In this episode, we sit down with one of the most recognizable new faces in BC’s mountain hunting community — Tysen Bjorn, owner of Custom Pack Rigging, sheep hunter, devoted dad, and a guy who doesn’t do anything halfway.

Tysen shares the unlikely, honest, and downright gritty story of how he went from a Lower Mainland kid with no horses in his life… to a full-blown horseback mountain hunter with a 15-horse string and ownership of one of the most iconic pack gear companies in Western Canada.

We walk through his early years chasing alpine mule deer, his first transformative trip up the Cassiar, and the life-changing events of 2020 — a season that brought him his first ram and a head-on collision on the drive home that made him rethink everything. The result? A “now or never” moment that launched him into horses, mountain hunting, and ultimately the reins of Custom Pack Rigging.

Tysen talks candidly about the steep learning curve, the suffering, the magic, and the raw honesty of building yourself from the ground up in the horse world. From raising unstarted yearlings, to mentoring from old cowboy hands, to taking his young son Jeremy along for the ride, this is a conversation about legacy — both personal and generational.

We dive deep into:

• The pull toward horses and why it’s all or nothing
• The therapeutic and grounding nature of working with animals
• How Custom Pack Rigging came into his hands — and what he’s building for the future
• The importance of preserving old-school horsemanship and mountain hunting traditions
• Bringing youth and women into the pack-horse world
• Community, mentorship, and the responsibility every sheep hunter carries
• The upcoming Horse Packing Competition at the Northern Fundraiser — and why you should throw your name in the ring

This episode is a mix of humour, humility, real talk, hard-won lessons, and a whole lot of passion for the lifestyle that defines the wild sheep community.

If you’re a backpack hunter curious about horses, a young person dreaming of the mountains, or someone who appreciates the “legacy” of our hunting culture — this conversation will hit home.

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

In this episode, Kyle connects with Dallas Safari Club Executive Director, Russell Stacy and Brian Fienhold, Director of Development. from the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) to discuss the organization's mission, global impact, and the importance of conservation and education in the hunting community. They explore the role of volunteers, the success of the DSC convention, and the recent Summer Gala, which saw record attendance and fundraising. The conversation highlights the evolution of DSC as a leader in conservation advocacy and the exciting future events and opportunities for involvement in the organization.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

In this inspiring episode of Talk Is Sheep, we welcome Keia Holm to discuss the importance of empowering young women in the conservation space. Keia shares her insights on leadership, courage, and redefining what it means to be involved in conservation. We also discuss her journey to hunting and how she grew up in a family that was not supportive of hunting.

Keia highlights how women are shaping the future of conservation and why their voices are vital to the movement. She reminds us that conservation extends far beyond hunting—it’s about support, commitment, and creating sustainable practices that safeguard our natural world. She also talks passionately about how she is inspiring and raising her family in the hunting lifestyle.

She dives into her 2025 Stone's Sheep hunt in Northern BC that she shared with her husband. Keia highlights the highs and lows of the trip and how she over came the challenges BC's nature through at her.

This episode is a call to action for young women to step outside their comfort zones, discover their strengths, and see themselves as the next generation of conservation leaders.

Check out Women Shaping Conservation at www.wildsheepsociety.com/women-shaping-conservation

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

In this episode of Talk Is Sheep, host Kyle Stelter welcomes Justin Spring, Executive Director of Pope and Young, for a deep dive into one of North America’s most respected bowhunting organizations.

Justin shares how Pope and Young is championing ethical bowhunting, wildlife conservation, and hunter advocacy in today’s rapidly changing landscape. From preserving the legacy of fair chase to expanding their conservation footprint, Justin outlines how the organization is blending tradition with modern relevance to engage a new generation of hunters.

Kyle and Justin also discuss the organization’s records program, youth initiatives, and the growing importance of collaboration across conservation partners — ensuring that the values of bowhunting remain strong for generations to come.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

In this episode of Talk Is Sheep, hosts Kyle Stelter and Greg Rensmaag, President of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, for an engaging update on everything happening within the Society. The two discuss major upcoming events including the Salute to Conservation & Mountain Hunting Expo and the Northern Fundraiser in Dawson Creek, while also highlighting membership promotions, current conservation projects, and what’s on the horizon for wild sheep recovery in British Columbia.

Greg and Kyle dive into how WSSBC’s members, partners, and supporters are driving tangible conservation results on the ground — from habitat restoration and herd recovery to awareness and engagement. Whether you’re a long-time member or just discovering the wild sheep community, this episode offers valuable insight into the people and passion behind the movement.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

Listen now and stay connected to wild sheep conservation in BC!

#TalkIsSheepPodcast #WildSheepBC #WSSBC #Conservation #MountainHunting #SheepHunting #Fundraiser #SaluteToConservation #WildSheepFoundation #Gunwerks #PrecisionOptics #StoneGlacier #OnXHunt #FrontiersmenGear #SchneeHunt #ZeissHunting #WildTV #YETI #SitkaGear

We sit down with the leadership team behind the newly launched Canadian Wildlife Conservation Partners (CWCP) for an in-depth conversation on Talk is Sheep.

Fresh off their September debut, we welcome CWCP Chair Chris Everett, Vice-Chair Brian McRae, and founding partner representatives Doug Chiasson and Kyle Stelter (host) to unpack the vision behind this new national collaborative.

The group shares the why, the how, and what Canadians can expect from the CWCP as it gains momentum. With fourteen partner and affiliate organizations already on board—representing nearly 200,000 members—the CWCP is off to a powerful start.

Formed by the Canadian Fur Institute, Delta Waterfowl, SCI Canada, and the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, the founding partners discuss the challenges they see ahead, the need for a unified conservation voice, and the structure and pillars guiding the organization.

They also explore how the CWCP plans to operate, advocate, and make an impact moving forward.

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by:

@yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

Talk Is Sheep Podcast – Episode: Maddie Richards | Kicked Out

We welcome Maddie Richards to the podcast to talk about conservation, hunting, family, and her new "Kicked Out" series on the Wild Sheep Foundation’s "Sheep Fever" podcast platform.

Maddie is a dedicated, hardcore, and accomplished hunter, having taken several trophy-class animals. This fall, she arrowed a pronghorn antelope buck and continues to spend her weekends and time off chasing elk in Montana.

As the Membership Manager for the Wild Sheep Foundation, Maddie grew up in a conservation-minded family and now channels that passion into her work and media projects. She’s recently stepped into the role of host for the "Kicked Out" series on "Sheep Fever".

Check out Maddie’s first episode of Kicked Out here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/25ecaVkTO3wQweuJj1zuXo?si=4f6c0079081b4c53

Presented by: @sitkagear

Supported by: @yeti

@zeisshunting

@frontiersmengear

@onxhunt

@stoneglacier

@wild_tv

@schnee_hunt

@precision.optics

@gunwerks

We welcome two hardcore mountain hunters to the podcast — Anthony Klubi and Brandon Roth. These guys have been grinding it out in sheep country for the better part of a decade, yet the elusive ram has always slipped through their fingers.

That changed this year.

After an early-season hunt that came up short on harvest but full of lessons, Anthony and Brandon laced up their boots once again and pushed back into the mountains in pursuit of a mature Stone’s ram. 179 kilometres on foot and fifteen days in the field later — persistence finally paid off.

But this story is more than just miles and mountains.

Earlier in the year, Anthony lost his grandfather and chose to carry his ashes with him into the alpine. The emotional weight of that journey — combined with the unspoken question of who would take the shot if the opportunity presented itself (neither had ever harvested a ram) — could have made for a tense situation.

Instead, it revealed the strength of true hunting brotherhood.

Anthony and Brandon walk us through that pivotal moment — and how it unfolded with respect, humility, and friendship. The result? A heavy, dark-caped ram worthy of any sheep hunter’s dreams.

This story will make you laugh, pause, and quite possibly wipe away a tear. It’s one for the books.

Presented by: SITKA Gear

Supported by: Frontiersmen Gear, Gunwerks, OnX Maps, Precision Optics, Schnee’s, Stone Glacier, Wild TV, YETI, and Zeiss