Fall Obsession Podcast

Two Colorado natives, five bears on a hillside, and a bear hunt that turned into an absolute adventure. In this episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam is joined by Fall Obsession's Western Regional Coordinator, John Kesler, and Colorado hunter Connor Rohrbaugh to recap their unforgettable 2026 Colorado bear hunt.

What started as a last-minute plan with minimal preparation quickly turned into a wild experience filled with steep shale slopes, close encounters, split-second decisions, and a whole lot of adrenaline. When Connor makes a shot on a bear and John heads up the mountain after another, things get a little complicated when they realize they may have both shot the same bear! From figuring out whose bear it was to heading back the next morning for another round, these two share the full story of a hunt neither will soon forget.

Along the way, we talk about Connor's journey from whitetail hunting in the East to chasing elk and other big game in the mountains, the learning curve of western hunting, the value of trial and error, and why some of the best hunting memories are the ones shared with good friends.

It's a conversation about adventure, friendship, learning as you go, and making the most of every opportunity in the outdoors. Tune in for the full story!

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media has completely changed the outdoor industry. Today, you don’t need a television show, a magazine column, or a massive advertising budget to build an audience—you can have a phone, a story, and the ability to connect with people.

In this episode, Sam sits down with Brittany Jill from Walk2West Marketing to take a deeper look at the world of social media marketing in the outdoor industry. From brands and influencers to creators and everyday outdoorsmen and women, Brittany breaks down what actually works—and what doesn’t—in today’s crowded social media landscape.

We talk about the difference between followers and real influence, why engagement and community can matter more than a follower count, and how authenticity fits into an industry where almost everyone is trying to sell something. We also dive into the algorithms, short-form video, sponsored content, creator burnout, the pressure to constantly produce, and whether outdoor content is becoming too polished and manufactured.

Is the goal to create content for people—or for the algorithm? And in a world obsessed with likes and followers, what does it really take to build something that lasts? Join us for a candid conversation about social media, marketing, authenticity, and the future of the outdoor industry.

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we sit down with longtime whitetail hunter and outdoor personality Spook Spann for a deep dive into the pursuit of mature bucks! With decades of experience and a long history of chasing some truly incredible whitetails, Spook shares the lessons, strategies, and experiences that have shaped the way he hunts today.

The conversation gets into how Spook approaches unfamiliar ground, locates mature bucks, studies individual deer, and uses trail cameras for more than just collecting pictures. He breaks down what makes a buck truly “killable,” knowing when to stay patient versus getting aggressive, and why access into and out of a stand can be just as important as where you hang it. Spook also shares the mistakes he still sees experienced hunters make, the bucks that have taught him some of his biggest lessons, and much more!

After all the years, miles, and giant whitetails, we also unpack what still drives Spook Spann to chase whitetails every fall? This one is packed with mature-buck strategies, hard-earned experience, and plenty of whitetail hunting talk!

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re taking the show on the road and stepping inside the incredible new Bear River Archery facility in Van Alstyne, Texas for a conversation with owner and operator Justin Cannaday.

A lot has changed since our last conversation with Justin. What started just three years ago in a 400-square-foot starter shop has grown into a massive archery destination! Justin walks us through the vision behind what they have created, the overwhelming response to the grand opening, and what it’s like watching something you have built from the ground up continue to grow.

We also get into the stuff that really matters to hunters — Justin’s upcoming Colorado elk hunt, the difference between elk camp and whitetail camp, why elk hunting becomes such a team effort, mountain horses, bow setups, shot placement, and the preparation that goes into chasing an elk with a bow. The conversation eventually turns toward whitetails, hunting with family, the stories behind the taxidermy filling the walls of Bear River, balancing work and hunting, and the reality of turning something you love into your livelihood.

And perhaps most importantly, Justin talks about where Bear River goes from here — and why he's willing to put the future of the business in God's hands rather than trying to control every step of the journey. This one is a true shop talk — bows, hunting, business, family, faith, elk, whitetails, and a whole lot of catching up between friends.

Welcome back Bear River Archery!

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when mountain lions become a much bigger conversation about the future of hunting in Texas? In this episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam sits down with Jeremy Harrison, founder of the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest and a longtime advocate for predator hunting and predator control in Texas.

Jeremy shares the story behind his battle surrounding predator hunting contests, his experiences with animal-rights activists, and the events that led him to take a much closer look at the people, organizations, and relationships influencing wildlife policy in Texas. The conversation dives deep into the ongoing debate surrounding mountain lions, harvest reporting, wildlife management, and the fear among some hunters that seemingly small regulatory changes could eventually lead to seasons, tags, bag limits, and broader restrictions.

But this episode goes beyond just mountain lions. Jeremy lays out his concerns about influence within Texas Parks and Wildlife, connections between deep pockets and the agency, and what he believes Texas hunters need to understand before the landscape of hunting begins to change.

Are these legitimate warning signs—or is the fear of a “slippery slope” being overstated? Where does science-based wildlife management end and political or ideological influence begin? And perhaps most importantly: Who controls the future of hunting in Texas? This is a conversation about predators, politics, conservation, hunting rights, and the responsibility of hunters to pay attention before they’re forced to react. 

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The outdoor industry is growing faster than ever. More creators, influencers, podcasts, brands, and voices are entering the space every day. And while that growth is exciting, it also raises an important question: What kind of industry are we building?

In this solo episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam takes a look at the two very different sides of the outdoor industry. On one side are the people who believe in community—those who celebrate others, share opportunities, support smaller creators, build relationships, and genuinely want to see the people around them succeed. On the other are those who view everything through a transactional lens, constantly asking, “What can you do for me?”

This isn't about calling out specific people or brands. It's about culture, character, and the kind of outdoor community we want to create. Follower counts, sponsorships, and reach don't tell the whole story. True influence isn't always measured in numbers—sometimes it's measured by the people you encourage, the opportunities you create, and the lives you impact.

The outdoors has always been bigger than one person. It's about sharing experiences, passing down traditions, helping one another, and bringing people together. Because there should always be room for another person at the table—and maybe it's time we start making the table bigger.

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam sits down with Casey Chamberlin from Baseline Maps, one of the rapidly growing mapping apps making waves in the fishing and hunting community. Casey shares the story behind Baseline Maps, how the app has grown, and what makes the community surrounding it so unique. They dive into the vision behind the platform, the constant evolution of the app, and Casey’s hands-on approach to listening to hunters, responding to feedback, and building Baseline around the people who actually use it in the field. They also talk about the role technology is playing in modern hunting, how Baseline is helping fishermen and hunters scout and understand the ground they hunt and fish, and why building a strong community is just as important as building a great product. From the early days of Baseline to where the app is headed next, Casey gives us an inside look at what it takes to grow an outdoor technology company while staying connected to the hunters who helped build it. The app is growing. The community is growing. And Baseline Maps is just getting started!

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Johnson is back on Fall Obsession Podcast, and this time we're talking traditional bowhunting, a hard-earned black bear redemption hunt in Canada, hunting ethics, conservation, family, and what it really means to be a hunter. Jesse shares the story of returning to Canada after a previous unsuccessful bear hunt and finally punching his tag with a traditional bow. But this hunt was about much more than putting a bear on the ground. We talk about the mental challenge of the hunt, getting close enough to make an ethical shot, and why traditional archery is so much more about the process and the challenge than simply the size of the animal. The conversation also takes a deeper look at the responsibility hunters have as stewards of wildlife and ambassadors for the hunting community. Jesse and Sam discuss conservation, the role hunting plays in wildlife management, and why how we represent hunting. Jesse also opens up about balancing a passion for hunting with being a husband and father, introducing his kids to the outdoors, and the impact hunters can have on people who may not initially understand or support hunting. From a Canadian black bear redemption hunt to traditional archery, hunting ethics, conservation, family—this is an honest conversation about the why behind the hunt.

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to turn your ground into a productive whitetail habitat? In this episode we are joined by Brett Smith from Whitetail Land Management Services. Brett breaks down the fundamentals of whitetail habitat, from bedding and food sources to access, hunting pressure, timber management, and everything in between. We talk about the biggest mistakes landowners and hunters make, tactics and strategies for hunting mature bucks, and what it actually takes to create habitat that keeps those mature bucks on your ground. Whether you're managing hundreds of acres, hunting a small parcel, or simply trying to make the ground you have better, this conversation is packed with practical information you can put to work. Great deer don't happen by accident—and better hunting starts with a better understanding of habitat.

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're joined by Kayla Harrod (@fit2hunt_kh) for an honest conversation about life, hunting, and navigating the outdoor industry as an authentic creator. Kayla shares how she found her way into hunting, the experiences that shaped her passion for the outdoors, and what it's really like balancing family, content creation, and life beyond social media. We also dive into the realities of being a female influencer in the hunting space, the importance of staying true to yourself in an industry full of opinions, and why authenticity matters more than chasing trends, likes and followers. Kayla also talks about filming her own hunts and the lessons she's learned along the way—both behind the camera and in the woods. Whether you're a hunter, an aspiring content creator, or someone trying to balance your passions with everyday life, this episode is full of genuine conversation, practical insight, and a reminder that the best relationships are built from simply being yourself.

Fall Obsession Podcast is sponsored by:
Hoot Camo Company (https://hootcamo.com/) - use code "fallobsession15" to save with Hoot
Bear River Archery (https://www.bearriverarchery.com/) - use code "fallobsession" when shopping online with Bear River
Tactacam Reveal Cameras (https://www.tactacam.com/)
The Outdoor Call Radio App (https://www.theoutdoorcallradio.com/)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices