Wingshooters, waterfowlers in particular can be terrible when it comes to preparing for disaster. However, Upland guys, goose hunters and turkey hunters all have a tendency to grab some ammo, whistle up the dog, load up the truck or boat and go hunting, often never thinking of what could happen. In this episode, Kevin Estela of Fieldcraft Survival sits down and walks us through some things we all should be thinking about before we head afield. From first aid and trauma kits to extra base layers stashed in a ziplock bag, Kevin breaks down why we should all be thinking about preparedness a little more carefully and weighing what is probably against what is possible before every hunt. This is a killer podcast that definitely has us thinking about our ability to survive an accident or disaster on a hunt.

J.J. Gustafson came very highly recommended as a podcast guest from several previous guests, including Cory Loeffler and I must say, he didn’t disappoint! A former offensive tackle for Texas A&M, J.J. 's personality is as large as his stature and he can tell a story with the best of 'em. Covering everything from Lifetime’s line of decoys and rigging, including the brand’s business philosophy, product lines and details, even a couple hints as to what they’ve got coming down the pipe. Lifetime’s innovation decoys have taken the market by storm and if you’re a public land, DIY duck junkie you should be looking hard at this ultralight, super durable option. J.J. also recaps his version of the “backcountry duck hunt” he did with Cory Loffller last fall. This is another excellent episode and well worth the listen, don’t miss out.

GunDog Outdoors is a company that all wingshooters should be paying attention to and using their products. Why? Because if you’ve never needed a first aid kit for your dog, it’s only a matter of time until you do! Alex Langbell is a riot to talk to and this conversation runs the gamut from the 2020 hunting season and hunter ethics to his hard charging daughter Sierra and how he introduced her to hunting. The guys honestly laugh about as much as they talk in the episode, in spite of some “technical difficulties” that ended the Zoom meeting twice! Alex is the kind of dude who makes a room light up and electrifies the folks around him with his good humor and hearty laugh. One thing is for sure, this episode goes fast! Don’t miss it.

Jake Latendresse is a man on the go with a thirst for adventure and a passion for working with like minded outdoors folks in every venue possible. His media company, Latendresse Media and his outfitting service, Prairie Rock Outfitters keep him more than busy but he still finds time to be a great dad and even finds time to save old taverns like the famous Town Pump in Fort Collins, CO. From ducks and turkeys to big game and bass this episode is one of kind and is a must listen. Host Todd Helms and Jake talk about passion, creativity and relationships to strange duck behaviors and even take a trip down memory lane to a chance encounter with the Bassmaster himself, KVD! The Wingmen Podcast Episode 26 is a cannot miss!

Jason and Nathan are semi-local fellas, anything under four hours is local in the West, who have a passion for hunting retrievers and have started a new HRC club in Casper, Wyoming. Host Todd Helms had the pleasure of sitting down with the guys and picking their brains about HRC and why they dove in head first. They may even have convinced Todd to bring down Mackinaw and his new pup to run a test this summer. One thing is for sure and certain, these are great dudes whose passion for dogs and competition rings true. If you’re interested in hunting retrievers and the world of “field trials” this is a must listen episode.

Dr. Mike Chamberlain is a Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Georgia. Mike, as he asked to be called, has forgotten more about wild turkeys than most of us will ever learn. The best part is that he’s as tore up with hunting these amazing birds as he is studying them and yes, he still gets his butt handed to him once in a while by a big old wise gobbler. He sat down with host Todd Helms and the pair talked turkey about everything from habitat and behavior to how to use knowledge of turkey biology and behavior to your advantage.

Dr. Mike Chamberlain is a Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Georgia. Mike, as he asked to be called, has forgotten more about wild turkeys than most of us will ever learn. The best part is that he’s as tore up with hunting these amazing birds as he is studying them and yes, he still gets his butt handed to him once in a while by a big old wise gobbler. He sat down with host Todd Helms and the pair talked turkey about everything from habitat and behavior to how to use knowledge of turkey biology and behavior to your advantage as a hunter. If you’re a turkey hunter this is a cannot miss episode and it’s full of “AHA” moments. One thing is certain, after talking with Mike, we will be approaching this spring’s turkey season a bit differently.

We feel like we’ve known Brennan Schuette for a long time but we’ve never actually had the chance to share blind, well at the same time anyway. Brennan is a good buddy of Noah Miller of Western Waterfowlers and comes out to Wyoming to hunt every year and every year we seem to pass like ships in the night. So, we felt like it was time to sit down and do the next best thing to sharing a blind, record a podcast and talk hunting! Brennan is a straight killer and we trade stories from this fall and winter’s hunts; talking flooded corn and wood ducks to late season honkers and spring turkeys. Maybe in 2021 we will be able to actually hook up and knock down some birds but until then we will have to settle for this killer episode!

In this episode we sat down with Cory Loeffler, owner/operator of DRC Calls and the conversation ran wild! Cory is a true renaissance man whose passions have shaped his life and forged his stories. We talk about his backcountry survival based duck hunt from last fall, duck, goose and crane calls (you have to hear the crane call to believe it), his involvement with the rollout of Sitka’s NoDak whites, harvesting fat from snow geese for cooking and the importance of learning how to utilize your birds in the kitchen. Cory was an incredible guest and we know you’ll want to listen to this episode more than once.

Quack Rack is one of the most innovative companies we’ve seen in a long time. They produce a spate of products to make getting you and your gear to and from your hunting spot easier, more organized and more enjoyable. Besides, their gear just looks badass too! Garrett Walker, the founder and owner of Quack Rack, took some time to sit down with host Todd Helms and explore the beginnings of the company, what prompted the startup, how it’s going so far and a little about where it’s headed. This is another kick in the pants episode that was ball to record and is fun to listen to.

Chad Carman works for the RMEF, that’s right, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. So why are we having him as a guest on The Wingmen Podcast? Because he’s a fellow wingnut who’s as obsessed with dogs and birds as we are. In this episode Chad and host Todd Helms hash out why guys shoot goldeneyes, how Chad got hooked on HRC and how our labs run our lives. This is another great episode that’s sure to get some laughs and make you question whether or not you and your dog should be doing HRC and just what a hunting retriever actually needs to be able to do.