The Wild Initiative

Christian Schauf, founder of Uncharted Supply Co., joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss the importance of being prepared while hunting and adventuring. Christian tells Sam a little about some of his emergency encounters and about the event that inspired him to start his survival and emergency product company, Uncharted Supply Co. He emphasizes that life skills are diminishing among the newer generations, which can lead to chaos, panic, disaster, or worse. Even though time in the wilderness can often be dangerous, especially when you’re far removed from others, the benefits of relaxation, focus, and peace are well worth it. Always make sure to track where you’re going and where you’ve been, and let someone know your plans. 

See more on the show notes page at thewildintiative.com/218.

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The Honorable Steve Daines, US Senator for Montana joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to highlight and discuss some of the major issues faced by outdoorsmen in Montana and across the US. With the influx of people to the state, Senator Daines reminds new residents about the importance of preserving the wildlife and the land that play a key role in making Montana such a beautiful place to call home or simply visit. The senator stresses the major issue of extreme environmental groups and politicians attempting to curry favor acting on emotion rather than science and facts when it comes to subjects such as responsible logging and grizzly bear management. Senator Daines admonishes us that while Montana’s future is bright, greater actions need to be taken to preserve the great state.

See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/217 .

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Hank Shaw, wild game chef and author of Hunt, Gather, Cook, Buck, Buck, Moose and more, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to talk wild game cooking. Hank and Sam find some common ground when they talk about living in California and growing up fishing. They discuss different ways they cook wild game, misconceptions about older animals vs younger animals and even game that most wouldn’t consider eating. A good point Hank points out is most people are “cooking the tender parts too much and the tough parts too little” which can result in a dislike towards certain meat/game. Hank goes over the proper dry-aging process, creating master stock, what hot boning is, and many more tidbits to getting tender, tasty meat. It doesn’t matter how you eat your animal, it matters that you eat your animal. 

See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/216 .

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Dark Waters, the master of YouTube horror, joins Sam again on The Wild Initiative for this special Halloween bonus episode. Dark Waters and Sam have a discussion of American paranormal creatures and monsters and give each a Dark Waters Creature Threat Rating. They discuss the Chupacabra, Blue Dogs, The Jersey/Leeds Devil, Mothman, the Wendigo, La Llorona, Slenderman, The Rake and many more. They also discuss the differences between Bigfoots, Yetis and Skunk Apes as well as talk through some true stories featuring mermaids, vampires and bat-faced humanoids.

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Robbie Kroger with Blood Origins joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to discuss the loaded term “trophy hunting”, high fence hunting, and some problematic issues within the hunting community/industry. Robbie and Sam talk about what it means to be a trophy hunter and the hunting community being its own enemy when it comes to tearing each other down and judging each other's hunts/kills. Robbie elaborates on how Blood Origins isn’t afraid to go up against anti-hunters and educate them, explaining how they’re wrong in a respectful way. Sam and Robbie continue on to discuss the benefits and consequences of hunting. As a result of Blood Origins’ efforts, a number of accounts have blocked them due to Blood Origin’s advocacy affecting their business, following, engagement, etc. Robbie and Sam both agree that we as hunters can’t put ourselves on a pedestal and that we need to bring to light what is wrong and what is right in hunting. It’s important to be honest and own up to our mistakes. Robbie states he’s only interested in conveying the truth about hunting. Does what you post help or hurt hunting and is it honest?

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See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/215.

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Kara Schuett of Yellow Sally Fishing and Montana Bucks & Ducks joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to throw back a few beers and talk about hunting and fly fishing in the great state of Montana. Kara and Sam catch up on life and discuss Kara’s projects, Yellow Sally Fishing, a fishing-themed clothing line for women and girls, and Montana Bucks & Ducks, her and her husband’s outfitting and guide service. Kara also discusses her involvement with Warriors & Quiet Waters, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting post-9/11 combat veterans and equipping them with everything they need to begin fly fishing. As the beer starts flowing, Kara and Sam cover just about everything, telling hunting stories, how putting in for tags generates funds for conservation, the best hunting dogs, why White Claws are so damn refreshing on the river and fantastically odd-named fishing flies.

See more on show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/214

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Charles Beaty, the infamous Prince of Poachers, joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to delve into his intriguing past as a renegade in the woods. From poaching 116 prized whitetail deer to surviving on raw deer meat for an astonishing 27 days straight, Charlie recounts his wild experiences, including evading law enforcement, and discusses how his life took a profound turn when he embraced Christianity and left his unlawful ways behind. In this candid conversation, he sheds light on the repercussions of choosing the path of an outlaw hunter and reflects on his book, with part two promising insight into his personal family journey. It's important to note that this podcast isn't intended to glorify poaching; Charlie's transformation is a testament to the potential for change.

Charlie reflects on his journey from a life of illegal hunting to a spiritual awakening, revealing moments of poaching deer, even surviving on raw deer meat during an extraordinary 27-day period. He shares stories of running afoul of the law and how his conversion to Christianity brought about a complete change in his mindset and lifestyle.

The discussion turns to the challenges and dangers Charlie encountered while indulging in outlaw hunting. He touches upon the different aspects of outlaw hunting in South Texas, highlighting the diverse hunting opportunities and acknowledging the unfortunate presence of poaching and boundary violations.

Charlie delves into the repercussions he faced for his past poaching activities and the constant anxiety it caused him. He shares the dynamics of his relationships with fellow hunters, experiences with authorities, and encounters with wild animals, offering a nuanced perspective on the repercussions of his past actions.

The discussion deepens as Charlie sheds light on his book project and how part two will provide insights into his family life and upbringing. Charlie underscores the importance of his narrative as a cautionary tale for aspiring and seasoned hunters alike. He shares his own experiences and struggles, hoping to deter others from following his path. The episode offers a glimpse into Charlie's transformation, demonstrating that redemption and positive change are indeed possible.

This discussion serves as a powerful reminder that personal growth and transformation are always within reach. His journey from being the Prince of Poachers to becoming an advocate for ethical hunting practices is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for positive change. For anyone curious about the human capacity for change and the redemptive power of faith, this episode provides an insightful perspective on personal growth, second chances, and the profound impact of leaving a life of wrongdoing behind.

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Tana Grenda of Bristol Bay Fitness joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to talk about her experience huntin’ Alaska. In this episode, Tana tells Sam about her bull moose bowhunt and what could only be described as hunting and being chased by a zombie bear. Later they discuss how long you should look for an animal after wounding it and what it means to be a hunter that doesn't give up and betters themselves in the outdoors by constantly getting out of comfort zones.

See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/212.

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Jesse Phillips, entrepreneur, and filmmaker joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to talk about the aspects of finding purpose in life. In this episode, they discuss the difference between harvesting vs killing animals, what it feels like having a full freezer and the importance of truly helping veterans. Later, they go into finding purpose through doing what you love and why being a minimalist may just work for you.

See more on the show notes page at thewildintiaitive.com/211.

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Vaughn NeVille of TheManSpot joins Sam on The Wild Initiative to bullsh*t just a bit about the outdoors and hunting. In this episode, they discuss how social media can bring out the worst in people while also bringing a lot of value to others. They later go on to talk about Vaughn's greatest hunting story, bear encounters and the status of our 2nd Amendment.

See more on the show notes page at thewildinitiative.com/210.

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