Episodes

  • Ep.63 | New IL Hunt Camp 2025: Mentor Hunts, Gear Giveaways, and Community!

    Ep.63 | New IL Hunt Camp 2025: Mentor Hunts, Gear Giveaways, and Community!
    Aug 7 2025

    In this episode we talk about all the new things at IL HUNT CAMP this year! We have new partners and more prizes to give away. Come hear about all the things we have in the works for you! Come and have some fun and learn something new!

    Learn more about IL Hunt Camp: https://publish.illinois.edu/huntcampil/
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Ep.62 | "All About Archery" An Intro to Archery Equipment

    Ep.62 | "All About Archery" An Intro to Archery Equipment
    Jul 29 2025

    In this episode we talk about all things archery equipment. If you are trying to spend more time in the woods or trying to be mindful while target shooting, archery might be the right sport for you. Learn a little more about the equipment and what it takes to get proficient at this amazing sport.

    Learn more about Il Learn to hunt here: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

    The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasant, duck, geese, and other game.

    The Hunting Illionis Podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to rebister for free webinars and workshops though our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Ep.61 | Shotguns, Chokes, and Ammo Selections

    Ep.61 | Shotguns, Chokes, and Ammo Selections
    Jul 11 2025

    The team covers everything you need to know about selecting the proper shotgun setups (ammunition, chokes, etc.) for a variety of different activities.

    The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Ep.60 | Affordable Out of State Hunting Opportunities

    Ep.60 | Affordable Out of State Hunting Opportunities
    Jul 11 2025
    The team covers relatively affordable and accessible out of state hunting opportunities worth looking into! If you want to take your hunting journey abroad, check out some of these options this year. Mentioned Links: Illinois waterfowl blind drawings sites and schedule released for 2025 season: https://dnr.illinois.gov/press-releas... Illinois invites residents to fish for free June 13-16: https://dnr.illinois.gov/press-releas... Dove Lottery Now Open: https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/dove... Illinois Hunt Camp: https://publish.illinois.edu/huntcampil/ AR Squirrel Cook Off: / squirrelcookoff Maryland DNR: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pag... Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt here: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Ep.59 | All You Need to Know About The IDNR Wingshooting Clinic

    Ep.59 | All You Need to Know About The IDNR Wingshooting Clinic
    May 23 2025
    Curious about learning to shoot clay targets? Thinking about trying upland or waterfowl hunting but don’t know where to start? In this episode, we take you deep into one of Illinois’ most accessible and underappreciated outdoor programs—the IDNR Wingshooting Program. Whether you’re brand new to shotguns or looking to sharpen your skills, this program offers safe, affordable, and beginner-friendly clinics across the state. Hear from wingshooting instructors and past participants to break it all down—what you’ll learn, what you’ll need (hint: it’s not much!), and how it connects to conservation and outdoor heritage. Firearm/Muzzleloader Deer Application Information: https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer... Firearm/Muzzleloader Remaining Permit Quotas: https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer... Fall Shotgun Turkey Application Information: https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turk... Dove Hunting Application Information: https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/dove... IDNR Wingshooting Clinic Schedule: https://dnr2.illinois.gov/Wingshootin... IDNR Wingshooting Clinic Sponsors: https://dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/w... Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt here: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Ep. 58 | Women’s Trap Camp

    Ep. 58 | Women’s Trap Camp
    May 14 2025

    Join Curtis and Lauren as they dive into all things Wisconsin’s Women’s Trap Camp after Lauren participated back in late March! They begin with an overview of the camp, its history, goals, and successes with camp coordinator, Jenna Malinowski, and then hear about the camp from another participant’s perspective as Lauren interviews Alison Gnesda, her roommate from the weekend!

    Trap Camp 2026 will be held March 20-22, 2026!

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092654598521

    https://wistrap.org/womens-trap-camp

    https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Trap/TrappingWorkshops

    Wolf Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BiTUPEjQU/

    AFWA Trapping BMPs: https://furbearermanagement.com/

    Remember, trappers are conservationists, too!
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Ep.57 | Mentored IL Turkey Hunt in the Shawnee National Forest

    Ep.57 | Mentored IL Turkey Hunt in the Shawnee National Forest
    Apr 24 2025

    In this episode we go over our trip to the Shawnee National Forest as we tried to get some Hunt Camp winners on some birds for the first time this spring. Hear how we adjusted to the weather conditions and came so close to bringing home a big southern IL tom. Kelly's Instagram account: / kellyintothewild

    IL Deer Firearm lottery link: https://huntillinois.org/announcement

    Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt here: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Ep.56 | Reviewing the Latest IDNR and NDA Deer Harvest Reports 2024-25

    Ep.56 | Reviewing the Latest IDNR and NDA Deer Harvest Reports 2024-25
    Apr 16 2025

    In this episode we go through the latest data provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on the 2024-2025 season deer harvest. We also look at the national deer harvest numbers as we go through the National Deer Association Deer Report 2024 and try to make sense of some trends that have been seen nationally.

    Links to both reports:

    IDNR Deer Harvest Report 2024: https://ngrrec-hunt-illinois-wordpress-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/02095436/2024-2025-Illinois-Deer-Harvest-Report.pdf

    NDA Deer Report 2024: https://deerassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Deer-Report.pdf

    Learn more about IL Learn to Hunt here: https://linktr.ee/learntohuntil

    The University of Illinois' Illinois Learn to Hunt program provides FREE educational content, training webinars, and workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game.

    The Hunting Illinois podcast provides educational discussions with experts, review of animal ecology, hunting strategies, and so much more. Make sure to register for free webinars and workshops through our website and follow us on Facebook for any updates on the program and Illinois hunting in general. It is never too late to learn how to hunt!
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    1 hr and 8 mins