Dan Gardoqui — nature-based mentor and bird language expert — joins us to share how bird language and tracking can not only make you a better hunter but also improve the richness of your experience in the field. Talking with birds is being in conversation with the wild, Dan says, and it will make you more conscious of how you move through the woods. In this fascinating conversation — complete with Dan's bird calls and squirrel alarm sounds — he shares how birds can reveal nature's secrets and provides actionable tips to get you started in learning bird language and tracking.
Read MoreWe hosted new hunters Martissa Williams and Rod Coleman in Maine to guide them on their inaugural hunt. During their visit, we explored how race can create unique barriers to entry when starting out in hunting. Hunting is a shared evolutionary and ecological food acquisition pattern of all of humankind, and we hope this conversation can open dialogue on how we as hunters can make sure that everyone who wants it can easily find a pathway to this ancient but relevant practice.
Read MoreEd Butler aka the Working Class Woodsman is a skilled woodsman with a lifetime of knowledge from time spent in the woods. He's a native of rural New Hampshire and is passionate about all things hunting, harvesting, foraging, and fishing in the Northeast. We had a great time sitting down to talk with Ed about what his wild food year looks like — an impressive array of species, including black bears, bass, beavers, and more. We also chat about the value in processing your own game, persisting through failure in the field, specializing vs generalizing in hunting, and pro-tips on cooking squirrel and beaver. Enjoy!
Read MoreEmma Teal Laukitis and Claire Neaton — the Salmon Sisters — grew up on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska where they've worked on their family's commercial fishing boats since they were young. In this episode, Emma and Claire give us a glimpse into their inspiring and unique seafaring lifestyle. They share about the Alaskan salmon fishery, the role of women in commercial fisheries today, and the ins and outs of the industry. At the heart of their message is a deep appreciation for their coastal heritage and creating meaningful relationships to wild places through fishing and food.
Read MoreThe close bond between humans and dogs is undeniable. But how did our stories become so intertwined? David Ian Howe — anthropologist, archaeologist & science educator — studies the relationship between dogs and humans, and he joins us to share how dogs became domesticated. Tune in to hear how this story unfolds from the early human-wolf relationship all the way up to our modern times with hundreds of breeds of the domestic dog. Daniel also shares about his unique experiences hunting with dogs, including his own Plott Hound, Ellie.
Read MoreArthur Haines — botanist, forager & Maine Guide — is back on The WildFed Podcast! "We are pieces of a complex web," says Arthur in this intimate and powerful conversation. From describing their stories of miscarriage and the loss of a newborn to recounting their experiences hunting black bear, Daniel and Arthur cover some pretty personal and thought-provoking territory on the topics of birth, life, death, and the ethics of killing.
Read MoreWhile filming with our friend Lori McCarthy in Newfoundland, we sat down for a roundtable discussion with Lori and local artisan Clare Dawn Fowler. Lori has dedicated her life to preserving the cultural food heritage of Newfoundland, and Clare creates sustainably beautiful designs using Newfoundland harp seal leather and fur. In this episode, we explore Newfoundland's cultural heritage, specifically the long-standing tradition of seal hunting. Quite controversial in some parts of the world, in Newfoundland, seal hunting is an integral part of who they are. Clare and Lori share the story of the local seal hunt, the many uses of seal throughout their culture, and the importance of traditions like this one being preserved for future generations.
Read MoreBen Goldfarb is an award-winning environmental writer and the author of Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter. Ben's expansive knowledge on the deeply misunderstood beaver, their profound positive impacts on ecosystems, and how they've shaped our history will re-orient your view of North America, and with any luck, convert you into a Beaver Believer. In this episode, Ben takes us through the captivating history of beavers from their Pleistocene roots to their near extirpation during the “fur-pocalypse” to modern restoration efforts — with lots of fascinating facts about the industrious beaver along the way.
Read MoreAfter an afternoon of tasting wild apples, we sat down to talk with apple enthusiast, author, forager and arborist Matt Kaminsky, aka Gnarly Pippins. Matt teaches us about the apple’s “extreme heterozygosity,” a trait that leads to the incredible genetic variation we see in their wild fruits. We recorded this conversation at Red Kill Mountain — the largest wild apple savanna in New York. In this episode, Matt will guide you through the world of wild apples — from pippins to prohibition and everything in between. And there’s some good tips for foragers too. With apple season fast approaching, now’s the perfect time to get up to speed before you get out on the land!
Read More"As foragers, we need to be gardeners," says Ben Falk — regenerative ecosystem architect and founder of Whole Systems Design. In this insightful conversation, Ben shares how we in the wild food world can be agents for good on the landscape. He discusses strategies for creating habitat for wildlife right where you live — building resilient living systems that attract wildlife and allow wild plant populations to flourish. We also discuss sustainable foraging, our responsibility to tend the wild, Ben's essential daily tools, and why beaver should really be a verb.
Read MoreClay Bowers is a foraging instructor and wild food generalist based in Northern Michigan. He aims to inspire people to become integrated with their local ecology through foraging and leads foraging classes locally. In this conversation, Clay and Daniel reflect on some of their favorite wild food endeavors, including sucker fishing, squirrel hunting, and trapping. Clay also has some thought-provoking ideas on how foragers can infuse a bit more soul and story-telling into their writing. Enjoy!
Read MoreJennifer Frazer is a prolific freelance science writer and ardent Under-Loved Lifeform Enthusiast. Join us as we unpack some of our world's lesser-known — but truly fascinating — organisms. Jennifer has dedicated her life to sharing her excitement about the amazing creatures that share this planet with us. In this episode, you'll learn about the lichen fungal co-op, the complexities of classifying organisms, the amazing abilities of slime molds, immortal bacteria, and why you might not want to eat brains.
Read MoreBruce McGlenn is a third generation hunter-gatherer of the Northwest and founder of Human Nature Hunting — a Washington-based school dedicated to healing the connection between humans and nature through hunting and gathering. In this episode, we get to the heart of the ancestral practice of hunting and take a look at where it's going into the future. Bruce and I have a thoughtful conversation on perceptions of hunting, diligence in butchering, newcomers to the hunting world, and the importance of being a good steward of life and death. Bruce is an incredible resource for those just getting started on their hunting journeys!
Read MoreJohn Slattery — bioregional herbalist, forager, educator, and author — is passionate about helping people develop deep and meaningful relationships with wild plants. In this episode, we delve into the medicinal side of wild plants and hear about John’s personal journey along the plant medicine path in the desert southwest. His approach is grounded in traditional indigenous knowledge and years of hands-on experience. This conversation will leave you inspired to deepen your connection to your local flora... and, perhaps, view plants with a bit more wonder.
Read MoreTune into this special edition of The WildFed Podcast for a spring turkey hunt recap from six hunters — some seasoned turkey hunters and some just starting out — including a few familiar voices. From the calls and the shots to missed opportunities and amusing predicaments to a young boy's first turkey hunt and the hunt from a perspective of a state turkey biologist — this episode is packed with insights! Our guests include Carter Heath, Christi Holmes, Justin King, Kevin Merrow, Kelsey Sullivan, and our podcast host Daniel Vitalis. An enjoyable and informative listen for avid turkey hunters and beginners alike!
Read MoreAdam Haritan is the nature enthusiast behind Learn Your Land — a media channel dedicated to plant and mushroom ID, wild food harvesting, and the benefits of nature connection. Daniel and Adam have a lively conversation on all things wild food, including why you should get to know non-edible wild species, understanding wild mushrooms, the future of foraging regulations, why so many mushroom foragers are "psychedelic people," how hunting changes nature interaction, and more. Adam's enthusiasm is sure to inspire you to deepen your connection to your local landscape!
Read MoreWe had the serendipitous opportunity to sit down with local Maine legend and State Bear Biologist Randy Cross just as he was ending an illustrious 37-year career leading the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife black bear management and monitoring program. A guide and mentor at heart, Randy shares his profound wisdom and insights into black bear history, behavior, ecology, and his forecast for bear-human coexistence into the future. A must-listen for anyone interested in bear ecology and the conservation of all wild species, especially this incredible omnivore.
Read MoreDaniel had a great time chatting with Wade Truong and Rachel Owen — the charismatic duo behind Elevated Wild, a brand dedicated to hunting, fishing, foraging and exploring the untamed table. Rachel and Wade are based in Virginia, where, they say, "it's a great place to be a wild foods generalist." We take a walk through their wild food year and hear about the many different species these two get after — Snakehead, Sika Deer & Cobia to name a few. Their innovative culinary creations and cooking tips are sure to inspire you to take your wild food cooking game to the next level!
Read MoreMicah Woodcock is a wild seaweed harvester and the owner of Atlantic Holdfast Seaweed Company. His life is intimately intertwined with the marine ecosystem where he sustainably hand-harvests these nutritious sea vegetables. Tune into this interview for Micah’s sustainable harvesting techniques, the wild world of seaweed politics, a fascinating discussion on developing a relationship to place, and much more. If you eat seaweed, want to, or best of all, are interested in procuring your own supply, this interview is not to be missed!
Read MoreAfter a week spent offshore fishing and wild hog hunting in Georgia, we sat down with our gracious host Tony Seichrist — lifelong fisherman and chef at The Wyld — for a wide-ranging conversation you do not want to miss. Tony is something of a renaissance man, and his journey to becoming a chef is both fascinating and inspiring. We also get into the local sheepshead fishery, Tony's pro fish cooking tips, knife skills, being a generalist, and a recap of our memorable Georgia hunting and fishing adventures.
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