Ultimate Hobbyist

Welcome to Season 2! As you may remember last season we discussed our inability to keep our chicken brood alive, and that we had started over. Since Season 1’s end, we have added many more chickens to our coop, and unfortunately begun losing some as well. Darn Bird Flu.

On this episode, we’re discussing the newest edition of poultry farming at home with the Chamberlains. We talk about how many chickens we ended up with, by breed, about the new run that we built with extra lumber “Ft. Bocks”, and about Bird Flu 2022 that’s eating our brood alive.

Our Chickens (by the numbers)

• Poultry farming at home is more fun with variety
• We purchased nearly 30 chickens to make our start this time around
• Brahmas, Rhode Island Reds, Silver and Gold Laced Wyandottes, and a mess of Speckled Banty hens and a rooster

The New Run

• We found out the hard way last year, that without a proper run we would lose everything to predators
• This year we built the Fort Knox of chicken runs.
• We named it Ft. Bocks...
• We used some left over lumber that had been lying around for several years and made something to hopefully keep our chickens safe for years to come

Bird Flu 2022

• We started losing birds about a week after we finished our brood purchasing
• The symptoms have been setting in pretty quickly
• Imagine the influenza that you experience... but in a chicken.
• The small birds are dead within 48 hours (normally)
• The full grown brahmas have been living for 3 weeks with the flu

Traveling has always been a hobby for us, since our first spontaneous Hawaii trip, to Boston, to a Spring Break we won’t soon forget, our family has lived on the go.

In this episode Daniel and Samantha talk about their family travels since before they were even “family”. Join us on this adventure as we walk you through all of our past family travels and the ones we have planned in the future.

Historical Family Travels

• In January 2016 our friend Jessica told us about sub-$100 flights to Hawaii where she was living at the time. We found out and something like 3 or 4 days later were on a jet airliner headed West.
  • Schofield Barracks was our home for the few nights we stayed on the island.
  • North Shore was our first stop, and it was a great experience.
  • Bellows Air Base has a beach that is at least one pair of Oakley sunglasses richer. Boogie boarding and expensive glasses don’t mix.
• Spring Break 2016 involved a Harley ride in a GIANT loop across the mid-west.
  • Harley shops and taprooms/breweries were our key objectives, coffee shops etched their way into our plans as well.
  • OKC - Longview - Memphis - KC - Guthrie
• In late 2016, we found ourselves in Austin, TX. It was a pre-deployment pass that led us to some of the most fun we’ve had on the go.
  • 6th St was a great place for two-steppin’ and playing a game of pool that Daniel doesn’t remember. Thanks Heath for joining us.
  • Breakfast burritos from the sketchy trailer on some random corner are a thing of legend now. We contemplate going back just for another bite.
  • Luckenbach is awesome. Luckenbach by way of Harley is almost untouchable. Thanks, Jon, for joining us there.
• Boston in October, when baseball is roaring loudly into the playoffs... one of the greatest places to experience.
  • We went to two Red Sox games, and bought three games worth of tickets... (playoffs!)
  • Our AirBNB was infested with a fungus. That led us to a trip up to Revere Beach. That’s a way better place to stay anyway.
  • Whale Watching was apart of this adventure and it was enough fun that I promise we will go again
• Many more places have been a beacon to our traveling souls. Listen in to hear about our cruise, our trips for business and more.

Hunting has almost become more sport than true survival, but it hasn’t lost its luster regardless of the reason. Every year over 15.2 million people climb into a blind, stand, or just the brush to try and take home a prize.

In this episode Brian and Daniel discuss a little bit of everything about hunting wild game. From their favorite camo to funny first timer stories, this episode promises to deliver!

When did you start hunting wild game?

• Brian:
  • 2012 deer season
  • Froze in 10 degree weather without enough gear
  • First kill was a doe with a heart shot that eliminated the top of her heart and all arteries
  • First buck kill was the 2021 season. Biggest buck on the ranch.
• Daniel:
  • Earliest recollection is deer hunting with my Dad. I couldn’t keep my “propellers” from spinning (long sleeves of dad’s coat I was wearing)
  • Shot a dam once because I was too cold to stay there
  • First attempt at bow hunting was 68 yd miss on a monster buck!

What seasons do you hunt wild game, and what gear do you use?

• Brian:
  • Brian only hunts deer, and he hunts in bow and rifle seasons
  • He shoots a Hoyt RX3 bow with custom FOC arrows (prepping for elk hunting days)
  • He also uses a 6.5 Creedmoor during rifle season, a black friday special from Bass Pro/Cabela’s
• Daniel
  • I hunt many forms of wild game, to include deer, ducks, and turkey
  • I hunt every deer season available
  • I use my Tikka T3X CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor during rifle season, a Thompon Center break over during muzzleloader, and a Hoyt Ventum 30 during bow
  • For a shotgun I have a Berreta A400 Xtreme Plus

Let’s talk about camo!

• Brian uses mainly Kuiu, but got there via Bass Pro’s Red Head gear.
• Brian prefers his thinner camo during bow season
• I use a mixture of Sitka, Under Armour, and First Lite camo in many many layers.
• I essentially have a matching kit for each part of the season.
• I wear whatever the weather dictates, regardless of the weapon in my hands

Future hunting plans?

• Brian wants to bow hunt an elk, and prioritizes that over any waterfowl hunts
• I want to start public land bow hunting in a saddle stand
• Turkey hunting may be on the list for this spring (I think we’re 1 day away)
• An elk hunt of any weapon type would be my largest goal!

We’ve only recently started to “feel” our age. Early 30s just hit different. So, we’re doing something about it and starting to get active again.

On this episode Samantha and Daniel discuss starting CrossFit, what it’s been like in their first month, and how the decision to join the CrossFit Open affected them.

Smoking meats has long been one of our favorite hobbies. Even before we had the proper equipment, the buzz around the house on smoked brisket, chicken, or bologna day was something to write home about. We’ve gotten better at the skill and now its an integral part of our lives.

In this episode, the novel Meat Sweats series, Daniel is talking with Brian about their smoking rigs, what their favorite meats (and odd ball shit) are to cook, and some beginner advice for those ready to take the plunge!

Our Smokers and Accessories:

• Brian is using a traditional offset smoker from Oklahoma Joes. He has made many mods to the smoker to help it be a better smoker.
  • He’s added many heat retaining mods, along with diffuser plates to keep the heat moving.
• Daniel uses a Traeger Ironwood 885 for the ease and perfection of the cook.
• They both use instant temp probes (ThermoWorks ThermaPen One for Daniel) and Daniel uses a constant probe in the ThermoWorks Smoke X4.

Our Favorite Smokes:

• Meats:
  • Brian cooks brisket over 80% of the time, followed by ribs and pork butts. Brian lays out the 3,2,1 method of cooking ribs here.
  • Daniel is a chicken cooking phenom (self proclaimed), but also enjoys briskets, burnt ends, and turkey.
  • Brian makes his own rubs and barbecue sauce, but Daniel prefers the Fiesta lineup of rubs and spices.
• Sides:
  • Both cooks enjoy making barbecue beans, but go about it in different ways.
  • Any veggies can be a favorite if you like veggies with your meat.
• Odd Ball Shit:
  • Pies
  • Cobblers
  • Eggs
  • Cookies
  • Jerky
  • This list could be endless!

Smoking for Beginners:

• 2 Hours is really all you get to add smoke flavor, after that you’re just cooking the meat.
• Wraps: Aluminum Foil vs Butcher Paper
  • Use whichever you want. There isn’t a wrong answer.
  • Foil = less bark, faster cook, and moisture
  • Paper = BARK, slower cook, and you don’t get to catch your drippings
• Fat side up vs fat side down debate:
  • Put the fat towards the heat and protect what’s most important... your meat.
• What meat to start on:
  • Brisket is by far the most forgiving
  • Chicken is quick and easy
• Probing for tenderness:
  • Your temp probe isn’t just to check the temp. If it’s sliding in without resistance, you’re probably done cooking.

Social Media:

• Brian Stuart:
  • On Facebook
• Daniel Chamberlain
  • @CoachChamboOK on twitter
  • @UltHobbyist on twitter
  • The Ultimate Hobbyist on Youtube

Thanks for joining us on this adventure, we’ll talk to you next time on the Ultimate Hobbyist.