The Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast

Chris Christodoulou, owner of Ourano Pointers, joins us all the way from Rhodes, a small village in the mountains of South Africa's Eastern Cape. Chris got his first gundog at age nine, and he has structured the rest of his life around pointing dogs and upland birds. He talks about his origins in hunting, the foundation dogs he imported to build his own line, and his passion for greywing francolin, a wild bird that thrives in the high, remote country Chris calls home. He also offers a deep dive into the finer points of the European-style Pointer: how it differs from the American dogs many of us know, and why it is so perfectly suited to hunting wild birds on foot at altitude. Find much more about Chris and Ourano Pointers, an Orvis-endorsed wingshooting destination, at https://www.orvis.com/product/ourano-pointers/3N52.html

Ticks are increasingly an issue for outdoorspeople and the dogs they love. Though not a new issue, tick and insect-borne illness is a growing threat, but one that is manageable. Travis Avery of Sawyer Products and Colton Cozza of Gunpowder Inc. join the podcast to discuss ticks, the history of tick-borne illness, and how Permethrin is a great first line of defense.

The Product Development team responsible for fish and hunt product at Orvis joins Reid to explain how the sausage gets made. Natalie, Charley, and Jesse use current product examples to share how an idea for a new hunt product, or a revised existing product, makes its way from a rough idea to a product you can carry with you or wear into the field. There is a great deal to the process, as evidenced by this group. Great conversation with a Dream Team.

Reid joins Ryan Sparks, Editor of the Quail Forever Journal, for a conversation that ranges from Ryan's Nebraska roots to the state of upland culture across the Midwest. They talk about what it takes to raise the next generation of outdoor kids in a world with fewer open spaces and more distractions, and the literary life, why writing about bird hunting matters serves as a standalone subject as well as a backdrop for explorations of human-hood.

Alex Cranmer takes time out of a busy schedule to discuss his family's business, IMA. Started by Alex's father, Christian, IMA has become the world's foremost dealer in collectible military firearms and antiques. The business has taken both Cranmers across the globe in pursuit of treasures and caches of military firearms and paraphernalia, often forgotten by the governments that once held them, and Alex has grown the business to make these antiques available to an incredibly broad consumer base. IMA has outfitted movie and TV sets, and Alex may be most widely known for serving as the antique firearms and weaponry expert on the History Channel's "Pawn Stars." Alex describes a fascinating life and career, and an encyclopedic knowledge of military antiques that is essentially self-taught.

New Brunswick has some of the best bird hunting around, and this week Reid sits down with Mark Symes, President of The Ruffed Grouse Society Canada and a longtime resident of the region, to talk about the incredible bird resource in eastern Canada, why the region's wingshooting tourism has changed over the decades, and what you can actually expect on a New Brunswick hunt. Mark also opens up about his own path from bird hunter to conservationist, and how that journey put him at the head of RGS Canada.

Luke Kolbie and Rob Grant join Reid in celebration of an iconic brand, Russell Moccasin. For over 100 years, The Russell Moccasin Company (http://russellmoccasin.com/) has been making hand-stitched boots and shoes for outdoor enthusiasts, so much so that the Russell Bird Shooter has become a signature part of the upland aesthetic. Luke and Rob explore the brand's history, the celebrated folks that have worn Russell boots, construction and craftsmanship, and what makes a great piece of footwear last generations.

This week's episode features Anthony Matarese Jr., one of the world's finest sporting clays shooters, whose record of National and World titles has made him a man to beat for years. We discuss his journey in the sport, the champion's mindset behind that record, and his home operation, M&M Hunting and Sporting Clays, newly enrolled as an Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting Lodge. Anthony is also among the sport's great instructors, with a rare ability to diagnose and correct a shooter's issues at a glance. Hearing his story firsthand was a genuine privilege.

Ryan Doughty, host of A Break in the Action, returns to share some updates on his travels, the new guns in his quiver, and his new role at Shooting Sportsman magazine! He also weighs in on the allure of driven shooting and his journey to becoming a steady voice in the fine gun and shooting space.

This episode is a repost from 2020 when Lars Jacob of Lars Jacob Wingshooting joined the podcast to discuss esoteric guns and gunmakers, oddball gauges and configurations, and the unique considerations required when shooting double guns. Lars is a tremendous authority!

Ryan Aune built Wyoming Wings & Waters on a fisheries biology degree, a family outfitting legacy, and a deep conviction that the country's least-populated state holds some of its most underrated bird hunting. In this episode, Ryan walks Reid through how he got into the guiding business, what makes Wyoming's land and wildlife resources so exceptional, and how he puts clients onto birds in a state most hunters don't know much about. Sage grouse, chukars, and, yes, grizzly bears all make an appearance. More about Ryan at https://www.wywingsandwaters.com/

PRO Outfitters in Montana has always attracted characters, and Owner Brandon Boedecker keeps it that way on purpose. For about a decade, one of those characters was a young Simon Perkins, who guided hunters and anglers under Brandon before eventually becoming President of The Orvis Company. In this conversation, the two old friends look back at the culture Brandon built, the dogs and places that defined it, and the stories that remain legendary.

Ryan Lynton, host of The Upland Social Podcast, joins Reid to talk about his journey into upland hunting as an adult-onset hunter from Indiana.Ryan Lynton, host of The Upland Social Podcast, joins Reid to talk about his journey into upland hunting as an adult-onset hunter from Indiana. He covers early experiences with elk and rabbits, the dog that got him into birds, and how he's using his platforms to build community and advance conservation.

Reid sits down with Simon Rood, Shooting Services Manager at Loyton Sporting, one of the UK's premier driven shoot providers. Simon has spent years at the center of British sporting culture, including time at Purdey's, and he's the right person to walk you through what driven shooting actually looks like from the ground up. Fine guns, technique, etiquette, and why at Loyton it all comes back to whether the guests are having a good time. More at http://www.loyton.com/.

Christian Zeron is a watch dealer, marketing executive, and newly minted hunter whose Instagram platform, @Theoandharris, has earned him a remarkably warm reception from the hunting community. A New Jersey native with no hunting background, Christian caught the bug hard after his first duck hunt and has been documenting the journey ever since. Reid sits down with him to explore what's drawn so many people to follow along, what genuinely excites a newcomer to upland and waterfowl hunting, and what this world looks like when you're seeing it for the first time.

Reid reflects on the loss of a dog, responsibility for the animals who trust us, and the inevitability of their decline. All of this reflected in a story about a long-ago day woodcock shooting with a friend in southern Vermont. Read the entire piece "Thanksgiving" at reidbryant.com; it was initially published in Gundog Magazine.

Reid welcomes back Orvis Gunroom Manager Greg Carpiniello to discuss new guns in the Orvis arsenal, some standout consignment guns, and what has been happening at Orvis Sandanona. Unbelievably, it's been about a year since Greg was on the Podcast, and a whole lot has happened in that time!

Reid is joined by Anthony Licata, editor of Cowboys & Indians magazine (http://www.cowboysindians.com/), for a look inside the world of outdoor print media from someone who has been to the big leagues. For much of his career, Licata worked for Bonnier Corp. from its Park Avenue offices, eventually becoming Editor in Chief of Field & Stream and Editorial Director of Bonnier's Lifestyle Group, which included titles such as Outdoor Life. In this conversation, he reflects on the glory days, when bar carts and generous expense accounts were part of the job, and shares stories about balancing hunting travel, a love of more humble outdoor pursuits, and life in the middle of Manhattan. It is a conversation about magazines, media, and the strange and wonderful experience of building an outdoor life from the middle of the city.

Tom Rosenbauer, longtime Orvis employee, writer, and host of the Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast, joins Reid for a wide-ranging conversation about his nearly 50 years with the company. They talk about the early days at Orvis, the great outdoor writers who shaped the culture around Manchester, Vermont, and how a lifelong fly fisherman found his way, occasionally, behind a shotgun. Along the way Tom shares stories, history, and a perspective on the outdoors that few people still carry.

Marilyn Vetter, President and CEO of PF/QF, joins Reid for an inspiring conversation about her work and life. Marilyn describes a rural childhood in North Dakota, a journey into upland hunting through her husband's Sharp Shooter's Kennel, and her winding path to leadership of a prominent Conservation org. Along the way she digs into thoughts on leadership, organizational culture, and why we should be hopeful about the future of the uplands. Marilyn is a force, and an inspiration. Learn more at http://www.pheasantsforever.org/ and see Marilyn in action at The Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic in Minneapolis Feb 20-22!