Peter Panda Podcast

S2E12 Mountain Goat Hunting with Kevin Pearson

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we’re climbin back up thru the alders after Alaskan mountain goats with my good friend, Kevin Pearson. Born n raised in Sitka, Alaska, Kevin grew up hunting blacktail deer in the coastal alpine, which quickly evolved into an obsession with hunting the island’s resident mountain goats. Few people’s huntin resumes are built on double-digit goat kills, but Kevin is a rare-breed and shares with us some really incredible hunting adventures, ranging from the jungles of southeast Alaska, to the wild, unlimited-wilderness sheep units of Montana. Kevin is as humble as he is experienced and the stories you’re about to hear are world-class. It’s a special person to embrace solo mountain hunting, Those few who dare into the unknown and willingly subject themselves to raw, and sometimes vicious conditions. It’s a lonely brotherhood only a small number of us can truly understand. So listen up. You’re about hear from a real killer, Kevin Pearson. 

S2E11 Addiction Recovery thru the Outdoors with Waller Whittemore

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, I sit down with my east-coast homie, Waller Whittemore. Now, let me just get WAY out ahead of this one and tell you right now that Waller’s a recovering drug addict, currently working on his 7th year of sobriety. We’re lucky to have Waller, and this tell-all conversation is proof that he prolly shouldn’t even be  even alive today. He’d be the first to tell you that his persistent family and his own raw passions for hunting, fishing, and surfing, all helped save his life. I guess the formal verbiage is “Listener Discretion Advised”, so let's just all stop right here for a second. This prolly ain’t the best episode to listen to with your young kids. Or your elderly parents. I just don’t think that’s a good idea. This episode discusses topics of hard-drug use, addiction, relapsing, and ultimately the continuous and complicated road to recovery. At the end of this episode, Waller encourages anyone listening who’s struggling with, or knows someone struggles with drug addiction, to personally reach out to him for help. And he genuinely means it! I’ll even help hold him to it and make sure all you guys can find links to this kids social. You can find him on IG @wwthittemore71. So listen up. Shits about to get pretty heavy. But fear not, Waller defeated the literal worst of odds and this story has a beautiful ending. 

S2E10 Duckworth Wool with Mike Somerby

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we’re spinning wool and talkin all things Merino with, Mike SummerBee of Duckworth, the world's only source-verified, 100% Montana-grown Merino Wool clothing company. Start to finish, Duckworth curates and controls the entire production process of their wool and garments. From their free-ranging herd of Merino sheep in Dillon, MT, to their US textile partners, and ultimately their final branded n tagged merchandise, Duckworth Wool is uniquely living up to their motto, From Sheep to Shelf. So listen up! If you thought wool garments were nothin but old school, itchy sweaters for your Grandpa, you’re about to learn how brands like Duckworth continue to develop and improve this renewable, natural  materiel we as humans have been cultivating for over 13,000 years, wool. 

S2E9 Mountain Mule Deer Hunting with Randall Williams

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we’re hunting big, mountain mule deer in the high country of Idaho with one of my best homies, Randall Williams. Now the great state of Idaho is no stranger to Randall as he was fortunate enough to draw a limited entry elk tag a few years ago when he killed a giant public land rifle bull. More on that epic elk season can be found on Season 1 Episode 3 of this here podcast. Fortune may have once favored Randall in Idaho’s elk permit lottery, but he’s spent the last four years hunting mostly general deer districts. Ultimately, consistancy always kills, and Randall harvested the biggest muley of his life. So listen up! We’re goin backpack hunting in the rugged Idaho backcountry with the truck stop hot dawg king himself, Randall Williams. 

S2E8 Alaskan Buffalo Hunting with Becca Harris

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, I have the absolute pleasure of catching up with my dear friend and badass hunter, Becca Harris. Now, if you don’t know Becca already, let me stop you right here, and re-direct you to Season 1 Episode 5 of the Peter Panda Podcast for a formal introduction. I promise you’ll fall in love with this young lady as quickly as we all did. Fortune favors the best of us, and Becca just recently had the extremely limited opportunity to hunt an Alaskan Bison. Thats right, there are buffalo in AK. And drawing a permit is like basically winning the lottery. So listen up! We’re about to snowmobile deep into the Alaska Range to hunt North America’s largest mammal with one of the all around greatest humans I know, Miss Becca Harris. 

S2E7 Smoke Jumping, Commercial Fishing, and Alaskan Outfitting with Mr. Rob Jones

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we’re deep in the western Alaska Range with Registered Hunting Guide, Rob Jones. Rob tells us some riveting stories from his colorful careers starting as a private pilot at a young age, to his adventurous years as an Alaskan smoke jumper, to ultimately becoming a prolific commercial fisherman and hunting guide of over 30-years. Today Rob operates his hunting operation, RnR Hunting, from his Big River Lodge, the same place we recorded this here episode. You’re about to hear a diverse string of tales including some from the early years building the lodge, when rob and his crew deconstructed, fly out, and later reassembled, on-site, an actual bulldozer, to his painful story of his worst case of frostbite ever that almost claimed both his feet. And even the haunting  recollection of recovering the victims of a plane wreck out in the wrangles. Rob Jones, Indiana Jones, what’s the difference! This man has seen, and survived all of it. So listen up! You’re about to hear from one of the most interesting and experienced humans I’ve ever met, Mr. Rob Jones. 

S2 E6 Texas’ East Foundation

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we’re headed to the southern tip of the Union to explore the East Foundation’s El Sauz ranch with my good friends, the honorable Trey Dier and Dr. Jason Sawyer. The East Foundation is a Texas based non-profit that operates multiple working cattle ranches across the state while hosting a mosaic of science based research projects and public educational initiatives. These guys are literally writing the book on today’s progressive land stewardship while promoting research and conservation. From rangeland ecology to wildlife sciences, the East Foundation works on everything from cattle production to endangered ocelot research. So listen up! You’re about to hear what’s possible when you turn a working cattle ranch into a full blown laboratory fueled by curiosity. 

S2E5 Mountain Adventures with Tyler Johnerson

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we’re headed back up the mountain with decorated houndsman and all around badass, Tyler Johnerson. You may know Tyler from his authentic outdoor Instagram content @huntsoloty, but if you don’t already follow this guy, go do yourself a favor, and look him up. Now, Tyler is popularly accepted as one of the most experienced mountain men alive today. Seriously, if this guy had been born 240-years ago, you’da probably found him on the Lewis and Clark Expedition amongst legends like John Coulter. From hunting giant bull elk and mountain sheep, to chasing crafty bobcats and lions with his pack of dogs, Tyler has been forged by his decades of raising hounds and living in the mountains year round. Tyler is a rare breed, and I was honored to sit down with him and soak up some of his stories and wisdom. So listen up, cause today’s woodsmen don’t get any more legit than this guy, Tyler Johnerson.
 
 

S2E4 Raising Lion Hounds with Janis Putelis

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we dive deep into the primal connection between man and huntin dog, with my fellow houndsman, Janis Putelis. 3-years ago, Yani and his family adopted a bluetick hound, they dubbed Mingus. Now listen, I’ve seen my fair share of hound dogs, all the different flavors, and Yani’s pound pup here, is a real giant. Weighing in at 80-pounds, Mingus is a stud of bluetick. Janis paints the picture of the hardening process only a special few of us have chosen; to not only coexist, but to make family with these incredible cat hunting K9s. Raising lion hounds is a lifestyle and a commitment very few could ever fully understand, so listen up! We’re goin cat hunting with the Latvian Eagle, Janis Putelis.   

S2E3 Life in the Wilderness with Tim Shinabarger

On this episode of the Peter Panda Podcast, we have the absolute honor of sharing a few sheep camps with unlimited bighorn hunter, and world-renowned wildlife artist, Tim Shinabarger. I’m fortunate to call Tim a close friend, but maybe more importantly, one of my most respected wilderness hunting mentors. For decades, Tim has thoroughly explored the rugged Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, where he and his family have successfully hunted Montana’s famed unlimited bighorns. Whether you’re familiar or not with this wicked place and the unique hunting opportunity it is home to, I promise, Tim and his well told stories will absolutely blow you away. Sit back, listen up, and take some notes, you’re about to hear from an absolute legend, Tim Shinabarger.