The First Gen Hunter Podcast

Ep. 257 Backwoods Bulletin: Best Gun Dog Breed? White Oaks vs. Red Oaks, Michigan Restricts Youth and Disabled Vets to Antlerless Only Tags!

Caleb is joined by his wife Stacie to discuss three topics in the hunting world. What gun dog breed is best, the differences between white and red oaks, and a new controversial law being introduced to youth and disabled deer seasons in Michigan in 2025. 
 
Old Barn Taxidermy Instagram: @oldbarntaxidermyMy personal instagram: @calebleedrakeThe Backwoods Instagram: @backwoods_bulletin
 
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Ep. 256 Trail Cam Law, Big Ol' Bucks, and Whitetail Master Academy with Jake Hofer

Jake Hofer is one of the nicest guys you meet. Beyond that he is a brilliant businessman, a conservationist, and a really good deer hunter.  In this conversation we discuss his previous deer season, what's been going on with trail cam bans, his recent acquisition of Whitetail Master Academy.
 
Other Topics Include
-Hunting and social media
-The slippery slope of limiting hunting rights
-The best use of trail cams.
 
Follow Jake: @jakehofer
 
Follow Whitetail Master Academy: @whitetailmasteracademy
 
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Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
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Camofire
Black Ovis
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel

Ep. 255 The Backwoods Bulletin with Sam Soholt of Public Land Tees

Welcome to the first episode of The Backwoods Bulletin Podcast hosted by Caleb Drake!
 
In this episode Caleb is joined by Sam Soholt a hunter and conservationist who has spent his career raising money and awareness for conservation efforts through his business Public Land Tees.
 
Follow Sam: @samsoholt
Follow Public Land Tees: @publiclandtees
 
Follow The Backwoods Bulletin: @backwoods_bulletin
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
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Ep. 254 Mobile Hunting and Finding Your Dream Job with Jacob Lishen

The more deer seasons I get under my belt, the more I realize how important it is to hunt over the most recent intel possible. Mobile hunting, or run and gun hunting as some call it, has been proven to be the most effective means to achieve this. I have used some mobile hang and hunt tactics in the past, and have often felt overwhelmed by the work it takes to do it effectively. Jake Lishen of The Land Limited has perfected his hang and hunt approach over many seasons of hunting almost exclusively in this manner. He Joined Alex and me to talk about how he approaches his hunts. There are some great tips in here that I can't wait to apply myself. 
 
Other Topics
-Finding a job you love
-Woodsmanship
-Deer are different across the country
-Manicured deer properties vs mobile hunting on public land
 
Follow Jake: @thelishen
 
Check out the First Gen Hunter Website
Follow First Gen Hunter
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Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
Follow The Hunt Fish Life: @hntfsh_life
Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
Old Barn Taxidermy Tell Them The First Gen Hunter Podcast Sent You!
My Medic use discount code firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
TideWe Use discount code: firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
Optics Planet Use discount code: fgh5 at checkout to save 5%
Camofire
Black Ovis
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel

Ep. 253 Caleb's New Podcast- The Backwoods Bulletin

Caleb joins me for a live episode to discuss his new podcast that will launch on this feed called "The Backwoods Bulletin." We discuss some of his upcoming guests along with our hopes and plans for the upcoming hunting season. 
 
Follow The Backwoods Bulletin: @backwoods_bulletin
 
Check out the First Gen Hunter Website
Follow First Gen Hunter
Instagram: @first.gen.hunter
Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
Follow The Hunt Fish Life: @hntfsh_life
Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
Old Barn Taxidermy Tell Them The First Gen Hunter Podcast Sent You!
My Medic use discount code firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
TideWe Use discount code: firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
Optics Planet Use discount code: fgh5 at checkout to save 5%
Camofire
Black Ovis
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel

Ep. 252 If You Take A Life, Use It with Hunter and Guide Anthony Williams

This is one of the all time best conversations I've ever recorded. Alex and I had the privilege of interviewing Anthony Williams, a hunting and fishing guide who has hunted most of the United States. Anthony grew up in extremely adverse circumstances in a segregated community in North Carolina, but worked very hard to achieve the life he lives today as a hunting and fishing guide. 
 
Topics Include
-Growing up surrounded by racism
-Why there aren't a lot of black hunters
-Mental Toughness
-Grizzly Defense
-Hunting Alaska
 
Follow Anthony: @completeoutdoors
Check out the First Gen Hunter Website
Follow First Gen Hunter
Instagram: @first.gen.hunter
Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
Follow The Hunt Fish Life: @hntfsh_life
Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
Old Barn Taxidermy Tell Them The First Gen Hunter Podcast Sent You!
Camofire
TideWe Use promo code: firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
Black Ovis
My Medic use promo code firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel

Ep. 251 Practicing with Bows and Arrows and Deer Season Reflections (LIVE)

I'm joined live by my good friends Tony Allen and Brent Barnett immediately following a 90 minute archery practice session. We discuss our shooting, the our previous deer seasons and our hopes for the upcoming year. 
 
Other Topics Included
-Bucks that got away
-The good old days of deer hunting in Iowa
-Shooting nice bows
-Balancing hunting time with family life
 
Follow Brent: @brent.barnett25
 
Check out the First Gen Hunter Website
Follow First Gen Hunter
Instagram: @first.gen.hunter
Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
Follow The Hunt Fish Life: @hntfsh_life
Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
Old Barn Taxidermy Tell Them The First Gen Hunter Podcast Sent You!
Camofire
TideWe Use promo code: firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
Black Ovis
My Medic use promo code firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel

Ep. 250 Bagging Pheasants in all of Iowa's 99 Counties

This was such a good pheasant hunting conversation with Nick Martin- The guy who took on the quest to bag a rooster in all of Iowa's 99 counties. Nick explains how he came up with his quest, as well as what he has noticed about the quality of hunting experiences available throughout the state of Iowa, and how many birds he still has to bag. 
 
Other topics covered:
-Habitat loss and pheasant populations
-Hunting upland birds in the Western States
-Upland hunting culture (over unders, double barrels, and gun dog expectations)
-Hunting pen raised birds
 
Follow Nick: @iowa_birdchaser
 
Check out the First Gen Hunter Website
Follow First Gen Hunter
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Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
Follow The Hunt Fish Life: @hntfsh_life
Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
Old Barn Taxidermy Tell Them The First Gen Hunter Podcast Sent You!
Camofire
TideWe Use promo code: firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
Black Ovis
My Medic use promo code firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel
 

Ep. 249 How I Learned To Shoot Long Distances

Our friend "John," yep the special ops sniper, is back on this episode! He recently paid me a visit to coach me up on how to shoot long distances as well as how to be most effective with my predator defense pistol. John shares much of the coaching he gave me as well as plenty of other tips that will make you better with handling your shooting irons.
 
Check out the First Gen Hunter Website
Follow First Gen Hunter
Instagram: @first.gen.hunter
Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
Follow The Hunt Fish Life: @hntfsh_life
Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
Old Barn Taxidermy Tell Them The First Gen Hunter Podcast Sent You!
Camofire
TideWe Use promo code: firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
Black Ovis
My Medic use promo code firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel
 

Ep. 248 Taxidermy, Hunting, and Facing Life's Challenges with Sam Gaylord of Old Barn Taxidermy

Sam is one of the people that always brightens your day. His experiences are some of the deepest you'll find, and the stories and humor from those experiences will draw anyone in. But beyond that, it's Sam's honesty that tells the best story. He is exactly who he always is. He spares no detail and in the end you understand him better, and you can see how his take on life can help you improve your own. This was a great conversation that Caleb and I were privileged to share with Sam.
We discuss business, hunting and the outdoors, hunting Africa, taxidermy and finishing life strong.
 
 
Follow Old Barn: @oldbarntaxidermy
 
Check out the First Gen Hunter Website
Follow First Gen Hunter
Instagram: @first.gen.hunter
Facebook: @first.gen.hunter
Follow The Hunt Fish Life: @hntfsh_life
Follow Alex: @east2westhunts_alex 
Follow East2West Hunts: @east2westhunts
Follow Caleb: @calebleedrake 
 
Support First Gen Hunter by shopping at the following partners:
 
East2West Hunts Use promo code: firstgen10 = 10% off any purchase
Old Barn Taxidermy Tell Them The First Gen Hunter Podcast Sent You!
Camofire
TideWe Use promo code: firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
Black Ovis
My Medic use promo code firstgen15 at checkout to save 15%
AlienGear Holsters
FORLOH
Fox River Socks
Gunskins
Tipton Gun Cleaning Accessories
Outdoor Edge
Kuiu Tactical Hunting Apparel