This episode of the Modern Carnivore Podcast was recorded at the 2025 Backcountry Hunters & Anglers North Country Ice Breaker. The event provided an opportunity to capture insights from three experienced outdoorsmen on the topic of fair chase. Specifically, we focused on forward facing sonar technology and how it is changing the fishing experience (and potentially catch rates). Publications like Outdoor News have been reporting on this topic for years. Some state agencies have started to address the topic directly, but many are holding tight and waiting to see where things go. Let us know if you have thoughts on how this technology can be best used, and what restrictions (if any) should be put on it.

Guests on today’s podcast include:

Mike Hehner from Linder Media Productions

Greg Kvale – Board Member of Minnesota Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

David Lien is a co-founder of the Minnesota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

https://modcarn.com/conservation-mcp-ep028/

https://modcarn.com/hardwater-hunters-go-darkhouse-spearfishing/

https://modcarn.com/hunting-still-relevant-mcp040/

In this episode of the Modern Carnivore Podcast Mark talks with Tekoa Cochran, Hassanen Mohamed and Chance York about their first grouse hunt. All three are new hunters and they share their experience in being part of a mentored hunting camp in northern Minnesota. The organizations of Modern Carnivore, Minority Outdoor Alliance, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Minnesota Land Trust and Camp Olson YMCA came together to put on a comprehensive “learn to hunt camp”. This included online education as pre-work as well as firearms safety certification and 1:1 partnerships with a mentor for each new hunter. Explore your own self-paced online hunting class at Hunting Camp Live by Modern Carnivore.

Fartun prepares to enter the woods on her first ruffed grouse hunt with her mentor.

Hassanen Mohamed takes a break from range practice during the mentored grouse hunt.

New hunters and mentors at the 2023 mentored grouse hunting camp in northern Minnesota.

Chance York takes aim at a clay target with his mentor. (Photo by David Schwartz)

https://modcarn.com/first-turkey-hunt/

https://modcarn.com/rue-mapp-mcp-ep045/

https://modcarn.com/how-to-forage/

In this episode of the Modern Carnivore Podcast Mark visits Jay Leitch at his home in northwest Minnesota. Jay is the author of the only book written on darkhouse spearing through the ice. It’s title “Darkhouse Spearing Across North America” and was last printed in 2001. Jay is the former Dean of the College of Business at North Dakota State University (NDSU). He has a Masters in Natural Resource Management and a PhD in Economics. Jay is a Vietnam War veteran and a passionate darkhouse spearing advocate. Enjoy the conversation on this episode of the podcast!

Jay Leitch with northern pike he speared from a darkhouse.

The book Darkhouse Spearing Across North America was written by Jay Leitch

https://modcarn.com/darkhouse-spearing-with-janis-and-mark/

https://modcarn.com/darkhouse-spearfishing-spears/

https://modcarn.com/hardwater-hunters-go-darkhouse-spearfishing/

https://modcarn.com/darkhouse-spearing-minnesota-mcp036/

https://modcarn.com/darkhouse-spearing-beginners/