The Good The Bad The Fowl

 Sponsorships and deals being handed out faster than quail queen freebies at a work event hotel room. Lack of brand loyalty in pro-staffing, plugging the wrong people for brand advertisement. Canada and Arkansas regulation changes for waterfowl. A 3 year old shoots two people on a youth turkey hunt, and I travel to mound city for snows and walk away with some jewlery. No catchy title just right back to it. 

Gus and I discuss agency standards, qualifications and fitness in the outdoor working industry (Wildland Fire, natural resource management). We compare standards and requirements between agency’s, I use my experience in Arizona with state and private contract agencies, Missouri with what I saw and discussed with Quail Forever employees, Kansas Game and Fish (seasonal days) and Kentucky Game and fish. We also discuss career paths and the importance of being able to move up the chain in your career/agency. A QF member in Missouri (had to be MO) referred to himself as “basically a hotshot” for prescribed little grass burns. 

Gus is back with me (Beyond the Blind) and on today’s episode we talk about how hunting and the outdoors is used for therapy both physically and mentally and some past times in the outdoors spent with family and friends that helped us get through tough times, and how it helps us escape our daily lives and helps us find ourselves again. 

First off, a huge thank you to all those men and women on the frontlines in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas wildfires and another thank you to all those volunteers, farmers, and community members lending a helping hand to those in need.  On this episode we touch on conventions, the changes we’ve seen over the years with bigger crowds, more influencers, the missed out on/over looked workshops and sessions, convention ethics and behaviors. 

Deep down along the southern edge of Arizonas border…Nick, McBride, and myself are after Javelina (collared peccaries). Part 1 we talk about our scout, camp, camp tales from our previous deer hunt back in October and some of the long time running call backs and jokes that hunt brought into our lives, and why it’s always important to take a chance on inviting new members to camp. Also a few skrimp cocktails and a raaaat make an appearance. 

In this episode I talk about a botched gator hunt that took place in Arkansas, what it means to be held accountable and responsible, to take pride in the industry you work in, the name on your shirt you represent and the work ethics and attitude that follow. We don’t have a corn problem we have a character problem. 

Straight Flushes follow up after AGFC. Not like the Epstein files but plenty of fuckery to go around. We call out huntresses for their actions in the community and the epidemic of social media huntresses and ones sleeping around with anything that moves to elevate their hunting network/career. 

The OG Straight Flush. Unlike the Epstein files these won’t be hidden 

Tonight’s host Tim Bertug recaps the OG straight flush episode, and we interview a brave little shotgun shell who was used and abused by a huntress in the efforts of gaining social status and reputation. Stunning and Brave. 

On today’s episode a season breakdown of two different seasons in Arizona. Joined by my best friend and hunting partner Nick, we compare our two bird seasons (dove,duck,quail). I had myself a fantastic ending with shooting a drake mallard banded in Canada in 2019, hatched in 2018 to end the season and on my gun dog Salems birthday. We chat about our favorite hunting snacks and how to save a few $$$ on gear by shopping around and price matching by taking the time to look for the best deal. 

Coffee poured, breakfast burrito in hand, gear loaded up, truck ready. In this new series to the show, covering what we talk about on the way to the hunting spots in the early hours of the morning. Recorded live in the truck, the first part of this mini side series, CJ and I, friends for 3 years but first year hunting together cover a range of waterfowl topics and hunting topics and talk about moist soil vs corn at the end. We ended up meeting some awesome people at the spot and decided to head south and put down some stud Az wigeon. 

Happy New Year! Welcome to year two of the show. In this episode i give a background on my career pathway, the agencies I’ve worked for, the schooling and training and advice on pathways to working in the conservation and natural resource management fields to those who might be or are pursuing a career in this pathway. 

Donald and I talk about the multiple species of waterfowl encountered in the desert. The terrain and topographic challenges and unique landscape Arizona has to offer. Hunting techniques used out here and the many opportunities and challenges this state provides. 

The big 3, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Quail-Pheasant Forever. Is it all tickets and tables when it comes down to it? What does each organization bring to the aid in conservation. Which one might suit you best, and what to look for when joining a chapter. A discussion about federal funds being spent inappropriately as well as the government shutdown and what it meant for some of those funds being used on by DU and QF/PF during “work from home”

We discuss the vast importance of proper mentorship programs for first time and youth hunters and the value they bring, public land trash issues and management, cleaning up our social media. 

We talk about one of the industry’s more sensitive topics on the rise, the modern day huntresses and the disgrace and disservice some bring to those women who are actually into the outdoors and what it has to offer besides free gear, hunts, pro staff offers and social media clout and ego stroking. I discuss my personal experiences with all women hunts as a guide, the great ladies I met, a great owner I worked for and some not so enjoyable moments that left me going wtf am I doing. 

Joined by my life-long best friend and hunting partner Nick, we discuss our dove season openers in Missouri and Arizona. Public land ethics and some do's and don'ts when invited on a hunt. We cover Nicks Az Mule deer hunt, some changes we have noticed from past seasons and years, hunter harassment from a property lease holder, hunting pressure and weather and more gun safety and hunting ethics. 

Solo episode on the long absence and catch up on my experience at Delta Waterfowl Expo in OKC. 

Episode 2- Nolan and I discuss past experiences with outfitters, clients and the snow goose conservation spanning from Arkansas to NW Missouri along with the positive encounters and friendships created while enjoying one of our favorite passions. We also give advice for those wanting to search for an outfitter to go with as well as advice for becoming a snow goose guide or getting into the game.

On this “mini” episode I speak with Justin about the hunting conditions in Georgia, hunting with family and interactions with other public hunters, volunteer organizations and their struggles to get work done on mishandled wildlife management areas for waterfowl and why we see so many cliental from the southern regions of the country. 

Episode 1- Introduction episode where Nolan and I discuss our hunting backgrounds, topics we want to discuss on the show, the 3 issues in our states that we see the most, and broad range of discussions about what we are seeing in the industry itself.