Columbia—this episode celebrates every corner of the outdoors. Uncle Steve joins Brandon and Shags to recap his Missouri success, the hospitality of great landowners, the beauty of Oregon’s rugged hunting country, and how a Midwest/Oregon bond keeps growing year after year. A nostalgic, hilarious, heartfelt celebration of what...

It felt more like summer than deer season. The crew unpacks Missouri’s low opening-weekend totals, crazy heat, and the moments that still made it special. Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with Unpaid Pro-staffers, Paddle Don, Joe Hawkins and Michael Collins.  Emotions run high as Shags shares the story of harvesting a buck with his father’s rifle. While the rest of the crew break...

Chronic Wasting Disease, hunter recruitment, and outdoor education take center stage as Scott Cronin joins the Driftwood Outdoors crew to talk about the changing face of hunting and why sharing knowledge is key to the sport’s future. From the power of mentorship to lessons learned from wounded deer and missed shots, this conversation with Scott Cronin celebrates the honesty and heart that make hun...

This week, Brandon and Shags welcome veteran outdoorsman and award-winning writer Dan Stefanich, who’s been sharing his passion for hunting, fishing, and conservation across the Midwest for over three decades. From tales of close calls in the woods to tried-and-true deer strategies, Dan brings both knowledge and laughs. Plus, Brandon learns a valuable lesson about what not to do for social media l...

Fresh off Big Rock Candy Mountain, Shags returns from wedding bliss — the “Forever Fiancé” is now the “Former Fiancé.” Brandon and Shags welcome back their good buddy Michael Collins from Misty Mountain Guiding Service to talk about the wedding weekend, fly-fishing the Ozarks, and a few deer that almost stole the show. The crew also dives into the dos and don’ts of public land hunting, including M...

While Shags is off celebrating his wedding, we’re rolling back to one of our favorite conversations from the early days of the show. In this best-of episode, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Clay Newcomb — before he joined MeatEater and became a household name in the hunting world. Clay talks about building Bear Hunting Magazine and its podcast, managing bears, spot-and-stalk...

While Shags is off tying the knot, we’re rewinding to one of our all-time favorite conversations. In this classic episode, Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with fly-fishing legend Mark Van Patten for a wild and unforgettable ride. From Woodstock adventures and hitchhiking across the country to childhood street gangs, stream teams, the tying bench, mystery bait bucket, and gear tal...

What do alien encounters, Robin Hood arrows, and finely tuned bows have in common? They all collide in this wild episode as Brandon and Shags welcome Jared Westfall of Creed Archery Supply. From running a pro shop to prepping for prime Midwest whitetail season, this one hits the mark. From working inside a prison to owning one of Missouri’s premier archery shops, Jared Westfall built a dream aroun...