Episode 253: Storytelling, Stewardship, and the Son of a Blitch

Episode 257: E-Bikes in the Hunting World with Wayne Arrington

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," we are joined by Wayne Arrington, an accomplished entrepreneur, inventor, and owner of Arride Bikes in Tomball, Texas. We dive into Wayne's impressive multi-decade career launching and managing a diverse portfolio of successful companies, and his deep-rooted passion for serving the greater Houston area and outdoor community. The discussion details Wayne’s extensive entrepreneurial journey, spanning seven distinct businesses across technology, healthcare, hospitality, martial arts, and retail. Wayne shares how his inventor mindset—which led him to patent "The Board Breaker" training device—and his discipline as a Second-Degree Black Belt in Songahm Taekwondo have shaped his approach to business. We explore what ultimately inspired him to merge his leadership experience with his love for the outdoors, leading to the creation of Arride Bikes. Finally, we explore how electric bikes are revolutionizing the outdoor mobility market for hunters, ranchers, and landowners. We discuss the tangible advantages e-bikes offer over traditional ATVs, from minimizing scent and noise to reducing habitat damage and fuel usage. Wayne shares powerful stories of how this technology is keeping aging outdoorsmen active in the field, making land management more efficient, and preserving traditional hunting ethics for the next generation. Learn more about Arride Bikes and Wayne's work: Website: https://arridebikes.com/ [https://arridebikes.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arride-bikes-llc/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/arride-bikes-llc/%3FviewAsMember%3Dtrue] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552208547220 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php%3Fid%3D61552208547220] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayne.arrington/ [https://www.instagram.com/wayne.arrington/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsbpnrf7L_QU2DQswiRmm1Q [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsbpnrf7L_QU2DQswiRmm1Q] Houston Safari Club Foundation: https://wehuntwegive.org/ [https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwehuntwegive.org%2F]

Episode 256: A Cowboy in the Woods featuring Wayne T. Saunders

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," we are joined by Wayne T. Saunders, retired Lieutenant Conservation Officer with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and current Executive Director of International Wildlife Crimestoppers. We dive into Wayne’s distinguished 23-year career patrolling New Hampshire’s rugged Great North Woods and his lifelong dedication to protecting natural resources. The discussion details how Wayne found his "calling" at the age of six after a life-changing childhood encounter with a game warden on an old logging road. Wayne recounts his journey beginning in 1995, building a reputation for relentless dedication while apprehending poachers, leading search and rescue missions, and rising through the ranks. He also bravely shares the story of being shot in the line of duty in 1997 while attempting to apprehend a murderer, and his resilient return to service. Finally, we explore how retirement has not slowed him down. We discuss his work as founder and host of the Warden’s Watch Podcast, his role mentoring the next generation as Conservation Law Coordinator at White Mountains Community College, and his children's book A Cowboy in the Woods. Wayne shares insights on the global fight against wildlife crime and his enduring mission to advocate for ethical conservation. Learn more about International Wildlife Crimestoppers and Wayne's work: Website: https://wildlifecrimestoppers.org/ [https://wildlifecrimestoppers.org/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildlifecrimestoppers [https://www.facebook.com/wildlifecrimestoppers] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCC7t1DEomJnfX8LtwI_8cQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCC7t1DEomJnfX8LtwI_8cQ] Houston Safari Club Foundation: https://wehuntwegive.org/

Episode 255: Redefining the Optics Industry-Jon Allen on Faith, Family, and TRACT Optics

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," we are joined by Jon Allen, Co-Founder of TRACT Optics. We dive into Jon’s decades-long career in the sporting optics industry and explore how his early roles at Gart Bros. Sporting Goods, Redfield, and Nikon shaped his vision for premium, performance-driven gear. Born in Washington and raised across Utah and Colorado, Jon’s childhood exploring the Rocky Mountains sparked a lifelong calling to the outdoors. The discussion details his journey through the ranks of the optics business—from mastering manufacturing and engineering at Redfield to serving as General Manager at Nikon—before ultimately breaking away from the corporate world to launch TRACT Optics with co-founder Jon LaCorte. We explore how they disrupted the industry by building a direct-to-consumer model focused 100% on the needs of the outdoor enthusiast. Finally, we explore Jon's personal side, discussing the vital role his family and faith play in his life and business culture. We delve into his guiding philosophy of putting the customer first and his enduring dedication to providing hunters and outdoorsmen with unmatched quality, value, and product support. Learn more about TRACT Optics: * Website: https://tractoptics.com/ [https://tractoptics.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tractoptics/ [https://www.facebook.com/tractoptics/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tract_optics/ [https://www.instagram.com/tract_optics/] * X (Twitter): https://x.com/TractOptics [https://x.com/TractOptics] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1yLBCLXbxFUGYnvY1nCbA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1yLBCLXbxFUGYnvY1nCbA] Houston Safari Club Foundation: https://wehuntwegive.org/ [https://wehuntwegive.org/]

Episode 254: Kevin Comiskey on Career, Community Service, and the Outdoors

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," we are joined in studio by Kevin Comiskey, Senior VP and Partner at Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates. We dive into Kevin's 25-year career at the firm and how his early roles at American Linen, Silver Eagle Distributors, and Trinity Industries shaped his approach to leadership. Raised in Houston, Kevin attended Colorado State University and worked in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota before returning to Texas. The discussion explores his deep commitment to wildlife conservation, serving as a Life Member, Past President of the Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF), and current Executive Committee member and Convention Chairman for the Texas Wildlife Association. Additionally, Kevin is a long-time volunteer for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Finally, we explore Kevin's personal side, discussing his life with his wife Amy, their three sons, and German Shorthaired Pointer. We delve into their family's retreat at Rocking C South Ranch in Cotulla, Texas, discussing the values of stewardship and the family's shared love of hunting and sporting clays. Houston Safari Club Foundation: https://wehuntwegive.org/ [https://wehuntwegive.org/]

Episode 253: Storytelling, Stewardship, and the Son of a Blitch

In this episode of "Hunting Matters," we are joined in studio by George Bowe Blitch, a fifth-generation Texan whose life and career defy a single job title. As the host of the Son of a Blitch Podcast, George has become a leading voice in long-form storytelling, uncovering the personal journeys of extraordinary people across the worlds of hunting, conservation, music, and adventure. From his early days documenting Indigenous elders with National Geographic writer Harvey Arden to his time as a touring musician and wildlife manager, George’s path has been driven by a singular belief: the world is full of fascinating stories that deserve to be told. We trace George’s deep-rooted connection to the land, exploring how his upbringing in ranching and the outdoors shaped his views on responsibility and stewardship. George shares the evolution of his businesses, Map My Ranch and American Made Maps, which grew from a personal project mapping his own family ranch into a nationwide service that helps landowners and wildlife managers better understand and conserve their properties. The conversation dives deep into the importance of cultural preservation, including George’s historical research into figures like Bob Lemmons and the role of private landowners in the future of wildlife conservation. Whether discussing the nuances of a great interview or the technical detail required to map a working ranch, George offers a masterclass in curiosity-driven living. Finally, we explore the wisdom George has gained from a life spent at the intersection of hunting traditions and creative pursuits, offering a unique perspective on what truly makes a person—and a story—interesting. Websites: * SonofaBlitch.com [https://www.sonofablitch.com/] * MapMyRanch.com [https://mapmyranch.com/] * AmericanMadeMaps.com [https://americanmademaps.com/] * YouTube [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://YouTube.com/%40sonofablitch] | Instagram [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://Instagram.com/%40thesonofablitch] | Facebook [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://Facebook.com/GeorgeBlitch] Learn more about HSCF at wehuntwegive.org [https://wehuntwegive.org/].