NITE LIFE NATION - The Coon Hunter's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nick Gilliland, Stephen Fielder, Brent Reaves
Nite Life Nation is a coon hunting podcast highlighting all things coonhounds! We focus on the relaxed nature of pleasure hunting, the intensity of competition, the rich heritage and future of the sport, along with the requirements to maintain a balanced family life and healthy hounds. From novice to expert, Nite Life Nation encompasses the whole spectrum of living the coonhound lifestyle.
Welcome to the old country store where it's all fun and games until someone gets a tooth knocked out and the first punch has been thrown. Steve wraps up the Autumn Oaks winners report, Brent calls out a 1 on 1 challenge and Nick breaks down some recent events from Vermont that could have far reaching effects on us all and they detail some suggestions that might help deescalate future hunter/landowner conflicts. Put up your dukes and keep your feet moving it's time for Episode 65 brought to you by ONX!
Our sideline reporters Steve Fielder and "Nubbin" Moore are bringing us the play by play from the Autumn Oaks. September starts another big giveaway from the Nite Life Nation Podcast and Garmin is in the spotlight this month. Nick's getting better and Brent has made it through another week without being bitten by a snake or struck by lightening. One on One challenges make for some good conversation and observations along with a whole lot more. It's always fun, always family, and always free at the old country store. Y'all come on in!
Episode 63 finds the original crew at the back of the store discussing how to win the Viper by Sunspot Lights, air conditioned dog houses, chiggers, and Nick's deadly "cobra worms" of North Carolina. A listener raises the question as to the pros and cons of a temperature controlled hound home. We also learned that if your staying at Steve's house in the summer time you can cook biscuits on the kitchen table so pack shorts and a box fan. We've got some interesting topics along with the regular ones in this eclectic mix and Steve "The Heat Miser" Fielder does a deep dive into the famous Finley River Chief brought to you by ONX.
The boys welcome new friends and say goodbye to an old one in this week's installment of the Nite Life Nation Podcast. Dog updates, the countdown to our Sunspot Light giveaway, and getting to know Buddy Woodberry and Jason Duby of DU Supply. This ain't no infomercial, there's stuff in here you can use. Be sure you listen to the end for a fitting tribute to an old friend on episode 62 brought to you by onX.
Nick's got his gal back from Alabama and he's learned quite a bit from her field trip. We've got some Listener Question segment results to report and the Purina Nutrition Seminar Steve attended yields some interesting facts and observations. Brent reports on June's progress and the most prolific stud dog in history is profiled in the resurrected "Segment to be Named Later". Grab a seat, cool off, and join us for the 61st episode of the NLNP brought to you by onX.
It's business as usual as we try to beat the heat at the back of the old country store. We're updating dogs, recent hunts, and spotlight some youths that have come on strong in the competition arena. We welcome Oklahoma Attorney Daniel McClure to discuss what you should do if ever confronted with a dog being shot while out hunting. Daniel offers some personal case experience, some great advice, and shares some tips on how to handle a terrible situation the correct way. Lots of good stuff in this one brought to you by ONX.
It's time for a giveaway at the old country store. Listen and find out how to snag the latest and greatest Sunspot Light in a contest that will run the month of August. Steve breaks down an internet hunt he "attended" and everyone listens and chimes in on the latest from Nyx down in Alabama. Questions are being answered with inevitable follow-ups from the field as to if she's on the right track. Nick closes out the visit with a tale of a near death experience from his teen years. All this and more on episode 59 of the Nite Life Nation Podcast presented by ONX.
Meet us at the back of the store for fellowship and grammar lessons. It may be hot outside but the conversation is cool at the old country store where opinions don't necessarily reflect the views of the store owners or sane persons. The boys are talking about hunts, new dogs, old dogs, and the latest news from Autumn Oaks. A true crime drama rounds out the 58th episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast brought to you by ONX.
The boys are at the back of the store and watching where they're stepping. No, not because Nick's telling a story but because the snakes are out. Rex's pup got in a little fracas with "Jake No Shoulders" that cut short a promising hunt and Brent relates some quick action that lessened the severity of the bite. Autumn Oaks is right around the corner and attendance plans are being made. You'll find out where we'll be so you can come by and visit or avoid at all cost and Nick and Steve relate their experiences at Alabama's world famous Coon Dog Cemetery in the 57th helping of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
Lots to talk about in this one as Nick sends Nyx down to Alabama. Brent talks baseball, bologna, and reveals a confession from his dark past. Not to be outdone, we find out Steve would starve to death in Berlin. Don't try to do the math, just listen to this one to the very end. You'd think after 56 weeks of doing this they'd be better at it. Maybe next week...
Heath Hyatt is back and school is in session. This one gets technical with a ton of information and explanations on the whole environment that our hounds deal with from strike to tree and why sometimes they don't. This is the 3rd offering from Heath and you'll be glad you listened. Get your pencils sharpened 'cause the bell just rang for episode 55 of the NLNP brought to you by onX.
Listener feedback and questions are addressed when the boys gather at their weekly forum at the back of the old country store. The latest comp news and rule changes are related with some youth hunters really showing out. The boys are thinking about Autumn Oaks and Nick found a new way to use his onX tool. The weather's getting hotter so come on in and beat the heat!
Heath Hyatt is back and the boys have him hemmed up in the back of the store grilling him for information. Scent is defined and you may be surprised by what it really is and how it acts in the environment. When and how to use an e-collar is discussed in depth. We really get into this tool that can have positive and negative effects on the progression of your hound. Some big comp hunt results are in and Brent and Nick give updates on Ol' Waylon and Hide in the 53rd episode of the NLNP brought to you by onX.
Time does fly when you're having fun. If we'd been in the county jail we should be getting out about now. It's been a year and we're taking a look back on some of our favorite stories, topics, and really trying to figure out how we got here without shooting at one another. Thanks to all the folks who come to the old country store week after week. Ya'll are the reason we're here. Well, that and this court ordered community service. Anyway, Episode 52 of the NLNP is live and kicking. Grab a seat and watch out for flying chairs!
This one goes back and forth like a metal man in a shooting gallery. Brent's buddy broke her arm, Waylon's got pneumonia, Steve's streaking in Florida, and Nick has a decision to make. A museum of coon hunting? Why not? All this and a hog trough full of shade thrown at our favorite Volunteer in the 51st episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
It's hound training time at the old country store and man do we have a treat for you this week. Hound hunter and Police K9 instructor Heath Hyatt is the guest and everything from e-collars to slick trees is on the table. We talked about a bunch of training topics here but we're calling this "part 1" due to the stuff we didn't get to cover. Great tips, suggestions, and cold hard facts about getting the job done from the kennel to the tree with more to come in the future! Get out a pencil and paper, class is about to start in episode 50 of the NLNP.
The boys welcome Bryce Matthews to the back of the old country store and discuss the intricacies of training and handling hounds for others. Our friends at ONX have offered up a tremendous discount for our NLNP listeners and a question about combination tree dogs brings on some interesting answers. You're going to want to listen to this one all the way to the end. It's like wearing a seat belt, you should already be doing that.
We don't get in our seats good before shots are fired over Nick's unholy treatment of the much revered fried bologna. The results of Waylon's search for the 100th coon hangs tense in the air like the atmosphere at the OK Corral just before the lead started flying. The boys discuss their recent hunts, coon movement, and the current trends in hounds all while Nick's dad does laps around his house on a tractor in a monotonous holding pattern. All this and more in the 48th rendering of the NLNP!
In this episode we welcome Trevor Wade to the back of the old country store. Trevor tells us about his journey from East Tennessee to Southwest Michigan and what it's like running the coonhound program for the United Kennel Club. You're going to enjoy getting to know this soft spoken family man whose enthusiastic passion for our sport is only surpassed by his dedication to preserving our legacy while putting a fresh face on old stereotypes. UKC is moving forward and we think they've got a good man leading the charge. Take a listen and see for yourself in the 47th episode of the NLNP.
We're talking and breaking down the UKC's recent Tournament of Champions hunt in Greencastle, Indiana. Steve gives us some behind the scenes information but first we have the privilege of meeting Steve's brother, Randy, a pastor and houndsman himself. Lots of great insight and fun at the old country store in NLNP's 46th episode. Y'all come on in!
Turkey season is in full swing and Nick and Brent are doing their part punching tags as Steve makes his way to Indiana for the UKC Tournament of Champions. A listener wants to know where to draw the line on circle points and thermal technology reveals some interesting data on coon movement. It's creepy crawly time and Brent relates a story from the time a snake taught him how to make one arm bigger than the other. Cut the cheese and crack a window, it's getting warm at the back of the store on the 45th episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
It's boiled peanuts, fried bologna, and gully washers for everyone at the old country store this week! Waylon and Brent celebrate winning their first entered UKC event and Allen Gingerich, the director of Hunting Operations for UKC sits down and talks of his journey to the registry. The history of developing the Tournament of Champions is outlined and Allen addresses the issues facing UKC operations during these business restricted times. All of this and much more so pull up a chair, it's time to visit in the 44th episode of the NLNP.
Kip and Trent Gordon, grandsons of Lester and Imogene Nance, join the regulars at the country store with some interesting insights on their grandfather, the pioneer of the Treeing Walker Coonhound. Hear some wonderful history and hilarious accounts of the legendary first family of the Treeing Walker. These guys are carrying on the bloodline started nearly 90 years ago and are a testament and legacy to one of our sport's true iconic figures. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this 43rd episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
Alan Bridges takes a seat at the back of the store and visits with the NLNP crew about his English dogs, Georgia's Peach Classic UKC event, and his fundamental view of breeding hounds. The latest competition news is discussed and we get it straight from the source on what those boys treed down in Florida. You're gonna want to hang around for the end of this one when Steve goes wild. Again. Right here on EP 42!
41 episodes in and we finally get Bailee Reaves to join us for a segment on what she likes about coon hunting. Rex takes Waylon to town for his first competition hunt and some thought provoking questions from our listeners are shared. Down in Florida they're treeing monkeys in the PKC and Steve has the scoop! Could there be any more? You bet, but you're gonna have to grab a seat and listen for yourself!
We sit down with Adam Dean, a husband, father, master carpenter, woodcarver, and outdoorsman. Adam is a hunting dog practitioner and coonhound enthusiast from the United Kingdom. Adam relates how he first became interested in coon hunting at a young age and it becomes blatantly obvious how similar we all are regardless of where we call home, or how we pronounce it. A fascinating conversation from start to finish. You're going to want to listen to this one to the very end, old chap. Cheers!
What a treat to have Nick's coon hunting mentor and the pride of Cedar Mountain, NC, Kim Bishop, stop by the store for a visit. Kim shares some tales from his experience as both a pleasure and competition hunter along with being an industry representative for SportDOG Brand. Steve gets put in timeout with the UKC, Brent is getting death threats over not liking boiled peanuts, and the American Leopard Hound closes out the series of officially recognized coonhounds in "The Segment That Never Got Named". All this and much, much more in the 39th Episode of the NLNP.
There's boiled peanuts in the back of the country store this week. Did we run out of bologna? Anyway, these folks must be really hungry. To shoot or not to shoot, that is a question. Nick gets on the board with minus points in this weeks rule review while Steve dives into a famous Treeing Walker. Brent closes out the show with a story about his encounters, (yes, more than one) with big cats in Arkansas. Come on back and grab a chair and some of those boiled peanuts and enjoy episode 38 of the NLNP. I'm serious now; are we out of bologna?
Steve is in charge of this weeks meeting of the "minds" so we're holding him accountable for any damages ensued. Arkansas is still a frozen tundra, North Carolina is the new rain forest, and Florida remains full of bugs, and people wearing flip flops. Comp news is reported and UKC Rule 3 is broken down so even Brent can understand it. We think. How many is too many, how close is close enough, and other listener questions are asked and answered. Redbone's are the featured breed in The Segment To Be Named Later and much more in this edition of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
Nick's plowing this field with a pair of mules named Brent and Steve. The chances of the rows being straight isn't very good but the journey is going to be one to remember. Listener questions are answered, competition rules continued, and a Plott from Kansas takes the spotlight and the 1988 UKC World Championship. All that and more in the 36th edition of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
There's an extra chair at the back of the store this week and the owner of Sunspot Lights, Michael Rosamond, has claimed it. Listener's will be interested in Michael's journey in the world of coon hunting from a youngster to one of the industry leaders in spotlight production. That pesky UKC Rule #2 is discussed and examples are given when closed-mouth hunters literally violated it and figuratively stepped in it. Boyd's Little Joe, one of the great English hounds is the focus of The Segment To Be Named Later, and Steve shares a story about his father. Come on in and bring some wood for the stove!
There's spirited and lively conversation at the back of the store this evening and Brent's holding court in the 34th issuance of the Nite Life Nation Podcast. Steve gives himself a battlefield promotion to "sausage" at arms, Nick eats raw eggs, and Brent's tuning in the Grand Old Opry. Listener Questions are offered up, Bluetick's are the featured hound in The Segment To Be Named Later, and a faithful listener's story from Mr. Larry Howard is shared. Grab and chair and join us. We've been waiting for you!
Meet us at the back of the store and get ready to hear Nick tell us how the hickory trees in North Carolina drop acorns. Steve debuts a new segment on historic coonhounds, and Brent gets some great advice from them both for the listener questions. Dog updates, lots of competition news, and a story about our friend and yours, Mark Zepp. Who brought the Petit Jean?
It's time for sick call at the ol' country store as Brent whines about his back, Steve tells a story about telling a story, and Nick can't remember what week it is. After a geography lesson from Steve on which Virginia is which, the boys get down to discussing their dog's progression and what they use for coon feeders. Steve brings the competition news with some previews of upcoming hunt locations. Interesting listener questions are discussed and the topic of dogs having bad days afield is addressed on the 32nd episode of the NLNP. Come on in, we saved you a spot.
The boys have a lot to say and even a little to talk about in the 31st rendering of the NLNP. Steve ventures to the Grand American for a boots on the ground report on the competition results and his meet and greets with listeners. Dog updates offer several detailed observations on progress and training advice that should be helpful and Brent closes out the show with a story straight out of Hazard County. Well, not really, but it could've been and it sounded good. We saved you a spot so come on in!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! No mosquitoes and coon season's in full swing. Listener questions and comments, competition news, and how folks in England spell words with a "U" are just a few of the items on the agenda. Nyx leads Nick and Matt through the mountains of North Carolina while Steve and Cruise are dodging gators and treeing coons in Florida. Waylon hems a big boar coon up for Bailee, her daddy, and Rex and Mr. Fielder closes out the show with a story about a long, tall, Texan. Y'all come on in!
From den trees to coon hunting books the boys have a full menu of items in this latest discussion at the old country store. Listener questions, dog updates, plans for the Grand American and more in the 2021 premier of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
Christmas 22's, Nick's out of control three-wheeler, and more memories from the old country store highlight the 28th episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast. Steve and crew log their latest dog updates, talk about conversations with listeners and answer some questions along with the regular topics of discussion. Brent shares a special story about fishing with his dad in the final episode of 2020.
The regulars plus one are back in the old country store. Nick's Nite Life Kennel sidekick, Matt Johnson, sits down and joins in on the conversation. Pup updates, big competition news, listener questions, and Steve shares his thoughts on what Cruise has to do to stay in the Fielder family. All of this and more on the 27th episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
A special announcement and a shortened studio version with "Dr Abigail's Answers". Listen to a great coon camp interview with Steve Fielder and friends from the White River Refuge, or as Brent calls it, "The Mother Church of Coon Hunting". All this and more on the 26th installment of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
Nick has the lead on Episode 25 of the NLNP and tries to keep the boys in line as they discuss the usual topics of listener questions, hound training updates, and news from the competition circles. Does coon hunting with hounds negatively affect deer hunting? The crew discusses this one in depth citing personal experiences and a highly regarded scientific study that covered two years of stringent data collection. The results may surprise you. Lots of other stuff too, so grab a chair and join in!
We're not sure if Brent was dropped on his head as a baby or if he was picked up and thrown down a lot. Either way, you'll see what we're talking about during the 24th episode of the NLNP! Steve and Nick provide the moments of sanity as they bring up pertinent subjects for discussion, announcements that are beneficial to our listeners, and real time advice for the listeners experiencing road blocks. We saved you a spot back here in the corner, ya'll come on in!
Steve diagrams a competition hunt, a forestry lesson is given, and the usual buffoonery abounds in the 23rd episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast. You'll hear the hound updates, plans for the Grand American, listener questions, and an announcement concerning NLNP merchandise. Get in your regular spot at the back of the store and join the fun where the content is always fun, always family, and always free.
Nearly two hours of all things coon hunting in this weeks rendering of a conversation at the ol' country store. Coonhound mystery solved? We'll find out. Steve reports on the 2020 Purina National Championships and Nick tells a romantic story of Kate giving boxing lessons. All of that and lots more in the 22nd episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
Episode 21 of the Nite Life Nation Podcast is in the books. The boys report on some young hunter's recent successes, discuss the continued progression of their hounds along with the results of the recent world championships. The lawyers made Brent promise not to include anymore tire screeching sound effects, while Nick relates his latest hunts and Steve reports his results in the PKC World Hunt. Brent finishes out the show with a story about his father and a wager that left holes in his uncle's new Stetson.
This one changed directions quicker than a metal man in a shooting gallery. The boys went off the rails somewhere near Woodstock, New York, but they did manage to update their recent hunts, and the results of the PKC Youth Championships before Steve grabbed the tiller handle. You don't want to miss this one!
The 19th episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast has Steve, Nick, and Brent talking about recent hunts, training, write-in questions, and listener observations from recently aired episodes. The UKC World Champion is announced and Nick shares a story of a hunt with an old friend. Grab a seat and join the fun.
The usual suspects have huddled up at the ol' country store and Fall is in the air! Cruise, Nyx, and Waylon's progress is discussed and recent hunts are used as examples. The Super Stakes and PKC hunts are detailed by Steve along with the Nite Life Nation Podcast and Freedom Hunters sponsored bear hunt. Brent killed a bear and relates a story from an old friend about, "who's the boss" on the 18th episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
These boys didn't know when to shut up on this episode that lasted nearly two hours. Brent and Waylon perform a Jedi mind trick on a cottonmouth while Nick and Nyx hunt coons and their food in the Carolina's. Steve gives an interesting history on the evolution of the UKC Championship and his efforts in that great event. Recent hunts and listener questions are discussed and Steve says goodbye to an old friend.
We saved you a spot at the old country store. Steve, Nick, and Brent are talking about the latest from the competition circuit, the current progress of their hounds and a couple listener questions that you'll find very interesting. Nick rounds out the session with the story of one of his favorite hunts in the 16th offering of the NLNP. It's always fun, always family, and always free.
This show is packed from start to finish! Steve reports on the results from Autumn Oaks and Nick breaks down his trip to Arkansas and the near tragedy that cut it short. This week's listener question deals with hunting on moonlit nights and the reasons it may not be the most optimum time to go. Brent relates Part II of Karson's story and it's guaranteed to make you smile.
A preview of the Arkansas hunt gets the conversation started when Nick, Steve and Brent gather at their regular spots at the old country store. Nick highlights some great results from a hunter who'd asked for some training advice and Nyx and Waylon's progress is updated. This week's listener question is a big one and it elicits some strong suggestions and common sense tips that should help hunter's with similar problems. Steve reports on the competition front and ends the show honoring the memory of a legend.
Dog rashes, Steve's ol' pal Hoss, and a listener question get the boys started on a great visit at the old country store. Steve remembers one of his favorite Northern haunts and Nick breaks down some great tips on getting a young dog motivated to get out and hunt. Brent closes out the episode with a story he calls, "Karson Part 1". Stick around for it, you'll be glad you did.
The 12th episode of the Nite Life Nation Podcast has the latest competition news with Steve, a great listener question about the best time to hunt round-table from all three, and the topic of what constitutes a cold track is discussed. Nick's spontaneous, "I don't like fried bologna.", brings on yet another plea from Brent for him to see the light and come to his senses. The wait for a turkey surpassed the weight of one in a story from one of Brent's misadventures with his older brother Tim.
Nick opens the show with a picturesque description of our "old country store". An in depth discussion about caged, baited, and released coons and their place in hound training anchors the topics in the 11th installment of the Night Life Nation Podcast. Brent goes almost 6 minutes into the show before mentioning, "you know who", that's got to be a record, and Steve has the latest news from the competition world. A lesson on how to write a "dog for sale" ad closes the show at the last tree.
10 episodes in and the Nite Life Nation crew is giving back to the listeners with some discounts on items beneficial to today's coon hunter. Listener questions include treating hounds as pets and properly correcting a pen barking dog. Steve updates our Autumn Oaks plans and it's not good news. Brent gets a lesson on jinxing himself and Nick rounds out the visit with a story about his old hound, Jugg.
Nite Life Nation welcomes the owner and publisher of Bear Hunting Magazine, Clay Newcomb, as their first guest to the old country store. Clay's passion for coon hunting, his transition from Blueticks to Plotts, what he enjoys about training and following his hounds through the Ozarks are discussed in the 9th installment of NLNP. Steve brings us the latest news from the competition front and an update on the PKC Hall of Fame Treeing Walker nomination deadline. Nick tells us why Nyx has been placed under house arrest, Steve reports on how Cruise is doing in Michigan and Brent takes the opportunity to talk about Waylon. Again. Honestly, he won't shut up about that dog.
The coon that Nick and Brent thought got away down in South Carolina, didn't. Steve reports on how we can help officials in solving a houndsman's worst nightmare in North Carolina. The guys discuss how they hunt, train, deal with the heat, and balance home and hunting. Brent closes this episode with a story about his dad, a dog, a coon, and a two by twelve.
Brent and Waylon the Wonder Hound travel East, and he and Nick talk about their hunts in South Carolina. They also managed to slip in some fly fishing near Nick's home in North Carolina. Steve has the competition news locked down as always, and Waylon's time in the field is discussed and evaluated by all three. Steve's story about an old friend bringing some laughter to a tense situation on a comp hunt rounds out the 7th installment of the Nite Life Nation Podcast.
The usual suspects have gathered for another hour of coon hunting discussion. Steve and Nick shared a couple of impromptu jokes to get things started. Next time maybe they'll try singing. Steve relates the latest from the competition world where some folks took home some pretty good checks. All three evaluate Brent and Waylon's latest excursions in their training quest and Nick ends the night with a story about coon hunting and martial arts.
Episode 5 contains a little more in depth information on Brent's video production experience, and the guys each give the reasons of why they coon hunt. Nick and his friend hunt their new territory down in South Carolina for the first time and Steve reports on the winners of the $6,500 entry fee competition hunt. The final section of coon hunting terms is covered and Brent tells a story from his youth about losing his horse on a squirrel hunt.
The topics of discussion for this week include ruined hunting britches, coon squallers, the bounty that was roadkill, and more common coon hunting terms. Steve Fielder closes with a story about a mild mannered, yet malodorous, coon hunter from his past that will make you appreciate soap and convertible cars.
Brent talks about dealing with his hypochondriac hound. Steve brings in the latest from the competition circles and a hunt with a $6,500 entry fee! Nick details an inexpensive safety device that they won't hunt without. The boys quiz Steve about his book, "Gone to the Dogs, A Coon Hunter's Journey". The history and origins of coon hunting is discussed along with the traits of dogs that are leading us into the future. Why hounds are changing and what's causing the evolution. Nick caps it off with a story about one of his close friends, a bridge, and a scene from a horror movie.
In this episode the hosts discuss the availability of hunting land, both private and public. Steve's recent PKC competition hunt in Georgia, having another handler hunt your dog, and the fun of attending the Autumn Oaks event in Indiana are also discussed. Nick, Steve and Brent describe the dogs they hunt and their lineage. Steve relates some interesting UKC news about the current state of registering hounds. Brent tells a story about how he got interested in coon hunting and a humorous story about reading "Where the Red Fern Grows" to his son.