Nordic Tales & American Trails

In this episode Erik Rhodin and Darren Petty continue the conversation with Travis Bader, diving deeper into ethics, conservation, and the realities of modern wildlife management. We discuss public land access, predator–prey dynamics, hunting regulations, and the challenges hunters face in maintaining ethical standards in a rapidly changing world. The conversation also covers hunting with dogs, th...

In this epiosde Erik Rhodin and Darren Petty sit down with Travis Bader — Canadian outdoorsman and host of the Silvercore Podcast — for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges hunting cultures across the Atlantic. Travis shares his experiences hunting in Sweden, his time at the Norma Academy, and his perspective on how hunting traditions, regulations, and community differ between North America an...

In this week’s episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails , Erik Rohdin and Adam Vu sit down with their hunting partner Dominic Brown of Bayou Outlaws for a grounded conversation about real-world hunting, dog work, and life in the field. We talk about everything from moose hunting in harsh winter conditions to fast-paced wild boar chases, and what it takes to run dogs effectively when weather, te...

In Part Two, we continue our conversation with Filip Örnerkrans, diving deeper into the broader cultural, ethical, and economic realities surrounding hunting. We talk about trophy hunting from a Scandinavian perspective, how hunting helps fund conservation, and why public perception of hunters can differ so much between countries. We also discuss the importance of education, transparency, and why...

In Part One , we sit down with Filip Örnerkrans , together with Wayne, for an in-depth conversation about bow hunting, tradition, and the ethics that shape how we hunt. We talk about the transition from traditional to modern archery, shot placement and animal behavior, and why bow hunting demands a different level of patience, awareness, and respect. We also explore the importance of mentorship in...

In this New Year’s special episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails , Erik and Adam sit down with Jimmy Vegas to talk about getting into hunting later in life — and getting completely hooked. Jimmy shares how a casual interest turned into a full-blown passion, from his very first hog hunt to traveling, hunting with dogs, and experiencing the camaraderie that keeps pulling people deeper into the...

Robin Tangen is back — fresh home from West Virginia and with a brand-new chapter added: importing a dog from the U.S. to Norway . In this Christmas episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails , we sit down to talk hunting, dogs, and the shared traditions that connect Sweden, Norway, and the United States. Robin shares stories from his recent trip to the U.S., what it’s like hunting and traveling...

In this episode, Erik and Adam sit down with Austin Marcum of Wild Country Kennels for an honest conversation about coon hunting, hound work, and what it truly takes to build reliable hunting dogs. They talk about how hounds are started, tested under pressure, and selected forward in serious programs — and why not every dog makes the cut. The discussion also compares American coon hunting culture...

In this episode, Erik and Adam sit down with Swedish hunter, tracker, and lifelong Laika man Mikael Kronstrand for a deep dive into dog work, training philosophy, and what truly separates a good dog from a great one.   They explore the mindset behind building reliable wounded-game trackers, the differences between East and West Siberian Laikas, and why Scandinavian dog culture operates so dif...

In Episode 66, Darren and Erik sit down to talk about what hunting really means — far beyond the success of the shot. They dive into why the harvest itself is only a small piece of the puzzle, and how the journey, the lessons, and the time spent in the wild shape us far more than the outcome ever could. From sustainability and ethics to the stories and community that bind hunters together, this ep...

In this part 2 we continues the discussion with James Edwards , expanding into global hunting traditions, land management, and the future of working dogs. We dive into the cultural importance of moose hunting , the challenges of modern wildlife laws, and how different regions shape the dogs they breed. They also touch on coyote hunting, the rise of new hunters, and the ethics that guide today’s hu...

In Part One, Erik sits down with James Edwards of JJlivestockUK to dig into the heritage of British working dogs and how the UK’s hunting culture has changed over time. We explore the history of the Smithfield cattle dog, the role of dogs both on farms and in the field, and how the Hunting Act of 2005 reshaped long-standing traditions. The conversation also touches on the controversy surrounding U...

In Part 2, Erik Rhodin continues the conversation with Derek Hall, diving deeper into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s hunting community. From state regulations to public perception, they explore how hunters can take an active role in education, outreach, and responsible dog work — ensuring that the traditions we value continue to thrive for generations to come . Derek also shares i...

In Part 1 of this conversation, Erik Rhodin sits down with Derek Hall to explore the world of hunting with dogs — from the deserts of Arizona to the forests of Scandinavia. They dive into what defines a good hunting dog, how different breeds excel in different regions, and the cultural contrasts that shape how hunters around the world view their craft. This first part sets the stage for a powerful...

In this episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails, Erik and Adam open up about the emotional highs and lows that come with life as hunters and dog owners. From the joy of the chase to the heartbreak of losing a trusted companion, this conversation dives deep into the bond between humans, dogs, and the wild. They reflect on the recent moose hunting season, the transition to copper bullets, and th...

In this episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails, Erik sits down with Thomas Cole from Colemine Kennels in Michigan. Thomas shares his journey into hound hunting — from starting later in life to building a kennel of driven bear dogs and traveling across the U.S. in pursuit of adventure. The conversation dives into what drives houndsmen, the ethics of baiting, breeding for purpose, and the power...

In this episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails , Erik sits down with Darren in the hills of Kentucky to talk bear hunting, hounds, and the deep traditions that bind hunters together. From training versatile dogs to navigate tough mountain terrain to understanding the patchwork of state hunting laws, Darren shares what it takes to succeed in one of the South’s most challenging and rewarding pu...

In Part 2, Erik and Darren continue the conversation with Joe Kondelis , shifting focus toward the world of dog hunting , hunter unity, and what the future of bear management looks like when science, tradition, and passion come together. They dive into the role of dogs in both Sweden and North America, the challenges from anti-hunting movements, and how cooperation between hunters worldwide can st...

In this first part of our two-episode conversation, Erik and Darren sit down with Joe Kondelis , President of the American Bear Foundation , to talk about bear hunting, management, and culture — from Scandinavia to the Rocky Mountains. They explore how bears are managed differently across continents, why bear meat deserves more respect, and how hunters can help shape a better public understanding...

In this episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails , Erik and Adam sit down for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, dog training, and the challenges of modern life. From the importance of disconnecting from social media to the deep bond between handler and dog, they share honest reflections on the ups and downs of life in the woods. Highlights include: 📵 Stepping away from social media to...

In this episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails , Erik is joined by new co-host Darren Petty from Indiana. Together, they dive into the world of dog training — from handling aggression and working with protection breeds, to the responsibilities of dog ownership and the instincts that make hunting dogs tick. Darren shares his experience training aggressive breeds, while Erik brings in the Europ...

This second part dives deeper into the cultural differences in hunting between the U.S. and Europe from predator management on estates and in the field to the role of social media in shaping hunting culture. Peter shares his unique perspective on adapting to new traditions while staying true to his own hunting roots. Highlights include: 🇸🇪 Cultural shocks of hunting in Sweden 🐺 Predator managemen...

In this episode Erik and Adam sit down with Peter “Loghead Terriers,” a terrierman from the U.S. now living in southern Sweden. Peter shares his journey into hunting with Patterdale Terriers, the culture shock of moving overseas, and how hunting traditions differ between the U.S. and Europe. From chasing nutria in Louisiana to hunting badgers with terriers in rural Skåne, this conversation blends...

In this short episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails , hosts Erik and Adam share recent hunting stories, focusing on dog training, hound traditions, and the excitement of returning to their roots with beagles. Highlights include: 🐾 The joy of hunting with dogs 🔙 Nostalgia of returning to beagles 🎯 First-time hunting experiences ⏳ Patience in dog training 👨‍👩‍👧 Hunting as a family tradi...

In this episode, we welcome back Wayne Dixon , board member of the American Bear Foundation and fellow Laika hunter. Wayne first joined us in Episode 12 , and we’re excited to have him return for another deep dive into the world of bear hunting and conservation. 🐻🎙️ From the traditions of hunting with dogs in the U.S. to reflections on time spent in Sweden and Norway, we explore the cultural pers...