Eastmans' Journal Podcast Edition

The grizzly bear recovery is one of the greatest conservation success stories in American history — so why won't anyone celebrate it? Ike sits down with filmmaker and Sportsman Channel host Jason Matzinger to talk about his upcoming documentary  Walking With Grizzlies , a film that sets out to tell the full, honest story of where grizzly bears actually stand today. Jason traces the idea back to a...

Some guys learn to hunt. Sam Davis was born into it. In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, Ike sits down with Sheridan, Wyoming native and newly minted Eastmans' staff writer Sam Davis — a lifelong guide, ranch hand, and western big game obsessive who's spent 100+ days a year in the field for the better part of two decades. From packing kids on horseback at age five and sneaking up on...

What nearly wiped out the American elk — and how did we bring them back? In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, Ike Eastman sits down with Eastmans' own Brandon Mason to pull back the curtain on their new documentary, American Elk: A Comeback Story. From 10 million elk across nearly every state, to just 42,000 at the turn of the 20th century — including only 500 in all of Colorado — the...

Ike sits down with Steve Decker, Chief Revenue Officer of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, for a wide-ranging conversation about conservation, hunting heritage, and the future of one of America's most impactful wildlife organizations. Steve grew up in Libby, Montana — son of RMEF founding member Charlie Decker — and has spent his life woven into the fabric of elk conservation, from working in th...

What does it mean to win a hunt of a lifetime — and walk away with a friendship you didn't expect? In this special episode of the Eastman's Journals Podcast, guest host Brandon Mason sits down with 2025 Eastman's Mule Deer Hunt winner Randy Bianchi, a retired Air Force veteran and 15-year Eastman's member from Utah, along with his son-in-law Zach Vigil — a former NFL linebacker who played for the...

Your money, your rights, your data — are they really safe? In this episode of the Eastman's Journals Podcast, Ike Eastman sits down with Ronnie Brown, CFO and lead investor at Precision Pay, a payment platform built specifically for the firearms, hunting, and outdoor industry. Ronnie shares the origin story of Precision Pay — sparked when a veteran-owned tripod company had a six-figure balance sei...

What does it take to truly be ready when the moment counts? In this episode of the Eastmans Journals Podcast, guest host Dan Pickar sits down with Angelo DiCicco of Mayhem Hunt — a fitness-first platform built specifically for hunters — to break down the physical and mental demands of hunting the West. Angelo shares how he went from Tennessee whitetail hunter to full-time fitness coach for Western...

Ike Eastman sits down with Mark Drury for a deep dive into a lifetime in the hunting industry—where it started, how it evolved, and what still drives the fire today. From growing up in the timber along the Mississippi River to building one of the most recognized brands in hunting media, Mark shares the real story behind the success, the struggles, and the relentless pursuit of getting better. This...

Ike Eastman sits down with Dirk Durham of Phelps Game Calls for a deep dive into elk calling, hunting strategy, and what it really takes to get close to bulls in the West. Dirk breaks down real-world calling scenarios, common mistakes hunters make, and how to think like an elk when the pressure is on. From early season setups to high-intensity rut encounters, this conversation is packed with pract...

At the Western Hunt Expo, host Ike Eastman sits down with Rafe Nielsen for a conversation that goes far beyond gear. With over two decades at Browning, Rafe shares his journey from a small-town kid touring the Browning offices at 12 years old… to leading marketing for one of the most iconic brands in hunting. The two dive into the legendary history of John Moses Browning, the innovation that shape...

If you've ever looked at Montana and thought, "Man… where do I even start?" — this episode is for you. Ike sits down with Dan Pickar to break down one of the most confusing tag systems in the West. From combo licenses and preference points to bonus points and outfitter strategies, this is a no fluff conversation on how to actually build a plan that gets you in the field. They dive into: The realit...

In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with four-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning at the Western Hunt Expo to talk about the crossover between elite fitness and Western hunting. Rich shares how his competitive CrossFit background eventually led him deeper into hunting and how that journey inspired the creation of Mayhem Hunt, a fitness program designe...

In this episode of the Eastmans Journal Podcast Edition , Ike Eastman sits down with Tim Lesser of Leupold at the Western Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City to talk about optics, innovation, and the technology behind the gear serious hunters rely on. Leupold has been building optics for more than 120 years , and their reputation for durability and trust in the field didn't happen by accident. Ike and Tim...

If you've ever looked at hunting out West and thought, "I wouldn't even know where to start," this one's for you. In this episode, Scott and Luke sit down for a real, boots-on-the-ground conversation about building a Western hunt strategy from scratch. From four-state application plans and understanding point creep to breaking down DIY vs outfitted hunts, they cover what actually matters when you'...

In this episode, host Ike Eastman sits down with Dylan Dowson of onX Hunt for an honest, down-to-earth conversation that runs the full spectrum of the Western hunting lifestyle. Dylan shares his roots growing up in small-town eastern Montana, early memories of hunting with his dad, and the unlikely path that led him from rock-crushing crews and water treatment jobs into a dream career inside the h...

What happens when a lifelong whitetail hunter from Pennsylvania finally gets his first crack at the West? In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, Ike Eastman sits down with Jake Pashuta, the 2025 Eastmans mule deer hunt winner, alongside Eastmans own Brandon Mason, who was there to film and experience the hunt firsthand. From the moment Jake gets "the call" to the long drive across easte...

In this special episode of the Ike Eastman Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with the living legend Jackie Bushman — founder of Buckmasters, pioneer of modern hunting television, and the man who brought whitetail deer hunting to millions of living rooms. Recorded live from the Buckmasters studio in Montgomery, Alabama, during the scorching August heat of the 2025 Buckmasters Expo, Ike and Jackie...

In Episode 87, Ike Eastman sits down for a genuine conversation with Matt Burch of Burch Rodeo and Four Horse Outfitters — a fifth-generation Wyoming rancher, stock contractor, elk steward, and one of the most interesting characters in the rodeo. From managing 300,000+ acres of prime elk, mule deer, and antelope habitat to raising some of the most respected bucking horses and bulls in the PRCA, Ma...

In this episode of Eastmans Journal Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with Fonzie Haskell — Wyoming rancher, outfitter, coyote hunter, and newly appointed Wyoming Game & Fish Commissioner. Fonzie shares his incredible journey from growing up in the wild boomtown of Rock Springs to managing wildlife, guiding hunters, and helping shape the future of conservation in the Cowboy State. The conversati...

Episode 85 is brought to you from September elk camp where Eastmans' Journal Podcast host Ike Eastman visits with Greg Williams, CEO of Eberlestock. At the age of 31 Greg's success in the industry is a testament to his personal drive and humility. Greg and Ike discuss his origins in the Army, how an internship at Eberlestock led to his leadership role today and the challenges of learning to hunt a...

In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, Ike Eastman sits down with Sam Mackey—former Navy SEAL and now CEO of Outsider. Sam dedicated 20 years of his life to military service, and he and Ike dive into some incredible stories from his time in uniform. But the conversation doesn't stop there. Sam shares how his passion for hunting and the outdoors shaped his next mission—building Outsider...

In this episode of the Eastmans Journal Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with Jason Wilson, a Georgia outdoorsman, entrepreneur, and the founder of the Vote 4 America campaign. Their conversation ranges from the power of grassroots voices in elections to the unique challenges facing hunters, landowners, and wildlife managers across the country. Jason shares how his apolitical campaign used soci...

In episode 82 of the Eastmans Journal Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with Patrick Ginder, founder of At Ease Hunting. A Marine Corps veteran and Wyoming native, Patrick shares how his upbringing in a hunting family, his time serving as a door gunner in Iraq and Afghanistan, and years of guiding shaped his vision for At Ease Hunting. Built on the idea that the outdoors provides peace and purpo...

In Episode 81 of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast , Ike Eastman sits down with Matt Burgess, the man behind Dispatches Hunts . Matt shares the journey that led him from his early days in the outdoors to building a global network of top-tier outfitter partnerships. This episode is packed with gritty hunt stories from around the world, insights into what it takes to work with professional guides and ou...

In this episode of the Eastmans' Journal Podcast, host Ike Eastman sits down with Christian Chatellier of Dead Air for an in-depth conversation about the benefits of hunting suppressed. They dive into how they can improve accuracy, reduce recoil and sound, and help new and young hunters avoid bad habits—like developing a flinch. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episod...