Join Host Michael Waddell as he sits down with popular new content creators and outdoor lifestyle advocates Dr. Stacy P. Gill, known as "Doc," and Lou Hill, from the WEHUNT2-WEFISH2 podcast and social media platform (on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and more). "Doc and Lou" focus on hunting and fishing and celebrating the black community's involvement in the great outdoors. They emphasize the healthy lifestyle that comes from connecting with the outdoors, as well as the importance of wildlife conservation. Born and raised in Eutaw in west-central Alabama, along the Black Warrior River, and in that state's famous Black Belt region, Doc first headed out hunting and fishing with his older brother, Darnell. Lou was born and raised outside Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and he was introduced to hunting by his Dad, who was a small-game hunter and enjoyed hunting over shorthaired pointers. Lou graduated from BB guns to shotguns to rifles and finally to bow and arrow, and he became a hardcore deer hunter. While their hunting and fishing mentors have passed on now, both Doc and Lou are dedicated to carrying on their legacies, and they are our very special guests on this episode of The Michael Waddell Podcast, presented by Spandau Arms and in partnership with Folds of Honor, Cigars International and Poncho Outdoors. After hearing a somewhat controversial TikTok reel posted by Waddell following a Kansas City, Missouri, sportsmen's show, where he implored the black community to "show up and show off" their outdoor skills and experiences, Doc and Lou were inspired to answer that call and share their outdoors experiences by creating more hunting and fishing content and ultimately by hosting the WEHUNT2-WEFISH2 podcast.

"Well, for me, it was comical," began Doc, in response to watching Waddell's reel. "It was who you are, to the core. I mean, I didn't see it as harmful or offensive. I saw it as a way to energize, ignite the black community to say, 'Hey, you know, we can do this too.' Just like what we talk about on our podcast a lot of times. We share this space just like everyone else, and we have the opportunity to show and tell, and [share] our abilities as well, so, I didn't take that offensively. Matter of fact, I even messaged you afterwards and said, 'Hey, let me come and hunt too.' For a black man in the hunting community, hearing that, I took it as a call to action almost, a charge, or 'next man up,' or a dare. It wasn't anything to be offensive about, in my opinion. Now, my opinion might not matter much, but I've had my share of knowing mean people and talking to mean people when they're not genuine, and what I took from it was the furthest thing from [that], so that was my initial reaction."

"I've watched your shows and followed your videos," added Lou, "and [I've seen] how you interact with people at expos, so I may be a little bit biased because I'm a true fan; however, that's my fourth time watching it, so I tried, after hearing what people were saying, [to ask myself] 'What did they see that I didn't see?' So, I saw someone, when you say, 'call out,' I guess they want to pick and choose a certain word, so when you said you were 'calling them out,' they may have been offended by that, but what you were saying was, 'Hey, step up, produce, show more content, be part of the industry, so that everyone can see what you are doing. And so, I took it, I wasn't offended, I enjoyed it. I understand it. I'm a part of the industry; I love to hunt. So, to see that just motivated me. 'Okay, I need to create. Take another video camera out to the woods and try to create more content so I can show people this is what I'm doing. Instead of just killing animals, how do we prepare to do things?' So, I took it in a different way," Lou concluded.

"Just to piggyback off that," Doc continued. "I'll be honest with you – that was the motivating thing behind WEHUNT2-WEFISH2, really. To pick up a camera and to record it. You know, it's not being a fanatical fan; it's basically saying, 'Hey, you know I can do what they're doing. I can do that, too.' Honestly, that's part of how WEHUNT2-WEFISH2 was born," said Doc with a smile.

In the past, selfless mentoring and sharing in the accomplishments of fellow hunters and fishers was central to the growth of the outdoors community, but that sentiment seems to have faded in some areas. However, Lou feels there's hope. "I think it's coming back," he interjected, "because Doc and I…Like, he's on my spot. I take him and put him on his spot, and I'm more happy about Doc killing than my harvesting an animal because I want him to harvest. We're just out interacting, having a good time, and he tells me what he saw and I tell him what I saw and then we come back and we re-group, and then we go back out there and he harvests. We got him! We got him! Not I got him. If it's a deer that I'm after, and I know there are some deer that I've picked out that I want, and I take you on that property and you harvest that deer, I'm not going to be mad. I'll probably be upset if you miss or injure the deer, but if you harvest that deer, I am happy for you. Let's take a photo of the killer…I'm happy," finished Lou emphatically.

"The place we have down in Eutaw," continued Doc, "you know, when you put your sweat equity into it, where you're cutting the fields, making food plots, hanging stands, you know where deer are, you know where the travel corridors are, and when you go down, you take people down there, the last couple of years, the guys, the family members I have still in Eutaw who we hunt with, [they] want to come down, and so what we'll do is put them in the best spots to be successful. We'll put them in the spots where we've killed deer, or we've harvested deer, or know where deer we'll be, and we put them in those spots so they can be successful, because at the end of the day, our success is your success. We're happy for you. At least, I know that's the spirit that we share."

"We talk about it a lot of times. You know, it tends to kind of disappear sometimes the further you get away from those circles of influence, because you never know what peoples' intentions are. Some might have the gratification of [being] a solo hunter and they don't want to share in their experiences…but like Dr. O [a hunting partner and regular on WEHUNT2-WEFISH2], he shares with us all the time. He shares what he has. I've gone hunting with him, and he has put me in a stand where he knows deer will be, and just as he said, I look out there – there's video out there— deer all over the place! It's that kind of spirit that reminds me, 'We're all in this together.'"

The Michael Waddell Podcast is produced by Outdoor Sportsman Group and is available widely on Outdoor Channel YouTube, MyOutdoorTV, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and OutdoorChannel.com, to name a few.

"To me, [it's more than just going out there]," added Lou. "It's the stories behind it. I've got a friend, Johnny, and he has hunting property and I have hunting property, and we trade ideas. We don't just look at the pictures in order to interact. We trade ideas. Johnny will put me in a good spot, and I'll put Johnny in a good spot. A couple of years ago, we both harvested two nice deer. Didn't even see them on camera [beforehand]. He harvested a deer on my property. I was so happy. We were taking photos, 'Hey, look, man pose this way for me; pose this way for me.' Same thing for him. I went on his property and harvested a very nice eight point – 22-inch neck – and he was happy. He was like, 'Lou, you did it!' And, to go back, we talk about it right now… [the internet helps us out] because it will pop up memories of when you harvested your deer, both of us together, and so I sent it to him, 'Hey, remember when we did this?' And so, we go back and forth, we feed off each other sharing old Facebook memories. So, these are the types of circles that Doc and I strive to be around – positive individuals who have knowledge in areas that we don't have."

"I took my son a couple times," said Doc. "He's a fireman. That switch hasn't turned on yet to get him really interested, but he's asking questions. Why? Because he sees me a lot of times, he sees us together [pointing to Lou], he sees the people I talk to talking about the outdoors. Now he's asking questions. His best friend is a forester. So, it's just a matter of time. He can see it [the joy of participating in the outdoors] – Let me check into it. Part of our purpose is to increase that participation because the more we get involved the more messaging and opportunity we have to entice and encourage other people to get into the outdoors," finished Doc.

"I'm so thankful for the time I had to visit with Doc and Lou from WEHUNT2-WEFISH2 and for the chance to know them better. They proved that we have so much in common and share the same respect and reverence for the outdoors. I love what these guys are doing to inspire people, regardless of their race and background, to get outdoors and go hunting and fishing. I look forward to seeing what they continue to do with their growing platform, and I'll be here to cheer them on all the way, even though on Saturdays in the fall I'll be pulling for the Georgia Bulldogs and they'll be shouting "Roll Tide!"

The Michael Waddell Podcast releases new episodes every other week.

Waddell's story began in the backwoods of Booger Bottom, Georgia, where he grew up surrounded by nature, family, and a love for the outdoors. A self-proclaimed "rowdy redneck," his passion for hunting and storytelling led him to win a Realtree turkey-calling contest, which launched his career in the outdoor industry. From guiding and filming hunts to creating hit shows like Realtree Road Trips and Bone Collector, Waddell has become a beloved figure in the outdoor world.

About Outdoor Sportsman Group: Outdoor Sportsman Group is comprised of the world's foremost media and entertainment brands for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. It includes four leading multichannel networks: Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and GAME & FISH TV, a dynamic new Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel dedicated to sports enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. Additionally, Outdoor Sportsman Group operates Sportsman Channel (Canada) and MOTV, the world's leading subscription streaming platform created for outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. The Group also consists of numerous established publishing assets, including 14 outdoor magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Game & Fish, Petersen's HUNTING, and In-Fisherman, along with 20 top websites. Outdoor Sportsman Group also includes television production operations through Winnercomm. For more information, visit www.outdoorsg.com.