The HuntLeague Podcast

This is the final story in the 2025 Outdoorsman of the Year Finalist Series. Joshua Dishman isn’t just passionate about hunting — he’s passionate about sharing it. For Josh, the most meaningful hunts of the year aren’t always his own. Each season he donates a five-day blacktail hunt to a veteran or first responder, mentors youth hunters, and introduces new people to the outdoors whenever he can. I...

Episode 3 of 4 in the 2025 Outdoorsman of the Year Finalist Series. Cody Paratore’s story: Husband. Father of two (almost three). Self-taught big game hunter. Student of the woods. In 2025, Cody made a decision that changed everything — he committed to putting family first in the field. That meant scouting with toddlers. Packing blinds with snacks. Turning out-of-state hunts into family road trips...

This is Cody Manzi’s story. Every hunting season has defining moments — success, failure, doubt, perseverance, and lessons learned the hard way. This conversation dives into Manzi's many "firsts" he experienced in the 2025 season and what earned him a place as a finalist for Outdoorsman of the Year, the highest honor in the HuntLeague community. The Outdoorsman of the Year award isn’t about inches...

This is Josiah Gawin’s story. Every hunting season has defining moments — success, failure, doubt, perseverance, and lessons learned the hard way. This 55-minute conversation dives into the real story behind Josiah’s 2025 season and what earned him a place as a finalist for Outdoorsman of the Year, the highest honor in the HuntLeague community. The Outdoorsman of the Year award isn’t about inches...

In Episode 5 of the HuntLeague Champions League Hunt, the crew faces their toughest stretch — two days packed with highs, heartbreak, and hard lessons. Day 4 begins with everyone returning to the spot where Josh had spotted two bulls the day before. After the morning hunt, the team decides to break camp and relocate, giving Wally a chance to head home to process his mule deer from opening day. But...

In Episode 4 of the Champions League Hunt, the crew splits up and the day turns into one filled with lessons, long hikes, and last minute shot opportunity. Josh and Jared start their morning looking back towards the road where Josh spots two legal bulls. Instead of hunting toward them, Jared decides to chase new country — a 7.5-mile detour that ends with sore legs and a valuable reminder: never le...

In Episode 3 of the Champions League Hunt, Day 2 delivers both adrenaline and heartbreak. The crew starts the morning glassing a herd of roughly 30 elk before Brandon locks onto a Colorado giant — a bull in the mid-300s that instantly changes the tone of the day. Mistakes were made but with hearts still racing, the team commits to an evening ambush, hoping for another glimpse of the bull. As light...

In Episode 2 of the Champions League Hunt, the crew wraps up their final day of scouting and dives into a bold plan — dropping more than 2,000 vertical feet into a steep Colorado canyon after spotting several promising bulls and a trio of big muley bucks. With high hopes for opening morning, the team pushes deep into the backcountry, but soon faces the sobering reality of hunting pressure, brutal...

In this first episode of the HuntLeague Champions League Hunt, we’re finally in camp — four hunters, four tags, and one shared goal: make the most of Colorado’s second rifle season. 2023 Outdoorsman of the Year Wally King, 2022-23 Western Hunt League Champion Josh Dishman, 2023 Deer of the Year & current Apex Predator Champion Brandon Anderson, and HuntLeague founder Jared Newman kick off thei...

In this Sweet September Series episode, we sit down with Keenan Molnar, an Oregon bowhunter whose pursuit of his first bull spanned nearly a decade. Keenan opens up about the long road of close calls, setbacks, lessons, and unwavering faith that kept him going year after year. When the moment finally came, it wasn’t just a harvest — it was a moment of personal triumph, gratitude, and answered pray...

In this Sweet September episode, David King reflects on one of his most meaningful seasons yet — not because of the bull he harvested, but because of the adventure he shared with his teenage son and nephew on their first archery elk hunt. With multiple herds, high-energy calling, and a morning filled with non-stop bugles, this season was an all-out mountain experience. David’s story is a reminder...

In this Sweet September episode, we sit down with Joel Yanke, a Colorado elk hunter whose story is one of heartbreak, humility, and redemption. After years of chasing success and enduring repeated failures, Joel faced a breaking point this season — losing his first bull and nearly walking away from the hunt entirely. What followed was a powerful moment of surrender. Leaving his bow behind for the...

In this episode of the Sweet September Series, we sit down with JP Gorham, a newcomer to Colorado who left the hardwoods of Alabama for the rugged peaks of the Rockies. With a bow in hand and a heart full of purpose, JP embarked on his first-ever archery elk hunt—a season defined not by success on the scorecard, but by the lessons, friendships, and faith found along the way. JP shares how a promis...

In this HuntLeague Podcast, we sit down with Tony Smotherman — the “TravelinHunter” from CVA and Bergara. Tony shares the story behind his nickname, his journey from outdoor writer to one of the most recognized voices in the muzzleloading community. Just before recording the podcast, Tony helped me order my first Muzzleloader (Accura MR-X) opening up an entirely new world of hunting opportunities....

Kolby Morehead, the man behind Bear Hunting Magazine joins the HuntLeague podcast. We take a deep dive into the world of bear hunting—its culture, challenges, and unmatched adventures. Kolby shares how his journey into bear hunting began in 2018 and how it quickly became more than a pursuit—it became a passion. From wild encounters in the backcountry to humbling moments in the field, Kolby’s stori...

In this episode of the HuntLeague Podcast, Tate Cunningham joins Jared Newman as they discuss the journey from college friends to passionate fathers and outdoor enthusiasts. They reflect on their shared history, Tate's transition from a music career to family life, and the legend of Smith Cunningham coming up clutch to finish out his Little League career. The conversation then shifts to their hobb...

In this episode, we sit down with Brad Brooks, founder and CEO of Argali Outdoors, to delve into the world of backcountry hunting gear innovation. Brad shares his journey from avid hunter to gear designer, discussing the inception of Argali and the philosophy behind creating ultralight, durable equipment tailored for serious hunters. Topics Covered: The origins and mission of Argali Outdoors -Bala...

Hunter Larson, owner of RYDR Industries joins the HuntLeague podcast! After meeting Hunter at the Mile High Expo, Jared sits down with him to hear more of the story behind RYDR Industries. Hunter, at only 27 years old, is an experienced guide and outfitter chasing some of the biggest deer found in North America. Since his early years, he has always been the type of person that likes to take things...

HuntLeague sits down with KC Davies from SEVR Broadheads: what sets SEVR’s broadheads apart, real-world bowhunting stories, and the exciting news of SEVR joining the Sweet September league inside the HuntLeague mobile app. I was the hunter that never wanted to touch a mechanical broadhead. Then I saw with my own eyes how a Sevr performed on a once in a lifetime buck on a less than ideal shot. If y...

Steve Green is traveling the West with the Skre Gear booth showing hunters what Skre has to offer.  No matter the season or conditions Skre has you covered.   Quality gear makes a HUGE difference in the field.  Staying comfortable and being able to push through tough conditions can often be the difference between success and eating tag soup. If you have ever hunted with me you will notice I mismat...

In this HuntLeague Podcast, we sit down with Armando Martinez, the owner of Bow Hitch. You have to watch the first few minutes to find out how you can win a fully guided New Mexico elk hunt! Every purchase from The Bow Hitch website between now and May (2025) gives you a chance to win this incredible experience. Armando shares his journey as a hunter, firefighter, and police officer, and how his d...

The wait is over! The 2024 HuntLeague Outdoorsman of the Year has arrived, showcasing the best hunters in the game. This prestigious honor represents the highest achievement in the hunting world, celebrating those who embody skill, perseverance, conservation, and leadership in the outdoors. This year, three elite hunters have risen to the top: 🔥 Brandon Anderson – A relentless hunter with unmatch...

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Osterholzer, founder of Of Mountains and Men, a faith-based ministry that takes young men on life-changing wilderness adventures. Steve shares his incredible journey—from his 26-year career as a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel to his passion for mentoring young men through hunting, fishing, and backcountry expeditions. We dive into the origins of Of Mountains an...

In this episode, we chat with Rich Mayes from San Diego, California, a 2024 HuntLeague Outdoorsman of the Year finalist. Rich’s incredible year includes drawing a coveted Arizona archery elk tag and dominating the Sweet September league. After seven years of persistence, he finally harvested a San Diego buck with his bow and topped the leaderboard in daily challenges among the finalists. Rich also...

Join HuntLeague as we sit down with Joshua Katanik, a finalist now in back to back seasons competing for the 2024 HuntLeague Outdoorsman of the Year title, the most prestigious honor in the HuntLeague community. In this podcast episode, Joshua shares his story from 2024. He is a machine checking the daily challenge boxes, working full time while volunteering at the local fire department, a husband...