The rut is on, the bucks are moving, and the stories in this episode will fire you up.

This week’s Field & Stream Podcast delivers a full spread of hunting-season wisdom from peak whitetail rut strategy to modern insights on lever-action rifles, plus a Thanksgiving debate only true outdoorsmen could have. Hunting columnist Will Brantley joins the show first, breaking down why the rut remains the most unpredictable and electrifying stretch of deer season. He explains how shifting doe patterns, overlooked creek-line pinch points, and timing from Halloween through early December can make or break your hunt. Whether you’re looking for bowhunting tips, rut-phase tactics, or ways to read mature doe behavior to locate cruising bucks, this segment is stacked with takeaways for serious deer hunters.

Then, Shooting Editor Richard Mann jumps in for a deep dive on lever guns—why they endure, why they still matter, and what modern builds like Marlin’s new 10mm bring to today’s hunters. From nostalgic 30-30 rifles to rugged camp guns set up for bear country, Richard walks through the balance, handling, and utility that make lever-actions timeless.

The editorial crew wraps with a spirited “Side by Side” debate over the best Thanksgiving side dish (mashed potatoes vs. mac and cheese) followed by real reader cheers and jeers, and T. Edward Nickens’ short, heartfelt Thanksgiving prayer. Together it’s a campfire-style episode built for hunters, anglers, and anyone who loves time outdoors with family.

Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/

Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 

Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ 

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From Great Lakes steelhead runs to the wisdom of “Mr. Whitetail,” this episode celebrates the wild heart of hunting and fishing.

On this episode of the Field & Stream Podcast, host Colin Kearns takes listeners through a trio of stories that capture the best of the outdoors. Senior Editor Ryan Chelius kicks things off with a deep dive into Great Lakes steelhead fishing - how it differs from the Pacific runs, why accessibility makes it so special, and the chaotic beauty of hooking into a chrome-bright fish in shoulder-to-shoulder waters. Ryan shares hard-won steelhead fly fishing tactics, his personal record catch, and unforgettable stories from his days patrolling the Salmon River in this week’s “Campfire” short.

Next, Larry Weishuhn - “Mr. Whitetail” himself - reflects on a lifetime of deer hunting, conservation, and stewardship. From his early days in Texas to his philosophy on land management and calling game, Larry’s lessons go beyond hunting—they’re about honoring wildlife and the land itself.

Finally, Phil Bourjaily rounds things out with his breakdown of the best shotguns of 2025, revealing the innovations that impressed even a seasoned gun tester. Whether you hunt whitetails, chase steelhead, or live for upland days with a shotgun in hand, this episode has something for every outdoorsman.

Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/

Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 

Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ 

Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by:

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From the pheasant fields of Iowa to the public lands of Wyoming, this week’s episode celebrates freedom, tradition, and the stories that define hunting season.

For more than a century, Field & Stream has been home to America’s best hunting and fishing stories—and now, those stories come alive in this podcast. In this episode, host Colin Kearns is joined by Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream’s shotguns columnist and upland expert, for a deep dive into the passion, tradition, and nostalgia that define pheasant hunting season. Phil shares what makes the pheasant opener feel like a sacred holiday, why bird dogs make every hunt better, and how Iowa’s upland legacy continues to evolve.

Later, Travis Hall returns with a major conservation update on the corner-crossing Supreme Court decision, a win that unlocks millions of acres for public land hunters and anglers across the West—and breaks down the latest controversy surrounding Alaska’s Ambler Road project. Finally, Ryan Chelius joins to reveal the results of Field & Stream’s annual fly rod test, naming the best fly rods of 2025 and what makes each worth casting.

From pheasants to fly rods, this episode captures the changing rhythm of the American outdoors—one story, one hunt, one cast at a time.

Follow the Field & Stream Podcast for weekly stories, strategies, and gear tests from America’s original outdoor storytellers.

Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/

Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 

Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ 

Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by:

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For more than a century, Field & Stream has told America’s best hunting and fishing stories—in print, online, and through video. Now, the editors are bringing that legacy of storytelling to life in a brand-new podcast. In the premiere episode, Editor-in-Chief Colin Kearns kicks off the show with six distinct segments that capture the full spirit of the outdoors.

First up, in The Season, longtime Field & Stream writer T. Edward Nickens dives deep into his wood duck obsession—from scouting beaver ponds to carving hand-painted decoys—and shares lessons any waterfowl hunter can use.

Next, in Bullet Points, associate editor Travis Hall breaks down the latest outdoor news, including the controversial rollback of the Roadless Rule, a poaching case that rattled Montana, and a groundbreaking wolf migration study that changes what we know about elk behavior.

Then, in How I Hunt, filmmaker and conservationist Sam Soholt—host of Legends of the Wild—joins to talk public lands, photography, family, and the bus that made him a household name in modern conservation.

Later, in Cheers & Jeers, Kearns reads a selection of feedback from real listeners in the Field & Stream community—which includes a few spicy takes about Euro-nymphing and venison burgers.

In Gearing Up, F&S contributing writer Jace Bauserman joins to share his hard-won advice on cellular trail cameras, how the technology has evolved, and which models stand up to the toughest hunts.

Finally, in our closing segment, Campfire, we’re joined again by T. Edward Nickens as he narratives a classic story of his from the Field & Stream archives.

If you live for whitetail season, duck blinds, or chasing trout across public water, this episode will feel like you’re at a familiar hunting or fishing camp with old friends.

Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/

Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns 

Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ 

Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by:

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