The Hunt Fish Podcast Summit once again brought together some of the most passionate voices in hunting, fishing, and conservation for a multi-day gathering dedicated to storytelling, collaboration, and celebrating the outdoor community. Hosted at the Pintail Hunting Club in Garwood, Texas, the event continues to grow as a premier meeting place for outdoor media personalities, conservation leaders, and industry partners.
Founded and hosted by Derek York of the Impact Outdoors Podcast, the summit was created to give podcasters and storytellers a place to connect, collaborate, and amplify the stories that matter most in the outdoor world. York, who serves as a Lead Fish and Wildlife Technician with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and has spent nearly two decades working in fisheries management and conservation, launched the event with the goal of strengthening the outdoor storytelling community.
“This event has grown into something really special,” York said.
“What started as an idea to bring podcasters together has turned into a gathering of conservationists, filmmakers, and storytellers who all care deeply about wildlife and the future of hunting and fishing. Seeing everyone collaborate and share ideas here each year has been incredibly rewarding.”
Over the course of four days, attendees participated in podcast recording sessions, roundtable discussions, fishing opportunities, and guest speaker presentations. The summit schedule included structured podcast rotations, social gatherings, and outdoor activities designed to encourage both professional collaboration and genuine camaraderie among participants.
One of the event’s signature highlights is the Hunt Fish Podcast Film Festival, presented by the Texas Bighorn Society. Now in its third year, the film festival has become a cornerstone of the summit, showcasing powerful outdoor and conservation films that celebrate wildlife, hunting heritage, and the people dedicated to protecting wild places. The festival was held across two nights and provided a platform for filmmakers and storytellers to share impactful visual narratives with the summit audience.
“The film festival has become one of the most anticipated parts of the summit,” York said.
“It brings together incredible conservation stories on screen and reminds everyone why we care so deeply about wildlife and wild places.”
The summit also welcomed respected leaders from conservation organizations, including representatives from the Wild Sheep Foundation and their Women Hunt® program who shared their perspectives on conservation leadership, hunter recruitment, and the growing role of women in the hunting community. Their participation reinforced the summit’s focus on conservation education and the future of outdoor traditions.
Beyond the formal programming, the event offered plenty of opportunities for attendees to experience the outdoors firsthand. Fishing opportunities, a friendly fishing tournament, shooting activities, and evening dinner gatherings helped create a relaxed environment where conversations continued long after the microphones were turned off. A traditional crawfish boil and social hours further strengthened the sense of community that has become a hallmark of the summit.
York emphasized that the summit’s success comes from the people who attend and the stories they share.
“The goal has always been to bring together people who are passionate about the outdoors and conservation,” York said.
“When you get this many dedicated voices in one place, great conversations happen and important stories get told.”
With strong support from title sponsors and partners, and with continued involvement from leading conservation organizations, the Hunt Fish Podcast Summit continues to build momentum as a gathering that celebrates outdoor storytelling while reinforcing the role hunters and anglers play in conservation.