Wild Faith Podcast

This week on the podcast we sit down with DJ Dean from Weatherby and cover everything from spring turkeys to faith in the outdoors.
We kick things off talking about Weatherby’s legacy in the hunting world and dive into their new turkey shotgun lineup, including the Sorix and Element II. DJ breaks down what actually matters in a turkey gun when you’re sitting against a tree with a bird closing the distance.
From there we get into DJ’s background, how he got started hunting, and the people who shaped the way he sees the outdoors today. This is where the conversation goes deeper, talking about how hunting becomes more than just filling tags and the lessons that stick with you for life.
We also spend time on faith and the role the outdoors plays in it. The quiet moments, the perspective it brings, and why so many people feel closest to God when they’re out in the woods.
We wrap it up talking spring turkey season, what’s got DJ fired up this year, early season tactics, and why chasing gobblers never gets old.
If you’re gearing up for turkey season or just love conversations that go deeper than the surface, this one’s for you.
Wild Faith Podcast Links:
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcastIf you want to support the channel and help us continue this series you can check out our Spring Turkey gear here:https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/spring-turkey

On this episode of Turkey Talk, Evan and Luke sit down with DJ Dean of Weatherby to talk about chasing turkeys in the West and what makes hunting Merriam’s turkeys different from birds in the Midwest.
DJ shares insights from his experience hunting big country out west, including how terrain, elevation, and wide-open landscapes change the way you locate and hunt gobblers. The guys discuss scouting strategies, covering ground, and adapting when birds don’t behave like the Eastern turkeys many hunters are used to chasing.
They also dive into gear, breaking down Weatherby’s turkey shotgun lineup and what makes a great turkey gun heading into the spring woods. From pattern performance to optics and loads, DJ explains what he looks for in a setup and why the Weatherby Element II and Sorix have become reliable options for turkey hunters.
If you’re planning a western turkey hunt or just want to learn more about chasing Merriam’s in big country, this conversation covers tactics, gear, and real-world experience from the field.
Wild Faith Podcast Links:
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcastIf you want to support the channel and help us continue this series you can check out our Spring Turkey gear here:https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/spring-turkey

In this episode of Wild Faith, we sit down with Dirk Durham of Phelps Game Calls to talk about elk hunting, turkey hunting, and why the outdoors can be the ultimate reset button for a man.
Dirk has spent years in the mountains chasing elk and mastering the language of bugles, cow calls, and the chess match that unfolds every September in the backcountry. But the conversation doesn’t stop there—we also dive into spring turkey hunting, calling strategy, and the lessons the woods teach anyone willing to spend time out there.
We talk about:
How Dirk first fell in love with elk hunting
Why the mountains and the turkey woods have a way of resetting your mind
The mental and physical grind of chasing elk in the backcountry
The art and strategy behind elk and turkey calling
Whether you're an elk hunter chasing bugles in the mountains, a turkey hunter chasing gobbles in the spring woods, or someone who simply feels most alive outside, this conversation dives into why the outdoors continues to call people back year after year.
👉 Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-driven hunting and outdoors content!Wild Faith Podcast Links:
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcastIf you want to support the channel and help us continue this series you can check out our Spring Turkey gear here:https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/spring-turkey

In this episode of Turkey Talk, Evan breaks down five of the most common mistakes turkey hunters make in the woods and shares some lessons learned from years of chasing spring gobblers. Turkey hunting can humble anyone quickly, and a lot of times it’s the small decisions that end up making the biggest difference during a hunt.
Evan touches on things like calling strategy throughout the day, the importance of good setups, and how movement in the woods can make or break an encounter with a sharp-eyed bird. He also talks about the role of patience and discipline in the turkey woods and how sometimes the biggest mistake hunters make is trying to force a hunt instead of letting the birds dictate what the day is going to look like.
If you’re getting ready for turkey season, this episode is a great reminder to slow down, pay attention to what the woods are telling you, and focus on the fundamentals that can put you in the right position when that gobbler finally commits.
👉 Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-driven hunting and outdoors content!Wild Faith Podcast Links:
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcastIf you want to support the channel and help us continue this series you can check out our Spring Turkey gear here:https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/spring-turkey

In Episode 103 of the Wild Faith Podcast, we sit down with Al Quackenbush of The Faithful Sportsman to talk about a lifetime in the outdoors and the journey that led him to a faith-centered mission.
Al shares his story growing up in the Finger Lakes region of New York, learning to shoot a bow at nine years old, and harvesting his first whitetail at fourteen. From DIY hunting roots to building The SoCal Bowhunter, and eventually rebranding to The Faithful Sportsman after moving to Tennessee, this episode dives deep into the role faith, discipline, and family play in a hunter’s life.
We talk turkey hunting, DIY hunting mentality, mentorship, fatherhood, and what it truly means to be a faithful sportsman in today's world. Al also shares powerful stories from the woods along with his work serving others through the outdoors.
This was an incredible conversation and we’re already looking forward to having Al back on again.
Follow Al and The Faithful Sportsman:
Website: https://faithfulsportsman.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheFaithfulSportsmanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaithfulSportsman/Email: thefaithfulsportsman@yahoo.com
👉 Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-driven hunting and outdoors content!
Wild Faith Podcast Links
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast
If you want to support the channel and help us continue this series you can check out our Spring Turkey gear here:https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/spring-turkey

Turkey Talk: Turkey Scouting 101 is all about finding birds before opening day. We cover how to find turkeys, what good turkey habitat looks like, how to locate roost trees, and how to scout spring gobblers the right way. Learn how far to listen for gobbles, reading turkey sign vs sound, scouting public land, midday scouting strategies, and the biggest preseason scouting mistakes. If you want to consistently find turkeys during spring turkey season, this episode breaks down the fundamentals of turkey scouting.
👉 Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-driven hunting and outdoors content!Wild Faith Podcast Links:
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcastIf you want to support the channel and help us continue this series you can check out our Spring Turkey gear here:https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/spring-turkey

Turkey hunting can humble even the best hunters. In this episode of Turkey Talk, we break down turkey hunting 101 — including basic gear, shotgun setup, ammo, camo, calling, scouting, and the mental game. Whether you’re a beginner getting ready for your first spring gobbler season or a seasoned hunter needing a reset, this episode covers the fundamentals of turkey hunting and what it really takes to be successful in the woods.
👉 Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-driven hunting and outdoors content!Wild Faith Podcast Links:
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcast

We are excited to kick off Season 3 of Turkey Talk and thankful for everyone who has followed along and supported this series. Turkey hunting is rooted deep in who we are. It is part of our DNA and something that keeps pulling us back into the woods every spring.
This episode is all about what turkey hunting actually is. It is a close range chess match where you are not ambushing birds, you are convincing a gobbler to come looking for you. It is different than deer hunting and it is different than waterfowl hunting. It is personal and it all happens inside close range where every decision matters.
We talk through the basic gear you actually need to get started. A shotgun and a good turkey load, camo that blends in, one reliable call, a good seat or vest, and the patience to stay put when it counts. You do not need a pile of decoys or a dozen calls. You need discipline and time in the woods.
Monday Turkey Talk episodes are short and focused on one subject at a time to help you become a better turkey hunter. If you want more in depth conversations, strategy and knowledge from experienced hunters and guests tune into the Wild Faith Podcast on Wednesdays where we dive deeper into turkey hunting throughout the season.
👉 Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-driven hunting and outdoors content!Wild Faith Podcast Links:
Store: https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/all-products
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfaith/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildfaithpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildFaithPodcastIf you want to support the channel and help us continue this series you can check out our Spring Turkey gear here:https://www.wildfaithpodcast.com/category/spring-turkey