EatWild Podcast EatWild Media

In this episode of the EatWild Podcast, we are joined David Moskowitz, author of "Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, Tracking and Identifying Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Invertebrates." David, a biologist, photographer, and outdoor educator, shares his expertise on wildlife tracking and the importance of understanding animal behavior to connect better with nature. He discusses his tracking workshops, including upcoming ones in BC and the Pacific Northwest, offering insights into his process and storytelling through photography.
Podcast photo by Anna Machowicz. 
Takeaways
Becoming a good wildlife tracker requires knowledge, experience, and a deep understanding of animal behavior.
Tracking involves observing and interpreting tracks, signs, and patterns in the landscape to understand the story of animals.
Characteristics such as track size, shape, and depth can provide valuable information about the animal being tracked.
Having a process for tracking and recovering shot animals is crucial for ethical hunting and efficient recovery.
Camera traps are a valuable tool for capturing wildlife behavior and telling powerful stories through photos.
Citizen science programs play a vital role in wildlife management and conservation.
Quality gear, including footwear, can greatly enhance the tracking experience and ensure safety in the outdoors.
Memorable meals in the wilderness can enhance the overall adventure and provide nourishment during outdoor pursuits.
Building community around conservation and hunting is essential for fostering a deeper connection with nature and promoting sustainable practices.
British Columbia offers a wide range of dream adventures for wildlife tracking and hunting enthusiasts.

Chapters
 
00:28 Becoming a Professional Wildlife Tracker
03:59 Understanding the Story of Animals through Tracking
05:18 The Tenets of Tracking
10:41 Characteristics of Big Buck Tracks
14:19 Understanding Animal Movement in the Snow
20:28 Tracking and Recovering Shot Animals
26:07 The Importance of Having a Process for Tracking
28:04 Capturing and Sorting Patterns in the Landscape
30:31 Using Camera Traps as a Tracking Tool
33:50 The Power of Storytelling through Camera Trap Photos
36:10 The Value of Citizen Science in Wildlife Management
40:17 The Role of Gear in Wildlife Tracking
42:43 Memorable Meals in the Wilderness
45:15 The Importance of Quality Footwear in the Outdoors
47:11 Building Community around Conservation and Hunting
48:26 Dream Adventure in British Columbia
49:55 Where to Find David Moskowitz
 

The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure. 
This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community. 
As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase.
We also get support from our friends at West Coast Kitchen Canada. So stock up for the adventure season and use the discount code EATWILD.
You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.

In this episode, I am joined by hunting guide and conservationist Nolan Osborne. Nolan and I were due for a catch-up as we look ahead to the bear hunting season and the upcoming Wild Sheep Foundation Solute to Conservation and Mountain Huntain Expo.  Over the years, Nolan and I have had deep conversations on the ethics associated with hunting. Last week, a notable Canadian hunting content creator was found guilty of several poaching charges in B.C. and Alberta.  This disappointing news made some big waves in our hunting community and raised questions about the ethics of content creation in the hunting space.  In the episode, we discuss the responsibility and accountability of being legal and ethical hunters and the complexities and pressures of creating content that relies on successful hunts. 
I'll be presenting at the Mountain Hunting Expo at 2 pm on Friday, so stop by and learn about meat care in the mountains. Find out more about the Wild Sheep Society Event. 
Here is a link to our Bear Hunting course.  If you want to learn more about how to hunt me and the EatWild team, join us for a workshop or course. We have recently released a series of online hunting courses for you to deepen your knowledge and hone your strategies for the hunt. 
The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure. 
This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community. 
As always, this podcast is brought to you by Seek Outside. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase.
 
We also get support from our friends at West Coast Kitchen Canada. So stock up for the adventure season and use the discount code EATWILD.
You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.
 

I am joined by sheep hunter Mya Blackburn. Mya shares her passion for hunting and the experience of growing up in a hunting family. Mya takes us on a hunting adventure that is a wild tale in the mountains with an incredible outcome. It was a ton of fun to connect with Mya, so enjoy!
If you want to learn more about how to hunt me and the EatWild team, join us for a workshop or course. We have recently released a series of online hunting courses for you to deepen your knowledge and hone your strategies for the hunt. For example, you can learn to still hunt, with over three hours of videos, strategies, and storytelling that will help you build your skills to be a better hunter. EatWild Still Hunting Techniques.
The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure. 
This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community. 
As always, this podcast is brought to you by Seek Outside. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase.
 
We also get support from our friends at West Coast Kitchen Canada. So stock up for the adventure season and use the discount code EATWILD.
You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire.
 
Podcast Summary:Maya Blackburn, an experienced hunter since childhood, shares her passion for hunting and working with kids. She discusses the challenges of being a female hunter and the importance of sharing hunting knowledge. Maya also talks about growing up with a sheep hunting father and the life lessons she has learned from hunting. She reveals her favorite species to hunt and the lessons she has taken away from duck hunting. Maya recounts her first sheep hunting experience and the excitement and challenges she faced.03:01Passion for Hunting and Working with Kids05:08Identity as a Hunter06:01Reactions to Being a Hunter07:16Hunting Community and Friends08:51Sharing Hunting Knowledge10:20Growing Up with a Sheep Hunting Father11:10Lessons Learned from Hunting15:08Life Lessons from Hunting19:08Favorite Species to Hunt20:00Lessons from Duck Hunting24:25Father's Sheep Hunting Background26:59Preparing for First Sheep Hunt33:31First Sheep Hunt Experience36:28Missed Shot and Second Chance
 
 

Mike Bridger shares his process for finding and hunting big whitetail bucks.  Mike breaks down his process of e-scouting, placing trail cameras, stand placement and putting as shares the story of hunting Chuck, a once-in-a-lifetime buck. 
 
In the conversation, we compare the experiences of still hunting and sitting. We discuss the scouting process and key features to look for, as well as the importance of access and wind direction in setting up hunting sites. We talk about the challenges of calling deer, the benefits of using tree stands, and the differences between still hunting and sitting in blinds. Additionally, we touch on the use of bait to attract deer, the significance of security and cover in hunting spots, and the joy of enjoying a cold beer after a hunt.
 




This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community. 
The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure. 

As always, this podcast is brought to you by Seek Outside. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase.



 
Chapters

 
00:00 Introduction and Passion for Hunting
01:19 The Excitement of Camera Checks
02:25 The Heartbreak of Camera Failures
03:57 Determining the Success of a Camera Spot
05:37 Comparing Still Hunting and Sitting
07:15 Introducing Chuck and Hunting System
09:31 Preparing Hunting Sites
11:13 Checking Cameras and Hunting Sites
13:13 Ground Blind Setup
14:54 Managing Multiple Hunting Sites
18:11 Transitioning from Hunting to Scouting
20:32 Scouting Process and Key Features
22:31 Understanding Deer Scrapes
25:22 Creating Mock Scrapes
33:28 Considering Access and Wind Direction
37:06 Heartbreaking White Tail Hunts
40:06 Dealing with White Tails and Movement
41:38 The Failed Grunt Call
42:52 Utilizing Tree Stands
43:26 Rattling from a Tree Stand
45:00 The Effectiveness of Calling Deer
46:13 The Difference Between Still Hunting and Sitting in Blinds
47:07 Adapting Hunting Methods to Age and Ability
48:41 The Evolution of Hunting Methods
51:27 Introducing New Hunters to Hunting
53:10 The Challenges of Still Hunting
54:18 Choosing the Right Bullet for Hunting
55:38 Using Bait to Attract Deer
57:56 The Importance of Security and Cover in Hunting Spots
59:51 The Benefits of Using Trail Cameras
01:00:39 The Joy of a Cold Beer After a Hunt
01:03:51 The Game-Changing Gear: Ultra-Light Backpack Chairs
01:05:59 Dream Hunt in British Columbia


 

Trying to be invisible. Quietly sneaking through the woods, waiting, listening, and observing. Meticulously searching the forest with your eyes for a flicker of movement or a fraction of a silhouette. This is the essence of still hunting. 
In this episode, I am joined by my hunting mentor, Geoff Horsfield. Geoff taught me how to hunt. Geoff is a master still hunter, and I can still remember our first hunt together 35 years ago where he showed me how to sneak up on a whitetail. 
 
Geoff and I are warming up by the wood heater in the wall tent after successful day of Whitetail hunting.  Geoff share his thoughts and processes for how he still hunts. 

 
There’s lots of generous tips from a great hunter in this episode. Enjoy. 
 
If you want to learn more about how to still hunt, I released a still hunting online course which you can access on our website. It’s over three hours of videos, strategies, and storytelling to help you  build your skills to be a better hunter. EatWild Still Hunitng Techniques.
 

This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community. 
The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure. 

As always, this podcast is brought to you by Seek Outside. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase.
 
We also get support from our friends at West Coast Kitchen Canada. So stock up for the adventure season and use the discount code EATWILD.
 
You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great section of bright, crisp beers that are perfect for the patio or around the campfire. 

This is a fun episode. I am stoked to share Jenny's first elk story with you. Throughout this episode, we discuss our thought process for deciding where to go elk hunting. We evaluate the four critical parts of choosing a spot to hunt. Quality habitat, presence of elk, huntability and potential hunting pressure. All these factor into our decision-making process for planning our 2023 pack rafting adventure.
We discuss the pros and cons of hunting the three-point season versus the six-point season here in British Columbia.
Our evaluation and decision-making paid off, and we share a fantastic story of elk hunting on our pack raft adventure this year.
Please support this podcast by using our partner discount codes. 
If you're interested in learning the foundations of how to hunt elk, you should check out the EatWild Learn to Hunt Elk program - you can find that on our website or on our EatWild Thinkific platform. It's pretty cool and you will learn a ton.
This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community. 
The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure. 

As always, this podcast is brought to you by Seek Outside. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase.
 
We also get support from our friends at West Coast Kitchen Canada. So stock up for the adventure season and use the discount code EATWILD.
 
You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great section of bright, crisp beers that are perfect for the patio or around the campfire.