75.9K
Downloads
53
Episodes
Hunting ain't easy, but we love the challenge, the opportunity and the wild places it brings us. Hosted by California hunter Mike Costello, the podcasts digs into California hunting topics with specific focus on public land deer and bear hunting. We believe that habitat improvement, herd management and predator management are topics that need more attention. Look forward to guests who will shed light on what we can do as hunters and conservationists, to put more animals in the woods. Mike is an "adult onset hunter" and the score card going into 2021 seasons is: Deer 0, Bear 1. We're going to follow Mike's misadventures, scouting tactics and success. "Big buck down" is coming in '21!
Episodes
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
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
Camp Leland - Tiny Cabin for Big Adventures @ 6300'
2 Dog Lodge - Camp Connell @ 5000'
#conservation #habitat #dixiefire #timberstandimprovement #riparianhabitat #fireremediation #muledeer
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
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
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
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 - 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
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
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.
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.
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.
Saturday Oct 14, 2023
Saturday Oct 14, 2023
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.
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.
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.
Saturday Oct 14, 2023
Saturday Oct 14, 2023
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.
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.
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.
Sunday Jan 29, 2023
Sunday Jan 29, 2023
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/
Friday Jan 20, 2023
Friday Jan 20, 2023
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.
Friday Jan 20, 2023
Friday Jan 20, 2023
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.
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
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
https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2023 (2023 Fish & Game meetings in CA)