The Huntsman Podcast

Reflections on the High Country & The Road to Season 4

Season 3 is officially in the books—and Season 4 is only days away! After a month of grinding in the Victorian High Country, exploring fresh faces of public land and helping others realize their Sambar dreams, it all came down to a single solo mission. In the Season 3 finale, Chris heads back into the rugged, rocky terrain to fill the freezer for himself, pushing into previously wind-bound country for one final, dramatic encounter with the mountain. Watch the Season 3 Finale here: https://youtu.be/hSMdwQeUsHc In This Episode: In this sit-down, Chris offers an honest, behind-the-scenes reflection on the reality of filming a hunting series on public land. It’s not just about the shot; it’s about the mental and physical toll of managing production while staying locked into the hunt. We dive into: * The High Country Grind: The highs and lows of navigating brand-new public land spots in Victoria. * Production vs. Performance: The unique challenges of producing The Huntsman while maintaining the integrity of the hunt. * The Hunter’s Mindset: A look at the universal struggles we all face when hunting pressured public land. Looking Ahead: Season 4 Premiere To wrap things up, we’re looking toward the horizon. Chris shares exclusive insights into what’s coming in Season 4, which takes the team across the ditch for an incredible New Zealand adventure. Season 4, Episode 1 premieres this Sunday, May 3rd at 4:00 PM AEST. Join the live chat and watch the premiere with us here: https://youtu.be/wMTDWHpt7Nc

Southern Alps Bound: The New Zealand Blueprint

Pack your bags and check your zero—The Huntsman is headed across the ditch. In this podcast exclusive, Chris breaks down the master plan for his upcoming departure to the South Island of New Zealand. From touching down in Nelson to the moment the rotors spin up with Helicopters Nelson, he dives deep into the logistics, the nerves, and the raw excitement of a trip that has been months in the making. This isn’t just a casual hunt; it’s a two-stage tactical insertion into some crazy terrain. Chris walks us through the strategy of splitting time between the high-octane action of a private station—targeting Fallow Bucks, Red Stags, Goats, and Pigs—and the grit of a public land ridge-top camp in pursuit of the elusive Chamois. In this episode, Chris discusses: * The Kit: A detailed breakdown of the gear he’s trusting to survive the unpredictable NZ elements. * The Approach: How he plans to tackle two vastly different landscapes and the physical reality of mountain hunting. * The Logistics: Navigating remote locations and the "heli-hopping" strategy required to get deep into the backcountry. * The Production: Insights into the filming process, how many episodes are in the works, and when the footage is expected to drop. While Chris admits he has no idea exactly what the mountains have in store, he’s ready for a hell of an adventure. Make sure to listen right to the finish—Chris drops a sneaky, exclusive preview regarding a massive project currently in the works for 2027 that you won't hear anywhere else. Links 🔗Helicopters Nelson - https://huntingtrips.com.au/hunting-trip/gosling-free-range-hunt-camp-ultimate-helicopter-hunting-experience/ [http://australianhunters.com.au/] 🔗Strider – https://www.youtube.com/@strider_media [https://www.youtube.com/@strider_media] 🔗 OnTrack Meals – ontrackmeals.com [https://ontrackmeals.com] - use code THEHUNTSMAN for 10% off 🔗 GAME-BAR® CARBON+ – https://walknstalkstore.com/products/game-bar-carbon-plus [https://ontrackmeals.com] - use code THEHUNTSMAN for 10% off 🔗 Australian Hunters Club - australianhunters.com.au [http://australianhunters.com.au/]

The Huntsman 2026 Plans & Reflections

Every December I come back to this same spot in the state forest to take a breath, look back on the year, and talk openly about what’s coming next. 2025 was massive for The Huntsman — we launched huntingcourses.com.au, Australia’s new online hunting education platform, and we filmed (and started rolling out) Season 3. And we’re only just getting warmed up. In this video I share what’s ahead for 2026 and what you can expect from The Huntsman as we move into another big year. 2026 is going to be HUGE! You can watch a video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/nufHZlCDO1k?si=Q3uAyWyTb-2u9QSX

Taking ownership

In this episode, Chris Waters reflects on a recent hunt where he recognised that he didn’t follow best practice as closely as he should have—specifically around the use of binoculars and the importance of identifying game. Using this as a learning opportunity also Chris unpacks the legal requirements around safe and ethical hunting in Australia, and why correct identification is non-negotiable. The discussion also touches on a recent article in a hunting magazine highlighting a serious incident where a firearm was pointed at another hunter, thankfully without tragic consequences. Finally, Chris explores the importance of accountability in the hunting community, and how hunters can support one another in maintaining both high community and high standards of safety, responsibility, and respect in the field. Watch video version: https://youtu.be/Y9m-Ze7ACWI [https://youtu.be/Y9m-Ze7ACWI]

I wasn't ready to shoot | Lynda Johnson

In this episode of Hunt Stories, Chris Waters from The Huntsman sits down with professional hunting guide Linda Johnson from Havago Australia — one of the country’s premier hunting outfitters. Linda shares how she came to hunting later in life, the intense story of her first hunt (which didn’t go to plan), and how that moment became the turning point that pushed her to grow into the skilled and passionate hunter she is today. This is a story of grit, learning through failure, and finding purpose in the outdoors. It’s also a reminder of the real opportunities for women in Australia’s hunting community — with Linda standing out as a role model for what’s possible. Watch video version: https://youtu.be/ek6DW-i4Wn0 [https://youtu.be/ek6DW-i4Wn0]  Links 🔗Australian Hunters Club - australianhunters.com.au [http://australianhunters.com.au/] 🔗AeroPress – aeropress.com.au [https://aeropress.com.au] 🔗 OnTrack Meals – ontrackmeals.com [https://ontrackmeals.com] - use code THEHUNTSMAN for 10% off 🔗 Havago Australia – havagoaustralia.com.au [https://havagoaustralia.com.au]