Hunt Fish Travel Podcast with Carrie Z

07/01/2025

After a long day of driving west, there is something so soul-soothing about pulling into a pine-scented campsite and breathing in that crisp Black Hills air. We set up camp at Pactola Reservoir Campground and honestly, it felt like we stepped into a postcard. Towering trees, crystal-clear water, and a perfect mix of sunshine and breeze made this spot one of our favorite stops so far....

After a long day of driving west, there is something so soul-soothing about pulling into a pine-scented campsite and breathing in that crisp Black Hills air. We set up camp at Pactola Reservoir Campground and honestly, it felt like we stepped into a postcard. Towering trees, crystal-clear water, and...

06/27/2025

Life’s been heavy.
Now we’re headed west.
Camping. Fireworks. ATVs.
And some much-needed soul repair.
New blog post is live.



Reflections from the Road: A Journey to the Black Hills

As we cruise along I-90 headed west for a Fourth of July camping trip in the Black Hills, I find myself watching the prairie blur past and feeling something I haven’t felt in a while. Gratitude. This year has been a rough one. Four days after we got back from Florida and took a sixteen

06/20/2025

Yesterday, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach was kind enough to share the blog post I wrote about my experience with SUP Englewood.

If you missed it, you can read it here --> https://bit.ly/4k09XKF

Two interesting standouts were the dolphins fishing beside us and the Ospreys nesting on the channel markers. They were quite the sight!! Our guide Danny was kind enough to play photographer and snagged some cool photographs while explaining this unique ecosystem that's so very different from Wisconsin's waterways.

06/19/2025

According to my Daily Almanac...

Today is the Best Day To:
👙Begin a Diet to Lose Weight
🚜 Cut Hay
🐜 Destroy Pests and Weeds
🍑🥓 Dry Fruit, Vegetables, or Meat
🌳 Prune to Discourage Growth
🚬 Quit Smoking
🍼 Wean Animals or Children

Well I guess I'll try to tackle the first 5. I mean, 🏹 season is coming and I'd like to be able to drag that 🦌 out of the deep woods in 85° without having a heart attack!

06/18/2025

Earlier today I went to my chiropractor. His office is right across the street from Pewaukee Lake here in Wisconsin. As I was driving I noticed a sizable group of young kids all holding fishing poles walking along the sidewalk. When I came out of my appointment I noticed those same kids were all fishing from the shore on the lake.
When I chatted with the adult that seemed to be supervising, he mentioned that the local middle school summer programs had fishing clubs
He explained that only 15 kids were allowed from each grade, and that it filled up so quickly, because of the thousands of kids in the schools who would love to apply.

He joked that the spots for the middle grade school summer fishing club went faster than Taylor Swift concert tickets.
Not only did I think it was pretty cool that so many kids were so involved in fishing instead of playing video games, I thought it was cool that these adults were donating 2 hours, every day for 2 weeks straight to these kids, who brought their own gear, who had bait donated and were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
It's such a shame that more kids aren't able to participate due to lack of resources, and available man power.
I'd love to be able to organize something like this myself, but I find myself in the exact same scenario, full-time job, limited available hours......etc.

Because I didn't want to post a random photo of somebody else's children, here's a generic photo of Pewaukee Lake! 🎣🎣

06/13/2025

I had the pleasure of chatting with author Ted Rulseh about his newest book You Should Have Been Here Last Week, a beautiful collection of fishing stories pulled straight from his life.

Check it out --> https://huntfishtravel.com/ep247/

We talked about what inspired him to write, how growing up in Wisconsin shaped his connection to the outdoors, and why storytelling is such an important part of our hunting and fishing community. He also shared some insight into lake science and why protecting our natural resources matters now more than ever.

It’s a thoughtful, inspiring episode, and a reminder that your stories matter too.
🎧 Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

06/11/2025

Trailcam check:
Two does, one camera, zero awareness, they just made my day. Caught this peaceful moment on the trailcam while checking for early summer activity, and it’s a good reminder to always check your angles and your backdrops.

Have you started seeing does with fawns yet?
Next week's Trailcam Tuesday I've got a few to show off!

06/05/2025

On the board!!!

Facebook won't let me re-tag. GO LIKE/FOLLOW the pages in the original post. Their donating time and resources to us veterans and I couldn't be more thankful!! 🇺🇸🎣

Out on the Angry Fin Charter Fishing taking some vets through Ultimate Veteran Adventures and Hunt Fish Travel Podcast with Carrie Z is the first on the board!

06/05/2025

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor-loving dad in your life, I’ve got you covered.

Whether he loves hunting, fishing, grilling, or just kicking back in a funny T-shirt, I’ve rounded up a list of fun, useful, and totally dad-approved gear that I personally use and love. Some of it is sentimental, some of it is just plain fun, and all of it makes for a great way to say thank you to the guy who taught us how to tie a lure, sight in a rifle, or just appreciate being outside.

My dad passed away a few years ago, and I miss him every day. But every time I’m in the woods or on the water, I feel like he’s still with me. This guide is my way of honoring that bond and helping you celebrate the dads in your life too.

Check out the full Father’s Day Gift Guide here:
https://huntfishtravel.com/fathers-day-gift-guide-for-outdoorsmen-handpicked-gear-to-honor-dads-legacy/

Every purchase you make through the guide helps support the HuntFishTravel Podcast at no extra cost to you and I truly appreciate it more than you know.

Let’s celebrate our dads, our memories, and the great outdoors together. 🦌🎣🔥

Father’s Day is always a little bittersweet for me. A few years ago, I lost my dad — the man who not only raised me, but who also instilled in me a deep love for the outdoors. Growing up in the heart of Milwaukee, it might have seemed unlikely that hunting and fishing would play

06/05/2025

Aired the boat out and it felt good to get some wind therapy with my boys!

06/03/2025

🎣 the AGLOW Media Camp at Devils Lake did NOT disappoint!
Reeling in all sorts of species with the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) crew 🐟

✅ My first catch a Northern Pike? Check.
✅ Kevin with a Walleye? You bet!
✅ Great company? 100%.

Huge thanks to Garrett from Bry's Guide Service for putting us on the fish!

Tag along for more outdoor adventures 👉



⭐ Visit Devils Lake, North Dakota