The Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast

Reid is joined by Hannah Leonard, Program Director for the nonprofit Sporting Lead-Free. Headquartered in Wyoming, Sporting Lead-Free is self-described as an initiative of hunters and anglers dedicated to maintaining our sporting heritage, wildlife populations, ethics, and rights. Leveraging education as a vehicle for change, and steadfastly avoiding a push for regulation or legislation, the org encourages sportspeople to use lead alternatives in hunting and fishing environments. Hannah uses data and storytelling to discuss the impact of that change and the challenges to broader acceptance. She also explores resources and tactics that can help sportspeople make the shift without detracting from success in the field, or significant impact on the pocketbook.

, Reid and gunsmith Del Whitman lean into the finer points of shotgun cleaning and care. Del describes a comprehensive process by which shooters can care for their fine guns. He describes specific tips and techniques, products to use, and how to mitigate common problems by addressing your gun cleaning needs appropriately.

In the second installment of the Lulu Chronicles, Reid explores the progress of his English Springer, Lulu, reflecting on her summer's work with Deanna and Jim Keller of Wildwind Kennels. The group discusses Lulu's progress, troubleshoots some issues, and explores the finer points of bringing a flushing spaniel to the point of steadiness to wing, shoot, and fall.

Reid joins friends and collaborators Greg McReynolds and Tom Reed in a conversation about compiling the recent book Mouthful of Feathers - Upland in America, the genesis of the Mouthful of Feathers Blog, and the pursuit of unapologetic, sometimes offbeat, outdoor writing. Greg and Tom have long been sharing their perspectives on guns, dogs, and the upland life freshly and honestly, and this new print project is a vehicle to get more fresh voices out there in the space. The group explores the challenges and opportunities presented by such an endeavor.

Reid takes a moment to pull back the curtain and describe his work: his job at Orvis and what it entails, how it came to be, and what a fall looks like from his vantage point. This explanation hopefully provides context for the subject matter of the podcast and the resource he hopes it to be. In anticipation of a coming trip to Idaho's Flying B Ranch, he also shares a writing, "Discovering the Spirit", first published in Covey Rise Magazine.

Reid speaks with Will Vogt and Tony Cadwalader, who work together to provide hunts for wild Bobwhites on Will's family ranch near Hebronville. The conversation explores the differences between quail hunting in South TX vs. South Georgia, the history of quail hunting in South Texas, and the unique qualities of hunting scrub desert bobs.

In this episode, Reid and gunsmith Del Whitman explore the language of shotguns. Focusing on a few commonly used but often misunderstood terms, Del provides both some definitions and some explanation of how the defined mechanisms function within the gun.

Kyle Green of Green Way Outdoors joins Reid in a wide-ranging and inspirational conversation about outdoor media, recruitment of new outdoors people, and the opportunity to cast hunting and fishing in a fresh and positive light to the mainstream. Kyle is a hunter, angler, and host/producer of The Green Way Outdoors, which is now airing on the History Channel. He shares his passion and his philosophies with trademark enthusiasm in this great conversation.

Reid sits down with the Orvis Hunt Product Development Team of Jesse Haller, Natalie Cullum, and Will Helmetag to discuss the development and testing process, and how new hunting items come to be. The group also runs through New products for 2023, and what may be in the pipeline for future seasons.

Reid and the Orvis Hill Country Shooting Grounds staff gather on a call to chat, talk about the Hill Country experience, and swap some stories. The group explores the history of the property, what goes on there, and what makes the experience of shooting or generally recreating at Hill Country special. Learn more about the people and the property here.

Reid uses a solo podcast to update listeners on his summer thus far and what is planned for the upcoming bird season. He also re-visits a story first published in Gray·s Sporting Journal called ·The Coincident Ecology of Birds and Men·. This piece describes the remarkable Valley quail resource found in central Patagonia, and two men, Rance Rathie and Travis Smith, who have pioneered a unique hunting program based in Trevelin. Rance and Travis are the owners of Patagonia River Guides and their story is one of friendship, adventure, and a commitment to being the finest hunting and fishing outfitters in South America.

In this episode, Reid and Rob Fenwick, Managing Director at E.J. Churchill, discuss the iconic UK brand. Rob explores the history of Churchill guns, and the important impacts that Robert Churchill had on gun design and shooting technique. He goes on to explore the current state of E.J. Churchill as a global outdoor brand, one encompassing two World-Class Shooting Grounds, gun manufacture and sales, a Sporting Agency, and soft goods· really a remarkable tale of a storied gunmaker.

Reid joins Jim and Elaine Stewart, owners and founders of Britain's Longthorne Gunmakers, to discuss the innovation, engineering, and outside-the-box thinking that has put these remarkable firearms on the map. Jim and Elaine share Longthorne's origin story while also illuminating the design elements of a Longthorne that make it a double gun without parallel in the contemporary market. More at Longthorne Gunmakers.

Reid's longtime friend Joseph Peterson joins from his farm in Nez Perce, ID to explore several philosophical aspects of hunting. Joseph has been a guide for both wingshooting and big game for more than 30 years, and has hunted across the globe. He is a consummate outdoorsman, and one who reflects continually on the scope of what it means to be a hunter. The two explore ethics and etiquette, the role of preserves and pen-raised birds, and the past/future of North American hunting.

Reid has the privilege of spending an hour talking with singer, songwriter, hunter, and Texas icon Robert Earl Keen. Having retired from the road after 41 prolific years, REK discusses settling into life in the Texas Hill Country, taking a bit more time to hunt birds and deer, and the amusement provided by a pair of English Cockers. The conversation wanders into REK·s youthful forays with a .410, the joys of south Texas bobwhites, and the magic of a good story, spoken or sung. A great chat with a lovely guy. More on REK·s current work here and via his Americana Podcast on all major platforms.