Missouri Woods & Water - Hunting and Fishing Podcast

This week on the Missouri Woods & Water Podcast Nate, Micah, and Andrew White continue their three part conversation on CWD, this time reacting point by point to what Missouri Department of Conservation representative Jason Isabelle said in the earlier interview. The episode matters because it is less about repeating the science and more about the trust gap, hunter frustration, and how CWD policy has played out on the ground for Missouri hunters and landowners.
In this episode, the hosts are speaking from the perspective of everyday hunters who want clearer answers, better communication, and management that feels practical instead of top down. They also dig into Share the Harvest, nonresident pressure, feed and mineral bans, and why many hunters feel MDC lost the public early.  Thanks for listening.  

Key topics

• They argue the biggest issue is not just CWD policy itself, but the way MDC handled communication and public trust from the beginning.
• They question targeted removal, especially nighttime shooting over corn and thermal optics.
• They compare Missouri’s approach with other states like Wisconsin, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Iowa, and question why every state is doing something different.
• They push back on the feed and mineral ban, arguing that deer already congregate naturally and that minerals may help deer health more than they hurt.
• They criticize the idea that hunters cannot help enough, arguing Missouri hunters could have been the solution if MDC had leaned on them earlier.
• They cover Share the Harvest confusion, saying processors gave inconsistent answers about whether it is actually free.

• They end with the point that a lot of hunters still do not believe MDC’s claims that targeted removal is over for good.

   

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Athlon Optics 

Midwest Gun Works

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Lucky Buck 

OnX  Use code MWW20 for 20% off 

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Jason Patterson Land Team - Whitetail Properties

816-824-6282

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This week on the Missouri Woods & Water Podcast, Nate & Micah get a chance to sit down with some old friends of Micah's and talk about CWD from the perspective of a landowner.  Robin Belzer, Jacob Swisegood, and Skylar Jorgensen all hunt and own property that has been in a CWD zone since it has hit our great state and they have an interesting take on what they have seen and experienced since they started dealing with it over a decade ago.  This show gives the listener a look into folks who have dealt with this since day one and their thoughts about it.  Right, wrong, or indifferent, their opinions are ones in which we think are important, as is everyone else's.  Thanks for tuning in.

This episode continues the Missouri Woods and Water Podcast’s listener Q&A with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), picking up mid-conversation from part one.  We focus on questions from listeners and friends about CWD management, deer herd health, and the tradeoffs behind regulations hunters are navigating.

Key topics

• A listener asks whether feed supplements or formulations could help infected deer or slow CWD. MDC says there’s no known supplement or feed additive proven to prevent or meaningfully alter CWD.
• The discussion explains that CWD is a prion disease and that a vaccine or feed-based solution is not currently available.
• MDC explains why targeted removal and increased harvest in core areas are intended to keep infection rates low before CWD causes larger-scale population declines.
• The conversation addresses concerns that CWD management is being used to reduce deer numbers. MDC says its goal is disease control and herd health, not population reduction for its own sake.
• MDC discusses earn-a-buck-style regulations, saying it has considered related approaches but views a straightforward system as too aggressive for most Missouri counties.
• The hosts and guest discuss why the extended CWD season was removed: MDC says it delivered limited harvest benefit and that additional season segments made regulations harder to follow.
• A question about feeding and mineral use near homes leads to a discussion of risk management and the difference between limited backyard exceptions and broad use across rural landscapes.
• The episode addresses claims that CWD management is about money. MDC rejects that claim, discusses federal reimbursement through Pittman-Robertson, and says the agency still absorbs part of the cost.
• MDC describes CWD management as a budget drain rather than a profit center, and says its motivation is protecting wildlife and deer hunting in Missouri.
• The conversation returns to research and vaccines. MDC is hopeful that a cure or vaccine may eventually be possible but says waiting for one would be a mistake.
• MDC says Missouri has not seen the level of CWD mortality found in high-prevalence areas, while pointing to West Virginia and parts of Wisconsin as examples of how severe the disease can become.
• Asked whether the feeding ban might be lifted outside deer season, MDC says there are no current plans to do so and describes the ban as a key part of its strategy in affected counties and surrounding areas.
• The discussion turns to nonresident hunting pressure. MDC says nonresident numbers have grown substantially, permit pricing has changed, and further steps for public-land hunters are under consideration.
• On the possibility of moving firearm season out of the rut, MDC says hunters strongly prefer the current timing, although later seasons could improve age structure.
• The final listener question concerns managed-hunt drawings. MDC explains that the process uses weighted random draws rather than a traditional preference-point system.

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Athlon Optics 

Midwest Gun Works

Salt of the Earth Use code MWW15 for 15% off

Lucky Buck 

OnX  Use code MWW20 for 20% off 

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Jason Patterson Land Team - Whitetail Properties

816-824-6282

[email protected] 

This week on the Missouri Woods & Water Podcast we sit down with Jason Isabelle of the Missouri Department of Conservation for a candid conversation about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Missouri. The episode explores what CWD is, how it may spread, why MDC has changed some of its management tactics, and what hunters should know about testing, venison, carcass disposal, and feed and mineral sites.  Built around questions from listeners and friends, the conversation takes on concerns hunters are debating. Nate and Mike ask direct questions, while Jason explains the science and MDC’s approach to managing the disease.  Thanks for listening! 

Check out the MWW Website for store, partner discounts, and more!!!

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HUXWRX 

Athlon Optics 

OnX:  Use code MWW20 for 20% off

Huntworth Gear:  Use code MWW15 for 15% off

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Arrow Dynamics 

Whitetail Hill 

Stealth Cam 

This week on the Missouri Woods & Water Podcast is a wide-ranging conversation with Aaron Bleise of The Fall Podcast, focused on hunting, fatherhood, and how priorities change over time. Aaron and Nate discuss raising kids who hunt, building confidence through outdoor experiences, and balancing family life with a serious hunting season.  They also cover early-season whitetail strategy, Aaron’s shift toward traditional archery, public-land hunting goals, and practical e-bike advice for hunters trying to reach hard-to-access ground quietly.  Thanks for listening!

Key Topics

• Aaron shares the story of his nine-year-old daughter shooting her first deer—and why the moment meant more to him than any deer he has taken.
• Nate and Aaron compare experiences raising children who hunt and how success takes on a different meaning when the goal is helping your kids succeed.
• Aaron explains how hunting and sports can help build confidence in children.
• Nate shares a difficult lesson from a missed shot with his son and how it affected his son’s confidence.
• The conversation explores the challenge of protecting children while also giving them room to learn independently.
• Aaron explains how his hunting strategy has changed over the last decade.
• Instead of focusing on one named buck, Aaron is concentrating on acorns, fruit trees, scrapes, staging areas, and bedding transitions.
• Aaron discusses his goal of killing his first deer with a traditional bow.
• He also plans to hunt Kansas and pursue his first public-land deer.
• The guys discuss e-bike setup, noise, accessories, and how deer often react to bikes differently than they react to people.

Check out the MWW Website for our store, partner discounts, and more!!!

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Athlon Optics 

Midwest Gun Works

Lucky Buck 

OnX  Use code MWW20 for 20% off 

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Jason Patterson Land Team - Whitetail Properties

816-824-6282

[email protected] 

In this weeks episode of the Missouri Woods & Water Podcast, Nate Thomas sits down with Dan Johnson, host of the Nine Finger Chronicles Podcast and owner of the Sportsman's Empire Podcast Network, for a wide-ranging conversation about where hunting access is headed. The episode centers on the growing pay-to-play model in deer hunting, why permission is disappearing, and what that means for the next generation. They also talk through Dan’s knee replacement recovery, getting older, and how life changes when hunting, family, and health all start colliding.  Thanks for listening!

Key Topics

• Dan talks candidly about his knee replacement surgery, the pain, the recovery timeline, physical therapy, and how it has affected his mobility and hunting plans
• They compare how aging changes hunting, recovery, and family responsibilities, especially when kids are in sports and life gets busier
• Nate brings up Dan’s comments from a recent roundtable discussion about hunting legacy and the pay-to-play model
• Dan explains how land access has shifted from simple permission to leases, land purchases, and short-term paid access
• They discuss how out-of-state hunters, lease companies, and high demand for big deer can make access harder for local hunters
• Nate shares his own experience losing permission farms, getting priced out of leases, and realizing his sons may have fewer opportunities than he did
• The conversation turns to whether hunters, landowners, and states are prioritizing big antlers over broad access and opportunity
• Dan argues that future hunting access may depend on landowners choosing to share, hunters accepting smaller bucks, and families valuing opportunity over antler size
• They close by stressing that the future of deer hunting depends on people being less selfish and more willing to pass access on to the next generation

Check out the MWW Website for store, partner discounts, and more!!!

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HUXWRX 

Athlon Optics 

OnX:  Use code MWW20 for 20% off

Huntworth Gear:  Use code MWW15 for 15% off

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Arrow Dynamics 

Whitetail Hill 

Stealth Cam 

This week on the Missouri Woods & Water Podcast, Curt Geier joins Nate for a wide-ranging hunting and archery conversation that covers studio life, summer prep, injury recovery, bow setup, and the mindset behind making good shots under pressure. The episode is equal parts behind the scenes and practical bowhunting talk, with a lot of value for anyone who cares about archery consistency and hunting honesty.  We discuss Curt's move toward in-person podcasting, the evolution of Working Class Bow Hunter's studio, and how the show is building an experience around the brand. We also get into bow choices, release styles, target panic, 3D shooting, and why honest hunting content matters.

Key topics

• Curt explains why he has moved almost entirely away from virtual recordings and why WCB invested in a brick and mortar studio.
• We talk about how studio experience can become part of the brand, not just the audio.
• Curt shares the backstory of buying and renovating the WCB building, including how the space is split between media work and shipping.
• The summer got derailed by a serious e-bike crash that broke ribs and partially collapsed Curt's lung, limiting shooting and farm work.
• Curt breaks down how the Africa hunt went, why he passed on animals he could have shot, and how seasonal timing changed the hunt.
• The discussion turns to bow setup, including Curt's move from Elite to Hoyt.
• Both hosts dig into release choice, target panic, and the difference between shooting a hinge, thumb button, and index finger release.
• They emphasize 3D shooting as a way to uncover real-world issues like clearance, third axis, and shot angle problems.
• Curt and Missouri Woods & Water talk openly about missed shots, poor hits, and why hunting media should show mistakes, not just trophy clips.
• The episode closes with a preview of WCB's 800th episode, an eight hour live-style show with giveaways and special guests.

Check out the MWW Website for our store, partner discounts, and more!!!

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HUXWRX

Athlon Optics 

Midwest Gun Works

Lucky Buck 

OnX  Use code MWW20 for 20% off 

Alps Outdoorz: Use code 2026WOODSWATER for 30% off 

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Jason Patterson Land Team - Whitetail Properties

816-824-6282

[email protected] 

We are joined by Blake Schnare this week on the Missouri Woods and Water Podcast for a Tales of the Chase episode built around a tough turkey season that turned into a memorable win. The conversation covers turkey hunting strategy, habitat work, poaching encounters, and how persistence paid off after a rough start.  Blake shares the full story, from scouting a northern Missouri farm to dealing with two poaching incidents in the same season and still finishing strong. It is equal parts wildlife management, turkey hunting pressure, and the mindset shift that came from sticking with it.  Thanks for listening!

Key topics

Check out the MWW Website for store, partner discounts, and more!!!

Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!!!

HUXWRX

Athlon Optics

OnX:  Use code MWW20 for 20% off

Huntworth Gear:  Use code MWW15 for 15% off

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Alps Outdoorz: Use code 2026WOODSWATER for 30% off 

Arrow Dynamics

Whitetail Hill

Stealth Cam

In this episode of the Missouri Woods & Water Podcast, we sit down with Josh Trolinger and Bryce James while at the Show-Me Outdoor Fest to talk all things Bowhunting League and much more!  We dive into the beginnings of Bowhunting League, how it has grown, and where it is today. We also talk about the recent Show-Me Outdoor Fest, held just outside of Warrensburg, MO.  And of course, we couldn’t leave without talking about the 200"+ public-land giant Josh took down a while back!  It’s a great conversation packed with bowhunting, outdoor events, big bucks, and plenty more.  Thanks for listening!

Check out the MWW Website for our store, partner discounts, and more!!!

Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!!!

HUXWRX

Athlon Optics

Midwest Gun Works

Lucky Buck

OnX  Use code MWW20 for 20% off 

Alps Outdoorz: Use code 2026WOODSWATER for 30% off 

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Jason Patterson Land Team - Whitetail Properties

816-824-6282

[email protected]

Adam Buchanan, host of the First Generation Bow Hunter podcast and former BlackOvis marketing manager, joins Missouri Woods and Water to talk hunting origins, gear philosophy, physical prep for western hunts, and his new venture. This episode is especially useful for newer bowhunters who want practical advice without getting lost in gear obsession. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what happened with Black Ovis and where that inventory is headed next.

Key topics

Check out the MWW Website for store, partner discounts, and more!!!

Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel!!!

HUXWRX

Athlon Optics

OnX:  Use code MWW20 for 20% off

Huntworth Gear:  Use code MWW15 for 15% off

Morrell Targets:  Use code MISSOURIWOODS20 for 20% off on Morrell Center Punch V36

Alps Outdoorz: Use code 2026WOODSWATER for 30% off 

Arrow Dynamics

Whitetail Hill

Stealth Cam