Mississippi Outdoors Podcast

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt talks with Pierce Young, a Private Lands Wildlife Biologist at MDWFP and the 2022 Wildlife Biologist of the Year. Pierce shares his journey from growing up in Columbus, Mississippi, to becoming a leader in deer management and private lands conservation. He discusses the importance of working with private landowners to manage Mississippi's wildlife, the challenges of habitat management, and the rewards of helping landowners achieve their goals. From deer hunting stories to success on hundreds of properties, Pierce offers unique insights into the work behind Mississippi’s thriving wildlife.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, we're talking to Corey Wright, a dedicated wildlife educator at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. With over two decades of experience, Corey shares his path from an intern to becoming a vital figure in wildlife education. His stories from handling native wildlife to fostering a deeper understanding of Mississippi's rich biodiversity, illuminate the importance of wildlife education. Corey's passion for connecting people with nature, especially the younger generation, and his commitment to conservation through education shine through, offering listeners a glimpse into the heart of Mississippi's natural heritage.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with William McKinley and Kamen Campbell from MDWFP’s Deer Program to discuss chronic wasting disease (CWD). They explore the history, spread, and impact of this fatal disease on Mississippi’s deer populations, as well as the ongoing efforts to monitor and manage it. From the importance of hunter participation in sampling to the science behind prion diseases, this episode dives deep into the challenges and strategies of managing CWD in the state.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with veteran fisheries biologist Keith Meals, who has spent decades managing Mississippi’s renowned crappie fisheries. Keith shares his journey from North Carolina to Mississippi, his early days in fisheries management, and his role in making critical decisions that have shaped crappie fishing across the state’s top reservoirs. The conversation delves into the science and strategies behind size and bag limits, how new fishing technologies are affecting crappie populations, and the challenges of balancing recreational fishing with conservation.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Rick Burris, Chief Scientific Officer at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, to discuss the intricacies of managing Mississippi's marine resources. Rick shares the department’s efforts in fisheries management, including setting size and bag limits, tracking fish populations, and working closely with other Gulf states. The conversation delves into the unique challenges posed by Mississippi’s diverse ecosystems, from redfish and speckled trout to oysters and artificial reefs.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt is joined by William McKinley, the Deer Program Coordinator at MDWFP, to discuss Mississippi's thriving deer population and what hunters can do to maintain healthy herds. William dives into the data behind deer management, explains the importance of hunters leading the conservation effort, and shares his personal journey from childhood hunting trips to a career in wildlife biology.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with wildlife photographer and author Paul Brown. With over 50 years of experience, Paul shares his journey from student photographer at Mississippi State University to becoming one of Mississippi's most published wildlife photographers. He talks about the challenges of capturing the perfect shot in the wild, the importance of patience, and his most memorable moments behind the lens. From photographing deer in Mississippi to documenting birds in Canada, Paul provides valuable insights into wildlife photography and conservation.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt talks with Will Selman, professor of biology at Millsaps College, about the secret world of turtles. From box turtles hiding in plain sight to the fascinating ways turtles find water, Will shares his research and experiences tracking these elusive creatures. The conversation covers the unique behaviors of Mississippi’s diverse turtle species, the importance of turtles in our ecosystems, and the surprising longevity of box turtles, some of which can live over 60 years.