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Ben O'Brien
Ben O’Brien is a writer, editor, host of The Hunting Collective podcast, a member of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Board of Directors, and MeatEater’s Director of Hunting.
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Podcasts
Ep. 176: Phil's First Hunt, Part 1
Follow along as Phil the Engineer heads out on his first turkey hunt.
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Podcasts
Ep. 175: Turkey Trek Part Deux, Bipartisan Parties, and Getting Ready to Rendezvous with BHA's Land Tawney and Rachel Schmidt
On this episode, Ben and Phil recap First Lite's Trek for Turkeys and read stories of podcast listeners that have had success this spring. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by BHA's Land Tawney and Rachel Schmidt to talk about the 2021 Rendezvous and why gathering to celebrate...
Podcasts
Ep. 174: Trek for Turkeys 2021, Thank You Dad, and the Desire to Possess Animals with Shane Mahoney
In this week's episode, Ben and Phil are joined by First Lite's Conservation Manager Ford Van Fossan to discuss the Trek for Turkeys 2021 and how it all benefits the NWTF. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by Shane Mahoney to reflect on past conversations, discuss the desire to...
Podcasts
Ep. 173: The Beginning of the End, Elk Don't Want to Die, and Animal Rights as a Conservation Model with Dr. Robert C. Jones
On this week's episode, Ben and Phil check in with California chapter leader Nurry Hong to talk about what's happening in his state, including an inspiring story of a disabled hunter who's kicking ass in the field. In the interview portion of the show, Ben chats with his favorite vegan and animal...
Podcasts
Ep. 172: Texas Turkey Success, Phil's Burner Account, Sit/Git versus Run/Gun, and Top Turkey States with Sam Soholt
On this week's episode, Ben reports back on his turkey success in Texas and his pure, unadulterated excitement for the rest of the season. The guys also cover the philosophical debate that is sit/git versus run/gun and update the progress of THC's regional chapters. In the interview portion of the...
Podcasts
Ep. 170: A Podcast About THC Chapters with Luke Reeves
On this episode, Ben and Phil break down the creation of regional chapters for THC and what it means for the future. The guys are joined by Nebraska chapter leader Luke Reeves to give everyone all the details they need to join. Enjoy.
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Podcasts
Ep. 169: Coyote Shootin' Folk Songs, Anti-Hunting Hyperbole, and Unpacking Wildlife Killing Contests with Cornell Ethicist Dr. James Tantillo
On this week's episode, Phil the Engineer is out sick, so Ben is joined by Brian Lynn of the Sportsmen's Alliance to talk about a troubling documentary about wildlife killing contests and the progress with our regional chapter work. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by Cornell...
Podcasts
Ep. 168: Looking for Leaders, Aldo Leopold's Green Fire, and Wisconsin's Wolf Hunt Drama with Patrick Durkin
On this week's episode, Ben and Phil check in with the amazing progress of THC's regional chapters. In the interview portion of the show, writer and journalist Patrick Durkin details the drama around Wisconsin's recent wolf hunt and why he considers it a failure. Enjoy.
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Podcasts
Ep. 167: Kayla Ray's New THC Tune, Deadly Vegan Data, and Animal Welfare versus Animal Rights with Paul McCarney
On this week's show, Ben and Phil are joined by musical legend Kayla Ray to finally hear the new THC theme song. The guys also break down the death totals of large scale plant agriculture and discuss THC cult regional chapters. In the interview portion of the program, Ben chats with conservationist...
Podcasts
Ep. 166: The Value of Mentorship, THC’s First Regional Chapter, and Hunters of Color Co-Founders on Achieving Real and Lasting Diversity in Hunting
On this week’s episode, Ben and Phil answer reader emails on the Bojangles Fraud, Ben’s Minnesota lookalike, and the Virginia “emergent” hunter who now has a whole lot of friends in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the interview portion of the show, Ben is joined by the founders of Hunters of Color to...