Harvest Your Own Podcast Brad Fenson

Hunting is more than just heading out to harvest an animal; it’s about connection and community. Father-daughter duo Troy and Dezirae Flasch share with Brad this month their unique experiences hunting. They talk about the sense of accomplishment and pride they feel bringing home a harvest to feed the family, how their shared interest in hunting connects them, and how their experiences with local programs and resources have helped them to gain confidence in hunting and the outdoors. 
Troy started hunting 12 years ago in his late 30s after being introduced to firearms and hunting through work, a great example of “it’s never too late” for anything. Troy is still working on getting exposure to everything hunting in Canada and now gets to experience a lot of those “firsts” with his daughters. Through a shared passion and interest, they are becoming his hunting buddies in life as they learn together.

This month, Brad is joined by Sarah Marthaller, mother to Hanah Marthaller! Sarah was born and raised in a family of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Growing up, she went on many backpacking trips, winter camps, and leadership programs and has passed along her passion for the outdoors and hunting, along with her husband’s, to their four daughters who all participate in shooting sports and hunting upland game bird, waterfowl, and big game. When her daughters were young, Sarah worked from home raising game birds such as pheasants, chukars, quail, and Merriam turkeys.
You may recognize Sarah at some of Alberta Conservation Association events like Waterfowl Warmup or the Taber Pheasant Festival mentoring or educating new hunters through the Report A Poacher program. For a year and a half, Sarah has worked for Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA). Through AHEIA, Sarah has had the pleasure of being part of the great programs they provide to Albertans that are designed to mentor new hunters, shooters, and archers but also bring awareness of the Alberta wildlife and wildness.

This month Brad is joined by Hanah Marthaller, an 18-year-old from a small town in southern Alberta. Hanah has always been part of the hunting community—from growing up on a pheasant rearing farm to training and raising bird dogs. Hanah began shooting at a young age. With the help her grandfather, she started shooting homemade decoys and targets to learn speed, accuracy, and placement. All of which have paid off in her hunting career and in competition. She has won the 2021 Alberta Provincial Championship for Handicap and High All Around as well as the 2022 Canadian Championship for Handicap, Singles, and High All Around.
But she doesn’t stop at shooting. Hanah started big game hunting when she turned 12, and was fortunate enough to fill both her white-tailed and mule deer tags in one weekend, which sealed the deal for her passion for the outdoors.

In this week's podcast, Brad is joined by his brother Dave. Dave grew up in a hunting family. Dave grew up in a hunting family. However, due to a career that had Dave moving every few years, he wasn’t able to learn about the local hunting sites and species.
With retirement on the horizon, Dave began looking forward to the things it would offer, and hunting was at the forefront.
The key messages of this week's episode are that it’s never too late to start hunting and that there are valuable resources that can help you get started in your hunting journey.

"The feeling of independence is why I'm drawn to hunting." In this week's podcast episode, Brad is joined by Rose Athena, a Calgarian who took up hunting because it's "in her blood." As a teenager, she hunted upland game birds with her dad and uncles. She took the leap into big game hunting in 2019, at the age of 28, after being mesmerized by pictures of her dad on horseback, geared up for a big game hunt. She learned more about hunting from Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), Wild Sheep Society, and Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA). She harvested her first does on mentored hunts with Allan Orr of AHEIA and got her first buck this year hunting on private land. Tune into the latest episode to learn more about Athena and her journey as a hunter.

Hunting and fishing regulations don't need to be complicated. In this episode, Brad is joined by Alberta Fish & Wildlife officer Dana Kopp, who has 5 and a half years’ experience. Tune into the newest episode to find more information on regulations, their social media pages, how to contact them and what to do if you encounter an officer, and the most common questions they receive. They also cover Report A Poacher, its function, and when and how to use it.