Wild Life Outdoors

Why I have been silent.

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Kira Cates to talk about one of the most overlooked issues in conservation today, the decline of reptiles and amphibians. From habitat loss to public perception, this conversation breaks down why herpetofauna are struggling and why they matter more than most people realize. Kira shares insight from field work and research, explaining ho...

Chronic Wasting Disease is one of the most controversial and misunderstood issues in modern deer management. In Part 2 of our conversation, Tim Horton returns to break down the science, the myths, and the real challenges surrounding CWD in wild deer populations. In this episode we dive deeper into the biology of the disease, how it spreads through the landscape, and what current research is tellin...

Chronic Wasting Disease is one of the most controversial topics in modern deer management. In this episode, Russell sits down with deer breeder and CWD researcher Tim Horton to unpack the science, the politics, and the real world implications surrounding CWD.What causes CWD to spread? Are current management strategies actually working? And could genetic resistance be the key to protecting wild dee...

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Dr. Reed Noss, one of the most influential conservation biologists of our time, for a deep conversation about biodiversity, public lands, and the future of wild places in America. Dr. Noss is widely known for his work on conservation biology, endangered species protection, and landscape scale preservation. In this conversation, we break...

Take Action Here: http://bit.ly/SpeakUpForTheBWCACall Your Senator: 202-224-3121In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Lukas Leaf, Executive Director of Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, to talk about what is truly at stake in the fight to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This conversation breaks past headlines and talking points. We dive into why the Boun...

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with the hunters behind an unforgettable Afognak Island Alaska elk hunt. What started as a last minute tag turned into a once in a lifetime experience that tested preparation, endurance, and decision making in one of the most unforgiving environments in North America. This conversation goes far beyond the highlight reel. We break down the lo...

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Anthony Dyer for an honest and wide ranging conversation centered on the outdoors, personal growth, and finding purpose through time spent outside. Anthony shares his background and the path that led him deeper into the outdoor lifestyle, including how challenging experiences in the field shaped his mindset and values. We talk about les...

In this powerful episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Stephen Gadberry for a raw and thought provoking conversation that blends faith, service, masculinity, and the outdoors. Stephen’s life story is anything but ordinary. From military service and deep personal hardship to answering a calling into seminary and priesthood, Stephen shares how discipline, suffering, and purpose shape...

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, for a critical conversation about the future of public lands and the fight to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Ingrid breaks down what is happening right now in northern Minnesota, including the ongoing threats of sulfide ore mining near the B...

In this special intro episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sets the tone for what 2026 will look like for the podcast and the community we are building around it. This episode is about direction purpose and why the conversations around conservation public lands and outdoor ethics matter more now than ever. After reflecting on the lessons growth and challenges of 2025, Russell outlines how Wild L...

This week on Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Devin O’Dea, Western Policy and Conservation Manager for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, for one of the most important conversations we have ever released on this podcast. This episode takes a deep dive into the real threats facing America’s public lands, from attempts to rescind the Roadless Rule to legislative proposals that could open the...

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Doc Jaynes for one of the most informative conversations we have ever had about wild game cooking, proper meat handling, ethical harvest, and long range shooting. The episode opens with a bold statement that sparks the entire discussion. If your wild game tastes gamey, chances are it is not the animal it is the way the meat was handled....

In this week’s episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with angler and Wild Fly Productions feature guest Willie Nelson to dive deep into his powerful journey into fly fishing and his life-changing trip to Maine for native brook trout. If you watched Wild Fly’s film from Maine, you’ve already seen Willie’s passion, grit, and gratitude on full display. In this long-form conversation, we un...

In this special Veteran’s Day episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell and Jose sit down with Cody Fongemie and Dustin Spilman from the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) for an in-depth conversation about veterans, mental health, public land access, and the irreplaceable role outdoor recreation plays in healing after service. Throughout this episode, Cody and Dustin sha...

In this weeks episode Jose and Russell sit down with Dr Matthew Wilfong to explore one of the most unique college courses in the country The Ecology of Fly Fishing taught at St Marys College in MarylandDr Wilfong breaks down how he created this innovative curriculum and how the class blends science outdoor skills and environmental awareness to inspire the next generation of stewards of our natural...

In this week’s episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell and Jose sit down with Steve Hawks from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to talk about one of nature’s most powerful forces — fire. Steve breaks down the behavior of fire, how urban and rural fires differ, and what makes them spread the way they do. The conversation dives deep into how communities can prepare for th...

Join Jose and Russell this week as they sit down with Johnathan Moreland – one of Arkansas’ most accomplished traditional bowhunterstapesearch.com. A native Arkansan, Johnathan grew up hunting and eventually transitioned from modern compound bows to traditional archery gear (shooting both recurve and longbow). He’s famed for taking massive whitetails with classic bows (including a 186″ buck), and...

In this week’s episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Judson Cole, founder of Rio Anglers, for a deep dive into fly fishing, community, and conservation. The conversation begins with a recap of the Hill Country Flood Relief Event, where Judson stepped up to organize and judge the casting competition that brought anglers together for a cause bigger than fishing. From there, Judson op...

Wriggle Brew: https://www.wrigglebrew.com/Bucked Up- https://bckd.co/vnjzgTkForetold Coffee Co.- https://www.foretoldcoffeeco.comThis week on Wild Life Outdoors, Jose and Russell sit down with Sam Baker, founder of Wriggle Brew, to uncover one of the most innovative environmental solutions we’ve ever featured. Wriggle Brew is on a mission to change the way we think about recycling, by using worms...

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell and Jose sit down with Russell Husted and Grant Powell to recap the amazing benefit event held at Middleton Brewing in San Marcos, Texas. The crew shares a full breakdown of the day — from fly tying at the bar to connecting with fellow conservationists and anglers. They talk through what inspired the event, the powerful conversations that took place,...

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell and Jose sit down with Grant Powell of Hill Country to talk about our upcoming fundraiser event on August 2nd at Middleton Brewing in San Marcos, Texas, from noon to 6 PM.With the recent devastating floods across the Texas Hill Country, this event is more than just a gathering—it's a way to give back. We dive into the impact these floods have had on t...

This Week on Wild Life Outdoors: We sit down with Jim Hines, President of the Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers club, for a powerful and timely conversation about the recent devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country. Jim gives us an on-the-ground look at the destruction caused by the flooding, how it’s impacted local communities, and what the recovery effort looks like. From lost homes and damaged...

In this mouthwatering episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell and Jose sit down with Jesse Griffiths, award-winning chef, conservation advocate, and author of The Turkey Book. Jesse shares behind-the-scenes stories from his coast-to-coast turkey hunts across Texas, Georgia, Oregon, and Connecticut—recalling the hardships and triumphs that shaped his latest work. He explains what sets The Turkey Boo...

Find out how here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative In this urgent episode of Wild Life Outdoors, host Russell sits down with Aaron Kindle of the National Wildlife Federation to expose how H.R. 1 – the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – threatens millions of acres of Western public lands (from Wyoming to Utah and beyond) through proposed land sales. They dive into why these p...