During this episode we dive into PJ’s work as hunting editor, his background, and what his day to day job responsibilities are. He also shares his favorite parts of the job along with some of his most memorable articles and stories he has worked on throughout the years.

If you are not currently a member of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, please join today to help support wildlife conservation by visiting www.rmef.org.

During this episode, Mark tells the story of RMEF’s humble beginnings in the early ’80s and how it has transformed into a multi-faceted organization that supports not only elk but all wildlife and all wild places. We also dive into a number of hot button topics that RMEF is at the forefront of such as chronic wasting disease (CWD), habitat restoration, and wolf reintroduction to Western Colorado.

To wrap things up, Mark walks us through becoming a member of RMEF, chapter banquets, and its renowned Bugle Magazine. For more information or to become a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, please visit www.rmef.org.

Clint walks us through why he started Skull Brew Coffee, what blends they offer currently, and how a portion of each sale is donated back to wildlife and wild places. For more information, please visit www.skullbrewcoffee.com.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!! Tune in to learn how you can win a bag of Skull Brew Coffee!

Topics Covered In This Podcast Include:

• Clint’s latest activities in the woods, Spring turkey hunting, and Summer deer preparation
• The background and the conception of Skull Brew Coffee
• How Clint came up with the name Skull Brew
• The things that set them apart from other coffee companies such as giving back, fresh roasting, and a monthly subscription option
• The two different blends they offer, Back Country Roast and Breaks Brew
• Examples of how we can all give back to conservation efforts
• How we can communicate more effectively with the non-hunting public

As an avid sportsman, I’m always looking for ways to do more in regards to conversation and wildlife preservation. With hunter participation on the decline, revenue from license sales are falling which means less money allocated for protection of our wildlife, habitat, and public lands. I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest who is dedicated to the outdoors to give back where you can, even if it’s just a few bucks here and there.

When I discovered Skull Brew Coffee Co and the things they were doing to help give back, I knew I had to get on board and give them a try. Drinking kick-ass, great tasting coffee and knowing that a portion of each sale is donated to conservation partners is totally a win, win for me.

Bold Yet Smooth Taste

Let’s just get this out of the way from the start. Bottom line is that I wouldn’t be writing this post right now if it tasted like your typical “run-of-the-mill” coffee because everything else is irrelevant if no one wants to drink it. I wouldn’t classify myself as a coffee snob but I’ve been around the block long enough to know what a good (and bad) cup tastes like and I can assure you, this is great coffee.

I tried the Skull Brew Backcountry Roast, which has a smoky rich profile with a bold taste. I’m a fan of dark roast coffee but sometimes they can be so dark it’s almost bitter and undrinkable. In my opinion, the Backcountry Roast is the perfect blend of bold and balanced, making it smooth and easy drinking. As a bonus, the outside packaging has a big bull elk skull printed on the background which I really like as a western hunter!

Giving Back To Conservation

In addition to making a great tasting cup of joe, Skull Brew has partnered with a number of organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA). Through these established partnerships, Skull Brew has committed to give back 10% of their profits to help fund conservation efforts and protect public lands.

It feels good knowing that I’m supporting a company who cares about wild places and that a portion of the money I’ve spent will go towards causes that mean the most to me.

Freshest Of The Fresh

What also makes Skull Brew Coffee unique is that each bag is roasted to order which means that you’re getting the freshest coffee beans possible sent right to your door. Again, I’m not a coffee connoisseur by any means but there is definitely a big difference from ordinary coffee.

For an even fresher taste, I ordered a bag of whole beans instead of ground so I can grind a fresh batch every morning. There is nothing like the powerful aroma of freshly ground coffee beans to start your day off right.

Try It For Yourself

Clint Campbell is the founder of Skull Brew Coffee and is also the host of a popular podcast called Truth From The Stand and has featured articles in QDMA’s Quality Whitetails Magazine. He lives, eats, and breathes hunting and conservation.

Supporting a company that gives back with a person behind it who exudes all aspects of a true sportsman is something that I can easily get on board with. If you’re interested in trying Skull Brew for yourself, please visit www.skullbrewcoffee.com

In association with Timber To Table Guide Service, Adam also runs a hunting outfit based in Unit 61 and Unit 62 in Southwest Colorado, where he guides archery and rifle hunters for deer and elk. For more information on the educational work they are doing or to book a hunt for 2019, please visit: www.timbertotableguideservice.com

Topics Covered In This Episode Include:

• Late season elk hunts that Adam is currently hosting through a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Sharing wild-game meat and venison meals with non-hunters as a way to introduce people to hunting
• His background as a high school science teacher and how that has helped shape the educational portion of his guide service
• The antler craze of the past decade and how things have shifted more towards food and the entire outdoor experience
• A previous job as a firefighter forestry technician in Idaho as a young college student
• Losing interest in the fire world and landing a position as a wolf biologist, post re-introduction to many western states
• The wolf debate and why he thinks a wolf reintroduction to Colorado would be a mistake
• Partnering with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to host a Hunting For Sustainability Course, which is a weekend long course geared towards college students who have never hunted before
• Conservation Leaders For Tomorrow, a non-profit organization that hosts people in a related field of wildlife management and introducing them to a hunting lifestyle
• The role of developing lifelong hunters and how it will impact future policy and legislation
• The North American Model Of Conservation and how it works
• Dark Timber Outfitters where he guides elk and deer hunters during archery, first rifle, second rifle, and third rifle
• How his 2018 season turned out for hunters and what he experienced with the dry conditions from the drought
• Dark Timber Lodge, which is an off the grid hunting lodge based in Unit 61

Unfortunately, I’ve recently been at the forefront of negative comments and messages for posting a video on YouTube of shed hunting. To view the video, click HERE. Although it was a low budget production, it was a video I thought everyone would enjoy, especially fellow hunters and outdoorsman because it was an epic day on the mountain picking up shed antlers. I understand that putting yourself out there online is bound to bring scrutiny from select individuals. You can’t please everyone and I totally get that.

I won’t get into the particulars as to what was said or why people were sending me negative messages but I want to highlight an important takeaway; it doesn’t do us as hunters any good to spew hate between our close-knit community. 

At this very moment, there are anti-hunting groups that are fighting every day to destroy our way of lives and are trying their damnedest to take away our hunting privileges. There are politicians introducing bills that support state and federal property being sold off to private individuals, which will result in loss of recreational land access. And last but not least, state wildlife agencies are underfunded due to declining hunter numbers, which means there are fewer resources and personnel to manage the animals and lands we hunt. Can you see why our hunting heritage is at threat?

So before you go spreading negativity to fellow outdoorsmen online, here are four agendas that you can put energy towards that will help, not hurt, our cause.

1. Educate Non-Hunters

Talking about hunting as a lifestyle to non-hunters is a way to help promote hunting in a positive light to people who may be unsure or confused about hunting. Many media outlets often showcase hunting in a negative light so it’s important to take the time to educate non-hunters on the real reasons we hunt so that we can portray it as a good thing.

2. Be A Wild Game Provider

I can’t tell you how many people I have given packages of venison to over the past few years but I can tell you it’s a lot. Many of these people don’t hunt or never plan to, but I believe my generosity combined with the irresistible deliciousness of a perfectly cooked, medium-rare elk steak can reflect a very positive image in their minds about hunters and sportsmen.

Organic, wild, free-range elk is lean and some of the best tasting meat you can get your hands on.

3. Contact Your Elected Officials

Public lands are at threat not for only hunters, but for all outdoor enthusiasts including; hikers, bikers, campers, skiers, and anglers. Do your part to call, email, and contact your state and local representatives to let them know your opposition on public land transfers and introductions of silly bills such as H.R. 621.

4. Join Conservation Groups

There are many organizations to choose from in today’s era but joining forces and becoming a member of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) is a good place to start. The money that is received through memberships and donations help with conservation efforts in the form of habitat preservation and public land access.

Let’s Unite In The Fight

If you don’t have anything positive to say, what’s your point? What are you trying to prove by putting someone else down? In my mind, we as hunters are all batting for the same team and the day we become divided, is the day we fall and lose our hunting way of life. Let’s focus our energy, hand in hand with all outdoor recreation groups to help grow our voice and preserve our heritage for many generations to come. 

What have you done to make a positive impact in the hunting and outdoor community? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

So here I am, sitting at the library on a rainy Saturday afternoon pondering the question I ask myself on a weekly basis: “Why do I hunt?” There are many reasons as to why hunting has become an integral part of my life but I opted to do a quick Google search to see why others also partake in the lifestyle I love.

The original intent of this article was aimed at highlighting the reasons why I hunt but after discovering an article on the first search page, my angle quickly went the other way. The article I am referring to is a blog post slamming hunting related activities and positioning us hunters, and the activity we love in a negative light. I would truly be upset if young boy or girl, or anyone on the fence who is looking for information related to hunting, to find that article and have it push them the other way due to false portrayal. It makes me sick to think about so I am choosing to offer an answer.

I’m not writing this article to bash PETA; we all need to have a cause. What I don’t like is people who are associated with PETA, spread slander to portray hunting as something that is a horrible activity to do. What makes this article even worse is that it was written by someone, who I can guarantee, has never hunted in their entire life, meaning they have absolutely no clue what they are writing. This is where the problem lies; spreading negativity and making assumptions on a topic you clearly know nothing about. Again, this article is not intended to start a war. The purpose of this article is to protect our hunting heritage, to help combat the negativity surrounding our community, and to help someone with their own rebuttal should they be confronted with misconceptions about hunting.

I am not posting the link due to it helping drive search traffic, which in turn helps the article gain more popularity. Fair warning…this post is a bit long winded but none the less, here is my rebuttal.

“Hunting Causes Pain & Suffering”

The article states “Hunting causes pain & suffering.” as well as “Quick, ethical kills are rare.” In my opinion, 99% of hunters in this world make it a number one priority to be as ethical as possible when taking an animals life. Taking a life is not something to be taken lightly and we, as ethical sportsmen and women strive for a quick and humane kill every time we fire our weapon. We practice year round to become better marksman and to hone our skills at getting closer to game to increase our odds of a quick kill.

This deer was ethically taken with a compound bow which resulted in a humane kill by a properly placed arrow. The deer was dead within 30 seconds after the shot.

On a different note, an example I like to portray is this: We’ve all seen videos of lions taking down a gazelle, or a pack of wolves running down a young bison, or a crocodile latching onto a wildebeest at a watering hole. Whether you like it or not, this is the reality of the wild. Some animals get away with minor scratches, some are mauled and forever scarred. Some animals die slowly and some die quickly, but what’s important to realize is that nature doesn’t care. Let me repeat; Nature DOES NOT CARE. Nature is cruel. Nature is survival of the fittest and the furthest thing from a fairy tale. Nature is death and nature is new life. It doesn’t mean this is a bad thing but it’s most important to understand that this is a normal part of the circle, and hunters, as mammals, are part of that chain.

“It’s Not About Conservation Or Population Control”

This statement could not be further from the truth. Hunting is conservation for many reasons and a perfect example is sustainability. Let’s take a step back and think about this for a second: Why would I as a hunter NOT want to sustain the animals, as well as the habitat they need to survive? Why would I not care about something I truly love? Anyone with an IQ higher than 20 recognizes that every resource, whether it’s a plant or an animal, is a LIMITED resource and without proper conservation practices, all would become extinct, polluted or useless. Hunters recognize and think about this often because animal population and habitat preservation affects our way of life more directly than the anyone else.

Hunters are in touch with population control because we are the ones who are out in the field actually monitoring this resource. Above and beyond state game agencies, land managers establish their own regulations which can be far more conservative in times of lower population and more liberal in years of abundance, yet still adhering to the laws set forth by game agencies. Why do they do this? Because they are in tune with what healthy population levels of animals should be in order to CONSERVE and MAINTAIN the resource for their specific property.

If you need more reasons why hunting is conservation, be sure to check out this article from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“Hunting Is Not A Sport”

I no longer refer to hunting as a sport and I don’t think anyone else should as well. I think classifying hunting as a competitive sport portrays hunting not necessarily in a negative light but in a way that paints a limited picture for people who don’t understand hunting. Hunting considered a sport illustrates it as a life or death, cutthroat competition between man and animal, which is simply not true. Hunting is much more than that in many ways.

One of the many benefits of hunting is providing lean, organic, free-range meat to enjoy year round.

Hunting to me is enjoying nature and having reverence for the animals we pursue. Hunting is time spent with friends and family and creating memories that last forever. Hunting is the opportunity to experience epic sunrises and sunsets, and to get off the beaten path to push ourselves further than we’ve ever been. Hunting is providing lean, organic food for friends and family, and knowing where our meat comes from. Hunting is telling stories about the successes and the ones that got away. Bottom line, when I think of the word “hunting”, it is an activity that simply cannot be entirely explained, only experienced.

“There Are Few Regulations”

The above statement is false and in fact, its the exact opposite. There are so many rules and regulations for hunting that it can almost be almost comparable to reading a dictionary. There are 50 page thick handbooks for each state and species that list all regulations and laws for the current season which usually change from year to year, with new laws being implemented on a regular basis.

In addition to all of this, each state has limited seasons and bag limits where there are regulations on what equipment you can use, what areas of land you can hunt, and how you can access it. To ensure people are abiding by the laws set forth by state game agencies, wildlife officers patrol and enforce these regulations, which is majority paid for by hunting.

“It’s Profit Driven”

Long before hunting became commercialized, it was a past time for people to provide for their families and enjoy nature. Although some of us make a living in the hunting industry, we do it for the passion and it generates a profit as a by-product because the animals have value and therefore, people care. It’s important to understand that if there is no value, whether it’s an animal, plant or any other natural resource, there is no protection or regulations. Let me rephrase that; If something is worth nothing, nobody gives a shit!

Hunting related activities generate more money for wildlife conservation than any other activities combined. That’s right, you heard it and let me rephrase that too; Hunters generate more money for wildlife and conservation than all other anti-hunting organizations and PETA combined. In fact, the dollar amounts aren’t even close. All of the wetland restoration and habitat improvements set aside for wildlife, the majority of that is paid for by hunters and anglers. All of the public land trail systems, camping areas and national parks are majority funded through hunting and fishing related activities.

According to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, “All together, hunters pay more than $1.6 billion a year for conservation programs. No one gives more!”

“It Claims Other Non-Target Victims”

The article states that “Hunting activities cause injury or death to horses, cows, dogs, cats, hikers, and other hunters” and that “Thousands of human injuries are attributed to hunting related activities in the U.S each year.”

I just have to laugh at the above statements because they portray hunting as a dangerous activity, when in fact, it’s just the opposite. Hunting has become one of the safest activities through improved technology and mandatory hunters safety classes. In my home state of Michigan, which has more deer hunters than any other state in the country, just recorded a second consecutive season without a hunting-related fatality! Read the full article HERE.

Archery hunting is extremely safe and fun to do!

Over 32,000 die each year in the U.S from car accidents. Should we ban driving cars? Over 9,000 people are injured from fireworks each year in the U.S. I don’t see the 4th of the July going away anytime soon! Hunting is safe and the numbers don’t lie.

“Violence Against Animals Can Lead To Violence Against Humans”

This is a very bold statement for this author to make by attempting to group all hunters as violent killers but it does not surprise me. Antis will use any tactic they can think of to promote anti-hunting. Furthermore, this section then crosses over to state that “Hunting activities cause violence against other animals and humans; which result in injury or death.” This is another blatant lie.

The bottom line is this; there are bad people in the world and you can’t stop crazy. There are people out there who want to hurt one another for the sole sake of doing harm. This hatred was caused due to bad parenting or a predisposition of some sort and I can guarantee was not created through hunting related activities.

“It’s Unnecessary”

We humans are mammals, and although we are at the top of the food chain, we are indeed PART of the food chain. A very large portion of the world as of current day rely on hunting as a means for survival and to feed their families. People need to wake up and realize that not everyone lives in middle-class suburbia wonderland where we have 5 grocery stores within a 10-mile radius. If you haven’t listened to the Wired To Hunt Podcast with Shane Mahoney, I strongly urge you to do so. It will open your eyes to hunting and how that plays into the bigger picture on a global scale.

Furthermore, for anti-hunters to think that they have zero footprint on this Earth is dead wrong. The pasta dish they scarfed down last night originated from a farm field of grain, which was harvested with a combine that killed many animals in its path of destruction. The house or the apartment that they live in did not magically grow from the Earth; it used to be an animals home, which has now been destroyed. The car they drove to work today is polluting our air and water. And god forbid, I hope they have never killed a mosquito because they too are living, beautiful creatures! Another great podcast episode to listen to is Joe Rogan Experience #759 – Cameron Hanes.

What some people fail to realize is that they too are responsible for animal deaths, whether they know it or not. Hunters, in my opinion, recognize this more than anyone because we have reverence for the animals. In the circle of life, it’s all about balance and hunting is a necessary part of that balance of keeping population levels in check and controlling the spread of disease.

Be Prepared to Defend Yourself

If you are an avid hunter, there’s a good chance at some point during your life that you will be trolled or attacked for being a hunter. Social media plays a huge role in bringing out the keyboard junkies who like to attack hunters for their way of life, so you must be prepared to hit them with the facts. If you need a quick rundown of good talking points, make sure to read this article from Wide Open Spaces.

Another powerful video I came across was the story of Tovar Cerulli and how he went from a vegan to an omnivore diet which included hunting for wild game. This video may strike a chord with a vegan who does not support hunting and get them to understand hunting from a different perspective.

Once again, I am not trying to stir the pot of anti-hunters with this article. This is meant as a rebuttal for the people who have no clue what hunting is, who are spewing slander across the Internet, which in turn affects our image in a negative light to the general public.

Hunting is something I am extremely passionate about and if you are as well, I urge you to share this article. Doing so could help someone to better understand our way of life and see it as the positive activity it truly is!