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I Survived The Wild Outdoors

Bears, Bees and a Swarm

Season 1, Ep. 28

Join us for a wild story in the heart of the wilderness. Our host Brad Mathewson, an experienced hunter, sets out on what should have been a routine trip to put out bear bait. But as soon as he steps onto shore, he finds himself under attack — not by a bear, but by a swarm of angry yellow jackets. Stranded with his kayak pulled up over their ground nest, he has no choice but to fight the swarm of pain to escape. Tune in as he recounts the experience and shares the lessons learned from a day in the wild that went from calm to chaos in an instant.

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  • 38. Adak Island

    56:07||Season 1, Ep. 38
    When Chris and his son Tyler set out to hunt caribou on the remote island of Adak- a wind swept mostly deserted wonder in the Bering Sea- they expected a challenging trip. What they got was a battle for survival. Four miles from their truck, Chris suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing his patella tendon. With no local rescue team, no hospital and no quick way off the island, they reached out to the Coast Guard using a Garmin inReach-only to be told they were on their own.What followed was an all-night trek through freezing terrain as Tyler helped his injured father inch his way back to the truck, but that wasn't the only thing out there. Strange orbs of light began to appear in the sky, hovering, and streaking above. Tyler was left shaken, Chris refused to talk about it. Whatever it was, it added a layer of the unexplainable to an already life-threatening situation.In this episode we breakdown what went wrong, how they got out, and what every outdoorsman and adventurer can learn from their story. From survival tactics to the limits of emergency response in the wilderness-this is a journey you wont forget.
  • 37. Bear in the Grass

    01:12:26||Season 1, Ep. 37
    On a remote hunting trip in Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Tyler Johnson and his father Chris found themselves in a life or death encounter with one of nature's most feared predators. While trekking through tall grass, they startled a massive brown bear. In a terrifying turn, the bear charged- first veering towards Chris before locking onto Tyler. In the chaos, Tyler tried to defend himself with his 10mm pistol but accidentally shoots himself in the leg. With seconds to act, Chris maneuvered to safety and unloaded his weapon, taking down the bear just in time. In this episode we recount the harrowing moment, Tyler's injuries and the critical role his father played in saving his life before a rescue helicopter arrived. It's a survival you wont forget.Tyler's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworthywonderer/His post right after the attack: https://www.instagram.com/p/C__QdssRIgP/
  • 36. Mountain Mishap

    31:54||Season 1, Ep. 36
    Leon Brown from Clark Fork Outfitters is back! A returning guest and seasoned hunting guide, Leon joins us once again to share another unforgettable story.This time it all starts with a successful hunt as his dad drops a great bull elk, but things quickly take a turn. After deciding to haul the elk out using an ATV, Leon is able to get down the top of the mountain to an old logging road. But when they realize the elk is too heavy to lift into the truck, Leon comes up with a fast (and slightly risky) plan to drive the elk-loaded ATV up a steep hill to try to match the trucks tailgate height. What happened next? Let's just say it involves a massive elk, a flipped ATV and our friend Leon.Clark Fork Outfitters: https://clarkforkoutfitters.com
  • 35. Dogs on the Chase, Bear on the Attack

    01:08:07||Season 1, Ep. 35
    In this gripping episode, Leon Brown of Clark Fork Outfitters shares his harrowing encounter with a black bear in the wilds of Idaho. After a day-long chase with his dogs, Leon found himself under attack, forced to defend himself with his handgun. He recounts the terrifying moment the bear turned on him, biting his thigh and hand and how he survived the the attack. Leon's story is not only a testament to survival but also a valuable lesson in being prepared for the unexpected.Clark Fork Outfitters: https://clarkforkoutfitters.com
  • 34. Perserverance

    01:05:33||Season 1, Ep. 34
    In this episode, we dive into the powerful story behind Stephan Kesting's book, Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic. Stephan shares his harrowing journey of survival after facing near-death experiences in the wild, and how these challenges led him to a deeper understanding of life, resilience and hope. Don't miss this incredible story of survival and personal growth. Stephan's Book:https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612
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    52:05||Season 1, Ep. 33
    What happens when a honeymoon turns into a series of unfortunate events? Katie and Mitchell find out as their romantic getaway to South Dakota quickly derails with food poisoning and a horse riding accident that ends with a broken rib. Join as Katie shares the ups, the downs and everything in between- proving that sometimes love grows stronger in the most unexpected circumstances.
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    38:40||Season 1, Ep. 32
    In this episode, we follow the gripping journey of Steve Acosta and his brother Simon as they venture out for a day of Steelhead flyfishing on California's Feather River. What begins as a serene escape quickly turn's into a fight for survival when their drift boat capsizes, leaving one brother struggling beneath the surface. Join us as we recount their terrifying experience and the lessons learned from the river and the importance of life jacket safety.Steve's website: acostaflyfishing.com
  • 31. Off the Trail

    32:00||Season 1, Ep. 31
    In this episode, Dawn Rohde shares her harrowing solo adventure up Red Pines Trail in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon. Her plan to explore the scenic Maybird Lake area takes an unexpected turn when she loses the trail amid lingering snow and rugged terrain. A thunderstorm rolls in and the conditions become perilous with lightning, hail, and slippery trails. As night falls and the temperatures drop, she shelters by a cliff, wrapped in a space blanket and surrounded by the wilderness and its inhabitants. Listen in as Dawn shares her fight for survival with host Brad Mathewson.
  • 30. Treble Hooked

    49:58||Season 1, Ep. 30
    In this podcast episode, seasoned musky fisherman and guide Joe Junion recounts a series of fishing mishaps centered around one of the most dangerous aspects of the sport—the razor-sharp treble hooks. With vivid detail, he recalls several close calls and near misses that have left anglers bloodied and bruised, including himself. Whether you're a fishing enthusiast or just a fan of wild adventure stories, this episode reminds us of one of the overlooked dangers of fishing.Todays Guest: Joe Junionhttps://sites.google.com/view/joejunionsportfishing/homehttps://www.facebook.com/p/Joe-Junion-Sportfishing-100070157833467/