Wild Game Dynasty

Michigan's deer management is at a crossroads—and the decisions being made right now will shape the future of whitetail hunting in this state for generations to come.

In one of the most important episodes we've ever recorded on Wild Game Dynasty, host Ryan sits down with Jordan Hoover, Upper Peninsula Deer Advisory Chair and one of the most passionate, outspoken voices for Michigan hunters in the state today. Jordan isn't just talking about the problems—he's in the room where the decisions are being made, and he's fighting like hell to make sure hunters have a seat at the table.

In this episode we pull back the curtain on everything Michigan deer hunters need to know right now. We break down the Natural Resources Commission's May meeting and the new regulation proposals that have the hunting community fired up across the state. We dig deep into the politics driving these decisions, the failures of Michigan's whitetail management in the Upper Peninsula, the crushing reality of predation on deer populations, and the underfunded DNR that is struggling to manage it all effectively.

Jordan doesn't hold back. From the controversy surrounding Michigan's potential move toward a one-buck state, to the ongoing debate over antler point restrictions, to the disconnect between Lansing politicians and the boots-on-the-ground hunters who live and breathe Michigan's deer woods—this conversation goes places that most people in positions like his are afraid to go.

In this episode:

• What came out of the NRC's May meeting and what it means for Michigan deer hunters
• The politics behind Michigan's most controversial deer regulation proposals
• Why the Upper Peninsula deer herd is in crisis and what's driving the decline
• The real impact of predation on UP deer numbers and why it's not being honestly addressed
• What needs to fundamentally change in Michigan's approach to whitetail management
• How hunters can get involved, make their voices heard, and stop being left out of decisions that directly affect them

This is not a comfortable conversation. It was never meant to be. Michigan's hunters deserve honesty, transparency, and leadership—and that's exactly what Jordan Hoover is bringing to the fight.

If you are a Michigan deer hunter, this episode is required listening. Share it, post it, and get it in front of every hunter you know. The future of Michigan whitetail hunting depends on an informed and engaged hunting community—and that starts right here.

Don't stay silent. Don't stay on the sidelines. Get loud.

Wild Game Dynasty Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.

Some experiences in the outdoors stay with you forever. A perfect dry fly drift on a cold Michigan river. The thunder of wings exploding from a covey in a frost-covered field. Today's episode is about a man who has built his life around delivering exactly those moments.

On this episode of Wild Game Dynasty, host Ryan sits down with Tim Riley, owner and professional guide of River Valley Adventures, operating on two of the most storied trout rivers in America—the AuSable and the Manistee. Tim is not just a fishing guide. He is a keeper of tradition, floating clients through Michigan's most breathtaking river country aboard the legendary AuSable River boat—a handcrafted wooden vessel with a history as rich as the rivers it glides through.

The AuSable River is more than a fishery. It is hallowed ground for American fly fishing—a river that shaped conservation movements, inspired legendary anglers, and produced a culture of fly fishing that is uniquely Michigan and uniquely special. Tim Riley carries that legacy forward every single time he pushes off the bank, and in this episode he brings all of it to life.

But River Valley Adventures isn't just about trout. Tim also guides upland game bird hunting trips, making him one of the rare outfitters who can put you on wild trout in the morning and have you walking behind a pointing dog through golden Michigan cover in the afternoon. If you love the outdoors in all its forms, Tim Riley is your guide.

In this episode:

• The history of the iconic AuSable River boat and why it remains the perfect vessel for floating Michigan's legendary rivers
• What a guided float trip on the AuSable and Manistee looks like and what makes it a bucket-list experience
• The species, hatches, and seasonal patterns that define fishing on these world-class rivers
• The differences between guiding on the AuSable versus the Manistee and how Tim approaches each
• Tips and insights for fly anglers of all skill levels looking to fish moving water
• Tim's guided upland game bird hunting operation and what Michigan's coverts have to offer
• The conservation challenges facing Michigan's premier trout rivers and what's being done to protect them
• What it means to carry on the tradition of AuSable River guiding in the modern era

Whether you're a lifelong fly angler who has always dreamed of floating the AuSable the right way, a bird hunter looking for an authentic Michigan upland experience, or someone who simply loves wild places and the people who dedicate their lives to them—this episode is for you.

Tim Riley is the real deal. River Valley Adventures is the real deal. And Michigan's rivers and uplands are waiting for you.

Book a trip. Carry the tradition forward.

Find River Valley Adventures and book your float trip or upland hunt at [River Valley Adventures contact/website]. Wild Game Dynasty Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

https://www.rivervalleyadventures.com/copy-of-home-1

Hungry for more Wild Game Dynasty? Check out our blog: https://wildgamedynasty.com/blog/

Ryan sits down with Kristin Ojaniemi, host of the UP's favorite outdoor show 'Discovering', to talk about what makes Michigan's Upper Peninsula one of the most wild and untouched landscapes in the Midwest. Kristin shares the stories behind her show — the remote stretches of forest, the characters she's met along the way, and what it means to truly live close to the land up north.

Ryan and Kristin dig into what it's like to document wild places on camera, why the UP holds a special kind of pull for hunters and anglers alike, and how her show captures a lifestyle that's as authentic as it gets.

Whether you've spent years in the UP or you've always dreamed of going, this episode will have you lacing up your boots and heading north.

For more 'Discovering' content, follow along at https://www.discovertheup.com/

Michigan's hunting landscape is shifting — and if you're a deer hunter in the Great Lakes State, you need to hear this.

In this episode of Wild Game Dynasty, Ryan sits down with Skip Sligh for a wide-ranging conversation on the issues shaping the future of hunting in Michigan. Skip and Ryan break down the most recent regulatory changes to come out of the Natural Resources Commission meeting, walking through what hunters need to know heading into the season and how these decisions are being made at the state level.

But the conversation goes deeper than just rule changes. They dig into the long-term outlook for hunting in Michigan — who's at the table fighting for it, who's pushing back, and what the next generation of hunters might be inheriting. From recruitment and access challenges to the cultural pressures facing the hunting community, Skip doesn't shy away from the hard questions.

The episode also tackles the very real threats bearing down on Michigan's deer herds. Habitat loss, predator pressure, disease concerns, and changing land use patterns are all part of the picture — and Skip offers his perspective on how hunters, wildlife managers, and landowners can work together to protect what we've got.

Whether you're a lifelong Michigan deer hunter or just starting out, this is the kind of conversation that matters beyond the treestand.

For more information on what Skip is doing in Iowa, check out his website: https://iowawhitetail.com/

Whether you're breaking ground on your first food plot or trying to figure out why your clover never took hold, this episode is exactly what you've been waiting for. We sat down with Tony Polk, owner and operator of The Food Plot Shop, for a deep-dive conversation that covers everything a hunter needs to know about growing, managing, and hunting over food plots.

Tony doesn't hold back. He opens up about the single biggest mistake beginners make — and it's probably not what you think — then walks us through the full process of establishing a food plot from scratch, including an honest look at the pros and cons of tilling and herbicides, and whether you can pull it off without either one.

From there, we tackle one of the most debated topics in the deer hunting community: what to plant. Clover, brassicas, cereal rye, oats, soybeans — Tony breaks down how to choose the right seed for your region, your hunting season, and your goals, so you stop guessing and start growing with purpose.

We also dig into the difference between hunting food plots and managing for nutrition, and how to do both effectively on the same property. Tony demystifies soil testing and pH — two topics that intimidate a lot of hunters — and explains what you actually need to pay attention to in your results.

Plot design and placement get their own spotlight, too. Tony explains what separates a food plot that merely attracts deer from one that actually holds mature bucks when the season rolls around. For hunters working with limited time, money, or acreage, he offers practical advice for maximizing your impact without breaking the bank.

We also look at how food plot science and seed technology have evolved, highlight the game-changing products and techniques that are making a real difference today, and tackle the most common food plot failures — poor germination, deer pressure before plots can establish, and weed problems — with real solutions you can apply right now.

And to close it out, Tony answers the question every food plot hunter wants answered: if you could only plant one mix for the entire season — something that attracts deer during hunting season and fuels nutrition year-round — what would it be?

This is one of the most information-packed food plot conversations we've had. Don't miss it.

The Food Plot Shop:  https://share.google/1QuM3fBf3UFdFJpWB

🌱 Ready to put it all into practice? The Food Plot Shop has you covered beyond the podcast. Use their app to manage your food plots from your laptop — track what you planted and when, log field notes throughout the season, and get individualized soil insights and fertilization recommendations tailored specifically to your property. No more guesswork, no more wasted seed or money. Get started at whitetailedgeapp.com/subscribe

Tags: food plots, deer hunting, whitetail management, Tony Polk, The Food Plot Shop, soil testing, seed selection, plot placement, hunting strategy, wildlife nutrition, land management

What does it actually take to dedicate your life to Michigan's wild places — and land one of the most coveted jobs in conservation? In this episode, Ryan sits down with longtime friend and newly appointed Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Tim Riley for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the road less traveled.

Tim pulls back the curtain on what a typical day in the field really looks like — from early morning surveys to late nights buried in data — and shares the winding, years-long journey it took to earn his place with the Michigan DNR. It's a story that every aspiring wildlife professional and lifelong outdoorsman needs to hear.

But this episode isn't just about the career path. Tim and Ryan dive deep into four of Michigan's most fascinating and complex species:

🐦 Kirtland's Warbler — one of North America's greatest conservation comeback stories, and the ongoing work to protect this rare songbird's jack pine habitat right here in Michigan.

🐻 Black Bear — population trends, management challenges, and what increasing bear activity means for hunters and landowners across the Upper and Lower Peninsula.

🐍 Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake — Michigan's only venomous snake and a federally threatened species that most people never even knew existed in their own backyard.

🦌 Whitetail Deer — the species closest to every Michigan hunter's heart, and Tim's professional perspective on herd health, habitat, and what the future looks like for deer management in the state.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter, a wildlife enthusiast, or someone who's ever dreamed of turning a passion for the outdoors into a career, this episode is loaded with insight straight from someone living it every single day.

If you have any questions, concerns, or want to get involved, reach out to Tim at (989) 370-7313.

Hungry for more Wild Game Dynasty? Check out our blog: ⁠https://wildgamedynasty.com/blog/

Jordan Hoover is back in the dynasty, and this one hits close to home.

In this episode, we sit down with returning guest Jordan Hoover for a hard-hitting conversation about the state of hunting in America — and what's at stake right now for Michigan deer hunters. Jordan breaks down the three biggest issues facing hunters across the country, the threats flying under the radar, and why the hunting community can't afford to stay silent.

Then we shift focus to what could be a defining moment for the future of deer hunting in the Great Lakes State — the upcoming NRC (Natural Resources Commission) meeting, where Michigan's newest proposed regulations are set to be on the table. We unpack what these changes could mean for hunters, wildlife management, and the traditions we've built our lives around. Make no mistake — this meeting isn't just policy talk. The decisions coming out of it have the potential to either protect Michigan's deer herd for generations or fundamentally change the game forever.

Whether you're a Michigan hunter, a concerned sportsman, or just someone who cares about the future of wild game culture in America — this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

Listen. Learn. Show up.

NRC Meeting: April 8, 2026 at 9 am, Lansing Community College

Hungry for more Wild Game Dynasty? Check out our blog: https://wildgamedynasty.com/blog/

What does it mean to dedicate a lifetime to the wild places of Michigan? In this landmark episode of Wild Game Dynasty, we sit down with Richard P. Smith — author, wildlife photographer, and the newest inductee into the 2025 Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame — in a conversation that spans decades of tradition, controversy, and conservation.

Joining the discussion are legends who have shaped the outdoor world as we know it: the great Fred Bear, the father of modern bowhunting; outdoor media icon Mort Neff, whose Michigan Outdoors brought the wilderness into living rooms across the state; beloved conservationist and writer Tom Huggler; multi-species hunting and storytelling phenomenon Steven Rinella; and bass fishing royalty Kevin VanDam.

Together, they unpack the release of Richard's latest book, a must-read for any serious hunter or naturalist. The conversation turns candid as Richard shares his deeply researched perspective on why Michigan's deer herd has been in steady decline — pointing to habitat loss, predator pressure, and management decisions that have left hunters and biologists alike sounding the alarm.

Then things get controversial. Richard takes on one of the most debated topics in whitetail history: the Mitch Rompola buck — the mysterious giant that some call the greatest deer ever taken and others call one of hunting's greatest hoaxes. Richard doesn't hold back.

This is the kind of episode that reminds you why you fell in love with the outdoors in the first place.

📖 Explore Richard's books, photography, and legacy at richardpsmith.com

Hungry for more Wild Game Dynasty? Check out our blog: ⁠https://wildgamedynasty.com/blog/

What does it take to spend 50 years mastering the art of tracking whitetail deer in the rugged wilderness of Maine? This week on Wild Game Dynasty, we sit down with Randy Flannery — owner and operator of Wilderness Escape Outfitters — to find out.

Randy is the kind of outdoorsman that legends are made of. With half a century of boots-on-the-ground experience in the Maine backcountry, he's forgotten more about whitetail behavior, outdoor survival, and wilderness hunting than most of us will ever know. In this conversation, Randy pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to be a hunter, a tracker, and a steward of the wild.

Don't miss this one. Hit play, take notes, and head over to Randy's website to learn more about booking your next adventure with Wilderness Escape Outfitters: https://wildernessescape.com/

Hungry for more Wild Game Dynasty? Check out our blog: https://wildgamedynasty.com/blog/

What does it take to turn an ordinary piece of ground into a whitetail paradise? In this episode, we sit down with Greg Compeau, owner and operator of GMK Logging, a business dedicated to the creation and restoration of wildlife habitat with a special focus on whitetail deer.

Greg weighs in on the controversial issues surrounding whitetail deer in Michigan, sharing his perspective as someone who works in the field every day. It's an honest, on-the-ground conversation that every Michigan deer hunter needs to hear.

Hungry for more Wild Game Dynasty? Check out our blog: https://wildgamedynasty.com/blog/