You would think podcasts and pheasants don't have much in common. But the Harvest Your Own (HYO) podcast and the Taber Pheasant Festival have come together to build a community of new hunters.

Removing Barriers, Building Belonging

Getting started in hunting can feel overwhelming. HYO is a helpful resource for anyone interested in getting into hunting. For new hunter Chris Barbosa hearing the HYO podcast was a game changer, “The content felt approachable, like being invited into a conversation rather than lectured.”

For many potential hunters, their biggest hurdles aren't just gear or regulations—they're access, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Whether it's unfamiliarity with firearms, lack of mentors, or general uncertainty, HYO offers support every step of the way. Shortly after discovering HYO, Chris and Lasha Barbosa signed up for the Novice Shoot at the Taber Pheasant Festival.

More Than a Hunt

The fields around Taber come alive in mid-October with more than the sound of flushing pheasants. The Taber Pheasant Festival is more than a hunt—it's laughter, learning, eager dogs on point, stories shared over tasty bites, and finding your place in Alberta's hunting community.

The annual festival kicks off with a two-day Novice Shoot, offering hands-on instruction with Alberta Hunter Education Instructors' Association (AHEIA) mentors. Participants learn proper shotgun technique, get the chance to take their first bird, and are taught how to clean and prepare their harvested bird for safe, legal transport. Questions are encouraged and learning is part of the fun.

As the week unfolds, groups of up to four hunters get the chance to fill their daily limits, enjoy the outdoors, and create memories. Evenings focus on food and connection, with events like Game to Gourmet, the Celebration Banquet and Fundraiser, and more.

Lasha Barbosa lives with a medical condition, but that didn't deter her. Raised in the Yukon and northern B.C., she grew up around subsistence hunting. “I've always known the value of sourcing your own food. It's something I grew up with,” she said. “Getting back to it now, in a different way, makes it feel like coming full circle.” She credits event staff with making the experience possible. “Don't give up what you want to do, just change the way you do it,” she added. That spirit of adaptability and determination set the tone for the festival, and Chris and Lasha left with new friendships, deeper knowledge, and a shared motivation in their hunting journey—helping secure the future of conservation.

Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) has hosted the Taber Pheasant Festival for 15 years, with participants helping grow the hunting community and, in turn, fund conservation. Proceeds from the festival, or levies received from licence sales, are reinvested into projects that drive long-term conservation efforts across the province.

First Feathers, First Lessons

There's something special about a first harvest…and what follows. Learning to field dress a bird, preparing it and sharing it with others turns a single experience into a lasting memory. Lasha used her harvested pheasant to prepare a delicious Hungarian paprikash for friends and family. For Chris, harvesting pheasants was the cherry on top of the sundae. “I didn't grow up with hunting. I always thought you had to know someone or be born into it,” he said. “This showed me that anyone can start. I was nervous, but once I was out there, everything clicked. The people, the environment, it felt right.”

From Learners to Leaders

The Taber Pheasant Festival's impact doesn't end on the final Saturday. For many participants, it's the beginning of something bigger. Since attending the festival, Chris and Lasha have gone on to hunt deer and grouse, explore new public lands, and share what they've learned—starting a ripple effect in their community. “One of our friends in Fort McMurray had never hunted before, but after hearing about our experience, they asked to tag along,” Chris said. “Now they're signing up for their PAL [Possession and Acquisition Licence] and planning their first hunt.” What was sparked by a HYO podcast has grown into confidence, leadership, and even an interview on Episode 92. When new hunters see someone like them succeeding, it opens doors.

Chris and Lasha have enjoyed unexpected gifts that the outdoors has brought them. Hunting in Alberta isn't just about the harvest. It's about connection, healing, and finding joy in the process. “The fresh air, the open skies, and the quiet of nature bring comfort that makes life so much more pleasant,” Lasha said. “Our lives can still be full of purpose, passion, and adventure.” Chris says the biggest surprise has been how much nature has helped Lasha, “Going out and hunting has just been…the icing on the cake.”

Learn more about Harvest Your Own at www.harvestyourown.ca

Learn more about the Taber Pheasant Festival at www.taberpheasantfestival.com

Photo credit (top): ACA, Colin Eyo