Live to Hunt and Fish Podcast

On this episode I sit down with Shannon Mobbs and Cory Ford of Angry Spike Productions to talk about their recent Sitka Blacktail hunt in SE Alaska. This was a true DIY adventure hunt, on public land with over the counter tags. They picked a remote island in Tongass National Forest and tackled the Alaskan wilderness head on. They worked through a few obstacles of course. Things like steep mountains, rugged terrain, biting bugs, and one lost quiver of arrows. But I'll let them tell the story...... Enjoy the podcast.

Fishing the Deschutes River in central Oregon with with Amy Hazel. Amy and her husband John own Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin so they are located in the center of all the action the Deschutes has to offer. The Deschutes cuts through the middle of the state and runs for 252 miles from its' headwaters in southern Oregon to the mouth where it flows into the Columbia River. The Deschutes has a strong population of Summer Steelhead and "redside" trout that make the Deschutes a jewel among the rivers out west. There are a few rules involved in fishing the Deschutes but those rules are also how this amazing fishery stays available to anyone who may want to catch fish there.

On this episode I sit down with Shannon Mobbs and Cory Ford of Angry Spike Productions (ASP) for short. We talk hunting Roosevelt Elk during the rut. I have known Shannon for a few years now and he has always been willing to take a moment to answer my elk questions. His advice is rarely indecisive and usually includes the mantra of "Keep pushing in on him, if you can get closer". This was my first time meeting Cory and I see why they have become such a lethal pair. Hunting Roosevelt Elk, is what they do. These guys are hardcore hunters. Chasing monster elk in the coastal forests of Oregon and Washington. Their methods are targeted to draw out the dominant herd bull. These guys go after elk with a tenacity that is fun to watch. Their hunt films are raw, real, and genuine just as these guys are in person. Also their approach to hunting elk is unique and has a thoughtful perspective that is different from many in the industry. If you can take a moment to view the video version of this on our Youtube channel. We recorded this while sitting in Shannon's house surrounded by Roosevelt Elk mounts. It is an impressive sight. As you listen to the podcast you will understand why he has taken so many big bulls over the years.

Check out the Youtube video as well. https://youtu.be/kmWCRIK3B8c

On today's episode we will be talking about something that has been a concern of mine for some time. We all take pride in bringing home clean meat to our families. After an animal is taken we all take care to cut around the entry and exit holes, making sure we get rid of bloodshot, pieces of the bullet, and damaged meat. But do we really get all the pieces of lead left by the bullet.......? As I researched the topic I found that it is nearly impossible to remove all the fragments from a lead bullet. Even the best bonded bullets on the market leave a trail of lead that can be seen on an xray. Less expensive bullets that aren't bonded look like a grenade went off. With the little research I did my concerns seemed valid and I made the switch to all copper bullets for my own peace of mind. This year at the NW Sportsman Show and I ran across the booth of Leland Brown. He is the coordinator of the Non-Lead Hunting Education program at the Oregon Zoo. I stood in front of it to take in the ballistic gel blocks and photo displays he had. Being a little apprehensive about what his agenda may be I didn't say anything at first. After a few awkward moments he asks me if he can answer any questions. I respond "So what is the purpose of this whole thing?". ......"Just education" he replies "just education"... So we began to talk. He answered a lot of the questions I had and as a fellow hunter he understands the concerns we have. From that conversation I made plans to sit down with him for this podcast. I think this is an important issue and needs to be part of the conversation when selecting bullets. I hope you enjoy the podcast.....

Check out the video version of this episode here. https://youtu.be/3G5aCBSf6eE

Sitka Blacktailed Deer are not as well known as some of the other species of deer, but they are just as magnificent. They are native to the dense rainforests of Southeast Alaska and Northern BC. I was first introduced to them when I spent time on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. After some research I heard about Jim Baichtal. Jim has spent a lot of years pursuing these magnificent deer as a hunter but he has also been involved in researching them as a scientist. Very few people know more about Sitka Blacktailed Deer than Jim. He shares some of that knowledge with us on this podcast.