The Outdoor Hour

In this episode Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton talk about their experiences deer hunting the 2024 season. As we say in the intro each week, harvests are fleeting, but lessons and memories abound. Take a listen to hear how the year went for Taylor and Josh and the ways they plan to use the off-season to prepare for 2025!

In this episode Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton chat with Oklahoma Drone Recovery Company owner Rhett Acker about the 2024 deer season. Now in his second year of operation, Rhett has collected some interesting data that tells a compelling story about the state of deer hunting in Oklahoma and the guys use this data to craft some interesting arguments about muzzleloaders, bow hunting, and the pursuit of deer in general.

In this episode, Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton are joined by Kurt Kuklinski from Oklahoma's Department of Wildlife Conservation to talk about several on-going research projects affecting hunting, wildlife management, and our understanding of both local and transient game populations across our region. Plus, the guys discuss the role Citizen Scientists play in helping capture data for professional use, and how that data can benefit non-professionals in a variety of ways--from hunters and trappers, to gardeners and birdwatchers, more data is more better! Kurt always bring a wealth of knowledge and lifts the intellect of The Outdoor Hours, and this week's episode is no different!

In this week's episode Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton talk about their recent trips to Louisiana and the Atlantic coast of Florida chasing Bull Reds on the fly. An annual pilgrimage for Josh, Louisiana is one of the top fisheries on the world for hooking once-in-a-lifetime Reds. Taylor is newer to saltwater fly fishing and shares some humbling experiences and lessons he's learned this year as he works to grow in his saltwater fly fishing expertise.

In this week's episode Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton are joined again by Keenan Taylor for part two of their episode on Oklahoma Waterfowl. As a Crop Consultant and owner of Genesis Crop Solutions, Keenan has a unique perspective on how flora impacts a landscape, and how this knowledge can help waterfowlers attract and hold ducks. Plus, he lends some valuable insight into the ongoing Outdoor Hour discussion of aflatoxins and how deer corn might be contributing to CWD and diminishing game species across the region.

In this week's episode Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton are joined by Salt Creek Duck Club's Keenan Taylor for Part 1 of a 2 part series talking about waterfowl in Oklahoma. The guys bounce around from topic to topic but spend most of their time talking about the exclusive nature of waterfowl hunting culture and the role social media has played in the modern world of hunting. Bring your opinions and get ready!

In this episode, Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton reunite after a four-week hiatus while Josh traveled the world. Working on a film project, Josh has spent time during the past month in Alaska and Hawaii. The guys discuss the juxtaposition of those landscapes and people, though both heavily dependent on living in harmony with the land. Add in some brotherly smack talk and you've got yourself an Outdoor Hour.

How do you prepare to deal with the unexpected in the woods? In this episode Taylor Maples and Dave Myrick talk about a few things most hunters can probably relate to--from trains and vehicles disrupting your hunt, to unexpected wildlife blowing your cover, and the sudden urgent call of nature...maybe it's the things that go wrong that make the most relatable and memorable experiences in the outdoors? Listen to this episode to hear about few of our most recent unsuccessful hunts.

After months of anticipation, it's finally here: deer season in Oklahoma! In this episode Taylor Maples and Dave Myrick discuss their first trip into the deer woods for 2024. There's nothing like the rush of seeing wildlife early in the season, and Dave and Taylor both had plenty of excitement to talk about. Turkeys, wild hogs, deer, coyotes, and more.

In this week's episode Taylor Maples and Josh Stratton are joined by Chef Jean Paul Bourgeois from Duck Camp Dinners. The guys talk about how Duck Camp Dinners came to be, JP's formation as a chef growing up and attending school in Louisiana, and more.