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Mississippi Outdoors Podcast
Gardening with Native Plants with Felder Rushing
Season 2, Ep. 2
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with legendary gardener and radio host Felder Rushing to talk about native plants, wildflowers, and how to have a beautiful yard without upsetting the HOA. Felder, a retired horticulturist and longtime voice of Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s gardening show, The Gestalt Gardener, shares why native plants are better for wildlife, easier to maintain, and essential for pollinators. He also breaks down the No-Mow March movement and explains how you can let your yard grow naturally—without it looking messy. Whether you’re a hardcore gardener or just someone who wants a lower-maintenance lawn, this episode is packed with knowledge and laughs.
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21. Managing Ponds with Buford Lessley
31:48||Season 2, Ep. 21In 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.
20. Hunting Bear and Panther in the Old South
57:30||Season 2, Ep. 20In 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.
19. Fishing Mississippi's Lakes with Greg Glotzbecker
32:58||Season 2, Ep. 19In 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.
18. Urban Wildlife in Mississippi with Adam Rohnke
50:18||Season 2, Ep. 18In 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.
17. Mississippi Paddle Mafia with Camille Richards
34:24||Season 2, Ep. 17In this episode, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Camille Richards to explore the story behind the Mississippi Paddle Mafia—a grassroots paddling group that’s become a driving force for community, conservation, and outdoor adventure across the state. Camille shares how the group started, the unique name origin, and how they're introducing more Mississippians to the rivers, bayous, and backwaters of their own backyard. From overnight camping floats to adaptive paddling outreach, this episode charts a course through both fun and purpose on the water.
16. Baseball and Duck Hunts with Davis Bradshaw
29:21||Season 2, Ep. 16In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with Florence native and professional baseball player Davis Bradshaw. They talk about his journey through the ranks of baseball and what it’s like now playing for the Mississippi Mud Monsters. But just as important to Davis is his life off the field. From deer hunting in his backyard to duck hunting in the Mississippi Delta, Davis shares how the outdoors keeps him grounded, no matter where baseball takes him.
15. K-9 Game Wardens
37:09||Season 2, Ep. 15In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with the officers of the Law Enforcement K-9 Division at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Officers share their stories about how they became conservation officers, what led them into the world of working dogs, and how these K-9s help track missing persons, assist in investigations, and support search and rescue operations across Mississippi. You’ll hear how these elite dogs are trained, what makes them special, and why this unit is such a critical part of protecting both people and wildlife in Mississippi.
14. Mississippi’s Marine Mammals with Dr. Holley Muraco
36:07||Season 2, Ep. 14In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with Dr. Holley Muraco, a marine mammal researcher with Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center. From growing up in Potts Camp to training dolphins at Disney and researching walruses in Alaska, Dr. Muraco shares her fascinating path back to Mississippi. She dives into the state’s surprising marine mammal diversity, including urban dolphins in the Mississippi Sound, manatees most people never see, and even resident sperm whales and giant squid battles off our coast.
13. Mississippi Humor Goes Viral with Trent Ellis
41:03||Season 2, Ep. 13In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with Trent Ellis, a Mississippi hunter turned viral storyteller, to talk about his path from a quiet finance office to social media stardom. Trent shares how he went from sitting in a school break room with zero clients to making millions of people laugh online. They talk about overcoming rejection, working with what you’ve got, and why the best content comes from real life and the rural South.