The Fowl Life

There are no boundaries when it comes to eating wild. In this Eat Wild edition, we migrate to India as our official Fowl Life Chef, Ellie Lawton, and Sommelier Megan Salazar join our Midwest Host, Joel Kleefisch, for easy, delicious Indian table fare from the field to the table. Curry up! You don’t want to miss it! This episode is brought to you by Travel Wisconsin, Camospace, and GATR coolers

In this solo episode of The Fowl Life Podcast, Chad opens up about his longtime hunting partner, Axl, a dog who proves that passion doesn’t fade with age. Chad talks about keeping your retriever active, healthy, and mentally sharp through the years, and shares what it means to hunt alongside a dog that just won’t quit. With Axl still chasing retrieves and getting ready to sire his next litter, thi...

Ain’t no better way to have a Wild Game Day than serve wild game appetizers for the big game! The Fowl Life Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch and acclaimed Provider Chef Ellie Lawton break down easy wild game eats to score you a big win with guests and family. Huddle up, cuz this edition of The Fowl Life, Provider Series, Eat Wild edition is a home run. This episode is brought to you by The Provider Cul...

California Waterfowl Association has been putting their money where their mouth is—millions of dollars invested straight back into conservation. In this episode, Chad sits down with Scott Mueller, VP of Fund and Membership Development, to break down where those funds actually go and why the work CWA is doing matters to every hunter, not just those in California. They talk about the evolution of th...

Grab your chopsticks and buckle up for this week's high-flying recipe: Thai Teal Salad. The Fowl Life Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch and award-winning Provider Chef Ellie Lawton team up on an authentic Thai Duck recipe that goes from field to table in a flash. So easy a whitetail hunter could do it! Check it out. This episode is brought to you by The Provider Culinary, Travel Wisconsin, and Camospace

In this episode, Chad sits down with Brad Arrington of Mossy Pond Retrievers for a deep dive into the world of hunting dogs. From breeding and health clearances to training, etiquette, and nutrition, Brad brings decades of experience to the table. They cover it all! From the age-old question of how much protein a working dog really needs, the impact of conditions like drop tail on performance, and...

This one is raw, intense, and unapologetic. Chad sits down with rock legend and outspoken hunter’s advocate Ted Nugent, just days after the devastating assassination of Charlie Kirk. The energy is electric, the emotions are high, and Uncle Ted doesn’t hold back. From honoring Charlie’s legacy to unleashing a fiery rant on the laws that threaten hunters and the freedoms we stand for, Ted takes the...

The wait is over! Waterfowl season is upon us across the country, and Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch has the exclusive with Banded's one and only, Eric Larsgaard, on what to expect, what to wear, and what to eat! Of course, it wouldn’t be the Provider series without talking about wild game food. TFL chef Ellie Lawton chimes in with her expertise as they all take a moment to come to you live from this...

In Part Two of Chad’s sit-down with Chadd Santerre and Kevin Vella of California Waterfowl Association, the conversation dives even deeper into everything we care about as waterfowl hunters. From perfecting your calling and bucket-list birds to sharing tips, tricks, and taste when turning waterfowl into a hard-earned meal. It’s a celebration of what makes this lifestyle special. But it's not just...

California Waterfowl Association just marked their 80th anniversary, and Chad sat down with Chadd Santerre and Kevin Vella to talk about what that really means for hunters and the future of waterfowl in the Golden State. With orchards pushing into the valley and development at an all-time high, protecting ground for birds has never been tougher or more important. The guys break down how land is se...

Chad sits down with Mason Watkins from ZLINE Kitchen and Bath for a conversation that connects the field to the kitchen. Bringing wild game home is only half the story! The other half is how you cook it, and that’s where ZLINE makes all the difference. We are all about performance, pride, and giving your harvest the finish it deserves at The Fowl Life. ZLINE delivers pro-level appliances that belo...

You don’t have to be a sommelier to have an awesome waterfowl dinner with the perfect drink on the side, but it never hurts to have one on standby. Sommelier Megan Salazar and award-winning Fowl Life Chef Ellie Lawton Join Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch in this week’s edition of The Fowl Life Podcast, Provider Series Eat Wild Edition. Megan and Chef Lawton break down cocktails, wine, beer, and alcoho...

We’re back with Part Three of the Triple S Hot Seat with Rob from Sierra Strength and Speed! This one’s stacked with the questions hunters and athletes everywhere want answered. How often should you really work your shoulders? How long does a workout have to be to actually matter? And the big one: how do you finally burn belly fat? Rob breaks down the myths and delivers the truth about intermitten...

In this episode, Chad sits down with his good friend and country music artist Drake White for an honest, powerful, and deeply inspiring conversation. Drake has a documentary coming out in a couple of weeks on his incredible and inspiring journey. He opens up about the life-changing stroke that nearly ended everything for him. Paralyzed and facing an uphill battle, he leaned on grit, faith, determi...

In part two of the Triple S Hot Seat, Chad sits down again with trainer and good friend Rob from Sierra Strength and Speed to talk about the simple changes duck hunters can make right now to improve their game. From the way you move, to how you fuel, to how you recover. Rob lays out why taking care of your body is just as important as taking care of your calls, your dog, or your shotgun. This is a...

If you’re a wild game Provider, you can’t miss this Eat Wild edition! How to make sure your wild game is perfect for the table, even when it makes a pit stop in the freezer. TFL Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch, award-winning Provider Chef Ellie Lawton, and Professional Butcher Mike Kretschmer break down exactly how to make sure the birds you bag in the field are fresh as the day they’re harvested. Thi...

Waterfowl season doesn’t start in the blind...It starts in the gym, in the kitchen, and with the daily choices you make way before the first birds hit the decoys. In this special Fowl Life Podcast series, Chad Belding sits down with trainer and fitness guru Rob from Sierra Strength and Speed. In part one of the Triple S Hot Seat, Rob lays out how small, intentional changes in your fitness and life...

Chad sits down with Dan Compton, Global Product Line Director for Shotshell and Rimfire at Federal Premium Ammunition, and one of the gurus behind Federal Premium Black Cloud--The official ammunition of The Fowl Life Podcast, and trusted by serious bird hunters across the country. Dan has spent decades perfecting shotshell performance, from pattern density and wad design to the cutting-edge techno...

Rubs, spices, and sauces for summer drinks!? Level up your game with amazing, easy recipes for summer drinks with The Provider. Midwest Host Joel Kleefisch, Acclaimed Provider Chef Ellie Lawton, and foodie Megan Salazar dive into uncharted liquids in this short-format episode. Turn your drinks into the talk of the party. Buckle up, rim your glass, and get ready to spice up your splash in this edit...

In this episode, Chad sits down with Francis Hopping from Corning Ford, and they get into one thing we all care about...Trucks. From engine packages to suspensions, towing setups to tech features, they break down what really matters when you’re buying your next rig and why Corning Ford is the #1 Super Duty dealer in the country. If you’ve ever wondered which truck fits your lifestyle, this one wil...

There is no better, easier summer slam dunk than kebabs on the grill. The Fowl Life’s Eat Wild Host Joel Kleefisch and acclaimed culinary master Chef Ellie Lawton take you from field to table with easy, no-fail kebab creations from hors d’oeuvres to dessert. These weekly short-format series will make you the Provider!

This episode takes a turn into new territory! Chad sits down with Mason Watkins, Senior Director of Marketing with ZLINE Kitchen and Bath, to talk about the unspoken gear that brings your hunt full circle: your kitchen. ZLINE is changing the way hunters and home chefs think about their space, offering professional-grade appliances at an attainable price. Whether you're cooking wild duck, backstrap...

In part two of this two-part conversation, Chad continues the deep dive with Mark Hennelly of California Waterfowl Association, picking up where they left off with the questions every hunter has wondered. They discuss the data on drakes vs. hens, and whether restricting hen harvest actually makes a difference in breeding success. And of course, they circle back to pintails, diving even deeper into...

In part one of this two-part conversation, Chad sits down with Mark Hennelly of California Waterfowl Association—one of the most knowledgeable voices in the country when it comes to waterfowl policy, conservation, and how hunting seasons actually get made. Mark breaks down the science and strategy behind season dates, bag limits, hen restrictions, and why some states run longer seasons than others...

Chad sits down with Austin Booth, the CEO of Banded Brands, for a conversation that digs into the grit behind leadership, hunting, raising a family, and running a company in today’s world. Austin grew up in Arkansas and served his country as a Marine Corps lawyer. He spent time with the Arkansas Game & Fish, and now he’s running one of the most respected brands in the hunting industry. But his roo...