Restless Native

"Get out there and vote. Support your NGOs or your local organizations. Be involved. It's critically important that we're actively involved beyond going hunting. We must have our voice heard. We must put our money where our mouth is. And we must support individuals that are in support of maintaining the legacy we have in this country."— Joe Betar, Executive Director, Houston Safari Club FoundationWelcome to a special election day edition of Restless Native. If you hate politics, don’t go anywhere. We’re actually not getting into who you should vote for. On today’s show, we’re talking with Joe Betar with Houston Safari Club Foundation. You may recall Joe from a previous episode. He’s an incredibly smart fella, and a guy I’m happy to call a friend.While last time we talked about all of the great conservation and educational efforts Houston Safari Club Foundation promotes, I wanted to have Joe back on for this election day episode to talk about what he’s been doing on the lobbying and legislation side of things. Few people can talk about the impacts of conservation dollars like Joe. And beyond that, we’re going to get into how you can better inform your vote. And I beg of you to exercise your right to vote. There are few things more paramount to your right as an American than your right to vote. Don’t take that for granted. And as Joe said, if you don’t vote, please, keep your complaints to yourself. You have an amazing opportunity to be a part of a solution. With how easy early voting is these days, you have no valid excuses. Please, put your mind to work. Evaluate the things that matter most to you. And cast your vote.Learn more about the conventionInform Yourself:Congressional Sportsmen I Side With NRAHouston Safari Club's website

"It stood up and he was dumbfounded. People came out and he was trying to warn them. He was waving to get their attention. They were waving like they didn't know what he was talking about. By then this thing just pounced them and mauled them." — Dave Jones, North American Dogman Project Co-FounderThis is the second of a series about Dogman. To hear the first show, listen to Episode 36 with Dark Waters, the King of Horror. What’s creepier, fantastical tales of Dogman, a monster lurking in the woods? Or forensic evidence of a creature proven to be catalyst of misery, maulings and murder?It's gotta be the evidence.The North American Dogman Project is here to say wait a second, maybe it does. They have investigated some horrifying tales. Stories of maulings, slaughters, horrific experiences that will make your blood run cold.I contacted Dave Jones and Joedy Cook out of the blue. I mean, out of nowhere. These guys could have ignored me. I’m an outsider and admittedly not necessarily a believer. But they agreed to come on and do a show to talk about what they’re doing. These guys are really interesting. They didn’t run from a single question. They hit them head on. And they’re open to criticism.I'm not going to let Dogman, or any man, keep me from the woods. And I don’t expect you will either. I bring you these conversations to expand your mind, so we can all learn and to gain new perspective.North American Dogman Project's WebsiteDon't miss the first Dogman episode, Dark Waters. Restless Native is Sponsored by Ramcat BroadheadsSo many of our guests have talked about how much hard work they put into their hunting season. Just like you, they train for the year to ensure they make a quick, ethical kill on the animal.To do that as an archer, you need a high quality broadhead in your quiver, which is why I’m bringing this message to you from our sponsor, Ramcat Broadheads.Keep listening—we’ve got a deal for you in just a second.First, I wanted to tell you about the technology behind these blades. Ramcats make a wickedly accurate broadhead that is known for being a highly technical and meticulously designed.They work a bit differently than what you’re use to. They have concave scoops that create an airfoil, which eliminates wind planing. This forces air to slip over the ferrule and arrow shaft for best in-class accuracy and impact energy.It’s time to put Ramcat’s top performance in your quiver. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting a recurve, compound or crossbow, and no matter the speed of your bow.You can get 25% off your first purchase of Ramcat Broadheads with code gowild2018.This info is also in the show notes. Thank you to Ramcat Broadheads for sponsoring Restless Native. We appreciate ya

"This apparel represents what I stand for. There's that, and we're actively trying to promote conservation efforts."— Bud Fisher, Co-Founder, Catchin' DeersHow many times have you and your buddies had a crazy idea, and said, “Somebody should do that. People would love it.” Typically, that conversation is where good ideas go to die.But not with today’s guest. Today we have Bud Fisher on the show. Many of you know his name, but if you don’t, you probably have heard of those Catchin’ Deers guys. The fellas who took an idea at hunt camp and turned it into a full fledged business. And they’re crushing it.Catchin’ Deers swept through social media a few years ago, and what started off as a few trucker hats turned into a business. Now, these guys aren’t all one-liners and a ridiculous logo. They’re smart. They know how to run a business. And they know how to market a product. We’ll dig into all of that today. If you’ve heard Bud in the past, stay tuned. I’ve heard those shows, too. I did my homework to ensure we tell just enough of how this thing got started, but we’ll hear him tackle a few new questions.Oh, and, I’ve got a surprise guest at the end. A fella who most Catchin’ Deers fans will recognize immediately. Let’s just say I’m getting some archery tips from a seasoned pro. Forbes Article Catchin' Deers Website Brad Loves These PantsRestless Native is Sponsored by Ramcat BroadheadsSo many of our guests have talked about how much hard work they put into their hunting season. Just like you, they train for the year to ensure they make a quick, ethical kill on the animal.To do that as an archer, you need a high quality broadhead in your quiver, which is why I’m bringing this message to you from our sponsor, Ramcat Broadheads.Keep listening—we’ve got a deal for you in just a second.First, I wanted to tell you about the technology behind these blades. Ramcats make a wickedly accurate broadhead that is known for being a highly technical and meticulously designed.They work a bit differently than what you’re use to. They have concave scoops that create an airfoil, which eliminates wind planing. This forces air to slip over the ferrule and arrow shaft for best in-class accuracy and impact energy.It’s time to put Ramcat’s top performance in your quiver. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting a recurve, compound or crossbow, and no matter the speed of your bow.You can get 25% off your first purchase of Ramcat Broadheads with code gowild2018.This info is also in the show notes. Thank you to Ramcat Broadheads for sponsoring Restless Native. We appreciate ya

“I’m happy to put my neck on the line. I get a lot of anti-hunter threats. I got a $250,000 bounty on my head. But it’s something that has to be talked about.”— Olivia Opre, Hunting Consultant & Mrs. America Contestant Imagine the amount of hate you must have in your heart to put a bounty on someone’s head. You must have really pissed somebody off, right?Today’s guest knows that kind of hate. And she knows it well. Olivia Opre has traveled the world hunting hippos, lions, elephants, and dozens of other species. It’s easy for the media to take that narrative and make her into a trophy hunter. It happens a lot. In fact, it’s happen so much, that Olivia has gotten really good at responding to this kind of sensationalism. In fact, she’s so good, I swear you might think some of these answers are scripted. They’re not. She’s just that confident, and that good. Olivia understands the complexities of hunting. And man, she has an interesting background. Like how she was once a Mrs. America contestant. Seriously! This podcast honestly flew by for me, and I think it will for you, too. It’s fun, educational and interesting.Check out her website. Extreme Huntress.Restless Native is Sponsored by Ramcat BroadheadsSo many of our guests have talked about how much hard work they put into their hunting season. Just like you, they train for the year to ensure they make a quick, ethical kill on the animal.To do that as an archer, you need a high quality broadhead in your quiver, which is why I’m bringing this message to you from our sponsor, Ramcat Broadheads.Keep listening—we’ve got a deal for you in just a second.First, I wanted to tell you about the technology behind these blades. Ramcats make a wickedly accurate broadhead that is known for being a highly technical and meticulously designed.They work a bit differently than what you’re use to. They have concave scoops that create an airfoil, which eliminates wind planing. This forces air to slip over the ferrule and arrow shaft for best in-class accuracy and impact energy.It’s time to put Ramcat’s top performance in your quiver. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting a recurve, compound or crossbow, and no matter the speed of your bow.You can get 25% off your first purchase of Ramcat Broadheads with code gowild2018.This info is also in the show notes. Thank you to Ramcat Broadheads for sponsoring Restless Native. We appreciate ya

“If you do not know something well, if you don’t have a sense of some place, you are not going to protect it.”— Mahting Putelis, Founder of Hunt to EatMany American patriots and outdoorsmen embrace the Gadsden flag’s message of “Don’t Tread on Me.” I do, too, but sometimes we could use a reminder that the best defense, may actually be a good offense. In regards to telling our story of hunting in today’s world, we have to be careful when taking a Don’t Tread on Me philosophy. This same mentality is totally appropriate when toppling an oppressive government dictating your religious freedoms. It’s less so when used to defend your hunting privilege.A good offense is knowing that our story could offend voters who could take that privilege away from us, so we should do our best to stay on the offensive, doing good work to earn points for hunting. Take people into the locker room to show the camaraderie and fellowship of your hunting trip. Talk about what it’s like to have the world wake up around you, and to see the woods as the wolf does. Share your table fare both directly, by cooking for people who are curious about wild game, and also through your social media channels. All of these activities earn points for our lifestyle. I’m not advocating for never showing a trophy shot. But I am saying when you do, make sure you’re not just going through the motions. Think about the content. Remind yourself that your audience matters, no matter how many followers you have. We’re going to dive deeper into this conversation today. We’ll actually be talking about a lot of different things. Today’s guest is Mahting Putelis, the founder of Hunt to Eat. Mahting would be considered new to hunting and the hunting industry to some. He’s outspoken by nature, he’s ruffling some feathers for sure. He makes some from the old guard uncomfortable. He doesn’t care about hunting’s societal norms established thus far and is willing to speak up with he disagrees. Don't Miss the Hunt to Eat + GoWild ShirtMahting and his team designed up the perfect shirt for GoWild.  We're excited about it. I've already bought mine. Don't miss out. Buy yours now.Log TimeAs always, log your time on GoWild for this episode and let us know what you think about the conversation. Maybe you disagree with me or Mahting, or maybe you have something to add. I love seeing your feedback on the show. Often you all think of things in a way I haven’t yet. So please be sure to log time and let us know your take.Hunt to Eat WebsiteMahting’s Keynote Outdoor Life ArticleRinella Video We Talk AboutRestless Native is Sponsored by Ramcat BroadheadsSo many of our guests have talked about how much hard work they put into their hunting season. Just like you, they train for the year to ensure they make a quick, ethical kill on the animal.To do that as an archer, you need a high quality broadhead in your quiver, which is why I’m bringing this message to you from our sponsor, Ramcat Broadheads.Keep listening—we’ve got a deal for you in just a second.First, I wanted to tell you about the technology behind these blades. Ramcats make a wickedly accurate broadhead that is known for being a highly technical and meticulously designed.They work a bit differently than what you’re use to. They have concave scoops that create an airfoil, which eliminates wind planing. This forces air to slip over the ferrule and arrow shaft for best in-class accuracy and impact energy.It’s time to put Ramcat’s top performance in your quiver. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting a recurve, compound or crossbow, and no matter the speed of your bow.You can get 25% off your first purchase of Ramcat Broadheads with code gowild2018.This info is also in the show notes. Thank you to Ramcat Broadheads for sponsoring Restless Native. We appreciate ya

“We’ve had 4 young widows at these camps. And they want to take their kids hunting but they’ve lost their mentor. They come to us for basic skills so they can pass on to their kids and pass on the skills.” - Brittany BoddingtonToday I have a couple of women who see the hunting industry landscape, and they are getting involved in an interesting way. In this episode, we chat with Brittany and Shannon from She Hunts Skills Camp. They’re empowering women to sharpen their hunting skills in a camp that is just for women. The guests go through real, legitimate training with industry professionals to learn to shoot, stalk, butcher, the whole 9 yards. I was expecting to hear about how Shannon and Brittany had impacted people’s skill sets. What I wasn’t prepared for are how this camp has actually impacted people’s lives. It’s clear they’re making waves with the women who attend. I commend them for that and hope they see many years of success going forward with this. Hunting isn’t just man’s nature. It’s mankind’s.Learn more about the She Hunts Skills Camp. Watch their video here.Restless Native is Sponsored by Ramcat BroadheadsSo many of our guests have talked about how much hard work they put into their hunting season. Just like you, they train for the year to ensure they make a quick, ethical kill on the animal. To do that as an archer, you need a high quality broadhead in your quiver, which is why I’m bringing this message to you from our sponsor, Ramcat Broadheads. Keep listening—we’ve got a deal for you in just a second.First, I wanted to tell you about the technology behind these blades. Ramcats make a wickedly accurate broadhead that is known for being a highly technical and meticulously designed. They work a bit differently than what you’re use to. They have concave scoops that create an airfoil, which eliminates wind planing. This forces air to slip over the ferrule and arrow shaft for best in-class accuracy and impact energy. It’s time to put Ramcat’s top performance in your quiver. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting a recurve, compound or crossbow, and no matter the speed of your bow. You can get 25% off your first purchase of Ramcat Broadheads with code gowild2018.This info is also in the show notes. Thank you to Ramcat Broadheads for sponsoring Restless Native. We appreciate ya.

“I don’t look at it from what I’d do different. That’s a rabbit hole that will continue on for eternity. There’s nothing I would have done different. As time goes on, it’ll just get more beautiful. It’s bigger than one person.”— Kris BentleyAppalachia has some fantastic contributions to this world. The music, food and arts that comes from those hills can be incredible.It’s also no stranger to anguish. I’m always interested by the lore that lives within Appalachia. Much of this history has hung around poverty. In the modern era, it seems the media only shows up when a northeast wind carries a tragic scent that smells like an opportunity to extort already burdened people for ratings and click bait. The media has essentially created poverty porn. A few years ago, photographer Bruce Gilden from Vice Media showed up to “document” Appalachia. What came out of it was essentially a witch hunt. And that’s not just my opinion. Another photographer who worked with Gilden on this shoot was especially conflicted about Gilden’s work, saying he at one point was disappointed with the amount of normal people he was encountering. Now, if you see his work, you’ll find caricatures of the stereotypes of Appalachia.She even went on to say Gilden was turning people into what he wanted them to be, and that it was dangerous especially in a place with a history of extraction.His work isn’t all that different than how politicians use Appalachia. Campaign speeches focused on tales of poverty, loss, and death, all to sensationalize and drive an action. In Gilden’s case, it was clicks on a digital story. In politicians case, it’s to drive votes, all for hopes of progress. Just like how these subjects never heard from the photographer again, politicians leave a wake of misplaced hope. I'm from Appalachia. And Bruce Gilden's work does not represent the people I know. Appalachia has taught me a lot. It’s at the core of who I am and all I do. My work ethic and drive directly comes from those hills. The people there have some of the biggest hearts and daily prove you don’t need the biggest wallets to make a difference in someone’s lives. Many have those same work ethics. I’ll link to a story in the notes about coal miners training to become software developers. Today I’m talking to someone who knows Appalachia like I do. Kris Bentley grew up there, and understands what it’s like to be a Kentuckian away from the camera. He’s a musician that many people in my neck of the woods will know from his work with Sundy Best. Now, Sundy Best blew up about six years ago. I remember watching them hit CMT, have articles in Rolling Stone and their albums charted nationally on platforms like Billboard. Kris and his band member Nick wrote a lot of fantastic songs, which you can hear on the Restless Native Spotify playlist linked in this episode. I wanted to have Kris, or as his friends call him, Bentley, on to talk about home, his group Sundy Best, and what he’s up to these days. You may not be from Appalachia, but think about the parallels in your story. Just as hunting and even fishing are misunderstood in the outdoors, so is this place Kris and I call home. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be from there to enjoy this show. We also have a Giveaway at the very end, and Kris is going to play a few songs for us at the end, so be sure to stick around. I’ll do the giveaway in my post-show wrap up.Restless Native Spotify Playlist with Kris Bentley's Music from Sundy BestCoal miners now becoming web developersBruce Gilden's exploitative take on AppalachiaRestless Native is Sponsored by Houston Safari Club FoundationIt’s time to book your trip to Texas for Houston Safari Club Foundation’s convention. And guess what? If you’re already in Texas, you don’t even have to book it. You’re already there.This convention is a celebration of wildlife, wild places and the hunting lifestyle we all love.

“I didn’t have direct affinity for or against hunting, but if I had to choose, I was probably against it.”- Brad Neathery, CEO of Modern HuntsmanSometimes it seems Lincoln Tapp might have been right when he says social media is doing more harm for hunting than good.This weekend, animal rights activists coordinated a blitzkrieg against several well known hunters via multiple major platforms. While these animals were harvested legally and ethically, it didn’t matter.Some hunters made some great points in corresponding with this anti-hunters, but a few bad apples ruin the bunch. In this case, the whole bunch was already spoiled.It’s shameful how some people responded to the criticism. Telling people to F off and suck it. It’s moronic.And it’s essentially proving Lincoln right.GoWild has grown to be more than I ever initially conceived that first day. But it started with these same conversations. I was hiking down a mountainside after checking some trail cameras, when the absurdity of all of this polarity hit me.That same lightning strike hit Brad Neathery a few years ago, too. But it’s taken him an entirely different direction.Brad, and his business partner, Tyler, join us today to talk about their project, Modern Huntsman. While I went the digital route for my solution to the misunderstanding, they went old school. They founded a print publication to help people better understand what hunting is.That’s a really damn important conversation.We have a fun opportunity to get your hands on signed copies of Volume 2 of Modern Huntsman at the end of this podcast. This is a beautiful book you’ll be proud to leave on your coffee table as a conversation piece about why you hunt.Restless Native is Sponsored by Houston Safari Club FoundationIt’s time to book your trip to Texas for Houston Safari Club Foundation’s convention. And guess what? If you’re already in Texas, you don’t even have to book it. You’re already there.This convention is a celebration of wildlife, wild places and the hunting lifestyle we all love. It has thousands of visitors and exhibitors coming from all over the globe for a three day exposition. You will see the finest in wildlife art, jewelry, firearms, sporting accouterments and worldwide expeditions.Beyond the expo there are some awesome banquets and luncheons that are complete with live entertainment, auctions and more stuff than you can even imagine.You know what the best part of all of this is? Your tickets and support of this expo help fulfill Houston Safari Club Foundation’s mission of preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the promotion of our hunting heritage.The show is January 25 through the 27th in Houston Texas. I will be there myself, so I hope to see you and your rowdy bunch there come this winter.Learn more here. And thank you, to Houston Safari Club Foundation for sponsoring Restless Native.

"People risk their lives to fish for sharks. It's insane. These people are insane. But it's a respectful insane."- Zack Grimes, GoWild Co-FounderDon't do it.Seriously. By pressing play, you're committing to listen to the GoWild app's Co-Founder's first show of random musings, inappropriate commentary, fart jokes and awkward silences.Welp, if you're still reading, you're probably going to listen. So you should know we talk about Donovan's inspiration behind designs, deer population problems, how crazy shark anglers are, among some other semi-interesting things. Maybe you'll like it after all.But probably not.Restless Native is Sponsored by Houston Safari Club FoundationIt’s time to book your trip to Texas for Houston Safari Club Foundation’s convention. And guess what? If you’re already in Texas, you don’t even have to book it. You’re already there.This convention is a celebration of wildlife, wild places and the hunting lifestyle we all love. It has thousands of visitors and exhibitors coming from all over the globe for a three day exposition. You will see the finest in wildlife art, jewelry, firearms, sporting accouterments and worldwide expeditions.Beyond the expo there are some awesome banquets and luncheons that are complete with live entertainment, auctions and more stuff than you can even imagine.You know what the best part of all of this is? Your tickets and support of this expo help fulfill Houston Safari Club Foundation’s mission of preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the promotion of our hunting heritage.The show is January 25 through the 27th in Houston Texas. I’m trying to get there myself, so I hope to see you and your rowdy bunch there come this winter.Learn more here. And thank you, to Houston Safari Club Foundation for sponsoring Restless Native.

“Training can happen on your couch, in your living room. Don’t think of how everything is going to go right. Think of what can go wrong.” — Ryan Gresham“I can’t even imagine what that’s like.”How many times have you seen a tragedy on national news and said that? Often? Well, today’s guest is here to tell you that maybe you should try imagining. Ryan Gresham knows a lot of about marketing, sales, and guns. His show runs a ton of different media opportunities, from podcasts to video to apps, and some of that content is around conceal carry. Ryan’s going to make a strong point about how you should carry yourself. How you should be thinking through worst case scenarios. And how if you know what you’d do in those worst case scenarios, you can turn worst case into best case.Ryan and I chat through all things gun related, and I even ask him about a product that’s been in the news lately, one that I just can’t quite get behind, even has a guy who owns and shoots a dozen guns or so myself. Ryan has good answer on that topic, too. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, I met Ryan through POMA. So many of you ask me how to get involved in the outdoors, and if you have asked me and haven’t looked into POMA, then I have to question how bad you really want it. This is a fantastic organization to help you get involved in the industry and meet people who could be your future employers, clients or partners. Check them out. Gun Talk Media's YouTube PageGun Talk Media Restless Native is Sponsored by Houston Safari Club FoundationIt’s time to book your trip to Texas for Houston Safari Club Foundation’s convention. And guess what? If you’re already in Texas, you don’t even have to book it. You’re already there.This convention is a celebration of wildlife, wild places and the hunting lifestyle we all love. It has thousands of visitors and exhibitors coming from all over the globe for a three day exposition. You will see the finest in wildlife art, jewelry, firearms, sporting accouterments and worldwide expeditions.Beyond the expo there are some awesome banquets and luncheons that are complete with live entertainment, auctions and more stuff than you can even imagine.You know what the best part of all of this is? Your tickets and support of this expo help fulfill Houston Safari Club Foundation’s mission of preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the promotion of our hunting heritage.The show is January 25 through the 27th in Houston Texas. I’m trying to get there myself, so I hope to see you and your rowdy bunch there come this winter.Learn more here. And thank you, to Houston Safari Club Foundation for sponsoring Restless Native.