Best Cuttingthedistancepodcast Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 81: Bulls, Gobblers, and Wolves with Ron Hewitt 1:17:00

6d ago1:17:00

1:17:00

Time spent in the woods each spring is so imortant to resetting our mental state after being cooped up all winter, especially when you share that time with friends or family. Dirk recaps his Oregon turkey hunt with his good friend, Ron Hewitt, and they dive into a couple rabbit holes of Idaho elk hunting and the effect wolves have had on the landsc…

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Ep. 80: Baiting Spring Black Bears with Cody Wilson and Corey Paulsen 35:15

14d ago35:15

35:15

Some people may say, "Baiting is the lazy man's way to hunt bears." Dirk dives in deep about the work and details that goes into bear baiting while on a bear hunt last spring in Wyoming with long time friends Cody Wilson and Corey Paulsen. After listening to this, you may walk away with a new found respect for those gritty hunters who take the "laz…

1
Ep. 79: Mountain Lion Hunting with Hound Dogs 51:32

15d ago51:32

51:32

Hound hunting can stir strong emotions in both hunters and non-hunters. Jason and his good friend and hunting outfitter, Bradley Dammerman, reflect on Jason's recent Mountain Lion hunt and discuss what hound hunting is all about. As any group of people today, a couple bad actors can make the whole group look bad. Bradley explains his take on hounds…

1
Ep. 78: So You Want to Backpack Hunt? 1:10:17

28d ago1:10:17

1:10:17

Backpack hunting is becoming more popular as time goes by. People are venturing further and farther from the roads to find game and just get away from it all. Jason and Dirk sit down to talk about the specialty gear required, when they make the decision to backpack hunt, as well as a list of other best practices. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelp…

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Ep. 77: Bo Nickal - The Wrestler, The Fighter, The Hunter 1:22:04

1M ago1:22:04

1:22:04

Bo Nickal is known by almost every wrestling and UFC fan out there. He is one of the most dominant wrestlers of all time, winning three NCAA championships for Penn State and carrying that success into the octagon where he now has a 5-0 record to start his career. Bo started hunting later in life, once his collegiate career was over. We talk about h…

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Ep. 76: Small Batch Turkey Calls 51:19

1M ago51:19

51:19

If Phelps "Small Batch" turkey calls are made in Washington, why are they referred to as "small batch" when the guys behind them live in Missouri? Dirk made the trip out to Missouri from Idaho to capture video content around Steve Morgenstern's new pot calls and James Harrison's triple locator. They discuss manufacturing, features, and best practic…

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Ep. 75: The ElkMaster, Josh Boyd 1:16:19

2M ago1:16:19

1:16:19

Ever met someone who is so easy to talk to and shares the same passions as you? Someone who you can talk to for hours and it seems like time stands still? Dirk's longtime friend, Josh Boyd, from north-western Montana is just that kind of guy. Josh has taken many public land bulls and bucks in his life and loves to share his adventures with fellow s…

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Ep. 74: Rapid-Fire Turkey with John Weik 51:30

2M ago51:30

51:30

Turkey season is right around the corner! If I were a betting man, I would place my bet on the fact: "There is nobody that spends more time chasing mountain birds around than John Weik." Jason jumps into conversation with John on the best times of day to be hunting, what calls should be in your kit, and locating birds in the mountains. Jason then s…

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Ep. 73: Idaho's "Good Old Days" of Elk Hunting 1:02:59

2M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

When I hear the phrase "good old days," I want to know exactly how good it was. Dirk sits down with outdoor writer and lifelong Sportsman advocate, George Bettas, to chat about elk hunting in Idaho's famed Clearwater region back in the 70's and 80's. George transports us from back in time to elk hunting massive herds of elk in a place void of hunte…

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Ep. 72: North Country Ghost Bulls 1:13:37

2M ago1:13:37

1:13:37

We just released a new elk hunting film on the Phelps Game Calls channel titled- "Ghost Bulls of the North". Dirk and videographer, Dusty Rupe, discuss the challenges of filming elk hunts in the Boreal Forest, and then take a deep dive into elk hunting tactics that were used in the film. If you want a little peak behind the curtains of this film pr…

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Ep. 71: Make Sure You Have a Tag in Your Pocket 1:02:34

3M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

With elk season 2024 planning in full effect and state deadlines approaching, Jason brings Dirk on this episode to talk about their strategies when applying for tags. They briefly go over preference points, bonus points, lotteries, and OTC opportunities. Jason also goes on a little rant on a new "US Hunting Pact" that would alleviate the supply and…

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Ep. 70: Report Card Time! Listener Call-Ins with Dirk 1:25:15

3M ago1:25:15

1:25:15

With elk season 2023 in the tail lights, Dirk reflects on what his elk hunting report card looks like, and plays listener questions and comments about their season from our Call-In Hot Line as well. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in…

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Ep. 69: Just Go Turkey Hunting - Listener Q&A 35:30

3M ago35:30

35:30

Have you been on the fence about jumping in on hunting turkeys? Today it's easier than ever before to pursue turkeys. Jason breaks down what it takes to get started turkey hunting by answering listener questions. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener …

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Ep. 68: Hunting Fitness from the Aging Hunter, Bob Terwilliger 53:35

3M ago53:35

53:35

No doubt there's a lot of buzz about getting fit to pursue big game in the backcountry. Dirk sits down with good friend Bob Terwilliger. Bob is what some might call an "Aging Hunter", yet he keeps himself fit enough to enjoy one of his favorite past times - backcountry elk hunting. Listen in to hear about Bob's age-defying secrets that keep him you…

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Ep. 67: Long Range Hunting with Jon Pynch 1:15:34

3M ago1:15:34

1:15:34

Long Range Shooting has gained a ton of popularity over the last twenty years, but is it for the best? Jon Pynch joins Jason on the show to have a conversation to discuss if long range hunting is effecting seasons and quotas, what it takes to become an efficient shooter, rifle builds, bullets, and more. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Cal…

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Ep. 66: Trapping Wolves with Justin Webb 55:41

4M ago55:41

55:41

With the recent buzz about releasing wolves into the state of Colorado, wolf management is on a lot of people's minds. In this episode, Dirk talks with Justin Webb, Executive Director of the Foundation for Wildlife Management. They discuss the reintroduction of wolves in Idaho and what the landscape looks like for ungulates 28 years later. Justin d…

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Ep. 65: Whitetail Habitat and Hunting with Jeff Sturgis 1:08:48

4M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Whitetails are the topic of conversation between Jason and Jeff Sturgis. The discussion is rooted in how habitat affects deer movement and how you can capitalize while hunting. They dive deep into bedding and feeding and the relationship between the two as well as what the ideal stand placement is. Jeff also hints on how he can use the understandin…

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Ep. 64: United We Stand, Divided We Fall with Jim Huntsman 1:03:36

4M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Division in America seems to be everywhere we look, including among hunters. Dirk and Jim discuss common points of division among hunters and why it's so important to lay down our proverbial "swords" and focus on the real issues we're facing. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merc…

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Ep. 63: Ryan Lampers Q&A and 2023 Season Recap of What Worked 1:11:47

4M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

Jason sits down to catch up with Ryan Lampers to go over some listener questions such as; off season preparation, training and nutrition, how he consistently finds success when targeting mature animals, how his elk hunting tactics have changed over the years amongst others. They then turn the discussion to Ryan's 2023 season and what worked and did…

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Ep. 62: An Outfitter's Take on Common Hunter Mistakes 1:19:54

5M ago1:19:54

1:19:54

Dirk interviews seasoned outfitter and hunting guide Bradley Dammerman, of Idaho Whitetail Guides. Bradley shares many of the common mistakes that hunters have made that he's guided over the years. Bradley also shares important questions to ask the outfitter before booking a guided hunt. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Ins…

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Ep. 61: Jason's Gear in 2023 46:29

5M ago46:29

46:29

Jason doesn't like a lot of change year to year when it comes to his gear. Once he finds gear that works he tends to stick with it. On this episode Jason answers listener questions on light poundage archery setups for elk and hunting multiple days out of a pack. He then turns to what gear he used on this year hunts and why; Oregon archery elk, West…

1
Ep. 60: Kansas Archery Whitetails with Dirk and Jason 43:05

5M ago43:05

43:05

Kansas is known for it's giant whitetail bucks. Dirk and Jason had the pleasure of archery hunting on their good friend Randy Milligan's farm. They discuss the highs and lows of the hunt. From less than ideal warm temperatures to lower deer numbers, things had changed from their 2022 hunt there. Connect with Jason, Dirk, and Phelps Game Calls Phelp…

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Ep. 59: State of Montana Mule Deer and Hunt Recap with Tyson Drevniak 51:34

5M ago51:34

51:34

Jason and Tyson just returned from their "almost annual" Montana mule deer hunt and discuss what they encountered. They talk about the decline in the deer numbers in the area they hunted and what it could be the cause. They dive into multiple drought years, harsh winters coupled with predator problems, as well as some hunter and management issues t…

1
Ep 58: Listener Q & A with Dirk and Jason 58:30

6M ago58:30

58:30

After being out in the field the last couple months, Dirk and Jason answer listener questions from the "call in hot line". They talk about everything from setting up properly while calling elk in, to finding November bulls in rifle season. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnys…

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Ep 57: 2023 Archery Elk Season Recap with Jon Gabrio 1:29:56

6M ago1:29:56

1:29:56

Often times when we see hunter's success, the hard work behind the scenes isn't always apparent. Jon Gabrio talks about the ups, downs and hard work from this last September, and the success that followed. Dirk recaps his 2023 archery elk season and his theory on the "Year of the Huckleberry". Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Insta…

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Ep. 56: Jason and Duke Discuss Steve's Epic Mule Deer Hunt 56:42

6M ago56:42

56:42

Elk season is over and mule deer are almost as awesome! On today's episode Jason dives into mule deer with Duke Wasteney. Duke is one heck of a mule deer hunter and we could all learn a few things from him on finding consistent success. The conversation touches on scouting, patterning, glassing, characteristics of big bucks, what to do when they ge…

1
Ep. 55: Muzzleloader Hunt Recap and Hoof Rot 42:48

6M ago42:48

42:48

On today’s episode, Jason recaps his recent western Washington muzzleloader elk hunt. After a ten-year hiatus of hunting close to home, he returns to find a surprising lack of elk. He goes over the struggles he faced, what worked, his opinion on the hoof rot issue, and the huge increase in predator numbers. Connect with Jason and Phelps Game Calls …

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Ep. 54: DIY Elk Hunting Series: Rifle Elk Hunting PT2 1:11:00

7M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

We're back for part two of Dirk's conversation with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider about Rifle Hunting elk. They dive deep into finding late season bulls and how to hunt them. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Ep. 53: Jason and Zeke Thurston 1:08:34

7M ago1:08:34

1:08:34

On this episode, host Jason Phelps sits down at the notorious Pendleton Round-Up with three time world champion saddle bronc rider, Zeke Thurston. Jason and Zeke are able to dive into what it looks like to be a professional rodeo cowboy and how he’s able to fit in his incredible passion for hunting while being on the road for ten months a year. As …

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Ep. 52: DIY Elk Hunting Series: Rifle Elk Hunting PT1 1:08:04

7M ago1:08:04

1:08:04

Dirk had the great opportunity to sit down with "Stuck N the Rut" YouTuber Tom Schneider and talk about hunting elk with a rifle. This is part one of two episodes. In this episode, they break down how to find elk and how to hunt them during the first part of October. Connect with Dirk and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube…

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Ep. 51: Jason and David Frame 1:01:31

7M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

On todays episode Jason sits down with his cameraman and good friend David Frame. They answer listener questions about bulls hanging up, how long to hunt an area before moving on, amongst others. They then dive into their past hunts and what made them successful as well as what gave them some difficulty. Connect with Jason Phelps and Phelps Game Ca…

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Ep. 50: DIY Hunting Series: Filming Your Hunt 1:11:39

7M ago1:11:39

1:11:39

There's a trend going on right now to film your hunting adventures. From the outside looking in it looks relatively easy, but there are a lot of steps done right that bring your film to life. Dirk chats with good friend and videographer Dusty Rupe about following the best practices for turning film clips into an unforgettable story. Connect with Di…

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Ep. 49: Jason and Cory Calkins 57:59

8M ago57:59

57:59

September is here! Jason sits down with Cory Calkins to talk about what they've seen so far this September. They then dive into Cory's guiding backstory and they talk about the differences in elk in wilderness areas versus private ranches as well as what is required to be successful in both locations. They also touch on the moon phase and the weath…

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Ep. 48: Dirk and Clay Hays 1:10:33

8M ago1:10:33

1:10:33

We’ve often said there are more ways than one to skin a cat when talking about archery elk hunting strategies. This week Dirk Durham sat down with “Alone” Season 8 TV Series winner and long-time traditional bowhunter, Clay Hays, to compare and contrast elk hunting tactics. Being that he is a traditional archer, and Dirk shoots a compound, their app…

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Ep. 47: ARCHERY ELK!!! Listener Questions and Hunting Elk Without Calling 58:09

8M ago58:09

58:09

On this week's episode, Jason takes on a bunch of listener questions on elk hunting. He answers questions on what to do when elk shut down, how to determine what your next move should be, and how to deal with the excitement of a big bull getting within bow range amongst others. He then changes the discussion to other ways to hunt elk aside from cal…

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Ep. 46: Dirk and Jim Huntsman 1:06:35

8M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

On this week's episode, host Dirk Durham talks about pre-season preparation with the host of the podcast "The Western Huntsman", Jim Huntsman. They discuss everything from making sure your bow and arrows are correct for elk hunting, to not letting the idea that you have to be an elite athlete to enjoy chasing bugles in the elk woods, be a barrier. …

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Ep. 45: Fall Bear with Jeff Roberts 1:13:02

9M ago1:13:02

1:13:02

In this episode, Jason sits down with Jeff Roberts of PNWILD to go over everything fall bear. The bulk of the conversation hinges around the food sources that the bears will be on, but they also dive into e-scouting, watching the receding snow lines, feet on the ground, and even using hiking websites to determine where you should be focusing your t…

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Ep. 44: New Host and New Mexico Bulls with Dirk Durham 48:00

9M ago48:00

48:00

Ever wondered what it's like to archery elk hunt in New Mexico? Jason introduces new co-host Dirk "The Bugler" Durham on this week's show and the guys talk at length about how quirky the elk rut can really be, even in the famed state of New Mexico. Be sure to follow up and get your eyes on Dirk's "New Mexico Bulls" film, which he discusses in this …

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Ep. 43: Broadheads and Arrows with Bill Vanderheyden 1:12:21

9M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

Jason sits down with Bill Vanderheyden from Iron Will Outfitters to talk about the sharp end of the stick. They dive into arrows, efficiency, and ethics, discussing single bevel vs. double bevel, the optimum amount of offset and helical, as well as Bill's work on arrow flight with the University of Colorado. Connect with Jason Phelps Phelps on Inst…

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Ep. 42: Elk Biology with Brock McMillan, Part 2 1:10:41

10M ago1:10:41

1:10:41

Today on the show, Jason is joined by his buddy Brock for part two of their elk biology conversation. This time, they get deep into every elk hunter's favorite topic -- the rut. They talk on everything from elk estrus cycles to the reasons some elk are call shy and others aren't. Connect with Jason and Phelps Game Calls Phelps on Instagram, Faceboo…

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Ep. 41: Elk Predation Blues with Paul Wik 1:01:07

10M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

This week on the show, Jason comes to you from the field with biologist Paul Wik to talk elk mortality and recruitment. They discuss the effects of predation and environmental factors in relation to elk recruitment, and what that means for hunting opportunity. Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merc…

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Ep. 40: Elk Biology with Brock McMillan, Part 1 45:34

10M ago45:34

45:34

Today on the show, Jason is joined by his buddy Brock to talk all things elk biology in part one of this two part series. In this episode they cover everything from moon phase to who really controls the herd -- the herd bull or the lead cow? Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.co…

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Ep. 39: Elk Hunting Part 2 - Locating, Approaching, Setting Up, and Calling 55:12

11M ago55:12

55:12

Once you have found a spot to hunt, what is next? In this episode Jason covers the technical how to of: breaking down an area quickly to determine if elk are present, how to go about locating them, how to move in, what you should be looking for as you setup, and then how to go about calling. Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebo…

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Ep. 38: How to Plan Your Elk Hunt 37:05

11M ago37:05

37:05

This week on the show, Jason's mixed it up and gone solo as he answers your listener questions and discusses planning your elk hunt. From e-scouting and calling to mountain readiness and boot considerations, if you're considering an elk hunt this year, you won't want to miss this! Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and You…

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Ep. 37: Mountain Gobblers with John Weik 1:01:19

12M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

This week on the show, Jason is joined in the field by guest John Weik as they discuss their recent turkey hunt. They discuss separating themselves from other hunters in the area, both in terms of distance and strategy. Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube Shop Phelps Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

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Ep. 36: Calling and Killing Turkeys with Tony Peterson 52:19

1y ago52:19

52:19

This week, I'm joined by MeatEater's own Tony Peterson to talk turkey. On this episode, we answer a couple listener questions, talk pressured birds, and dive into turkey calling strategy. Tony is a certified turkey killer, and if you're a turkey hunter, you're not going to want to miss this. Connect with Jason and Phelps Phelps on Instagram, Facebo…

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Ep. 35: Spot and Stalk Spring Bear with Ryan Lampers 1:11:33

1y ago1:11:33

1:11:33

Ryan Lampers has spring bear dialed!!! Year after year he finds success in multiple states and these aren’t just run of the mill bears, Ryan targets mature boars. In this episode Jason wanted to dig into all of Ryan’s spot and stalk bear hunting experience in hopes you can find something that may help you spring bear hunting this year. They discuss…

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Ep. 34: Talking Turkey with Jordan Budd 58:05

1y ago58:05

58:05

Jordan Budd grew up as a ranch kid taking advantage of all the great outdoors had to offer. Now, she has her own guiding service and a podcast you might have heard of -- MeatEater's Gear Talk. Today, we're talking turkeys and Jordan's turkey killing gear picks. We cover everything from ground blinds and comfortable seating options to broadheads and…

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Ep. 33: A Deep Dive Into Turkey Calls and Strategy with Eric Braaten 58:49

1y ago58:49

58:49

Eric Braaten is a great turkey caller, great turkey hunter, and has done a lot for turkeys here in Washington. On today’s episode Jason and Eric take a deep dive into turkey calls. They discuss the materials used and how they affect the tone and pitch of diaphragms, pot calls and box calls. Their discussion then turns to strategy where they talk ab…

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Ep. 32: Locating Gobblers and Turkey Strategies with James Harrison 1:12:17

1y ago1:12:17

1:12:17

Today's guest is part human and part owl. James Harrison has been designing and building calls for 14 years and winning calling contests for just as long. His skills don’t end there though, he is as good as they get out in the woods when it comes to killing turkeys. On this episode Jason and James talk about: why you would locate a turkey without t…

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