380: From Iraq & Afghanistan To Hunting South Africa

380: From Iraq & Afghanistan To Hunting South Africa

Author: John McAdams July 17, 2025 Duration: 1:02:04

Army veteran Matt Tyree was the lucky veteran selected for the plains game safari I gave away as part of my 5 year Big Game Hunting Podcast Anniversary with my South African PH's Johan and Kobus. Matt literally just returned from the hunting safari of a lifetime and joins me on the show today to tell us how things went!

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We have space remaining for a hunt in October 2025 and as well as March, April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!

In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Matt Tyree, who we selected as the veteran to receive the plains game hunt in Africa we gave away during the 5 year Big Game Hunting Podcast anniversary celebration in 2025.

They discuss Matt's military career (to include his deployments to Iraq & Afghanistan) as well has how he prepared for the hunt, the rifle set-up he brought to Africa, how the hunt went, and what it was like sharing the experience with his 11 year old son, Marshall.

Their takeaway? This was the trip of a lifetime for both Matt and Marshall. They had an outstanding safari and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Matt also wanted to extend a special thanks to all of the generous listeners who provided donations above and beyond what John, Johan, and Kobus provided with the hunt itself.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!


John McAdams hosts the Big Game Hunting Podcast, a conversation grounded in the realities of pursuing game across continents. Each episode feels like a detailed campfire talk, moving from the technical specifics of terminal ballistics and caliber selection to the raw, unforgettable narratives from the field in Africa, North America, and beyond. McAdams brings together a global community, with voices ranging from seasoned industry professionals to fellow hunters who call in with their own experiences. The focus is always on practical knowledge and authentic stories, stripping away any pretense to get to the heart of what hunters actually want to discuss. By sharing his own journey of learning and improvement, McAdams creates a space where curiosity and respect for the wilderness drive the dialogue. Tuning into this podcast means joining a serious yet accessible exchange where the complexities of the hunt are explored without filter. New conversations are released every Thursday, offering a consistent dose of insight and camaraderie for anyone passionate about the pursuit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
351: 22 Creedmoor With Derrick Ratliff Of Horizon Firearms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:21
Is the new 22 Creedmoor just the latest fad? Or does it offer significant benefits to hunters compared to more established 22 caliber centerfires like the 22-250 Remington? Today, Derrick Ratliff from Horizon Firearms jo…
350: Whitetail Hunting Secrets With Larry Weishuhn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:45
Larry Weishuhn, also known as "Mr. Whitetail" joins me on the show today to talk about some of the finer points of whitetail deer hunting. I've always wanted to sit down with an accomplished deer hunter and wildlife biol…
349: The ugly truth about bullet failures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:48
Today, we're going to talk about bullet failures. Bullet failures are a hot topic, especially when they involve certain, very polarizing bullets and/or cartridges. I absolutely believe they do occur, but I think they get…
348: 223 Remington vs 22 ARC Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:53
Today we're going to talk about 2 22 caliber cartridges designed for use in America's favorite gun in the AR-15 platform: the 223 Remington and the 22 ARC. As always, we'll discuss the overall design characteristics and…
347: Ultimate Guide To The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:53
Today, I discuss all of the other .30 caliber cartridges I didn't cover in episode 286. None of these rounds use a .308" bullet, but all are still .30 caliber cartridges and most fill a similar niche as the .308 Winchest…
346: Listen For A Special Announcement! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:43
Join me at the Dallas Safari Club Convention in Atlanta, Georgia 9-12 January 2025. I will be attending the show with 2 of my African PHs (Johan and Kobus) and we'd love to meet you in person if you'll be at the show. We…
345: 7mm Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:46
I discuss all of the 7mm CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode. As always, I'll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their streng…
344: Moose Hunting With A 22 ARC? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:01
Tyler Freel is back on the show today to talk about a recent moose hunt where he cleanly killed a nice bull with the new 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge using his AR-15. I Feel like I owe it to my audience to give them the b…
343: Have you ever had a bullet fail on a hunt? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:15
I have request for your assistance with an upcoming project. I'm planning an episode on December where I discuss so called "bullet failures." I have a couple of examples I have experienced myself I'll share with you in t…