Western Hunter
Sports
About
Chris Denham, publisher of Western Hunter Magazine and co-host of The Western Hunter TV show talks about all things relevant to western hunters. Nothing is off the table, just honest conversation with true experts.
Episodes
- Ep 51: Top Gear - with Chris, Brody, Tom, and Levi
El Jefe is back! Chris, Brody, Tom, and Levi discuss the results of the survey for Issue 4 of 2026 - The Gear Issue. We asked what kinds of things our readers are thinking about, what works and what doesn't, and the types of tools they wan…
- Ep 50: Outdoors Men - with Brody and the Outdoorsmans Guys
In this episode, Brody talks with the three pillars of Outdoorsmans: Josh Adderson, Bryce Cramer, and Chad Dembinski. These three account for 90% of the operation of the most highly respected glassing retailers in the country. This episode…
- Ep 49: Big Bucks/Small Guns - With Brody and Dioni Amuchastegui
In this episode, Brody sits down via telephone with Dioni Amuchastegui, an emerging legend of the West. Dioni is an incredibly dedicated mule deer hunter with the trophy room to prove it. Brody got to pick his brain on tactics, weapons, an…
- Ep 48: NRL (Road) Hunters - With Kevin, Brody, and Tom
This episode was recorded in Kevin's truck on the road home from the Mason Valley NRL Hunter match. Kevin, Brody, and Tom did a solid debrief of things they saw, felt, and learned while shooting/filming the match. This was Kevin's fifth NR…
- Ep 47: The BX-6 Range HD - with Collin Russell and Tim Lesser
Kevin sat down at the Wild Sheep Show to talk shop with Collin Russel and James Wessler from Leupold Optics regarding the new BX-6 Range HD binocular. They talk through the development, testing, and launch of one of Leupold's most exciting…
- Ep 46: High-Tech Rednecks - With Brody, Kevin, and Tom
In this episode, Brody sits down with Kevin and Tom to discuss the current state of hunting gear technology, including some new standout products, some that have made their way into most hunters' kits, and a few that are coming down the pi…
- Ep 45: Risky Danger - with Brody, Joe, and Levi
We're back! Thank you for your patience. In this episode, Brody, Joe, and Levi review the responses from our latest reader survey, which related to emergency/survival situations in the field. We were flooded with fascinating answers to the…
- Ep 44: Montana Outwest Outfitters 2 with Brennon & Summer Fisher
On this episode, Kevin sits down with Tom Hinski, Brennon Fisher, and Summer Fisher to discuss hunting late-season elk hunting in Montana. For more info on hunting with Montana Outwest Outfitters, visit https://www.montanaoutwest.com/ If y…
- Ep 43: A Real KOB Story - With Katelyn O'Brien, Kevin, and Brody
In this episode, Kevin and Brody sat down to swap stories with Wilderness Athlete's own Katelyn O'Brien (also known as KOB). Katelyn is an adventurer, and her spooky near-death-ghost-encounter tale is one for the ages. Kevin also shares a…
- Ep 42: Montana Archery Elk - (After the Hunt) - with Kevin, Brody, Tom, and Levi
In this episode, Brody, Kevin, Tom, and Levi gathered up to officially recap Kevin's archery elk hunt in Montana. They discussed each day of the hunt, interactions with other hunters, tactics, clothing, gear, and even Brody's (loose) conne…
- Ep 41: Caught Off Balance - The New Swarovski Stabilized Spotting Scopes - with Chris and Brody
Brody and Chris discuss the all-new Swarovski AT/ST Balance spotting scopes and their application, industry implications, field use, ergonomics, and more. Chris's in-field review video: https://youtu.be/N20GjdthwFA Check it out at Outdoors…
- Ep 40: Montana Outwest Outfitters - with Brennon Fisher
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Brennon Fisher, owner of Montana Outwest Outfitters, to discuss Kevin's elk hunt, the guide business, and Brennon's background and experiences hunting the Bitterroot Valley. For more info on hunting wi…
- Ep 39: Defiance/McMillan - with Eric Stecker
In this episode, Kevin and Brody sit down with Eric Stecker of both Defiance Machine and McMillan Stocks–two of the most reputable and precise rifle component manufacturers in the country. Eric shares some of his personal history with each…
- Ep 38: Montana Archery Elk - (Before the Hunt) - with Kevin, Brody, and Tom
In this episode of the Western Hunter Podcast, Brody talks to Kevin and Tom before Kevin's Montana early archery elk hunt. They plan to create a film for Wilderness Athlete about the hunt. Topics include preparation, gear, camera gear, the…
- Ep 37: The Old Bull – With Chris Denham, Brody Layher, and Levi Sopeland
In this episode, Brody and Levi (mostly Brody) flip the script and interview Chris Denham regarding his health and fitness routine as an extremely busy, extremely durable hunter over 60. Chris explains his daily workout and supplement regi…
- Ep 36: The Workin' Man's Custom Rifle – with Brody Layher and Levi Sopeland
This episode features Brody Layher and Levi Sopeland. Brody is our human gear library. He's also a die-hard hunter who moved to Arizona after experiencing the mountain West for the first time. Levi is a videographer/photographer for The We…
- Ep 35: North to Alaska – with Brody Layher and Tom Hinski
Welcome to a new type of Western Hunter Podcast. We've got a lot of interesting characters working in the background at Western Hunter Magazine, Updated Media, Outdoorsmans, and Wilderness Athlete (WHUMODWA). Moving forward, we plan to cre…
- EP 34: Leica Sport Optics with Ryan Holm
Ryan Holm is the new Director of Marketing for Leica's Sport Optics division. While Ryan is new to the high-performance optics industry, he is no stranger to the hunting market. I first met Ryan when he was in a similar position with the p…
- EP 33: Exo Mtn Gear with Steve Speck
In this episode, I sit down with Exo Mtn Gear owner and founder Steve Speck. My son Mark Denham and I had just completed a tour of their innovative manufacturing facility, which was remarkable. Steve and I explore the fundamentals of not j…
- EP 32: Leupold HQ + Optics Academy
Chris and Kevin were recently invited to tour the Leupold factory and visit the Leupold Optics Academy in Oregon for some long-range and NRL training. During a break, they sat down with CEO Bruce Pettet and Shooting Sports Marketing Manage…
- EP 31: Western Hunter Magazine introduces Wing Hunter
Western Hunter Magazine introduced a western bird hunting section starting with the September 2024 issue. Kevin Guillen and Chris Denham explain many of the reasons the editorial staff decided to offer this new content.
- EP 30: Casey Richmond & Greg Williams of Eberlestock
On the March/April cover of Western Hunter Magazine we have a spectacular image of Casey Richmond with his Idaho bull. When I first saw the picture, I knew there had to be a crazy story behind it. Casey works for Eberlestock so while we we…
- EP 29: A year in the life of Alaskan boat captain Ross Hodek
The Western Hunter crew just returned from a blacktail deer hunt on Kodiak Island, Alaska. This was a boat-based hunt meaning we lived, ate, and slept on the boat. Each morning one of the two boat captains would run us to shore in a zodiac…
- EP 28: Kodiak Island Blacktail
I have hunted blacktail deer on Kodiak Island in Alaska and believe the experience offers the most adventure for the dollar in all North America. This year our crew included three guys who had never hunted in Alaska; Mark Denham, Levi Sope…
- EP 27: Dylan Dowson from OnX Maps
OnX Maps pioneered the hunting GPS industry and has become the gold standard for western hunters. In this episode I sit down with Dylan Dowson from OnX to discuss the past, present and future of this technology. onxmaps.com
- EP 26: Nate Simmons
2021 was a heck of a year for The Western Hunter. Nate Simmons and I sit down and talk about the lessons learned and what we will do differently heading into the 2022 hunting season.
- EP 25: Jordan Jonas
My guest today is Jordan Jonas the winner of the hit TV show Alone season 6. Jordan is a hunter and his hunting skills contributed directly to his ability to survive in the Arctic for 77 days. We talked about behind-the-scenes stuff, dream…
- EP 24: Remi Warren
Remi Warren doesn't need an introduction to this audience. Like most of you, I think Remi is one of the most interesting people in the world as well as one of the top ambassadors for the hunting community. While attending the Pope and Youn…
- EP 23: Dean Capuano from Swarovski
In this episode I sit down with Dean Capuano from Swarovski. Dean and I met via phone on his very first day on the job at Swarovski over 20 years ago. Since then, we have hunted together in Austria, Africa, Mexico and many different US sta…
- EP 22: How to prepare and cook wild game with Conor Gabbott
Connor Gabbott is a professionally trained chef, photographer, videographer and hunter. In this episodes he shares his secrets for preparing and sharing wild game. But we also dig into his evolution as a hunter, his entry into the camera w…
- EP 21: Rafe Nielsen from Browning
Rafe Nielsen from Browning is back again! In this episode we talk about life without a SHOT Show in 2021. We dig into new rifle products and how those products are developed and brought to market. We also spent time talking about gun safes…
- EP 20: Roy Grace
Roy Grace has been bowhunting his entire life and has hunted every species the west has to offer. Roy is also the records chairman for the Pope and Young club. In this episode we talk about why the record book is important and why we shoul…
- EP 19: Kendall Card
There are dozens of boot companies, each with dozens of different models from which to choose. Making the wrong choice can cost money and ruin a hunt. In this episode I talk again with Kendall Card from Crispi, about how to research websit…
- EP 18: Bakcou Bikes
Electric assisted (e-bikes) are exploding in popularity worldwide. When it comes to western hunting e-bikes, Bakcou is leading the way. In this episode I sit down with Bakcou founders Bryan and Dave to discuss their company, their bikes, t…
- EP 17: Kelly Glenn
Not long after the turn of the 19th century the Glenn family settled in Southeast Arizona. Warner and Wendy Glenn raised a son Cody and daughter Kelly in the same country. Cody and I became friends the first day of junior high. His friends…
- EP 16: Warner Glenn
Not long after the turn of the 19th century the Glenn family settled in Southeast Arizona. Warner and Wendy Glenn raised a son Cody and daughter Kelly in the same country. Cody and I became friends the first day of junior high. His friends…
- EP 15: Kendall Card
Boots are one of the most important pieces of hunting gear in our kit. I sit down with Kendall Card from Crispi and cover some important topics we all need to consider when purchasing footwear. Kendall is also the co-founder of Camofire an…
- EP 14: Rafe Nielsen
Rafe Nielsen is not only a hunting partner he is the marketing director at Browning. We spent time talking about John Browning and many of his contributions to modern firearms and to our military. We also dive into modern production practi…
- EP 13: Remi Warren
Remi Warren has been a field editor for Western Hunter Magazine for so long that neither of us can remember! In this episode we dive into his hunting career, how he got started, and what is really doing right now. Remi is one of the most a…
- EP 12: Steve Opat
In this episode I sit down with Steve Opat from Fairbanks, Alaska. Steve is an avid hunter and is also a medical helicopter flight nurse. He is in a unique position to learn from peoples mistakes. We talk about the what brought him to Alas…
- EP 11: Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo
Ralph and Vicki have been producing some of the best video hunting content since before outdoor TV even existed! Not only are they absolute pioneers in the business they are two of the most sincere and authentic ambassadors in the hunting…
- EP 10: Bob Lacher
Bob Lacher was born and raised in Alaska. As a child he hunted with his dad to feed the family, not for trophies. The adventure bug bit him hard! He started flying a bush plane at an early age and has been exploring and hunting the far rea…
- EP 09: Heather Kelly and Brad Hurd Heather's Choice
Native Alaskan Heather Kelly was tired of the limited food options available to backcountry travelers. So she did what nobody thought was possible and created her own foods, which lead to the creation of Heather's Choice. Her dehydrated (n…
- EP 08: Steve Felix P&Y World Record Elk
In 2016 Steve killed the largest bull elk ever taken with a bow. At almost 430" it is my opinion this record may never be broken. I met Steve while on business in Montana. Fortunately I had the recording equipment with me and he had to tim…
- EP 07: George Bettas
If they were looking for a new "Most Interesting Man in the World" I would nominate George Bettas. He has worked with the Boone & Crockett Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and was one of the founders of the Mule Deer Foundation, most of…
- EP 06: Wayne Carlton
Wayne Carlton is truly a legend in our industry. He pioneered the art of calling elk with diaphragm calls. Back in the 80's his elk calling seminars were epic, and folks would drive hundreds of miles for the privilege of listening to his e…
- EP 05: Justin Gordon
Last fall Justin Gordon killed the largest mule deer ever taken with a bow. In this episode Justin and I talk about his buck, but being one of the most introspective hunters I have ever met, our conversation goes much deeper than just inch…
- EP 04: Mike Duplan
Mike Duplan is one of best mule deer hunters I have ever met. He has taken huge bucks in some of the most heavily hunted areas in Colorado…and I mean huge. He co-authored "The Edge, The Complete Approach to Hunting Mountain Mule Deer", whi…
- EP 03: Arizona Coues Deer Hunt
As the sun set on our last night in an Arizona Coues deer hunt I sat down with Mark Denham and The Western Hunter videographer Matt Neddermeyer to talk about the realities of hunting the grey ghost. The sun was setting as we built a big fi…
- EP 02: Colton Bagnoli
In this episode I sat down with Western Hunter shooting editor Colton Bagnoli at his home in Kalispell Montana. He is one of the most talented and hard working people I have ever known. He is an accomplished gunsmith, taxidermist, trapper,…