Great camp meals create lasting hunting memories long after the last shot is fired.

Wild game, camp traditions, and great food have always gone hand in hand. This conversation explores why the meals shared around the table often become just as memorable as the hunt itself.

Chef, outdoorsman, and Duck Camp Dinners host Jean-Paul Bourgeois joins the show to talk about the storytelling behind his James Beard Award-winning series, how authentic duck camp culture connects hunters from every background, and why food remains one of the strongest traditions in waterfowl hunting. From Louisiana duck camps to the Texas coast, he shares lessons on building meaningful outdoor stories while celebrating wild game cooking, conservation, and regional food traditions.

With the Fourth of July around the corner, the conversation shifts to practical summer grilling tips, favorite barbecue recipes, camp cooking strategies, duck recipes, wild game meals, and the ideal cookout menu featuring burgers, ribs, baked beans, vegetable kebabs, peach cobbler, and more. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or feeding a crowded hunting camp, there are plenty of ideas to elevate your next outdoor gathering.

The episode closes around the campfire as hunting columnist Will Brantley revisits his unforgettable story, "Beaver-Q," proving that trapping, wild game cooking, and family traditions can produce some of the best hunting stories ever told.

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The best hunting lessons aren't learned from books, they're passed down afield.

Father's Day is about more than celebrating dads. It's about honoring the traditions, lessons, and memories that shape who we become in the outdoors.

In this special Field & Stream podcast, listeners and contributors share unforgettable hunting and fishing stories about the fathers and father figures who taught them everything from gun safety and patience to fly fishing, deer hunting, and finding joy in wild places.

Veteran outdoor writer Keith McCafferty reflects on helping his father fulfill a lifelong dream of catching a bonefish in the Florida Keys, a trip that became one of their most meaningful adventures together. Alice Jones Webb shares a heartfelt story about learning to hunt without her father after his passing, and the challenge of carrying family traditions forward. Ryan Cornelius looks back on fishing trips with his dad and the moment their roles quietly reversed during a Colorado trout fishing adventure. Executive Editor Dave Hurteau rounds out the collection with a classic story about pheasant hunting, family, and the small moments that often matter most.

Along the way, Field & Stream listeners call in from across the country to share the best hunting and fishing advice they've received from their dads, grandfathers, and mentors. From deer hunting wisdom and waterfowl hunting lessons to fly fishing tips and life advice learned in the woods, this episode is a reminder that the greatest outdoor legacy isn't measured by trophies or limits, but by time spent together.

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A broken finger, a conservation fight, and a hunting dog you'll never forget.

Field & Stream's Will Brantley kicks things off with one of the most unique fishing traditions in America: catfish noodling. From wrestling giant flathead catfish by hand to the injuries, close calls, and camaraderie that keep him coming back every summer, Brantley shares what makes this high-risk fishing adventure so addictive.

Then conservation columnist Hal Herring and associate editor Travis Hall sit down for an honest conversation about the state of conservation in America. They break down the biggest public lands, clean water, and wildlife management issues facing hunters and anglers today, discuss why grassroots engagement matters more than ever, and explain what gives them hope for the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

The episode closes with a powerful Campfire reading of Hal Herring’s beloved story, Seasons with Bear. More than a gun dog story, it’s a reflection on loyalty, loss, bird hunting, and the unforgettable bond between hunters and their dogs. Whether you spend your fall chasing ducks, upland birds, whitetails, or trout, this story will stay with you long after the final words.

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Unlock shallow-water muskie patterns and figure-eight secrets from a seasoned guide chasing giant predators.

Muskie fishing has a way of turning casual anglers into full-blown obsessives, and this conversation with muskie guide and Field & Stream contributor Steven Paul explains exactly why. From shallow spring patterns to the psychology of apex predators, Stephen breaks down what makes muskellunge one of freshwater fishing’s most addictive pursuits.

You’ll learn how warming water temperatures trigger spring muskie movement, why post-spawn fish stack in shallow bays, and how changing weather conditions impact feeding windows. Steven also dives deep into figure-eight techniques, boat-side strikes, trolling adjustments during cold fronts, and the subtle details that separate follows from eats. If you’ve ever wondered why muskies seem lazy one moment and violent the next, this episode gets into the biological and behavioral reasons behind it.

The second half of the show focuses on practical muskie fishing tactics and the five essential lures Stephen keeps tied on during the spring season. From giant killers and spinnerbaits to glide baits, crankbaits, and fly fishing streamers, the conversation covers versatile presentations for shallow weeds, timber, river systems, and cold-front conditions. Whether you’re a hardcore muskie angler or a bass fisherman looking to level up into predator fishing, there’s a pile of useful insight packed into this one.

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Duck camps, giant striped bass, and fading hunting traditions collide in this unforgettable outdoor storytelling conversation.

The latest edition of the Field & Stream Journal centers on one theme that every hunter and angler understands instinctively: tradition. Host Colin Kearns sits down with editors Dave Hurteau and Ryan Chelius to unpack the stories behind the new issue, from vanishing duck camps and Adirondack deer traditions to nighttime trout fishing with mouse flies on the Upper Delaware.

The conversation dives deep into waterfowl hunting culture, fly fishing history, turkey hunting, striped bass surfcasting, and the traditions that keep hunters and anglers connected across generations. Listeners will hear the backstory behind standout features like “The Schoolhouse Boys,” a legendary Michigan deer camp story by Bill Heavey, and “A Bit of Heaven,” Ryan Chelius’s look inside Long Island’s disappearing bay house duck camps.

Later in the episode, master plug builder Gary Soldati explains how he crafts some of the most sought-after striped bass lures on the East Coast, including giant surf plugs designed for trophy stripers in rough water. From surfcasting tactics and plug design to the obsession behind chasing 50-pound bass, this conversation captures the craftsmanship and culture surrounding saltwater fishing traditions.

If you care about hunting camps, trout fishing, duck hunting stories, or the future of outdoor traditions, this one belongs around the campfire.

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Wide open prairie gobblers, tight roosts, and the fight to protect rivers.

Will Brantley breaks down hunting open country turkeys across Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, and beyond, contrasting Rio Grande and Merriam’s birds with Eastern timber gobblers. From early season Texas leases to late-spring prairie hunts, he explains how vast terrain changes everything from glassing strategy to calling distance. Open country birds cover ground fast, often forcing hunters to read roost patterns, use optics, and cut distance quickly instead of easing through timber.

He details setup fundamentals in wide landscapes: prioritizing creek bottoms, cottonwood drainages, and scattered shade trees where birds roost and regroup. Calling shifts heavily toward louder friction calls like box calls and pot calls that can cut wind and carry across long distances. While decoys and even controversial tactics like fanning or reaping can be effective, success often comes down to positioning on travel routes and anticipating daily movement between feed and roost.

The episode also shifts into conservation reporting on Montana’s Blackfoot River, where a proposed gold mine and AI data center raise concerns about water use, energy demand, and long-term river health. The show closes with a Campfire reading of “The Norwegian Mafia,” a classic turkey hunting family story that captures the humor, grit, and connection that defines time in the field.

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Slip into hardwood ridges and learn how to call pressured gobblers into gun range.

Few pursuits in the hunting world rival the intensity of chasing Eastern wild turkeys through big timber. This conversation digs into the craft behind successful turkey hunting in hardwoods, where terrain, patience, and decision-making matter more than anything in your vest.

From locating gobblers on ridges to understanding how turkeys use strut zones, you’ll hear practical turkey hunting tips that translate directly to more opportunities in the spring woods. The discussion breaks down how to move quietly through rolling terrain, when to call and when to stay silent, and how to set up in a way that keeps birds from slipping in unseen. There’s a strong focus on woodsman skills like reading topography, predicting movement, and making the right call at the right time.

You’ll also pick up insight on realistic turkey calling, including why soft yelps and restraint often outperform aggressive tactics on pressured birds. Gear stays simple, but strategy stays sharp, with a minimalist approach that prioritizes mobility and awareness.

The episode closes with a story that captures the heart of the outdoors—catfishing, family, and the kind of memories that stick with you long after the season ends.

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An aging angler returns to sacred water where memory, family, and trout still rise. 

In this Campfire story from the Field & Stream archives, John N. Maclean delivers a deeply reflective piece of fly fishing writing rooted in Montana’s Blackfoot River. What begins as a familiar ritual, sitting on a well-worn stone above productive trout water, unfolds into something far more enduring. This is a story about time, lineage, and the quiet transformation that comes with a lifetime spent outdoors.

Listeners will find themselves immersed in classic fly fishing rhythms. Reading water, watching for rise forms, and understanding insect hatches all serve as the backdrop. But the real takeaway lies beneath the surface. As the years pass, the pursuit of trout becomes secondary to the landscapes, relationships, and memories tied to them. The river becomes a living archive, holding generations of anglers, mentors, and moments that refuse to fade.

There is also an honest look at aging in the outdoors. Wading heavy water gets harder. Casting changes. Priorities shift. Yet the rewards deepen. Solitude becomes richer. The act of fishing evolves into reflection, where every cast connects past and present.

This is storytelling for those who understand that fly fishing is never just about the fish.

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Get to know the author, Richard Mann: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/richard-mann 

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Unlock aggressive early-season trout tactics and rediscover why opening day still matters.

Early spring trout fishing rewards anglers willing to embrace high water, cold temps, and aggressive fish behavior. In this conversation, Field & Stream fishing columnist Joe Cermele breaks down how to target big trout when rivers are up, slightly stained, and primed for movement. From reading water in elevated flows to understanding how trout shift into softer seams and banks, you’ll walk away with practical trout fishing strategies you can apply immediately.

The discussion leans into a “go big or go home” mindset for early season success. Expect insights on streamer fishing, jerkbaits, and spinning gear tactics that help cover more water and locate larger fish efficiently. Cermele also explains why downsizing your gear and focusing on fewer, high-confidence presentations can lead to better results when chasing wild brown trout.

Beyond tactics, this episode captures the deeper culture of trout fishing. Opening day traditions, stocked trout debates, and the role these fisheries play in introducing the next generation all come into focus. It’s a blend of technical fishing knowledge and the kind of storytelling that reminds you why you started fishing in the first place.

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Four seasoned outdoorsmen draft their ultimate wild game menu—and defend every controversial pick.

What happens when a group of diehard hunters and anglers sit down to build the ultimate wild game lineup? In this episode, the Field & Stream editors turn a friendly debate into a strategic wild game draft—stacking their picks with everything from classic whitetail deer and wild turkey to overlooked small game like squirrel and even exotic species like nilgai and iguana.

Along the way, you’ll get more than just a list of favorite meats. This conversation dives into the nuances of wild game cooking, regional flavor profiles, and the real-world decisions hunters make in the field. From waterfowl hunting traditions to big game priorities, each pick reveals something deeper about how experienced outdoorsmen think about conservation, opportunity, and taste.

You’ll walk away with new perspectives on building your own “wild game hierarchy,” plus insights into how preparation methods, habitat, and hunting pressure influence flavor and experience. Whether you’re chasing elk in the backcountry, calling spring gobblers, or fine-tuning your deer season strategy, this episode delivers equal parts entertainment and practical takeaways.

It’s an insider conversation that blends hunting strategy, storytelling, and a deep respect for the resource, exactly what defines modern outdoor culture.

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