Free Castin'

On this episode of Free Castin , we're joined by Naomi Hersh for a conversation that goes well beyond hunting dogs. We get to know Naomi, the woman behind the fight, and talk about her life as a wife, mother of two, and passionate outdoorswoman. We discuss how her family and outdoor lifestyle have shaped her perspective and what motivates her to stand up for the hunting community. From there, we g...

Free Castin Podcast – Jeremy Purvis | Louisiana Houndsman On this episode of Free Castin , we sit down with Jeremy Purvis from Louisiana Hunting to talk hounds, hunting, and the lifestyle that comes with chasing game in the woods. We get into the stories, experiences, and lessons that shape a houndsman, from working dogs in the field to the traditions and friendships that keep this way of life ali...

On this episode of Free Castin , we're sitting down with Calvin from Rez Hounds to talk hounds, hunting, and life in the rugged country of the Navajo Nation. Calvin runs hounds on bears, mountain lions, and bobcats, and we're getting into how he got started, the dogs that make it happen, and the experiences that have shaped him as a houndsman. We'll talk about training dogs, finding tracks, huntin...

On this episode of we're joined by Sonny Tapia for a conversation about Arizona bear hunting, running hounds, and the mission behind Sportsmen For Heroes Foundation. Sonny shares his perspective on pursuing bears in Arizona, the challenges of hunting with hounds, and the experiences that make this lifestyle so special. But this conversation goes beyond the hunt. We also talk about Sportsmen For He...

HOUND RIGS & EQUIPMENT — WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED? What’s in your hound rig? On this episode of Free Castin , we're talking about the trucks, dog boxes, tools, and equipment that houndsmen depend on when they head to the woods. From the basics like a good dog box and plenty of water, to the things you may not think about until something goes wrong — CB radios, tire repair kits, tools, spare equ...

On this episode of Free Castin , we sit down with Ben Sheets to talk about who Ben is, his background in the hound world, and the story behind Full Cry Magazine . Full Cry has been a part of the hound-hunting community since the 1930s, documenting the people, dogs, hunts, competitions, and stories that have helped shape the hound world for generations. We talk about what Full Cry means to houndsme...

Welcome back to another episode of Free Castin! This episode is all about what houndsmen love most — DOGS! Sometimes you don't need a big debate or a controversial topic. Sometimes you just need to sit down, talk dogs, and share a few stories. That's exactly what we're doing in this episode. We're talking about the hounds that started it all, the best dogs we've ever hunted, the traits that make a...

On this episode of Free Castin , we’re taking you to Africa for an incredible conversation with the hunter behind what may be a world-record leopard . We start with the hunt itself — how the leopard was found, the tracking, the preparation, the people involved, the challenges along the way, and what it was like when the opportunity finally came together. But this episode goes much deeper than the...

On this episode of Free Castin , we dive into a subject that every Arizona hunter needs to think about: hunting regulations and who is going to shape them in the future. Hunters don't always agree when it comes to changing rules and regulations. Many see new regulations as nothing more than government control—and sometimes that concern is justified. But what happens when hunters completely disenga...

2026 Arizona Hound Hunters Rendezvous — The Recap In this episode of Free Castin , we’re looking back at the 2026 Arizona Hound Hunters Rendezvous ! We’re talking about the people, the dogs, the stories, the laughs, the food, the music, the vendors, and all the memories that made this year’s Rendezvous one to remember. But more than anything, we’re talking about why events like this matter . Hound...

Hunters vs. Hunters In this episode of Free Castin , we're diving into one of the biggest issues facing the hunting community today: hunters fighting hunters. Why are we so quick to attack someone because they hunt differently than we do? Houndsmen, archery hunters, rifle hunters, guides, DIY hunters, trophy hunters, meat hunters—we all have different methods, traditions, and opinions. But when on...

Every houndsman dreams of turning loose on a giant mountain lion tom or a massive bear boar. But have you ever stopped to think about what happens after that dominant animal is removed from the landscape? In this episode of Free Castin , we take an honest look at one of the most debated topics in predator hunting and wildlife management. We discuss the role mature tom lions and boars play in maint...

Who's Fighting for Hound Hunting? We all enjoy turning our hounds loose, listening to a race, and making memories in the woods—but how many of us are actively helping protect the future of hound hunting? In this episode of Free Castin , we dive into one of the most important conversations facing the hunting community today. Who represents houndsmen when regulations are proposed? Who speaks up at w...

Every houndsman has faced it sooner or later—the difficult decision of what to do with a dog that just isn't making the cut. In this episode of Free Castin' , we tackle one of the most controversial topics in the hound world: When is it time to cull a hound? We discuss what culling really means, the importance of being honest about a dog's ability, and how these decisions impact breeding programs,...

Every houndsman has heard the stories. The dog that never missed. The old-timer who could strike a track where no one else could. The bear dog that never quit. The lion hound that could trail across bare rock. But are these stories history... or have they grown into legends over the years? In this episode of Free Castin' , we dive into the campfire stories that have shaped hound hunting for genera...

Summer doesn't mean houndsmen stop learning. In this episode of Free Castin' , we dive into what it takes to keep your hounds healthy, conditioned, and mentally sharp during the off-season. From roading, free running, and nutrition to foot care, kennel management, and preparing for the next hunting season, we share practical tips to help your pack stay ready year-round. We also shift gears into a...

The future of hound hunting isn't just about great dogs—it's about the people who will be turning them loose for years to come. In this episode of Free Castin , we dive into one of the most important conversations in the hunting community: how do we get the next generation involved? We discuss the role of parents, grandparents, mentors, and hunting buddies in introducing young people to running ho...

This episode of Free Castin , we're kicking back and talking hounds with a great group of houndsmen. Joining us are Cody King , Derrek , and Jeremy from the YouTube channel Louisiana Hunting for an unscripted conversation about the dogs we love and the lifestyle that keeps us coming back to the woods. We'll cover everything from starting young dogs, breeding decisions, memorable hunts, dog handlin...

Every finished hound starts as an 8-week-old puppy. This episode we're breaking down the entire journey—from bringing that pup home for the first time to turning it into a game-running hound. We'll cover: ✅ Picking the right pup from the litter ✅ Building confidence and drive ✅ Socialization and early training ✅ Introducing scent and game ✅ Starting pups with older dogs ✅ Common mistakes tha...

The Most Overrated Things in Hound Hunting On this episode we're opening a can of worms and asking a question that every houndsman has an opinion on: What's the most overrated thing in hound hunting? Are we spending too much money on gear, dog food, supplements, tracking systems, lights, dog boxes, trucks, and gadgets that don't actually put more game in the tree? Or are some of these investments...

This episode we're diving into one of the biggest debates in the hound hunting world: Mules vs. OHVs — Which is the better hound hunting rig? From pack mules in the backcountry to side-by-sides on the trail, we're breaking down the pros, cons, costs, access, reliability, and hunting experiences that come with each. Has modern technology made us better hunters, or have we lost something by leaving...

On this episode of Free Castin’, we tackle a conversation that’s been building for a long time… What’s REALLY killing hound hunting? From division inside the hunting community and social media drama to rising costs, disappearing mentorship, technology dependence, and public perception — we break down the biggest threats facing modern houndsmen and the future of hound hunting itself. Are anti-hunte...

Tonight on Free Castin’ , we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in the hound world — young dogs . From starting pups too early, genetics vs training, trash breaking, grit, brains, pressure, and the mistakes that ruin more dogs than people realize, this episode is packed with honest opinions and real experience from houndsmen who’ve lived it. We talk about what separates average dogs fro...

Welcome back to another episode of Free Castin’ ! This one’s a packed house with stories, opinions, laughs, and straight-up houndsmen talk from across the country. Joining the show: Chris Watson from the YouTube channel Anecdote of a Houndsman Brett Vaughn from Born 100 Years Too Late Jeremy Purvis from Louisiana Hunting Dustin with Cold Strike Gear Jarrod Fischer with South Ridge Guide Service La...

Welcome back to Free Castin’ on the Anecdote of a Houndsman YouTube channel — this episode is packed with hounds, hunting stories, and real talk from the desert Southwest. Cody King joins the show to talk about the “Earn Your Spurs” event in Douglas and what folks can expect from the gathering. We’re also joined by Brett Vaughn from the Born 100 Years Too Late YouTube channel to talk dogs, houndsm...