Sitka Southeast Podcast

About Sitka Southeast Podcast

The Sitka Southeast Podcast dives into the strategies, stories, and skills behind successful hunts and time on the water. Recorded out of the Charlotte Sitka Gear Store, each episode breaks down real-world tactics for whitetail, turkey, waterfowl, and fishing across the Southeast, alongside conversations with experienced hunters, biologists, and industry voices. If you’re serious about improving your approach and understanding the “why” behind the hunt, you’re in the right place.

Publisher

Sitka Southeast Podcast

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 May 2026

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

26 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Why Most Hunters Aren't Actually Prepared | Outfitter Jake Wills

   Most hunters think they're prepared—until the moment of truth arrives.In Episode 26 of the SITKA Southeast Podcast, we're joined by Jake Wills of DB BAR D Outfitters in Mills River, North Carolina, to talk about what actually separates successful hunters from those who struggle in the field.Jake has seen firsthand what happens when hunters arrive with expensive equipment, unrealistic expectations, and too little preparation. From a bowhunter missing a bear by six yards to the realities of paid hunts, we dive into the mistakes that can cost hunters their opportunity.We also discuss:Why broadhead tuning and practicing with your actual hunting setup matterThe difference between paying for a guided hunt and guaranteeing a harvestWhy understanding the wind is more important than relying on scent-control productsPhysical and mental preparation for Western elk huntingThe role of experience, humility, and persistenceWhat happens when a blood trail disappearsThe responsibility of recovering a wounded animalWhy shooting under pressure is nothing like shooting at a stationary targetBear hunting and guiding in the mountains of North CarolinaWhether you're chasing whitetails, black bears, or elk, this conversation is packed with lessons that can make you a more capable, responsible hunter.Learn more about DB BAR D Outfitters: https://dbbard.com

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Why North Carolina Grows Giant Black Bears | NC Bear Biologist

   North Carolina grows some absolutely massive black bears—but why are the biggest bears overwhelmingly coming from the coast?In Episode 25 of the SITKA Southeast Podcast, Jake sits down with Jenna Malzahn, Bear Biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to talk about North Carolina's black bear population, the difference between mountain and coastal bears, bear behavior, habitat, hunting and what decades of wildlife management have taught us about one of the state's most impressive big-game animals.Jenna explains how North Carolina's bear population recovered to more than 20,000 bears, why coastal and mountain bears can behave so differently, how far a male bear's home range can extend, what drives hibernation, how bears use their incredible sense of smell and what warning signs hunters and hikers should recognize when they're too close to a bear. We also get into the hunting side: how difficult bears are to pattern compared with deer, where to look for bears on coastal public land, how agriculture and natural food sources influence movement, and why some of North Carolina's coastal bears reach extraordinary sizes. Jenna specifically recommends looking at edges near agriculture when trying to locate coastal bears on public land because bears can travel between agricultural food sources and the security cover of game lands. Plus, Jenna explains how NCWRC uses teeth collected from harvested bears to determine their ages. The lab can count annual deposits in the tooth similarly to rings in a tree, and Jenna says the state sends more than 4,000 teeth for processing each year. If you hunt bears in North Carolina—or have ever wondered how these animals live, move and grow so large—this episode is for you.

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   North Carolina Has a Wild Pig Problem | Here's How to Hunt Them

   North Carolina has a wild pig problem. In Episode 24, we sit down with NC Wildlife Resources Commission District 6 Wildlife Conservation Biologist Greg Queen and NC State graduate student William Mayfield to talk about wild pigs in North Carolina, feral hog hunting, pig behavior, wildlife impacts, current research and how hunters can actually find and hunt them.William is currently studying feral pigs using GPS tracking collars and trail cameras to better understand their movement and estimate population density. As he explains in the episode, one of the challenges is that nobody really knows exactly how many wild pigs are currently living across North Carolina.We get into just how widespread pigs have become, why they're so difficult to control, how they affect deer and turkey habitat, and why recreational hunting alone may not be enough to significantly reduce pig populations.Then Greg walks us through how he actually hunts wild pigs—including how to find public-land opportunities, what pig sign looks like, wallows, rooting, tracks, scouting techniques, wind direction, still-hunting tactics, shot placement and broadhead selection.Greg also explains that NCWRC personnel familiar with local game lands may be able to point hunters toward general areas with known pig populations—though, as he jokes, they're probably not going to tell you which tree the pigs are standing under.One of the biggest questions we tackle is simple:Can hunters actually control the wild pig population?Near the end of the conversation, William explains that roughly 70% of a population would need to be removed just to keep that population stable, while also pointing out the obvious problem: managers don't necessarily know the total population they're taking 70% of. The discussion ultimately turns to whole-sounder removal as a management strategy.Whether you're searching for wild pigs in North Carolina, NC hog hunting, public land hog hunting, feral pigs, wild boar hunting, NC game lands with pigs, how to hunt wild hogs, pig hunting tactics, or North Carolina wildlife management, this episode covers the problem from both the research and hunting perspectives.North Carolina has a pig problem.Now the question is what hunters and wildlife managers can actually do about it.Discount Codes: In Store Purchases - Podcast15Speed Broadheads - SSEP10Upcoiming Events:Waterfowl Expo - 10/10Veteran's Day Workout Event - 11/14

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Sitka Southeast Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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