Raised in an outfitting family, Jessie Young grew up where long days and hard work were just part of life. From owning and operating a cattle company to breeding tough, sure-footed mountain horses, Jessie’s roots run deep in Western tradition. But her story doesn’t stop there.

Alongside life in the backcountry, Jessie built a career in nursing—bringing compassion, grit, and balance to everything she does. Now, she’s stepping into a new chapter! Not only does she operate Midnight Sun Outfitting with her brother, Logan Young, Jessie is launching a guiding outfit in Alberta that blends generations of knowledge with a fresh vision for the future. In this episode, Jessie shares what it was like growing up in the outfitting world, the lessons learned along the way from parents that pushed her, and her brother, to achieve excellence, and what it takes to build something new while honoring where you come from.

Jessie lives with passion and purpose—both on and off the mountain. This episode is bound to inspire ambition and determination in anyone who listens.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, host Kyle Stelter sits down with longtime conservationist and Wild Sheep mainstay Don Stevenson. From growing up hunting in Alberta to becoming a dedicated supporter in the wild sheep world, Don shares the moments that shaped his conservation ethic—and why giving back isn’t optional if we want wildlife to thrive.

The conversation weaves through Don’s 27+ years in conservation and the unexpected path that turned Don’s passion for knife making into a fundraising engine for mountain wildlife. Along the way, Kyle and Don dig into modern wildlife-management challenges, the need for stronger collaboration across organizations, and why outdoor education belongs in the classroom if we want the next generation to care.

This episode of Talk is Sheep is brought to you by Penticton Honda.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

Sheep Week is here—and the Wild Sheep Society of BC crew is fired up for Sheep Show 2026. On the eve of Sheep Week, Kyle sits down for a raw, uncut podcast with Colin Peters, James Mitton, and Chris Barker to talk all things Sheep Show: the buzz in the air, why this gathering matters, and what makes it such a powerful meeting place for people who care about wild sheep and conservation.

James shares the excitement of heading to his first Sheep Show, and the group digs into what makes Sheep Week special—community, connection, and momentum for the mission.

They also break down the WSSBC Sheep Week promotion and how attendees can enter to win a $250 Sitka Gear gift certificate from our official sponsor SITKA Gear.

Listen in for: Sheep Week energy, Sheep Show stories, conservation community, and how to get in on the Sitka giveaway.

Supporter Credits

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by: @yeti @zeisshunting @frontiersmengear @onxhunt @stoneglacier @wild_tv @schnee_hunt @precision.optics @gunwerks

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, host Kyle Stelter sits down with Kyle Kamp (Mountain Tough) to talk about the often-missed edge in mountain hunting: nutrition that’s consistent, flexible, and hunt-proof.

Kyle breaks down why macronutrients matter, how to build a plan that actually fits real life, and why autonomy and flexibility are critical for long-term success—especially when training for the mountains. He also shares his personal weight-loss journey that launched his career in nutrition, and offers practical, field-ready strategies for maintaining energy on long days, staying fueled during multi-day hunts, and using supplements the right way (as support—not a substitute).

If you want to show up stronger, recover faster, and keep your engine running when it counts, this one’s for you.

Key takeaways

• Consistency beats perfection—every time.
• Flexibility and autonomy make nutrition sustainable.
• Macronutrients directly impact performance and recovery.
• Planning your hunt nutrition is essential for success.
• Supplements can help, but fundamentals come first.
• Community support accelerates progress and accountability.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

From a frosty morning in BC’s Cariboo, Hana Erikson sits down with a special guest Thomas Giles for a raw, powerful conversation about grit, wilderness, and what it takes to fight your way back.

Thomas is a hardcore hunter and horseman—until life flips overnight. After pushing through a fly-in moose hunt with a broken shoulder, Thomas suffers a massive stroke at age 34 and has to relearn how to speak, walk, and rebuild his life from the ground up.

He shares the moment it happened—alone at home—when his puppy Jesse instinctively braces him upright as his right side goes dead weight, buying precious time until help arrives.

From ICU, to stroke ward, to rehab, Thomas describes a 55-day hospital stay and a mindset that refuses to quit—then the next battle: his stroke was triggered by a failing aortic valve, leading to open-heart surgery on November 25.

And then comes the turning point: getting back on a horse—using a step ladder to mount—discovering the horse is literally helping him “feel” what his body can’t yet feel on his right side, and accelerating his recovery.

This episode is equal parts heavy, hilarious, and inspiring—proof that the mountains don’t just test you… they can also help heal you.

In this episode

• A stroke survivor’s minute-by-minute account of fighting to get help, and the dog that wouldn’t let him go down
• The medical “why”: heart murmur history, calcium to the brain, and the emergency chain that saved his life
• 55 days in hospital and the stubborn, daily push to stand, walk, and speak again
• Open-heart surgery and the long road back—then returning to hunting, horses, and the wild
• Back in the bush: a fly-in moose hunt redemption arc… and a grizzly at 19 yards

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

This week on Talk is Sheep, we sit down with longtime Wild Sheep Society of BC supporter and Lex Ross Award recipient Don Lynum.

Don’s love for precision shooting and custom rifles is only matched by his passion for wild sheep conservation. We unpack the origin story behind the BiG BoaR rifle series—created in memory of Don’s friend Dave Marsh (aka “BiG BoaR”), and built into one of the most meaningful fundraising traditions in our community.

Over the last decade, Don has donated 20 rifles in 10 years, a program that has generated an estimated $300,000 for conservation in BC. We also preview the Big Boar 2026 plan and what’s coming next.

Episode Sponsor: Precision Optics

• How Don’s “perfect mountain rifle” obsession started—and why it never really ends
• The legacy of Dave Marsh and the story behind the BiG BoaR name
• The real-world conservation impact of consistent community giving
• A look ahead at the Big Boar 2026 rifles and what makes them special

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

What matters most in conservation—perfect opinions, or real effort? In this year-in-review conversation, Kyle Stelter and Greg look back on the Wild Sheep Society of BC’s biggest wins, hard lessons, and the reality of doing conservation work in real time.

They dig into major investments on the ground, the role of the Mountain Wildlife Conservation Society in expanding capacity, and why building a strong national voice for hunting and conservation is more important than ever. You’ll hear updates on cornerstone initiatives like the Fraser River Test-and-Remove program, ongoing habitat restoration for Stone’s sheep, and active wildlife health work—including psoroptes treatment trials—plus the challenges of fire management and long-term landscape stewardship.

The episode also highlights how this work gets done: members, volunteers, and community, from fundraising events and membership promotions to celebrating our people through the RAM Awards and bringing the next generation in. If you care about wild sheep and wild places, this one’s a grounded look at what it takes—and what’s coming next.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by: @yeti @zeisshunting @frontiersmengear @onxhunt @stoneglacier @wild_tv @schnee_hunt @precision.optics @gunwerks

In this special episode of Talk Is Sheep, we sit down with Frances Golata Nicolson—daughter of famed Stone sheep outfitter Frank Golata—for a rare, first-hand look at a life that can’t be replicated today. Born in Dawson Creek in 1938, Frances shares vivid stories of growing up on a remote quarter section in a log home with no running water, where winter meant melting snow for laundry, food came from the land, and the rhythm of the year revolved around horses, hard work, and the mountains.

Frances walks us through her father’s early journey—an immigrant’s son who couldn’t be kept indoors, who ran away at 19, worked wherever he could, and ultimately found his way north into the Peace. From trapping and homesteading to packing on major northern expeditions, Frank’s life was defined by grit, skill, and an uncompromising standard in the bush. We hear what it took to run two month-long hunting seasons, how trips were organized and supplied, and why Frank’s meticulous preparation (down to checking every fencepost) became legendary.

The conversation also opens a window into Frank Golata the artist and writer—his realistic paintings, his unpublished stories and diaries, and the behind-the-scenes details that shaped his reputation alongside names like Jack O’Connor and iconic northern hunts. Above all, Frances reflects on her father’s principles: respect for wildlife, a caretaker mindset, strict camp rules, and a conservation ethic rooted in lived experience. We also touch on the incredible history behind a Stone sheep ram mount Frances donated—now restored—so it can continue supporting wild sheep conservation for the next generation.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks