Legends of the Wild, A Field And Stream Production | Hunting, Fishing and the Outdoors

Field & Stream Podcasts
  • 4.1 (72)
  • WILDERNESS
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Legends of the Wild takes you into the heart of the outdoors. Hosted by conservationist, outdoorsman, and storyteller Sam Soholt, this Field & Stream original podcast shares epic adventures, unforgettable hunting and fishing stories, and candid conversations with legendary figures from across the outdoor world. Whether you’re a lifelong hunter, a conservationist advocating for public lands, or simply love a good story, Legends of the Wild brings the outdoors closer than ever. New episodes drop biweekly.

  1. 5D AGO

    Why Grasslands Matter for Wildlife; Native Habitat with Kyle Lybarger

    Grasslands built wildlife abundance long before food plots, timber cuts, and fire suppression changed everything. Grasslands shaped North American wildlife long before modern land management and in many places, they’re quietly disappearing. In this episode of Legends of the Wild, Sam Soholt sits down with Kyle Lybarger, a forester-turned-habitat specialist who’s helping hunters rethink how landscapes actually function. Kyle breaks down how fire, grazing, and native plant diversity once created productive ecosystems that supported whitetails, turkeys, quail, waterfowl, and pollinators year-round. The conversation goes beyond theory, digging into practical lessons from prescribed burning, restoring native prairies, and managing land in ways that work with natural systems instead of against them. Listeners will learn why grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in North America, how invasive species quietly undermine hunting habitat, and why native plants outperform food plots over the long haul. Kyle also explains how small-scale habitat work (whether on three acres or three hundred) can dramatically increase wildlife use without constant inputs of fertilizer, seed, and labor. From waterfowl habitat and ground-nesting birds to deer movement and seasonal forage, this episode connects the dots between conservation-minded land stewardship and better hunting outcomes. It’s an insider conversation for hunters, anglers, and land managers who want healthier ground, more resilient ecosystems, and wildlife habitat that lasts. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Kyle Lybarger’s work: https://www.nativehabitatproject.com/our-team              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m

  2. 12/31/2025

    Boat-Built Ingenuity on the Chesapeake: Crabber, Camper Boats, and DIY Watercraft

    A Chesapeake crabber turns scrap boats into floating camps, proving grit and creativity still rule the water. What happens when a first-generation waterman applies backcountry thinking to tidewater living? In this episode, Sam sits down with Chesapeake Bay crabber and boat captain Luke McFadden to unpack a mindset rooted in self-reliance, problem-solving, and life on the water. From building a camper atop a 12-foot jon boat to engineering pontoon stability and walk-around decks, Luke explains how minimalist design and reclaimed materials can unlock serious capability for hunting, fishing, and extended time outdoors. Hear how these DIY watercraft become functional tools for real pursuits, including float-based deer hunting, coastal fishing, and overnight camps in unpredictable weather. Luke breaks down the gear decisions that matter when space is tight, why every item must earn its place, and how safety planning changes on big water like the Chesapeake Bay. The conversation also explores Luke’s path into commercial crabbing, what it takes to survive as a young waterman today, and how direct-to-consumer thinking led to building a crab stand from a salvaged wooden workboat. Along the way, we dig into content creation, long-form storytelling, and why hands-on outdoor skills still resonate in a digital age. This is an insider conversation about working waterfronts, adaptive hunting strategies, and the satisfaction of building something that works because you need it to. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Luke McFadden’s work: https://www.youtube.com/@fvsoutherngirl?themeRefresh=1              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min

  3. 12/17/2025

    Public Ground, Pressured Deer, and Why Access Still Matters With Meateater’s Tony Peterson

    Public land whitetails reveal more about hunters, access, and limits than antlers ever will. Tony Peterson from the Meateater team has hunted enough whitetails and enough miles of public ground to know that the real challenge isn’t finding deer. It’s understanding pressure, access, and what actually limits opportunity in modern hunting. Tony joins Sam Soholt to talk about how obsession shapes a hunter, why public land remains the most honest proving ground, and how access programs across the country are quietly holding the line for everyday sportsmen. From traveling whitetail hunts to overlooked walk-in acres, Tony breaks down how deer respond to pressure and how hunters need to respond in kind. The conversation goes well beyond whitetails. We dig into the cycles of trophy culture, why expectations have shifted, and how social media has changed the way success is measured in the field. Tony also shares hard-earned perspective from years of hunting small game, birds, and fish, reminding us that variety and curiosity are often the antidote to burnout. This episode isn’t about shortcuts or secret spots. It’s about paying attention, respecting the ground you hunt, and understanding that access more than gear or genetics will define the future of hunting. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Tony Peterson’s work: https://www.themeateater.com/people/tony-peterson              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 12m

  4. 12/03/2025

    Chasing Mallards Through Timber: Rusty Creasey on Management, Migration, and Mentorship

    A veteran timber hunter reveals hard-earned lessons that transform everyday duck hunters into true waterfowl students. Sam sits down with Arkansas waterfowl legend Rusty Creasey to talk ducks… all ducks. Rusty has spent decades managing world-class flooded timber, running traffic on pressured mallards, studying migration shifts, and teaching new hunters the ins and outs of calling, concealment, and habitat strategy. This episode feels like stepping into the timber with someone who has lived the lifestyle since childhood. Rusty shares how early mornings in rural Arkansas shaped his obsession with hunting and fishing, why the Coca-Cola Woods became his crash course in waterfowl management, and what it took to step away and chase new opportunities. You’ll learn how he builds rest areas, why small-gauge guns change everything in green timber, and how thoughtful access routes can extend a property’s productivity deep into the season. He also breaks down modern migration patterns—short-stopping, weather trends, food availability, and how private and public land interact more than most hunters realize. Beyond tactics, Rusty dives into the responsibility seasoned outdoorsmen have to new hunters. From duck calling basics to ethical decision-making, he shows why mentorship matters more now than ever. Whether you hunt public timber, prairie potholes, or river corridors, this episode blends practical waterfowl wisdom with the kind of stories only decades in the woods can produce. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Rusty Creasey’s work: https://www.instagram.com/rustycreasey/?hl=en              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 4m

  5. 11/19/2025

    Born for the Blind: Justin Martin’s Journey from Louisiana Woods to Duck Commander

    A lifelong waterfowler reveals the moments, mentors, and mistakes that shaped his obsession with duck hunting. Justin “Martin” Martin joins Sam to trace an outdoorsman’s path that starts in the crappie boats and deer woods of northern Louisiana and leads all the way to the Duck Commander call room. In this wide-open conversation, Martin shares how early days of deer camp, spring crappie fishing, and that first foggy mallard over the decoys set the foundation for a lifelong obsession with waterfowl hunting. Listeners get an inside look at how Martin learned duck calling the hard way studying wild mallards at a sanctuary, grinding through mistakes, and eventually guiding hunts just to pay for shells. He explains how those formative years sparked his love of habitat work, native grasses, and smartweed-filled wetlands, long before he ever appeared on camera. Martin also opens up about burnout, fatherhood, and why he’s shifted toward making outdoor content that’s slower, more intentional, and centered on kids, conservation, and the heritage of hunting. From the chaos of big mallard spins to the delicate art of working pintails on a clear sunrise, he breaks down the lessons that only decades in the blind can teach. Whether you’re deep into waterfowl hunting, exploring new duck calling techniques, or simply love authentic outdoors stories, this episode brings you inside a culture built around habitat, hard work, and shared sunrises. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Ryan Kirby’s work: https://ryankirby.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 13m

  6. 11/05/2025

    Inside the Art of the Hunt: Ryan Kirby on Whitetails, Field & Stream, and Legacy

    When Field & Stream brought its legendary magazine back to life, they turned to one artist to set the tone - Ryan Kirby. In this episode, host Sam Soholt sits down with Kirby to unpack the story behind the revival cover and explore how fine art, hunting heritage, and conservation collide in his work. From deer camp in Illinois to live painting events in New York City, Kirby shares how he built a career bridging the gap between wildlife art and the modern outdoorsman. The conversation dives deep into his creative process, how he studies animal behavior to make each whitetail scene biologically accurate, collaborates with top wildlife photographers for reference, and transforms real-life hunts into timeless pieces that hunters instantly recognize. Listeners will also learn the origins of Kirby’s famed Whitetail Aging Chart and Waterfowl Flyway Prints, why authentic detail matters in depicting hunting life, and how modern outdoorsmen can protect the storytelling tradition behind conservation art. Whether you’re a deer hunter, waterfowler, or art collector, this episode offers a rare look behind the easel of one of the outdoor world’s most influential creatives. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Ryan Kirby’s work: https://ryankirby.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min

  7. 10/22/2025

    Corner Crossing Victory: Inside the Landmark Win for Western Public Land Access

    A major public lands ruling just changed the game for hunters and anglers across the West. Sam sits down with Devin O’Dea, Western Policy and Conservation Manager for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, to unpack one of the biggest wins for public land access in decades — the corner crossing case. From his vantage point at BHA, Devin explains how this legal gray area became a national flashpoint and what the recent court decision means for the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation across the West. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how public land laws actually work, why checkerboard access has been so controversial, and what this ruling means for everyone who hunts elk, chases trout, or explores the backcountry. Sam and Devin dig into how BHA helped defend the rights of outdoorsmen, the legal nuances behind the case, and what still needs to happen to ensure access for future generations. Whether you’re a lifelong public land hunter or a new angler dreaming of Western adventures, this episode will give you the insider perspective on the most important conservation battle of the year. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Hal’s work: https://www.halherring.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min

  8. 10/08/2025

    Hal Herring on the Future of Conservation and the Fight for Public Lands

    Discover what it really takes to protect America’s wild places—from the man who’s covered it all. Outdoor journalist and conservation advocate Hal Herring joins host Sam Soholt for a deep, unfiltered look at the state of modern conservation and the future of America’s wild lands. Drawing from decades of experience writing for Field & Stream and exploring the backcountry, Hal shares the real stories behind issues like chronic wasting disease (CWD), game farming, and the ongoing public lands battle that every hunter and angler should understand. Listeners will gain insider perspective on how federal policy and grassroots sportsmen’s groups intersect—and how real change happens when local hunters, anglers, and conservationists pull together. Hal and Sam discuss the power of storytelling in outdoor journalism, the importance of celebrating conservation wins, and why passing down a deep respect for the outdoors is essential to the next generation of hunters and fishermen. If you care about waterfowl hunting, big game management, or protecting the lands and waters that make our lifestyle possible, this episode will challenge and inspire you to take action. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/ Check out Hal’s work: https://www.halherring.com              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  This podcast is powered by Moultrie, the official trail camera of Field & Stream: https://www.moultrie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 23m
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4.1
out of 5
72 Ratings

About

Legends of the Wild takes you into the heart of the outdoors. Hosted by conservationist, outdoorsman, and storyteller Sam Soholt, this Field & Stream original podcast shares epic adventures, unforgettable hunting and fishing stories, and candid conversations with legendary figures from across the outdoor world. Whether you’re a lifelong hunter, a conservationist advocating for public lands, or simply love a good story, Legends of the Wild brings the outdoors closer than ever. New episodes drop biweekly.

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