Sitka Southeast Podcast

North Carolina grows some absolutely massive black bears—but why are the biggest bears overwhelmingly coming from the coast?In Episode 25 of the SITKA Southeast Podcast, Jake sits down with Jenna Malzahn, Bear Biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to talk about North Carolina's black bear population, the difference between mountain and coastal bears, bear behavior, habitat, hunting and what decades of wildlife management have taught us about one of the state's most impressive big-game animals.Jenna explains how North Carolina's bear population recovered to more than 20,000 bears, why coastal and mountain bears can behave so differently, ho...

North Carolina has a wild pig problem. In Episode 24, we sit down with NC Wildlife Resources Commission District 6 Wildlife Conservation Biologist Greg Queen and NC State graduate student William Mayfield to talk about wild pigs in North Carolina, feral hog hunting, pig behavior, wildlife impacts, current research and how hunters can actually find and hunt them.William is currently studying feral pigs using GPS tracking collars and trail cameras to better understand their movement and estimate population density. As he explains in the episode, one of the challenges is that nobody really knows exactly how many wild pigs are...

North Carolina is getting an elk hunt in 2027. In this episode, we break down the North Carolina elk hunt, NC elk tags, the NC elk population, how the 2027 elk permit process will work, and the future of elk hunting in North Carolina with NC Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Justin McVey and Eric Stroup of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.North Carolina spent decades restoring its elk herd. Now, for the first time in generations, hunters are preparing for an opportunity to hunt elk in NC.But why are wildlife managers ready to hunt a population they've spent roughly 25 years...

Where did all the ducks go?It's a question waterfowl hunters across the Southeast seem to ask every season.In Episode 22, Jay and I sit down with Chuck McDonald, Chairman of the Lee County Ducks Unlimited Chapter, to talk about what is actually happening with waterfowl habitat, duck migration, conservation, and the future of duck hunting.Chuck breaks down how Ducks Unlimited works, why conserving habitat hundreds or even thousands of miles away can still directly benefit a North Carolina duck hunter, and why DU money isn't always supposed to stay in the county where it was raised. As...

Most hunters spend a lot of time thinking about what's on their bow, in their pack, or layered on their body—but how much do we actually understand about what's on our feet?In Episode 21, Jake sits down with Mike Ekstrom, Senior Product Line Manager for SITKA Gear's footwear division, to break down how hunting footwear actually works—and some of the things hunters may be getting completely wrong.We dive into hunting boot insulation, waterproofing, fit and sizing, GORE-TEX, trail runners, cold feet, blisters, product testing, and how SITKA develops footwear for hunters and anglers.Mike explains why 1600 gram...

Everybody knows the Ranch Fairy for heavy arrows and fixed-blade broadheads—but that's not really what this conversation is about.In Episode 20, Jake sits down with Troy Fowler, aka the Ranch Fairy, to break down what actually makes a hunting arrow perform.And according to Troy, simply adding weight isn't the answer.We dive into arrow flight, bare-shaft tuning, arrow spine, FOC, fletching, mechanical vs. fixed-blade broadheads, broadhead sharpness, penetration, shot angles, and building a hunting-arrow system that gives you the greatest possible margin for error.Troy also tells the story of why he started experimenting in the first pl...

What can an Olympic archery coach teach a bowhunter?Quite a bit.In Episode 19, Landon and I sit down with Chris Webster, who served as head coach leading into the 2024 Paris Olympics and now works with elite-level U.S. archers.We talk about what separates good shooters from great shooters, why archers constantly try to solve execution problems with new equipment, how elite athletes train for pressure, and why the best-looking shot isn't always the most effective shot.Chris breaks down target panic, shot process, torque, form, draw weight, mental performance, repeatability, and what happens when tiny mistakes at...

How much of what bowhunters believe today was built around equipment from 20 or 30 years ago?In Episode 18, Jake is joined by Dale Perry, owner of Evolution Outdoors, and Jeff Corderro, owner of Barefoot Archery, for a deep dive into broadheads, arrow setup, bow technology, tuning, and some of the biggest debates in modern archery.We talk about why mechanical broadheads developed a bad reputation, how today's bows and broadheads have changed the equation, what the recent arrow-ballistics data actually tells hunters, and why shooters can sometimes use the exact same study to confirm completely opposite opinions.Dale also explains...

In Episode 17, we're joined by Brian Souza, founder and owner of Bizz Baits, to hear the story behind one of North Carolina's homegrown fishing brands.Bizz Baits didn't begin with investors, a factory, or some master business plan.It started as a college marketing assignment.From making baits in apartments and garages to working other jobs just to keep the dream alive, Brian walks us through the years of sacrifice behind building Bizz Baits—and the moments when he genuinely wondered whether he'd wasted his 20s chasing something that might never work.We also dive deep into the fishing si...

Speed Broadheads entered an industry dominated by the same fixed-blade-versus-mechanical debate—but their founders believe bowhunters are asking the wrong questions.In Episode 16 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, we sit down with the team behind Speed Broadheads to break down the engineering, testing, and hunting philosophy behind their unique broadhead design.We discuss why some mechanical broadheads can lose significant energy during blade deployment, how broadheads may deflect on quartering shots, why fixed blades can become difficult to tune, and why perfect penetration means nothing if the broadhead does not hit where you are aiming.The Speed team also ex...

In Episode 15, we're joined by Steven Lucius and Chuck McDonald of Wildrose Carolinas, one of the premier retriever training programs in the country. Whether you're raising your first hunting puppy or have hunted over dogs for years, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you build a calmer, more confident, and more capable hunting companion.We dive into the Wildrose philosophy of developing the "Gentleman's Gundog"—a retriever that excels in the field while remaining a trusted family companion at home. Steven and Chuck explain why they intentionally challenge many traditional retriever training methods, what they lo...

n Episode 14 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, we sit down with North Carolina State Deer Biologist April Pope to dive deep into the science behind whitetail deer behavior and how hunters can use it to become more successful throughout the entire season.Topics Covered:• How April Pope became NC's State Deer Biologist• What wildlife biologists actually do• The Triangle Urban Deer Study• A year in the life of a whitetail deer• Early season buck and doe behavior• The truth about the October Lull• Pre-rut and rut movement• Secondary and tertiary rut explained• Mock scrapes, calling, rattling, and scents• CWD management and testi...

Whether you're chasing whitetails from a tree stand or climbing thousands of feet after elk, your body can become one of your greatest hunting tools—or your biggest limitation.In Episode 13 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, Jacob Norris sits down with Preston Meyer of 1st Phorm Outdoors to explore the intersection of hunting and fitness. From strength and endurance to nutrition, recovery, and mental toughness, Preston explains why preparing your body can make you a more capable, confident, and effective hunter in the field.We dive into Preston's journey to 1st Phorm Outdoors, the mission behind the platform, and wh...

Every hunter has a different story—and a different gear setup.For episode 12, we spent the day at the annual SITKA Charlotte Garage Sale talking with hunters from all over the Southeast to learn what they're shopping for, where they're headed this season, and the advice they'd give anyone trying to build the right hunting kit.From first-time hunters to seasoned veterans, you'll hear about upcoming whitetail, elk, turkey, and waterfowl hunts, the gear they refuse to hunt without, and how they make smart decisions when investing in clothing and equipment.Whether you're planning your own hunt this fall or...

In Episode 11 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, we sit down with Jaycey Stone, co-founder of Sisterhood of the Hunt, to discuss why the future of hunting depends on building stronger communities and welcoming more people into the outdoors. Jaycey shares her journey into hunting, the inspiration behind founding Sisterhood of the Hunt, and how the organization is helping women across the country gain the confidence, knowledge, and community they need to become lifelong hunters.We also dive into one of the most overlooked topics in conservation: how hunting license sales and the Pittman-Robertson Act directly fund wildlife management, habitat...

In Episode 10 of the Sitka North Carolina Podcast, we sit down with mechanical engineer, bowhunter, and Additive Archery founder Thomas Pham to dive into the endless world of archery tinkering. From building custom gear to solve his own problems to launching a business centered around innovation through 3D printing, Thomas shares how small adjustments—not constant upgrades—can make the biggest difference in your shooting. We also tackle some of the hottest debates in modern archery, including FOC, broadheads, gear trends, bow setup, and why consistency will always beat chasing the latest fad. Whether you're a seasoned bowhunter, an arch...

Episode 9 of the Sitka Southeast Podcas, Jake and Landon are joined by a very special guest, John Barklow—Senior Product Manager for Hunting at Sitka Gear and the driving force behind SITKA’s whitetail and western big game systems.In this episode, John walks us through his incredible journey from joining the U.S. Navy at 19, to decades of military service training special operations communities in extreme mountain environments, to becoming one of the most respected voices in modern hunting gear design. We get into the work behind the scenes at SITKA—how new products are designed, tested, and refine...

In Episode 8 of the SITKA Southeast Podcast, Jacob and Landon sit down with Hunter Purdue, a Master Wildlife Enforcement Officer with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, for one of our most informative conversations yet. We dive deep into what it really means to protect and manage North Carolina’s public lands while uncovering what hunters need to know before stepping into the woods this fall.In this episode we cover what a Wildlife Enforcement Officer actually does in North Carolina, how North Carolina game lands are acquired and funded, the biggest challenges facing North Carolina public lands today,t...

In Episode 7 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast, we're joined by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission District 6 Wildlife Biologist, Rupert Medford.Rupert brings years of experience studying deer behavior and habitat management as he sits down with Jake and Landon to discuss what truly makes prime mature buck habitat and how hunters can learn to recognize it in the field. We dive into effective trail camera strategies, understanding deer movement, and practical ways to reduce human pressure on the properties we hunt.Whether you're managing your own hunting property, scouting public land, or simply trying to better understand mature whitetail...

Jacob, Jay, and Landon sit down with Corey Oakley, Chief of Inland Fisheries for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, for an in-depth conversation about the science and strategy behind managing North Carolina’s fisheries. In this episode, we dive into bass management (F1 Bass Program and Alabama Bass), the role of aquatic vegetation and plant life beneath Lake Norman, and how habitat impacts fish populations and angler success. Corey shares insight into fisheries management decisions, conservation efforts, and what anglers should know about the future of one of North Carolina’s most talked-about lakes. Whether you're a hardcore bass...

In this episode, Jacob, Landon, OT, and Jeff Cordero sit down to cover everything from Jeff’s career in NASCAR to balancing a demanding schedule with a passion for hunting. The crew dives into how Jeff makes time for the outdoors, early season archery preparation, practical bow practice tips, and advice on dialing in your archery setup before the season kicks off. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your shooting, fine-tune your gear, or hear how a NASCAR professional stays connected to hunting, this episode has something for every bowhunter.

As always, come into the...

The shift to whitetail season is officially underway for the Sitka Charlotte Crew. In Episode 4, Landon, OT, and Jake dive into our full whitetail prep process — from getting our properties ready for the upcoming season to dialing in our early scouting plans on both public and private land.We’re talking trail cameras, moving stand locations, habitat and land prep, and the gear that lives in our trucks all season long. We also break down the Sitka gear setups we’ll be running while scouting, covering miles, and preparing for opening day.If you’re already thinking about deer season...

Episode 3 is here, and this one is all about fishing. We officially introduce Jay Stevens as our fishing co-host and sit down with special guest Tater Hog — professional fisherman and owner of his own freshwater bait company (Tater Hog Custom Lures).We dive into Tater’s background, how he got started in competitive fishing, and what led him into designing and making his own custom baits. We also break down post-spawn fishing tactics, seasonal patterns, bait selection, and strategies that can help you put more fish in the boat this time of year.Whether you’re a hardcore angler or jus...

In this episode, we break down everything that’s been happening so far this turkey season. The Sitka Charlotte Staff shares real stories from the field—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the lessons learned along the way.We also take a deep dive into Sitka Turkey Gear, talking through what we’ve been running this season, what stands out, and how we have adapted the gear to fir our hunting styles. Mentiont the podcast in the store at checkout and get 15% off your purchase.If you’re chasing gobblers this spring or just getting started, this episode is packed wi...

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Sitka Southeast Podcast. Filmed out of our Charlotte, NC Store. In our debut episode, we introduce Jacob, Landon, and OT from the store staff and dive into who they are, their backgrounds, and how they got here. We also talk about turkey hunting season so far, discuss Sitka Gear, share stories from the field, and give you a preview of what’s coming in future episodes. Whether you’re into hunting, gear, or good conversation, this is the perfect place to start.

Host: Jacob Norris (@jnorri15)

Co-Host: Land...