In this episode of Kicked Out, host Maddie Richards sits down with Nick Hoffman to explore the unexpected path that took him from playing fiddle as a kid to building careers in country music and outdoor television—and ultimately finding a deep connection to hunting, adventure, and conservation.

Nick shares how curiosity, opportunity, and a willingness to try something unfamiliar opened the door to hunting. What began as a new outdoor experience grew into a passion and another way to connect with wild places, wildlife, food, people, and the landscapes he had always loved.

In this episode of Kicked Out Stories, Maddie Richards sits down with Hazen Downward, a passionate hunter from southern Idaho, to talk about the experiences, challenges, and people that have shaped his life in the outdoors.

Hazen calls Buell, Idaho, home after moving from central Utah in 2021 in search of a slower pace of life and more time to pursue the outdoors. Hunting has been part of his life from an early age, thanks to a father and brothers who introduced him to the tradition. From his first camping trip just weeks after he was born to the hunts he now shares with his own family, the outdoors have remained a constant throughout his life.

In this episode of Less Than One Kicked Out Stories, we sit down with Alberta sheep hunter Kyle Short of Spruce Grove to explore the journey, challenges, and mindset behind pursuing wild sheep.

Kyle grew up in a hunting family, surrounded by stories of the outdoors and influenced by his father's passion for hunting. Although he was introduced to the experience at a young age, it wasn't until later that hunting became his own passion. He shares memories from his early days in the field, including a memorable elk camp at 21 that taught him an important lesson: success isn't always measured by what you bring home.

From there, Kyle's passion evolved into sheep hunting—drawn to Alberta's rugged mountains and the opportunity to pursue sheep with an over-the-counter tag. What began with excitement and enthusiasm quickly became a humbling education. Kyle and his friends entered the sheep mountains eager to learn, only to discover just how difficult success could be. It took Kyle 13 years of learning, adapting, failing, and returning before he finally achieved the success he had worked so hard for.

Along the way, Kyle discovered that the toughest part of sheep hunting isn't always the physical challenge. The long days, steep terrain, weather, and miles are demanding, but the mental battle can be even greater. He opens up about managing expectations, dealing with disappointment, staying motivated through years of unsuccessful hunts, and learning to appreciate the experience rather than becoming consumed by the outcome.

Kyle also takes a look at how Alberta's sheep-hunting landscape has changed. Advances in technology, gear, and access to information have made sheep hunting more approachable for newcomers, while simultaneously increasing competition and changing the way hunters prepare and pursue animals on public land.

Ultimately, Kyle's story is about much more than harvesting a sheep. It's about perseverance, friendship, failure, personal growth, and the stories created along the way. Join us for a conversation about what it really takes to become a sheep hunter—and why sometimes the hunts that don't end with a trophy are the ones that teach us the most.