We're talking white bass fishing, how to prep for the upcoming turkey season, and much more on this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast. Enjoy!

#81 - White Bass Run, Turkey Season Prep, Spring In KY

We're at the beautiful Elkhorn Creek in Frankfort for this episode of the podcast, and we're trying to catch smallmouth bass!

#84 - Creek Fishing with Chase and Lee

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're on the bank of the beautiful Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County, and we're going fishing! You might hear some geese flying over, some running water, and some wind during this episode... We apologize for that, but things happen when you try to record outside! Here we talk about what Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery does for the state, recap a fish catch from the past weekend, and cover the basics of fishing Elkhorn Creek right now... Enjoy!

#98 - Kayak Musky Catch, Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery, Elkhorn Creek

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by KY Fish & Wildlife Foundation Director, Rachel Young! Rachel is a part of a non-profit conservation organization that does great work within the state of Kentucky, and as a part of their fundraising efforts they are hosting a drawing for a very special quail hunt right in the heart of central KY. We talk about those details, conservation camp, hunting, and much more... Enjoy!

#105 Rachel Young - KY Fish And Wildlife Foundation, Quail Hunting, Youth Deer Season

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast, a day ahead of the 2023 Spring Turkey Season, we're joined by wild turkey biologist Elizabeth Johnson! She was nice enough to shed some light on wild turkey conservation efforts, current research, and habitat management for us, in addition to being a good sport and just talking hunting... Additionally, Lee caught his saugeye after years of trying, so we had to hit on that too!

#112 Elizabeth Johnson - Wild Turkey Hunting, Research, Lee Caught His Saugeye

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by John Brunjes, the Migratory Bird Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as an avid white water rafter and wildlife photographer. John gives us a great rundown of how data is used to make wildlife conservation decisions, as well as some advice on how to get that perfect shot!

#118 John Brunjes - Improving Conservation With Data, Wildlife Photography, Migratory Bird Hunting

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Joe McDermott, the deer program coordinator for the state of Kentucky! With archery season opening up in just a day or so we're talking about early season hunting, deer management, and answering questions from listeners... Good luck this season!

#119 Joe McDermott - Whitetail Deer Hunting, Management, Q&A

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!

#122 Rich Storm - KDFWR Commissioner

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.

#125 Gabe Jenkins - We Found CWD In KY, What Next?

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!

#127 Sgt. Rufus Cravens - Coyote Hunting Day And Night, Law Enofrcement

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!

#128 Cody Rhoden - Small Game Animals, Hunting, Science, Habits

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.

#129 John MacGregor - Non-Game Species, Finding Things at Night, Conservation

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...

#138 John Boel - From WI To KY, Learning To Fish KY, Why We Fish

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Dave Dreves, 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!

#139 Dave Dreves - Eating Bass, Trophy Bass, Getting Feedback

We're joined by Jimmy Woods, a biologist with The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, and we're talking about small game! Jimmy's giving us the rundown of the mast crops across the state, discussing how this information is useful for outdoors men and women, talking about hunting with dogs, and letting us know about a new website feature that is going to help improve management efforts across the board!

#140 Jimmy Woods - Small Game Hunting, Mast Crops, Game Participation

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Rachel Crume, who's not only the R3 Branch Manager for KDFWR, but also an experienced deer tracker who services the state of KY! Rachel is going to give us the rundown on deer tracking from her perspective, sharing information that she's gathered over the course of hundreds of successful and unsuccessful tracks... She'll tell us why she does it, what she enjoys about it, and share some helpful tips for deer hunters across the state.

#141 Rachel Crume - Tracking Deer, Shot Placement, Tracking Do's And Don'ts

We're joined by Tommy, a biologist with the KDFWR deer program! The whitetail rut is right around the corner, and so is the state's modern firearms season for deer... We'll talk about that, tips and tactics, and also go over some need-to-know information for hunters in Kentucky. 

#142 Tommy Apostolopoulos - The Rut, New CWD Surveillance Zone, Deer Hunting

We're joined by Dr. John Brunjes, the Migratory Bird Program Coordinator for KDFWR! John is an avid outdoorsman, and specifically a waterfowl lover. He speaks to all the reasons that waterfowl hunters love what they do, and about what makes it such a unique hunting opportunity. Additionally, Dr. Brunjes also sheds some light on the "behind the scenes" of migratory bird conservation efforts in North America... After speaking with him, we feel like we need to give waterfowl a shot!

#143 Dr. John Brunjes - Waterfowl Hunting Sounds Awesome, Migratory Bird Conservation

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined Dr. John Hast, Kentucky's lead bear and elk biologist, and he's taking us deep into the world of wildlife management and conservation efforts for two of the state's most iconic species: black bears and elk. Dr. Hast discusses the ongoing work to protect and sustain these populations, the challenges they face, and the exciting hunting opportunities available to sportsmen and women.

In addition to wildlife management, Dr. Hast shares his personal passion for the Cumberland River—one of his favorite spots to fish during the winter months. Hear about his love for this beautiful stretch of water, its unique ecosystem, and the types of fishing adventures it offers. Whether you're a hunter, angler, or nature enthusiast, this episode provides valuable insights into Kentucky's natural resources and the dedicated work going into preserving them for future generations.





#144 Dr. John Hast - Bears and Elk in Kentucky, Bear Hunting, Great Winter Fishing

We're joined by Nick Ray, the Assistant Director of KDFWR's EIT division! "EIT" stands for Engineering, Infrastructure and Technology, and the follks who work in this division really make things work for the outdoors men and women of the state... We'll learn about some of the projects they take on, how they increase opportunity as a whole, and hear some stories of the challenges that they can run into along the way!

#145 Nick Ray - The EIT Division, Access Points, Shooting Ranges and Opportunity

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Dave Baker, a fisheries biologist with The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources! Dave is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to both fish and fishing, as he's not only a professional in the field, but also an excellent angler as well... Here we're talking about all the exciting spring fishing opportunities that are on the horizon, including: White Bass, Crappie, Sauger, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Catfish! Get your rods and reels ready... It's just about time to go fishing!

#146 David Baker - Spring Fishing Is Nearly Here!

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Zak Danks, the Turkey Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources! Zak has some exciting news to share as turkey season is on the horizon, both for this year's hunt, and for the next several years to come... Find out why things might be looking up for the turkey population and turkey hunters of the state, as well as what biologist are doing in the field at this very moment!

#147 Zak Danks - Spring Turkey Hunting, The Population, Management

Jeff Crosby, KDFWR Fisheries Biologist, joins us for this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast! We'll dive into some of the most aggressive biting and hard fighting fish that the state has to offer, and explore the hybrid species in-depth. Why do they make hybrids? What's the advantage? Do they truly fight harder? We'll answer those questions and many more on this episode of the podcast!

#148 Jeff Crosby - Hybrid Vigor, Top Fish, Spring Fishing

Ahead of the Kentucky Elk Hunt Drawing we're all excited at the thought of elk hunting in the Commonwealth! So we asked Dr. John Hast, KDFWR Bear and Elk Program Coordinator, to join us for an episode... We discuss elk hunting in the state over the years and what it's like now, what the odds of being drawn are, how the process works, tell a few stories, and much more. 

The deadline to enter for the drawing is April 30, so be sure to click over to FW.KY.GOV and visit "My Profile" if you'd like a chance at getting drawn!

#149 Dr. John Hast - Elk Hunting in Kentucky, The Drawing, Odds, Process

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast we're joined by Jay Herrala, a biologist who specializes in moving-water fisheries for the KDFWR. It's the best time of the year to stream fish in Kentucky, so we're definitely talking about opportunities. Additionally, we've had some unique rainfall in the state this year, so we'll pick Jay's brain on the affects of flooding on the fisheries. Then, of course, it's Derby week... So we'll get Lee's thoughts on the big race in before the podcast ends!

#150 Jay Herrala - Stream Fisheries, Affects of Flooding, Lee's Derby Picks

On this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast, we’re talking wild pigs and wild water! Biologist Terri Brunjes from KDFWR’s wild pig program joins us to break down the damage feral swine cause in Kentucky—and what’s being done to root them out. We also swap stories about kayaking and whitewater paddling, a shared passion among those on the show. Tune in for a fun and informative ride from the backwoods to the backwaters, and remember to report wild pigs or wild pig sign if you see it! 

#151 Terri Brunjes - Wild Pigs in KY, Issues and Efforts, Paddlesports

We sat down with KDFWR R3 Coordinator Rachel Crume to talk about the importance of recruiting, retaining, and reactivating outdoor enthusiasts—for the future of conservation in Kentucky. From Learn to Hunt and Fish classes to Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops and Annie Oakley Range Days, there are more ways than ever to get involved. Plus, we dive into some of our own hunting and fishing experiences, and learn a bit about big-game tracking from an expert in the field! 

#152 - R3- The Future of Kentucky's Outdoors with Rachel Crume

In this episode, we’re joined by Tommy Apostolopoulos, Wildlife Biologist with the KDFWR Deer Program, to talk all things early season deer hunting in Kentucky.

With archery and crossbow seasons just around the corner, Tommy breaks down what hunters can expect this year—from whitetail behavior in the early season to tactics for success when temps are high and patterns are still predictable.

We also cover:

🦌 New regulations for 2025, including expanded opportunities with new and lengthened seasons
📍 Public land hot-spots to consider for your next hunt
🔬 What hunters need to know about CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) surveillance this fall
📚 Tips on staying informed and legal afield

Whether you're a seasoned bowhunter or heading into the woods for the first time, this is a must-listen as we kick off the 2025–26 deer season.

#153 Deer Season 2025 - Opportunities, Trends, Management

This week, we’re joined by Rachel Crume, KDFWR’s R3 Program Coordinator, and Megan Bagby from the R3 Branch. We kick things off with early season deer hunting strategies, and Rachel—who’s also an experienced deer tracker—shares valuable post-shot advice every hunter can use this fall.

From there, we dive into the work of the R3 Branch (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation), highlighting how they help get people outdoors and involved in hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related activities. Programs like Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshops and Hunter Education courses are just a couple of examples we cover.

We round things out with some fishing talk and a few fun side topics along the way.

#154 - Early Season Deer Hunting, R3 Opportunities, BOW

Modern Firearms Season kicks off this weekend, and deer hunting doesn’t get much better than this! 🦌 In this episode of the Kentucky Afield Podcast, we’re joined by Deer Program Coordinator Joe McDermott to talk about the latest deer research shaping management decisions across the Commonwealth — including a GPS collar study that’s shedding light on how deer move as the rut approaches. The results point to great conditions for hunters hitting the woods this weekend.

We also dive into the importance of harvesting does in areas with high deer numbers, how hunters play a key role in keeping herds healthy, and ways to get your harvested deer tested for CWD through our freezer drop-off sites and the Shoot for Samples program — where you could win a $500–$2,000 prize just for participating.

If you’re gearing up for Modern Gun Season, give this episode a listen.

#155 Joe McDermott - Deer on the Move: GPS Collars, Rut Action, and Modern Gun Season

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