At Home with the Motor City Madman: Ted Nugent Talks Hunting, Sobriety and the Spirit of Rock
In a live remote broadcast from rural Michigan, Fox and Friends co host Steve Doocy joined veteran rocker Ted Nugent at his ranch for an extended on air conversation that blended music, hunting culture and personal conviction. The segment, introduced by Ainsley Earhardt from New York, offered viewers an unfiltered look at the man long known as the Motor City Madman.
Broadcast from a swampy and remote area of Michigan with limited signal access, the setting underscored Nugent’s deep connection to the outdoors. When asked why he chooses to live there despite being able to reside anywhere, Nugent framed his decision as a matter of balance. After performing with high intensity on stage, he said he seeks renewal in nature, describing time spent climbing trees with a sharp stick and reconnecting with the wild as a way to cleanse the soul. His remarks reflected a philosophy he has expressed publicly for decades, linking personal discipline, nature and artistic energy.
Doocy referenced Nugent’s Detroit roots, noting that he began his career roughly 100 miles from the ranch. Nugent cited the competitive musical environment shaped by artists such as Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and the broader influence of the Motown era. He described Detroit as a proving ground that demanded dynamic and soulful performance, an environment that helped forge his high octane style.
Hunting was central to the conversation. Nugent demonstrated his bow skills on camera and spoke about the physical and mental discipline required in archery. He also discussed his involvement with Hunter Nation, an organization that encourages hunters to register and vote. Nugent said he was surprised to learn that in many states fewer than half of licensed hunters were registered voters. He described efforts to mobilize that community during recent election cycles.
Inside what he called his memory zone, Nugent showcased mounted trophies and guitars, recounting specific hunts from the 1970s with precise detail, including dates, locations and distances. He emphasized conservation, healthy eating through venison and the craftsmanship of taxidermy as ways to preserve experience. The tour also included his collection of early Ford Broncos, highlighting a 1966 model from the first production year.
A defining theme of the interview was sobriety. Nugent stated that he has been clean and sober his entire life, now at age seventy seven. He argued that discipline and clarity are essential to fulfilling one’s responsibilities as a parent, neighbor and performer. He also highlighted the long running Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids charity, which promotes outdoor skills and drug free living.
The segment concluded with Nugent playing guitar live, merging his identity as conservation advocate and rock musician in a setting that reflects both passions.