Kentucky Afield

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Dave Dreeves, the Director of the Fisheries Division for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and the primary topic is bass... We're talking about eating bass, and why doing that could lead to improved fisheries. We'll also hit on a new trophy bass initiative that the department is undertaking, and discuss what's going on in fisheries in general. We appreciate you listening!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by John Boel, an avid-angler and nightly news anchor with too many accolades to mention individually... John is a Wisconsin native and Kentucky transplant who's mastered walleye, smallmouth, musky, and a number of other species in the state. We're talking about how he fishes, why he fishes, and life in general...

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Rachel Young, who's with The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation! Rachel's organization helps fund conservation, and does some amazing things for the state's youth... She's telling us how they accomplish these goals, and how you can help! For more information visit: kentuckywildlife.com

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Adam Martin, Program coordinator and Sport-Fish Biologist in the western region of the state! Adam is here to tell us some good news related to bass and catfish in the big lakes, and to break down some interesting data that the fisheries crews have gathered recently. You'll find out what fishing will be like in the future on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, learn a bit about the fisheries and ecosystems, and about the life of a fisheries biologist!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're talking about the best way to beat this Summer heat... Kayaking! Lee has traveled the state and documented 38 streams, and has multiple kayaking trips mapped for each stream. We're going to learn about his process, what is included in the articles, and find out his favorite floats throughout the state! For Lee's "Blue Water Trails" articles visit -> https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Blue-Water-Trails.aspx

This episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast is a special one for me (Chase), as I tell the story of my recently-passed beagle "Hunter". He was an excellent hunting dog and companion who did a lot for me personally... In addition to that we're discussing what we've been up to lately and spring fishing opportunities!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Josh Bender of The Parklands of Floyds Fork! We talk to Josh for a bit about the mission of the park and the opportunities that it provides, and then we head out to do a little smallmouth stream fishing in Floyds Fork itself!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Zak Danks, Turkey Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources! Zak is involved in all things related to turkey management and turkey hunting in the state of Kentucky, and he's lending us his knowledge on both as we pick his brain just days before the 2024 general season opens... Thanks for listening!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're talking about bad luck and beneficial skills, or in other words, bananas on boats and foraging... We'll give you a "banana boat" experience or two, as well as the backstory on why they're bad luck, and then we will dive into one of the most beneficial skills that a woodsman can learn, foraging. Thanks for listening, and please use those additional resources!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Jeff Ross, Assistant Director of Fisheries for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. We talk about a newly certified state record fish, the process for documenting a record, fish recruitment, the importance of habitat, and much more!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by one of the leading experts on flora and fauna in the Southeast United States, KDFWR's John MacGregor. John has lived a lifetime catching and studying critters both for fun and as a professional. Although he's never listened to a podcast before he was nice enough to join us on ours, and we're essentially just seeing where the conversation takes us. Thanks for listening, and feel free to email John any and all pictures of unusual creatures that you might find... Just don't be surprised if he asked for a GPS coordinate for his records.

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Cody Rhoden, Small Game Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Cody's an expert on all things small game (and a few other things too), and today we're picking his brain about the hunting, science, and management of these critters. We'll also touch on how outdoors people can make positive changes that bolster small game numbers in their area... Thanks for listening!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Sgt. Rufus Cravens, who's both an avid predator hunter and a conservation officer with nearly 20 years of experience... We're talking all things coyotes and coyote hunting, and are definitely taking a dive into night hunting, the rules/regs, and the tactics associated with it. Thanks for listening!

We're discussing the past 363 days on this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast! We'll take a look back at episodes from the past year, discuss what we found interesting, and make some resolutions for 2024... Also, we want feedback from YOU! Shoot us an email or a social media message and let us know how we can make the podcast better for you as we move into the new year. Thanks! chase.wininger@ky.gov lee.mcclellan@ky.gov

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Gabe Jenkins, Deputy Commissioner for KDFWR and Kentucky's CWD Response Lead. Gabe has been involved in the management and conservation of whitetail deer and elk in the state for years, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to these topics. Last week the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources was informed of a positive case of CWD that came from a hunter-harvested free-ranging whitetail deer that was harvested in Ballard County. This is the first positive case of CWD that has been confirmed in Kentucky. So, in a nutshell, Gabe is here to walk us through what CWD is, where we go from here, and what this means for deer hunters in the state.

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by KDFWR Deer Program Biologost, Tommy Apostolopoulos! Tommy's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to deer, and specifically deer and deer hunting in the state of Kentucky... In addition to whitetails he also has experience with bear and elk in the state, and is a lot of fun to talk to!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Chad Miles, host of Kentucky Afield TV! Chad is not only the host of the worlds longest running outdoors TV show, but has been a lifelong outdoorsman of the bluegrass state as well... We're talking about a newly-found and cost-saving hobby, upcoming and recent hunts, and just what it's like hunting with a camera in general. Enjoy!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Rich Storm! We'll find out who the commissioner is, look back on his tenure to this point, and look ahead to the future... Enjoy!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Roger LaPointe, executive director of KY Hunters for the Hungry! This organization donates hundreds of thousands of meals to those in-need each year, and those meals are made of venison that comes from the state's deer hunters... He's here to tell us how their operation works, and how individuals can get involved!

Joe Clements and Jack Reid, two of the creators of the film "WildTail", are here to shed some light on their new movie and to talk about the general importance of whitetail deer to conservation success! You can find details and a trailer for the film at wildtailmovie.com, and will be able to watch for yourself on October 27, 2023... Do something good, go deer hunting!