The Field And Stream Podcast

Field & Stream Podcasts
  • 4.2 (18)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

For more than a century, Field & Stream has told America’s best hunting and fishing stories. Now, the legendary outdoor magazine brings its award-winning storytelling, sharp reporting, and campfire camaraderie to the podcast world. Hosted by Field & Stream Editor-in-Chief Colin Kearns, the Field & Stream Podcast takes listeners inside the pages of the magazine with segments inspired by its most beloved columns and departments—from The Season and Bullet Points to Cheers & Jeers and How I Hunt. Each episode blends storytelling, gear talk, news, and conversation with the writers, photographers, and outdoorsmen who shape the way we hunt, fish, and think about conservation. Expect rich stories from the field, fresh reporting on public lands and wildlife issues, and honest talk about the gear, ethics, and culture of the outdoors. Whether you’re chasing ducks in the swamp, tracking elk in the Rockies, or tying flies at the kitchen table, this is your campfire—pulled up close.

  1. MAR 27

    Big Trout Tactics Early Season Strategies and Opening Day Traditions

    Unlock aggressive early-season trout tactics and rediscover why opening day still matters. Early spring trout fishing rewards anglers willing to embrace high water, cold temps, and aggressive fish behavior. In this conversation, Field & Stream fishing columnist Joe Cermele breaks down how to target big trout when rivers are up, slightly stained, and primed for movement. From reading water in elevated flows to understanding how trout shift into softer seams and banks, you’ll walk away with practical trout fishing strategies you can apply immediately. The discussion leans into a “go big or go home” mindset for early season success. Expect insights on streamer fishing, jerkbaits, and spinning gear tactics that help cover more water and locate larger fish efficiently. Cermele also explains why downsizing your gear and focusing on fewer, high-confidence presentations can lead to better results when chasing wild brown trout. Beyond tactics, this episode captures the deeper culture of trout fishing. Opening day traditions, stocked trout debates, and the role these fisheries play in introducing the next generation all come into focus. It’s a blend of technical fishing knowledge and the kind of storytelling that reminds you why you started fishing in the first place. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m
  2. Side By Side: Wild Game Draft Showdown: Editors Pick Ultimate Hunting Menu

    MAR 24 ·  BONUS

    Side By Side: Wild Game Draft Showdown: Editors Pick Ultimate Hunting Menu

    Four seasoned outdoorsmen draft their ultimate wild game menu—and defend every controversial pick. What happens when a group of diehard hunters and anglers sit down to build the ultimate wild game lineup? In this episode, the Field & Stream editors turn a friendly debate into a strategic wild game draft—stacking their picks with everything from classic whitetail deer and wild turkey to overlooked small game like squirrel and even exotic species like nilgai and iguana. Along the way, you’ll get more than just a list of favorite meats. This conversation dives into the nuances of wild game cooking, regional flavor profiles, and the real-world decisions hunters make in the field. From waterfowl hunting traditions to big game priorities, each pick reveals something deeper about how experienced outdoorsmen think about conservation, opportunity, and taste. You’ll walk away with new perspectives on building your own “wild game hierarchy,” plus insights into how preparation methods, habitat, and hunting pressure influence flavor and experience. Whether you’re chasing elk in the backcountry, calling spring gobblers, or fine-tuning your deer season strategy, this episode delivers equal parts entertainment and practical takeaways. It’s an insider conversation that blends hunting strategy, storytelling, and a deep respect for the resource, exactly what defines modern outdoor culture. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min

  3. MAR 13

    A River Runs Through It at 50: Fly Fishing, Memory, and Legacy

    Why a legendary fly fishing book still resonates deeply with anglers and river lovers today. Few works of outdoor literature have shaped fly fishing culture like A River Runs Through It. Fifty years after its publication, Norman Maclean’s classic still speaks to anglers who understand that time on the river is about far more than trout. Host Colin Kearns sits down with John Maclean, award-winning journalist and son of Norman Maclean, for a thoughtful conversation about the legacy of the book that helped define modern fly fishing storytelling. Together they explore the passages that have inspired generations of anglers, from the famous “shadow casting” scene to the quiet reflections that capture the emotional pull of standing in moving water with a fly rod. Along the way, the discussion moves from Montana’s Blackfoot River to the deeper reasons people fish. The conversation touches on the mental clarity that comes with wading a trout stream, the rhythm of fly casting, and why fly fishing continues to help veterans and others reconnect with the outdoors. Later, John Maclean reads his essay Fishing into the Twilight, a meditation on aging as an angler, family traditions on the river, and the quiet beauty of evening trout fishing. It’s a reminder that while the fish matter, the river, the memories, and the people who taught us to fish matter even more. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 25m

  4. FEB 20

    Pre-Spawn Giants & Public Lands Battles on the Water

    From trophy bass tactics to the fight over America’s most iconic wilderness. Late winter signals two things for serious outdoorsmen: pre-spawn bass are feeding up, and critical conservation fights are heating up. This conversation moves from the shallow flats of Alabama to the canoe country of northern Minnesota, then back to a father and son rediscovering waterfowl hunting. Shay Baker breaks down early pre-spawn largemouth bass behavior, explaining how increasing daylight—not just water temperature—triggers staging fish. He dives into muddy water bass strategies, slow-rolling spinnerbaits through wood cover, dialing in flat-sided crankbaits, and when to lean on a lipless crankbait, finesse jig, or Ned rig. You’ll hear why cold-water bass group tightly along creek channels and shallow structure, and why this window offers your best shot at a true giant. The focus then shifts north to the future of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where proposed copper sulfide mining near the edge of this 1.1-million-acre wilderness threatens world-class fishing for lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike, along with grouse woods and whitetail habitat. It’s a reminder that hunting and fishing access depends on vigilance as much as skill. The episode closes around the campfire with a moving father-son waterfowl story—proof that duck hunting isn’t just about limits, but legacy. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m

  5. JAN 23

    Dangerous Ducks, Wild Game Drafts, and a Broken-Arm Saving Pheasant Season

    From king eiders to campfire stories, this episode captures the full spectrum of hunting culture. The Field & Stream editorial team brings together the kind of range that defines modern hunting culture, moving from extreme waterfowl pursuits to campfire debates and classic upland storytelling. The conversation opens with a firsthand account of sea duck hunting in Alaska, where chasing king eiders on the edge of the Bering Sea tests judgment, preparation, and respect for conditions that dictate every decision. It’s a reminder that some waterfowl hunts demand the mindset of a big game expedition. From there, the focus shifts indoors as the Field & Stream editorial crew squares off in a wild game draft, breaking down their favorite big game, waterfowl, upland birds, small game, and even fish. The debate reveals how taste, tradition, regional access, and cooking methods shape what hunters value most on the table, offering listeners plenty of ideas for wild game meals and future hunts. The episode closes around the campfire with a modern classic upland hunting story by Phil Bourjaile titled “Lucky Break”, following a pheasant season nearly derailed by injury. It’s a grounded reminder that hunting isn’t just about limits or trophies, but about savoring time afield, trusting good dogs, and appreciating seasons that almost slip away. Taken together, these segments paint a complete picture of the hunting life, equal parts adventure, camaraderie, food, and storytelling, rooted in hard-earned experience and deep respect for the outdoors. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 14m
  6. Lost Souls: A Campfire Segment By Field And Stream

    JAN 19 ·  BONUS

    Lost Souls: A Campfire Segment By Field And Stream

    We’re revisiting “Lost Soul” this week, one of the most powerful hunting essays ever published in the magazine’s archives. Written by Scott Bestial and read by his longtime editor and friend Dave Hurteau, the story unfolds during a brutal late-season whitetail hunt marked by deep snow, bitter wind, and the quiet weight of personal upheaval. What begins as a familiar deer hunting scenario—spooked does, a cold tree stand, and low odds, quickly becomes something deeper. Through bowhunting whitetails in December, Scott explores how time spent outdoors can intersect with grief, divorce, and emotional numbness. The hunt itself becomes less about antlers and more about awareness: watching matriarch does, reading winter deer behavior, and confronting what draws us back to the woods when motivation is thin. Listeners will hear insider reflections on late-season bowhunting tactics, whitetail herd dynamics, and the mental grind of winter hunting. More importantly, they’ll come away with a reminder of why hunting matters beyond tags filled the way wild places can ground us, challenge us, and, at times, give something back when we least expect it. This is a conversation, and a story, for hunters who understand that the outdoors often teaches its hardest lessons quietly, from a stand overlooking a frozen field. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know the author, Richard Mann: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/richard-mann              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/  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Christmas Bells 1 by Cloud-10 -- https://freesound.org/s/536251/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Jingle bells.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/110158/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Deck The Halls - Christmas jingle played with bells by Ihaksi -- https://freesound.org/s/411420/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 DeerWalking.WAV by Damsteegt -- https://freesound.org/s/553116/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Deer2.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/58661/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Indian Springs State Park Night Insects Soundscape 3.21.17 .wav by GnomeKid -- https://freesound.org/s/388016/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Walking in snow #1 by musicbrain -- https://freesound.org/s/215690/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 SHOOTING_ARROW_SINGLE_ARCHERY_FOLEY_03.wav by JoeDinesSound -- https://freesound.org/s/534953/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    14 min
  7. The Gun And The Ghost: A Campfire Segment By Field And Stream

    JAN 5 ·  BONUS

    The Gun And The Ghost: A Campfire Segment By Field And Stream

    One rifle, one deer, and generations of memory reveal what really matters in deer season. Writer and lifelong hunter Richard Mann reads and reflects on his modern classic, The Gun and the Ghost. What begins as a simple deer hunting story unfolds into something deeper; an exploration of memory, family, and the emotional weight we carry into the woods each fall. Mann uses the guns of his past as touchstones, objects that connect him to family, memory, and the moments that made him a hunter. The story isn’t about performance or preference, but about the emotional weight certain tools carry long after the season ends. Listeners will walk away with a renewed perspective on deer hunting, one rooted in connection rather than caliber. This episode touches on classic rifles, heirloom firearms, ethical hunting, and the quiet moments that define life in the outdoors. It’s a reminder that hunting isn’t just about filling a tag; it’s about honoring where we came from, who taught us, and why we keep returning to the mountains, timber, and old camps year after year. Whether you’re passionate about whitetail hunting, fascinated by classic firearms, or simply drawn to powerful outdoor storytelling, this episode delivers the kind of reflection that lingers long after the fire burns down. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know the author, Richard Mann: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/richard-mann              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/  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: Editing and sound design by Trout Stream Studios AMBForst-Summer_early morning woods, birds, crickets, snapping twigs, 630AM_QCF_Mammoth Cave KY_Zoom H2n Surround Binaural Mixdown by treytatum3 -- https://freesound.org/s/819335/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Apple_Crunch_13.wav by Koops -- https://freesound.org/s/20276/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Biting an apple.wav by Elandre01 -- https://freesound.org/s/594383/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Apple Cut and bite by sonictimm -- https://freesound.org/s/712209/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 A rifle gun shot by 1234Thekrebwgus -- https://freesound.org/s/686074/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Sniper Rifle Shot Sound Effect by qubodup -- https://freesound.org/s/182051/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 min
  8. Duck Cathedrals, Public Land Victories, and a Trout River That Saves

    12/31/2025

    Duck Cathedrals, Public Land Victories, and a Trout River That Saves

    Flooded timber duck hunts, hard-won conservation victories, and one trout river that carried a man through grief. Flooded timber duck hunting has long been considered one of waterfowling’s most spiritual traditions and comes fully alive as Host Colin Kearns sits down with legendary outdoor writer T. Edward Nickens to talk about green tree reservoirs, the culture and history behind timber duck hunts, and why standing waist-deep among ancient oaks feels more like a rite of winter than a morning hunt. From Arkansas bottomlands to Mississippi backwaters, Nickens explains what makes a great timber day, how ducks work the woods, and why proper management is critical to preserving these places for future generations. Next, Field & Stream News Editor Travis Hall joins the show to break down the best conservation good news stories of 2025. From major public land sell-offs being stopped, to landmark corner-crossing victories, to salmon returning to long-blocked waters, this segment is a reminder that hunters and anglers still have real power when they speak up. The episode closes with a deeply personal Campfire reading. Colin shares his essay My Home Waters, a year-long trout fishing journey that becomes a story of grief, healing, and why certain rivers stay with us forever. This is Field & Stream storytelling at its finest; grounded in wild places, conservation wins, and the quiet power of water. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              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/  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: WATRMvmt_Outdoor, Small River, Wading Through water Though a Tunnel, Tascam DR-05X, Mono, 48Khs, 24 bit_JW Audio by JW_Audio -- https://freesound.org/s/803664/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Wading in Shallow Water.wav by ryansitz -- https://freesound.org/s/342932/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Wading through water.flac by guyburns -- https://freesound.org/s/320430/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Askeleet vedessä / Footsteps, wading, walking in the water, puddle, slush by YleArkisto -- https://freesound.org/s/368673/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 waterfront river spring 05 200418_0154.wav by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/555975/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Fish Release.mp3 by caitlynbananas -- https://freesound.org/s/563592/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Trout splashing after being caught by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/592784/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Fly fishing Stripping line out by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/641702/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Fly Fishing Reel Running_1.wav by paulprit -- https://freesound.org/s/507098/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min
See All (17)

4.2
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

For more than a century, Field & Stream has told America’s best hunting and fishing stories. Now, the legendary outdoor magazine brings its award-winning storytelling, sharp reporting, and campfire camaraderie to the podcast world. Hosted by Field & Stream Editor-in-Chief Colin Kearns, the Field & Stream Podcast takes listeners inside the pages of the magazine with segments inspired by its most beloved columns and departments—from The Season and Bullet Points to Cheers & Jeers and How I Hunt. Each episode blends storytelling, gear talk, news, and conversation with the writers, photographers, and outdoorsmen who shape the way we hunt, fish, and think about conservation. Expect rich stories from the field, fresh reporting on public lands and wildlife issues, and honest talk about the gear, ethics, and culture of the outdoors. Whether you’re chasing ducks in the swamp, tracking elk in the Rockies, or tying flies at the kitchen table, this is your campfire—pulled up close.

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