The Final Howl

Coyote season is here, and Zach is joined by Brandon to kick off another year of chasing coyotes.

The guys talk about what they’re changing heading into the new season, including gear, calling, setups, and their overall strategy for finding and killing more coyotes.

But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Zach gets a little off the rails with some of his opinions on where he thinks coyote hunting is going wrong and what he believes hunters could be doing differently.

No script, no filter — just two coyote hunters talking about what they’re seeing, what they’re changing, and what they expect from the season ahead.

The coyote season starts now.

Built on Trust. Proven in the Field.

For decades, Drury Outdoors has been one of the most respected names in hunting television and outdoor media. In this episode of The Final Howl Podcast, I sit down with Matt Drury to talk about how the outdoor industry has evolved and what it takes to continue producing content that hunters trust.

Matt shares how he got started with Drury Outdoors, the biggest changes he's witnessed throughout his career, and how technology, social media, and digital platforms have transformed the way hunting content is created and consumed.

We also discuss the realities of filming your own hunts—the advantages, the challenges, and the added pressure that comes with trying to capture every moment on camera. Whether you're an aspiring content creator, a lifelong hunter, or simply a fan of quality outdoor storytelling, this episode offers an inside look at one of the industry's most respected brands.

Topics covered:

• How Matt Drury got started with Drury Outdoors
• The evolution of outdoor television and digital media
• The pros and cons of filming your own hunts
• Creating educational hunting content that stands the test of time
• The future of outdoor media and hunting content

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow hunter.

This week on The Final Howl Podcast, Zach is joined by Indiana Deer Biologist Dr. Joe Caudell for an in-depth conversation about how deer regulations are created, evaluated, and changed in the state of Indiana.

If you've ever wondered why certain regulations exist, who makes those decisions, or what it actually takes to change them, this episode is for you.

Zach and Dr. Caudell discuss:

• How Indiana deer regulations are developed
• The science and data used to guide management decisions
• Why some regulations change while others remain in place
• Common misconceptions about deer management
• How hunters can provide meaningful input on future regulations
• What licensed Indiana deer hunters can do if they want to see changes made

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process that impacts every deer hunter in the state.

Whether you agree with every regulation or not, understanding how the system works is the first step toward having a voice in the future of deer hunting in Indiana.

This week on The Final Howl Podcast, Zach is joined by Elayna Kenes and Kameron Clark for a wide-ranging conversation centered around shotgunning coyotes during the spring and summer months in Pennsylvania.

They dive into:

• Why shotgun setups can be so effective for coyotes during warmer months
• Calling strategies and setups that work in thick cover
• Their experiences hunting fox, deer, and turkeys in Pennsylvania
• The ongoing conversation around TSS vs traditional lead shot
• Gear, hunting stories, and lessons learned from the field

This episode covers a little bit of everything and feels like a genuine conversation between hunters who spend a lot of time outdoors year-round.

If you enjoy predator hunting, turkey hunting, and hearing different perspectives from serious hunters, this is an episode you’ll want to check out.

This week on The Final Howl Podcast, Zach looks back on how turkey season played out — from early struggles to the moments that finally made it all come together.

He breaks down the challenges leading up to Gage’s first turkey harvest and how persistence paid off after a tough start to the season.

Zach also shares:

• Key takeaways from the season and what made the difference
• Lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful hunts
• His thoughts on running the Thompson/Center Encore chambered in .410
• How the Foxtrot 383 Stroker ammo performed in real hunting situations

Both birds this season were taken with the Encore .410 setup, and Zach explains how it performed when it mattered most.

If you’ve ever had a season that didn’t go as planned but stuck with it anyway, this episode is a real look at how things can turn around.

This week on The Final Howl Podcast, Zach is joined by Eric Locker, an Alaska fishing guide and avid outdoorsman, to talk about his journey from central Iowa to building a life in Alaska.

Eric shares what it was like making the move and adapting to a completely different style of hunting and living in the North.

They discuss:

• What hunting looks like in Alaska compared to the Midwest
• His experiences chasing game in big, remote country
• What it’s like guiding and spending time in some of the most rugged places in North America
• Encounters with wildlife and lessons learned along the way

This episode is a laid-back conversation filled with real stories from the field and an honest look at what it takes to live and hunt in Alaska.

If you enjoy hearing how other hunters approach the outdoors in different parts of the country, this is one you’ll want to hear.

This week on The Final Howl Podcast, Zach is joined by Brice Hensley from Fox Trot Ammo to break down one of the biggest topics in hunting right now — TSS vs traditional lead shot.

Brice explains what actually makes TSS different and why it’s become such a popular choice for both turkey and predator hunters.

They dive into:

• The real advantages of TSS over lead in the field
• When TSS makes the biggest difference — and when it might not
• Using TSS for both turkeys and coyotes
• The current TSS shortages and what they could mean for hunters moving forward

This isn’t a sales pitch — it’s a real conversation about performance, cost, and whether TSS is truly worth the hype.

If you’ve been thinking about making the switch or wondering how current shortages could impact your season, this episode gives you the information you need to make the right call.

https://foxtrotammo.com/

Can you actually control the coyote population—and does it even make a difference for turkeys?
Dr. Mike Chamberlain joins The Final Howl Podcast to break down what works, what doesn’t, and what most hunters misunderstand.

On this episode of The Final Howl Podcast, Zach is joined by renowned turkey biologist Dr. Mike Chamberlain to tackle one of the most debated topics in the hunting world—coyote control and its real impact on turkey populations.

Dr. Chamberlain shares research-backed insight on predator management, explaining when control efforts can be effective, where they fall short, and why coyotes are so difficult to manage long-term. The conversation dives into how predators affect turkey populations, separating myth from science and giving hunters a clearer understanding of what’s actually happening in the field.

They also discuss the current state of wild turkeys across the country, the challenges they’re facing, and how predator pressure fits into the bigger picture. Dr. Chamberlain breaks down the research he’s actively involved in and how it’s shaping the future of turkey management.

One of the most exciting parts of the episode is the new Wild Turkey DNA Project—a unique opportunity for hunters to directly contribute to conservation. By submitting samples, hunters can help researchers better understand turkey genetics, populations, and long-term sustainability.

If you’ve ever wondered whether predator hunting and trapping truly make a difference, or how much impact coyotes really have on turkeys, this episode delivers real answers backed by science—not just opinion.

This is a must-listen for turkey hunters, predator hunters, and anyone who cares about the future of wildlife management and conservation.

https://austinsway.org/

https://wildturkeylab.com/

https://wildturkeydna.com/

This week on The Final Howl Podcast, Zach breaks down how the past coyote season played out and shares what actually worked in the field.

He dives into the gear, tactics, and decisions that made a difference, including his thoughts on the performance of the Lucky Duck Super Revolt 2.0 and the sounds that consistently produced responses.

Zach also talks about making the switch from the Hornady V-Max to the 100gr ELD-VT, what he saw from that change, and how it impacted his results.

The episode wraps up with a look into the tournament side of coyote hunting — how it’s changed, what guys are doing to win, and Zach’s honest thoughts on the current state of competition hunting.

If you’re looking to improve your success and learn from a full season of real-world experience, this episode is packed with takeaways you can apply in the field.

Thinking about booking a guided coyote hunt?

Before you spend the money, Zach and Brandon break down what you should really be looking for in an outfitter.

Zach shares his past experience guiding and explains:

• What separates a legit operation from a red flag

• Questions every hunter should ask before booking

• What new hunters should expect from a guided trip

• What serious, experienced callers should demand

• Whether guided hunts are about learning, results, or just having a good time

Whether you’re brand new and looking to gain confidence, just want to enjoy a well-run hunt, or you’re a veteran coyote hunter wanting to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth — this episode gives you the inside perspective most outfitters won’t.

If you’ve ever considered booking a guided predator hunt, this is one you don’t want to miss.