In this episode of Tusks & Tales, I sit down with Cal Allen to talk about his deep roots in the hunting world and what it really takes to consistently trail, tree, and bay big game. Cal breaks down his experience hunting mountain lions and bears, guiding hunts, and relying on his cur dogs to get the job done in some of the roughest country there is.
We dive into dog selection, breeding philosophy, grit versus brains, and how cur dogs shine when it comes to cold tracks, pressure, and endurance. Cal shares real-world stories from guiding hunts, mistakes made along the way, lessons learned, and what separates a good dog from a truly dependable one when the stakes are high.
This episode is packed with no-BS knowledge, honest conversation, and respect for the dogs that make it all possible—whether you’re chasing lions, bears, hogs, or building a solid working pack.
Sponsors supporting this episode of Tusks & Tales:
• 2B Hog Dogs
• TheBestDogProducts.com
• Boars N Broads
• Dirty South Calls
• HogTurnal Headlamps
• JBARK DOG SUPPLY
• ValuPak Performance Dog Feed
As always, support the people who support the dogs.
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In this episode of Tusks & Tales, Alan sits down with a sure-enough houndsman — Mike Williams — a man who’s spent a lifetime behind a pack of hard-hunting Plott/July hounds. From steep bear country to the thickest hog thickets and the rough ground where bobcats slip like smoke, Mike brings decades of real experience, wild stories, and hard-earned lessons from the timber.
We dive deep into:
• What separates a true working hound from the pretenders
• The grit, drive, and intelligence behind the Plott/July cross
• Bear races that tested every ounce of dog and handler
• Cat hunts where one mistake can cost the whole pursuit
• Hogs that pushed dogs, men, and daylight to the limits
• How houndsmanship has evolved — and what’s been lost along the way
• The importance of honesty, patience, and dog sense in the modern hunting world
Mike doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. This is raw, old-school hound talk from a man who’s seen the best and worst a pack can show you — and still wakes up every day hungry for the next track.
Whether you run Plotts, Julys, Walkers, Curs, or anything in between, this episode is packed with stories, lessons, and pure hound wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else.
Tune in, share it with your hunting buddies, and enjoy this deep dive into the life of a true houndsman — Mike Williams
In this episode, we dive even deeper into the wild world of Mike Cauley. From unforgettable bear-hunting moments to the kind of backwoods stories only Mike can tell, this one is packed with laughs, lessons, and legendary hound work. Mike shares one of his classic jokes, breaks down what makes a truly impressive dog, and gives us a front-row seat to the kind of hunts that keep you coming back for more.
If you love big stories, bigger personalities, and hounds that do the impossible, this episode is for you. Tune in and enjoy the ride with Mike Cauley—Part 3
The man behind Dixie Doggers, Nathan Wright, sits down with Tusks&Tales for an episode packed with stories, hard-earned knowledge, and the real grit behind building a name in the hog-dogging world.
We dive into his dogs, his hunts, his journey, and what it truly takes to create a brand that hunters everywhere recognize. If you love dogs, woods, and straight-up honesty, this one’s for you.
Supported by:
• 2B Hog Dogs
• TheBestDogProducts.com
• BoarsNBroads
• Dirty South Calls
• HogTurnal Headlamps
Y’all are gonna love this one! We sit down with Dawson Doyle and dive into some of the funniest hunts he’s ever had — the kind where everything goes sideways but makes the BEST stories later.
We also break down his tangle-free dog barrels and why they’re a game changer for housing dogs without the usual twists, tangles, or rodeo in the back of the yard.
Big shoutout to the supporters who keep Tusks&Tales rolling strong:
🐗 2B Hog Dogs
🐶 TheBestDogProducts.com
🔥 BoarsNBroads
📣 Dirty South Calls
💡 HogTurnal Headlamps
Tune in, share it up, and let us know your favorite part of the episode! 🎧🐾
Nothing staged. Nothing scripted. Just real hog dogs, real hunters, and a whole lot of thicket chaos.
Tusks & Tales goes LIVE from the woods as Kenneth Smith, Tkeil Smith, Colby Bushnell, Tanner Simpson & Alan Adams cut loose on an action-packed hunt. From the moment the dogs strike to the last tie-off, the mic never stops rolling.
Hear the play-by-plays straight from the briars, the smack talk between hunters, the decisions made on the fly, and the raw reality of what it takes to run good dogs in the United States thickets and mountains. If you love honest hunting talk, good dogs, and good company, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Featuring the crew from 2B Hog Dogs mixing it up with Colby Bushnell & Tanner Simpson, all while Alan Adams keeps the conversation rolling and the dogs moving.
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Supporters of Tusks & Tales
Huge thank you to the brands who keep this show alive:
• TheBestDogProducts.com – Flea, wormer & wellness pills at affordable prices. Use code T&T at checkout.
• Boars N Broads – Ryne Rankin & Carter Shultz
• Dirty South Calls – Contact Hunter Leger, use code T&Tales
• HardcoreHogDogs.com – Owner Michael Sphieler
• HogTurnal Headlamps – Owner Alan Adams
• 2B Hog Dogs – Kenneth & Tkeil Smith
In this episode we sit down with Jac Jenkins, a man with enough dog sense and woods experience to fill a whole season of podcasts. Jac breaks down the wild story of taking an NFL quarterback on a hog hunt — and how a Bayou Cajun Plott Hound stole the entire show with a flawless performance.
But we didn’t stop there…
We dive deep into Running Walkers, their style, what separates the good ones from the great ones, and how they stack up in real-world woods conditions. Then we get into some July hound talk — drive, nose, grit, and what it takes to make a July dog shine on big-game tracks.
This episode is loaded with laughs, dog talk, hunting stories, and the kind of knowledge you only get from people who’ve lived it in the brush and briars.
Tune in — this one’s a keeper. 🐗🎧
This episode had us laughing the entire time — and it’s packed with real talk, real lessons, and some absolutely wild stories. 🎙️🐗🔥
We sat down with SG Kennels and went over one of his most unforgettable moments — the time he got tangled up in a hog like Christmas lights in a pine tree 🤣🌲🐗
(It didn’t happen last week… but the story is too good not to bring back!)
He breaks it all down for us:
✔️ What actually happened in that wreck
✔️ What cut vest he prefers and why
✔️ What vests he won’t put on a dog again
✔️ How to handle something going sideways and bounce back
✔️ And how a tough moment ended up fixing a friendship 👊
This episode checks every Tusks & Tales box —
funny, honest, chaotic, and full of good dog talk.
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❓ QUESTION FOR THE TUSKS & TALES FAMILY:
What vest do YOU trust the most for your dogs — and why?
Leave your answers below — we want the real experiences, not the Facebook “professional hog hunter” reviews. 😂👇
Strap in for one of the wildest Tusks & Tales episodes we’ve ever dropped. We sit down with Colby Bushnell — a hunter whose stories swing from scales maxed out over 500 lbs to catching a hog completely butt naked and everything in between.
Colby lays out real, experienced-based knowledge on:
• What actually happens when you leave a dog overnight
• Reading tracks, pressure, and country the right way
• Recovering dogs in rough terrain
• Breaking down monster hog encounters with zero fluff
• Wild, hilarious hunt stories you won’t believe actually happened
From a hog so heavy it maxed the scale with its hips still off the ground, to the legendary naked hog catch tale — this episode is equal parts educational, chaotic, and downright unforgettable.
Tusks & Tales is proudly supported by:
🦾 HardcoreHogDogs.com – Custom cut vests & gear built right. Use code TUSKS&TALES.
🐶 TheBestDogProducts.com – Flea pills, wormer pills, ANY pill your dog needs at affordable prices. Use code T&T.
📞 Dirty South Calls – Contact Hunter Leger or message the page. Use code T&Tales.
💡 HogTurnal Headlamps – Custom colors, custom builds, made to order.
🇺🇸 Boars N Broads
🇺🇸 2B Hog Dogs
🌎 All Tusks & Tales Supporters worldwide — from the United States’ thickets and mountains to listeners across Spain, Italy, Poland, Germany, Philippines, and more.
If you thought the Baypen scene couldn’t get any bigger… you’re about to find out how wrong you were.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Baden Crittle from Australian Black Mouth Curs, and let me tell you — this man isn’t just talking about change, he’s making it happen. We dug deep into what it takes to take this sport beyond state lines, beyond the U.S., and onto a world stage.
For the first time ever, international dogs are being imported to compete — real, proven working dogs from Australia coming to show what they’re made of in front of American crowds. And Baden’s not stopping there. His mission is to make the Baypen International more than just a name… he’s chasing the dream of a true World Championship.
Now, we didn’t sugarcoat a damn thing in this episode. Some folks might feel a little sting — and that’s alright. When you speak truth in this game, not everyone claps. We broke down the real difference between baypen dogs and woods dogs, what separates a show pony from a workhorse, and how the Aussie mindset lines up with the American grit that built this sport in the first place.
Baden also talked about what it’s like to bounce back after a full week at Uncle Earl’s — the grind, the exhaustion, and that same fire that keeps you showing up every year. This one’s raw, real, and full of passion for the dogs and the sport we all love.
🎧 Tune in now — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
This one’s for the doggers who live it, not just talk about it.
💬 Drop a comment below — do you think the Baypen’s ready to go global? Or are some folks too scared to see how their dogs stack up against the world? 👇
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⚡ SUPPORT THE BRANDS THAT KEEP TUSKS & TALES ROLLING:
🦾 HardcoreHogDogs.com — Custom cut vests built by hunters, for hunters. Use code TUSKS&TALES for a deal that’ll hold up to any hog.
💡 HogTurnal Headlamps — Light up the woods and run ‘em how you want ‘em.
👕 Boars N Broads — Lifestyle brand for folks who get dirty for a living. Code TNT saves you money.
💊 TheBestDogProducts.com — Flea pills, wormers, and everything your dogs need. Code T&T at checkout.
📞 Dirty South Calls — Hit up Hunter Leger or message direct. Use code T&Tales for a discount on your next call.
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🎙️ Hosted by Alan Adams — where the dogs, the hunt, and the truth run wild.
When you’ve got a man like Derrick Day on the mic, you know you’re about to hear some real-deal hog dog talk. From tournament trails to rank boars, Derrick’s stories come packed with grit, laughs, and a whole lot of southern truth.
We dig into one of his wildest hunts — the 498-pound hog that hit the scale and made history. From the dogs that bayed it to the chaos that followed, it’s a story you won’t forget.
If you think you’ve seen a big hog… this episode might just make you rethink “big.”
This one’s got it all: tournament tales, rank hogs, and that never-quit attitude that defines a true dogman.
From bay pens to bullshit sessions — Alan Adams and Michael Smith fire up the mics for one of the rawest, funniest, and most unfiltered Tusks & Tales episodes yet. It’s all real talk, dog talk, and a little trash talk as two seasoned hog hunters swap stories, crack jokes, and call it how they see it.
No filters. No drama. Just two men who’ve earned their scars, their stories, and their say.
Rated R for Non-Sensitive Hunters.
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💥 Proudly Supported By:
🦾 HardcoreHogDogs.com — Custom-built cut vests for real working dogs. Call Michael Spiehler and use code TUSKS&TALES for a deal that’ll hold up to any hog.
🐗 Boars N Broads — The lifestyle brand for those who live and breathe the hunt. Use code TNT at checkout.
🐾 2B Hog Dogs — Two brothers, one passion: Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs.
💡 HogTurnal Headlamps — Lighting up the woods, one bay at a time. Reach out to Alan Adams for your custom light setup.
This one takes Tusks & Tales international! We link up with the Frog Dog crew from Australia to talk dog work, hunting in the bush, and what keeps the passion alive on the other side of the world. 🌏🔥
From the thick scrub to the swamps, this episode is all about the grit, drive, and bond that unites dog men no matter where they’re from. If you love good dog talk and global hunting stories, this one’s for you. 🐕🎧
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Support the show:
🦾 HardcoreHogDogs.com — Use code TUSKS&TALES when you contact Michael Spiehler for top-tier custom cut vests and gear.
🐗 BoarsNBroads.com — Use code TNT at checkout for exclusive savings.
🫡 2B Hog Dogs — Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs. Proud supporters from day one.
In this episode of Tusks & Tales, we sit down with Tkeil Smith, brother to Kenneth Smith, to hear his side of the story — the bond between brothers, dogs, and the hunt that shaped their lives. 🐗👬
Tkeil opens up about the roots of their family’s passion, the long nights in the woods, and the faith and grit that hold it all together. From growing up around hounds to learning life lessons through every catch, this one dives deep into what it truly means to live the lifestyle — not just chase it.
If you enjoyed Kenneth’s episode, this one completes the story — raw, honest, and straight from the heart of a man who’s lived it right beside his brother.
🎧 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts and be sure to support the folks who keep this community going:
Proud Supporters of Tusks & Tales:
🦾🐗 HardcoreHogDogs.com — Use code TUSKS&TALES when you contact Michael Spiehler for your gear.
👱🏼♀️🐗 Boars N’ Broads — Use code TNT at checkout.
🫡🐗 2B Hog Dogs — Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs.
🐕🦺 A&M Kennels — Passion, performance, and pride in every hound.
💡 HogTurnal Headlamps — Made for feral swine hunters, by feral swine hunters.
Faith, Family & the Hunt: The Case Frieda Story
This one hits home, y’all. 🎙🐗
We sit down with Case Frieda for a heartfelt conversation that dives deep into faith, family, and the tradition of the hunt. ✝️👨👩👧👦🔥
Case shares stories, lessons, and values that remind us what this lifestyle is truly about — not just the dogs or the hogs, but the people and the principles that keep it all grounded. This episode is packed with heart, heritage, and real talk. You don’t want to miss it. 💯
🎧 Listen Now:
👉 [Spotify Link]
👉 [Apple Podcast Link]
👉 [YouTube or Other Link]
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💪 Proud Supporters of Tusks & Tales:
🦾🐗🦮 Hardcorehogdogs.com (https://hardcorehogdogs.com/) — Use code TUSKS&TALES when you contact Michael Spiehler for cut vests & gear.
🐗👱🏼♀️ Boars N’ Broads (https://www.boarsnbroads.com/) — Use code TNT at checkout. Huge thanks Ryne Rankin & Carter Shultz for the constant support!
🫡🐗🫡 2B Hog Dogs — Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs. Big shoutout to Tkeil Smith& Kenneth Smith — not only top dog men but major supporters of the podcast.
👩❤️💋👨 A&M Kennels — A husband & wife duo keeping it real. Marissa Adams keeps the wheels turning!
🐗🔦 HogTurnal Headlamps — Made for feral swine hunters, by feral swine hunters.
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#TusksAndTales #CaseFrieda #FaithFamilyAndTheHunt #PodcastDrop #HogDogs #HuntingTradition #RealTalk #FamilyAndFaith #TusksAndTalesPodcast
This week we’re bringing the dog world together in a special crossover with the crew from Dixie Doggers Podcast! From bay dogs to catch dogs, from hunting grounds to kennel talk — this episode is packed full of real dog conversations and a whole lot of unity across the hog-dog community.
We dive into stories from both sides, share experiences, swap knowledge, and celebrate the bond that keeps this lifestyle alive: the dogs and the people who run ’em. If you’re passionate about hounds, hogs, and good conversation, this is one you won’t want to miss.
👉 Tune in, share it with your buddies, and let’s keep building the brotherhood and sisterhood of the hunt.
#TusksAndTales #DixieDoggers #HogDogging #PodcastCrossover #DogTalk #UnityInTheChase #BayDogs #CatchDogs #HuntingTradition
In this episode of Tusks & Tales, we sit down with Rusty Mashore, a seasoned dog man known for developing and running his very own bloodline of Yellow Black Mouth Curs (YBMC). Rusty shares the history behind his line, the traits he’s worked hard to preserve, and the journey that shaped these dogs into the gritty, intelligent hog hunters they are today.
From breeding philosophy and training approaches to the real-world hunts that proved their worth, this conversation is packed with insight for anyone passionate about working dogs, tradition, and preserving quality bloodlines.
Whether you’re deep in the dog world or just starting to build your yard, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
👉 Tune in, learn, and enjoy another authentic conversation from the woods.
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Support the show:
• 🐗Hard Core HogDogs — Use discount code TUSKS&TALES
• 🧢 Boars N Broads — Use discount code TNT at checkout
• 🔥 2B Hog Dogs — Two brothers. One passion. Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs.
New Episode: Devyn Looney on Game-Bred Dogs
In this episode of Tusks & Tales, we sit down with Devyn Looney for a no-holds-barred conversation about game-bred dogs — their history, purpose, and the role they play in the woods today. Devyn shares his knowledge, experiences, and perspective on what sets true game-bred dogs apart, and why they continue to spark so much discussion in the hunting world.
Whether you’re new to the sport or have years in the woods, this episode offers insight, grit, and a whole lot of passion for working dogs.
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🔥 Support the show by checking out our proud supporters:
🐗 Hardcore Hog Dogs – From cut vests to leads, they’ve got everything your dogs need.
👉 HardcoreHogDogs.com
Use code TUSKS&TALES for a discount!
🍻 Boars N Broads – Outdoor lifestyle gear with attitude.
👉 BoarsNBroads.com
Use code TNT at checkout!
👊 2B Hog Dogs – Two brothers. One passion. Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs.
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❤️ A&M Kennels – A husband and wife building their dream together through a love for working dogs.
In this episode of Tusks & Tales, we sit down with Wesley Wiley, a dedicated hog hunter running the legendary Bayou Cajun line of Plott hounds. Wesley shares how these dogs were bred for grit, stamina, and heart — and how the Cajun bloodline continues to prove itself in some of the toughest terrain the South has to offer.
From late-night races through the swamps to unforgettable catches, Wesley gives us a front-row seat to the lifestyle, tradition, and passion that define Cajun Plott hunting. If you love working dogs, wild stories, and the culture that keeps this way of life alive, this episode delivers it all.
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Support the show:
🐗 HardcoreHogDogs.com — Use discount code TUSKS&TALES at checkout
🍻 Boars N Broads — Use discount code TNT
🐾 2B Hog Dogs — Two brothers. One passion. Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs.
🏡 A&M Kennels — A husband-and-wife team raising dogs with passion
In this highly anticipated Part 2, we dive back into the bayous with Mike Cauley as he shares more untold stories and wisdom about his legendary Bayou Cajun Plott hounds. From family tradition to the grit it takes to run dogs in the toughest country, Mike paints a picture of what it means to keep this culture alive. If you thought Part 1 was wild, just wait until you hear the hunts, history, and heart packed into this continuation.
Tusks & Tales wouldn’t be possible without our proud supporters:
🐗 https://hardcorehogdogs.com/— Gear built by hunters, for hunters. Use discount code TUSKS&TALES at checkout.
🔥 https://www.boarsnbroads.com/— Lifestyle, gear, and grit. Use discount code TNT at checkout.
🐾 2B Hog Dogs — Two brothers, one passion: Family. Tradition. Hog Dogs.