Hunting Ain't Easy

Nearly 150 MILLION Americans live within 2 hours of an ocean... so the concept of "hunting the coastal waters" is something that we all need to be aware of and support. Just like hunting, angling opportunity is part of the basic human experience, and as a community we need to be concerned about habitat quality, access and opportunity. Nearly 1200 pages of petitions have recently been submitted to the Calif. F&G Commission, most of them attempting to severely limit your opportunity to "hunt coastal waters" in California. Just like protecting the mtn lion hunt in Colorado, we need to become informed, and rally to support angling opportunity when it is arbitrarily threatened. Please listen in follow the below links and and help us take action... **We need to stop these MPA expansions and closures in order to maintain angling access and opportunity in our coastal waters** - Email the Calif. F&G Commission: fgc@fgc.ca.gov - Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif. - Action Item - AllWaters.org - online - AllWaters.org - Instagram - Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif - IG - HOWL for Wildlife - Action Center #marine #angling #spearfishing #california #fishing #offshorefishing #surfing #sportfishing #surffishing #hunting #advocacy #backcountryhunters #bha #allwaters #howlforwildlife

Nearly 150 MILLION Americans live within 2 hours of an ocean... so the concept of "hunting the coastal waters" is something that we all need to be aware of and support. Just like hunting, angling opportunity is part of the basic human experience, and as a community we need to be concerned about habitat quality, access and opportunity. Nearly 1200 pages of petitions have recently been submitted to the Calif. F&G Commission, most of them attempting to severely limit your opportunity to "hunt coastal waters" in California. Just like protecting the mtn lion hunt in Colorado, we need to become informed, and rally to support angling opportunity when it is arbitrarily threatened. Please listen in follow the below links and and help us take action... **We need to stop these MPA expansions and closures in order to maintain angling access and opportunity in our coastal waters** - Email the Calif. F&G Commission: fgc@fgc.ca.gov - Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif. - Action Item - AllWaters.org - online - AllWaters.org - Instagram - Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif - IG - HOWL for Wildlife - Action Center #marine #angling #spearfishing #california #fishing #offshorefishing #surfing #sportfishing #surffishing #hunting #advocacy #backcountryhunters #bha #allwaters

In our first syndicated HOWLCAST Update of 2024 we focus on two of the hotspots that need nationwide attention and support from the hunting and outdoors community: Washington State and Colorado. Because the anti-hunting industry uses their nationwide fundraising, legal and political power to attack at the local and state level, it has become crystal clear that hunters, anglers and supporters of true wildlife conservation need to rally together. The threats that face WA and CO this year can and will surface in dozens of other states - either by forcing changes to predator management, methods of take, taking away trapping or removing your ability to hunt/trail/track/retrieve game with sporting dogs & hounds. HOWLCAST and HOWL For Wildlife is a resource for our community. In line with the conversation in this Feb. 2024 update, please follow and share the following online resources and social media: HOWL for Wildlife - join and take action with us. Save The Hunt Colorado - follow, share and donate today. Howl - on Instagram Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Mgmt - on Instagram ** Looking for a GREAT 4-season adventure cabin in the Sierra Nevada? Check out "2 Dog Lodge" and "Camp Leland". Both of these dog-friendly cabins offer year-round access and are within minutes of some excellent deer and bear hunting habitat. Bring the family and enjoy some mountain time, or use the cabins for base-camping while you're chasing critters during the day. #Colorado #Washington #trophyhunting #wolves #mountainlion #California #hunting #elk #elkhunting #deerhunting #muledeer #bear #bearhunting #blackbear #advocacy #wildlife #conservation

"The steal our tag funds and squander them away on BS that does nothing for wildlife!!!!" This is THE rant we hear too often... but is it true? Listen in on this episode where Mike talks with the #1 expert on big game hunting regulatory process and topics in Calif. He's a hunter and has been working as a lobbyist to represent hunters and conservation groups in Calif. for many years. Listen in and tell me what you think. ALSO: coming up in 2024 and 2025... expect new bear and deer mgmt plans. These are going to be EPIC projects that will certainly spur some big debate, but should advance wildlife management AND balance opportunity with sustainable populations of the critters we love. Resources: Hunting Ain't Easy - like, follow & share! HOWL for Wildlife - join, take action and win for hunting and wildlife conservation! CDFW - Big Game Mgmt Account CDFW - SHARE program California Fish & Game Commission Calendar - get involved! Cabins in the woods... "2 Dog Lodge" and "Camp Leland" #california #wildlife #conservation #hunting #deerhunting #bearhunting #citizenadvocacy #blackbear #muledeer #elkhunting #blacktaildeer #californiahunting #howl #howlforwildlife

Habitat matters. Nothing else matters about wildlife populations and management if the underlying habitat isn't robust and healthy. On the bet that enhancing and restoring the forest and riparian areas of a chunk of burned land can add value and improve things for mule deer and other critters, I just bought myself a habitat project! Listen in and follow along... as this multi-year project is just getting started! "Plumas Headwaters Retreat" on IG HOWL for Wildlife online Camp Leland - Tiny Cabin for Big Adventures @ 6300' 2 Dog Lodge - Camp Connell @ 5000' #conservation #habitat #dixiefire #timberstandimprovement #riparianhabitat #fireremediation #muledeer

The attacks from a global anti-hunting (anti-human) industry are ever present. They have incrementally shifted minds and hearts by defining words while our community was not looking. Now we must enter the arena, fight to share our stories, values and the success of hunting as a sustainable tool for wildlife success and conservation. In this episode: - Winning the minds of non-hunters - Don't call them animal rights activists - Consumptive and non-consumptive users have the same goals. How to engage and participate as a hunter-advocate - go to HOWL for Wildlife Looking for an amazing cabin to explore, relax and have fun in the Sierra Nevada... check out "2 Dog Lodge" and "Camp Leland". Want to support hunting rights in Colorado in 2024... donate to Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Mgmt. #trophyhunting #hunting #conservation #colorado #deerhunting #bearhunting #mountainlion #animalrights #wildlife #howlforwildlife

The team over at Vantage Point Archery reached out to talk shop and we went down all the rabbit holes. Listen along as we discuss the importance of advocacy, HOWL for Wildlife, archery and of course their lineup of premium American made broadheads. Are you a hand-gunner? You'll want to learn about the new compensator from Vantage Point Armory!! Click through, comment, follow and engage! Vantage Point Archery - IG Vantage Point Archery - online HOWL for Wildlife - your fast & effective hunter advocacy portal Camp Leland - D6 Zone Adventure Cabin 2 Dog Lodge - Camp Connell, D5 Zone Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Mgmt #archery #vantagepoint #americanmade #hunting #bowhunting #howlforwildlife #conservation #deerhunting #bearhunting #muledeer #2A #handgun #broadheads

Calif. end of season mule deer hunting... chasing the buck after a cold and snowy fall storm, hoping to catch them on the way towards their migration routes. I talk about some of my winter gear setup, the mental break that I had and subsequent "quit" on the hunt. Some thoughts about staying in the game instead of giving myself an "out" from the grind of wind, snow and cold. Let me know your thoughts @ Instagram "HuntingAintEasy" #muledeer #californiahunting #backcountryhunting #nationalforest #deerhunting #muledeercountry #muledeerhunting #publiclandhunting *** Camp Leland – Tiny Cabin for Big Adventure, surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest at 6300’ elevation this cabin in the woods is your perfect outpost for D6 zone hunting, scouting, hiking, fishing adventure and relaxation. Sleeps 2 to 4, plus offers garage access for vehicles, trailers and toys. https://camp_leland.staydirectly.com/https://airbnb.com/h/camp-leland Howl For Wildlife – wildlife and conservation success are deeply intertwined with hunter rights and opportunities. As a community we must advocate for our interests. HOWL together to send messages supporting hunting and balanced wildlife management to the right stakeholders so that we can protect the lifestyle and the wildlife that we love to see on the landscape. https://www.howlforwildlife.org 2 Dog Lodge – Camp Connell @ 5000’ – Our cabin in the woods off HWY 4 is the best family-friendly and dog-functional cabin you’ll find. With sleeping arrangements for up to 8 guests (including the sofa bed), easy access, year-round plow service and a fenced yard this cabin in the woods is relaxing, fun and located close to 4-seasons full of mountain adventures. https://airbnb.com/h/2doglodgehttps://2doglodge.staydirectly.com/

Apologies for the scratchy sound!! In Part 2 I talk through hunt days 4 through 7, with a lot of focus on a doe that I watched for nearly 9 hours and then the 7+ hour spot and stalk on a mature buck high up in an alpine basin. Everything came together in textbook style. This hunt validated so many lessons from master muley hunters, it was incredible to experience and replay - and this hunt will form the basis for many future adventures I have new levels of confidence in the skills and tactics that helped it yield success. Please visit the sponsors below :) ** Camp Leland – Tiny Cabin for Big Adventure, surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest at 6300’ elevation this cabin in the woods is your perfect outpost for D6 zone hunting, scouting, hiking, fishing adventure and relaxation. Sleeps 2 to 4, plus offers garage access for vehicles, trailers and toys. https://camp_leland.staydirectly.com/https://airbnb.com/h/camp-leland Howl For Wildlife – wildlife and conservation success are deeply intertwined with hunter rights and opportunities. As a community we must advocate for our interests. HOWL together to send messages supporting hunting and balanced wildlife management to the right stakeholders so that we can protect the lifestyle and the wildlife that we love to see on the landscape. https://www.howlforwildlife.org 2 Dog Lodge – Camp Connell @ 5000’ – Our cabin in the woods off HWY 4 is the best family-friendly and dog-functional cabin you’ll find. With sleeping arrangements for up to 8 guests (including the sofa bed), easy access, year-round plow service and a fenced yard this cabin in the woods is relaxing, fun and located close to 4-seasons full of mountain adventures. https://airbnb.com/h/2doglodgehttps://2doglodge.staydirectly.com/

We're back!!! 2022 and 2023 have been tough on the podcasting schedule, but this hunt is a perfect reboot for the podcast and will lead into several hunting stories, and advocacy topics that hunters here in CA need to stay engaged on. In this episode I share a little background about my new "Sponsors"... (HA!) "2 Dog Lodge" and "Camp Leland". As always I also encourage you to click over to HOWL for Wildlife - and take action! ** Camp Leland – Tiny Cabin for Big Adventure, surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest at 6300’ elevation this cabin in the woods is your perfect outpost for D6 zone hunting, scouting, hiking, fishing adventure and relaxation. Sleeps 2 to 4, plus offers garage access for vehicles, trailers and toys. https://camp_leland.staydirectly.com/https://airbnb.com/h/camp-leland Howl For Wildlife – wildlife and conservation success are deeply intertwined with hunter rights and opportunities. As a community we must advocate for our interests. HOWL together to send messages supporting hunting and balanced wildlife management to the right stakeholders so that we can protect the lifestyle and the wildlife that we love to see on the landscape. https://www.howlforwildlife.org 2 Dog Lodge – Camp Connell @ 5000’ – Our cabin in the woods off HWY 4 is the best family-friendly and dog-functional cabin you’ll find. With sleeping arrangements for up to 8 guests (including the sofa bed), easy access, year-round plow service and a fenced yard this cabin in the woods is relaxing, fun and located close to 4-seasons full of mountain adventures. https://airbnb.com/h/2doglodgehttps://2doglodge.staydirectly.com/

Non-hunters, anti-hunters and species-preservationists... can those of us who VALUE resource for successful wildlife management rely on any of these groups for support and alignment? Anti-hunters: no, we cannot. They would rather critters and habit fail, than have hunters participate in success for wild-life. Species-preservationist: no again. They don't believe humans are part of the natural world and deny any role hunters can/should play which interacts with wildlife. Non-hunters: yes, we can align values with this group. I believe that absolutely, 100%, the hunting community MUST gain do better to communicate with our non-hunting friends, neighbors, coworkers and family. We will never "recruit, retain, reactivate" our way to a majority position in states like WA, CA, OR and maybe even AZ. The anti-hunting orgs do massive fundraising from West/East coast metropolitan areas, because the population there is disconnected from hunters and wildlife mgmt issues. We must take over the arena of ideas, dialogue and leadership in wildlife mgmt and hunting - and that means sharing our realness, personalizing and normalizing hunting in the minds of non-hunters. I believe this conversation with a non-hunter is interesting to you, and opens the door to more of your stories being shared broadly, even where you're not sure they'll be supported. https://huntingainteasy.podbean.com/ www.instagram.com/huntingainteasy www.instagram.com/howl_org www.howlforwildlife.org

There are some things that really piss me off. This Part 2 of 2... Charles (Howl For Wildlife) is often on the receiving end of my texts, calls or emails where I'm just a bit triggered by what I consider BS in and around the hunting community. Whether it is legacy NGOs who don't pull their weight, or anti-hunting orgs who corrupt data and manipulate the hunting community.. or actual "hunters" who think hiding our adventure and success is the way to protecting what we love. Agree or disagree, let me know. Want to get involved and support a media campaign that nurtures support for quality wildlife management and hunting as intrinsic human right? LET US KNOW... Join Howl For Wildlife. Hunting is Human Hunting Ain't Easy Howl for Wildlife Take Action Here

There are some things that really piss me off. This Part 1 of 2... Charles (Howl For Wildlife) is often on the receiving end of my texts, calls or emails where I'm just a bit triggered by what I consider BS in and around the hunting community. Whether it is legacy NGOs who don't pull their weight, or anti-hunting orgs who corrupt data and manipulate the hunting community.. or actual "hunters" who think hiding our adventure and success is the way to protecting what we love. Agree or disagree, let me know. Want to get involved and support a media campaign that nurtures support for quality wildlife management and hunting as intrinsic human right? LET US KNOW... Join Howl For Wildlife. Hunting is Human Hunting Ain't Easy Howl for Wildlife Take Action Here

The Wildlife Resource Committee meeting with the F&G Commission and CDFW this week brought out the WORST in the anti-hunters, and they showed up in numbers. The hunting community didn't show up in the numbers we hoped, but our voices are unique, diverse and respectful - which means we are heard much better by the Dept and F&G. Meeting Documents linked here. This 1-hour discussion is a recap of the highs and lows of the WRC meeting, with some commentary on our NEED to show up (here and with F&G) and the NEED to share our hunting stories and values with people who are in the non-hunting camp. If we don't define the conversation, words and values of hunting - then the crazed looney-tunes anti-hunters will define us, and that is not good for hunting, conservation or wildlife. Biggest Wins: the Dept will bring to rulemaking new regs to close the loophole that enables individual hunters to pull high-point value tags every year, without ever fully going "to the back of the line". "the Grandma loophole will be closed - and our Big Game Draw will be better, more equitable and fairer because of it. Please consider following or bookmarking these pages: www.instagram.com/huntingainteasy www.instagram.com/howlforwildlife.org www.howlforwildlife.org https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2023 (2023 Fish & Game meetings in CA)

On Jan 11th and 12th there is a Wildlife Resource Committee meeting that needs you. How can you contribute? Email before Jan 5th. Attend in person (Sacramento). Attend via zoom! What's in play? Well here's the Agenda - Petition 2021-017: 2nd bear tag, new premium hunts statewide, modernized Big Game draw system - Bear mgmt plan update: we must be listening and contributing to this today. - Elk mgmt plan update: new zones, more tags, improved opportunity! One click to send your support for our HOWL petition... "vote - send - share". Got questions... hit me up via Instagram @HuntingAintEasy let's talk!

Hey friends, yes the CDFW and Fish & Game Commission is listening. We have a new Elk Biologist taking the lead and progressive NEW opportunities to hunt elk are coming our way. 3 new elk zones, modified seasons, increased bull and anterless tags - improving opportunities to hunt Tule Elk, Roosevelt Elk and Rocky Mountain Elk in California? How does our hunting community support and guide this across the line for a real win?? 1) Get informed... check out the links here. - Dec. F&G Meeting Video - Dec. F&G Commission Elk Report 2) Get active... join HOWL for Wildlife and become a voice of support!! CA F&G Commission and CDFW are listening, and hunter-advocates are becoming the leaders when it comes to conservation discussions. Join us! 3) Send comments and then attend Jan. 11-12th Wildlife Resource Committee meeting. We need to guide the WRC to support 2021-017; support a 2nd bear tag as part of the 2023 Bear Mgmt Plan; support new Premium deer hunts!

2022 was a tough year for my hunting - not so much because of critters, or weather, or mountain conditions. Work, family, priorities, decisions and distractions made time in the wilderness short - but it was SWEET. This podcast features my mountain musings, as I recap each day on the mountain and share thoughts as the hunt evolved. I got to ride out a nice little snow/wind/rain storm, saw a lot of deer and put a bear in my sights too! Follow along and hope you enjoy the stories. IG: https://www.instagram.com/huntingainteasy HOWL for Wildlife: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/

It's been TOO MANY WEEKS since the last podcast. I've had more ideas and conversations rattling around in my head than I can count, and I should've captured those and shared them. Spring and early summer were consumed with all-the-things we try to balance and stay sane: work, family, scouting, a 9-day spring bear hunt, checking and setting trail cameras in 7 different backcountry areas! Follow along in this podcast as I share my trail-camera journey, from 1 area in a single zone to 7 different areas across 5 different zones in CA. I've officially maxed out my trail camera scouting capacity. Next up I'll do my best to share the Oregon spring bear hunt, some of my CA deer season strategies and trail camera updates as I check on the cameras in areas I will hunt this fall! Become an advocate for hunting and conservation @ HOWL for Wildlife ! HuntingAintEasy @ Instagram

Part 2 of 2. Dan Ryan is an avid hunter and outdoorsman with a profession that allows him to get to know land and habitat all over California. In this 2 part podcast Dan and I get down to talking about 6 of the most popular and accessible "draw zones" which require a Premium tag for archery, rifle/general or muzzleloader hunt opportunities. Any hunter with 3 to 17 points in California is probably considering hunting or scouting these zones as they offer diverse terrain, high quality hunts and the potential for a truly great California buck. You can reach out to Dan directly via the Bureau of Land Mgmt, in the Susanville CA office: 530-249-8559 or Email dryan@blm.gov California Big Game Draw resources are found in the Big Game Digest... we have until June 2nd to put in for the draw, so it's time to study and make some choices. Follow Hunting Ain't Easy on Instagram Want to protect hunting rights, opportunity and support quality wildlife mgmt across all states and all species - follow HOWL For Wildlife! #Hunting #MuleDeer #California #Bear #Deer #Conservation #Wildlife

Dan Ryan is an avid hunter and outdoorsman with a profession that allows him to get to know land and habitat all over California. In this 2 part podcast Dan and I get down to talking about 6 of the most popular and accessible "draw zones" which require a Premium tag for archery, rifle/general or muzzleloader hunt opportunities. Any hunter with 3 to 17 points in California is probably considering hunting or scouting these zones as they offer diverse terrain, high quality hunts and the potential for a truly great California buck. You can reach out to Dan directly via the Bureau of Land Mgmt, in the Susanville CA office: 530-249-8559 or Email dryan@blm.gov California Big Game Draw resources are found in the Big Game Digest... we have until June 2nd to put in for the draw, so it's time to study and make some choices. Follow Hunting Ain't Easy on Instagram Want to protect hunting rights, opportunity and support quality wildlife mgmt across all states and all species - follow HOWL For Wildlife! #Hunting #MuleDeer #California #Bear #Deer #Conservation #Wildlife