Episode 16: Walking with Grizzlies - Jason Matzinger on Bear Recovery, Conservation & Western Hunting
Guest:
Jason Matzinger — Host of IntoHigh Country on Sportsman Channel, award‑winning conservation filmmaker, andlifelong Montana hunter.
Episode Summary:
Cody sits down with JasonMatzinger to talk spring bear season, the explosive rise of grizzlypopulations, and the importance of telling real conservation stories. Jasonshares how he built Into High Country, why he creates long‑form conservationfilms, and what it takes to produce cinematic hunting content in rugged westerncountry.
They also dive into the future ofhunting, the responsibility of today’s hunters, and how to pass the torch tothe next generation.
🔥 Key Topics Covered
Spring bear hunting in Montana
Dry winters, bear movement, andlow sightings
Rifle vs. bow for spring bears
Jason’s filmmaking origins andearly solo filming
Building a professional film crew
The purpose behind Project Elk,Mule Deer, Landlocked, Selective
New film: Walking With Grizzlies
Grizzly bear delisting, populationdata, and conflict
Conservation ethics &generational responsibility
Filming gear, Canon setups, andfield workflow
Hunting solo vs. building a team
🎬 Featured FilmsMentioned
Project Elk — How hunting fundsconservation
Project Mule Deer — Migrationcorridors & habitat
Circle of Life — Governor tags& wildlife funding
Project Landlocked — Public landaccess issues
Selective — The true meaning oftrophy hunting
Walking With Grizzlies — Grizzlyrecovery & delisting
📍 Where to Find Jason
Instagram: @jasonmatzinger
TV: Into High Country on SportsmanChannel
Streaming: MOTV, CarbonTV,Waypoint TV
YouTube: Into High Country
Episode Timestamps
00:03 — Opening: Bear Hunting inMontana
01:06 — Weather Differences AcrossStates
01:25 — Low Bear Sightings & ABlonde Bear Encounter
02:09 — Archery vs. Rifle forSpring Bears
02:56 — Introducing Jason &Into High Country
03:46 — Busy Spring: Family,Banquets, Sheds, Turkey, Bears
04:41 — Football Talk: MontanaState Bobcats
06:04 — Jason’s Son: Rodeo,Trades, and Future Plans
07:54 — Jason’s Background &What Drives Him
10:05 — Walking With Grizzlies:New Documentary
13:48 — Conservation Values &Passing the Torch
15:19 — Why Grizzlies Must BeDelisted
20:21 — Grizzlies Expanding IntoNew Areas
21:44 — Early Filmmaking Years
24:01 — Building a ProfessionalFilm Crew
26:29 — The Difficulty of Self‑FilmingHunts
28:22 — Camera Gear & FilmingSetup
29:37 — Jason’s Films & TheirPurpose
36:10 — Chasing a Ghost: The GiantBull Elk Film
Jason describes the multi‑yearjourney of hunting a legendary bull.
38:36 — What It Takes to Kill aMonarch Bull
43:15 — How to Consistently KillMature Animals
46:48 — Favorite Species to Hunt
48:00 — Elk Tactics: Calling,Water, and Strategy
52:52 — A Wild Story: ThePorcupine Killer
01:00:35 — Upcoming Hunts
Nebraska whitetails, Patagonia redstag, and a future desert sheep hunt.
01:03:04 — Solo vs. Hunting WithOthers
01:08:15 — Walking With GrizzliesRelease Plans
01:09:16 — Where to Find Jason’sWork
Social media, Sportsman Channel,MOTV, YouTube, CarbonTV, Waypoint.