Rookie Hunter

In this Field Guide episode we reach into the vault and share Kelly's overview of doing your first DIY Euro mount.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

In this Field Guide episode of Rookie Hunter, Mike preps you for your first backcountry backpacking trips and covers topics such as choosing the right trail, necessary gear, and what to expect during the trip. He also emphasizes the importance of preparation, both physically and mentally, and offers practical tips to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience in the wilderness. We're very proud...

In this Field Guide episode of Rookie Hunter, Mike and Kelly dive into the topic of game processing. They cover the basics of what you'll need and what to expect when you bring home your first big game animal.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. Registration for the 2025 Sheep Show in Reno Nevada is now live! To register, to become a member, to renew your memb...

In this episode of Rookie Hunter , Mike and Kelly dive into the topic of gear regrets—those impulse buys and overpriced items that didn't live up to the hype. They share lessons learned, highlight common gear failures, and stress the importance of research and reliable advice. From optics to camping essentials, it's all about finding the gear that works without breaking the bank. We're very proud...

We're switching things up today and playing an episode of Sheep Fever, which is the official podcast of The Wild Sheep Foundation. In Part II of their Spotlight on BC, Kyle Stelter, CEO of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, Scott Ellis, CEO of the Guide Outfitters Association of BC, and Sheep Fever host and Wild Sheep Foundation CEO Gray Thornton discuss the status of wild sheep and wildlife in the pro...

In this episode, Mike, Kelly and Garrett reflect on 2024, make plans for 2025 and cover Garrett's November whitetail hunt. We've teamed up with North Arm Knives and will be giving away blades throughout the year to the best storytellers. If you'd like to submit your story, please send it to us at  info@therookiehunter.com   We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. R...

In this special holiday episode, we kick things off with a listener-submitted story and then dive into the vault to share a curated collection of hunting stories from 2018. Featuring Mark Hall, Mike Hawkridge, Gray Thornton, Ben O'Brien, Jeff Lander, Aron Snyder, and Shane Mahoney We've teamed up with North Arm Knives and will be giving away blades throughout the year to the best storytellers. If...

I n this episode, Mike chats with Joe Cermele for a rare fishing-themed conversation. They get into Joe's extensive career in fishing media, cover all of the food they consumed on the East Coast and their failed attempts to catch striped bass along the Jersey shore. We've teamed up with North Arm Knives and will be giving away blades throughout the year to the best storytellers. If you'd like to s...

In this episode, Mike, Kelly and Garrett cover their late September backpacking trip for elk, mule deer and black bear. We also announce the first winner of our listener submitted hunting stories series, brought to you by North Arm Knives. We've teamed up with North Arm Knives and will be giving away blades throughout the year to the best storytellers. If you'd like to submit your story, please se...

In this episode, Garrett shares the story about his scouting trip that turned into a successful solo elk hunt.  We've teamed up with North Arm Knives and will be giving away blades throughout the year to the best storytellers. If you'd like to submit your story, please send it to us at  info@therookiehunter.com   We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. Registration...

In this episode, Mike tries his best to recap 6 days in the backcountry while sitting next to the campfire on the final night. We're also sharing a few more of your hunting stories.  We've teamed up with North Arm Knives and will be giving away blades throughout the year to the best storytellers. If you'd like to submit your story, please send it to us at info@therookiehunter.com   We're very prou...

In this episode, Mike shares your hunting stories. We've teamed up with North Arm Knives and will be giving away blades throughout the year to the best storytellers. If you'd like to submit your story, please send it to us at info@therookiehunter.com   We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. Registration for the 2025 Sheep Show in Reno Nevada is now live! To regist...

In this episode, Mike goes solo to give an update on the start of the season, shares some basic small game hunting and cooking tips, and hints at an unexpected outcome to a last minute scouting trip.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. Registration for the 2025 Sheep Show in Reno Nevada is now live! To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, an...

In this episode, Mike and Garrett chat with longtime friend, Dusty Portz. Dusty shares his reasons for leaving a vegetarian diet and pursuing hunting for the first time at 40 years old. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor. Registration for the 2025 Sheep Show in Reno Nevada is now live! To register, to become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

In this episode, Mike, Kelly and Garrett are finally back together to nail down some plans for the fall hunting season. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

In this episode, Mike closes out the bear season, and covers some current topics and volunteer opportunities in BC. We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

On this episode, Mike goes solo to chat fish farming plus a recap on spring bear hunting.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

Mike and Kelly jump on the mics to discuss frustrations at the range, spring black bear, and beavers.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

On this episode, Mike welcomes Kelly Veltri to the show to chat about his first time venturing into the backcountry in search of black bears.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

On this episode Mike goes solo to talk about an upcoming backpack bear hunt with a prospective hunter, a bit of gear talk, and our impact on social media.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

On this episode Mike, Kelly and Garrett do a bear hunting recap to get even more pumped up for the spring season.  We're very proud to have The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

In this episode, Mike and Gray discuss Sheep 2024, how inclusion of non-hunters can influence AI, fishing at Pyramid Lake and a chilly March Stone's Sheep capture in Northern BC. We're very proud to welcome back The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

Beyond the Kill host Adam Janke joins Mike for a swapcast to chat about black bears, rattlesnakes, dogs and spring training. We're very proud to welcome back The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

On this episode, Mike and Kelly chat spring hunting plans and explain why gas station Subway restaurants are a bad idea.  We're very proud to welcome back The Wild Sheep Foundation as our title sponsor! To become a member, to renew your membership, and to join the

On this episode, Mike and Garrett chat with Renée Thornton at the Salute to Conservation and Mountain Hunting Expo in Penticton. Renée is the Chair for Women Hunt® and she shares an inspiring story about how show got into hunting and eventually started the Women Hunt® program. Women Hunt®'s purpose is to Engage, Educate, Empower and Inspire women. For a variety of reasons women are one of the fast...