On this edition of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence delivers a full morning of hunting and fishing stories from across the Mountain State — starting with the show open and moving through four big-buck interviews and a river-run “best of” fishing segment.

Segment 1 – Show Open:
Chris kicks off the show with listener shout-outs from across the country and previews four remarkable West Virginia buck stories. He sets the stage with updates from elk camps, podcast listeners abroad, and a rundown of where each of the day’s featured hunters took their deer.

Segment 2 – Jamie Suko, Braxton County:
Jamie Suko proves you don’t need a large tract of land to harvest a trophy buck. From just over two acres behind her home, she tags a big 10-point she and her husband had tracked for a year. She walks Chris through the hunt, the nerves, the shot at 30 yards, and the fast recovery — all while juggling a toddler back at the house.

Segment 3 – Hayden Blankenship, Wyoming County:
Next up is Hayden Blankenship, who takes a Southern West Virginia bow-only county giant — a 10-point buck he’d documented for more than a year. Hayden describes near-misses from the previous season, velvet photos, and the dramatic opening-day encounter when the deer fed five yards from his blind before presenting a perfect shot.

Segment 4 – “Best Of” River Fishing with Larry Nibert:
Chris heads out on the water with Larry Nibert of The West Virginia Experience for a replay of one of the show’s most popular fall fishing conversations. They discuss reading river water, locating smallmouth pockets, cold-weather gear, and why sudden temperature drops produce trophy fish. Along the float, they break down lure selection, turbidity, oxygen levels, and navigating the ledges of the New River. Savannah even hooks multiple fish during the interview.

Segment 5 – “Best Of” Fur Tanning with Keith Daniels:
The show closes with a visit to the West Virginia Trappers Convention, where fur buyer Keith Daniels explains the science behind properly scraping, drying, and preparing pelts. Chris asks about common mistakes trappers make, how long pelts stay on stretchers, and the chemistry of pickling and tanning. Daniels details how furs are transformed into lightweight, flexible leather ready for the garment trade.