High Country and Handmade: Stories of the western craft and way of life

Episode 27: Travis Chilson: Traps, Coyotes and Politics: A Trapper’s View on Wildlife Management

Travis Chilson shares stories from the trapline, practical gear and dog-handling tips, and his lifelong interest in archaeology and natural history.
We also cover predator control, wildlife policy, and the political battles affecting hunting, trapping, and conservation today. What I thought was going to be a pretty straightforward conversation had more twists and turns then a roller coaster. Just the way we like our conversations. Share with your friends, comment, like and subscribe. Thanks for your support. 

Episode 26: Camellia Cann: Northern Shadows: Crime Fiction, Courtrooms, and Small‑Town Secrets

On the newest episode we have the privilege of interviewing Camellia Cann, a North Idaho criminal defense attorney turned crime novelist. They discuss her two published thrillers and an upcoming summer-set third book, her writing process, self-publishing and editing choices, and the idea of seasonal releases to match a book's atmosphere.
We also discuss my hobbies—hound hunting, dog training, leatherwork—plus the challenges of social media, concerns about AI in creative work, and nostalgic reflections on communication before the digital age. We bounce around and cover just about everything we think of in this enjoyable conversation. Books available on Amazon and at local Coeur d'Alene bookstore. Please comment, like and share and as always, let us know how we did. 

Episdode 25: Bone Maniacs Unleashed: Traps, Bears, and the Fight for Tradition

Join Shane Mowery of Bone Maniacs for a candid conversation about hound hunting, trapping, bobcat and bear encounters, and the pressures facing rural life and wildlife management.
This episode blends field stories, trapline and archery updates, debates on predators and policy, and reflections on self‑reliance and preserving outdoor traditions.

Episode 24: Rusty Kramer: From Trapline to Fur Sale: Behind the Scenes with the Idaho Trappers

Guest Rusty Kramer, president of the Idaho Trappers Association and the National Trappers Association, discusses trapping life in Southern Idaho — the challenges of an odd winter, low catches, and shifting species trends including wolves, bobcats, skunks, porcupines, otter and muskrats.The episode also covers changing fur markets and niche demands, fur sale events and demonstrations, conservation and advocacy work by ITA/NTA, and the community and education efforts to support trappers and newcomers.

Episode 23:From Leatherwork to 1911s: A Candid Talk with Scattered Hamlet’s Adam Jode

Adam Joad of Scattered Hamlet discusses the band’s roots, blending country life with heavy music, the role of TikTok in their growth, and how authenticity shapes their songs and covers.
They also share personal stories about leatherworking, hunting, firearms, and the realities of touring as independent musicians, plus reflections on community, respect, and staying true to where you come from.

Episode 22: Ranch Life Unfiltered: Market Truths, Hunting, and Hard Work on a Southern Colorado Ranch

Turner Kincaid, who runs the Average Hired Man social page, joins to share an honest look at ranch life in southern Colorado — his herd, summer mountain permits, winter feed, and running about 350 mother cows plus replacement heifers and bulls.
The episode covers why locally sold beef costs more than the live cattle market price, the true costs of feed and infrastructure, rising land and horse markets, hunting and dog training, and the value of keeping people connected to where their food comes from. 
https://www.instagram.com/average.hired.man?igsh=dWlyMHV3aXpjZTNn

Episode 21 with Rocking MST Leatherworks Tooling, Timelines, and Tough Choices in Handmade Leather

In this episode Sarah from Rockin MST Leatherworks talks about how she got into leatherworking, running a small handmade business, and balancing family life with custom orders.
Topics include tooling and patterns, pricing and selling (Etsy and craft shows), the time‑consuming nature of hand‑stitching, learning from mentors, and finding customers while living in a rural area.

Episode 20: Country Living Conservative: Raising Kids, Hunting Ethics, and Standing Up for Rural Life

Bree joins a live conversation about life on and off the homestead — sharing her journey from Instagram’s Country Living Conservative to hands-on hunting, hound and trap experiences, deer and bear hunting, and managing chickens, goats, and other animals while preparing for winter.The episode also covers bigger themes: staying connected to where food comes from, concerns about industrial food and pharmaceuticals, issues with aerial pesticide spraying, raising children outdoors, and the need for rural voices to speak up for sustainable, ethical ways of life.

Episode 19:Tires, Tarantulas & Trophy Plans: True Outdoor Stories with Pat Cummings

Pat Cummings joins the podcast to share tales of hiking, hunting, fishing mishaps, moving to Arizona, mentoring young hunters, fitness goals, and upcoming African hunts. The episode mixes outdoor talk with personal reflections on family, a few laughs we have shared and making the most of our active years. Something we all need to focus on more often. Please like, share and subscribe if you enjoy anything we do

Episode 18 Bailey Lyle Stitching Stories: A Leatherworker’s Heritage & Hustle

Bailey chats about growing up around livestock and leatherwork, learning crafts from family, and the time and care behind handmade leather goods.
We discuss pricing, patterns, the intricacies of the craft, storytelling and preserving cowboy traditions, plus the role of social media in sharing and sustaining the trade and navigating an ever changing lifestyle.