Preparation, readiness, and confidence are everything, especially on backcountry hunts. WSF recently became the title sponsor for the next three years of Western Hunt Fest (WHF) events, and WSF’s Women Hunt® program became the title sponsor of the women’s division for the same period. WSF’s Sheep Fever host Gray N. Thornton, and Women Hunt founder and chair Renée Thornton, visit with WHF co-owners Jeffrey DeVaul, Guy Duplantier, and Efren Gonzalez to discuss their motivations behind establishing...
Apr 10, 2024•52 min
Rifles, cartridges, loads, and bullets–the tools of trade for hunters, competition, and recreational shooters–have advanced rapidly in the past ten years. Sheep Fever host Keith Balfourd sat down with Bozeman local John Snow, Shooting Editor for Outdoor Life, to talk shooting tech and the “Era of Marksmanship” we’re experiencing today. Is Grandpa’s -06 still a player? Are longer projectiles better at longer range, and what about external performance? What’s with the 6.5 craze? Are military snipe...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Since the inaugural WSF Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE) in 2012, and with the addition of the Shooting, Hunting & Ethics Education Program (S.H.E.E.P.) in 2013, WSF has impacted the lives of more than 114,000 young men and women introducing them to the wonders of the outdoors. The life skills they have been taught and learned include archery, shooting, game calling, fly tying and casting, tracking, game identification, and conservation principles. The numerous WSF-hosted events...
Mar 13, 2024•53 min
Unlike a traditional story where fathers, grandfathers, mothers, and grandmothers handed down generations of stories, hunting locations and secret spots, techniques, ethics, ethos, and even weapons, Blood Origins Founder Robbie Kröger’s story is a little different. He had everything of the hunting life given to him, all but the personal experience of it. He was surrounded by the tools, the trophies, the stories, and even a letter from his grandfather telling him that the hunt was “In My Blood.” ...
Feb 28, 2024•53 min
Conflicts over land use, conservation vs. preservation, sustainable use vs. protectionism, rural vs. urban values and politics, historical vs. contemporary knowledge, my science vs. your science, and even what constitutes an indigenous person are topics covered in this fast-paced conversation between award-winning filmmaker Tom Opre and Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton. Opre’s latest film, The Last Keeper, dives into the history and lives of Game Keepers in the Scottish Highlands and the challe...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton joins WSF Director Emilio Rangel, founder and co-owner of Rancho La Palmosa in Coahuila, Mexico, Dr. Sam Cunningham, Texas Bighorn Society President, Froylan Hernandez, Desert Bighorn Sheep Program Director with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and Jim Breck Bean of High West Outfitters to discuss aoudad as a big game animal, their value to Texas landowners, and their impact on the health and viability of desert bighorn sheep. Aoudad were introduced in...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 11 min
The ban on the use of lead shot for hunting waterfowl was phased-in starting with the 1987-1988 hunting season. The ban became nationwide in 1991. Over the concerns of lead fragments in gut piles and the non-recovered game being ingested by other wildlife, namely scavenging birds, some states now require non-lead ammunition for big game hunting, and pressure is being placed on the USFWS to make non-lead the norm on all National Wildlife Refuges. Chris Parish, President & CEO of The Peregrine...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Join Sheep Fever co-host Gray N. Thornton for a fascinating and educational conversation on wild sheep predation with four career wildlife biologists with a combined ~180 years of agency and NGO experience. Kevin Hurley, WSF Vice President of Conservation, Kurt Alt, WSF Conservation Director – International Programs, Tom Lohuis, Dall’s Sheep Research Biologist, for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and Eric Rominger, (Retired) Bighorn Sheep Biologist, with New Mexico Department of Game &...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Founded by Roy Weatherby in 1945, to say the company that bears his name is an iconic brand in the firearms industry would be a gross understatement. The Mark V Deluxe with super high gloss blued barrel, mated to the “strongest in the industry” 9-lug action, bedded into diamond patterned inlaid fine walnut Monte Carlo styled stock and pistol grip , has been for decades the epidemy of the gunmaker’s art. Times have changed and so has Weatherby. Third generation leader of this fine brand, Adam Wea...
Dec 20, 2023•47 min
The Sheep Show® is without a doubt the Ferrari of mountain game hunting and conservation expos. Sheep Fever co-hosts Gray Thornton and Keith Balfourd sit down with Team WSF – the staff of the foundation to share what’s lined up and what is new for the January 18-20, 2024 convention in Reno. A dozen sheep hunts to be given away, many, many more on auction as well as $3 million in hunts, trips, gear, art, and other offerings of all genre. $95,000 in auction and/or floor credits to win! The best-in...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr 36 min
Within the hunter-conservationist and outdoor writing, film, and television communities, Jim Shockey needs no introduction. Now an internationally best-selling novelist, Jim visits with Sheep Fever host Keith Balfourd and WSF’s Development Manager, Paige Culver, to discuss his new book, Call Me Hunter . His debut novel has only been out a month to rave reviews. As a member of the Wild Sheep Family and an advocate for conservation and hunting, we wanted to learn more about his motivations for thi...
Nov 22, 2023•58 min
There was a time when hunting was only found within a circle of those who participated in this traditional outdoor pastime and lifestyle. No longer. Hunting is now available to anyone with a television, computer, or cell phone through videos, films, and social reels. While some have celebrated hunting’s “coming out party,” others had concerns. Would these public mediums represent hunting and the killing of wildlife in the proper light and context? Would the non-hunting public, now with total acc...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 11 min
The Wild Sheep Foundation fall 2023 Director Elections begin October 15th and conclude December 15th. Per WSF Bylaws every WSF member in good standing as of September 15, 2023 has been sent a ballot and biographies for the seven director candidates running for four WSF Board of Director positions for the May 1, 2024 through April 31, 2027 three-year term. The seven candidates running include (in alpha order by last name with start times) are: 1. Clint Bentley 00.01.58 Nevada, USA 2. Sam Cunningh...
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Man’s (and woman’s) best friend has been an important part of the human experience for ~40,000 years. Faithful companion, worker, beast of burden, hunter, protector, rescuer, and best friend. Dogs have been and continue to be all of these and more. Most recently working dogs have also been an important tool and arrow in the quiver of wild sheep managers and advocates as well as domestic sheep producers to detect the presence of pathogens such as Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae (M.ovi) in both wild and ...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Alaskan Master Guide Dick Gunlogson is an icon of the north and our wild sheep family. WSF Director Larry McGovern has hunted with Dick numerous times over several decades including a harrowing adventure during the terrorist attack on the USA on September 11, 2001. Sheep Fever Co-host Gray Thornton joins Dick and Larry for a fabulous campfire discussion on hunts, Dick’s storied career, life in Alaska, the early days of Super Cub polar bear hunting, and of course, Dall’s sheep and other hunts in ...
Oct 11, 2023•58 min
Adventure Wild is a collection of five rare hunting and fishing films produced over 40 years ago by FNAWS Charter Member Don Prince and his hunting and angling partner Eugene Vugteveen. Don Prince was a pioneer in the outdoor film industry, traveling to Africa, British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, Saskatchewan and many other remote locations in pursuit of filming big game and unchartered waters. These films take you back to a bygone era of hunting and fishing with names and hunting area WSF me...
Sep 27, 2023•53 min
In this episode, Gray and Keith sit down with a seasoned veteran in guiding and outfitting western big game hunts, and it wasn’t what we expected. Dan Adler owns and operates Diamond Outfitters , offering a complete species list of adventures across Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and Sonora, Mexico. Dan is a retired Air Force Captain that brought a fresh approach and perspective to the business of outfitting, from proven service industry business practices down to the staff he recruits and t...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Field Ethos was the brainchild of Donald Trump Jr. and Jason Vincent, a multi-media platform to tell the stories of time in the field, but with an unapologetic, cut-to-the-chase brand of adventure, exploration, and the things that matter most, the life-long bonds we create with those we share campfires with. In this episode, co-host Keith Balfourd visits with Bozeman local Mike Schoby, Field Ethos’s COO. Mike’s resume includes past Editor-in-Chief of Petersen’s Hunting and Guns & Ammo magazi...
Aug 30, 2023•47 min
Wild Sheep Foundation’s Mission is “We enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, and educate the public and youth on sustainable use and the conservation benefits of hunting while promoting the interests of the hunter.” Education of youth and the public is critical to our mission accomplishment. We address the youth component primarily through events and efforts led by W.S.F. Youth Education Coordinator Dr. Ryan Brock, including the Youth Wildlife Conservation Exper...
Aug 16, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Suppressors (silencers) are legal to own in 42 US states and legal to hunt with in 41 of those. Brandon Maddox, CEO and owner of Silencer Central, is recognized as a national thought leader on Class 3 firearms. What began as Maddox’s home-based Federal Firearms License (FFL) evolved into a Class 3 Dealership and has grown into the nationwide brand it is today. Maddox’s NFA expertise makes him a popular voice for the industry, and he speaks regularly at National Compliance Conferences. Before his...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 10 min
High School educator and past President of Washington WSF, Glen Landrus of Anatone, WA is serving his second term as Chair of the Board of Directors of Wild Sheep Foundation. Former 747 pilot and CEO of Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, Kyle Stelter of Victoria, BC is serving his second term as Vice Chair. Glen and Kyle join Sheep Fever Co-Host Gray Thornton to reflect on the most successful year in FNAWS/WSF’s 46-year history and the most impactful for wild sheep. This past year saw recor...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Chef Josh Schwencke owns and operates Gastronomy Outdoors in south Texas, a company designed in the building and facilitating of culinary courses centered around wild game preparation. Over the past 18 years Gastronomy has worked to connect its clients to the foundation of their food system by teaching cooking courses, game dinners and fireside meals all in the name of great food, fellowship, and conservation. As a hunter and outdoorsmen, Chef Josh brings his years of culinary service into the f...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 6 min
For this episode, Keith and Gray are joined by Glenda Grout, owner of Canol Outfitters in the NWT, and filmmaker Jason Matzinger to talk all things NWT Dall’s Sheep. After Covid delays, Jason was able to fulfill his dream of hunting a Dall’s ram with Glenda this past July. This sheep hunt was an opportunity for him to gather what he needed to complete a new film project that will also explore the history and significance to conservation and game management, as well as the personal rewards of a s...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Blayne St. James owns and operates St. James Sporting Properties, a group of elite real estate professionals and outdoorsmen specializing in selling trophy hunting and fishing properties throughout the West. His company has exclusive marketing partnerships with some of the premier names in the outdoor industry and some of the most well-respected names in the non-profit space. In addition to working in the outdoor world, he is also an avid big game hunter who enjoys both archery and rifle hunting...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 19 min
On this episode of Sheep Fever, co-host Gray Thornton visits with Schnee’s president & owner, Jon Edwards, and Marketing Director, Matt Miller, to talk sheep hunting, their Montana roots, footwear, firearms, gear, our freedoms, outdoor heritage, and why this iconic downtown Bozeman brand has been a stalwart supporter of Wild Sheep Foundation for more than 30 years. We discuss Schnee’s rich history, its future, and why showcasing a “gun shop” on Main Street in downtown Bozeman is important to...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Congress passed the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses & Burros Act in 1971 when populations of these animals were declining. Back then, no one could have foreseen the problems we currently face 55 years later, as unchecked populations overrun the carrying capacity of the land and out-compete native wildlife (including wild bighorns) for forage and water. The law requires the BLM to protect and manage populations of horses and burros for the health of the landscape and these animals themselves, bu...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min
For a variety of reasons women are one of the fasting growing segments of the hunting and shooting communities. WSF’s Women Hunt® program was conceived to help more women cross barriers into the hunting and conservation space. Women Shaping Conservation is a new program within Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia with a shared vision and mission of WSF’s Women Hunt® program. Gray sits down with Women Hunt® founder and Chair Renée Thornton, Women Shaping Conservation Chair Rebecca Peters, (a 20...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 32 min
One of the most cherished aspects of any hunt is the stories shared around a campfire. Whether enjoying Stone’s sheep ribs slow grilled on willow sticks, Dall’s tenderloins sauteed on a hot rock, or bighorn backstraps sizzling in a well-worn cast iron pan, the stories told while enjoying the fruits of the hunt in many ways epitomize the allure of sheep camp and the essence of the hunting experience. Guides, outfitters, and professional hunters around the world are renowned as some of the finest ...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 26 min
Auction Tags, Governor’s Tags, Minister’s Permits – celebrated conservation funding, special privilege, love them or hate them, amazing record amounts of money are being spent each year for the chance to skip to the head of the line and hunt one special animal. The question is, what do these funds mean to big game species, the agencies that receive these funds, the organizations that sell them, and is this system of conservation funding durable? On the heels of the 2023 AZ Mule Deer Tag selling ...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 23 min
One Health is not a new concept, but it has gained momentum with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and others following the COVID pandemic. One Health promotes the fact that human health is directly tied to the health of the environment, including wildlife, plants, clean air, and clean water. While at the 2023 Sheep Show, Keith visited with wildlife veterinary expert and past Chair of the Wild Sheep Foundation Peregrine Wolff, and Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions. The...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 13 min
