Waterfowl season is just around the corner, bringing exciting potential updates for hunters across the province. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jason Caswell, Alberta’s provincial game bird specialist since 2008, to discuss all things waterfowl management. From the science of tracking bird populations to potential new hunting opportunities, Jason brings decades of research and hands-on hunting experience to the conversation.

In this episode:

• Learn about the Continental Waterfowl Survey (formally known as the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey [WBPHS])—one of the longest-running and most comprehensive wildlife surveys in the world—and how shifting weather patterns shape bird populations.
• Discover how Canada's consistent waterfowl management system compares to the more reactive approach used in the US, allowing for more predictable regulations year to year.
• Explore the potential for a future tundra swan hunting season in Alberta.

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Every hunter dreams of having their most successful season ever, but the foundation for that success isn't built in the fall—it starts months earlier. In this episode, Brad reflects on his own best hunting season and the single habit that made it possible: pushing himself to practice shooting every single month of the year. By keeping your firearms active year-round, you build a familiarity with your gear that simply cannot be replicated by a rushed trip to the range right before opening day.

In this episode:

• Discover how year-round practice builds familiarity with your firearms, dramatically tightening your target groupings for cleaner, more ethical harvests.
• Learn the value of keeping detailed target notes to track how different ammunition changes your consistency and how varying weather conditions impact bullet trajectories.
• Find out how bringing a few friends along can boost your motivation and spark some healthy competition to sharpen everyone's skills.

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 Fish populations face increasing pressure from environmental changes, habitat loss, and invasive species, but a new, invisible threat is emerging in our waters. While most anglers are familiar with whirling disease, the recent confirmation of Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) in Alberta has raised new concerns among fisheries managers and conservationists alike. In this episode, we dive into the history of fish diseases in North America, how these pathogens spread between water systems, and what the sudden discovery of this microscopic parasite means for the province's fisheries.

We are joined by Dr. Emmanuel Pila, whose work detecting fish pathogens safeguards the health of our populations, and Dr. Trish Kelley, a fish health and aquatic animal disease specialist who leads the province's monitoring and public outreach. Together, they give us an insider look at the work being done, the critical balance between public concern and scientific reality, and highlighting the practical steps anglers can take to protect our aquatic ecosystems.

In this episode:

• Explore the history of major fish diseases across North America and how environmental stressors like rising river temperatures, low stream flows, and drought make trout populations increasingly vulnerable to outbreaks.
• Learn exactly what PKD is, and why its detection in Alberta requires adaptive management rather than panic.
• Find out how anglers can act as the front line conservation stewards through "Clean, Drain, Dry" practices, proper fish handling to minimize catch-and-release stress, and reporting unusual fish behaviour to help tracking efforts.

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Navigating the digital landscape as an outdoors person can be a tricky balancing act, especially when it comes to growing an online presence that highlights your passion while respecting platform guidelines. Born and raised in Edmonton, Darryl Dahl (@darrylhuntswest) brings over 16 years of marketing and digital strategy experience to the conversation, currently serving as the Marketing Director for the Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada (POMAC). In this episode, Darryl shares how hunters and anglers can successfully bridge the gap between traditional storytelling and digital media skills to build a compelling page.

From practical advice on content creation to the critical nuances of community management, Darryl breaks down the exact strategies needed to elevate your outdoor brand. Whether you are looking to fine-tune your content strategy or expand your reach through smart tagging, Darryl offers insights into social media outlets.

In this episode:

• Learn how to navigate tricky platform algorithms by avoiding specific flag words like guns, firearms, and rifles to keep your content from being restricted online.
• Discover the importance of a mindful content strategy, focusing on what and when to post, and why you should only publish content when you are in the right mindset to ensure your message is accurately conveyed.
• Find out how to streamline your writing process by using AI tools to take your general ideas and refine them into short, punchy, and succinct social media captions.
• Understand how to utilize targeted tag groups effectively to boost your visibility, expand your reach, and organically grow your online following.
• Explore how to manage specific sharing and viewing permissions to curate a safe, supportive space and protect your channel from individuals looking to tarnish the hunting lifestyle.

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Sharing your love for the water with the next generation is incredibly rewarding, but taking kids fishing requires a complete shift in mindset. While you might be ready to stay on the lake and cast for hours, children don't possess that same deep-rooted passion just yet, they have to discover it on their own. The secret to building that lifelong excitement isn't actually about the number of fish caught; it’s about making the entire day an engaging, hands-on adventure.

In this episode, Brad breaks down how to create a lakeside experience that kids will actually want to repeat. From stepping back and letting them pick their own favourite hooks to packing plenty of snacks and taking swim breaks, it's all about prioritizing their fun over your personal fishing time. Brad is even joined by a very special guest—his eight-year-old daughter, Adeline—to share a kid's perspective on what truly makes a day on the water exciting.

In this episode:

• Involving kids in tasks like stringing the rod, launching the boat, and netting the fish creates ownership and excitement.
• The importance of letting kids cast for themselves and choosing their own favourite hooks, even if it means less are caught.
• Adeline shares her favourite parts about fishing.

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The outdoors isn't just a hobby for Jill Frederick—it’s a way of life. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the outfitting and hunting community, Jill grew up listening to stories of the wild before ultimately becoming her dad's lifelong hunting partner.

Now, as a mother, her focus has shifted to passing those same traditions, patience, and respect for nature down to her kids. In this episode, Jill shares the special moments that have shaped her journey, from her very first days in the field to the unforgettable moments with her children. Whether she is advocating for women in the outdoors or helping kids trade screen time for nature, Jill’s story is an inspiring reminder of how the outdoors allows us to reset, recharge, and connect with the people who matter most.

In this episode:

• The lessons of the field: How hunting teaches patience, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
• Unforgettable memories: Watching the next generation harvest their first animals.
• Breaking barriers and giving back: Jill's journey volunteering with hunter education and serving as the first female board member for the SCI Northern Alberta Chapter.

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As the Provincial Wildlife Disease Specialist, Dr. Margo Pybus has led Alberta’s wildlife health efforts for four decades. Responsible for managing provincial and national policy on wildlife parasites, Margo’s work bridges the gap between scientific research and real-world conservation. In this episode, she joins the podcast to discuss how hunters, farmers, and locals serve as the front line for disease surveillance and what we can learn from the "stories" told by the animals around us.

In this episode:

• A deep dive into the meningeal worm: its complex lifecycle, how it 
  spreads, and the significance of the first confirmed cases appearing in 
  Alberta in the summer of 2025.
• Roadside mortalities and harvested animals as critical data points to confirm the presence of infectious diseases and track their movement across the landscape.
• The shifting scale of susceptibility regarding avian flu, from its impact on snow geese to the surprising cases involving skunks and fox pups.
• What outdoor enthusiasts and landowners can do to help manage parasites and maintain the health of Alberta’s wild populations.

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Predator management is a highly debated topic that often elicits strong emotions. But as human development alters the natural landscape, creating straight pathways—such as roads, agriculture, and oil and gas corridors—that make traversing easier for all species, it throws off predator-prey dynamics as these areas become major hunting sites.

In this episode:

• Why wildlife management is essential to maintaining biodiversity and sustainable populations for at-risk species such as elk.
• Finding a healthy balance to mitigate the human footprint we leave on the land and helping protect conservation efforts.
• The significant financial impact of predation, including an estimated $20 million in cattle losses in Alberta alone.

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A trailblazer in the Canadian outdoor industry, Lisa Roper is a television producer, hunter, and angler who holds the distinction of being the first woman in Canada to host and produce her own national fishing series. From her hometown of Lac La Biche to the national stage, she has dedicated her career to breaking barriers and building confidence in the next generation of outdoorsmen and women.

Six years after appearing on the second-ever episode of the HYO podcast, Lisa returns to share how her mission has evolved and is excited to help introduce fishing into Harvest Your Own.

In this episode:

• Lisa breaks down her guiding mantra, "Show Up and Good Things Happen," and explains how a simple shift in mindset led her to producing top-ranked series for the Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network.
• A deep dive into the philosophy of experiencing a region beyond the shoreline—focusing on local culture, community connection, and creating new memories.
• Creating initiatives like Ladies on Ice and Fishing Lines & Good Times that equip people with the tools to explore and get hooked on a new passion.
• Lisa and Brad discuss why it is vital to let youth own their own process in the field, from the initial struggle to the final harvest, and how taking a backseat as a mentor builds lasting memories.

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A two-time Olympian and multiple World Cup competitor, Ntala Quintilio brings a lifetime of experience in the world of biathlon, where endurance meets precision. From skiing at full intensity to settling into a steady shot, she breaks down what it takes to perform under pressure. 

In this episode:

•  The challenge of accuracy at a high heart rate—hitting 45 mm (prone) and 115 mm (standing) targets from 50 m 
•  The gear behind the sport, from rifle specs to finely tuned skis 
•  How biathlon training builds fitness and mental focus for big-game hunting 
•  Introducing youth to marksmanship through structured, skill-based programs

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