Hunt. Fish. Freedom. - Presented By The International Order of T Roosevelt

Episode 32 - Conservation Meets Community Policy in Wisconsin’s Northwoods

Healthy deer herds, working forests, and rural towns don’t survive by accident. Northern Wisconsin’s hunting and fishing traditions are inseparable from the health of its land and the strength of its communities. This conversation digs into that reality with Paul Schecklman, founder of the Northwoods Policy Network, whose background as a firefighter, public policy strategist, and lifelong outdoorsman gives him a rare, ground-level perspective. The discussion connects boots-on-the-ground conservation with the policies shaping access, wildlife health, and rural opportunity. From deer numbers and forest management to public land use, logging practices, and the economics that keep small towns alive, this is an honest look at what it takes to sustain hunting and fishing in the modern Midwest. The conversation challenges the false choice between strong conservation and strong local economies, laying out why healthy forests, productive waters, and thriving communities must exist together. Listeners will hear how hunters and anglers act as real conservationists through license dollars, habitat work, and daily stewardship. The conversation also explores why rural infrastructure, workforce realities, and sound natural resource management directly affect waterfowl hunting, whitetail habitat, ice fishing seasons, and long-term outdoor access. This is not theory or talking points. It’s a practical, insider discussion about the Northwoods, grounded in firsthand experience and focused on protecting the outdoor lifestyle for the next generation. If you care about hunting success, fishable waters, and keeping rural America alive, this conversation hits close to home. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star review and SUBSCRIBE on Apple or Spotify Check out Paul’s work: https://drydenwire.com/news/paul-shecklman-its-time-for-wisconsins-sportsmen-to-go-nuclear/  Check out the IOTR website: International Order of T. Roosevelt | Protect At-Risk Wildlife Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19zGf29wGZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow us on X: https://x.com/iotrofficial?s=21&t=SzcoQxiDPMWvFcFPurrzNw Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iotr_official?igsh=dXp5b284dXJpOXlq&utm_source=qr

Episode 31 - Raising the Next Generation of Hunters at SCI Nashville

A young hunter milestone, family legacy, and how hunting traditions get passed forward. Hunting and fishing traditions are rarely built alone. They’re shaped around campfires, deer camps, late summer bear baits, and the mentors who take the time to bring someone along. This conversation between sisters centers on exactly that idea through the lens of family, legacy, and the next generation of hunters. Kenia sits down with her sister Keira Link, a lifelong hunter and angler who was recently named SCI and Cabela’s Young Hunter of the Year. From competitive whitetail deer hunting in Wisconsin to bear hunting with hounds, fishing trips that defined childhood, and growing up immersed in Safari Club International, Keira’s story reflects what it looks like to be raised in the outdoors and stay committed to it into adulthood. The discussion explores what that recognition really means, why SCI Nashville remains a cornerstone event for serious hunters, and how early exposure to hunting and fishing shapes confidence, work ethic, and respect for wildlife. The conversation also turns forward, looking at mentorship, conservation-minded hunting, and what it means to introduce a new generation to the outdoors now that Kira is a mother herself. Listeners will hear honest reflections on cold mornings in deer stands, physically demanding deer drives, bear hunting in the Northwoods, and why hunting is less about trophies and more about time, patience, and passing something meaningful on. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star review and SUBSCRIBE on Apple or Spotify Check out Dan Cabela’s’s work: dan cabela foundation  Check out the IOTR website: International Order of T. Roosevelt | Protect At-Risk Wildlife Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19zGf29wGZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow us on X: https://x.com/iotrofficial?s=21&t=SzcoQxiDPMWvFcFPurrzNw Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iotr_official?igsh=dXp5b284dXJpOXlq&utm_source=qr

Show Season Reality Check: Inside Hunting Industry Trade Shows | An Off The Trail Series By IOTR

Trade shows shape hunting’s future, here’s what really happens on the show floor. January and February mark “show season” in the hunting and fishing world; a stretch of long days, crowded convention halls, and conversations that quietly shape the year ahead. In this Off the Trail episode of Hunt Fish Freedom, host Kenia Link pulls back the curtain on what major outdoor trade shows actually mean for hunters, anglers, outfitters, and conservation advocates. Drawing from years of experience attending and working events like SHOT Show, Dallas Safari Club, and SCI Nashville, Kenia breaks down how these gatherings drive relationships, influence policy conversations, and create momentum across the hunting and fishing industry. Listeners will learn how brands launch new gear, how outfitters book hunts, and why being present in these rooms matters far beyond swag bags and handshakes. Discover practical insight for anyone heading to a hunting or outdoor expo for the first time. Kenia shares real-world advice on navigating show floors, managing energy during long days, networking with intention, and following up in ways that actually build long-term partnerships. From footwear choices to meaningful conversations, she explains how small decisions can make or break your experience. More than logistics, this conversation explores stewardship, advocacy, and legacy… how hunters, anglers, and outdoor professionals work together to protect hunting and fishing rights and strengthen the future of the outdoors. Whether you’re an industry insider or an aspirational outdoorsman curious about the business behind the passion, this episode offers an honest, inside look at why show season matters. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app! Check out a photo from the hunt: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE2UXH3OGx5/?igsh=b3BiNTliczY1aGVv Don’t forget to leave a 5 star review and SUBSCRIBE on Apple or Spotify Check out the IOTR website: International Order of T. Roosevelt | Protect At-Risk Wildlife Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19zGf29wGZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow us on X: https://x.com/iotrofficial?s=21&t=SzcoQxiDPMWvFcFPurrzNw Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iotr_official?igsh=dXp5b284dXJpOXlq&utm_source=qr Follow Kenia on X: https://x.com/kenialink_?s=21&t=SzcoQxiDPMWvFcFPurrzNw Follow Kenia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenialink_?igsh=MXBpa2xpYnp4ZHE2cw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Follow Kenia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1RbJCd3uxh/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow Kenia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenialink_?_r=1&_t=ZT-92Kw0J0yATW

Episode 30 - Hard Truths of Conservation: Bison, Bears, and the Science Behind Season Four

What really keeps wildlife thriving—and why hunters, science, and communities all matter now. Season four of The Hard Truths of Conservation is here, and this conversation sets the tone for what may be the most ambitious season yet. Dan Cabela joins Hunt Fish Freedom to break down the real work happening behind wildlife conservation—far beyond headlines, emotion, or social media soundbites. Explore how modern conservation actually functions on the ground, from relocating American bison in remote Alaska to studying brown bear movement through cutting-edge wildlife science. Dan explains why hunters, anglers, biologists, veterinarians, and Indigenous communities all play essential roles in protecting wild places and managing wildlife responsibly. Gain insight into how hunting and fishing fit into modern wildlife management, why science-driven decisions matter more than feelings alone, and how sustainable harvests support both ecosystems and rural food security. The conversation also dives into misconceptions held by non-hunters, the importance of telling the full hunting story, and why neutrality can be harmful when informed voices stay silent. From bison conservation and bear research to global wildlife challenges across North America, Africa, and beyond, this episode delivers an insider look at conservation work that rarely makes it to television screens. It’s a grounded, honest discussion that challenges listeners—hunters and non-hunters alike—to better understand what it truly takes to conserve wildlife in a crowded, modern world. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star review and SUBSCRIBE on Apple or Spotify Check out Dan Cabela’s’s work: dan cabela foundation  Check out the IOTR website: International Order of T. Roosevelt | Protect At-Risk Wildlife Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19zGf29wGZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow us on X: https://x.com/iotrofficial?s=21&t=SzcoQxiDPMWvFcFPurrzNw Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iotr_official?igsh=dXp5b284dXJpOXlq&utm_source=qr

Episode 29 - Hunting Builds Confidence, Community, and Conservation with Jana Waller-Bair

From mountain goats to freezer meals, Jana Waller-Bair reveals how hunting shapes stronger, more resilient lives. Kenia Link sits down with legendary hunter, conservation advocate, and Skullbound founder Jana Waller-Bair for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what hunting truly represents far beyond pulling a trigger. Jana shares hard-earned lessons from decades in the field, from Western elk hunting and mountain goat pursuits to whitetail camps in the Midwest. Together, they unpack how hunting builds confidence, self-reliance, and a deeper connection to food sourcing especially in a world increasingly disconnected from where meat comes from. The conversation dives into ethical hunting, wildlife management, and why hunters and anglers remain the backbone of conservation funding across North America. Listeners will hear powerful insights on mentorship and the growing impact of women in hunting, including Jana’s firsthand experience with the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt program. These programs don’t just teach firearm safety and shooting fundamentals they create lifelong outdoorsmen and women who understand land stewardship, field processing, and the responsibility that comes with harvesting wild game. The episode also explores gear evolution, mental toughness, and how pushing past fear whether in freezing tree stands or on sheer mountain faces translates into real-world resilience. From waterfowl hunting to big game strategies, this is an insider conversation rooted in respect for wildlife, community, and the freedom found outdoors. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app! Don’t forget to leave a 5 star review and SUBSCRIBE on Apple or Spotify Check out Jana Waller-Bair’s work: https://skullboundchronicles.com  Check out the IOTR website: International Order of T. Roosevelt | Protect At-Risk Wildlife Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19zGf29wGZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow us on X: https://x.com/iotrofficial?s=21&t=SzcoQxiDPMWvFcFPurrzNw Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iotr_official?igsh=dXp5b284dXJpOXlq&utm_source=qr