A groundbreaking Everglades conservation mission reveals what it really takes to rebuild a wild deer population.

Kenia heads deep into the Florida Everglades to follow one of the most ambitious wildlife restoration efforts happening anywhere in the country: the Everglades Deer Reintroduction Project. Host Kenia sits down with Mike Elfenbein of the Isaac Walton League’s Cypress Chapter to break down how a massive landscape, once home to thriving white-tailed deer herds, lost nearly all of its deer over the last two decades, and what it takes to put them back.

Listeners will get an insider look at the real fieldwork behind the project, including darting wild whitetails, conducting genetic testing, fitting GPS tracking collars, and relocating healthy deer into 45,000 acres of restored habitat. Mike explains how high water levels, predation from Florida panthers and pythons, and decades of water-management changes reshaped the ecosystem, and why science-driven collaboration with tribes, ranchers, hunters, and conservationists is key to recovering the species.

From wildlife biology and land management to the emotional moments of releasing deer back into historic habitat, this conversation blends conservation storytelling, whitetail behavior insights, and the kind of practical big-picture learning that resonates with lifelong hunters, aspiring outdoorsmen, and anyone who cares about wild places.

Follow along as Kenia and Mike unpack what today’s work means for the future of whitetail hunting, Everglades conservation, and species restoration projects across America.

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Check out Mike Elfenbein’s work: https://wildlifeflorida.org/our-people/mike-elfenbein/ 

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A seasoned Ohio crappie angler shares the secrets, stories, and strategies that keep America’s fishing heritage alive.

In this episode of Hunt Fish Freedom, we sit down with longtime Ohio angler and national crappie tournament champion Jason Koesters for a deep-dive into the stories, strategies, and outdoor traditions that shaped his life on the water. If you love crappie fishing, ice fishing, or passing those passions down to the next generation, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Jason walks us through his early days bobber-fishing with his dad and grandpa on Grand Lake St. Marys, the competitive years that took him across the Midwest, and the unforgettable season that landed him a national title and a brand-new boat. He also breaks down how everyday anglers can improve their success—whether in shallow-water crappie bites, tournament-style technique, or winter ice fishing tactics.

You’ll hear how he introduces kids to fishing the right way, why small lakes across Ohio remain overlooked fisheries, and what it takes to stay rooted in the outdoors while raising a family. From simple jig-and-waxworm setups to the mindset behind consistent tournament performance, this episode blends practical fishing strategy with a genuine love of America’s outdoor traditions.

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Check out Jason Koesters’ work: https://www.wired2fish.com/news/koesters-and-hengstler-win-2019-crappie-usa-classic-on-old-hickory 

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A fight for hunting freedom is unfolding in Ohio, and every outdoorsman has a stake in the outcome.

Across the country, hunting and fishing face growing political pressure and Ohio may be the next battleground. In this episode, we sit down with State Representative Phil Plummer for a candid, insider conversation on why protecting the right to hunt and fish matters now more than ever. From waterfowl hunting access to deer herd management, Rep. Plummer breaks down the real-world consequences when anti-hunting ballot initiatives gain traction, drawing lessons from Oregon, Florida, and other states where outdoorsmen had to mobilize fast.

Listeners will hear firsthand how proposed legislation could impact everything from whitetail deer hunting to food security, wildlife conservation funding, and the future of mentorship programs that get kids on the water for the first time. Rep. Plummer also touches on the chronic wasting diseases and EHD outbreaks affecting Ohio’s deer herd—and why population management remains essential to long-term conservation.

Whether you’re obsessed with whitetail bucks, spend spring chasing gobblers, or live for weekend bass fishing trips, this conversation underscores why hunters and anglers must stay engaged, informed, and united. The traditions passed from grandparents to grandkids depend on it.

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Check out Representative Plummer’s work in Ohio: https://ohiohouse.gov/members/phil-plummer

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Country star Lucas Hoge shares how his love for hunting and fishing shaped his music and mission.

Country artist and Hoge Wild TV host Lucas Hoge joins Hunt. Fish. Freedom. to share his remarkable journey from small-town Nebraska farm life to a career at the crossroads of music, conservation, and the outdoors. Growing up running traplines and upland bird hunting, Lucas learned early that time spent outside builds more than skill, it builds character.

Lucas opens up to Kenia about how hunting and fishing continue to inspire his songwriting, including hits like Nowhere (the official IOTR theme song!) and his new record Book About Me. He shares the moment that sparked his outdoor TV show, Hoge Wild—now entering its seventh season on the Sportsman’s Channel—and how it’s become a platform for storytelling, education, and giving back through his Hoge Wild Heroes Foundation.

From elk hunts in Colorado to fishing floatplanes in Alaska, Lucas reveals how outdoor adventure and country music can work hand in hand to connect people to the land, to each other, and to something bigger than themselves. Whether you’re an avid hunter or just dream of the next season in the field, this episode will inspire you to chase your passions and protect the wild places that make them possible.

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A grueling climb, scorching heat, and one perfect shot, this is the bighorn sheep hunt of a lifetime.

When Kenia drew a coveted Idaho bighorn sheep tag, she knew it would test every ounce of grit she had. But nothing could have prepared her for the raw beauty and brutal terrain of Hell’s Canyon. In this episode of Hunt. Fish. Freedom., Kenia sits down with cohost Luke Hilgemann to relive her once-in-a-lifetime sheep hunt through Idaho’s Unit 11, where towering cliffs meet the Snake River and every step feels earned.

From 105-degree heat and steep climbs to 12-mile treks across shale slopes, Kenia recounts how persistence, faith, and solid mountain gear finally led to a perfect Boone and Crockett ram, a world-class sheep scoring just shy of 190. Along the way, she shares lessons learned from elite guides, how to mentally push through grueling mountain hunts, and why conservation is at the heart of every ethical pursuit.

Whether you dream of chasing Rocky Mountain bighorns or simply love hearing true outdoor grit stories, this episode captures what it means to hunt hard, give thanks, and protect wild places for the next generation.

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The fight for hunting and fishing rights has moved to the courtroom — and outdoorsmen are taking a stand.

In this episode of Hunt. Fish. Freedom., host Kenia Link sits down with Luke Hilgemann and Travis Thompson to unpack one of the most important — and least understood — battles in modern conservation: litigation. From the bear hunts in Florida to the right-to-fish fight in Maine, this episode dives deep into how hunters and anglers are defending their outdoor heritage through the legal system.

You’ll hear how anti-hunting groups are using lawsuits to block science-based wildlife management — and how the International Order of T. Roosevelt (IOTR) is fighting back. Luke and Travis break down why constitutional protections for hunting and fishing matter, what “right to harvest” really means, and why showing up — from commission meetings to courtrooms — is critical to protecting waterfowl hunting, whitetail seasons, and sustainable fisheries for generations to come.

Whether you chase ducks in flooded timber, glass for elk in the Rockies, or wet a line for smallmouth bass, this episode delivers a grounded look at the legal frontlines of conservation — and what it takes to keep our outdoor freedoms alive.

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What if your right to hunt and fish could disappear overnight? Here’s how Ohio plans to stop it.

In this episode of Hunt. Fish. Freedom., host Kenyon Link sits down with Ohio State Senator Steve Huffman to talk about one of the most important conservation battles happening right now—the effort to make hunting and fishing a constitutional right in Ohio.

From the fight to restore bear hunting in Florida to the ongoing pushback from radical environmental groups, this conversation unpacks why protecting access to the outdoors is no longer guaranteed. Senator Huffman shares firsthand insight on how constitutional protection would safeguard future generations of hunters and anglers—preserving everything from deer hunting and waterfowl management to the freedom to cast a line on Lake Erie.

You’ll also hear about Ohio’s rich outdoor traditions, how youth hunting seasons help teach firearm safety and conservation ethics, and what everyday sportsmen can do to protect the heritage they love. Whether you’re a lifelong hunter or a weekend fisherman, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the freedom to pursue wild places.

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What happens when hunters and anglers take a stand to protect their rights—and win big?

In this episode of Hunt. Fish. Freedom., host Kenia Link sits down with Representative Tim Barhorst of Ohio to talk about what’s at stake for hunters and anglers across the country. From the docks of Grand Lake St. Marys to deer camp traditions across the Midwest, they explore how outdoor heritage connects generations—and why protecting the right to hunt and fish isn’t just policy, it’s personal.

Barhorst shares how hunting and fishing keep rural communities grounded, strengthen families, and sustain local economies through food security and recreation. Kenia digs into the growing movement to enshrine these rights in every state constitution—an effort already successful in 24 states, with Ohio next in line. You’ll hear how the North American Conservation Model, grassroots advocacy, and bipartisan cooperation are shaping the future of wildlife management and outdoor freedom.

If you care about conservation, faith, family, and the freedom to fill your freezer the old-fashioned way, this is a must-listen conversation straight from the heart of Ohio.

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The battle to protect hunting and fishing traditions in Ohio is heating up, and you’re part of it.

In this powerful episode, leaders from the International Order of T. Roosevelt (IOTR) join Ohio legislators and grassroots advocates to discuss the fight to secure a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Ohio. What starts as a local gathering over cold beer and wild game turns into an inspiring call to protect our outdoor heritage and ensure future generations can enjoy the woods and waters that define America’s sporting life.

You’ll hear how IOTR helped pass similar measures in states like Florida and how that model is now moving north. The conversation dives deep into why protecting hunting and fishing rights isn’t just political—it’s about freedom, conservation, and legacy. From youth fishing clubs to bipartisan legislative action, this episode explores how ordinary sportsmen can become part of a movement that safeguards access, conservation funding, and the traditions that built our outdoor communities.

As Theodore Roosevelt said, “It’s not the critic who counts.” This episode challenges every outdoorsman and woman to step into the arena and stand for the future of our wild places.

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What happens when a lifelong hunter takes his passion for the outdoors into the Statehouse?

In this episode, Ohio State Representative Ty Matthews joins the crew to talk about hunting, conservation, and the fight to protect Ohio’s outdoor traditions. A lifelong outdoorsman raised in Finley, Ty shares how growing up in the woods with his father shaped his views on responsibility, conservation, and the value of passing on those lessons to the next generation.

Listeners will hear why Matthews believes hunters are the true environmental stewards—those who understand wildlife management, protect deer and waterfowl populations, and keep public access to land alive. From his wife tagging a Hardin County buck while he was campaigning, to the First Shot Program that introduces young hunters to the field, this conversation dives deep into the connection between hunting heritage and community.

Whether you chase whitetails, cast for bass on Lake Erie, or just appreciate the ethics behind responsible hunting, this episode offers a candid, grounded look at why protecting hunting rights matters more than ever.

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