By Chris Avena
I met Larysa Switlyk a little over ten years ago. It was the year that she had won her first award for her television show Larysa Unleashed that aired on the Sportsman Channel. Throughout that time, I followed her career and I saw her grow as a hunter, a sportsman and as a person. She did not always take the easy path to success. She would constantly challenge herself. Her hunts have taken her on a journey that spans the globe and it all started with a random trip to New Zealand without having any outdoor or hunting experience. She only had a thirst for adventure and a desire to try something new.
Chris: We have known each other a long time. I think we met the first year you won the Outdoor Sportsman Awards.
Larysa: Yes, I won Shot of the Year. For my TV show Larysa Unleashed. We are currently changing some things rebranding the show to Unleashed Global Adventures with my partner, Jason Soulliere. We also started a booking agency together. We have been booking trips that you watch on our TV show. I really enjoyed doing that side of the business. We go on these hunts and vet the outfitters so you do not have to. We make sure the outfitters are top quality and the hunting areas are solid. Then we get to send people on their dream hunting vacations. We have hunting and fishing trips all over the world that will fit anybody's budget.
Chris: So these outfitters have the Larysa seal of approval?
Larysa: Yes, that's probably the best way to say it. I have been on hunts that aren't approved but I won't send people to them. We do a lot of groundwork. You have known me for a while. I'm always traveling. It's hard to catch me when I'm actually home. So if I am sending you on a trip, you can be sure that it is Larysa Approved.
Chris: You have a great story. You did not grow up in a hunting family. You grew up in New York, not exactly the hunting capital of the world, as we know. How did you start hunting?
Larysa: Yes, I grew up with three older brothers but no one in my family hunts or fishes. I went to college and I finished my master's and bachelor's degrees in accounting. My big dream was to work in New York City. So, I took a job with Price Waterhouse and did the whole city thing and I realized I really wasn't a city girl anymore. I was accepted into law school but I decided that I take some time off to finish my CPA exam. I really love to travel. That has always been my first passion. So, I booked a two-month vacation to New Zealand and Australia before I started law school but I never came home. I ended up staying for six months. I was backpacking and enjoying life. I was 22 years old. While I was there, I wanted to book a fly-fishing trip. The outfitter in New Zealand told me that it was not the right time of year to go fly fishing there but hunting season has just started. They asked if I would like to book a hunt instead. I had never shot a rifle before so the guide taught me how to shoot. He set up a target about 100 yards away and told me to shoot this X on the target. I shot, I looked down and asked him how I did. He told me to shoot again to make sure that it was not a fluke. I shoot again at the same spot and he told me “All right, girl, you can shoot, let's go hunt”.
Chris: You’re a natural.
Larysa: Yeah. My grandfather was an aerial gunner in World War II. So, I think that's where I got my shooting ability. I still remember taking that first big game animal. Everything went into slow motion. I watched the animal fall in my scope. I felt like I was born to hunt. I went home to show my family and told them that I really enjoyed hunting but they didn't understand it. They said it was wrong for me to kill animals. I was really confused. I didn't know what to do because my family and friends told me that hunting was wrong and I shouldn't be doing it. I was very conflicted. I told my brother, “but you eat meat”. He told me that he gets his meat at the grocery store like everybody else. It was like he did not think about where that meat came from. So I figured that if I can teach my family to understand hunting and the facts behind the conservation, then I can teach a lot more people. That is when I went to SHOT Show and I found the hunting industry. It was like this whole big world opened up to me. It was my experience at Shot Show that inspired me to start my TV show.
Chris: That was a tale in itself. You didn't actually get an invite or have tickets to SHOT Show. You just kind of snuck in like you were sliding in backstage at a concert.
Larysa: Yeah, pretty much. I called one of my girlfriends and asked if she would like to go to Vegas with me because there was a gun show that I wanted to attend. Of course she agreed and no, I didn't have tickets to the SHOT Show. We just walked in with the crowd. We snuck into the Golden Moose Awards for Outdoor channel too. I just remember watching people win awards for Outdoor TV. I was sitting there thinking that people actually want to watch hunting on TV? I can make a TV show and win an award for it? That just blew my mind. So right then and there, I said to myself that I will give myself five years. I will be on this stage winning an award for my own TV show. That is exactly what I did five years later. I won that award for my own TV show. I produce my own television show. I started my own production company. I worked very, very hard. I didn't get handed any of this. At the same time, I didn't have any support from my family at first. It took a few years for them to finally support me. When I did finally get my show on TV, it premiered on NBC Sports back when they aired Hunting. My family was really proud of me because I did exactly what I set out to do. They finally understand why I hunt. I had them watching the show. I had them eat the meat that I brought home. Finally, it just made sense to them. It was just an educational process. It was my goal to bring that education to the general population to turn more people on to hunting and at least understand the facts and the conservation behind it. I was able to use my TV show as a vehicle for that.
Chris: Being a woman in the outdoor industry is not an easy task, we all know that. You are under constant pressure. There are constant attacks from antis How do you handle that?
Larysa: Of course, it is a lot when I have so many death threats in my inbox at times. I think that I am more afraid that my social media pages are going to get shut down. I know a lot of other women hunters that had their social media pages shut down. I just kind of roll with it. I try not to let it bother me because you can't reason with crazy people. I can have an educational conversation with someone that is interested in learning.
Chris: If they ask a reasonable question, you will address it. If it's just hate and venom, you just kind of ignore them.
Larysa: if it's a keyboard warrior, and they're just going off of emotion. The funny thing is, I have never had one person say something negative to me. So, it's always someone behind a keyboard. Like I said, I just ignore it. I have better things to do.
Chris: You posted a picture of a crocodile hunt. Can you tell me about that hunt? I have heard that a crocodile hunt is an amazing hunt.
Larysa: It was one of my dangerous seven. I was very lucky and blessed to be able to go on that hunt. Last year travel had a lot of restrictions. It was difficult to travel anywhere. We did end up making it to Zambia and it was an amazing hunt. Crocodiles are very dangerous and some people don't understand that. They don't understand the animal - human conflict that they have in Africa. The people that live in these remote villages have to bathe in that water. They wash their clothes in this water. They fish for food from these rivers and crocodiles are opportunist predators. They will attack humans. If there is a problem crocodile, they need to take care of it because they are going to kill a lot of these villagers. So, the villagers are happy when we take care of these problem crocodiles. Hunting generates a lot of revenue that goes right back into those local economy. The main stream media will never cover that part of hunting though. We did use the Crocodile meat and we bring the leather home. It is funny because these people who are making the negative comments on my social media pages are probably wearing a crocodile belt. They don't even think about it.
Chris: Again, as a woman in the outdoor industry, people might think that you are sitting in a ground blind shooting a deer. You are probably one of the most active hunters in the industry. You go on physically demanding hunts where you have to be in pique condition because the terrain can be extremely dangerous. You just completed the Capra World Slam, which is a major accomplishment by anybody's standards. Can you tell us a little about that?
Larysa: So, when I first got into hunting, I wanted to learn everything and anything about it. I really was kind of self-taught. I would go on different guided trips and take different pieces of information from each hunt. The best way to learn hunting was to experience it. You will always learn the most from being in the field studying the animals and their different behaviors. I enjoy hunting different animals because the hunt is never the same. You have to learn how to hunt each species. I really enjoy challenging myself. I have always wanted to be a better hunter. I've gone to a variety of long distance shooting schools to enhance my shooting ability to make sure I make a clean ethical shot. A lot of these mountain hunts, you are lucky if you get within four or 500 yards to these animals. That is how dangerous the terrain. You can see how smart these animals are. They have the home field advantage. You are hunting them in their own back yard.
Chris: The Capra World Slam is all mountain goats?
Larysa: The Capra World Slam is one of the most physically difficult hunting Achievement Awards out there. The reason it is, is because these goats are difficult to hunt and where they live in the terrain. The sheep live midway up the mountain. The goats live on top of the mountain. So, you have to climb all the way to the tippy top of some of these mountains to get into the terrain of these goats. It is awe inspiring to watch them running up these mountains. It is second nature to them. They live here. We are just visitors. It is some of the most dangerous areas of the world.
Chris: One wrong step could be fatal for us.
Larysa: Oh that’s for sure. I started going after the Capra to challenge myself as a hunter and my abilities both mentally and physically. I am young now. I'm in shape to be able to climb these mountains. So, now's the time to hunt these goats. I just really enjoy pushing myself. It has turned into an accomplishment that I wanted to do for myself. I'm very proud of myself for how far I have come as a hunter. I have completed the Capra milestone is completing 12 species. I will complete my 20 milestones this year if I can get to Europe. So, I'm hoping Europe opens up so I can complete the next milestone.
Right behind me on the wall is my Dagistan Tur from Azerbaijan. They say that is the most difficult hunt in the world. It is physically demanding and hunted on the most dangerous terrain. That year, I shot the biggest one that they took off the mountain. So, it was a cool accomplishment. But that was definitely a tough hunt. And there's two others out there in Russia that I'm hoping to get over to hunt as well.
Chris: I have looked at that list of people who have completed the slam. I would say probably 98% of the names on that list were men. So not too many women have accomplished what you accomplished here. That is something to be congratulated.
Larysa: This is a goal that I set for myself, but I love to be able to encourage other women out there to show to them that if I can do it, then they can do it too.
Chris: You have traveled all over the world through hunting and vacation. What is the most memorable cultural experience that you've experienced?
Larysa: My most memorable cultural experience, I'd have to say, was when I went to hunt with Michaela in Slovakia, because I was kind of new to hunting in Europe. And it's very interesting out there. Their customs and to experience their hunting culture, it's a lot different from America. I show up in my real tree clothing. They told me that I looked too American. So, they took me shopping for their traditional hunting clothes. I was wearing the European hunting style clothing and I felt like I was going to prep school. When I ended up shooting a Roe deer, they made this huge ceremony. They placed flowers all around the Roe Deer. They had people playing instruments. They pretty much knighted me into being a professional Roe deer hunter in Slovakia. It was just this huge cultural experience and the respect for the animal that they give because it was now our food. They give a lot of respect to the animal.
Chris: They honor the life of the animal.
Larysa: Exactly. That was really very special to see and experience. I love hunting in Europe. Each European country has their own culture and their own customs when it comes to hunting. In Europe the land owner actually owns the meat. But the hunters are allowed to take the heart and the liver. So they made a traditional meal out of the heart and the liver. So, it was really cool to be able to experience all of that and to learn how they conduct their conservation. When I went to Slovakia, about six years ago, they were not accustom to women hunting. I think now a lot more Europeans women are starting to promote hunting. Women would hunt but it was not exactly in the main stream. Right now, women in hunting are the fastest growing demographic, not only in the US, but worldwide, which is really great to see. But when we were over there a tabloid came out to do an interview with us and put us on the cover of a tabloid in Slovakia because they didn't understand why this American girl was coming over here and hunting and promoting it. So, it was kind of a little culture shock because of it but I really enjoyed doing their customs and culture over there when it came to hunting.
Chris: Now, getting back into a dangerous game. You went on a hippo hunt. What kind of hunt was that?
Larysa: I'm not going to lie. I am nervous about hunting dangerous game. That was my first animal that I hunted on this past safari in Zambia. I know how dangerous the hippo is. They kill almost 3000 people a year. They are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. It was nerve racking. Luckily, I was up on top of a river bank and they were down in the water so I asked if they run up this hill because I was nervous. You do not realize how fast they really are. Hippos are very fast. I have seen them run on land and water. It gets crazy. Things can change very quickly. They are very territorial. They are very protective, especially if you get in between a mother and a baby. They will charge you. They will kill you. Villagers get killed by them quite frequently. This particular area was very overpopulated with hippo. They needed to thin out the hippo population. It was amazing to see these villagers in these remote areas planting crops and they would have someone sleeping in the fields at night to protect the crops because the hippos would come out of the water at night and feed on them and destroy their whole harvest for the year. When I took the shot, which was difficult because you have to wait until the hippo turns its head a certain way. You have to make a brain shot and try to kill it. Because if you don't 1) it's dangerous and 2) they can sink underwater, and they'll run underwater and you'll lose them. So, you want to make sure that first shot counts and kills it.
Chris: You do not want to have to jump in after it.
Larysa: Yeah, especially when there's a whole pod of hippos. We took some really amazing footage of the hunt. I'm excited to show it on our TV show because it was really thrilling. But what was really special about that hunt was when they heard my shot, the whole village came out to help. They were cutting and butchering the hippo right there. We had to get a tractor to pick up the meat. We did share the meat with the locals. They were just so happy because that was some of the only meat they received this year due to COVID. There were not a lot of hunters this year. These remote communities rely on hunters for food and for money. A large portion of our trophy fees goes right into the local economy. This was just a great experience to be able to help their community.
Chris: So, they literally butcher the hippo on the spot and by the time they’re finished really nothing left.
Larysa: Oh yeah, we did a time lapse of it. It was amazing. It's a big animal and they use every part of that animal.
Chris: Was that the most dangerous hunt that you have been on?
Larysa: The most dangerous I'd say it was my Cape Buffalo hunt because that was my first dangerous game experience. They call the Cape Buffalo the black death and just the look on their face……
Chris: They look at you with bad intentions.
Larysa: Like you owe them money, right? They will charge and they are territorial as well. All I knew in my head was that I should make that first shot count because if you wound it, that's when they will turn on you and they will charge. I just had it in my head for some reason because this was my first dangerous game experience. I had a 375 H & H, which is a big gun and I just in my head “Oh my God, there’s going to be headlines that this American girl got killed by this Cape Buffalo.” I don't know what it was. But it was such an incredible hunt. I made a perfect shot. I didn't have to worry about it charging or anything it went down. So for some reason, any of those dangerous game animals, truthfully, they make me very nervous. They're wild animals and you just never know. Unfortunately, one of our really good friends this past December got killed by an elephant in Africa. He was one of our really good PH’s. He has a really young family. I know a lot of organizations like Safari Club International and Dallas Safari Club as well as a lot of people raised money for his family. We had elephants mock charging us. It is scary. They are dangerous game. That's why they call them dangerous game animals. And I do get nervous. If you're not nervous, then there's something wrong with you.
Chris: They say if you are not nervous, then you are a liar.
Larysa: Yeah, exactly.
Chris: I have had a rhino do a false charge. It's scary. It's a scary feeling.
Larysa: But it's a great hunt. It's a great challenge. That is why I practice. I'm at the range and making sure I can make those quick shots and have backup. The PH’s all have rifles too. But it's definitely a scary situation. I'm excited because I'm hoping to go back to Africa maybe in a few months, and I actually want to dart Rhino. So, we'll see.
Chris: That's exciting. Now you have a booking agency Unleashed Global Adventure, same name as your TV show. Tell us a little bit about your booking agency. If somebody is looking to go to Africa or anywhere in the world, you have been there.
Larysa: Yes. I've had the TV show Larysa Unleashed for a long time. Then I met Jason Soulliere about three years ago, and we teamed up because he had a booking agency with his father for the past 30 years. I've been doing the TV show. So, we decided to join forces and start a new TV show about our own hunts and about the booking agency. People are spending a lot of money on a hunt so you want to make sure that they're going to a good area. Sure, you can go and do your own research online and find places. But there are also a lot of scams out there, unfortunately. That's why we spend a lot of time ourselves on the ground to go investigate these hunting outfitters. We try to stay up to date on what the animals are doing the different migrations, different diseases and how it's impacting all the different hunting locations.
We put in the research and we put in the time to make sure that you will have a wonderful experience. We have plenty of references. All our clients are very, very happy. We just want to send people on their dream hunt and have a good experience. We have plans all over the world for any budget. I can send you a link or you can watch the TV show. You can watch first hand where you will be going.
Chris: You are personally vetting them and you know firsthand.
Larysa: You can watch me on that same hunt that I'm sending you on. We spent a lot of time and money filming it and researching these places. Hunting is in our blood and we love to be able to share that passion and send people on great adventures.
Chris: Well, I'm looking forward to what you have coming in the future. It’s always exciting to see what you have. I appreciate you taking the time. Where can we find you?
Larysa: Well, either on unleashedglobaladventures.com or larysaunleashed.com on Instagram. We also air on Amazon Prime and Roku on Women's Outdoor Network. Another thing that I'm working on is the ladies only hunts. I've been trying to put together some hosted hunts where people can actually hunt with me and I'll teach them how to hunt and put them in a safe environment. I know a lot of women want to get into the outdoors, but they just don't know where to turn. They don't know how to. So, I'm putting together different hunts. I actually just finished one last week. It is actually an interesting story going back to the actual crocodiles and how dangerous they are. We were doing an alligator hunt in Florida, which are not as dangerous as crocodiles, but they are still dangerous. We were supposed to go hog hunting and the outfitter came in and told us that there was a change of plans and we were going alligator hunting instead. Apparently, an alligator killed a rancher's dog. This was a 50-pound dog so the gator must be pretty big. He told us that we were not going to sleep until we kill that gator. When there is a problem gator, you need to get rid of it. It killed one dog and almost killed their other dogs. So, the rancher wants it off the property now. We spent all night after this gator and we went to the pond where it was and sure enough, we pulled up the dog. It did attack the dog and drowned it and then it was left in the mud and it was going to come back and eat it in a day or two. We eventually hooked the gator on a treble hook and fought this gator for two hours finally got it up and shot it. The ranchers were very happy that we got rid of it. But it was a just one of those incredible hunting stories and this was her first you know gator hunt. She had a great time, but the story behind is just so meaningful.
We filmed it all. So that's another video that would be coming out. But that's just something another thing that I've been doing along with the booking agency is putting together some ladies’ hunts. So definitely follow my social media and my website and get on the email lists. So subscribe to my email list. And I'll send out newsletters of what next ladies’ hunts are.
Chris: Okay, well, appreciate your time. Thanks you. It is always good to see you.
Larysa: Hopefully you will come down to Florida and shoot a gator with me.
Chris: I'm actually thinking of coming down there
Larysa: Let’s do it.
Chris: We'll see what we can put together. All right. Thanks for your time. Don't forget to subscribe for American Outdoor news as well as Unleashed Global Adventures.