Okayest Trapper

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast we sit down with the man behind the music of HawkenHorse band, Andy Wills. Andy grew up exposed to trapping and has since dabbled in the iconic tradition, which has been the source of much inspiration for his music. We chat about history, how fur-handling helped shape America, and the need to preserve our more traditional ways of life – something he a...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast we sit down with Stacey Skyrpan. Stacey is a Canadian farmer, mother, wife, trapper, and the owner of Wolf & Fox Fur.  We dive into how she grew up around trapping legends but didn’t get into the art herself until she was in her 30’s. We chat about mentorship, legacy, and how important it is to pass these historical ways of life onto future generation...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper we sit down with Jase Groesbeck. Jase is a lifelong hunter and trapper who is now using his social reach for greater purposes. We chat about bear hunting, his first run-ins with trapping, and how he and his wife are building a foundation to take well-deserved people on once-in-a-lifetime hunts. Jase is as down to earth as it gets and a blast to chat with. Tun...

On this week’s episode of the Okayest Trapper we sit down with Lydia Reichenbacher. Lydia is an Ohio native who picked up trapping in high school on a whim! Since then she has built a life centered around trapping, which involved starting her own apparel business – Tight Chains Co. We chat about how she got her start in trapping, learning things the hard way, trapping through injury, bringing kids...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast, we sit down with Randy Newberg. Randy is a staple in the outdoor and conservation community and has been making hunting related content, TV shows, and podcasts for over a decade.  We chat about his upbringing in Minnesota running traplines, his recent fitness journey, and why learning to trap can make you a better hunter. Tune in, because you aren’t...

On today’s episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast we sat down with artist Nicholas Coleman. Nicholas is a Utah native and his western works have been featured in galleries all over the world. We cover his early motivations for artwork and how time spent with his father out on the trapline helped build an immense appreciation for attention to detail – something that would come in handy during his a...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast we sit down with none other than Dan Gates. Dan has been a Colorado based conservation advocate for decades and is leading the charge against the proposed trophy hunting classification of mountain lion and bobcat in his home state.  Dan is a trapper, multiple-time conservation board member, hunter, and a true mover of the needle. Take a listen, learn,...

On this week’s episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast we sit down with Laura Groesbeck. Laura is an entrepreneur, hunter, trapper, mother, and a reluctant outdoor influencer.  We dive into her businesses, her first exposures to trapping, and what it means to involve family in the pursuits that we love. Buckle up, you are not gonna want to miss this one! https://www.instagram.com/thedicklesshunter/...

On this week’s episode of the Okayest Trapper Podcast we sat down with Jeffrey Miller. Jeffrey is a lifelong trapper, homesteader, expert fur handler, and an all around nice guy! Over the years of exploring and trapping in North Dakota, Jeffrey began to log his adventures in writing and eventually published a handful of books, his latest being “Our Bend in the River.” You can check out his books o...

On this week’s episode of the Okayest Trapper we sit down with Kevin Estela of Fieldcraft Survival. We discuss his earliest memory of trapping possums in his backyard with his dad, to coaching students all across the world on the basic tenets of survival, and even dive into core differences between commercial trapping and trapping in a survival situation.  This is gonna be one you don’t want to mi...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast Zach sits down with the president of the Arizona Trappers Association, Jim Ball. Jim is a first generation trapper and has cut his teeth trapping in the desert southwest, finding his speciality in live trapping bobcats on public land. Listen in as we discuss his background, motivations, and desires to grow the ATA to help preserve trapping rights in h...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast we sit down with Chris Morgan, VP West of Montana Trappers Association. We cover his trapping origins back east, how he ended up in Montana, and what put him on a path to help defend trapper’s rights in Montana and nationwide. Buckle up, you are not going to want to miss this one! www.montanatrappersassociation.com Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast, Zach sits down with Cliff Gray of Pursuit with Cliff. Cliff is an ex-wilderness guide and now runs a hunting-focused youtube channel full time. We chat about his experience with trapping during his youth and how it helped him become a more efficient full time hunting guide. We also discuss all things social media and how hunting, trapping, and even f...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper Podcast we sit down with the President of the New Mexico Trappers Association, Chance Thedford. Chance is a multi-generational trapper and had a front row seat to the devastating bill that ended public land trapping in his home state. We discuss his trapping origins, the impacts of this bill, and discuss what trappers in other states can do to help prevent th...

In this week’s episode we sit down with the Alaska wildman himself, Adam Grenda. We cover his North Idaho origins, learning to fly, and how he handles running a remote trapline in wide open spaces. Ever the humble gentleman, Adam exposes how fatherhood has transformed his desires and that passing on a legacy of trapping and hunting is his ultimate goal. Tune in because you are not gonna want to mi...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper Podcast we sit down with Jake DeBow of New England Naturals. Jake is a wildlife biologist by trade and an avid trapper. He and his wife, Riley, also happen to run one of the most successful social media channels dedicated to trapping – @newenglandnaturals. We talk about his start in trapping, the benefits and pitfalls of social media, BMPs, and so much more....

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper we are joined by a true pioneer of the trapping world, Paul Antczak. Paul is a lifelong trapper who has fought to make a living in this profession for decades, which has landed him a coveted spot on the History Channel’s hit TV show Mountain Men. We chat about conservation, wolves, mentorship, and even bats! You aren’t gonna want to miss this one. Follow Paul...

In this week’s episode, Zach is joined by Bryant White to discuss all things trapping and conservation. We cover a host of topics around best management practices, building trap standards,  how we can preserve our trapping heritage, and interesting findings from years of rigorous studies. You are not going to want to miss this one. AFWA Website: https://www.fishwildlife.org/ BMP Documents: https:/...

In this week’s episode, Zach is joined by none other than MeatEater’s Jason Phelps. Jason recounts his start in trapping and how if regulation had been different in Washington state, he may have ended up building Phelps Foothold traps instead of Phelps Game Calls. Join in for a fun ride covering topics from beaver trapping all the way to alien encounters near Roswell, NM. You are not going to want...

On this episode of the Okayest Trapper podcast, we sit down with Shane Mowery of Bone Maniacs. We dive into his origin story of trapping rabbits back east and learn how trapping helped shape him into a more effective big game hunter. We touch on everything from hound hunting, to wolf trapping, and how dedicated intel gathering is a vital part of being successful in the field. You aren’t gonna want...

On today’s episode of The Okayest Trapper, Zach is joined by Kate Small. Kate is a social media influencer, hunter, and one heck of an Idaho wolf trapper. Join in to learn how Kate got started in trapping and how her efforts are helping save the western ungulate population! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew DeHart, board member for Oregon Trappers Association & host of the National Trappers Association podcast, joins Zach for an engaging talk about conservation through trapping. We cover everything from “Where the Red Fern Grows,” to grading bobcat furs. Tune in to learn more and find out what Andrew’s one must-have trapping tool is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

If you haven't already read Turning Feral by Zachery Hanson, the first story in the book about Zach's introduction to trapping takes the cake in terms of being an Okayest Trapper. Enjoy this pilot episode as we gear up to produce more episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices