The Huntavore

On this episode Nick chats with the Sporting Chef, Scott Laysath.  Having a handful of television shows, and an unusual start to his culinary career, Scott creates wildgame dishes that use sound kitchen technique, yet easy enough for even a first timer to grasp.  Nick and Scott play a little game called “Change my mind”  Where Scott will take some of your misconceptions, and get you to try somethi...

Huntavore has finished another year of bringing you wildgame related material.  What better way to celebrate than with a drink and toast.  To get some inspiration, Nick is joined by Stuart and Colin of Mammoth Distilling in Northern Michigan.  The group discusses the spirits we love to drink when celebrating, contemplating, and carrying on tradition.  So grab a drab of your favorite drink, and enj...

Freelance writer, Sarah Engstrand went on a journey writing an article outside of her normal scope of life.  She wrote the article “Hunters See Their Hobby as a Food Source Amid COVID-19 Pandemic”  Not a stranger to food and the culinary world,  she understands the language of feeding self and others she took the opportunity to talk to several hunters and anglers about their wild food supply.  Not...

NIck is joined by friends, Adam and John of the Bowhunter Chronicles Podcast where John gives his exclusive on taking a Tom in the early season.  John also explains how things get complicated when trying to capture hunts on film, along with having to read minds when hunting in partners. Some ideas are discussed on how this bird is going to be prepared.  And how these guys are liking their pellet g...

Nick is joined by the creator of Musketpowder Seasoning, Ward Danger.  Ward chats about his recent funk with a rifle setup and being photobombed by a craft Tom.  All is not lost, as Ward was able to take down a bird and share some work he’s done in the kitchen to amp up a wild turkey dish.  The two guys go back a forth on some recipes and discuss Musketpowder Red, the new flavor, Ward recently lau...

Joel Lickliter is Owner of RELOAD Rub and Seasonings and host of That Reload Podcast.  Joel is such a positive guy and fellow christ follower (we jump on the faith soup box for a bit) that Nick really wanted to connect and change his perspective.   The guys try to get a bearing on what is going on with this Covid-19 outbreak. However our discussion shifts to the positive. Listing what has been a b...

Show Description Nick is joined once again by friend, and youtube creator Nate Sellers.  Nate’s channel Average Jack Archery hails from Pennsylvania and whose content is for beginner and advanced archery and whitetail bow hunting.  The guys catch up, and talk about Nate’s tag out season, how the mental game of indoor archery can fry your circuits, can “average” guys get into saddle style hunting? ...

In this episode Nick chats with friend and newest 2% for conservation board member, Drew Youngdyke.  Drew has been a man on mission. From BHA member and NWF communicator, Drew is advocating for not just our public lands but for our wildlife as a whole.  Nick asks why a “field to forker” should care about the big picture of conservation. Along with that, what can hunters do to make a difference oth...

In this Episode, Nick connects with the man behind the genius of @Hunt_pod, Matt Michalek.  Matt has created a directory or sorts and critique of popular hunting and fishing podcasts. Nick steps past the usual divide of creator and critic and gets into what makes a good podcast, and if our channels make a difference in listener's approach to the way they hunt and fish. Show Notes Matt Michalek is...

Nick took a Saturday to explore the Kalamazoo Traditional Archery Expo held each year in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Vendors, Boyers, Enthusiasts, and first timers all gather to share a piece of archery nuance, of simple stick and string.  Being more of a collection of conversations, Nick found folks who hold different views about traditional archery; a skeptic, a full embraced, a character, cut from hi...

Nick and Dustin give a report on their lack of ice situation for ice fishing, and their hikes they call squirrel hunts.  So in the meantime they unpack unwritten rules about a couple home favorites, Chili and Hot Dogs. Nick recently found himself in an online debate about beans or no beans in chili.  The guys did some digging to figure out what this was all about. Nick also lays out a recipe for V...

Nick chats with Grill Blogger, and Meat Maven, Kita Roberts.  Kita has been blogging since 2010 and has a library of recipes at her website, Girl Carnivore.  Nick and Kita touch on a wide range of topics; from women on the grilling scene, grilling/smoking all winter long, a few mishaps, and a dive into how lamb and venison are similar yet unique.  This chat with Kita, was exactly what the doctor o...

Today Nick sits down with creator and CEO of the Sportsmen's Nation Podcast Network, Dan Johnson.  Dan harvested an incredible buck this past fall and wanted to try something new, the heart. We breakdown some of his initial expectations of the organ, and unpack the reaction from himself and the family members he served.  Along with some other banter, this is a great conversation. Enjoy. Show Notes...

Nick chats with friend and greenhorn deer tracker, Tony Hill.  Tony is an experienced houndsman, raising beagles for bunnies. This past summer, he jumped into the blood and deer tracking game here in Michigan.  Providing a service to hunters, Tony and his dog Fred pick up the trail where hunters get stuck. We cover a basic dog training tactics, retell the story of one particular track, and Nick gr...

Nick and Dustin are finally able to sit down and chat again.  November has been tough on them and their deer hunting. Dustin has been moving and Nick’s family has been plaugued with a month long sickness.  However, the guys are hopeful for the second half of the deer season and even getting gitty for small game soon. October was good to the Huntavore crew. Nick and Dustin were on the board with do...

Will is from Kentucky where he enjoys chasing whitetails and squirrels.  As the Hunting Editor for Field and Stream Magazine, will is in a roll where he is writing for new and veteran hunters alike.  His articles are informative and quite detailed. Something about hunters, we always want to know caliber, gauge, pounds at draw, let off etc. Will’s Article “Hunting is Much More than Meat:  https://w...

Nick connects with the Great Lakes Director of QDMA, Josh Hillyard.  Josh was instrumental in launching a program here in Michigan, that is catching on nationwide called Field to Fork.  The goal of this program is; to get adults who have a desire to hunt yet lack guidance or knowhow, educated and connected with mentor hunters who can help in developing a lifelong pursuit. Show Notes Like most thin...

Nick tracks down Dr. Brent Race, a lead scientist from NIH (National Institutes of Health) who worked on the study; Inactivation of chronic wasting disease prions using sodium hypochlorite. The findings are exciting and promising for home or commercial processors who could be butchering infected deer. Using a solution of 40% bleach and a soak of 5 minutes, CWD prions can be inactivated, saving you...

Nick talks with Rich Wilson, host of the channel Death By Bunjie.  Rich and his trusty crossbow, Bunjie travel the north east in search of whitetails, and the occasional feral hog.  He’s an advocate for crossbows and their effectiveness along with knowing their limitations as archery equipment. A common argument is the discussion among hunters of crossbow vs vertical bow.  His passion is for the o...

Nick talks with Dan Hruska, host of HP Outdoors Podcast. Dan is gitty for all things waterfowl. From big old Canada Honkers to ducks of every kind. He and his friend Josh scour the country for the next opportunity all along with running a weekly waterfowl podcast. Show Notes: Dan hails from Pennsylvania where he pursues birds who are migrating along the eastern flyway. Nick gets some basics on the...

Nick and Dustin chat about the changes or non-changes to their archery setups.  At the time of this recording, there was 30 days, but realistically it's right around the corner.  Nick put together a formula to use when trying to figure out how much usable weight to expect off your deer. Plus the guys roll out the Otto/Isenhoff (Huntavore) Scoring System. Show Notes: Nick and Dustin try to answer t...

Nick chats with Founder of Western Daughters Butcher Shop, Kate Kavanaugh. Recently, she was featured in the New York Times for her very interesting story of becoming a strict vegetarian in her youth to owning and operating a whole animal butcher shop in Colorado. This episode takes a few tangents into views on agriculture and domestic meats, some historical reasons why regenerative ag is a good i...

Nick sits down with generalist hunter and kitchen wizz, Ward Danger. Ward has traveled all over pursuing many types of game, including some time Africa. He has spent time as a guide, worked in the oil fields, and has put together his very own seasoning blend called Musketpowder. This guy is a walking talking story book of awesome adventures. Show Notes: Ward takes on his journey of chasing after c...

I sit down with Steve Brewer of @castironsteve, where he shows off a nice collection of cast iron cooking vessels. We talk basics of cast iron care, bringing a relic back to life, and how cast iron is still the best in 2019. Show Notes Cast Iron cookware is a bombproof cooling medium that holds heat incredibly well for searing, yet distributes heat evenly to prevent scorching. It can bake, sear, b...

Nick breaks down some of his favorite dinner meal dishes to make while camping. Along with some old school equipment that has gotten a modern twist. Foil Dinners are a favorite of the Huntavore Family. Either burger or diced roasts, diced potatoes, diced onions, baby carrots, corn, haven't tried halved Brussels sprouts but I bet those are good. Salt, pepper, and several tablespoons of butter (oil...