Jessica Hortman is a bowhunter, a  wife, and a mom to two boys. She used the COVID pandemic to transition out of a job in Graphic Design and into her longtime passion: taxidermy.

We talk about the roles her father and uncle played in bringing her up in the outdoors and encouraging her art. We also talk about her family's hunting culture, the evolving relationship she has with her dad, and the benefits of strong mentors.

Check out her personal and studio pages on instagram!

Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward
Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw

Michael Bullock is an adult onset hunter that lives in Montana. He got his start hunting behind a bird dog. In this episode Micael shares the stories of 3 big milestones his daughter experienced in 2021 oh her hunting journey. We also discuss how to get and keep kids interested in hunting and the outdoors, and the importance of meeting your children where they are.

Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward
Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw

Tom Reed learned enough about ducks and duck hunting from his dad to go into business trading duck decoys. Both men were chasing their passion for waterfowling on Maryland's eastern shore in 1975. An unfortunate series of events during wintery conditions resulted in a close call. Tom recalls the experience nearly 50 years later like it happened yesterday. It's a powerful story.

Whether it's persevering in the face of challenge, cherishing your loved ones, avoiding complacency, or dedicating yourself to your craft, there's a lot to take away from this episode.

Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward
Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw 

Larry Chandler is an upland bird hunter from Tuscaloosa, AL. He got into hunting because of his dad, though he says it wasn't much fun.⁠
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He in turn has raised his son to enjoy hunting, and recently got his son-in-law into bird hunting.⁠
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Larry opens up about the the challenges we face as fathers that result from the lessons our fathers teach us. He also shares the work he's doing to improve as a dad and how hunting has helped him bond with his son.⁠

Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward

Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw 

I talk with Dale Threatt-Taylor, executive director of The Nature Conservancy's South Carolina Chapter. Despite growing up on the family farm in North Carolina, she only recently developed a full blown fishing addiction. 

We talk about what makes a good mentor, introducing children to a conservation ethic, and making space in the outdoors for people who are different from ourselves. And fishing. We talk about fishing.⁠

Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward

Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw 

Chris Milligan was raised by his stepfather and connected with his father and stepfather through fishing. When Chris was 40, his father taught him how to hunt elk. Chris now connects with his son through hunting after many years deployed during a career with the Marines.

We talk about navigating the relationships of divorced parents and the benefits of ⁠two strong father figures along with Chris's work with Combat Warriors.
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Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward

Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw 

Russell Worth Parker grew up hunting and fishing with his dad and his uncle. He took a break from hunting for 3 decades while he served as a US Marine. Now retired from active duty, Worth has taken up writing. He reflects deeply on the how the culture of hunting affects those who participate. Don't miss our discussion on his work and how he's bringing up his daughter in the outdoors.⁠

Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward

Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw 

Clint Lozier is a Marine Corps veteran and a flight mechanic on a firefighting helicopter. If that's not cool enough, he shares a great story about inheriting his grand dad's shotgun from the uncle who got him started hunting.

We also talk about how his mom supported his hunting habit while his dad was deployed and his experience getting his son out in the field.

Intro Music:
Shot Down by Josh Woodward

Outro Music:
Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw