Episode Description — Spotify

🎙️ In this episode of Bluegrass Woods & Water, Rick looks ahead to 2026 and helps Kentucky hunters and anglers start planning for the year ahead 🗓️🦌🎣

We break down Kentucky’s tentative 2026 hunting season dates, talking through what they mean for archery 🏹, crossbow 🎯, youth hunts 👦🦌, and muzzleloader seasons 🔥—and why a little planning now can pay off big once fall rolls around 🍂

The conversation then shifts to the water 🌊 with some striper talk, upcoming fishing plans 🎣, and reflections on what’s shaping up to be another strong year on Lake Cumberland and the Cumberland River 💪🐟

Wrapping up the episode, Rick sits down with Mike Baker from Catfish Pro Rods to talk about building rods designed for real-world fishing 🛠️, what separates quality gear from the rest, and why the right equipment matters when you’re chasing trophy fish 🏆🐟

Whether you’re planning next deer season 🦌 or gearing up for big fish in 2026 🎣, this episode keeps it grounded, practical, and Kentucky-focused 🇺🇸

🎣 🦌
Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.

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🦌 Episode 9: Deer Biology, Seasonal Change, and Smarter Hunting in Kentucky

If you’ve ever wondered why deer suddenly change patterns during the season — not just where they go, but when and how they move — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Bluegrass Woods & Water, we take a deep dive into deer biology and physiology throughout the entire season, from early archery to the rut, second rut, and late season. By understanding what’s happening inside a deer’s body — hormones, energy demands, recovery, and survival — you’ll start to see deer movement in a whole new way and make smarter decisions in the stand.

I’m also joined by Joe McDermott, Kentucky’s Deer Program Coordinator with the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, for a science-based, Kentucky-focused conversation on:
• Deer behavior and herd health
• EHD and CWD
• Tag limits and deer management
• What Kentucky hunters should really understand about the herd

We’ll also hit a Deer Camp Update, break down some common myths in Field Fact or Fiction, and wrap things up with a Sports Minute.

🎯 If you are a deer hunter in Kentucky, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

Bluegrass Woods & Water
Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.

This week on Bluegrass Woods & Water, Rick recaps one of the strangest Kentucky deer seasons in recent memory — from nocturnal bucks and odd post-rut movement to time at deer camp, hanging venison in the walk-in cooler, and finishing an 8-day brined venison pastrami.

We break down three Post-Rut Field Fact or Fiction items every hunter should know heading into the late season.

Then the show heads south as Rick shares a wild East Tennessee fishing trip with his sons — catching giant skipjack, chasing stripers with Top Knox Fishing, dealing with a blown lower unit, great meals, and even better memories.

Finally, Rick sits down with longtime friend and Lake Cumberland legend Jeremy Morgan of Morgan Guide Service for an awesome conversation about stripers, guiding, and life on the water.

Plus: a full Sports Minute covering:
🏀 UK Men’s & Women’s Basketball
🏐 UK Volleyball’s NCAA run
🏈 The Bengals staying alive in the playoff race with Joe Burrow back

Sponsors:
The Original ClearBoard • CatfishPro Rods • Xtreme Bait Tanks • Timber Pointe Resort • Weida’s Marine • Motus Freight

Outro:
Keep your lines tight and your sights straight – Cast Hunt Kentucky.

This week’s Bluegrass Woods & Water episode is packed!

🦌 Deer Camp Chaos
Rick breaks down one of the strangest Kentucky deer seasons we’ve seen in years — nocturnal bucks, weird post-rut movement, deer harvests, aging venison in the walk-in cooler, and finishing an 8-day brined venison pastrami.

🦌 Field Fact or Fiction
Three big post-rut truths every hunter should know heading into the late season.

🎣 East Tennessee Striper Trip
Rick, Aiden, and Dax headed south after Lake Erie blew out with 20-foot waves.
Giant skipjack… chasing stripers… blown lower unit… incredible meals… and even better time together.

🎙️ Special Guest: Jeremy Morgan
We’re joined by longtime friend and Lake Cumberland hammer Jeremy Morgan of Morgan Guide Service for a great conversation on stripers, techniques, guiding, and outdoor life.

🏈 Sports Minute
UK Basketball updates, UK Volleyball’s NCAA push, and the Bengals staying alive in the playoff race with Joe Burrow back.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts!

Keep your lines tight and your sights straight – Cast Hunt Kentucky.

📢 FACEBOOK EPISODE RELEASE POST TITLE:🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Deer Camp Chaos, Tennessee Stripers, and Lake Cumberland Legends with Jeremy Morgan

The rut is on, rifle season is here, and we’ve got one of the biggest guests in Bluegrass Woods & Water history.

In this episode, Rick sits down with Kentucky outdoor legend Tim Farmer for a conversation packed with stories, wisdom, and the kind of insight only Tim can deliver. If you grew up hunting or fishing in Kentucky, you know exactly what his voice means to this state.

Rick also breaks down the Kentucky rut, shares the full story of his opening-morning buck, and gives a detailed Deer Camp Update from rifle season weekend — including tradition, food, laughs, and the big shooter still roaming the farm.

You’ll also hear the latest Sports Minute covering UK Football, Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, and the Bengals, plus a look at the new Deer Camp Dishes & Dockside Meals recipe page now live on the website.

Episode Title:
From Rut to Rifle Season: A Kentucky Deer Camp and Conversation with a Legend, Tim Farmer

Bluegrass Woods & Water — where Kentucky’s outdoor stories live.

This week, Rick sits down with Chad Miles, the voice and vision behind Kentucky Afield TV — one of the most iconic outdoor programs in America.

Chad shares his journey from growing up in Kentucky’s outdoors to capturing it through the lens — showing what it takes to tell the stories of our hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the Bluegrass. His passion for the outdoors and the people who live it shines through in every episode he creates.

Rick and Chad talk about the mission of Kentucky Afield, the work behind the camera, and why preserving Kentucky’s outdoor traditions matters more than ever.

Plus, Rick brings you this week’s Deer Camp Update, Field Fact or Fiction, and the latest Sports Minute — all part of another great week in the Bluegrass outdoors.

🎣 Bluegrass Woods & Water — Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.

This week on Bluegrass Woods and Water, we take a deep dive into the science and stories behind Kentucky’s great wildlife comeback. From the early days of whitetail and turkey restoration to the elk reintroduction that changed Eastern Kentucky forever, District Wildlife Biologist Ethan Newman joins Rick to share what it takes to keep the Bluegrass thriving.

💥 We also tackle a critical topic for every Kentucky hunter — the health of our deer herd.
Ethan and Rick discuss the latest on EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease) and CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) — what they mean for deer populations, how KDFWR is monitoring them, and what hunters can do to help protect the herd.

Plus:

• A frosty fall Deer Camp Update from Northern Kentucky — signs of the rut are starting to show.

• The debut of Field Facts or Fiction, where we separate deer camp myths from truth.

• This week’s Sports Minute covers Kentucky’s ups and downs — from Wildcats basketball heating up to football frustrations and a tough Bengals loss.

And stick around — next week, Rick sits down with Chad Miles, host of Kentucky Afield TV, to talk about life behind the camera and the passion that keeps Kentucky’s outdoor traditions alive.

Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.

🎧 Episode 4: “On Duty with Lieutenant Ping”

In this episode of Bluegrass Woods and Water, host Rick Straus sits down with fellow Alexandria native and Campbell County Camel, Lieutenant Jason Ping of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

They talk about life in wildlife law enforcement, the challenges of protecting Kentucky’s woods and waters, and the dedication it takes to keep our outdoor heritage safe for future generations.

After the interview, Rick breaks down the latest in the Bluegrass Sports Minute, covering Kentucky Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and the Cincinnati Bengals. Then it’s time for the fan-favorite Deer Camp Update, where warm fires, good food, and a little Weller and Eagle Rare bourbon set the tone for stories from the field.

So grab a chair by the fire and enjoy another round of authentic Kentucky outdoor conversation.

🔥 Bluegrass Woods and Water — Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.

Kentucky’s whitetail deer herd is one of the greatest conservation success stories in the country — but it wasn’t always that way. In this episode, Rick takes a deep dive into the rise, fall, and incredible recovery of the Bluegrass whitetail, exploring how biologists, hunters, and landowners worked together to bring deer back from the brink.

Then, Rick is joined by Chip Hart, host of The Big Outdoors on 700 WLW, for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, fishing, and what makes Kentucky such a special place for sportsmen.

🎧 A quick heads-up — the audio on this one isn’t quite studio-perfect (Rick’s still dialing in the mic setup 😅), but the stories and insights are top-notch.

Stick around through the Sports Minute for the latest updates on Kentucky Football, Women’s Volleyball, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Bengals — plus a sneak peek at upcoming guests including Chad Miles, Lt. Jason Ping, and Ethan Newman.

As always — Cast. Hunt. Kentucky.
And keep your lines tight and your sights straight.

Lake Cumberland is home to one of the nation’s top inland striper fisheries — and it didn’t happen by accident. In this episode, I dive into the fascinating history of how stripers came to Kentucky, share my own striper journey across three boats, countless memories, and the mentors who helped shape me along the way.

Then I’m joined by my friend Brian Beauchamp of Laker Guide Service, one of the most respected guides on the lake. Brian shares how he got into guiding, his day-to-day tactics for chasing trophy stripers, stories from the water, conservation insights, and even his walleye trips up in Michigan.

We close it out with the Sports Minute 🏈⚾🏐 — covering Kentucky football’s rebound win over Eastern Michigan after the Ole Miss loss, the UK Women’s Volleyball team’s split weekend against Penn State and Pitt, the Reds’ playoff hopes slipping after a sweep by the A’s, and the Bengals’ hot 2–0 start with Jake Browning stepping up for an injured Joe Burrow.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just love Kentucky’s outdoors, this episode is packed with stories, history, and insights from the woods and waters of the Bluegrass State.

Sponsors:
The Original Clearboard • Catfish Pro Fishing Rods • Xtreme Bait Tanks • Weidas Marine • Timber Pointe Resort

On the very first episode of Bluegrass Woods and Water, Rick Straus sits down with Hurley Combs Jr. of Lost Mountain Outfitters — one of Kentucky’s most successful elk outfitters. Hurley shares his story growing up in Hazard, how he got into hunting and guiding, and the journey of building Lost Mountain into a top-notch outfitting business.

We dive into:

• Preparing for elk season and elk camp.

• Hurley’s start in elk hunting and what hooked him.

• The growth of Lost Mountain Outfitters — from guiding to family business.

• Record-book bulls, big stories, and the giant elk Hurley harvested last year.

• A deep look at Kentucky’s elk herd: past, present, and future.

• Other hunts you can book right now with Lost Mountain Outfitters.

• Where Hurley goes from here — and how to get in touch.

Plus, Rick covers upcoming Kentucky hunting dates and a Sports Minute with updates on UK football, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Bengals.

👉 Don’t forget to visit bluegrasswoodsandwater.com for sponsor links, Outfitter Corner bookings, and photos from Rick’s family and friends in the outdoors.