In this episode, we talk to Ryan Callahan and Trevor Hubbs about Backcountry Hunters and Angler’s Armed Forces Initiative. Backcountry Hunters and Anglers’ Armed Forces Initiative strives to ensure that those on Active Duty, in the National Guard, Reservists, Veterans, and Gold Star Families continue to take active roles as public landowners while providing a constructive outlet for current or transitioning service members to continue their selfless service and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals. Patriotism and selfless service carries on in our mission to protect public land and water access along with the ethical chase of wildlife
Ryan "Cal" Callaghan is MeatEater's Director of Conservation and a national board member of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Cal has been a passionate member of the outdoor community, having grown up hunting and fishing, guiding, and playing in the West.
Hubbs joined the Army after high school and got his jump wings, serving as an Infantry squad leader for six years before getting his bachelor's degree while serving as an ROTC instructor at Eastern Illinois University. Hubbs received his graduate degree from Notre Dame University in 2019 and began volunteering for AFI in 2021, running skills camps and working closely with the program.
Col Timothy Ozmer, the Washington State G3 and the driving force behind getting all the WA National Guard member's sportsman’s package free of charge. This allows every member of the Washington National Guard to hunt deer, elk, bear, cougar, and small game with no out-of-pocket cost as a thank-you for the service to our state.
EP11 Ryan Callahan and Trevor Hubbs