Hunting Matters is an award-winning podcast celebrating the wonders of the great outdoors.Join host Joe Betar, Executive Director of Houston Safari Club Foundation (https://hscfdn.org/), as he delves into captivating discussions with a diverse array of guests. From hunting and fishing to sport shooting, conservation, policy, and even culinary arts, this podcast covers it all. Available on all major podcast platforms—subscribe, listen, rate, and review!
Episode 275: No-Compromise Safety and New Technology with Eric Hung of ShellShock Protection & Pew Pew Tactical
In this episode of Hunting Matters, host Joe Betar sits down with Eric Hung, founder of
Pew Pew Tactical (https://www.pewpewtactical.com/)and ShellShock Protection (https://shellshockpro.com/).
Eric Hung is the founder and owner of ShellShock Protection, an Austin-based company dedicated to making certified, no-compromise eye and ear protection accessible to every hunter and shooter. He is also the founder and CEO of Pew Pew Tactical, one of the largest online firearms education resources, where he and his team have helped millions of new and experienced shooters build their skills safely through hands-on reviews, beginner's guides, and training content. It was during their hundreds of hours on the range that the idea for ShellShock took place. Whether behind a keyboard or behind a rifle, his mission is the same: making shooting sports safer, more approachable, and more fun.
Eric shares his journey from growing up in a non-gun household in Los Angeles to building one of the largest online firearms education platforms in the country.
He discusses how his background in biomedical engineering shaped his approach to firearms instruction and product design. Eric also breaks down the story behind founding ShellShock Protection (https://shellshockpro.com/), highlighting their mission to provide certified, no-compromise eye and ear protection. With October being National Hearing Protection Month, Eric explains why situational awareness and hearing safety must go hand-in-hand for hunters and target shooters alike.
Additionally, Eric opens up about his personal transition into hunting after moving to Texas, detailing his setup and tactics for thermal and night-vision hog control around Bastrop, his favorite rifle builds, and what it truly means to be a responsible firearm owner.
Learn more:
https://shellshockpro.com/ (https://shellshockpro.com/)
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/ (https://www.pewpewtactical.com/)
Learn more about HSCF: Houston Safari Club Home - Houston Safari Club (https://hscfdn.org/)
12 Oct 2026
Episode 274: Legendary Knives for Legendary Lives, Crafting Functional Art with Chris Williams
In this episode of Hunting Matters, we sit down with Chris Williams, Founder and Owner of Williams Knife Company, to explore the art, origin, and evolution of legendary knifemaking.Chris shares how watching his grandfather turn discarded bandsaw blades into functional tools inspired him to walk away from a promising career in corporate finance to pursue custom knifemaking full-time. He walks us through his breakthrough moment with "The Edisto"—a specialized oyster knife that won Garden & Gun’s overall Made in the South Award in 2011—and how that instant demand transformed him from a solo craftsman into an entrepreneur.In this episode, we cover:
The Transition from Craft to Business: Leaving the finance industry, navigating custom demand, and scaling production without losing heirloom quality.
Designing with Purpose: The story behind "The Edisto" and why understanding the end-user's needs comes before aesthetic appeal.
The New Heritage Series: Reinterpreting classic, historical knife patterns with modern efficiency, super-durable materials, and precision edge geometry.
Knives for the Field & Kitchen: What truly makes a hunting knife effective in demanding outdoor conditions, and how lessons from field tools influence culinary design.
The Search for the Perfect EDC: Defining what makes a reliable, accessible everyday carry knife built for real work.
Legacy & "Living Outside": Why a knife is more than just a tool, and what it means to build heirloom items designed to be passed down through generations.
Whether you're an avid hunter, a outdoor enthusiast, a culinary enthusiast, or someone who appreciates fine craftsmanship, this episode offers a fascinating look into building a brand grounded in heritage, durability, and functional art.
Connect with Williams Knife Co.:
Website: williamsknife.com (https://williamsknife.com/)
Instagram: @WilliamsKnifeCo (https://www.instagram.com/WilliamsKnifeCo/)
Facebook: @WilliamsKnifeCo (https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsKnifeCo/)
Visit Houston Safari Club Foundation (https://wehuntwegive.org) for more information.
5 Oct 2026
Episode 273: Dangerous Game, Logistics, and Conservation with DJ Meyer
In this episode of Hunting Matters, host Joe Betar speaks with DJ Meyer, South African Professional Hunter, safari operator, co-owner of Leeuwkop Hunting Safaris, and commercial pilot. Drawing on generations of family hunting heritage, DJ breaks down what first-time and veteran hunters need to know when preparing for an African safari—from gear and ballistics to dangerous game encounters and sustainable conservation.
Key Topics Covered:
Preparing for Your First Safari: What first-time hunters should expect upon arrival, common preparation mistakes, and why mental flexibility and physical fitness are essential in the bush.
Dangerous Game Encounters: How to prepare mentally and physically for hunting buffalo and elephant, understanding animal body language, preventing charges, and navigating high-pressure situations.
Rifle & Ammunition Selection: Key considerations for bullet construction, weight retention, and terminal performance across different game species, plus essential range testing before traveling.
Evaluating Safaris & Outfitter Models: Choosing between South Africa and Zimbabwe, understanding free-range vs. managed hunting properties, and the differences between outfitter-led and direct landowner operations.
Conservation & Legacy: How ethical, regulated hunting directly funds anti-poaching operations, habitat restoration, and local community growth across Africa.
Connect with DJ Meyer & Leeuwkop Hunting Safaris:
Website: https://leeuwkophuntingsafaris.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeuwkophuntingsafaris/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeuwkophuntingsafaris
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSCZx_-cirhZvgnFOpoC8w
Learn more about HSCF: https://hscfdn.org/
Who has been a guest on Hunting Matters With Joe Betar
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lynda Whitehead
Justin Townsend
Adam Berkelmans
Allie Gilkerson
Clint Steffens
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
17,445
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
62
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
27
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