The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 831: A Wildlife Officer and Skier Walk Into a Bar | MeatEater Radio Live!
Feb 6, 2026
Demi Wright, a Colorado wildlife officer who enforces wildlife laws and investigates poaching. Paul Schommer, U.S. Olympic biathlete who competes, trains, and shoots at the highest level. They discuss a Fort Carson poaching investigation, tracking methods and social media evidence. They also cover biathlon basics, shooting strategy, training volume, and how competition skills translate to hunting.
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Cardio And Precision Are One Sport
- Biathlon pairs extreme cardio with precision shooting, requiring athletes to control breath under high heart rates.
- Paul Schommer often shoots with heart rates around 150 bpm, using breathing as his primary control mechanism.
Comeback From Repeated Knee Setbacks
- Paul Schommer recounted knee injuries, two surgeries, and losing national team support before fighting back to requalify.
- He trained independently, lost health insurance, and ultimately made a comeback to compete internationally again.
Athlete Skills Translate To Hunting
- Biathlon training translates to hunting through fitness and pressure-tested shooting skills.
- Paul notes fitness gets him where he needs and shooting under stress becomes routine in the field.