Hunting Ain't Easy artwork

Hunting Ain't Easy

49 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 42 ratings

Hunting ain't easy, but we love the challenge, the opportunity and the wild places it brings us. Hosted by California hunter Mike Costello, the podcasts digs into California hunting topics with specific focus on public land deer and bear hunting. We believe that habitat improvement, herd management and predator management are topics that need more attention. Look forward to guests who will shed light on what we can do as hunters and conservationists, to put more animals in the woods. Mike is an "adult onset hunter" and the score card going into 2021 seasons is: Deer 0, Bear 1. We're going to follow Mike's misadventures, scouting tactics and success. "Big buck down" is coming in '21!

Wilderness Sports Science Natural Sciences
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Episodes

Ep. 45: Howlcast Update Feb 2024 ~ Colorado attacks hunting AGAIN, Washington is a hot mess and more!

February 08, 2024 21:01 - 1 hour - 193 MB

In our first syndicated HOWLCAST Update of 2024 we focus on two of the hotspots that need nationwide attention and support from the hunting and outdoors community: Washington State and Colorado. Because the anti-hunting industry uses their nationwide fundraising, legal and political power to attack at the local and state level, it has become crystal clear that hunters, anglers and supporters of true wildlife conservation need to rally together. The threats that face WA and CO this year can an...

Ep 44: Where do our TAG $$$ go??? Plus - deer & bear mgmt. plans on the horizon.

January 28, 2024 00:20 - 57 minutes - 132 MB

"The steal our tag funds and squander them away on BS that does nothing for wildlife!!!!"  This is THE rant we hear too often... but is it true?  Listen in on this episode where Mike talks with the #1 expert on big game hunting regulatory process and topics in Calif. He's a hunter and has been working as a lobbyist to represent hunters and conservation groups in Calif. for many years. Listen in and tell me what you think.  ALSO: coming up in 2024 and 2025... expect new bear and deer mgmt p...

Ep 43: ”Headwaters Retreat” X-Zone habitat project...for muleys and more?

December 22, 2023 00:46 - 33 minutes - 76.2 MB

Habitat matters.  Nothing else matters about wildlife populations and management if the underlying habitat isn't robust and healthy.  On the bet that enhancing and restoring the forest and riparian areas of a chunk of burned land can add value and improve things for mule deer and other critters, I just bought myself a habitat project!  Listen in and follow along... as this multi-year project is just getting started!  "Plumas Headwaters Retreat" on IG HOWL for Wildlife online  Camp Lelan...

Ep 42: Don’t call them animal rights activists. Winning the non-hunter mind. Consumptive or not, we love critters.

December 15, 2023 23:41 - 37 minutes - 85.5 MB

The attacks from a global anti-hunting (anti-human) industry are ever present. They have incrementally shifted minds and hearts by defining words while our community was not looking. Now we must enter the arena, fight to share our stories, values and the success of hunting as a sustainable tool for wildlife success and conservation.  In this episode:  - Winning the minds of non-hunters - Don't call them animal rights activists  - Consumptive and non-consumptive users have the same goals....

Ep 41: Vantage Point Archery, talking advocacy, single bevels + a new handgun accessory

December 15, 2023 21:49 - 1 hour - 213 MB

The team over at Vantage Point Archery reached out to talk shop and we went down all the rabbit holes. Listen along as we discuss the importance of advocacy, HOWL for Wildlife, archery and of course their lineup of premium American made broadheads.  Are you a hand-gunner? You'll want to learn about the new compensator from Vantage Point Armory!!  Click through, comment, follow and engage!  Vantage Point Archery - IG Vantage Point Archery - online HOWL for Wildlife - your fast & effecti...

Ep 40: California mule deer hunt / last week + alpine zone + winter weather = mental grind.

November 06, 2023 03:37 - 1 hour - 186 MB

Calif. end of season mule deer hunting... chasing the buck after a cold and snowy fall storm, hoping to catch them on the way towards their migration routes. I talk about some of my winter gear setup, the mental break that I had and subsequent "quit" on the hunt. Some thoughts about staying in the game instead of giving myself an "out" from the grind of wind, snow and cold.  Let me know your thoughts @ Instagram "HuntingAintEasy"  #muledeer #californiahunting #backcountryhunting #nationalf...

Ep 39 2023 Calif. Mule Deer Hunt Part 2

October 14, 2023 23:10 - 1 hour - 221 MB

Apologies for the scratchy sound!!  In Part 2 I talk through hunt days 4 through 7, with a lot of focus on a doe that I watched for nearly 9 hours and then the 7+ hour spot and stalk on a mature buck high up in an alpine basin. Everything came together in textbook style.  This hunt validated so many lessons from master muley hunters, it was incredible to experience and replay - and this hunt will form the basis for many future adventures I have new levels of confidence in the skills and ta...

Ep 38 2023 California Mule Deer Hunt - Part 1

October 14, 2023 19:21 - 1 hour - 151 MB

We're back!!!  2022 and 2023 have been tough on the podcasting schedule, but this hunt is a perfect reboot for the podcast and will lead into several hunting stories, and advocacy topics that hunters here in CA need to stay engaged on.  In this episode I share a little background about my new "Sponsors"... (HA!)  "2 Dog Lodge" and "Camp Leland".  As always I also encourage you to click over to HOWL for Wildlife - and take action!  ** Camp Leland – Tiny Cabin for Big Adventure, surrounded...

Ep 37 A Conversation with a Non-Hunter

January 30, 2023 00:09 - 1 hour - 197 MB

Non-hunters, anti-hunters and species-preservationists... can those of us who VALUE resource for successful wildlife management rely on any of these groups for support and alignment?  Anti-hunters: no, we cannot. They would rather critters and habit fail, than have hunters participate in success for wild-life. Species-preservationist: no again. They don't believe humans are part of the natural world and deny any role hunters can/should play which interacts with wildlife.  Non-hunters: yes, ...

Ep 36 (part 2) What Irks Mike, with Charles from Howl For Wildlife

January 20, 2023 15:55 - 1 hour - 187 MB

There are some things that really piss me off. This Part 2 of 2...  Charles (Howl For Wildlife) is often on the receiving end of my texts, calls or emails where I'm just a bit triggered by what I consider BS in and around the hunting community. Whether it is legacy NGOs who don't pull their weight, or anti-hunting orgs who corrupt data and manipulate the hunting community.. or actual "hunters" who think hiding our adventure and success is the way to protecting what we love.  Agree or disag...

Ep 35 - (part 1) What Irks Mike, with Charles from Howl For Wildlife

January 20, 2023 15:47 - 58 minutes - 134 MB

There are some things that really piss me off. This Part 1 of 2...  Charles (Howl For Wildlife) is often on the receiving end of my texts, calls or emails where I'm just a bit triggered by what I consider BS in and around the hunting community. Whether it is legacy NGOs who don't pull their weight, or anti-hunting orgs who corrupt data and manipulate the hunting community.. or actual "hunters" who think hiding our adventure and success is the way to protecting what we love.  Agree or disag...

Ep 34 Calif. WRC Meeting Recap - Crazed Anti Hunters, Small Wins for Hunting

January 15, 2023 01:26 - 59 minutes - 136 MB

The Wildlife Resource Committee meeting with the F&G Commission and CDFW this week brought out the WORST in the anti-hunters, and they showed up in numbers.  The hunting community didn't show up in the numbers we hoped, but our voices are unique, diverse and respectful - which means we are heard much better by the Dept and F&G.  Meeting Documents linked here.  This 1-hour discussion is a recap of the highs and lows of the WRC meeting, with some commentary on our NEED to show up (here and wi...

Ep 33 The Calif. Jan F&G meeting needs YOU: More tags, modernized draw process, improved opportunities statewide.

January 03, 2023 15:08 - 40 minutes - 93.4 MB

On Jan 11th and 12th there is a Wildlife Resource Committee meeting that needs you.  How can you contribute? Email before Jan 5th. Attend in person (Sacramento).  Attend via zoom!  What's in play? Well here's the Agenda - Petition 2021-017: 2nd bear tag, new premium hunts statewide, modernized Big Game draw system - Bear mgmt plan update: we must be listening and contributing to this today.  - Elk mgmt plan update: new zones, more tags, improved opportunity!  One click to send your supp...

Ep 32 100+ new Elk tags in CA?? Is this real life?

December 27, 2022 01:25 - 27 minutes - 63.8 MB

Hey friends, yes the CDFW and Fish & Game Commission is listening. We have a new Elk Biologist taking the lead and progressive NEW opportunities to hunt elk are coming our way.  3 new elk zones, modified seasons, increased bull and anterless tags - improving opportunities to hunt Tule Elk, Roosevelt Elk and Rocky Mountain Elk in California?  How does our hunting community support and guide this across the line for a real win??  1) Get informed... check out the links here.  - Dec. F&G Meet...

Ep 31 2022 Backcountry Deer, Bear in CA Mountains

December 26, 2022 20:32 - 1 hour - 257 MB

2022 was a tough year for my hunting - not so much because of critters, or weather, or mountain conditions.  Work, family, priorities, decisions and distractions made time in the wilderness short - but it was SWEET.   This podcast features my mountain musings, as I recap each day on the mountain and share thoughts as the hunt evolved.  I got to ride out a nice little snow/wind/rain storm, saw a lot of deer and put a bear in my sights too!  Follow along and hope you enjoy the stories.  IG:...

Ep 30: WRC Committee & my trail camera journey + a mixed bag of catching up

July 25, 2022 01:02 - 1 hour - 198 MB

It's been TOO MANY WEEKS since the last podcast. I've had more ideas and conversations rattling around in my head than I can count, and I should've captured those and shared them. Spring and early summer were consumed with all-the-things we try to balance and stay sane: work, family, scouting, a 9-day spring bear hunt, checking and setting trail cameras in 7 different backcountry areas!  Follow along in this podcast as I share my trail-camera journey, from 1 area in a single zone to 7 diffe...

Ep 29 (Part 2) California Mule Deer Zones (x5a/b, x6a/b, x7a/b) with Dan Ryan

May 06, 2022 04:34 - 1 hour - 150 MB

Part 2 of 2. Dan Ryan is an avid hunter and outdoorsman with a profession that allows him to get to know land and habitat all over California.  In this 2 part podcast Dan and I get down to talking about 6 of the most popular and accessible "draw zones" which require a Premium tag for archery, rifle/general or muzzleloader hunt opportunities. Any hunter with 3 to 17 points in California is probably considering hunting or scouting these zones as they offer diverse terrain, high quality hunts ...

Ep. 28 California Mule Deer Zones (x5a/b, x6a/b, x7a/b) with Dan Ryan, Part 1

May 06, 2022 03:42 - 1 hour - 168 MB

Dan Ryan is an avid hunter and outdoorsman with a profession that allows him to get to know land and habitat all over California.  In this 2 part podcast Dan and I get down to talking about 6 of the most popular and accessible "draw zones" which require a Premium tag for archery, rifle/general or muzzleloader hunt opportunities. Any hunter with 3 to 17 points in California is probably considering hunting or scouting these zones as they offer diverse terrain, high quality hunts and the potent...

Ep. 27 What’s wrong with SB 856 ”the wild pig bill” - It’s a TRAP!

March 18, 2022 23:28 - 1 hour - 168 MB

Charles Whitwam and I jam on the issues, problems and outright threats embedded in SB856. This California legislation has some shiny and attractive bait to attract hunters' attention, but the boring sections of the Senate Bill are NOT GOOD for California hunters, outdoors enthusiasts, farmers and ranchers. OPPOSE SB856.  Links:  Take Action @ HOWL HOWL on Instagram Hunting Ain't Easy on Instagram Calif. F&G Meeting - Guard the Gate and support bear hunting   

EP 26 Fuel The Hunt with Kyle Alton - fitness, nutrition and fueling your body through the seasons

January 25, 2022 13:58 - 1 hour - 211 MB

No matter what the game is you're chasing, your overall fitness is going to limit you or it will power you.  Fitness is a year-round pursuit, just like hunting. There's scouting seasons, planning seasons and hunting seasons.  Keeping your body in mountain ready condition requires seasons for building strength, seasons for building endurance, and seasons for performing. No matter what season you're in, the fuel you put into your body will affect the outcome.  Food, water, nutrients, supplemen...

EP 25 HOWL for Wildlife, with the creator of HOWL, Charles Whitwam

January 15, 2022 21:32 - 1 hour - 203 MB

Wouldn’t it be great if the hunting community had a single platform where we could voice our support for conservation, wildlife management through hunting, and hunting rights & opportunities? What if there was a place where we could #GuardTheGate? Heck yes!! Charles Whitwam has created HOWL For Wildlife to do exactly that. Charles is a hunter and guide, a wildlife advocate and conservationist. You may know him as ShadowTrekker Adventures. I sit down with Charles to learn about HOWL, his in...

EP 24: John Stallone pre-AZ hunt call, post-hunt recap

December 27, 2021 00:43 - 1 hour - 213 MB

As a deer hunter I'm intrigued by opportunities beyond our great state.  Neighboring and nearby Western states offer habitat, terrain, tags and wildlife populations that are uniquely different, and enticing, compared to what we have available. I love big mountain back-country hunting, but the reality is that wilderness beauty and backcountry adventure isn't limited to high-alpine basins. The desert offers a starkly different experience - and there are some big bucks cruising the palo verde a...

EP 23: California hunting regulatory changes you can (and need to) support!!

December 08, 2021 02:25 - 1 hour - 256 MB

Listen. Share. Discuss. and Support!! It's not often the hunting community can get behind hunting regulation changes with enthusiasm, but I bring you this podcast with hope and genuine optimism.  For most of the last few decades it seems as though California has not evolved hunting regulations, seasons, administrative practices, tag allocations or wildlife management in a way that supports hunters or hunting opportunity. Other western states are far more creative, proactive and progressive...

EP 22 Public Land Closure Tag Returns - Oct Fish & Game Commission meeting recap

November 29, 2021 03:24 - 32 minutes - 74.2 MB

Quick recap on the Oct. meeting of the Calif. Fish & Game Commission discussing a proposed regulatory change to provide Elk, Deer, Sheep and Antelope hunters some recourse when public land closures impact their hunts. This is a big move from CDFW and F&G to both acknowledge an issue impacting thousands of hunters, and then to move forward with long-term regulatory changes which impact affected hunters in a positive way.  This is a short episode, but there is a lot of material that you shoul...

Ep 21: Chasing migratory bucks after the ”bomb cyclone” - final days of DZone CA General Season

November 08, 2021 02:49 - 1 hour - 155 MB

Once in many years CA gets the kind of storm that pushes migratory deer out of the high country before the end of the season, and thousands of hunters race to the hills trying to figure out where these bucks will be as they parade down from loft 10k foot basins to their 3500-4500' wintering grounds.  Oct. 2021 dealt us one such storm, with "the most precipitation ever recorded in a 24 hour period" for most of the state, followed by 2-3 feet of snow in the high elevations!   So when I headed...

Ep 20: Buck down, hunt breakdown, mea culpa - Trail cams vs. scouting, other post-hunt thoughts

October 09, 2021 18:01 - 1 hour - 188 MB

Buck down!! I should be on cloud 9, stoked, yeah?  I can no longer say I'm 5 seasons in without a buck down.  Many lessons learned this year, especially as I'm finding the difference between "trail cam" scouting and hunt scouting. They're not the same. Trail cams yield good intel and huge amounts of data, fun pictures and a decent idea of what wildlife is in the area. However a number of hunt experiences have shown me that the time it takes to place and retrieve trail cams might be better s...

Ep 19 Mountain musings - live daily recaps from a short California D-Zone backcountry buck hunt

October 07, 2021 02:53 - 54 minutes - 124 MB

Leading into the California D-zone general season opener I ventured into the backcountry for a day of scouting and then what could have been up to 3 days hunting.  Thursday night hike in, a day of scouting, glassing and checking cameras on Friday and then a solid hunt day on Saturday - with several "first time ever" events that made it a uniquely special day.  I'll say this... Hunting (still) Ain't Easy, no matter how much success you're having, public land "OTC" hunts take work, dedication...

Ep 18 CA Wildlife Resource Committee meeting ”Prep call - Zoom recording”

September 14, 2021 06:03 - 1 hour - 174 MB

Ok so I'm hijacking the podcast platform to get a Zoom recording out so that more hunters can get a sense of what the upcoming Wildlife Resource Committee meeting (9/16/21) is all about.  I'm hosting these pre-meeting calls to help hunters learn about the rule making process, and how to get involved and informed so that hunters can have a stronger voice, and become the leaders of wildlife mgmt dialogue in CA.  Drop me a DM at Instagram ( www.instagram.com/HuntingAintEasy ) if you want me to...

Ep 17 Mark Sasser ”california_tradbow_hunter” Traditional Bowhunting

September 06, 2021 19:04 - 1 hour - 196 MB

After I broke my bow sight on a recent backcountry hunt, one of my first thoughts was "Mark is gonna tell me that this wouldn't happen if my bow didn't have a sight on it"! Ughh... and he did say that! Mark Sasser and I get to chat about trad-bow (aka t-rad-bow, or traditional bow hunting) life and hunting - how these simple bows create a more complex shooting and hunting experience. Mark has taken nearly a dozen bucks in CA with a traditional bow, 7 of them at less than 15 yards! So not onl...

Ep 16 (reposted) Backcountry solo archery mule deer - California DZone Hunt

September 05, 2021 23:41 - 1 hour - 213 MB

10 days of backcountry, DIY, OTC, solo, public land, archery, mule deer hunting - turned into 6 days of adventure! Ok what can we add in to make it more difficult: wildfire smoke, haze & a drought year? In this episode I piece together 7 segments recorded while on the hunt in the central Sierra Nevada, chasing mule deer bucks. The mountains dished up all the expected mental and physical challenges, plus a few surprises - a badger, a peregrine falcon in full dive, and a honey-blonde bear at s...

Ep 16: Backcountry Archery Mule Deer, Solo Daily Recaps

September 05, 2021 01:26 - 1 hour - 213 MB

10 days of backcountry, DIY, OTC, solo, public land, archery, mule deer hunting - turned into 6 days of adventure! Ok what can we add in to make it more difficult: wildfire smoke, haze & a drought year? In this episode I piece together 7 segments recorded while on the hunt in the central Sierra Nevada, chasing mule deer bucks. The mountains dished up all the expected mental and physical challenges, plus a few surprises - a badger, a peregrine falcon in full dive, and a honey-blonde bear at s...

Ep 15: Calif. August Fish & Game Commission Mtg Recap + prep for Sept. Wildlife Resources Committee

August 30, 2021 23:08 - 20 minutes - 46.4 MB

In this short episode I give a quick recap of the August California Fish & Game Commission meeting, where a small group of citizen hunters without any official affiliation spoke during Public Comments. It is unusual for the hunting community to join these meetings to speak of their personal interests and priorities related to hunting. The Commission expressed appreciation and welcomed our presence, and our contribution.  Looking ahead the F&G Commission's Wildlife Resource Committee will me...

Bear Series Part 6 (finale!) - Bear down, 2020 Archery Bear Success

August 16, 2021 00:40 - 1 hour - 172 MB

Putting a cap on the Bear Series I go solo on the podcast, the same way I hunt! In this episode I touch on how I approach purchasing new equipment and gear, get into the ups and downs of self-learned lessons of archery and bow hunting and I share a handful of bear and deer encounters that took place over a 3 weekends of the 2020 archery season.   Check out some of pics of the skull, and a quick video of the bear before I nocked an arrow, at www.instagram.com/huntingainteasy  Are you ready ...

Bonus Episode: Saying hello to the California Fish & Game Commission

August 13, 2021 03:19 - 17 minutes - 39.6 MB

This episode is specific to some planning I'm doing around the 8/18/21 Fish & Game Commission meeting. While the specific date will eventually pass, the content and reason for this episode is timeless and we will do this again - so please listen up.    8/18 is the next Calif. Fish & Game Commission meeting. There's nothing super controversial on the agenda, so it's an ideal time for hunters who want to become educated and active, to see, learn and join the process.  Kevin Vella (NWTF) and...

Ep 11 Access to hunt Wildlife Refuges, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers in California

July 31, 2021 03:25 - 1 hour - 224 MB

For this episode I talk with Devin O'dea from the California chapter of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. While BHA is known to stir controversy and division at the national level, the work they're doing in CA is worth a good look and I believe deserves the support of the California hunting community. You don't have to be a member of the BHA to follow the work they do and put your voice behind the public land hunting initiatives they support. Better yet, if you're in the Southern Californ...

Bonus Episode: Bear Series - Bear meat care, from the shot to the pot.

July 27, 2021 04:49 - 30 minutes - 70.6 MB

From the shot to the pot, California black bears offer more than a great hunt! Meat care is of utmost importance when it comes to closing out your successful hunt, and then enjoying the harvest in the weeks and months after killing. For many experienced hunters bear meat is the #1 protein for the entire family.  Yet too many people say that bear meat is stinky and gamey and gross. How is this? It all comes down to meat care, and starts with skin off, guts out, 4 quarters broken down and the ...

Ep 10 Black bear series part 5 with Brian Kyncy, 4 decades of NorCal bear hunting and guiding

July 27, 2021 04:29 - 1 hour - 224 MB

For Part 5 of our Black Bear hunting series we feature a great conversation with Brian Kyncy ( https://kyncyguideservice.com) a guide, hunter and fisherman with over 4 decades of experience in the woods of Northern California. Brian is passionate about bears and all their crazy quirks, possibly because he was charged by a black bear way back when he was just 11 years old.  In spite of having the opportunity to hunt with hounds taken away over a decade ago, Kyncy Guide Service continues to br...

Ep 9 California D-Zone Deer Hunting with Doug Dreher, aka The Sierra Stalker

July 23, 2021 00:06 - 1 hour - 218 MB

CA deer season is coming in hot and we're all getting the itch to glass up bucks in the high-country! Doug Dreher is one of the most consistent (and persistent!) hunters in California. He's a self professed DiY, public land, OTC DZone hunter, and a weekend warrior on 9 out of 10 hunts! He generously shares his scouting and hunting on Instagram (www.instagram.com/the_sierra_stalker).  We chat about Doug's approach to scouting throughout the summer and early archery seasons, and we dig into hi...

Ep 8, part 4 of the Black Bear Series with biologist and author Preston Taylor

July 17, 2021 14:33 - 1 hour - 210 MB

For this episode I had the privilege of sitting down with Preston Taylor to talk about tracking of black bears as a scouting and hunting tactic. Preston is a professional wildlife biologist with a passion for wildlife and gets to spend a lot of time in the woods studying, tracking and observing behavior of numerous game animals. He recently authored the book "Tracking the American Black Bear" ( https://amzn.to/2VNYR5b ) and shares his passion for wildlife tracking, with a specific emphasis o...

Ep 7 Black Bear Series part 3 with Western Bear Foundation

July 09, 2021 22:23 - 1 hour - 204 MB

The California black bear series continues (part 3 of 6)! I got to sit down and talk with Joe Kondelis of the Western Bear Foundation. For nearly 15 years Western Bear Foundation has been an active conservation org working to preserve, protect and support healthy black bear populations and the opportunity to hunt them. They're close to the issues of human/bear conflict, and the impacts that are taking place as unhunted apex predators (G-bears) expand their habit and exceed population targets...

Ep 6 California Black Bear Series part 2 with Seth Watts "Black Bear Pursuit"

July 06, 2021 19:21 - 1 hour - 236 MB

In the 2nd of several parts of our black bear series I get to spend some time with Seth Watts.  Seth runs the "Black_Bear_Pursuit" IG page and has been bit hard by the black bear hunting and scouting bug.  His IG page is one of the best out there for black bears, with some outstanding trailcam locations, some highly entertaining bears show up on his cams and they hang around long enough for us all to learn a few things.  Seth's bear scouting and hunting is not in what most people would cons...

Ep 6 California Black Bear Series part 2 with Seth Watts ”Black Bear Pursuit”

July 06, 2021 19:21 - 1 hour - 236 MB

In the 2nd of several parts of our black bear series I get to spend some time with Seth Watts.  Seth runs the "Black_Bear_Pursuit" IG page and has been bit hard by the black bear hunting and scouting bug.  His IG page is one of the best out there for black bears, with some outstanding trailcam locations, some highly entertaining bears show up on his cams and they hang around long enough for us all to learn a few things.  Seth's bear scouting and hunting is not in what most people would cons...

EP 5 California Black Bear Series - Biologist Jonathan Fusaro

July 02, 2021 12:14 - 1 hour - 234 MB

Kicking off the Bear series I sit down with Jonathan Fusaro. He's a wildlife biologist, hunter and former researcher for the California Dept of Fish & Wildlife.  Jonathan's focus of study has been the Eastern Sierra Nevada region (Mono County and nearby zones including X8, X9a/b, X10 and X12.  We discuss some of his published work as well as some bear population surveys in CA which have not yet been published, then get into the habits and habitat and population estimates for these "east side...

Episode 4 with Kevin Vella, NWTF Biologist

June 25, 2021 04:25 - 1 hour - 207 MB

Our first guest on Hunting Ain't Easy is Kevin Vella, the Pacific Region Biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation.  We cover 3 sections of discussion in this episode: 1) NWTF work in CA and how habitat mgmt for turkeys helps wildlife diversity and our big game populations 2) Insights into our allies and agencies such as CDFW, F&G Commission and where laws, rules and regulations come from.  3) our first "how would you hunt this" segment!   Listen in and take some notes because Kevin...

Episode 3: 2 bear tags, 1 deer tag = more opportunity.

June 12, 2021 13:07 - 1 hour - 139 MB

With the CA big game draw complete there's a whole lot of chatter online about how messed up CA is. Some of this sentiment is accurate, some of it is simply uninformed - but all of it does NOTHING when vented and then forgotten. In this episode I present a few of my ideas for policy changes that'll improve our opportunities over the next few years.  I have a feeling these ideas will be met with some disagreement. Bring it on. The end goal is more and better wildlife populations that lead to...

Episode 2 Hunting Ain‘t Easy - FOMO, Scouting for 2022 draw zones, hunting familiar habitat.

June 08, 2021 03:28 - 55 minutes - 126 MB

Episode 2... Solo show.  FOMO!! I have points that would probably enable me to draw a limited entry tag in a few different zone in CA - but I'm not throwing in for that until I've done the scouting and know where the bucks are! Talking about scouting these X zones this year and the multi-year pursuit that is needed to locate deer in CA.  Scouting, hunting and putting in time in an area you can spend a lot of time in brings familiarity and *hopefully* success!    California hunting, deer hu...

Episode 2 Hunting Ain't Easy - FOMO, Scouting for 2022 draw zones, hunting familiar habitat.

June 08, 2021 03:28 - 55 minutes - 126 MB

Episode 2... Solo show.  FOMO!! I have points that would probably enable me to draw a limited entry tag in a few different zone in CA - but I'm not throwing in for that until I've done the scouting and know where the bucks are! Talking about scouting these X zones this year and the multi-year pursuit that is needed to locate deer in CA.  Scouting, hunting and putting in time in an area you can spend a lot of time in brings familiarity and *hopefully* success! 

Hunting Ain't Easy - Episode 1: why we're here for another hunting podcast

June 08, 2021 03:12 - 32 minutes - 75.4 MB

The Hunting Ain’t Easy podcast brings listeners of all skill levels and experience stories, knowledge and perspective to make them better hunters and more active conservationists. Based in and focused on public land hunting opportunity and issues in California the undeniable fact is that... hunting ain’t easy.  Easy or not, hunting in California offers rewarding and fun experiences chasing some of the most iconic big game species in North America.  We believe that hunting in the Golden Sta...

Hunting Ain‘t Easy - Episode 1: why we‘re here for another hunting podcast

June 08, 2021 03:12 - 32 minutes - 75.4 MB

The Hunting Ain’t Easy podcast brings listeners of all skill levels and experience stories, knowledge and perspective to make them better hunters and more active conservationists. Based in and focused on public land hunting opportunity and issues in California the undeniable fact is that... hunting ain’t easy.  Easy or not, hunting in California offers rewarding and fun experiences chasing some of the most iconic big game species in North America.  We believe that hunting in the Golden Sta...