Hunting Connection Podcast

Ballots & Bullets: The SA Election Breakdown

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Shaun from the Australian Recreation Union (ARU), who represents South Australia. We sit down to talk about the upcoming South Australian election and why it matters for hunters, shooters, and outdoor recreation users across the state.

 

Shaun breaks down how the voting system works, how preferences actually flow in South Australia, and why it’s important for voters to understand exactly where their vote goes. We also discuss which political parties are showing support for firearm owners and recreational users, and which ones clearly aren’t standing up for those rights.

 

It’s an honest conversation about the current political landscape, the importance of being informed before heading to the ballot box, and why unity across the hunting and shooting community matters now more than ever.

 

If you’re a hunter, shooter, fisher, or someone who simply values outdoor recreation rights in Australia, this is a conversation worth listening to before election day.

 

You can also follow the Australian Recreation Union pages below to stay up to date with what they’re doing.

 

South Australian Page:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1aMFxzJdiP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

National Page:

https://www.facebook.com/share/17KhS9GVrk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Passing the Bow: Scotty & Khyson Stewart

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Scotty Stewart and his 11-year-old son, Khyson. Scotty has over 30 years of bowhunting experience and spent many years pig dogging, and he’s well known for consistently taking big boars and Billy goats.

 

We talk about how Scotty got started, his journey through hunting, and what it’s been like passing that knowledge on to his son. Khyson is in and out of the podcast as we record at a park—chasing a feral cat, catching turtles, and just being a kid.

 

Khyson also shares his own hunting stories, including his first pig and two incredible Billy goats: a 37-inch at just 10 years old and a 38-inch—trophies most bowhunters dream of and spend a lifetime chasing.

 

Scotty dives into some wild stories about “Billy-eating boars”—pigs that are purely predatory and will kill and eat not only kid goats but mid to fully grown goats—and his theories on why this happens.

 

We had to wrap things up quicker than planned, with Scotty getting eaten alive by mozzies by the lake, but I’m looking forward to sitting down with him again and hearing more of his stories in future episodes.

Late Starts & Hard Lessons: Building Life on Your Own Terms With Tommy Z Customs

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Tommy from Tommy Z Customs and I Like It Deep Spearfishing.

 

We dive into Tommy’s journey of getting into hunting and spearfishing later in life, and how that path led him to building his own custom 4WD roof consoles. This episode is about backing yourself, learning skills the hard way, and choosing independence over relying on the system.

Waterfowl Calling, Craft, and Obsession with Chance from Quillcreek

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Chance from Quillcreek. Chance is a mad-keen waterfowl hunter from Wisconsin with a deep passion for ducks and geese. From guiding waterfowl hunts to competing in waterfowl calling competitions, Chance has been immersed in the waterfowl world for years. We dive into how he first got started in hunting, how he learned and refined the art of calling, and what led him to begin making his own custom calls. We also talk about the waterfowl scene in the United States, the dedication and practice it takes to compete at a high level, and what keeps him driven to chase birds season after season. It’s a great chat covering hunting culture, craftsmanship, and the obsession that comes with waterfowl hunting.

Lessons from WA: Firearms Law Fallout with Olly from Rocky Creek Ranch

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Olly from Rocky Creek Ranch — a horse breeder and farmer from Western Australia who’s been right on the front line of the new firearms laws brought in after the Bondi tragedy.

 

Olly breaks down what’s actually happening on the ground in WA — slow and confusing systems, firearms branch staff giving mixed information, and a lot of uncertainty for farmers and firearm owners trying to work out what they’re allowed to keep and what they’re being forced to surrender.

 

We also talk about why the rest of Australia should be paying attention, what these changes really mean for everyday people who rely on firearms for work and land management, and what lessons can be learned before the same thing rolls out elsewhere.

 

If you care about hunting, farming, firearm ownership, and where this country is heading, this is one you’ll want to hear.

Hunting, Heritage & Kids’ Books with The Venison Diplomat

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Rob Baldinger, also known as The Venison Diplomat.

 

We dive into how Rob got into hunting, what it truly means to him, and his passion for strengthening the hunting community by educating the next generation. Rob shares the story behind his new children’s book, I Am a Deer Hunter, with more titles already in the works.

 

This fun and engaging book is a fantastic read for kids and a great way to introduce them to hunting values, respect for nature, and where food really comes from.

 

Learn more about Rob and his work at thevenisondiplomat.com.au

United We Stand : Firearm rights in Australia

The room was crowded, the mics weren’t perfect, and the mission couldn’t be clearer: get Australia’s hunting voices into one place and push back on rushed, headline‑driven laws with unity, evidence, and heart. Cody’s seed turned into a national roundtable featuring hosts from Wild Origins, Get Outdoors With Drew and Cam, Women Who Hunt, Hunting Connection, In The Dark and Bullet Points, Australian Hunting Backcountry, Nature’s Perks, Hunting Republic, and the Australian Hunting Podcast. What followed was a frank, sometimes raw, always focused conversation about protecting a lawful lifestyle that feeds families, fuels regional economies, and keeps ferals in check.

We unpack what “four guns” really means for humane shots, competition disciplines, family setups, and the ethics that guide calibre choice. We challenge the proposal to strip appeal rights, knowing due process isn’t a luxury in a democracy. We talk national registry pros and cons without ignoring data‑leak scars,

and we explain why registering barrels and stocks would swamp understaffed branches for no safety gain. The group calls out media myths and belt‑fed fantasies, then gets practical: short, respectful emails to MPs; signing both NSW petitions; and supporting each other without ego or infighting. Industry voices outline the real cost to retailers, importers, guides, and country towns, while long‑timers share lessons from 1996 and why the public mood feels different today.

This is not a culture war monologue; it’s a plan built on unity and calm persistence. We ask listeners to act locally, communicate clearly, and check on their mates. If you care about hunting, target shooting, conservation, or simply fair process, this conversation gives you the words and the steps to make a difference right now.

If this resonated, share it with a mate, sign the petitions, and send your email today. Subscribe for follow‑ups and wins, and leave a review so more Aussies can find this conversation.

Ben Hohnke: Rivers of Passage & the Making of Hohnke Outdoors

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Hohnke from Hohnke Outdoors. Ben is a passionate outdoorsman with a love for hunting, fishing, spearfishing and foraging. I first discovered Hohnke Outdoors through their TikTok, where they showcased their awesome foraging identification cards for kids.

 

With the release of his new book, “Rivers of Passage,” it was the perfect time to get Ben on for a chat. We dive into how he got started in all his outdoor pursuits, and how the foraging cards, the book, and the spice mixes all came to life.

 

Be sure to check out the website, explore everything they’ve created, and grab yourself some gear and a copy of the book!

 

🔗 https://hohnkeoutdoors.com

Why Hunting Matters: Conservation Insights with Mike Arnold

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Arnold — hunter, conservationist, biologist, and author of Bringing Back the Lions and his upcoming book Bringing Back the Wild.

 

Mike’s shooting and hunting journey began the moment he was old enough to hold a firearm, growing up on homemade ranges in the West Texas countryside and harvesting his first whitetail at just five years old. Surrounded by mesquite, prickly pear, and endless small-game opportunities, he developed a lifelong obsession with firearms, hunting, wildlife, and the outdoors.

 

Today, Mike uses both his scientific background and his storytelling to highlight the critical role hunters play in conservation. Through his books and writing, he shares the deep satisfaction he finds in the field and the importance of restoring wild places and wildlife across the world.

 

In this episode, we dive into his upbringing in West Texas, his work in biology and conservation, his books Bringing Back the Lions and Bringing Back the Wild, and how hunters and conservationists can work together to protect the future of our wild spaces.

 

Connect with Mike Arnold:

📧 Email: mike@mikearnoldoutdoors.com

🌐 Website: www.mikearnoldoutdoors.com

📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/arnoldoutdoorwriter

Calem O’Grady: The Right to Bowhunt

On this episode of the Hunting Connection Podcast, I’m joined once again by Calem O’Grady for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation.

We take a deep dive into the South Australian bowhunting ban and unpack why Calem believes the right to bowhunt is not just a recreational choice, but a fundamental human right. He explains why banning it is, in his view, morally and ethically wrong—not only for hunters, but for wildlife management, cultural connection, and personal freedom.

 

From there, we explore Calem’s journey into the world of traditional archery, including his passion for crafting and knapping his own arrowheads. He talks about how going traditional brought him closer to the origins of hunting and deepened his understanding of the craft.

 

Calem also shares stories from his fieldwork teaching bushcraft and survival skills, and how hands-on learning shapes more responsible and capable outdoorsmen and women. We discuss his involvement with Wild Origins Australia, what the organisation is working toward, and why their message matters now more than ever.

 

To wrap things up, Calem gives us an exciting preview of his upcoming trip to Africa—what he hopes to learn, what he hopes to teach, and how the experience ties into his broader mission within the hunting community.