Social media has become an inhospitable place for anyone who is creating firearms content. That’s why a new, misunderstood YouTube policy has created plenty of trepidation among guntubers. Here's what we know about the latest crackdown.

This episode is brought to you by Federal Black Cloud.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Reported by contributor Dave Maccar.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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Duck hunters reported one of their worst years on record last year. The USFWS says mallard numbers are up and breeding ducks are looking their best in a decade. So what's going on? Are duck hunters just whining over a bad season? Or is the USFWS orchestrating some kind of cover up of bird declines so duck hunters keep buying licenses to fund their agency? As it turns out, neither. 

This episode is brought to you by Federal Prairie Storm.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced and reported by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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OL's resident mountain hunter Tyler Freel separates fact from all the fiction surrounding backcountry gear, prep, and execution. Here's what matters, and what to do when it all goes sideways.

Read the full story here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/hunting-west-diy-reality/

This episode is brought to you by Federal Terminal Ascent.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is staff writer Tyler Freel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the best bass fishing in America is happening on the college circuit. And as these leagues have expanded, they’ve become the ultimate proving grounds for professional bass fishing. In this episode, news editor Dac Collins sits down with Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton of Lander University, who won the 2024 Bassmaster College National Championship over the weekend. Here's how they think about the competition, the strategy they need to succeed, and what's next.

Read more: https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/college-fishing-bass-pros/

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Guest hosting by news editor Dac Collins.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

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As bow season approaches, you might be scrambling to get everything on your setup perfectly dialed. Instead, re-center and think about what actually matters: making a good shot, and worrying only about the gear that's going to make or break your hunt. Here's what matters this season, according to our in-house archery coach and resident gear nerd, executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

This episode is brought to you by Bowtech.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is executive gear editor Scott Einsmann.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We headed to Grinnell, Iowa, to test the newest field of sporting and hunting shotguns, plus an entirely new field for this year: tactical shotguns. Shooting editor John B. Snow explains how we test shotguns, why it's necessary, and what you need to know about the latest crop of duck guns, double-barrels, and home-defense models.

This episode is brought to you by Bowtech. Read more at outdoorlife.com/shotguns24

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by shooting editor John B. Snow.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s no more polarizing topic in the fishing world right now than forward facing sonar (FFS). At this point, it’s foolish to deny its effectiveness, as professional anglers who have perfected its use have left everyone else in the dust. It also makes the sport hard to watch. This week we're talking to Derek Horner, OL's manager of audience development and the former captain of Penn State's bass fishing team. Here's his take.

Read more at outdoorlife.com/ffs

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Guest is manager of audience development Derek Horner.

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This week we sit down with staff writer and PCT veteran Laura Lancaster to explain our recent ultralight backpack test, why hunters might be interested in this new gear, and why traditional backpacking is on the way out.

You can read more on ultralight backpacking gear at outdoorlife.com/ultralight

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by staff writer Laura Lancaster.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down with our optics editor, Andrew McKean, to discuss the armloads of new optics he's been testing for weeks, including binoculars, riflescopes, and thermals. Here are the highlights from the test, including his advice for anyone looking to buy new glass this summer.

You can read the first of McKean's articles from the test — his binocular reviews — at outdoorlife.com/optics24

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Reporting by hunting and optics editor Andrew McKean.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anti-hunters have a playbook that's extremely effective at persuading the public to change wildlife management. This week on the podcast, Alex interviews Brian Lynn of the Sportsmen’s Alliance to learn how these anti-hunting organizations operate, and the strategic advantages they enjoy over hunters.

Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio.

Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson.

Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs.

Find more on the potential ballot initiative here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/catban

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices