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Ben O'Brien

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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Ep. 161: Emergent Hunters are Badass, Cultural Division in our Pursuits, and the Taibbi Paradox with Miles Nolte
On this week’s episode, Ben and Phil answer listener emails about badass new hunters, hunting problems with roommates, and anti-hunters in Australia. Next up, MeatEater’s Miles Nolte joins the show to talk about cultural division in the outdoors, hate-based media, and the Taibbi Paradox. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 160: The Year of the New Hunter, Phil Learns Gun Safety, and a Tragedy in the Duck Blind with Guide Armando Vendittozzi
On this week’s episode, we’re opening the new year with a pledge to all the new hunters out there, and we’re teaching Phil the NRA’s gun safety rules. In the interview portion of the show, Ben checks in with his good buddy and hunting guide Armando Vendittozzi to talk about the good ol’ days, the end of caribou hunting in Quebec, and a tragedy in the duck blind. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 159: Best of 2020: Sizzler Changes Our Lives, Rabbit Hunting with Charles Rodney, and Burying the Hatchet with Dr. Barrie K. Gilbert
In the second and final “Best of” show, Ben and Phil recap gator hunting in Louisiana, chasing rabbits in Maryland, tracking cougars in Yellowstone and more. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 158: Best of 2020: Dumper’s Redemption, Chuck Norris Reads Aldo Leopold, and the Not So Sharpest Moment of the Year
On this episode, Ben and Phil take a look back at 2020, a year that sucked real hard, and find some bright spots well beyond the riots and lockdowns. Get ready to relive the dumper’s redemption, Phil’s first poop in the woods, Chuck Norris reading Aldo Leopold, and more!
 
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Ep. 157: Running Deer with Dogs: A Paradox, Guarding the Gate, and in Defense of Hunting’s Slippery Slope with Clay Newcomb
In this week’s episode, Ben and Phil deliver the last Not So Sharp Moment of the year and answer a listener’s questions about being pissed at hunters running deer with dogs. Clay Newcomb joins the conversation and talks about hunting’s slippery slope, guarding the gate, and how to fight the anti-hunting movement. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 156: Dragging versus Quartering, Scent Control for Normal Folks, and more on Ask the Eagle with Janis Putelis
This week on the show, Ben and Phil figure out why the hell Ben can’t get on the “People from Maryland” Wikipedia page and read a not so sharp poem. Janis Putelis also joins the show for the third installment of Ask the Eagle. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 155: Two Dudes from Maryland, Old Bay for Life, and Essential Duck Stamp Knowledge with Sam Soholt
On this week’s episode, Ben and Phil are joined by First Lite’s Ford Van Fossan to talk about the wonderful state of Maryland, why Old Bay rules, drinking Yuengling, and First Lite’s new initiative Common Wild. In the interview portion of the show, the public land bus guy Sam Soholt speaks up for conservation and the Federal Duck Stamp. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 154: An Emotional Holiday, Hunting Traditions that Define Us, and Graduate Level Deer Naming with Wired to Hunt’s Mark Kenyon
On this week’s show, Ben and Phil read listener emails that just about move them to tears and talk about their holiday traditions. In the interview portion of the episode, Ben checks in with Wired to Hunt’s Mark Kenyon to talk about his relationship with his dad, the end of his show Back 40, and the psychology of naming deer. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 153: The Great THC Holiday Contest, We’re (Not) a Cult, and Scaling the Future of Meat with Anya Fernald of Belcampo Farms
On this week’s episode, Ben and Phil talk about how cool it is being in a cult, announce the Great THC Holiday Contest, and solve a listener’s duck hunting dilemma. In the interview portion of the show, Ben talks with Belcampo Farms CEO Anya Fernald about positive emotional eating, honesty in the meat business, and so much more. Enjoy.
 
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Ep. 152: Dealing with COVID-19, the Colorado Wolf Reintroduction Debate, and Why We Need Game Cooperatives with Doug Duren
On this week’s show, Ben discusses his COVID diagnosis, how he is feeling, the problem with wolves in Colorado, and how Phil is hooking up with THC listeners to play video games. In the interview portion of the episode, Ben catches up with Doug Duren to talk about his time on the Back 40, generational farming, and the need for a new-age game cooperative.
 
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