Hunting Matters

In this episode of Hunting Matters, host Joe Betar speaks with DJ Meyer, South African Professional Hunter, safari operator, co-owner of Leeuwkop Hunting Safaris, and commercial pilot. Drawing on generations of family hunting heritage, DJ breaks down what first-time and veteran hunters need to know when preparing for an African safari—from gear and ballistics to dangerous game encounters and sustainable conservation.

Key Topics Covered:
Preparing for Your First Safari: What first-time hunters should expect upon arrival, common preparation mistakes, and why mental flexibility and physical fitness are essential in the bush.
Dangerous Game Encounters: How to prepare mentally and physically for hunting buffalo and elephant, understanding animal body language, preventing charges, and navigating high-pressure situations.
Rifle & Ammunition Selection: Key considerations for bullet construction, weight retention, and terminal performance across different game species, plus essential range testing before traveling.
Evaluating Safaris & Outfitter Models: Choosing between South Africa and Zimbabwe, understanding free-range vs. managed hunting properties, and the differences between outfitter-led and direct landowner operations.
Conservation & Legacy: How ethical, regulated hunting directly funds anti-poaching operations, habitat restoration, and local community growth across Africa.
Connect with DJ Meyer & Leeuwkop Hunting Safaris:
Website: https://leeuwkophuntingsafaris.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeuwkophuntingsafaris/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeuwkophuntingsafaris 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSCZx_-cirhZvgnFOpoC8w
Learn more about HSCF: https://hscfdn.org/

In this episode of Hunting Matters, host Joe Betar speaks with Brad Luttrell, founder of strategic storytelling firm Prologue and former creator of the outdoor social app GoWild. Brad shares insights on building technology for outdoor enthusiasts, narrative strategy for conservation, hunting in suburban environments, and the rewards of being a lifelong outdoor learner.

Key Topics Covered:
Building & Evolving in Outdoor Tech: Lessons learned from founding, leading, and transitioning out of GoWild, and how digital communities shape modern outdoor culture. 
Strategic Storytelling for Conservation: How Prologue helps brands and outdoor organizations craft authentic narratives that resonate beyond traditional hunting circles.
Suburban & Urban Hunting: The unique strategies, access challenges, and opportunities of hunting smaller suburban properties, including Brad's experience hunting a 30-acre tree farm in the city.
Embracing New Outdoor Pursuits: Applying patience and observation from hunting to new challenges like surf fishing, and the importance of remaining a beginner.
Family, Work, & Outdoor Life: Balancing entrepreneurship with family time and passing down outdoor values and conservation principles to the next generation.
Connect with Brad Luttrell & Prologue:
Website: Prologue Stories
Music Newsletter: Friday Mornin'
LinkedIn: Brad Luttrell on LinkedIn
Learn more about HSCF: https://hscfdn.org/

In this episode of Hunting Matters, host Joe Betar welcomes internationally respected wildlife biologist Brian Murphy, V.P. of Corporate Relations and Strategic Partnerships at HuntStand and staff wildlife biologist for GSM, LLC.

With over 35 years of deer research and conservation leadership—including 23 years at the helm of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA)—Brian shares insights from iconic Texas ranches, globally renowned hunting landscapes, and HuntStand's groundbreaking documentary, Origins
.
Key Topics Covered:
Lessons from Iconic Landscapes: What decades of research on legendary Texas properties—like the YO Ranch, King Ranch, and Piloncillo Ranch—teach us about whitetail herd dynamics and North American deer management.
The Origins Documentary: Behind the scenes of HuntStand's new film, exploring the roots of modern deer management, the unique history of South Texas, and the vital role private landowners play in habitat restoration.
Technology Meets Wildlife Science: How digital mapping tools, spatial data, and mobile platforms can enhance hunter decision-making, monitor herd health, and support conservation without replacing woodsmanship.
Global Perspectives & Bowhunting Roots: Insights gained from deer research in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, alongside Brian's lifelong passion for traditional bowhunting and passing outdoor traditions to the next generation.
Connect with HuntStand:
Website: HuntStand
Facebook: HuntStand on Facebook
Instagram: @huntstandr
Connect with HSCF: https://hscfdn.org/

In this episode of Hunting Matters, host Joe Betar sits down with Phil Peabody, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Capital Farm Credit. Drawing from over 15 years in agricultural lending and corporate risk management, Phil explores how Texas growth, land values, and conservation economics shape the future of rural real estate and farm management.
 
Key Topics Covered:
Navigating Rural Real Estate & Lending: How financing farms, ranches, and recreational properties differs from traditional residential loans, along with key strategies for managing input costs, interest rates, and commodity fluctuations.
The Cooperative Advantage: Understanding Capital Farm Credit’s cooperative structure and how returning earnings to customer-owners strengthens local rural communities.
The Economics of Wildlife & Hunting: Balancing livestock operations with habitat management, and using hunting lease revenue to enhance land stewardship, offset operational costs, and fund conservation practices.
Generational Succession & Future Outlook: Practical advice for farm and ranch families planning succession, overcoming high entry barriers for young agricultural operators, and maintaining Texas rural heritage for the next generation.
Supporting Conservation & Youth: Why Capital Farm Credit partners with organizations like the Houston Safari Club Foundation to fund youth scholarships and protect hunting traditions.

Connect with Capital Farm Credit:
Website: Capital Farm Credit
Facebook: Capital Farm Credit on Facebook
Instagram: @capitalfarmcredit
X (Twitter): @CapitalFarmCred
LinkedIn: Capital Farm Credit Company Page
YouTube: Capital Farm Credit Channel
Connect with Hunting Matters:
Subscribe & Review: Be sure to subscribe to Hunting Matters on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a rating and review!
Learn More: Visit https://hscfdn.org/ to support conservation, education, and our hunting heritage.

What does it take to turn a lifetime in the outdoors into a lasting legacy?

On this episode of Hunting Matters, we are joined by Victor L. Bretting—an 8th-generation Texan, 50-year construction executive, author, and founder of North Texas’s B-Tex Ranch.

Having pursued over 140 species across five continents, Victor shares gripping insights from dangerous-game safaris and mountain hunts, explaining why the true value of hunting lies far beyond the trophy—it’s rooted in the people, the character built through adversity, and a deep respect for wildlife management.

We explore his memoir, The Man That I Would Become, unpacking how faith, accountability, and decades of corporate leadership shaped his approach to land stewardship. Victor also discusses his mission to give back by hosting combat veterans, mentoring the next generation of outdoorsmen, and highlighting the realities of conservation as co-host of Trekin Outdoors and The B-Tex Ranch on MyOutdoorTV
.
Connect with Victor L. Bretting & B-Tex Ranch:
Website: brettingtexanranch.com
Get the Memoir (The Man That I Would Become): brettingtexanranch.com/the-book
Facebook: facebook.com/btexranch
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victor-bretting
Learn more about HSCF:  Houston Safari Club Home - Houston Safari Club