Eastmans' Wingmen Podcast

Butch Whiting w/Kryptek Outdoor Group: Butch Whiting is very possibly the model for the iconic "most interesting man in the world" ad campaign. He is the cofounder of Kryptek and still operates the brand with a hands on leadership mantra. Butch and host Todd Helms dive into the history of the Kryptek brand, the mad-scientist genius behind the military tested and proven camouflage and what's on the...

Jeff Jones is the co-founder of Chêne Gear, our wader partner and a rising star in the waterfowl world. Chêne's ethos of producing gear that's everything you need and nothing you don't that'll keep you in the field and on the hunt is piloted by Jones who has spent his entire working life building waterfowl gear of some sort or another. You'll be hard pressed to find someone with more expertise tha...

Wade and Todd have been acquainted for a long time but have never had the opportunity to visit in depth until this podcast episode. They waste no time diving into hunting, dogs, and the difference between real world hunting dogs and HRC trial expectations and realities. This is a killer episode with two very like-minded, hardcore waterfowlers.

In this episode host Todd Helms sits down with world traveler Michael McNeal to talk about all things waterfowl hunting. He’s been around the globe and has experienced some unbelievable hunts. The guys swap stories about hunting the great North and tips for international travel.

Episode 84 is all about getting the most from your onX Hunt App as host Todd Helms sits down with Ben Brettingen of onX. The guys dig into some of the everyday uses for the App and some hidden tricks for taking it to the next level. Along the way they chat about birds, predator management and the importance of having a large network. Don't sleep on this one.

Superior Upland is an outfitter, dog trainer, shooting preserve owned and operated by Jake Perry in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Host Todd Helms sits down and talks dogs, ruffed grouse/woodcock and the state of habitat in da UP. The guys share a common love for upland bird hunting since Jake live and hunts where Todd went to college. It's another great episode of the Wingmen Podcast.

Host Todd Helms is solo on this one and as usual he has lots on his mind! He breaks down why it’s vitally important to practice shotgun skills, dog training and physical fitness over the summer months. Todd is passionate about all three of these topics and shares his insights from 30+ years of doing all three. Todd also dives into the latest Wingmen film – The Sage Grouse Project. . . this film is...

Rhys Haugen is perhaps one of the most interesting people we’ve had on the podcast. Host Todd Helms and Rhys sit down and record a face to face episode discussing Rhys’ budding upland hunting gear company, High Plains Gear. Rhys drew on his time in the Marine Corp to create next level performance gear for the uplands. When he isn’t working on his company, he also trains dogs. This led to a discuss...

Host Todd Helms sits down with fellow Wingmen and Eastmans’ staffers Dan Pickar and Luke Washington for what begins as a recap of the spring’s turkey season. However, the conversation quickly takes a left turn as the guys dive into the hotly debated topic of comparing turkey hunting to elk hunting. Tactics are contrasted and opinions begin to fly as the guys drag the 800 lb gorilla into the center...

If 5,000 widgeon tornadoing a sheet water field sounds like a good time then this episode is a must listen! Mike and his partner started Rainout Outdoors about two years ago and are crushing it out in Washington state. Mike and host Todd Helms dive deep into what it takes to be consistently successful in the late season. From realistic calling and decoy placement to natural hides vs. blinds, the g...

Host Todd Helms goes solo on this one to discuss Wingmen’s new partnership with Kryptek. Todd has put virtually the entire line of clothing from this Pro 2A, veteran owned brand through the paces and is stoked about the performance and the ethos surrounding this partnership. The Kryptek crew are hunters and patriots and make zero apologies for either. When you’re done listening to this episode you...

Brian Kelvington’s official title is Director, Media at Vista Outdoor Inc. We know him as one of the best guys in the industry, who works tirelessly to advance ammunition development to provide hunters and shooters with the best possible ammo. Brian’s a devoted wingshooter and we were blessed to spend a few days in Montana this past fall putting some new products from Federal Premium through the p...

Host Todd Helms sits down with “Stormin’ Norman” for a one on one conversation down at Hunt Expo in SLC. The guys chat about the world class waterfowl hunting offered by Wingmaster Outfitting, and how the firm’s waterfowl/black bear combo hunts in September are an experience every avid hunter needs to partake of. Norm is a real character and this episode doesn’t varnish any opinions as the fellas...

Recorded at the Western Hunting Expo, Federal Premium’s Jon Zinnel sits down with host Todd Helms. They talk about this year's expo turnout, rehash their past fall seasons, and dissect different Federal Premium shotshells and their performance. They also discuss conservation and their passion for hunting. You don’t want to miss this episode of the Wingman podcast!

Bruce Pettet joins the Eastmans' Crew at the Western Hunting Expo in Salt Lake City where he sits down with host Todd Helms. They talk about the history behind various Leupold products, Bruce's recent "Macnab" hunt and the film resulting from that journey, dog training, the upcoming turkey season, and more. It's a fun episode you don't want to miss!

Colton Thompson is living the dream. He walked away from a successful career to pursue his passion of duck calling, building duck calls and training British Labradors. Host Todd Helms and Colton wade into the deep end of Colton’s story and find a “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” story that pure American Dream. The guys talk ducks, duck calls, dogs and even what they look for in a duck call. Be...

Host Todd Helms and freelance photographer/videographer Harrison Creed breakdown their hunt with The Outfit Oklahoma. The fellas go through the ups and downs, how to deal with crappy clients, stale birds and managing expectations. Harrison also dives into what it takes to be a freelance photographer and a bit of his daily grind in the waterfowl world. It’s another can’t miss episode of the Wingmen...

Cody McCarthy is a former World Champion Elk Caller but his passion extends well beyond wapiti. Besides being a strength and conditioning trainer Cody works for Slayer Calls where he is integral in developing cutting edge game calls, especially elk and waterfowl to help hunters of all stripes the most from their time afield. Cody’s passion is obvious and this is a can’t miss episode of the Wingmen...

Host Todd Helms goes into detail about how to get the most out of your duck hunting spots over the course of a season. Todd also walks you through how he set up Hondo for success on his first blind retrieve. Finally, Todd offers up a quick review of the new Federal Premium Hevi-Bismuth shotshell. It’s all things waterfowl on this episode of the Wingmen Podcast.

Wingmen host Todd Helms sits down to review the gear he and crew have been using this fall and give a quick update on Hondo and his first hunt! Hondo is crushing it and Todd explains the journey to get to this point and why he waited to hunt Hondo until he was two. With Christmas right around the corner Todd dives into the gear he and crew have been using and why any waterfowl or upland hunter wou...

Host Todd Helms wanted to know more about how these fellas got started in the waterfowl/big game outfitting business and to learn exactly what they offer besides world class goose and black bear combination hunts. The conversation spans everything from origins and services to arctic wolf hunting adventures that border on the unbelievable. Adventure is a part of daily life in and around La Crete, A...

Recorded on location in La Crete, Alberta, this episode features two of the hardest working guides in the business, Curt and Rod Friesen of Wingmaster Outfitting. These guys busted their butts for us during our week of hunting and Todd sits down to pick their brains and get some Canadian perspective on waterfowl hunting, especially along the famous Peace River in Alberta. This is a must listen for...

Todd Helms and Brandon Mason sit down to discuss their upcoming hunt for waterfowl and black bears in northern Alberta. The guys are taking Brandon’s son Hunter to help film but there’s sure to be some golden father & son moments along the way. The guys are stoked for their trip and discuss everything that’s gone into this adventure and what they are expecting. It’s yet another can’t miss epis...

Fellow Eastmans’ employee and Wingman, Scott Reekers sits down with host Todd Helms for a preview of their 2022 hunting seasons but the conversation quickly turns to the trials of training dogs and balancing family life with a hunting addiction. The guys delved into some big game conversation and extolled the virtues of Wyoming’s season structures that allow wingshooters a very long and very liber...

Ike Eastman is the owner & CEO of Eastmans’ Publishing, aka The Boss but he hates that title and is honestly one of the most visionary leaders we’ve had the pleasure to work with. Ike and host Todd Helms try to keep the conversation focused on an incredible hunt with Ike and and his oldest daughter last winter but they wander down a maze of rabbit trails along the way and discuss everything fr...