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19. Deer Hunting, Sustainability, and Conservation with Kalli Hawkins

Writer's picture: Meg CarneyMeg Carney


In episode 19 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we are going to be discussing the topic of hunting on the show for the first time. In creating this podcast, I was unsure about including activities like hunting and fishing, but I thought it a missed opportunity if we didn’t as they are a huge sector of the outdoor industry.


Sportsmen contribute immensely to the conservation of our wild spaces and to me, discussing how hunting can help you feel more connected to the land is important. To help me introduce the topic of hunting to the show, I am excited to introduce Kalli Hawkins.


Kalli Hawkins is an outdoor, gear, and adventure writer based in a small Northern Minnesota town near the border of Canada. She grew up hunting and fishing in Northern Minnesota and has continued her passion for the outdoors throughout her life and years spent living in Colorado. Her work appears on Teton Sports, Outside Business Journal, Cleanup News, and many others.


Kalli Hawkins



 

This transcript was edited to remove some filler words and phrases and is not verbatim according to what is spoken in the audio recording.



Meg: So, thank you so much for taking the time to be on the show, Kalli. I'm excited to dive into, I guess, the life of a sportswoman. But before we get started, can you tell me a little bit more about your passion for outdoor recreation and how you got to where you are today?


Kalli: Thanks for having me on, Meg! This is really awesome. I've been a big fan of your podcast since you kick-started it.


A little bit about me: I grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota called Grand Marais. It's about 30 minutes from the Canadian border, and I spent the majority of my childhood in the outdoors—hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, all of the above. It all started with my father. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service throughout my childhood—17 years in total—and was an avid outdoorsman. He passed down his passion for the outdoors to my brothers and me.

That was kind of the initial start of how I was exposed to the outdoors and to hunting and fishing. I’ve maintained that same passion throughout my life. During my time in Colorado—where I lived for about 10 years—and now, back in Grand Marais, it’s remained a big part of my life.


It's also something I’ve expanded on professionally and academically. I graduated with a geography degree with a minor in sustainability, and after that, I broke into writing about the outdoor industry, gear, conservation, and outdoor education. It’s something I truly love and feel passionate about. That’s kind of my quick background.


Meg: Very cool. Kalli and I actually met because we’re both freelance writers in the outdoor industry, so that’s a fun connection. And yeah, I also grew up in Minnesota, but I don’t live there anymore. I’m obsessed with northern Minnesota, though—I go back every year because the summers up there are so beautiful.


Kalli: Yeah, northern Minnesota—and Minnesota in general—is such a special place. I truly love it. The easy access to the outdoors at all times is amazing. I can drive 10 minutes from my house now and be on a lake by myself or at a trailhead with no one else around. I just love it, and I’ve really enjoyed being back home.


Meg: That’s awesome. You touched a little bit on how you were first exposed to hunting through your father and family. What type of hunting do you specifically do today—and fishing, I guess?


Kalli: I was first exposed to hunting through my father. He would go whitetail deer hunting here in northern Minnesota, as well as fishing and bird hunting in North Dakota at times. He’d come home with deer, ducks, geese—all sorts of game. It was a family event to help him process the animals, so that was my first real exposure to hunting.


Even though I grew up around it, I wasn’t necessarily comfortable with it at first. I wanted to be a veterinarian and help animals, so it was this weird dynamic where my dad would come home with animals, and I wanted to fix them! That feeling stuck with me for a while, but when I was about 15, I went on my first whitetail hunt with my father and younger brother.


We all went out together, and I was up in the tree stand while my brother and dad were at the base. I wasn’t necessarily ready that day. There’s a lot of weight behind hunting—it requires humility and compassion. My brother ended up taking the buck that came out that day, but it gave me the time I needed to prepare. A day or two later, my dad and I went back out, and I got my first deer. From that moment, I was hooked.


Since then, I’ve continued hunting throughout my life. In Colorado, it’s a different style than in the Midwest—it’s not stationary like sitting in a tree stand. It’s climbing mountains and chasing after deer or elk. I’ve done elk hunts and mule deer hunts out there, and I even got a mule deer three years ago. I’ve also done grouse hunting in Colorado and Minnesota.

It’s been a great experience overall. I truly love it.


Meg: There are so many different styles of hunting. Your primary one is whitetail deer, but I grew up in southern Minnesota on the plains. Do you do any pheasant or duck hunting—or bird hunting of any kind?


Kalli: I personally haven’t done pheasant or duck hunting, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to try. I think pheasant hunting would be so much fun, especially using bird dogs—that would be a treat! My dad has done it, and some of my friends as well, but I haven’t had the chance.


I’ve done grouse hunting here in Minnesota and Colorado, but not in the same style as pheasant hunting on the plains.


Meg: That was the type of hunting I grew up around, so it’s always interesting to hear about other people’s Midwest experiences. I don’t hunt anymore, but what do you think keeps drawing you to the activity in all the different areas you’ve lived?


Kalli: There are a few things that draw me to hunting. One is that it’s a unique way to interact with the outdoors, different from my other hobbies like hiking, backpacking, camping, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Hunting gives me a different perspective.


I love searching for wildlife tracks. Whether I’m hunting or not, it’s something I naturally do whenever I’m outdoors. I could follow game trails and tracks all day—they tell a story about what animals are doing and their movements. You might see a rabbit track and then a fox or coyote track following it.


Hunting also expands my outdoor skills and knowledge. Every time I’m in the woods, I learn something new. Even this past November, I made mistakes while hunting solo and spooked some deer. But I learned from it—I know what to do differently next time.


My favorite moment, though, is right before sunrise. The forest starts to wake up, and you’re just sitting there, observing. The birds start rustling, squirrels come out, and the light begins to filter through the trees. It’s magical—you don’t get that experience with other outdoor activities because you’re usually moving through the landscape, not sitting still for hours.


What draws me to it is that it's a great way for me to provide for myself. Harvesting an animal and using it for food is incredibly rewarding. It’s a multifaceted experience, but those are the reasons I love it.


Meg: Yeah, no, I appreciate your description of the forest waking up and everything like that. I feel like a lot of the sportsmen I know who practice more sustainable hunting describe it as an integration into the ecosystem. You become a part of that ecosystem. Whereas with other activities many of us also enjoy, you’re just passing through—you’re not necessarily becoming a part of it. Some people might feel that way when doing those activities, but I do think hunting brings a different element, for sure.


Kalli: Oh, yeah. I mean, I’ve had experiences where chickadees or birds land on my shoulder or the end of my rifle. My dad had an owl fly straight at him without realizing he was there. I had a coyote walk 100 yards in front of me this past November, completely unaware of me. You get to observe things in a new way, and it’s pretty awesome.


Meg: You mentioned that you hunt as a way to provide sustenance, which is something I’ve heard a lot from other hunters. How do you integrate that lifestyle with sustainability?


Kalli: That’s a great question. Growing up, it wasn’t something explicitly ingrained in us, but it was just part of our life. We didn’t eat much beef; we always knew where our food came from because my dad hunted every fall. It was all locally sourced—within 10 to 20 miles of where we lived. That’s always brought value to my life: knowing where my food comes from, what the animal was eating, the habitat conditions.


In contrast, our current food system is so disconnected. You don’t really know where your meat comes from, how it was raised, or treated. But with hunting, you’re putting in the hard work to source your food. It takes effort, but it’s worth it. There’s value in knowing where your food comes from. That’s something I hold dear and that my dad passed down to us.


It’s similar to growing your own food in a garden or raising chickens and collecting eggs—you’re part of the production process, not just buying something like the ground beef in grocery stores, which is a mix of who-knows-what.


When my dad came home with a deer, it was all hands on deck. We’d help process and quarter the deer, grind the meat, and package it. Every fall, our kitchen table turned into a processing station. We all had jobs: someone weighed out two pounds, someone wrapped it, someone labeled it. It was a family effort, and it brought a lot of value to our lives. I’m really grateful to my dad and family for teaching me that at a young age.


Meg: I think that ties back to the connectivity to the land you mentioned earlier. Killing an animal is such an intimate act, and I feel like it fosters a deep respect for what nature provides. You’re not as far removed from the process—it’s not something you take for granted.


Kalli: Absolutely. Another thing is that when we harvest an animal, we use the entire animal—nothing goes to waste. It’s out of respect for the animal. We use the backstraps, tenderloins, heart, liver—everything we can. We even donate the hide through programs like Hides for Habitat. These hides are sold for apparel or to fur traders, and the proceeds go into habitat restoration programs. It’s a full-circle system that puts back into the landscape.


Meg:I’ve become more aware in recent years of how much hunters and anglers contribute to conservation. I should have realized it sooner—my grandfather was a conservationist and sportsman—but it’s fascinating how their contributions directly preserve public lands.


Another question: Since you participate in other outdoor activities beyond hunting, do you think there could be better crossover between those worlds?


Kalli: This is something I’ve always believed. Hunters and anglers have historically been the backbone of the outdoor industry. That’s starting to shift with the recent boom in outdoor recreation. Now, more people are exploring the outdoors through activities like hiking, mountain biking, and camping. The big question is: how can everyone contribute equally?


Right now, a lot of the financial burden falls on hunters and anglers through license fees. We need more equal contributions from all outdoor recreationists. We’re all out there because we love the outdoors, so it makes sense to help protect and maintain the landscape.


There have been some positive changes. In Colorado, for example, state wildlife areas are managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife primarily for hunting, fishing, and wildlife purposes. With more people using these areas for other activities, they’ve introduced measures to distribute the responsibility. Initially, they required people to have a hunting or fishing license to access the areas, but that wasn’t well-received. Now, they offer a state wildlife area pass, similar to a state park pass, and it’s been better received.


In Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources is exploring ideas like a sporting goods tax to ensure everyone contributes financially. They’re careful not to make it inaccessible—slapping a tax on something could make it harder for some people to enjoy the outdoors.

Other states have implemented successful programs. For example, Texas has had a sporting goods tax since 1993. They allocate a portion of their sales tax from sporting goods to fund state parks, trails, and maintenance. It’s been very effective.


The conversation now is about finding approaches that distribute the responsibility across all outdoor enthusiasts. It’s not just hunters and anglers who should bear the weight.


Meg: Yeah, and a lot of times, I think people just aren’t necessarily aware of where the funding is actually coming from to upkeep those public areas. Hunting specifically, I would say, gets kind of a bad rap for, I don’t know, different reasons in different communities. That perception is interesting to me because hunters are the ones holding up all of these open areas for everyone else to recreate, yet they’re often blamed for other unrelated issues. There’s a disconnect between what’s actually happening and how it’s perceived in different communities.


But it’s good to hear that there are models being developed that are somewhat effective, like the one in Colorado you mentioned. It seems really interesting to me because people appear willing to pay for permits and passes like that if they’re using the land frequently.


Kalli: Yeah, there are some big changes happening. I think it’s because this issue is being brought to the forefront with so many more people spending time outdoors. Agencies—whether state or governmental—or even nonprofits are saying, “We don’t have the funding to maintain these trails, continue habitat restoration programs, or manage other conservation needs.” So, they’re having to figure out new ways to fund these efforts.


There are some really positive things happening, and I’m hopeful that this momentum will continue. Of course, it’s wishful thinking to believe that people will volunteer their time or donate enough money to conservation without these structures in place. If that were the case, nonprofits wouldn’t have to exist.


For me, part of the reason I buy a hunting and fishing license every year, even if I only go out once or twice, is knowing that the money goes back into wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. I enjoy contributing to that. I’ve also made personal donations to Colorado Parks and Wildlife because I believe in their work and want to support them as much as I can.


Meg: Growing up in a rural community where hunting and fishing were the main outdoor activities, I noticed women and girls were involved when they were younger, like I was when I went out with my grandpa in high school. But that involvement often seems to taper off. How do you feel about the current representation of women in hunting and outdoor sports?


Kalli: I think there’s been a significant increase in women getting into hunting in recent years, which is awesome. There’s definitely a need for more women in the field. I follow a lot of women-focused fly fishing organizations, and while I haven’t seen as much with hunting, there’s definitely a drive to get more women involved.


I think about this a lot—if I hadn’t grown up hunting and fishing, if I didn’t have someone like my dad to pass down his passion, would I have ever gotten into it? I don’t know. It was just a normal part of my life because I was exposed to it consistently, and I had someone knowledgeable to teach me.


Breaking into hunting can be intimidating, especially if you’re unfamiliar with firearms, bows, or other equipment. But I’ve seen progress. Some organizations and state agencies are creating women-only hunting clinics or firearm safety groups. Over the past five-plus years, there’s been noticeable growth in opportunities for women in these areas.


Meg: That makes sense. In comparison to other outdoor recreation activities, hunting does have a higher barrier to entry—not just in terms of knowledge but also the gear and the safety considerations.


There’s also this societal perception that hunting is a masculine endeavor. Even when we think about egalitarian societies, we often associate men with hunting. But historically, that hasn’t always been the case. Women have the same skill set, drive, and capability to pursue these sports.


Kalli: Absolutely. I remember hunting with my younger brother and my dad. My dad would often say I was the better hunter because I had more patience. I could sit still for hours, observing, while my brother was restless and couldn’t stay in the stand.


I’m really lucky my dad had a passion for hunting and passed it down to me. I think any parent—father or mother—who hunts should share that with their children. It’s not just about harvesting an animal; it’s about the experience. Being in the woods with family, observing nature—it’s something I deeply value and treasure.


Meg: Yeah, even if the hunt isn’t “successful,” it’s still about the experience—being part of the landscape, tracking the animal, and understanding the ecosystem.


For people interested in hunting, especially a more holistic and sustainable version where it’s about sustenance and connecting with the land, what resources would you recommend for someone who didn’t grow up with that exposure?


Kalli: The first step is to start local and small. Take a hunter safety or firearm safety course to learn the basics. Safety is the number one priority in hunting. Once you have that foundation, you can build on it as you gain knowledge and experience.


You could also look for local hunting groups, read magazines, or book a trip with an outfitter or guide for your first experience. Many state wildlife agencies and Departments of Natural Resources are creating women-focused clinics, so check out what your state offers. They might have online or in-person events.


Meg: Online communities could also be helpful. Whether on LinkedIn, Facebook, or other platforms, there are likely hunting groups that can connect you with mentors or resources. Mentorship could be especially valuable for adults entering hunting.


Kalli: Definitely. There are groups like Sisters on the Fly for fly fishing, Casting for Recovery, and others. I’m sure there are hunting-focused organizations too, even if the names aren’t coming to me right now. Checking out social media or outdoor-focused accounts on platforms like Instagram can also be helpful. Many of them host clinics or events.


Meg: That’s great advice. Is there anything else you’d like to add, or how can people connect with you and follow your story?


Kalli: If anyone wants to reach out, they can find me at www.kallihawkins.com or on Instagram and Facebook at @kallihawkins. You can also contact me via email through those platforms.

I think we covered a lot, but I just want to thank you for having me on the show. I really appreciate the opportunity to share a little more about hunting with your podcast community.


Meg: Thank you so much for being on the show. It was really fun, and I learned a lot!





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