Mississippi Outdoors Podcast

By Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

Listen to the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, hosted by Matt Wyatt. We'll dive into fascinating conversations about Mississippi's rich outdoor life, where each episode brings new knowledge about wildlif... more

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FAQs about Mississippi Outdoors Podcast:

How many episodes does Mississippi Outdoors Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 82 episodes available.

Mississippi Outdoors Podcast episodes:

August 27, 2025 Snakes of Mississippi with Terry Vandeventer
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with herpetologist Terry Vandeventer, better known to many Mississippians as “the Snake Dude.” Terry shares his lifelong passion for reptiles, from growing up fascinated with snakes in Illinois to moving south in the 1970s and becoming one of the region’s foremost snake educators.

They cover:
• The 56 species of snakes found in Mississippi, including the six venomous species
• Misconceptions about snakes — from myths about chasing people to exaggerated tales of danger
• Snake bite facts: around 125 bites per year in Mississippi, but no fatalities in 75 years
• Conservation concerns for timber rattlesnakes, eastern diamondbacks, and black pine snakes
• The important role snakes play in controlling pests and maintaining balance in the ecosystem

Terry also previews his upcoming book Mississippi Snakes: Their Identification, Natural History, and Cultural Influence (University Press of Mississippi), and even brings live snakes into the studio — including a speckled kingsnake and a corn snake.

Whether you fear them or find them fascinating, this episode will help you better understand Mississippi’s most misunderstood wildlife.

Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

Follow MDWFP
Website: http://www.mdwfp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdwfp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdwfponline/
X: https://twitter.com/MDWFPonline
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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55min
August 20, 2025 The Woman Who Saved Mississippi Wildlife with Cathy Shropshire
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Cathy Shropshire, who portrays Fannye Cook, the pioneering conservationist who spearheaded the creation of the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission nearly 100 years ago. Through her performance and firsthand research, Cathy brings to life the story of a woman whose passion for nature, education, and public outreach led to the establishment of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and laid the foundation for the modern MDWFP.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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25min
August 13, 2025 Native Mushrooms with Ole Miss Professor Dr. Jason Hoeksema
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Dr. Jason Hoeksema, a biology professor at Ole Miss, to explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms. They cover everything from edible species like chanterelles, morels, and lion’s mane, to the dangerous lookalikes that can make you or your dog sick. Dr. Hoeksema explains how mushrooms interact with forests, the difference between decomposers and mycorrhizal fungi, and why foraging can be both safe and rewarding with a little knowledge and care. If you’ve ever wondered what’s growing underfoot in Mississippi’s woods—or your backyard—this episode will change the way you look at mushrooms forever.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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53min
August 06, 2025 Scholastic Shooting in Mississippi with Gary Holcomb
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt is joined by Gary Holcomb, coordinator of the Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program (MSSP). Gary shares his personal journey from a 10-year-old 4-H champion in Pontotoc to a 15-time state champion and coach at Mississippi State. He explains how MSSP has grown to include nearly 100 public, private, and club-based shooting teams across the state, teaching youth the fundamentals of shotgun sports. Gary also discusses the philosophy behind good shooting—how consistency, discipline, and process matter more than just pulling the trigger. Whether you're a parent, coach, or student, this episode offers a clear and compelling look at the impact of youth shooting sports in Mississippi.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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29min
July 30, 2025 Buying Hunting Land with Slade Priest | MS Outdoors Podcast
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with land agent and outdoor TV host Slade Priest, better known as The Hunting Land Man. Slade shares his journey from growing up in a land-and-timber family to building a life around hunting, land management, and conservation. They talk bowhunting, trail cameras, what to look for when buying hunting land, and how to manage property for better deer and turkey habitat. Slade also reflects on hunting with his children, helping clients build their own outdoor legacies, and why Mississippi will always be home.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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32min
July 23, 2025 Duck Season Kickoff with Logan Nevins - 2025 Ducks Unlimited Expo
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt talks with Logan Nevins, national events coordinator with Ducks Unlimited, about the upcoming Ducks Unlimited Expo (DUX) in Memphis. Logan breaks down what visitors can expect from the three-day outdoor expo, including new gear, industry partners, and a $30,000 Polaris door prize. He also shares how he went from volunteering with DU as a student in Michigan to working full-time in event planning and conservation advocacy. They discuss duck hunting culture, volunteer passion, and why Mississippi plays such a key role in the waterfowl migration cycle.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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24min
July 16, 2025 Managing Ponds with Buford Lessley
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt talks with Buford Lessley, a fisheries biologist with MDWFP. From invasive aquatic plants to electro fishing techniques, Buford shares what it takes to maintain healthy fisheries across Mississippi’s state lakes and private ponds. He explains how vegetation can both help and harm bass populations, why pond owners should fish more, and how programs like Clean, Drain, Dry help prevent the spread of invasive species. The episode is packed with practical advice for landowners, anglers, and anyone curious about fish management in Mississippi.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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32min
July 09, 2025 Hunting Bear and Panther in the Old South
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Jim McCafferty, attorney, author, and longtime outdoorsman, to explore the forgotten hunting traditions of Mississippi’s Delta and hill country. Jim shares the research behind his books on legendary bear hunters, 19th-century field trials, and tales of panthers that once roamed the South. The conversation moves between historic bear camps and quail fields to personal memories of growing up in Mississippi. It’s a reflective and richly detailed look at the characters and culture that shaped hunting in the Deep South.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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58min
July 02, 2025 Fishing Mississippi's Lakes with Greg Glotzbecker
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Greg Glotzbecker, Fisheries Coordinator for MDWFP. Greg explains the unique dynamics of Mississippi’s oxbow lakes—how they’re formed, why they matter, and the challenges of managing sportfish in an unpredictable, flood-prone environment. He also discusses what the data tells us about the state’s fisheries, from tournament bass numbers to the impact of live sonar, and why some lakes consistently produce bigger fish. Whether you’re into crappie, bass, or catfish, this episode offers a data-driven and personal look at how Mississippi keeps its waters healthy and its anglers happy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33min
June 25, 2025 Urban Wildlife in Mississippi with Adam Rohnke
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with Adam Rohnke of Mississippi State University's Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center. Adam unpacks the surprisingly wild landscape of the Jackson metro area—from coyotes near downtown to invasive nutria rats in neighborhood parks. He explains the goals of the Jackson Urban Wildlife Project, a camera-based monitoring program tied to a national network, and shares how citizen scientists play a key role. The discussion covers research, public outreach, and the complex human emotions around geese, foxes, deer, and more, all within city limits.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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51min

FAQs about Mississippi Outdoors Podcast:

How many episodes does Mississippi Outdoors Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 82 episodes available.

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