I've always known that cougars tend to avoid humans, with only a few close calls while sneaking around in the woods. However, this summer has seen several unusual encounters with cougars in Whistler and Squamish, including instances of cougars stalking hikers and chasing mountain bikers in popular recreation areas. I was curious about the reasons behind this behaviour, so I reached out to wildlife biologist Julie Thomas.

In our conversation, Julie discusses her research on cougars in central British Columbia, focusing on their predator-prey relationship with caribou. She explains how changes in the landscape impact cougar behaviour, their hunting techniques, and their adaptability to various environments. We also delve into field research methods, including the process of capturing and collaring cougars, as well as the complexities of human-cougar interactions, especially in areas where cougars have been sighted near popular trails. Julie shares insights from her experiences and emphasizes the importance of understanding these magnificent creatures in the context of conservation and wildlife management.

I also share a couple of my close brushes with cougars in the wild.  

You can follow Julie here for more on her research and catch amazing cougar footage @wild_juliethomas on Instagram. 

Check out the latest EatWild Online Course - iHunter App Field Guide: Tools and tactics for successful hunts

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

In recent years, I have grown increasingly interested in kelp.  It's delicious and nutritious, and at many places I roam, it's abundant for harvesting. I wanted to know more, so I asked Eric Warner, a seaweed and kelp enthusiast, to join me on the podcast.

In this conversation, Eric Warner discusses his passion for seaweed and the project Self Kelp, which aims to educate the public about the importance of seaweed and its culinary uses. The discussion covers the decline of kelp forests, the benefits of kelp farming, and the ecological significance of kelp ecosystems. Eric shares insights on harvesting and storing seaweed, as well as its nutritional value. The conversation also explores the cultural significance of foraging and hunting, highlighting the connection between food sources and the natural world.

You can learn more about Eric and  Self Kelp on Instagram

Be sure to catch a screening of Seaweed Chronicles: From Tide to Table in your community. 

Check out the latest EatWild Online Course - iHunter App Field Guide: Tools and tactics for successful hunts

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. Please use this Seek Outside Affiliate link to let them know you heard about Seek Outside from our podcast. 

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

Miki and I take you on a hunting adventure to South Africa in this episode. Just over a year ago, we bid on a trip to Africa at the Wild Sheep Society of BC's conservation fundraiser auction. A year later, we were welcomed by the Bosveld Jacobs Safari team on the other side of the world.

Travelling away from home to hunt has been a foreign concept for me. Hunting in a place without connection to the place, the people, and the animals raises many questions about how this can fit together and align with our hunting ethic. Miki and I spent the months leading up and the days on the hunt processing these questions.  And now we have answers! We are excited to share what we learned from the mind-blowing experiences of this Adventure. 

While on the hunt, I interviewed Drian Laas, the professional hunter who guides and facilitates the hunting experience. I caught up with Riaan Jacobs, owner of the Boshveld Jocobs Safaris, who donated the hunt to the fundraiser at this year's Wild Sheep Society of BC fundraiser in Penticton.

I hope you enjoy this podcast as we dive into the complexities of hunting in a foreign country, touching on the ethics of sport versus sustenance, strategies used in guided hunts, and the emotional highs and lows that come with the experience.

I am excited about returning to Africa and will plan a trip in the next few years. I will be organizing a trip for folks who are part of the EatWild community.  If you are curious about Africa or may want to join our Adventure, please reach out! 

If you listen to this podcast ahead of April 7th, there is still time for you to join Spike Camp and enter for a chance to win a trip to Africa. 

I want to thank Bosveld Jacobs Safaris for the generous donations to help fund wild sheep conservation in BC, and for taking such good care of Miki and me and truly facilitating a trip of a lifetime.

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. Please use this Affiliate link to let them know you heard about Seek Outside from our podcast. https://seekoutside.com?aff=15

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections

Join us for a coastal goat hunt with Spencer Greening La'goot and Adam Foss as they recap their coastal goat mountain hunt in Gitga'at Territory. This was a wet and challenging hunt and offered an opportunity for reflection and learning from Indigenous knowledge and practice from time immemorial.  

In this episode, Dylan, Adam, and Spencer dive into the deep connections between hunting, personal growth, and cultural traditions. They explore the balance between family responsibilities and outdoor adventures, the spiritual and ethical dimensions of hunting, and the significance of mountain goats in Indigenous traditions.

Through their experiences in bow hunting and navigating rugged mountain terrain, they highlight the importance of patience, mental resilience, and traditional knowledge. The conversation also touches on the role of storytelling in preserving Indigenous hunting perspectives and ecological wisdom.

Find La'goot here!

Find Adam here!

Key Takeaways:

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the challenges, lessons, and connections that make hunting more than just a pursuit—it's a journey of growth, respect, and heritage.

Chapters

After a successful whitetail hunt, we are recording this podcast from the wall tent. I am joined by Miki, Jenny P, Rob and his daughter Bella. This is our first whitetail camp without the old boys.... our mentors, and elders. The barriers that come with aging prevented Geoff, Pete and Larri from being able to join. It's been 35 years of whitetail camps for me and over 50 years for the old boys. So what's next for whitetail camp? 

Podcast summary: 

We reflect on the importance of mentorship, community, and the generational knowledge passed down through hunting traditions. The conversation highlights the evolving dynamics of the hunting community, including the breaking of gender barriers and the significance of storytelling. The gang share their personal journeys and the skills learned through their experiences, emphasizing the value of ethical hunting practices and the bonds formed in the outdoors. In this engaging conversation, the participants share their experiences and insights from a recent hunting trip, emphasizing the importance of hands-on learning, adapting strategies, and unexpected encounters with wildlife. We reflect on the lessons learned from various incidents, the significance of community support, and the growth that comes from mentorship and shared experiences in the outdoors.

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. Please use this Affiliate link to let them know you heard about Seek Outside from our podcast. https://seekoutside.com?aff=15

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Whitetail Camp

In this episode of the EatWild Podcast, I’m joined by Jody Peck on my first-ever private land hunting trip in the Peace Country. Jody, a wild chef and a key part of our team, invited me to hunt on her family’s private land.  Join us on the hunt as we look over the expanse of the wildlife-rich country and puzzle out how we will make for a successful hunt. 

While sitting in the truck blind, we explore what it’s like to hunt large, open fields—where spotting animals is easy, but closing the distance can be tough due to the lack of cover. Jody shares insights on building relationships with landowners to gain and maintain access to private land. We also discuss shooting at longer distances, meat care, and butchering, with Jody sharing her favourite cuts and techniques.

I also highlight the iHunter app, which helped us navigate property boundaries and track the wind—key tools for a successful hunt.

Lastly, I want to dedicate this episode to my friend Lew Bates, a legendary mountain hunter, skilled gunsmith, and absolute rock of a human to his family, friends, and community. He passed away this summer. He will be missed.

Here are the key topics covered in the episode:

Hunting on Private Land: The episode covers practical advice on how to gain and maintain access to private land and how to nurture relationships with landowners to ensure continued access.

Hunting Strategies: The episode delves into the logistics of hunting on large, open fields where wildlife is visible from a distance, but closing that distance can be difficult due to the lack of cover.

Shooting and Meat Care: The podcast touches on techniques for shooting at longer distances and the importance of proper meat care and butchering. 

Tools and Technology: Dylan highlights the use of the iHunter app for navigation and planning, especially its features like identifying private property boundaries and wind direction—critical tools for a successful hunt in such vast areas.

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. Please use this Affiliate link to let them know you heard about Seek Outside from our podcast. https://seekoutside.com?aff=15

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

In this episode of the EarWild Podcast, we are handing out Mike Morash.  Mike is a hunter and food enthusiast.  Mike shares his relationship to food and hunting in the documentary series The Land Provides, which explores themes of hunting, food security, and people's deep connections with the land. We discuss the spirituality of hunting, the ethics involved, memorable experiences in the field, and practical tips for gear. The conversation highlights the importance of community and conservation in the hunting culture, culminating in a discussion about dream hunts in British Columbia.

https://www.youtube.com/@MikeMorash

instagram.com/mike.morash

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. Please use this Affiliate link to let them know you heard about Seek Outside from our podcast. https://seekoutside.com?aff=15

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

Frankie Foss of Foss Media joins me on the podcast to discuss backcountry food and meal planning for outdoor adventures. Frankie spends most of the year either in the mountains producing amazing adventure stories or planning and packing for the next adventure. So, I am asking Frankie about the importance of enjoying and nourishing meals in the mountains and sharing their favourite meals and brands.

Frankie emphasizes the value of high-quality ingredients and the satisfaction of knowing where your food comes from. We also discuss the challenges of overpacking and the balance between simplicity and variety in meal planning. In this conversation, we discuss our experiences with backcountry meals and the importance of maintaining a healthy gut while on outdoor adventures. We share their go-to meals and snacks, including nuts, dried fruit, and soups.  The conversation concludes with a discussion on meal planning, organization for extended trips, and our upcoming hunting adventures.

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. Please use this Affiliate link to let them know you heard about Seek Outside from our podcast. https://seekoutside.com?aff=15

Stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on your purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase. Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

00:00 - Introduction and Motivation for Podcasting

I am trying something new here. I am recording this podcast solo and sharing my hunt packing plan and the gear I bring for my upcoming elk hunt. I am very curious how this lands with the EatWild audience.  If this podcast translates for you,  then let me know and I'll share more like this. 

Here is my Adventure Hunt Planning List.  Feel free to follow along on this podcast as I share how I organize, plan, and pack for my hunt.  This is a general list. There is no guarantee this is has everything you need for a hunt, but it's a good starting point. Download and save a copy and add it to it for you. Please let me know if I missed anything too! 

This podcast is about planning a hunting trip, explicitly focusing on the initial concept or plan, choosing hunting partners, coordinating logistics, and organizing gear and food. I share my comprehensive gear list and considerations for food planning, including the trade-offs between freeze-dried meals and cooking real food. I share my theory for a detailed packing list, including food, a day hunting kit, a spike camp kit, a base camp kit, a clothing kit, a meat care kit, a personal kit, a tech kit, and elk hunting gear. 

Dylan’s gear list. 

Join me at the Spike Camp community at 7 pm, on August 27th, 2024. I’ll be conducting an online presentation on early-season elk hunting. 

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. It is an essential tool for making you more comfortable in the woods. The app's mapping layers, navigation tools, and hunting regulations are packed into it to give you the information you need on your next adventure. 

As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. Please use this Affiliate link, as it will let them know you heard about Seek Outside from our podcast. https://seekoutside.com?aff=15

You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

Takeaways

1. Start the hunt planning process with a concept or plan that excites you.

Chapters

Introduction and Starting Point

02:26

Choosing Hunting Partners

06:13

Coordinating Logistics

08:06

Utilizing Technology

09:29

Organizing Gear and Food

26:25

Vehicle Maintenance and Trip Planning

26:54

Essential Gear for Roadside Emergencies

31:08

Tips for Gear Organization and Maintenance

33:29

The Importance of Boot Care

36:24

The Benefits of Using Paper Maps

39:28

A Comprehensive Packing List for Hunting Trips

51:13

Leaving a Trip Plan and Tracking Expenses