Native Alaskan Heather Kelly was tired of the limited food options available to backcountry travelers. So she did what nobody thought was possible and created her own foods, which lead to the creation of Heather’s Choice. Her dehydrated (not freeze dried) meals were the first pre-packaged options with real meat that were not overly processed.  She literally started the trend and now has the biggest companies in the business paying attention. I sat down with Heather and her boyfriend/business partner/operations manager/personal comedian Brad Hurd at the kitchen in Anchorage to talk about their history. They lead a fascinating life and have tremendous insights regarding backcountry nutrition. After you listen to this podcast, do yourself a favor and buy some of their foods as fast of possible. We also have a limited inventory but growing inventory of Heather’s Choice available at www.westernhunter.net www.heatherschoice.com

EP 09: Heather Kelly and Brad Hurd Heather’s Choice

Chris Denham, publisher of Western Hunter Magazine and co-host of The Western Hunter TV show talks about all things relevant to western hunters. Nothing is off the table, just honest conversation with true experts.

Sports

Wilderness

 On the March/April cover of Western Hunter Magazine we have a spectacular image of Casey Richmond with his Idaho bull. When I first saw the picture, I knew there had to be a crazy story behind it. Casey works for Eberlestock so while we were at the Wild Sheep Foundation show we took the time to record this podcast. Greg Williams also with Eberlestock joined the conversation. Of course, we talked about the hunt, but we also discussed the history of Eberlestock and the future of this dynamic company.       Casey’s hunt was filmed by Limitless Outdoors and is available on YouTube, Click HERE to watch.  

EP 30: Casey Richmond & Greg Williams of Eberlestock

The Western Hunter crew just returned from a blacktail deer hunt on Kodiak Island, Alaska.  This was a boat-based hunt meaning we lived, ate, and slept on the boat. Each morning one of the two boat captains would run us to shore in a zodiac type small boat to hunt and pick us up each night. The captains do this every single day from early October until the middle of December. The life they lead is a crazy one, so I decided to sit down with boat captain and owner Ross Hodek and talk a little about the year in the life of a Alaskan boat captain.  By the way, if you are interested in booking a Kodiak Island blacktail hunt on The Spirit you need to reserve your spot soon! It is the dollar-for-dollar value for Alaskan hunting adventure. You can book through Alaska Coastal Adventures 907-262-4359. Tell them Western Hunter sent you.

EP 29: A year in the life of Alaskan boat captain Ross Hodek

I have hunted blacktail deer on Kodiak Island in Alaska and believe the experience offers the most adventure for the dollar in all North America.  This year our crew included three guys who had never hunted in Alaska; Mark Denham, Levi Sopeland, and Kevin Guillen (who had never been to Alaska prior). We sat down to capture their emotions and thoughts, there enthusiasm and awe reminded me of my first trips to the state.  After you listen to this show, you will want to book your own adventure.  If the boat-based trip interests you call Alaska Coastal Marine at 907-262-4359

EP 28: Kodiak Island Blacktail

OnX Maps pioneered the hunting GPS industry and has become the gold standard for western hunters. In this episode I sit down with Dylan Dowson from OnX to discuss the past, present and future of this technology.  onxmaps.com

EP 27: Dylan Dowson from OnX Maps

2021 was a heck of a year for The Western Hunter.  Nate Simmons and I sit down and talk about the lessons learned and what we will do differently heading into the 2022 hunting season.

EP 09: Heather Kelly and Brad Hurd Heather’s Choice

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