Oregon First Hunting and Fishing

What an amazing opening weekend for Parker. Filling tag one AND tag two, not to mention one of those birds had a band! This story has a crazy twist at the end you will not want to miss, listen up and get reinvigorated for the second quarter of our 2026 turkey season!

For some of us, turkey season is synonymous with “frustration season.” That is why we are so thankful for conversations with friend of the show David Van Epps, turkey guide from Central Oregon and owner of Oregon Custom Calls! This episode is dropping just in time for turkey season, listen up as you drive to the woods and dream about those first light gobbles in your favorite turkey spot!  Linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

So many great blacktail tips in this episode with Zach Phelps from the Crimson Way Podcast, and the first registered finisher of the Oregon Sports Pack Slam! Listen up if you want to gain some knowledge from a guy who kills awesome blacktails right here in Oregon! linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

Its coming soon, and we are excited to announce a couple of really cool opportunities this year that we hope you will be a part of! In this episode we talked about all the new things you can expect at the Northwest Mountain Challenge this year, talked about arrow set ups, and gave some tips to help you shoot your bow better! OFHF is proud to present at the NWMC in 2026: 1) Mountain Church! Sundays at 6am at all three stops! 2) Live Show Podcast recording on Saturday afternoon at Hoodoo and Crystal Mountain!

Our last episode of season 3! Kurt is a full time hunting film maker who films his hunting adventures all over the US and beyond! A life long entrepreneur, before his life as an outdoor show host he owned gyms and workout supplement brands. His fitness background translated perfectly to what he does now, and Kurt had some great, specific tips for us as we try to get the most out of our bodies and thrive for the long run to hopefully hunt into old age. Leave us a rating and share the show! In this episode: The ban on hunting and fishing IP 28, hunting fitness, and staying healthy in the outdoors.

What an awesome conversation! Tony is a wealth of knowledge and helped Bryant and Gage figure out what they might be doing wrong or right in their search for Oregon bulls in September. In this episode: ANOTHER Oregon public land sales bill, elk calling tips from a professional, and a look into our Spiritual connection to the outdoors. linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

A word from Nate Bailey about our Spring Awakening Challenge taking place in the month of March!

Recorded in the Tualatin Bass Pro Shops, Bryant and Jim explore the best strategies for calling in mountain lions! Jim has a very effective strategy for hunting these elusive cats and has devoted many days in the field to hone his craft. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at hunting the elusive PNW Mountain Lion? This episode has everything you need to know! In this episode we talk about: Senate Bill 1545 to legalize corner crossing in Oregon, mountain lion hunting techniques and strategies, and the Oregon Sports Pack Slam

Bryant sits down in the duck blind to record an episode with Justin Arana, co-founder of Acres of Hope!  Acres of Hope Youth Ranch located between West Salem and Rickreall is an amazing non-profit who uses horses, archery, and the outdoor lifestyle to change the lives of the youth in our community who need it the most! Did you know horses can sense emotions? They have had a huge impact on many young people’s lives who have lost family members, are in foster care, or are struggling with mental health conditions. Do you want to know how to change a life? It is WAY easier than you think. In this episode, we talk about: Duck hunting, growing up in the Oregon outdoors, the necessary impact of mentorship, and Acres of Hope! Check them out at their website or on social media!

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Outdoors is a non-profit youth outreach organization that meets students where they are at: in the sports field and the outdoors fields. Colten Holdorf is a lifelong fly fisherman from Montana where he grew up catching trout on the Yellowstone river. He became a guide at a Christian retreat camp back in his home state, but not too long ago, he moved to Corvallis Oregon to become the Willamette Valley Director of FCA Outdoors where he supports FCA leaders by taking them on outdoors retreats and fly fishing trips.  In this episode we talk about fly fishing, fly fishing tips, fly fishing culture, differences between Montana and Oregon, the new Oregon Ocean Endorsement, a local bear attack, and the Oregon Sports Pack Slam.

The Pacific Flyway is the most slept-on waterfowl realm in the nation. Despite so many amazing birds and even some unique varieties of ducks and geese, especially in Oregon, no one seems to talk about it from the national perspective. And you know what, that's probably ok. From coast to high desert, Columbia to Klamath, valley lowlands to Cascade lakes, we are pretty spoiled in Oregon. Tanner hosts the Blind Chatter podcast based here in the Willamette Valley and we got to sit down with him for a couple hours and talk about everything relating to duck hunting in Oregon including tips for making you more successful on the water. Check it out and make sure to leave a rating!

You heard it here first! OFHF is now the official podcast of the Life Outdoorz!

In this episode we spoke with a man who is fresh on the scene of guiding upper tributary salmon and steelhead trips in Oregon. We got to hear some awesome small water salmon fishing tips, but also got raw and real about the reality of guiding and the cost that comes with it. Make sure to book a trip with Zory at bewildfishing.com linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

In this episode we learn from Carl Lewallen who is a lifetime athlete and outdoorsman. This combo has caused him to develope a great understanding of outdoor nutrition and the things your body needs to thrive while climbing mountains like an animal! Carl's life has lead him to now work with Rec Pac, a convenient and lightweight meal replacement for athletes and outdoorsmen. We also talk a lot about: Blacktail Hunting, the Oregon Sportspack Slam, Lighting Strikes in the Woods, and how to fuel you body in the outdoors.   linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast 

Recorded ON THE WATER with Josiah Darr, listen in for a great conversaion about catching these amazing fish at the famed Buoy 10 out of Astoria Oregon. The fish were in big time this year! Plenty of beautiful, large coho and chinook to go around!   linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

In this last installment of our NorthWest Mountain Challenge series, we get to hear from Boaz Koski with financially outdoors, the man who wants to help you succeed financially so you can spend more time in the field! There are some great tips in here for how we, as young men with limited budgets, have built up our kits and been able to stay out of debt while pursuing the outdoorsmen lifestyle! linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

Once again at the Northwest Mountain Challenge, we recorded “live” with Candy Yow from Yow’s hunting camps and Extreme Desire TV. Candy has a deep passion for helping women and youth get into the hunting world and offers camps with her husband Randy to do just that. This fully immersive experience teaches guests everything they need to know in the field through hands-on experience and classes. Candy had lots of great tips for Bryant (host) and Jericho (co-host) to help them navigate a full outdoorsman lifestyle with wives who don’t necessarily understand the obsession.  ** We experienced great technical difficulties while recording this episode, the content is amazing but the audio is rough. Please forgive us!

We got to sit down again with Mike Thompson (Thwackit Outdoors), partner at the Northwest Mountain Challenge the night before the Hoodoo stop was set to kick off. We were also joined by co-owners TJ Hofhines (Dead on Archery) and Tyler Crockett (Pure Elevation). In this conversation we talked about all different aspects of this great archery event, and also learned some tips to improve your shooting. Listen in! We have two more episodes ready to roll that were recorded on sight at this year's NWMC. linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

In This Episode: Gage and Bryant sat down in the studio with Tyson Healon, an avid outdoorsman from right here in Western Oregon. He runs the “Blackhorn Outdoors” page, documenting lots of great hunts and creating tons of shed hunting content. Have you ever wondered about shed hunting? Tyson has spent years sharpening his shed hunting skills, and can always find the needle in the hay stack. Tune in for tips and tricks, stay for the harrowing story he tells at the end about a shed hunt that almost went horribly wrong. linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

In this episode Gage and Bryant had the opportunity to record with Billy Molls, known as the modern day mountain man. He has lived a long career guiding hunts for big game animals in Alaska, and making amazing hunting films based on his adventures as a guide.In this episode, we talk about: The Modern Day Mountain Man, the new Oregon Sports Pack Slam, hunting in Alaska, and hear the story of how God met Billy Molls in a wild place. linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

Join us on the boat with Pro Escobedo; founder and leader of VIP Outdoors and VIP Tackle. If you have ever tried to research salmon fishing in Oregon or Washington, you have probably seen Pro's videos! He is one of the most respected local leaders in the industry by guides and rec fishermen alike. His wealth of knowledge was earned after years of fishing meticulas note-taking. Now you can buy his gear at fiherman's marine here in the Portland area. We talked alot about Springer fihsing and the fishing guide culture in the Columbia and Wilamette river systems, but if you want to learn more tips and tricks from Pro check out VIP Outdoors' socials and youtube channel. In this episode we talk about: Spring Chinook Fishing in the Columbia and Willamette river systems, the relationship between guides and recreational fishermen, the rise of VIP Outdoors, and discuss some of the nuances of salmon fishing in the PNW.   Linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

As promised, this is the song Bryant mentioned he wrote about turkey season. Huge thank you to his wife, Megan, who was willing to sing it for him to make this recording possible. Enjoy this fun little song while you get ready to go chase some gobblers!

Welcome to SEASON THREE! In this episode we called up David Van Epps, a turkey hunting fiend from Central Oregon who loves turkeys more than anyone else we have ever met! David has guided turkey hunts in Oregon for decades, and devotes lots of time to learning these animals.  We also talk about: a poacher with three lifetime hunting bans, turkey hunting techniques, turkey calling, hiding yourself in the woods, and even lowland gorillas! Listen in, and share this episode with someone who loves turkeys! linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

In this episode Bryant and Gage sit down with Mike Thomspon, a partner with the Northwest Mountain Challenge, while he was in town for the PNW Sportsman Show. We are stoked that we got to have this insider veiw into the Northwest Mountain Challenge which locally takes place at Hoodoo every Summer. It sounds like an awesome time of shooting bows and meeting people. You can count on finding us there this time around! In this episode we talk about: The opportuninty to open up hound hunting for cougars in select counties in Oregon called SB 769, a PNW outdoors terminology quiz, 22 outdoors outreach to help veterans with PTSD through the outdoors, Mike & John Thompson's Thwackit outdoors hunting videos, and of course, the Nowrthwest Mountain Challenge. linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast

We were elated when John Stallone, co-founder and vice president of Howlforwildlife.org, reached out and offered to come on the podcast. We in the west are at the front lines of many of the anti-hunters' attacks on our way of life. Howl has beena. powerful force to help protect our rights as hunters, as displayed by their efforts in the 2024 Colorado bill that would have banned all cougar and bobcat hunting.  The west coast is facing many similar attacks, and the only way to ensure our children get to fight this battle after us is to unite as hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen and stand as one against the opposition. Can we save PNW hunting? John thinks so, listen in to find out why. In this episode we talk about: Duck hunting, fighting the ocean tides, a record breaking elk from Washington, the new Blacktail Deer Foundation, celebrity hunters, the cure for anti-hunting state wildlife commissions (CARB), how hunter unity will defeat the anti hunters, what it means to be an ambassador for hunting, and a grassroots effort to bring hound hunting for Cougars and bears back to Oregon!   linkt.ree/ofhfpodcast

Have you ever wanted to catch slab largemouth and smallmouth in the middle of winter? In this episode we do just that on a fishing trip on Decemebr 26th! Listen in for winter bass fishing tips, a look at Kyle's custom bait making set up, and the tale of our cold and stormy winter bass fishing trip! Don't forget to follow the show to stay up to date about all of our club fishing and hunting events! linkt.ree/ofhfpodcast

This is a very fresh, very recent story about a buck I killed on opening day that was horribly ill, it led to hours and hours of research on deer diseases and Oregon wildlife pathology. Hopefully this can help someone in the future who kills a sick deer!

Another succesful rifle blacktail season here in Western Oregon! Thanks for listening to the OFHF podcast! 3/4

Even when tags go unfilled, every season is a success with the lessons learned and irreplaceable experiences shared in the best woods in America. I am so thankful to get to live in this territory! Thanksgiving special drop 2/4

The first episode of our Thanksgiving Mini Series! Thank you for being a listener to the OFHF Podcast! 1/4

In this episode we talked with local taxidermist and life long outdoorsman Dave Hakola to get the best taxidermy tips and to learn about his life in the outdoor space. You will not want to miss his story at the end of the episode, where he describes an awesome encounter with God. linktr.ee/ofhfpodcast 

This was a fun conversation in Tigard Oregon with Vaughn Hanchett from Vaughn Adventures! Vaughn is an avid outdoors generalist with a wealth of experience in trout fishing, and a great passion for archery elk hunting. We hope you enjoy the conversation between a couple of young guys who both have elk under their belt, but still lots to learn. Follow Vaughn on Youtube to see his great videos. In the News: CWD detected in WA, CA, and ID... we are surrounded!

We uploaded this last season, but wanted to get it up again as we are all thinking about our elk seasons this year. This story of calamity ended up being our most shared episode, and we have gotten more feedback about this episode than any other. All from people who could relate to these rookie mistakes or were surprised we would even share the story. So listen up, take the responsibility of hunting seriously, and enjoy your time in the elk woods this year!

In this episode Kyle and Bryant drove down to Reedsport Oregon to talk with David Knebel Jr of Little Dave's Baits and to go fishing for striped bass! It was a real fun conversation in a real cool place. Special thanks to Salmon Harbor Mercantile for letting us record on their patio! In the news: Raging fires in Eastern Oregon and ODFW's point reinstatement plan. 

This was an awesome conversation down in Roseburg with Trent Fisher from Born And Raised. We talked about the 1970 big game regulations, heard some of Trent's hunting wisdom, and got down and dirty about archery. Join our next event: Rifle Sighting on August 18th! (bows welcome)

In this episode, Bryant tells the story of how he killed his first buck using a doe bleat mouth call in Western Oregon. Enjoy this short bonus drop!

Southern Oregon Roadtrip Interveiw #2: Bryant continues his journey South to talk with Nate and Gage Bailey, a father and son duo who both live out their passion for the outdoors through their non-profit, the Life Outdoorz. They have spent a life pursuing everything Oregon has to offer and are a wealth of knowledge. We talked about the removal of the Klamath dams, duck hunting, traditional archery, and how Nate & Gage have learned about God through the outdoors.

Southern Oregon Road Trip interview #1: Bryant goes down south to talk with Devoted Outdoors about their awesome adventures growing up in the mountains hunting, fishing, and recording it all! They have been blessed to take many great animals from deer to elk and many bears. By the end, they share their reason for it by talking about their faith and how it drives every part of their lives. In the News: New ODFW Director Selected, 2023 Harvest Statistics.

So you want to to start kayak bass fishing? Well here is everything you need to know about boat selection, what gear to buy, and how to set up your yak.  In the news: update about ODFW search, sea lion culls began to save the chinook salmon.

Welcome to the first episode of season 2, where we talk with Oregon Trappers Asociation President Doug Nichol about all things trapping! From getting started trapping, to fighitng for the right to trap, Doug has a wealth on knowledge on the subject. In the news: New ODFW director update, Ip3 update.

Get ready for an awesome year with Oregon First Hunting and Fishing!

Welcome to the OFHF Podcast! We are excited to talk to amazing hunters and fishermen about what makes them successful here in Oregon, and also ask them about their spiritual connection to the life in the outdoors. In this last episode of season 1, we talk with renowned hunting filmaker and bow hunter, Nathan Endicott, about his life in the outdoors as a father and husband. News: ODFW director to retire this Spring. Don’t forget to rate the show, follow us on social media, and join our facebook group: Salem First Hunting and Fishing.

NW Oregon Public Land Duck Hunting Overview 2023 Welcome back! After some technical failures, we are stoked to get an episode out for January! Follow along as Bryant looks back at the 2023-24 duck season and gives some tips for those who want to start duck hunting. We have a lot of public land duck hunting out here in Western Oregon from our many rivers to our coastal bays and central Oregon lakes.

If you have ver been curious about hounds, hound hunting, and how it is all done give this extra long episode a listen! Jericho Brown gives some great tips for getting started and shares his expereince growing up with hounds and the long hard road to success it has been here in Western Oregon! We also discuss the bill to ban hound hunting for bobcats, the Gearheart elk scandal, and the 2023 rifle blacktail season! **Corection: You can only purchase 1 bobcat card at a time.

Jamie Mac is a big part of the tournament bass scene here in the PNW and beyond, but he wasn't always professionally involved with the fishing world. Listen to Jamie's journey from energy drinks and motocross to Discount Tackle and giant bass. He gives some great specific tips on choosing colors when fishing for bass, and we spend some time discussing the Green Peter/Foster kokanee crisis.

Find the article this podcast is based on here: https://www.doeverything.life/blog/hunting/oregon-coastal-roosevelt-elk-tragedy/  So many tough lessons learned the hard way. I suppose those types of lessons are the ones you never forget.

He doesn't just have a cool name, but Ryan Sparks has a ton of specific knowledge about fishing in the great state of Oregon during the Fall time. In this episode we talk about Cast for Kids, archery elk hunting, Oregon big game hunting statistics, Oregon fall time bass fishing, and the Western United States bass tournament scene. Listen for some great tips on how to get on large mouth and smallmouth in rivers like the Willamette and lakes like Henry Hagg!

In this episode: Devil's Lake Bass Fishing, podcasting, Mule deer hunting, and a big ol' conversation with Sam Williams, host of the Outdoor Adventures Podcast.

In this episode we talk about the OHA's TIP cash reward program, how to dress for hunting blacktailed deer in Oregon's Coastal Mountains, and have an extrememly informative conversation with the king of hunting gear: John Barklow. Us Western Oregon and Washington blacktail hunters face a unique challenge during our fall rifle and bow seasons, and knowing how to build your outfit can keep you out in the the rain longer. Join us for our next event, Rifle Sighting Day on August 26th! Find our facebook group to learn more.

Enjoy this bonus episode, where Bryant gives a play-by-play of his first turkey season. Listen to what worked, what didn't work, and some of the lessons he will take away from this first time experience.