This is where the future of hunting is being built—long before the first tag is filled.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Keith Tidball, Executive Director of the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation—a leader at the intersection of conservation, education, and community.

With a background spanning decades in conservation science, public service, and outdoor recreation, Keith brings a unique perspective on what it truly takes to secure the future of hunting. From his work at Cornell University to advising national conservation initiatives, his career has been centered on one core idea: if we want the outdoors to endure, we have to intentionally pass it on.

Together, they dive into the growing role of education in recruitment, retention, and reactivation—and how programs like Outdoor Adventures are introducing hundreds of thousands of students to hunting, fishing, and conservation through the classroom.

This conversation goes deeper than curriculum. It’s about cultural relevance, access, and the responsibility of today’s hunters to shape tomorrow’s advocates. Through the partnership between SCI and OTF, the path forward is clear: bring the outdoors to where the next generation already is—and invite them in.

Because the future of hunting isn’t just protected in the field…
It’s taught.

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This is where the real conversations about hunting happen.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Nick Freitas — veteran, public servant, and unapologetic advocate for personal freedom, responsibility, and the values that define the American hunter.

Nick brings a perspective forged through service — both on the battlefield and in the public arena. As a lifelong hunter and outspoken voice on constitutional rights, his connection to the outdoors runs deeper than recreation. It’s rooted in self-reliance, stewardship, and a belief that the hunting lifestyle is inseparable from the broader principles of liberty.

This conversation goes beyond the hunt.

It’s about responsibility — what it means to provide, to protect, and to preserve something worth passing down. Nick shares how hunting shaped his worldview, how it ties into the fabric of American identity, and why the fight to protect it doesn’t just happen in the field — it happens in culture, policy, and everyday conversations.

They dig into the intersection of hunting and freedom, the growing disconnect between modern society and the source of its food, and why hunters have a role to play far beyond season dates and tags.

No fluff. No filters. Just real perspective from a man who’s lived a life of service — and understands exactly what’s at stake.

Because hunting isn’t just something you do.

It’s a responsibility you carry — to your family, your community, and the principles that make the lifestyle possible.

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This is where the real conversations about hunting happen.

On this episode of First For Hunters, host Craig Kauffman sits down with Pedro Ampuero — a globally respected hunter, conservationist, and voice for ethical hunting in some of the world’s most wild and demanding environments.

Pedro brings a perspective shaped far beyond borders. From the mountains of Central Asia to the plains of Africa, his experience isn’t just about the pursuit — it’s about understanding the deeper responsibility that comes with it. As a leader in international conservation efforts and a passionate advocate for sustainable hunting, his work lives at the intersection of tradition, science, and stewardship.

This conversation goes deeper than stories from the field.

It’s about perspective — how hunting connects cultures, how it’s perceived across the world, and what it means to carry the lifestyle in places where the stakes are often higher and the margins thinner. Pedro shares insight into the realities of global conservation, the role hunters play in protecting wildlife, and why ethical standards matter now more than ever.

They dig into the misconceptions surrounding international hunting, the importance of education and advocacy, and what the future looks like if the next generation gets it right — or wrong.

No fluff. No filters. Just real perspective from someone who’s lived hunting at a global scale — and understands exactly what’s on the line.

Because hunting isn’t just something you do.

It’s something that connects people, protects wild places, and carries responsibility far beyond the moment of the shot.

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