Driftwood Outdoors Podcast

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down Dr. Susan L. Flader to discuss the life of Aldo Leopold and his conservation work in Missouri. Susan Flader is professor emerita of American western and environmental history at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has written extensively about Aldo Leopold and served as board chair of the Leopold Foundation. Flader also is a founder and past p...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with brothers Kyle Stewart, Executive Director for Missouri Outdoor Communicators and Gary Stewart, International big game guide. Topics Discussed: Culling Bison in the Grand Canyon; Missouri Elk and Black Bear season; bacon cooking tips; Alaskan moose hunts; Cariboo hunts; fishing in Wyoming; Missouri outdoor communicators; golden dorado; guide tips;...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Freshwater Fishing Hall Of Famer and Tourism Ambassador for the Yucatán Peninsula, Bill Cooper. Topics Discussed: Hunting Ocellated Turkeys, Brocket deer, Missouri Spring Turkeys; Tarpon fishing; State records; World Records; Traveling abroad; hunting and fishing in Mexico; the Yucatán Peninsula; education programs; mystery bait bucket and more. F...

While Brandon Butler was in Nebraska turkey hunting Nathan "Shags" McLeod met up with Cardiac Mountain Outfitters owner and guide Damon Spurgeon for a 140 fish day of trout fishing on the Meramec River. Topics Discussed: Record breaking day fishing on the Meramec River; spring trout fishing; upper Current River; White River in Arkansas; Meramec being overlooked; techniques; pretentious fishing cri...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Justin O'Riley the International Senior Sales Manager for American Outdoor Brands. Topics Discussed: International trade shows; hunting Africa; worldwide adventures; American Outdoor Brands; 16 hour flights; ammo scams; Branson ghost town; mushroom hunting; fishing around the world; outdoor industry careers; mystery bait bucket and more. For more...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Dr. Jon McRoberts about his time in the Yucatan Peninsula studying the Ocellated Turkey. Topics Discussed: Turkey research, hunting Ocellated turkeys, education, conservation, conspiracy theories, ant attacks, tick research, white bass fishing, teaching, otter boy, Glenn Chambers, the mystery bait bucket and more. Special Thanks To CZ-USA: https:/...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Brad Luttrell , Cofounder and CEO of GoWild the Best Hunting, Fishing, & Outdoors Social Network. The GoWild app and platform is a community for hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Get recommendations for the best fishing and hunting gear. Ask for tips and strategies. Track kills. Special Thanks To CZ-USA: https://cz-usa.com/ Special Thanks To Hunt...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod attended the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) State Tournament in Branson, the second largest state archery tournament in the nation. They recorded the podcast during day 3 of the competition talking with archers, sponsors, and parents about the positive impact this event has on our youth. Special Thanks To CZ-USA: https://cz-usa.co...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod visit with guide Arnold Compton and fellow hunter Dan Applebaum while sitting in a blind hunting snow geese. Topics Discussed: Glow in the dark sharks; conservation orders; migrations; first time hunters; waterfowl; big bucks; moose hunts; eating caribou innards; bears; elk; space vacations; sharing knowledge; the mystery bait bucket and more. Special Thank...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with the Founder of MidwayUSA, Larry Potterfield. MidwayUSA is a family-owned, privately held internet retailer of shooting, hunting and outdoor products relying on high-performing, industry-engaged Employees who share Values, align with the MidwayUSA Culture, and have a passion for serving their Customers. Special Thanks To CZ-USA: https://cz-usa.com/...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Dr. Mark Morgan, Professor at The University of Missouri's School of Natural Resources. Topics Discussed: Invasive species; Asian carp and America; how the carp got here; the damage carp do; what can be done; eating carp; where are they; The Trash to Treasure Film; animal cloning; new MeatEater episodes; bear attacks in outhouses; the mystery bait...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Jesse Deubel Executive Director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Topics Discussed: Hanging with Anthony Bourdain; Brandon's successful New Mexico Barbary sheep hunt; conservation; fighting for hunting and fishing; public lands; non profits; getting lost; stewards of nature; mystery bait bucket and more Special Thanks To CZ-USA: https://cz-us...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Randy Doman the Missouri Dept. of Conservation's Protection Division Chief. Topics Discussed: The cabin arson case; the Russian mob in Missouri; rules and regulations; poachers; rule followers and rule breakers; bitcoin pizzas; natural resources; how to become an agent; successes; trespassing laws; dog runners; mystery bait bucket and more. Specia...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Michelin Star Chef Adam Burton about his rise from computer researcher to Executive Chef who headed one of Los Angeles' most enchanting destination restaurants, known for its mastery with Wild Game Meats. Adam's worked in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, including Tallevent, La Palme d’Or and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London. Chef Hor...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod record on Pomme de Terre Lake while winter Crappie fishing with Tandem Fly Outfitter guides Kris Nelson and Mark Diaz. Their passion is fishing, their goal is to give you the best fishing trip you have ever experienced! Topics discussed: Winter crappie fishing; spring walleyes; summer white bass; fall musky; chasing giant Northwest sturgeon; fishing for ste...

Still covered in soot and ash, Brandon Butler and Nathan "Shags" McLeod sit down with the group of friends that helped clean up the remains of a cabin burned. This is a tribute to all the memories made at Driftwood Acres. Derek Butler, Paddle Don Cranfill, Bill Cooper, Josh Lane, Jeff Blystone, Bill Butler, and Pete Medved share their favorite memories spent in the cabin, the difficulty of losing...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with NWTF Turkey Biologist John Burk. Topics discussed: The future of turkeys in Missouri; hunting wolves; getting drunk and changing your name; winter trapping; how to get started trapping; the Wisconsin salmon runs; Muskie fishing; do people eat Muskie; should people eat Muskie; skinning a unicorn; mystery bait bucket question and more. Special Thank...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Wally Iman to discuss the craziness that was the first two weeks of 2021. Wally Iman has been working in the area of environmental real estate acquisition, development and restoration for over 20 years. Special Thanks To CZ-USA: https://cz-usa.com/ Special Thanks To Hunting Works For Missouri: https://huntingworksformo.com/ Special Thanks To S...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod sit down with Megan Steen a Mental Health Professional to discuss the stigma of mental health, dealing with a pandemic and the healing benefits of the outdoors. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices....

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod say goodbye and good riddance to the year 2020 with hall of fame author Kenny Kieser. Kenneth L. Kieser is an award-winning outdoor writer of 43-years with several thousand bylines in newspapers and magazines. His work, writing and photos appeared in most of America’s top outdoor magazines and numerous newspapers. Kenny has also been inducted into the Misso...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Jess Rice (Founder & President) and Sharenda Birts (Secretary & Director of Community Affairs) of wildHERness wildHERness is a diverse group of outdoorswomen passionate about providing females with a connection to the outdoors through workshops, events, mentoring and community service. They empower by teaching skills to create outdoor independence...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with State Representative-elect and creator of Legends Of Conservation Bruce Sassmann. Bruce Sassmann (Republican Party) is a member-elect of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing District 62. He assumes office on January 6, 2021. Legends of Conservation is a not-for-profit whose mission is to offer educational and motivational experience...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Tricia Burkhardt, Interim Director at Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization that helps meet financial needs placed on natural resource conservation and conservation-related outdoor recreation. Since their founding in 1997, they have allocated over $20 millio...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Johnny Graham the owner and chef of REVEL catering & events in Jefferson City, Mo. Jefferson City native, Johnny Graham, spent 25 years cooking in locales around the globe, before returning home to open REVEL, to critical success in 2014. Johnny's list of clients have included Keith Richards, Bruce Willis, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Bill Clinton,...

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Zach Smith the Field Editor of Rural Missouri Magazine and President of Missouri Outdoor Communicators. Rural Missouri is the statewide publication of Missouri's electric cooperatives. Each month, they bring you the people and places of this great state and celebrate the good life that all rural Missourians enjoy. The Missouri Outdoor Communicator...