Bubba On the Lake – Episode 44 Summary

Podcast: Bubba On the Lake
Host: Bill “Bubba” Bussey
Air Date: January 28, 2026
Episode Title: Checking in with Buckmaster Jackie Bushman, Hunter on Sports, Betty and her sick dog

Overview

In this episode, Bubba Bussey brings listeners a rich mix of hunting heritage, current sports analysis, and a bit of home life on Lake Martin. The centerpiece is an in-depth, fun interview with Jackie Bushman, founder of Buckmasters, followed by a detailed sports segment with Hunter Bussey, and a heartfelt check-in with Bubba’s wife, Betty, about their beloved sick dog, Ruby. The episode blends humor, nostalgia, practical information, and personal warmth in the signature “people’s podcast” style.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening & Listener Q&A

[00:50 – 15:11]

• Bubba welcomes listeners, touting the podcast’s evolving content and wide reach.
• Addresses listener emails regarding:
  • The podcast’s video clips and future plans for more video content.
    • “Doing wall-to-wall video is going to require a lot more people and a lot bigger studio than we have and a lot more cost... but we want to add more content as possible.” [06:22]
  • Possibility of bringing back beloved radio show characters (e.g., Dipping Dan).
  • Thoughts on Greenland’s geopolitical significance in global security (specifically relating to US strategy and Trump’s interest in Greenland).
    • “Any Russian or Chinese submarine or ship that wants to come into the Atlantic would have to come by the tip of Greenland. So this becomes a key military post.” [03:18]
  • Constitutional rights regarding protest vs. peaceful assembly.
    • “There is no right to protest in the Constitution. Did you know that? No right to protest. There is a right for peaceful assembly, okay?” [10:37]
  • Bubba expresses patriotism and concern over the “wild west” atmosphere of certain current protests.

2. Interview: Jackie Bushman, Founder of Buckmasters

[15:11 – 40:49]

Buckmasters’ Origin & Evolution

• Jackie celebrates Buckmasters’ 40th anniversary this year, walks through its origin:
  • Started from Jackie's background in tennis and inspiration from Bassmasters’ Ray Scott.
  • Perry Mendel (Kindercare) provided initial investment.
  • The Buckmasters Classic event mixed outdoor sports with celebrities and athletes (e.g., Bo Jackson, Dale Earnhardt).
  • “I told Mr. Mendel, I’d like to do what Ray Scott did for bass fishing, but do it for deer hunting... So that’s how it got started.” [17:25]
  • Notable event: Hatchet throwing, skeet shooting, ATV obstacle courses, with star-studded attendance.

Buckmasters Today

• Survived changing media landscapes: from print to social to “Fast channels”.
• Magazine consolidated to Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine due to rising production costs post-COVID-19.
• Social media presence now exceeds 1 million followers.
  • “I hired a bunch of 29-year-olds and they sure know a lot about it... they've grown it over a million and growing very fast. So they're doing something right.” [20:51]

Business Model & Content

• TV show origins tied to magazine subscriptions, not personal stardom.
• Repurposes 38 years of TV content (“vintage footage” is now popular).
• Team shrunk from 60+ to around 14, focusing on content, events, social media.
• Jackie’s goal: two more years to reach 40 years of hunting television.

Hunting Culture & Legacy

• Jackie shares family stories, including hunting with grandchildren and involvement with Big Dreams Outdoors, a group promoting outdoor opportunities for kids with intellectual disabilities.
  • “Since I got a Down syndrome kid, grandson, it’s kind of touched me... we took two kids out in video, first two ever Down syndrome shoot a grand slam in a turkey all across the country.” [27:15]
• Preference for turkey hunting over deer hunting.
  • “I'd rather turkey hunt than deer. I deer hunt so I can go turkey hunting.” [27:40]

Sports Talk & NIL

• Jackie expresses concern over the impact of NIL and transfer portals on college sports.
  • On changing traditions: “Would you have ever thought anybody that went to Auburn or went to Alabama would ever transfer to each one of the other schools? Oh no, never ever.” [32:30]
  • On athlete compensation: “I guess I'm ticked off. I didn’t get any NIL money playing tennis at all. I want a retribution thing. Send me a check.” [34:32]
• Tennis background at Auburn and connection to Chris Evert’s brother, Drew.

Accessing Buckmasters

• TV content still on the Outdoor Channel, Field & Stream TV, YouTube, Instagram.
• Buckmasters.com is the central hub.
  • Going “beyond deer” with turkey and fishing content as well.

3. Sports Update with Hunter Bussey

[43:08 – 54:45]

• NFL Conference Championship Recap:

  • Patriots defeated the Broncos in severe blizzard conditions; Patriots led by rookie Drake May and coach Mike Vrabel (former Titan).

    • “It looked like a blizzard. Like it was bad. It was really bad.” – Hunter [45:25]

  • Super Bowl matchup: Patriots vs Seahawks (Matthew Stafford as MVP front runner, Seahawks’ defense likened to the Legion of Boom).

    • “I like Seattle a lot. I think Sam Darnold is a great quarterback. I hate Minnesota let him walk.” – Hunter [51:22]

  • Minnesota Vikings criticized for poor quarterback decisions (letting Sam Darnold go, relying on injury-prone McCarthy).

    • “Only Minnesota can make such gigantic errors in their pick. And this is not the first time they've done this.” – Bubba [47:38]

• Bo Nix ankle injury update: Out on a scooter, surgery done in Birmingham.

• Auburn basketball gets first win at Florida since 1996.

• Hunter plugs his other ventures (“Barn Social Hour” on YouTube, personal YouTube channel).

• Teases upcoming Super Bowl preview and possible rocket launch trip with Bubba.

4. Household Check-in: Betty Lou Bussey on Ruby’s Illness

[58:44 – 70:43]

• Ruby, their Cavapoo, diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (body attacking its own red blood cells).

  • “She started getting kind of listless and wouldn’t eat... she’s been diagnosed with immune mediated hemolytic anemia, which basically means her body is attacking her red blood cells.” – Betty [59:08]
  • The family is awaiting further tests and hoping for improvement; emotional and financial toll discussed.

• Pet care stories (“Ellie May Clampett” reference), history with cats and dogs.

• Family and travel updates:

  • Upcoming trips to Northern California vineyards and a Yellowstone–Mount Rushmore–Badlands circuit.
    • “We’ve booked a trip and I really have not...we don’t even know where we’re going.” – Betty [64:16]
  • Adventures in airport travel (wheelchair dramas, packing woes).
  • Plans to record some podcast content during travels.
  • Pickleball hiatus due to cold weather and family members’ needs.
  • Bubba and Betty’s joy in “lake life” and embracing new experiences together.

5. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Jackie on Buckmasters’ start:
  [17:25] “I told Mr. Mendel, I’d like to do what Ray Scott did for bass fishing, but do it for deer hunting.”

• Jackie on the value of passing on hunting:
  [37:35] “I’ve got a pretty simple concept — share the hunt. Take somebody who doesn’t have access, maybe from your church...and get them out there and let them enjoy it.”

• Bubba on Ruby’s illness:
  [59:48] “It would be similar to maybe leukemia in humans, isn’t that where white blood cells kind of attack?”

• On NIL and College Football chaos:
  Jackie [32:34]: “It’s just—that bothers me a little bit.”

• Sports:
  Hunter [51:22]: “I like Seattle a lot. I think Sam Darnold is a great quarterback. I hate Minnesota let him walk.”

• Family Travel:
  Betty [65:41]: “There were like some men standing around and I went right to the front and grabbed those two suitcases. They were looking at me and I said, I'm on a mission.”

• Bubba, closing the show:
  [72:59] “Until we sail into port again, remember, God loves you and so do we. And thank you for being a part of Bubba on the Lake.”

Segment Timestamps

• Intro & Q&A: 00:50 – 15:11
• Jackie Bushman Interview: 15:11 – 40:49
• Sports Segment with Hunter: 43:08 – 54:45
• Betty’s Corner / Dog Update: 58:44 – 70:43
• Outro: 72:59 – End

Tone & Style

• Relaxed, humorous, and folksy with a deep sense of community and Southern warmth.
• Playful banter on aging, tradition, and modern technology.
• Serious and tender moments discussing family, pets, and health.

For New Listeners

Even if you haven’t heard the show, this episode is a charming blend of Southern sporting culture (especially hunting), family life, and current sports drama, all through the easygoing, “let’s sit on the porch and talk awhile” lens of Bubba Bussey. You'll walk away with a sense of old-school camaraderie, practical life advice, some football predictions, and real-life ups and downs (including a canine health scare).

Recommended for:

• Hunters and outdoors types (especially those interested in the history of Buckmasters)
• Sports fans tracking NFL playoffs
• Anyone who enjoys Southern family storytelling with a dash of local color

To connect or participate:
Website: bubbaonthelake.com
Email: bubba@bubbaonthelake.com
Message line: 308-BIG-LAKE
Instagram: @bubbaonthelake