Ep. 287 "An Unbridled Voice for Texas" with Jeremy Harrison

What happens when mountain lions become a much bigger conversation about the future of hunting in Texas? In this episode of Fall Obsession Podcast, Sam sits down with Jeremy Harrison, founder of the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest and a longtime advocate for predator hunting and predator control in Texas.

Jeremy shares the story behind his battle surrounding predator hunting contests, his experiences with animal-rights activists, and the events that led him to take a much closer look at the people, organizations, and relationships influencing wildlife policy in Texas. The conversation dives deep into the ongoing debate surrounding mountain lions, harvest reporting, wildlife management, and the fear among some hunters that seemingly small regulatory changes could eventually lead to seasons, tags, bag limits, and broader restrictions.

But this episode goes beyond just mountain lions. Jeremy lays out his concerns about influence within Texas Parks and Wildlife, connections between deep pockets and the agency, and what he believes Texas hunters need to understand before the landscape of hunting begins to change.

Are these legitimate warning signs—or is the fear of a “slippery slope” being overstated? Where does science-based wildlife management end and political or ideological influence begin? And perhaps most importantly: Who controls the future of hunting in Texas? This is a conversation about predators, politics, conservation, hunting rights, and the responsibility of hunters to pay attention before they’re forced to react.