EP 29: A year in the life of Alaskan boat captain Ross Hodek
Release Date: 12/12/2023
Ep 40: Montana Outwest Outfitters - with Brennon Fisher
Western Hunter
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 with Montana Outwest Outfitters, visit If you enjoy the podcast, give us a rating, a thumbs up, or a review on whatever platform you listen on! Got a topic you'd like us to cover or a guest you'd like us to feature? Send an email to Brody@westernhunter.net. Thank you for listening, and please bookmark, subscribe, or save the Western Hunter Podcast to be...
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Ep 39: Defiance/McMillan - with Eric Stecker
Western Hunter
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 company, the origins of their extraordinary products, and a little about what might be in store in the future for both. It was an honor to have him in the studio, and we're grateful for his time. We're also very grateful for your support of Western Hunter and the show, and we hope you enjoy! This episode is also available with video on the Western Hunter...
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Ep 38: Montana Archery Elk - (Before the Hunt) - with Kevin, Brody, and Tom
Western Hunter
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 dynamics of hunting with a cameraman, and more. Stay tuned for a follow-up de-brief episode after they return! If you enjoy this podcast, please consider subscribing to Western Hunter Magazine. One reader described it as, "The most beautiful magazine ever created." Follow Western Hunter on Instagram @westernhuntermagazine and @thewesternhunter. Your...
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Ep 37: The Old Bull – With Chris Denham, Brody Layher, and Levi Sopeland
Western Hunter
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 regimen as well as his strategy for staying fit and fueled during his 5+ month hunting season. Chris drives over 30,000 miles each season to film episodes for The Western Hunter, and his determination to continue is extraordinary. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future topics or guests, please email them to . Thank you for listening!
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Ep 36: The Workin' Man's Custom Rifle – with Brody Layher and Levi Sopeland
Western Hunter
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 Western Hunter as well as our family of companies. He's also the primary copyeditor and a member of the creative team for Western Hunter Magazine. In this episode, they discuss a project they've been working on that they call "The Workin' Man's Custom Rifle." Their idea is to see just how good you can make a "cheap" rifle with modifications and how the result...
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Ep 35: North to Alaska – with Brody Layher and Tom Hinski
Western Hunter
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 create more and more episodes for you to learn about the inner workings, their experiences, and their areas of expertise (or lack thereof), and offer perspectives from a wide variety of backgrounds. We will still be talking about hunting the West, but we will be doing it more frequently. Nothing about Chris' podcast that you've come to love will change. We only...
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EP 34: Leica Sport Optics with Ryan Holm
Western Hunter
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 pack company, Mystery Ranch. I still give him major credit for building that brand into the category leader. Revitalizing an optics company in the hunting, birding and outdoor recreation industries simultaneously is tricky business, they all have their own biases, and he has to be sensitive to all of them. Ryan and I talk about how...
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EP 33: Exo Mtn Gear with Steve Speck
Western Hunter
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 just making a pack but also building a business and customer base that will sustain a company. In my opinion, Exo Mtn Gear has one of the best podcasts for western hunters called “Hunt Backcountry.” In our conversation I referenced a few episodes in which they discuss the efficacy of small caliber rifles for big game hunting. Those are...
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EP 32: Leupold HQ + Optics Academy
Western Hunter
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 Manager Nic Kytlica to talk legacy, optics, rifles, and Leupold's bright future in American manufacturing.
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EP 31: Western Hunter Magazine introduces Wing Hunter
Western 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.
info_outlineThe 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 type small boat to hunt and pick us up each night. The captains do this every single day from early October until the middle of December. The life they lead is a crazy one, so I decided to sit down with boat captain and owner Ross Hodek and talk a little about the year in the life of a Alaskan boat captain. By the way, if you are interested in booking a Kodiak Island blacktail hunt on The Spirit you need to reserve your spot soon! It is the dollar-for-dollar value for Alaskan hunting adventure. You can book through Alaska Coastal Adventures 907-262-4359. Tell them Western Hunter sent you.