5 Off-the-Beaten-Path Hunting Podcasts You Should Be Listening To

Today, more than 90 million Americans listen to podcasts each month. I honestly don’t know when the first hunting and outdoor podcast started, but one thing is for sure – they’re a hot item today. And why not? Considering there are no real obstacles to creating them, I can’t imagine they’ll lose popularity any time soon. Hunting can use any boost it can get to combat the declining number of hunters.

“I’ve found that podcasting can be the next best thing to taking a new person hunting,” said Cable Smith, host of the popular Lone Star Outdoor Show. “It’s also been an effective way to spread the word about conservation and the current events affecting our hunting future. Of course, we love to talk about hunting and have a little fun, too.”

There are long-standing hunting podcasts with massive followings, and they are so popular that thousands of people flock to download them as soon as new episodes appear. Established productions include Smith’s Lone Star Outdoor Show, as well as Mark Kenyon’s Wired to Hunt Podcast and Steve Rinella’s Meateater Podcast. Popular themes include whitetails, bowhunting, archery, and backcountry adventures.

I was late to the podcasting game. As a long-time reader of written hunting content, I never thought I would take such a liking to them. But after giving them a try, I soon became hooked. I’m a diehard fan of hunting and the outdoor lifestyle, and podcasts opened a new world for me.

New podcasts continue to appear. The common denominator is passionate hunters and outdoorsmen who want to celebrate and share their love for the outdoors. While some podcasters dream of generating a healthy income, others want to spread the word about conservation, our hunting heritage, and of course, their hunting adventures. Some record their podcasts from studios; however, most are borne from garages, basements, spare bedrooms, and sheds. In fact, for some shows, it’s not uncommon to hear cracking beer tabs amid the chatter and laughter. I’ve had the privilege of being a guest on a few hunting podcasts and have to admit; it’s fun. After all, what serious hunter doesn’t like talking about his favorite hunts, strategies, and ventures?

Amid the vast amount of rich hunting content offered by podcasts, I’ve found that many of the less-established ones are most appealing. After all, in my experience, they’re seldom about knowing it all and offer some of the best insights. These are the programs that come from the everyman – experienced sportsmen with a lot of valuable information to share with old and new hunters alike. It’s not only about successful hunts, either; rather, it’s about real experiences of real sportsmen – complete with blunders.

With new spirited hunters joining the podcast ranks every day, here are a few that have caught my attention (in no particular order) – all with healthy followings, interesting guests, and their unique flair.