439: First Big Game-4 Young Hunters Share Their First Successful Hunts

439: First Big Game-4 Young Hunters Share Their First Successful Hunts

Author: John McAdams September 3, 2026 Duration: 1:00:09

In this special episode, four young hunters sit down to share the stories of their first successful big game animals. My son James talks about preparing for and harvesting his first impala in Africa at age nine with a suppressed 25 Creedmoor. Heidi recounts the excitement (and nerves) of her first deer hunt where she took both a doe and a management buck with a Savage .243, Jake describes the long road that led to his first cow elk in Colorado, and William details the DIY Idaho bull elk he shot near home with a left-handed 7mm PRC.

From range practice and gear choices to the emotional rollercoaster of the shot and recovery, these young hunters share their accounts of what it was like for them to take that first animal. Whether you're a parent introducing your kids to hunting or a hunter who still remembers their own first success, this episode is packed with memorable stories from the next generation.

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Resources

172: Elk Hunting With A 6.5 Creedmoor & A 300 Win Mag With Mark Floyd

283: My 2023 New Mexico Mule Deer Hunt With My Son


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: 50

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
440: 243 Winchester vs 6mm Remington With Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:59
John McAdams sits down with Ron Spomer to talk about the .243 Winchester and the 6mm Remington (originally the .244 Remington). Both are light recoiling, flat shooting 6mm cartridges introduced in the 1950s and have simi…
438: 416 Rigby vs 375 H&H Big Bore Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:48
In this episode of the Big Game Hunting Podcast, I compare two legendary African dangerous game cartridges: the .375 H&H Magnum and the .416 Rigby. I cover the history and design of both rounds, real-world ballistics, re…
435: 45-70 in Africa Pros, Cons & Lessons Learned [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:15
My father and I took a father-son safari to Africa armed with classic lever-action rifles in .45-70 Government — my Marlin 1895 and his Winchester 1886. Despite being an uncommon choice on the Dark Continent, the old .45…
431: True Cost of an Africa Hunt: Elk vs Plains Game Safari [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:02
Is an African safari really as expensive as most hunters think? I break down the real, all-in costs of a guided plains game hunt in South Africa versus a guided rifle elk hunt in Wyoming — using hard numbers from actual…
430: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Jim Harmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:51
Jim Harmer (aka Backfire on YouTube) is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We play little game where Phil and I each list…