The First Gen Hunter Podcast

Ep. 70 Hunt Therapy: Deer & Gear- An Interview with Kendall Card

There are many hurdles we first gen hunters have to clear in order to successfully break into the hunting scene. Along with a knowledge deficit, lack of private hunting access, and no tactical foundation, acquiring all of the necessary gear to get out and hunt is one of the tallest hurdles for first gen hunters. Thankfully there are several options to help solve this problem, but I have found none better than the businesses Camofire and Black Ovis. Kendall Card- Cofounder of these companies, joined the show to explain their back story, and he also pitched in on the other main topic of the show which is deer hunting. Most states have their deer seasons under way at this point so we break down some of the factors we can control to help our seasons get off with a strong start.
 
Follow Camofire and Black Ovis on Instagram: @camofire & @blackovis
Follow Kendall on Instagram: @kendalljcard
 
Follow Alex
Instagram: @alex.hunt & @east2westhunts
GoWild: @Alex G
Facebook: @east2westhunts
 
Follow First Gen Hunter
Instagram: @first.gen.hunter
GoWild: @Kent Boucher
Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
 

Ep. 69 A Hunt 8 Years In The Making

We Iowegians like to brag about our status in the trophy whitetail category. You want a slob buck? Start putting in to draw a tag in the Hawkeye State. But what deer are to Iowa, elk are to Arizona. It's no secret that monstrous elk reside in the Grand Canyon State, and our friend Alex Gruin of East2West Hunts has been working hard on his own tag acquisition project to battle the 1% draw odds and go chase after these majestic animals. Finally after 8 long years of waiting his number was called and his hunt was scheduled, and he joins us in this episode to report on how it all went down. 
 
Follow Alex
Instagram: @alex.hunt & @east2westhunts
GoWild: @Alex G
Facebook: @east2westhunts
 
Follow First Gen Hunter
Instagram: @first.gen.hunter
GoWild: @Kent Boucher
Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase

Ep. 68 Hunt Therapy: Arizona Dreams, 3:30am Doves, and Work Dress Code Hacks

This is the 2nd installment of the hunting camp style series that we are now calling Hunt Therapy. This is your every other week opportunity for hunt themed laughs, and tips that we are confident you will find both relatable and therapeutic. This episode includes Alex's preview of his dream elk hunt in Arizona, Brandon's dove hunting plans, Jake's obliterated archery target, and my war on business casual dress codes. 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase

Ep.67 Empire State Whitetails with Jon Teater

Most people think of New York as the concrete jungle, far removed from any resemblance of its pre-settled beauty, and while that is true when considering the New York City area and it’s suburbs, that’s far from the truth for the remainder of the state. Dense forests edged by cropland, lakes, and mountains are what make this state beautiful and a prime home for whitetail deer. Jon Teater is a NY native and whitetail land manager who was kind enough to lend us his time to educate us on how hunting whitetails in NY can be done.
 
Follow Jon:
Instagram: @whitetail_landscapes
Website: https://whitetaillandscapes.com/
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
 

Ep. 66 Chafing, Giant Sheds, and String Slap

This is the kickoff to a new biweekly series here on The First Gen Hunter Podcast- The Campfire Chronicle Series (not to be confused with another fantastic podcast by a similar name that's out there on the podcast airwaves) where core characters of the podcast come together around the virtual campfire of a virtual hunting camp to laugh at each others' pain, tell each others' secrets, swap hunting yarns, and talk all things hunting. In this first installment me, Alex Gruin, and my brother Jake are joined by previous guest and friend of the show Alex Earhart who provides some helpful insight on gearing up during the hottest times of the year.
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
 
 

Ep. 65 Run and Gun Hunting with Dan Johnson

Run and gun whitetail hunting is a widely used term in the hunting world, and I think a lot of people don’t quite understand what that hunting tactic looks like, or how to practically apply within their own approach. Thankfully Dan Johnson of Sportsman’s Nation is a subject matter expert who has been successfully using the run and gun method year after year to tag beautiful, mature deer in Iowa. There’s a lot of ground covered in this episode that includes scenario specific hunting strategies, sneaking up on bedded deer in standing corn fields, and how Dan ended up with nine fingers. Tune in to sop up loads of applicable run and gun hunting information and a whole bunch of laughs here on episode 65.
 
Follow Dan on Facebook & Instagram: @ninefingerchronicles and @sportsmensnation
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
 

Ep. 64 Conservation Advocacy with Marissa Jensen

One of the greatest confrontational challenges to ever exist since the creation of currency is “Put your money where your mouth is.” Of course much of this has probably come down to betting and fantasy football, but the statement can certainly be used when discussing the reality of talking about conservation, compared to actually doing the work of a conservationist. Marissa Jensen of Pheasant's Forever has done just that. As the National Education and Outreach Manager, Marissa has done her best to reach new, and inexperienced hunters and outdoors people and help them find their place within the hunting community.
 
Follow Marissa on Instagram: @rosehips_and_turtles
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase

Ep 63 Validation à la Venison

On this episode I was joined by Nick Otto the host of The Huntavore Podcast. Nick and I talk a little hunting, but mostly about food. For many folks that are interested in trying to hunt, it is the food that provides the justification for finally purchasing a hunting license. Nick will join me in discussing this most important aspect of hunting as we explore topics ranging from shot placement to what Nick would choose for his last wild game meal. It’s a great interview that will inspire you to take a few more risks in nature’s kitchen.
 
 
Follow Nick on Instagram: @huntavore
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
 
 
 

Ep. 62 The Legend of Douglas County: An Interview with Zach Polaske

When the term “legend” gets thrown into a conversation your brain may rabbit trail to thoughts of Michael Jordan, Mickey Mantle, or Abraham Lincoln- some pretty incredible folks from a public knowledge standpoint. But what about those every day legends who walk among us in the work place, church, school, or even deer camp. Who are those legends to you? Well, to the close friends of Zach Polaske, Zach is just that. What started as a nickname given to him for his incredible ability to locate deer, elk, and walleyes has evolved to include his legendary toughness to fight an extremely rare and aggressive form of bone cancer all while continuing to pursue his outdoor passion with his family and friends. Zach tells some of his favorite hunting stories, and shares some excellent early season archery deer tips. I was honored to have the opportunity to share Zach’s story, and we all are fortunate to be able to hear it.
Follow Zach on Instagram: @douglas_county_legend
Support Zach and His Family
Attend the Polaske Family Benefit
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
 
Special thanks to Matt Mackey, Jimmy Glaeser, Matt Fox, Brian Highland, Jamie Vee, Paul Polaske, Steve Amys and Brian Rusk for sharing their thoughts and stories about Zach. Great people are surrounded by great friends.

Ep. 61 Build Your Gun And Shoot It Too: An Interview With Antique Weapons Builder Daniel Casey

Of the many lost arts of worlds nearly forgotten, blacksmithing is possibly the most interesting. Of course there are a few talented folks out there who carry on some of these traditions, but few are better and more thoroughly devoted to using their art for the betterment of hunting than Mr. Daniel Casey of Casey Arms. Stationed in Romance, Arkansas, Daniel uses his God-given gift for forging iron into incredible antique pistols, rifles, shotguns, swords, knives and many other weapons that will drop your jaw and compel you to take a hammer to your piggy bank. Daniel was kind enough to join Brandon and me on this episode to discuss the weapons he makes, and what goes into making them. He also provides an expert’s survey of the hunting opportunities that his unique and beautiful state has to offer.
Visit The Casey Arms Website
Follow Casey Arms on Facebook and Instagram: @caseyxarms
First Gen Hunter Partners
Support First Gen Hunter By Shopping:
Camofire
Black Ovis
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase