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Wired To Hunt Podcast

Ep. 950: Back 40 - What Can You Do to Make the Next 25 Years of Deer Hunting Better?

Wired To Hunt Podcast

MeatEater

Wilderness, Sports

4.64.7K Ratings

🗓️ 17 September 2025

⏱️ 72 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Deer hunting has come a long way over the last few decades, but what about the next 25 years? In this episode, Jake Hofer sits down with Steve Hanson, Don Higgins, Skip Sligh, Mark Kenyon, Jeff Sturgis, Bobby Kendall, and Bill Winke to explore one big question: What can every hunter do right now to help ensure the future of deer hunting is stronger than ever? What can every hunter do right now to help ensure the future of deer hunting is stronger than ever? From habitat work and passing on knowledge to protecting access and preserving hunting culture, the group shares honest takes on what it’ll take to leave the woods better than we found them. Whether you’re new to hunting or a seasoned vet, this episode is a reminder that the future starts with us.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

I think it's fair to say that my favorite new piece of gear from First Light this year is the Navigator hoodie.

0:05.9

It was built and tested where plans fall apart and the weather doesn't ask permission.

0:10.6

This is a breathable insulation piece that dumps heat fast on the hike in.

0:15.1

It's a stretchy fabric that stays silent for close encounters.

0:18.3

It has moisture control that wicks away sweat on the pack

0:21.7

out or pack in, whatever it is, and because in the field, your plan shifts, the wind changes,

0:27.1

and things go differently than you thought they might. So when it does, when things change up on

0:32.4

you, you can adapt without hesitation with the first light navigator hoodie. It delivers unversatility no matter the

0:40.3

situation. So check it out at firstlight.com. That's F-I-R-S-T-L-I-T-E dot com. There's so much that one

0:49.2

person can do. People discredit themselves and they minimize the value they have so much.

0:55.6

One person can really change the course of things if they're ambitious enough, if that's their calling, if you will.

1:02.3

Welcome to Back 40. I'm Jake Hofer. And this week we are diving into a larger question about what can one single person do to make the next 25 years of hunting better

1:12.5

than the last. If you're listening to this, obviously, you want the world of white tail hunting

1:16.7

to improve. And so I asked all of the folks we've been talking to for the last eight weeks,

1:21.4

this specific question. And I'm hoping it sparks some inspiration. And you'll pick up a

1:26.9

couple things that will allow you to maybe be a positive influence on the grander picture of white tail hunting, something that we're all passionate about if you're listening to this podcast. As you know, Back 40 is brought to you by land.com, the leading online real estate marketplace to find your perfect rural, recreational, agricultural, or hunting properties

1:45.1

here in the U.S. Let's go ahead and kick things off with Skip Sly on his perspective.

1:50.1

Skip has been one guy that has been very instrumental of protecting Iowa, making it remain

1:56.0

one of the best states from just the simple fact of keeping strong legislation for residents. And I think that if

2:03.3

Skip can do it, and I know he would say this too, you can do it. And here's what he has to say.

2:12.5

What can one hunter do to make the next 25 years of hunting better than the last. So not collectively,

2:19.5

just one guy. Oh, there's so much that one person can do. And there's so people discredit

...

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