From Spray-Painted Sidewalks To Wild TV: Ryan Kohler's Entrepreneurial Journey

Hunts On Outfitting Podcast

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From spray painting addresses on sidewalks to building Canada's premier hunting and fishing network, Ryan Kohler's journey reflects the perfect blend of entrepreneurial spirit and outdoor passion. The surprising twist? He didn't grow up in a hunting family.
When Ryan's father pursued television channel licenses, Ryan advocated for a hunting network despite having no family background in the outdoors. This leap of faith transformed into Wild TV, now celebrating nearly two decades of connecting outdoor enthusiasts across Canada and beyond. Learning to hunt from friends whose father was an African professional hunter, Ryan developed a deep appreciation for the challenges of pursuing whitetails and elk in Alberta's diverse landscapes.
What makes Ryan's perspective unique is how he views hunting as more than just pursuit – it's about disconnecting from our technology-saturated lives. "Your whole body changes when you're in the wilderness," he explains, describing how extended trips into the backcountry heighten senses and reconnect us with our primal nature. This philosophy extends to his outfitting business, RK Hunts, which he started simply to spend more time guiding others and sharing those transformative wilderness experiences.
The evolution of Wild TV mirrors the broader transformation in media consumption. Ryan has adapted by developing comprehensive digital platforms while maintaining the network's authentic character. He takes particular pride in how female participation in hunting has grown from roughly 5% when Wild TV began to approximately 30% today – a change the network actively supported by showcasing women hunters.
His advice after years of full-throttle business building? Patience. "I missed opportunities because I was tunnel-visioned straight ahead," he reflects, noting that both in business and hunting, success comes to those who can wait for the right moment and make the most of it when it arrives.
Whether you're an experienced hunter or simply curious about disconnecting in nature, download the Wild TV Plus app to access twenty years of outdoor content organized by species, region, and hunting style.

Check us out on Facebook and instagram Hunts On Outfitting, and also our YouTube page Hunts On Outfitting Podcast. Tell your hunting buddies about the podcast if you like it, Thanks!

Chapters

1. Introduction to Wild TV's Ryan Kohler (00:00:00)

2. Ryan's Surprising Entrepreneurial Beginnings (00:03:16)

3. Creation of Wild TV Network (00:05:20)

4. Business Model and Content Strategy (00:12:57)

5. RK Hunts and Outdoor Adventures (00:18:23)

6. The Power of Disconnecting Outdoors (00:22:41)

7. Wild TV Plus App and Future (00:27:32)