On this episode of Talk is Sheep, we bring listeners inside a special WSSBC summer webinar featuring Chris Procter, Provincial Wild Sheep and Mountain Goat Specialist, for an in-depth update on the Fraser River Test and Remove project.

Chris walks through the history, science, and results of this major wild sheep recovery effort, including the impacts of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae — MOVI — on Fraser River bighorn sheep, the role of female carriers in lamb mortality, and how targeted test and remove work is helping improve lamb survival across treated bands.

The conversation also features WSSBC Vice President and Project Chair Chris Barker, who shares how this project grew from a simple conversation into a multi-million-dollar conservation effort, and Hana Erikson, who highlights the importance of volunteer sheep counts, lamb monitoring, and community involvement on the Fraser.

This webinar-style episode is a powerful look at science-based wildlife management, collaboration, policy challenges, and the on-the-ground conservation work required to recover and protect wild sheep in British Columbia.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by: @yeti @zeisshunting @frontiersmengear @onxhunt @stoneglacier @wild_tv @schnee_hunt @precision.optics @gunwerks

On this episode of Talk is Sheep, Kyle and Hana sit down with Joe Eppele, WSSBC Director, Chair of the Youth Committee, host of The Edge on Wild TV, former professional football player, and passionate advocate for hunting, conservation, and the next generation.

Joe shares his story of growing up in Squamish, BC, where hunting, fishing, mushroom picking, family, hard work, and time outdoors shaped the foundation of his life. From there, the conversation follows Joe through college football at Washington State, a professional football career, an MBA, and eventually a path back home to British Columbia and into the outdoor industry.

At the heart of this episode is youth, family, and the future of hunting. Joe talks about why introducing kids to the outdoors matters, how WSSBC’s youth initiatives and Half Curl Membership are helping build the next generation of conservationists, and why hunters need to be thoughtful, articulate, and intentional when communicating our values to the broader public.

This is an honest, funny, and inspiring conversation about family, stewardship, communication, sacrifice, opportunity, and the responsibility we all share to keep wild sheep on the mountain for generations to come.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Sponsored by: @wild_tv

Supported by: @yeti @zeisshunting @frontiersmengear @onxhunt @stoneglacier @gunwerks @schnee_hunt @precision.optics

On this episode of Talk Is Sheep, Kyle Stelter is joined by guest co-host Jann Demaske, Chair of 1Campfire, for a powerful and timely conversation with Dan Gates, Executive Director of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management.

Colorado has become one of the front lines in the fight over hunting, wildlife management, ballot-box biology, predator management, and the future of science-based conservation. Dan has been at the centre of that fight, helping lead the successful opposition to Proposition 127 while continuing to advocate for hunting, fishing, trapping, agriculture, and responsible wildlife management.

Kyle, Jann, and Dan dive into the rise of anti-hunting ballot initiatives, the dangers of rewilding and preservationist ideology, the lessons learned from wolf reintroduction, the importance of defending all legal methods of take, and why hunters, anglers, trappers, ranchers, conservation organizations, and non-hunting allies must stand together.

The conversation also explores Colorado’s Initiative 302, the effort to establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish, and what hunters across North America can learn from Colorado’s fight.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who cares about hunting heritage, wildlife conservation, science-based management, and the future of our outdoor traditions.

For more information and to support visit: www.savethehuntcolorado.com and www.savecoheritage.org

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

On this episode of Talk is Sheep, Hana sits down in 150 Mile House, British Columbia, with legendary predator control specialist, houndsman, trapper, and wildlife management professional Dan Lay.

Dan brings a remarkable and hard-earned story to the podcast. Raised in a predator control family, he grew up around hounds, traplines, cougar complaints, livestock conflicts, and the realities of human-wildlife interaction in British Columbia. Over the course of his career, Dan has worked on grizzly, wolf, and cougar studies, responded to some of the most serious predator conflict files in the province, and built a line of working hounds known for their grit, intelligence, and ability to perform when the pressure is at its highest.

This first episode begins with Dan’s early life, his struggles in school, his introduction to hounds, and the path that led him into government predator control work at a young age. From there, Hana and Dan dive into early cougar complaints on Vancouver Island, the politics of predator management, the pressure of responding to livestock and human safety concerns, and the deep trust required between a houndsman and his dogs.

Dan also shares powerful stories from the field, including the role his dogs played in serious cougar conflict situations, the importance of genetics and instinct in working hounds, and the story of his first dog, Mike, and his first cougar hunt as a teenager.

This is the first episode in what will become a multi-part series with Dan Lay. Future conversations will explore hound lineage, cougar behaviour, wolf trapping, grizzly work, predator-prey relationships, conservation, and the lessons learned from a lifetime spent working in wild places.

This is a raw, honest, and deeply educational conversation about predators, working dogs, wildlife conflict, and the responsibility that comes with managing animals at the intersection of conservation, public safety, and rural life.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

On this episode of Talk is Sheep, Hana Erikson is again joined by guest co-host Jann Demaske, Chair of 1Campfire, for a powerful conversation with Amy Schaffer of Branded Rock Canyon.

Amy brings a remarkable story to the podcast: Olympic rower, wildlife professional, videographer, hunter, guide, and General Manager of Branded Rock Canyon in western Colorado. From the mountains of British Columbia to the wild places of Alaska, Africa, Asia, and beyond, Amy has lived a life shaped by grit, adventure, wildlife, and a deep connection to hunting culture.

The conversation begins with Branded Rock Canyon and its mission to prepare hunters for the moment that matters most in the field. From there, Hana, Jann, and Amy dive into mountain hunting, women in the hunting space, wild meat, conservation funding, predator management, firearms rights, and the urgent need for hunters to speak up, stand together, and defend our shared hunting heritage.

This is a wide-ranging, honest, and inspiring conversation about grit, wild places, conservation, and the responsibility we all share to protect the future of hunting.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

n this episode of Talk Is Sheep, Kyle Stelter welcomes back Kyle Kamp for the second installment in our quarterly mountain nutrition series as we move closer to sheep season.

With the dust of New Year’s resolutions behind us and mountain hunts quickly approaching, Kyle Kamp breaks down how hunters should adjust nutrition as training volume increases. From adding calories without overdoing it, to understanding carbohydrates, protein, hydration, electrolytes, and weight loss, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone preparing for a demanding backcountry hunt.

The conversation also dives into the mental and physical side of mountain readiness, including Kyle Kamp’s annual “Death Hike” with the EXO Mountain Gear crew, the value of building confidence through hard efforts, and why training is not about perfection — it is about becoming more prepared than you were before.

Kyle Kamp explains how to fuel long training sessions, avoid under-eating, manage hydration in hot weather, recognize whether you are a salty sweater, and plan calories for different hunt intensities. Whether you are heading into sheep country, preparing for a mountain hunt, or simply trying to get stronger and leaner for fall, this episode offers timely guidance as the season draws near.

Kyle Kamp’s annual Death Hike preparation

How nutrition should change as training increases

Why carbs matter for mountain performance

Protein needs during hard training

Common mistakes with weight loss before a hunt

How to avoid overtraining

When and how to taper before sheep season

Hydration strategies for long days in the mountains

Electrolytes, salty sweaters, and product selection

How to plan calories for backpack hunts

Fueling for low, moderate, and difficult hunt days

Why consistency matters more than perfection

Presented by: @sitkagear

This episode is sponsored by our conservation partner: @yeti

Supported by:

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

In this episode of Talk is Sheep, Hana Erikson takes over the mic from Branded Rock Canyon in DeBeque, Colorado, during the Wild Sheep Foundation Chapters and Affiliates Summit. Joined by Jann Demaske, Megan Costanza, Hadli Sorenson, and Dr. Helen Schwantje, this conversation celebrates the women helping shape the future of wild sheep conservation.

From banquet halls and boardrooms to field projects, youth education, wildlife health, backcountry experiences, and chapter leadership, this episode highlights the many ways women are driving conservation forward. The group shares laughs, personal stories, career reflections, and honest perspectives on hunting, non-hunting conservation roles, mentorship, and the importance of welcoming more people into the wild sheep family.

The conversation also touches on Women Shaping Conservation, Elevate, One Campfire, chapter and affiliate collaboration, and the need to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. It is heartfelt, funny, unfiltered, and a strong reminder that there is a place for everyone in conservation.

In this episode, we cover:

• A live conversation from Branded Rock Canyon in DeBeque, Colorado
• The Wild Sheep Foundation Chapters and Affiliates Summit
• The role of women in wild sheep conservation
• How non-hunters, hunters, biologists, event leaders, volunteers, and advocates all contribute to conservation
• Hadley Sorensen’s leadership with Utah Wild Sheep
• Dr. Helen Schwantje’s remarkable career in wildlife health and wild sheep work
• The growth of Women Shaping Conservation and the Elevate backcountry event
• One Campfire and the importance of reaching the non-hunting public
• Why mentorship, youth education, and succession matter
• The strength of the wild sheep “family” across chapters and affiliates
• A call to action for more women and new voices to get involved

Whether you hunt, fish, hike, volunteer, fundraise, study wildlife, organize events, or simply care about wild places, there is a place for you in conservation. This episode is your invitation to get involved, ask questions, show up, and help keep wild sheep on the mountain.

Talk is Sheep is presented by @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

In this episode, Kyle Stelter and Chris Barker continue their South African adventure from the Limpopo province with a story that neither of them saw coming. What began as a plains game safari quickly turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hunt Cape buffalo — one of Africa’s legendary Big Five.

Chris shares the full story of how the hunt unfolded: the unexpected phone call, the pressure surrounding an escaped buffalo bull, the patience required to stalk through swirling winds and wary cows, and the incredible professionalism of their PH, Jacques. From the tension of the final approach to the emotion of walking up on an old buffalo bull, this conversation captures the weight, respect, and responsibility that comes with hunting dangerous game.

Kyle and Chris also reflect on the deeper lessons from South Africa’s wildlife management model, the role of private land stewardship, the value of wildlife, and the abundance of game on the landscape. While very different from the North American model, their experience sparks an honest discussion about conservation, investment, habitat, science-based management, and what hunters back home might learn from other systems around the world.

This episode is about much more than pulling the trigger. It is about opportunity, trust, reverence for wildlife, hunting culture, friendship, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Presented by:

@sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

Episode Sponsor:

Stone Glacier