The Field And Stream Podcast

A routine hunt can turn deadly in seconds, and these stories prove it.

What does danger really mean in the hunting and fishing world? Sometimes it's a grizzly bear charging through a Wyoming meadow. Sometimes it's a lightning strike on a fishing trip, a marlin's bill through a man's neck, or a Cape buffalo that refuses to stay down. In the latest Field & Stream Journal, the Danger Issue explores the moments when the outdoors turns deadly and the remarkable people who live to tell about it.

Host Colin Kearns is joined by editors Dave Hurteau, Ryan Chelius, and Travis Hall to go behind the scenes of the issue and revisit some of its most unforgettable stories. Hear how hunters and anglers survived grizzly bear attacks, lightning strikes, rattlesnake bites, and other life-threatening encounters. The crew also discusses Scott Hogan's extraordinary accounts of hunting man-eating polar bears, lions, tigers, and crocodiles, along with a collection of stories about the times outdoor writers were scared enough to run.

Then, around the campfire, Colin reads Robert Ruark's classic 1954 account of Cape buffalo hunting, Suicide Made Easy. Ruark's vivid storytelling captures the obsession, fear, and adrenaline that make dangerous game hunting unlike anything else in the outdoors.

From backcountry survival to legendary dangerous game stories, this is a look at the risks, rewards, and unforgettable experiences that keep hunters and anglers coming back.

Follow the Field & Stream Podcast for more hunting, fishing, and outdoor storytelling.

Follow the Field & Stream podcast for more hunting advice, outdoor storytelling, and conversations from the field.

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

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The whitetail rut offers a handful of unforgettable days. Know when to hunt, where to sit, and what to watch for.

When does the 2026 whitetail rut offer the best opportunities to tag a mature buck? Field & Stream contributing writer and whitetail expert Adam Lewis breaks down seven dates worth circling on your hunting calendar, from late October through the late-season action in December.

Lewis explains how the breeding cycle, doe behavior, daylight buck movement, hunting pressure, and weather can help you identify high-percentage opportunities. Learn why Halloween can be a prime time to catch mature bucks on their feet, how the chasing phase changes your approach to stand placement, and why Friday the 13th could be your best all-day sit of the season. He also shares practical whitetail scouting strategies, including using trail camera intel, mock scrapes, food sources, and terrain features to make smarter decisions on public and private land. The key is knowing when to trust the calendar and when fresh scouting information should guide your next move.

Then, hunting editor Will Brantley joins Colin Kearns for a reading of Lily’s Last Hunt, a moving story about a beloved bird dog, the fading tradition of Southern quail hunting, and the memories that make time in the field matter. Brantley reflects on his childhood hunts, the bond between a hunter and his dog, and the irreplaceable gift of one final hunt.

From whitetail hunting tactics to the timeless stories behind our outdoor traditions, this conversation delivers practical insight and a reminder of why we hunt.

Follow the Field & Stream podcast for more hunting advice, outdoor storytelling, and conversations from the field.

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

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The right shotgun, a legendary fly fisherman, and decades of hard-earned lessons reveal what makes great days outdoors.

Two conversations explore the craftsmanship, instincts, and curiosity that separate good days in the field from unforgettable ones. First, Field & Stream shotgun expert Phil Bourjaily breaks down what makes an upland shotgun worth carrying, from weight and balance to fit, gauge, and the demands of different bird-hunting environments. Whether you're chasing pheasants across South Dakota, hunting ruffed grouse in thick cover, or pursuing wild quail over pointing dogs, Bourjaily explains how to choose a gun that shoots where you look and fits the way you hunt. He also shares why shooting fundamentals matter more than finding the lightest shotgun on the rack.

Then, fly fishing legend Tom Rosenbauer reflects on five decades at Orvis and a lifetime spent learning, teaching, and chasing fish. From tying flies commercially as a teenager to helping popularize beadhead nymphs and tungsten beads, Rosenbauer shares the experiences behind his lasting influence on modern fly fishing. He explains how to read trout streams, identify productive water, improve your approach to unfamiliar fisheries, and become a more effective angler by slowing down and observing conditions. The conversation also explores conservation, the next generation of anglers, and why even experienced fishermen should never stop learning.

Whether you're refining your upland hunting setup or looking to sharpen your fly fishing skills, these are practical lessons from two experts who have spent their lives in pursuit of better days outdoors.

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A remote Alaska fishing trip turns terrifying when a canoe disappears beneath the river.

Every angler dreams of Alaska, but the wildest fishing trips rarely go exactly as planned. In this classic Field & Stream story, writer T. Edward Nickens revisits The Descent, his 2007 account of an ambitious, unguided canoe expedition through southwestern Alaska's remote Kipchuk and Aniak river country.

The goal was simple on paper: reach isolated water, chase multiple species of wild salmon and trout, and experience a part of Alaska few anglers ever see. The reality was a relentless combination of swift current, fallen timber, dangerous strainers, exhausting portages, and increasingly serious consequences. What began as a search for untouched fishing water eventually put Nickens and his companions in a fight for survival.

Nickens and host Colin Kerns unpack what happened on the river, from close calls in the canyon to explosive salmon fishing, including kings, sockeye, chum salmon and huge rainbow trout. More importantly, they examine what the trip taught Nickens about preparation, confidence, responsibility and respecting wild country.

For hunters, anglers and anyone drawn to remote wilderness, the story offers more than adventure. It is a firsthand look at the cost of pursuing solitude and the moment when confidence can become recklessness.

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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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Former NFL star Randy Moss sits down with Field & Stream alongside World Bass Enterprises CEO Brian Byrd and angler Andrew Greene to talk bass fishing, life on the water, and the massive Champions Tournament coming to Nashville.

Moss traces his fishing roots back to growing up along the rivers of West Virginia before discovering a deeper passion for bass fishing. He shares what he has learned chasing largemouth and smallmouth bass across the country, why getting outdoors feels like therapy, and how those experiences became the foundation for his fishing show, Chasing Ten.

The conversation also breaks down the vision behind the World Bass Enterprises Champions Tournament, which brings elite anglers together on Old Hickory Lake for a high-stakes championship designed to crown a true world champion. The crew digs into the tournament format, forward-facing sonar rules, the inclusion of everyday anglers, and why a challenging fishery could make for an unpredictable finish.

Moss also recounts landing his first 10-pound bass while filming Chasing Ten, talks about traveling the country in pursuit of fish, and explains the show's mission to introduce more people to bass fishing and the outdoors. The conversation closes with a look at his partnership with the Children's Cancer Research Fund and his efforts to use fishing to give back.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.

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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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The dove opener is coming. Here’s how to scout smarter, shoot better, and savor the hunt.

With dove season just days away, Phil Bourjaily breaks down what makes a successful opening day in the field, from finding productive cut corn and alfalfa fields to choosing the right spot on public land. He shares practical dove hunting tips on scouting, decoys, shot selection, ammunition, and recovering downed birds without turning a good hunt into a search party.

The conversation also gets into dove guns, including why Phil favors a 20 gauge, how barrel length and balance affect a gun’s performance on fast-flying birds, and why a slightly heavier shotgun can make swinging on crossing doves easier. He explains the toughest dove shots, including overhead birds and doves floating into a decoy, and how shooting skeet can build the repetition needed to make those shots instinctive.

Then T. Edward Nickens returns for a reading of his Field & Stream classic, “The Healing Hunt.” Nickens reflects on an opening day spent hunting through bad weather, personal setbacks, and a friend battling cancer, ultimately finding something much bigger than a limit of birds.

From practical wing-shooting advice to the reasons we keep coming back to the field, this is a celebration of dove hunting and everything that makes opening day special.

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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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Summer hog hunting gets better after dark, while a bizarre bass bait takes over tournaments and carp anglers reveal their cult-like world.

Will Brantley breaks down the appeal of summer hog hunting after dark, from finding predictable feeder patterns to closing the distance with a bow. He explains why wind matters, how pigs react to light, and the tactics that can turn a nighttime stalk into a close-range bowhunting opportunity. The conversation also covers thermal optics, night vision, crossbows, and the role of hog hunting in southern states where feral pigs are already well established.

Then Ryan Chelius and Shaye Baker dive into the urchin bait craze sweeping bass fishing. Learn why these strange soft plastics have become tournament-winning lures, how anglers are rigging them, why they work so well on the pause, and why specialized tackle storage has suddenly become a major part of the bass fishing market.

Finally, Kirk Deeter reads “Carp Crazy,” his classic Field & Stream story about the competitive carp fishing scene. From tiger nuts and boilies to remote-controlled bait boats and twenty-five-pound mirror carp, the story explores the tactics, gear, culture, and obsession surrounding one of the world's most underrated game fish.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.

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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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Unlock one of fly fishing's toughest hatches and fool selective trout with confidence.

Tiny flies, selective trout, and razor-thin margins separate frustration from unforgettable success during the Trico hatch. Veteran angler and longtime outdoor writer Kirk Deeter shares the subtle details that consistently produce fish when trout are locked onto one of summer's most demanding dry fly events.

Learn how to recognize the difference between male and female Tricos, identify the most productive feeding windows, and understand why timing a trout's rise can matter more than casting accuracy. Kirk explains how current seams concentrate insects, why an H&L Variant often outperforms tiny spinner patterns, and why many experienced anglers now choose stronger tippet instead of ultra-fine leaders. If you've struggled to see your fly, pick the right target fish, or get clean drifts during heavy hatches, these practical fly fishing tips can immediately improve your success.

The conversation also shifts beyond the river with Kirk's new book, A Fishable Feast, exploring how food, travel, and local traditions enrich fishing adventures around the world. From Colorado trout streams and elk backstrap dinners to dream destinations still waiting on the bucket list, it's a reminder that the best fishing stories rarely end when you leave the water.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.

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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Summer nights hold unforgettable hunts and shotgun lessons every wingshooter should experience at least once.

Field & Stream’s Will Brantley and Phil Bourjaily share two timeless outdoor traditions that deserve a place on every hunter’s summer calendar. From slipping quietly along pond banks in search of trophy bullfrogs to sharpening wing-shooting skills before dove season, this conversation is packed with practical advice and memorable stories.

Brantley breaks down the art of frog gigging, including how to locate productive ponds, choose the right gear, stalk wary bullfrogs, and decide when a frog is worth taking. Along the way, he shares why fried frog legs rank among his favorite wild game meals and reflects on passing the tradition to the next generation of hunters.

Then shotgun expert Phil Bourjaily explains how trap, skeet, and sporting clays each prepare hunters for the field. Learn which target game best simulates upland bird hunting, waterfowl hunting, and dove hunting, plus common shooting mistakes, choosing your first target shotgun, and why summer range sessions pay dividends when opening day arrives.

The show wraps with one of Field & Stream's funniest campfire stories as Brantley reads the unforgettable tale of frog gigging in his Aunt Tanya's infamous "shit pond," proving that some hunting memories only get better with time.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.

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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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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Check out Duck Camp Dinners: https://www.instagram.com/duckcampdinners/

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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