I Survived The Wild Outdoors

In the early 1980's, a day of ice fishing on Lake Winneconne in Wisconsin turned into a serious and unexpected situation for Mark Maynard. What started as a routine day on the ice, took a sudden and dangerous turn when an unseen hazard began to take hold- one that offers little warning and can impact anyone, no matter their level of experience. Mark Maynard is a Nationally Certified gas technician...

Just 21 years old, Jake Bussey has already built a life most hunters only dream about. From guiding Turkey hunts since high school to crafting custom calls from the age of 13, his passion for chasing long beards runs deep. But during a hunt in Michigan on May 16, 2026, that passion was tested in a way a few outdoorsman will ever experience. When a fast moving storm rolled in, what began as a routi...

In this episode we follow Ben Brooks, an experienced hiker from California as he ventures alone on the Bailey Canyon Trail in the Sierra Madre. What began as a routine afternoon hike took a dangerous turn when a black bear forced him off schedule, leading him into darkness and a fateful decision that would leave him injured. Alongside Ben’s gripping account, we explore the critical lessons of hiki...

In June 2022, Frank and Connie Delnero, a couple from Pennsylvania, set out on what seemed like a routine evening walk with their 2 dogs. As they turned a corner, they bumped into a mother bear and her 3 small cubs. In this episode, we recount their terrifying encounter and explore how bears have adapted to human encroachment Stay with us as we unpack this harrowing true story and offer essential...

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Marshall, former host of Marshall Bushcraft on Canada's Wild Tv, to talk about the experience that changed the course of his life. In his early 20's Ryan set out on a winter climbing trip, only to find himself caught in a blizzard, soaked, exposed, and facing conditions he wasn't ready for. What followed was a series of decisions that pushed him to his limits...

In the 1980's, a simple magazine article would change everything for a Wisconsin angler named Joe Wing. After reading about Peacock bass fishing in the Amazon he picked up the phone and called the man behind the story- and a few months later, he was headed deep into South America. What followed were years of raw, unfiltered adventure across remote rivers in places like Venezuela, Brazil and Peru-...

Bob Kampstra is back on the show, and at 87 years old, he's proof that adventure doesn't retire. In this episode, Bob takes us into the woods and into a situation where his experience, quick thinking, and even his faith are put to the ultimate test. We discuss the crucial lessons he learned - why wearing a safety harness is non-negotiable and why someone should always know where you are. We also d...

On a windy winter day fourteen years ago, Duane Braaksma set out alone to ice fish on Big Green Lake Wisconsin. What should have been a quiet afternoon on the ice turned into a fight for survival when he fell through and found himself trapped in freezing water with no way out. With other fishermen nearby but unable to hear his calls for help, Duane only had minutes to act. In this episode, we tell...

Back in 1973 Bob Kampstra, a hunter from Wisconsin answered what appeared to be a credible advertisement for a guided elk hunt in the Idaho Wilderness. After a few phone calls he believed he could trust this professional guide. Once he arrived in camp, it became clear this outfitter wasn't what he claimed to be. Promises of experienced guides, reliable support and a well-ran camp gave way to somet...

More than 25 years ago, a routine day on a northern Wisconsin trapline took an unexpected turn for Steve Olson. While handling a conibear trap deep in the woods, a split-second mistake left him trapped and stuck alone with no cell phone and no immediate help. What followed required problem-solving, determination, and a calm approach under pressure. In this episode we share Steve's experience and f...

In this episode, we sit down with Ron Niziolek, a life long bow hunter from Cody, Wyoming whose passion for elk hunting places him deep in some of the most bear-dense terrain in the lower 48. In areas where nearly every drainage holds a grizzly bear, success isn't just measured by filling a tag- it's measured by getting home safe. During the 2024 Wyoming elk season, Ron encountered 41 grizzly bear...

A routine morning in the Michigan woods turns into a life-altering event when veteran hunter Greg Shull experiences a catastrophic climber tree stand failure during the 2009 deer season. In this episode we examine Greg's story and use it as a powerful lens to explore the realities of hunting from elevation- where preparation, equipment, and split-second circumstances can mean the difference betwee...

In this episode we share the powerful story of Lauren Jean- a tough, devoted hounds woman whose life was turned upside down by a single tick bite. After contracting Lyme disease, Lauren quickly developed severe symptoms, including neurological issues, heart complication, and P.O.T.S forcing her into a year long battle that drained her health, finances and strength. Through hospital visits, costly...

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Klement, an outdoorsman whose life took an unexpected turn after a tick bite in 2012 while hunting in Washington State. What began as a simple tick removal became a six year medical mystery marked by worsening symptoms, unanswered questions, and countless treatments that never addressed the real cause. Justin shares the physical, emotional, and medical obst...

In this episode I sit down with Keith Schuh, an archer whose life changed forever in a split second. Nearly 20 years ago, Keith made the switch from aluminum to carbon arrows— a move many archers were making at the time. During a casual afternoon of target practice with friends, one arrow failed catastrophically. The carbon shaft splintered on release, driving deep into Keith’s arm and hand, causi...

Returning guest Jeff Braaksma joins us for his 3rd appearance- and this time with a hunting story that took a serious and unexpected turn. What started as a triumphant bow hunt on public land in Wisconsin, became a fight for his health. The day after his successful hunt, his body began telling him something was seriously wrong. With red streaks running up his arms, extreme fatigue, and confus...

In this episode, returning guest Jeff Braaksma shares a harrowing first hand account of what he believes was a Brown Recluse Spider bite-right in the woods of Wisconsin, where the species isn't considered native. While clearing brush for a deer stand, Jeff experienced a bite that quickly turned serious: swelling, tissue damage, and a textbook bullseye wound. Days later, after posting pictures on F...

In this episode, I share a painful lesson I learned first hand: What happens when you don't properly protect your skin from the sun. After a fishing trip turned into a medical nightmare, I developed sun poisoning and second-degree burns on my lips. We'll talk about what sun poisoning actually is, why your lips are especially at risk, and how you can prevent serious sun damage using SPF lip balm, s...

A split-second mistake. A missing thumb. A crossbow design that never should have allowed it to happen. In this episode, I sit down with veteran bowhunter Jeff Braaksma, who shares the shocking story of how a simple backyard practice session with his new crossbow turned into a life-altering injury. Jeff's not alone - his experience is part of a disturbing pattern affecting hunters across the count...

Professional fishing guide Thatcher Haggberg joins the show to share his personal wake-up call after being diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and undergoing multiple treatments for actinic keratosis. With over 25 years guiding on Lake of the Woods and Crow Lake, Thatcher has spent a lifetime under the sun with little protection--and now he is on a mission to help others understand the long-term r...

Join us as my friend Tracy and I chase Muskies on the legendary Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada. When the fish weren't biting the first few days of the trip, we made a bold decision to explore a new area- one that required portaging our boat overland using an old rail cart system. Things didn't go as planned and we soon found ourselves stranded on the wrong side of the portage with daylight s...

When Chris and his son Tyler set out to hunt caribou on the remote island of Adak- a wind swept mostly deserted wonder in the Bering Sea- they expected a challenging trip. What they got was a battle for survival. Four miles from their truck, Chris suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing his patella tendon. With no local rescue team, no hospital and no quick way off the island, they reached out...

On a remote hunting trip in Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Tyler Johnson and his father Chris found themselves in a life or death encounter with one of nature's most feared predators. While trekking through tall grass, they startled a massive brown bear. In a terrifying turn, the bear charged- first veering towards Chris before locking onto Tyler. In the chaos, Tyler tried to defend himself with his 10...

Leon Brown from Clark Fork Outfitters is back! A returning guest and seasoned hunting guide, Leon joins us once again to share another unforgettable story. This time it all starts with a successful hunt as his dad drops a great bull elk, but things quickly take a turn. After deciding to haul the elk out using an ATV, Leon is able to get down the top of the mountain to an old logging road. But when...

In this gripping episode, Leon Brown of Clark Fork Outfitters shares his harrowing encounter with a black bear in the wilds of Idaho. After a day-long chase with his dogs, Leon found himself under attack, forced to defend himself with his handgun. He recounts the terrifying moment the bear turned on him, biting his thigh and hand and how he survived the the attack. Leon's story is not only a testa...