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This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with Shannon Waters from Gastro Gnome. The two kick things off catching up on the Western Hunt Expo and the recent BHA Rendezvous. Shannon talks about how the product offerings have changed since their last episode and the process that goes into creating a new meal. The two talk about Gasto Gnome's most recent offering and that is instant coffee that is unlike anything else on the market. Shannon also discusses her love for what she's doing and how she didn't have a backup plan when she started the business two and half years ago. If you haven't already, be sure and pick up one of the many different meals GN has to offer for your next backcountry adventure. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with Professor of Biology from Chapman University, Walter Piper. Walter has spent the last 30 years studying Loons in the upper regions of the midwest, specifically Wisconsin and most recently Minnesota. The loon population continues to decline in these areas and Walter and his team are researching the cause and how to potentially right the ship going forward. Recently, Walter and his team lost some funding for the research being done in Minnesota and need some help in order to fully staff their efforts and attack this research with the proper amount of people. Head over to loonproject.org to learn more about what Walter and his team are doing as well and to donate to their research efforts. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus catches up with returning guest Dustin Diefenderfer from MTNTOUGH. Dustin discusses the growth over the past year and half, what's led to it, and how more than just aspiring backcountry hunters are signing up and becoming MTNTOUGH Athletes. The guys discuss doing hard things and stepping out of your comfort zone, and how the new MTNTOUGH app has made it easier than ever to start your fitness journey right in your own home, with minimal equipment. Whether you're looking to take the next step in your training, or you're just getting started, MTNTOUGH has a program for you. Download the app today and get started! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with author and entrepreneur, Zach Hanson. Zach is the founder of TheOutfitter.Guide as well as the author of his recently released book, Turning Feral. Zach opens the conversation up talking about his journey into the outdoors and how he was able to try and shorten his learning curve when it came to not only whitetail hunting, but western big game. The guys discuss Zach's journey into trapping and how it's looked at as a bit of a lost art as well as his new company and book. Be sure and pick up a copy of Turning Feral on Amazon and if you're running a guide business check out Theoutfitter.guide. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with the owner of 2% Certified brand Dangles Gear, James "Fort" Fortner. The guys start their conversation by going back to the beginning, of where it all started for James. Growing up in an outdoor family, being outside and in nature was all James ever knew. Whether shooting archery as a kid, hiking in to fish high country lakes or chasing big game, James and his family cherish the outdoors. In order to do his part to help preserve our wild places, James started Dangles Gear to help fund those who make it their life's mission to give back. Dangles Gear sunglass leashes use 100% recycled materials on all of their products to help further their conservation mission. Head over to danglesgear.com and use code AVERAGE50 (all caps) at checkout and save 50% off your order. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with Nick Green from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. The guys talk about a bit of a hot button issue here in Michigan and that's the expansion of Army National Guard Base, Camp Grayling. The National Guard is proposing to lease an additional, roughly 160,000 acres of public land on top of the roughly 140,000 acres they currently occupy. The guys cover how everything came about, what the initial feedback was from the public and where things currently stand. Whether you're a Michigan resident or just an average conservationist, this is an episode that you'll want to hear. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with Stephen Davis. Stephen is a Michigan native and current real estate agent in Lexington, Kentucky. Stephen opens things up talking about his upbringing in Michigan, his interest in the outdoors, his love for music and he wound up a real estate agent. The guys take a sidebar to talk about one of Stephen's other passions, bourbon and helps point Marcus in the right direction for his next purchase. Stephen discusses how his love and curiosity for wild places led him to start hunting this past year and the story of how he was able to harvest his first whitetail deer. This is a great conversation that covers a lot of topics and the two share a lot of laughs throughout. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with Paul Campbell from the NWTF to talk about wild turkeys. Paul kicks things off talking about how he got introduced to the outdoors and how turkey hunting saved him when he was at a rough patch in his life. The guys talk about the great work NWTF is doing across the country to help restore the wild turkey population along with some of the things the organization has accomplished during their 50 year tenure. Paul closes things out talking about his biggest takeaway from the organization and it's an answer that anyone who hunts turkeys is going to love to hear. Paul is also the co-host of the Ohio Outdoors Podcast that also airs on the Sportsmen's Empire, so be sure to check that out.Overall, a great conversation from start to finish and one you'll enjoy! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

To kick off 2023, Marcus is once again joined by Jared Frasier from 2%. The guys catch up on how the year went for 2022 for the organization along with some changes internally that we can expect to see in the coming weeks. Jared goes over some of the partnerships he's most excited about from the previous year along with the growing numbers of conservation organizations their members are giving back to. The guys wrap up the conversation with a call to arms to help out in a dire situation around the globe. Be sure and stick around for the end, because there is some great information and ways that you can help get involved and make a huge impact on a specific species. Happy New Year, everyone!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down and speaks from the heart. He reflects on the last 2.5 years of hosting the podcast, all of the great guests he's had on and the partners who help make it possible. Marcus discusses the relationships he's formed through the podcast along with how he's enjoyed seeing others succeed and how the stories of his guests inspire him and keep him motivated to keep fighting the good fight. He also opens up about how Sportsmen's Empire took a chance on him to start his own podcast and focus on conservation, which isn't typically a hot topic people are discussing. All and all, it's one long heartfelt thank you. Merry Christmas everyone! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast Marcus is solo to talk about a conservation road map of sorts. Marcus talks about his path to his current point within the conservation world and what were some critical times stops along the way. He discusses how having kids changed his outlook on wildlife and why he finds it so important to give back where you can.

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with Hank Shaw. Hank is a lifelong outdoorsman, hunter, gatherer, author and chef. The guys kick things off taking a dive into Hank's past in the outdoors and how he got to the point he's at now. Hank talks about finding hunting later in life and how it was an easy transition for him. Having authored 5 books, Hank describes the approach he takes to writing and how he doesn't like to leave anything up for interpretation in his recipes. Hank also talks about a recent project he did that just launched on OutdoorClass. To find out more about what Hank is up to, check out his course on OutdoorClass, on Instagram or his website honest-food.net Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus is riding solo to talk about Giving Tuesday and Conservation Burnout. He touches on a great way to give the gift of conservation to someone you love and also how to combat a long year or more of volunteering by altering your role. This is a quick hitting episode with some good bits of knowledge and also a few challenges for the listeners. Enjoy! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

On this holiday week, Marcus is joined by Tristan Henry. Tristan is the owner of 2% Certified NXTLVL Digital Marketing out of Oregon. The guys kick things off talking about how much both Michigan and Oregon have in common and how Tristan got started in the outdoors. Tristan talks about his healthy obsession for bird hunting and the connection bird hunters have with their dogs. The two talk about how Tristan found himself working in the marketing space, and why he likes working with the clients that he does. This is a great conversation to enjoy while traveling over the holiday weekend and get you geared up for bird hunting. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus is joined by EJ Saunders. EJ is one of the founders of 2% Certified Blaze Digital Solutions, which specializes in digital marketing. EJ talks about how he found himself in the digital marketing space and the types of clients that they are working with. The guys discuss why conservation is so important to their mission and how they are able to help their customers reach their target market. A great conversation that shows EJ's passion for what he does and the outdoors. Enjoy! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

To round out org month and conclude the two part Veteran Day Tribute, Marcus is joined by AFI Director, Trevor Hubbs. The guys pick up where Marcus and DJ left off last week discussing more about the efforts of AFI, this time more focused on Veterans as opposed to active duty. Trevor talks about some of the partners of AFI as well his big takeaways from their events and how AFI is giving Veterans a new mission to serve as they become stewards out of our public lands and wild places. If you haven't already, head over to backcountryhunters.org, click the 'Programs' tab and see how you can get involved today! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

This week on The Average Conservationist Podcast, Marcus sits down with DJ Zor from the BackCountry Hunters & Anglers - Armed Forces Initiative. To celebrate Veterans Day, we're doing a two part series to highlight the BHA-AFI and celebrate our Veterans. The guys cover a bunch of ground in their discussion, including DJ's introduction to the outdoors, what AFI's mission is, and how the outdoors has an impact on us all. DJ talks about AFI helping bridge the gap for active duty military members getting outdoors as well as helping give veterans a new mission after serving our country. This is a great discussion from start to finish and one that will certainly motivate you to give back to an organization like AFI. To learn more, head over to backcountryhunters.org. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

Week four of org month brings in Ben O'Brien from the newly formed The Hunt in Common. Ben started THC with the hopes of getting new hunters into the field using mentors local to their area. An idea that stemmed from an email Ben received over 2 years ago from a listener on his podcast talking about wanting to get into hunting. Not only does THC get new hunters into the field, it more importantly helps build lifelong relationships with like minded people. If you're at a place in your outdoor journey where you want to help others start theirs, be sure and check out thehuntincommon.org. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

Org month rolls along as Marcus welcomes in Associate Director of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, EJ Porth. The two discuss what exactly a land trust is and what it does, then taking things one step further what exactly the GVLT mission is. EJ goes into detail about land owners they are working with and how they determine the types and pieces of land they are trying to conserve. As the Gallatin Valley continues to grow, it's important now more than ever to get involved and help preserve the wild places that make this part of Montana the outdoor mecca that it is. Learn more at gvlt.org. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more awesome content!

For week two of org month, from Homegrown National Park, Marcus sits down with Doug Tallamy. Doug is one of the founders of Homegrown as well as a professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware and 4x published author. The guys kick things off discussing Doug's background and where his love for wildlife comes from. Doug explains the origin story of the organization and how easy it is to convert part of your own yard to your very own national park. The idea behind the organization is one that is simple and easy to do and their website provides a ton of information to help get your started. After only a few years, Homegrown National Park has over 20k members and continues to grow. To learn more and become a member head over to homegrownnationalpark.org. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more great outdoor content!