In this second installment of Reid and Phil’s Libby Camps Odyssey, the duo sit sown one evening with Registered Maine Guides Jeff Labree and Ben Rioux. As the woodstove crackles in the background, Ben and Jeff describe the Libby Camps experience, noting the unique region where visitors have hunted and fished for generations. Jeff and Ben paint a lyrical history of the camp facility as well, and even discuss some of the folktales and superstitions that abound in the North Woods. Enjoy.

In the first episode of the Libby Camps Saga, Reid and Phil Monahan head out from Southern Vermont en route to Libby Camps in Northern Maine. While on the road, Reid interviews Phil on his start in the hunting world and his early career. It makes for a great start to the Libby Camps and makes for a fun and insightful interview in the lead up to their arrival in Maine. Enjoy!

On the eve of the South Dakota Pheasant Opener, Reid sits down in an office adjacent Mitchell’s storied Corn Palace with three staffers from Pheasants Forever. In attendance are Matt Morlock (SD State Coordinator for Pheasants Forever) Chris Kalis (Director of Corporate Partnerships) and Erica Yost (South Dakota Regional Representative). The group digs into the remarkable pheasant hunting culture in South Dakota, the role PF plays in upland conservation throughout the country, and how a hunter can go about planning a DIY trip to hunt in America’s heartland. Enjoy!

On the eve of South Dakota’s Pheasant Opener, Reid sits down with Governor Kristi Noem to discuss the role of pheasant hunting in her home state. Governor Noem expounds upon her life story as it pertains to hunting, and she goes on to recount a few family hunting traditions that she and her family share each fall. With the Mitchell, SD Pheasants Forever Banquet taking place at the Corn Palace next door, Reid and Governor Noem take a moment to appreciate a special time in a special part of the country.

Professional Wingshooting Guide BJ Walle joins Reid in a philosophical look at what it means to be a guide. BJ, who has been a key member of the guide staff at Idaho's Flying B Ranch for nearly twenty years, shares insights on what it takes to be a professional guide, and what separates a great guide from a passable one. He is eloquent in describing the softer skills of emotional intelligence and empathy required by great guides, and he digs into the depth of skills that his job demands. The genesis of this conversation is Flying B's recent development of a Wingshooting Guide School, which is detailed at https://www.flyingbranch.com/wingshooting-guide-school. A great conversation with an incredibly thoughtful fellow.

With bird season in full swing, Reid meditates on his travels to date, his decidedly poor shooting, and the impending arrival of duck season. With that he reflects on duck hunts past, and shares a tale of one such day in northern Vermont. This story of that day was captured in the essay 'On the Black River', which was published in Shooting Sportsman Magazine in 2011. It is a tale of friendship, getting sick, and the imperfection of perfection. Enjoy!

Reid is joined by veteran Gunsmith, Gunfitter, and Shooting Instructor John Skinner for a chat about Shooting Dynamics and the Fundamentals of Gunfitting. Skinner brings more than 40 years of experience to the discussion and highlights the aspects of shooting and fitting that challenge his students most often. The two break down the fitting process into a series of steps that enable a shooter to hit where he or she is looking, and the shooting process into seeing the target and the shot string as dynamic objects in 3 dimensions.

In this installment of the Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast, Reid returns from his first hunting trip of the year, and reflects on how the bird season somehow snuck up on him. With an eye towards a season sprinkled with hunting travel, Reid explores the

Trent Leichleiter of Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club and Kennel joins Reid to discuss a range of topics including a childhood in the midwest, the value of hard work in realizing goals, and the virtues of giving back. Trent manages Pheasant Bonanza and has guided extensively as well as competed with his dogs. He also recently started a non-profit called KAMO which works to find homes for retired or unwanted sporting dogs, while also providing mentoring relationships for new hunters. Enjoy!

In his latest podcast, Reid digs deep into shot-shell development with two key members of the Winchester Ammunition Team-- Mike Stock, Director of Commercial Sales and Product Management, and Ben Frank, Product Manager.They discuss all facets of shotgun shells, including performance, construction, and the different materials that impact both. It's a great chance to "nerd out" on the nuances of shotgun ammunition with two industry pros. Enjoy!

Reid joins Orvis Gunroom Manager Greg Carpiniello and Gunsmith Jordan Smith in a conversation about the history of Orvis branded shotguns. Jordan, who recently celebrated his 40th year at the Orvis bench, looks back over the various makers who have provided guns to Orvis, and the reasoning behind the various partnerships that have been cultivated. Plenty of perspective on the quality of Spanish guns, the shifting trends of over/under vs. side-by-side, and the current state of Orvis shotguns. Enjoy!

Reid and Nick Larson, host of the Project Upland Podcast, discuss the changing face of hunting media, guns, birds, and summer in the North. Nick, a Duluth MN native and avid grouse and woodcock hunter, serves as the brand communications director at Northwoods Collective, a media and marketing company in the outdoor space. The podcast wanders into questions about upland hunting in social media, contemporary print, and the opportunity to straddle the old and the new. Nick is a great guest, and a skilled podcaster himself. 

Check out Nick's podcast at www.projectupland.com.

After a bit of a break, Reid returns to the Podcast to spend some time with Hannah Perkins, the most recent member of the Perkins family to join the Orvis Company. Hannah grew up in a rich hunting and fishing heritage, alongside cousins Simon and Charley. She tells stories of her childhood, learning to shoot, the challenging reality of killing animals we love, and eating hearts and livers! Enjoy!

Reid is joined by Wes Butler, a friend and Warden for the Vermont Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Wes, an avid bird hunter and outdoorsman, discusses his pathway into a career as a Game Warden. The two also discuss finer points of fish and game laws, access, and how to build a relationship with your local fish and wildlife officer.

On this episode of the Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast Reid talks hunting, ethics, food, and connection with noted game cook and author Hank Shaw. Hank, whose web presence at “Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook” (https://honest-food.net/) is a magnificent resource for any and all who are interested in a deeper connection to their food. In the course of this podcast, Hank describes his personal and culinary adventure into the world of wild food, and the deeper relationships that said journey has facilitated. He also offers a few choice tips on game cooking, game prep, and what the well-stocked hunter’s kitchen might require. Enjoy!

Reid reflects on the changing face of upland hunting, lost friends, getting older, and opportunities to connect more immediately with listeners. Another solo podcast, this one culminates in the reading of an essay titled 'Something Old, Something New' which can be read at www.reidbryant.com.

In this episode, Reid and his friend Doug Duren of Cazenovia, WI take some time to discuss land use, management, conservation, and access. Known to many for his additions to Steve Rinella's Meateater show and the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Doug is at root a passionate land steward. He brings to the conversation a unique perspective on land, highlighted by his innovative Conservation Cooperators Network initiative which fosters access on private land in exchange for land management work. Doug is a wonderful storyteller, seasoned hunter, and something of a philosopher. Some great lessons are leaned into, and some great ideas bounced around. Enjoy!

Recorded on-site at Orvis Sandanona, Reid discusses the finer points of shooting technique with James Ross, Chief Shooting Instructor for The Orvis Company. James lays out the five key elements that result in effective wingshooting, shedding additional light on the fact that fundamental skills and practice are key. James also discusses his personal story and current role, describing how he became one of the finest shooting instructors in the US.

Reid speaks with his friend Bob St. Pierre, VP of Marketing and Communications for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Bob articulates the work and goals of these two impactful groups while also recounting his pathway into a career in conservation. The two discuss land and dogs and the recent Pheasant Fest; a great chat with a great guest. Enjoy!

On a March afternoon, Reid shares an hour with writer, hunter, upland historian, and Ruffed Grouse devotee Andy Wayment. Andy and Reid discuss Andy's recent book, Idaho Ruffed Grouse Hunting, which chronicles Andy's love affair with grouse, dogs, and days afield. The two discuss the book as well as Andy's work with brother Shawn Wayment on the Uplandways blog, but conversation wanders deep into the world of outdoor literature. Andy and Reid go deep into their shared passion for the great and timeless stories penned by such authors as Gorham Cross, Corey Ford, Bill and Tap Tapply, and Burton Spiller. A great listen!

On this podcast Reid visits with Ryan O’Shaughnessy of West Texas Quail Outfitters. Building on an earlier podcast, the two discuss Ryan’s unique story, which began with a childhood in rural Botswana and grew into a career as a wildlife biology professor in west Texas. The two discuss how Ryan’s upbringing informed his love of land and species, and similarly how a love of wildlife can exist in concert with an identity as a hunter and guide.

Pheasant Fest is the annual consumer show and fundraiser/banquet that benefits Pheasants Forever, a leader in conservation of Upland habitat and species. While there I was able to sit down with the mother/daughter duo of Liz and Hayden Lewis of Bozeman, MT. Hayden at 13 is hoping to join The National Youth Leadership Council with PF, and she is an avid young female hunter and shooter. Liz is formerly a competition shooter, fishing guide, lifelong hunter, and in recent years has become recognized as one of the country’s best wildlife sculptors. Her bronze’s are prized and displayed in homes and galleries around the world. Liz, Hayden and I discuss being a youth hunter, Hayden’s involvement in conservation, and Liz’s ascent in her field.

In another on-site podcast, Reid spends an evening with friend and former Endorsed Guide of the Year, Mark Nissen of Classic Bird Hunts. Recorded on a hunt for desert quail in southern New Mexico, this podcast is more a conversation between friends, discussing quail hunting, Brittany’s, and Mark’s unique career. Enjoy

Reid explores his thoughts on the ideal gun for a given application. With identity as a focus throughout, he considers how the gun used in a given environment must make sense both functionally, but also tonally. This podcast also wanders into a bit of a wish list, or something along the lines of “if money were no object…” Enjoy!

In another solo podcast, Reid shares 5 tips on how to make corrections when shooting success starts to go south. In essence, these tips offer a way to troubleshoot when consistent missing starts to occur. Included are issues of mechanics, but also the more pertinent issues of mindset, and how to combat them. Enjoy!"