Mississippi Outdoors Podcast

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt catches up with David Ellis, better known as “Yawt Yawt”, the Mississippi trapper and YouTube personality whose mix of humor, wildlife work, and storytelling has made him a fan favorite.David talks about his latest deer season, how filming his own hunts has changed, and what it’s like balancing social media fame with everyday life. He shares stories about being recognized by fans in restaurants and airports, how he keeps his YouTube content authentic, and the realities of running hundreds of trapping jobs across Mississippi.The conversation covers:• Deer hunting, filming challenges, and close calls with game wardens• The reality of being a full-time trapper and YouTube creator• How to stay legal, ethical, and real in outdoor content creation• The state of hog trapping and population control after several years of work• What happens when fans recognize him in public — even in strange places• The pros and cons of social media attention, and the line between real life and online lifeMississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Rick Hamrick, the Small Game Coordinator for MDWFP, to talk about the story of quail in Mississippi — where they were, where they are now, and what it takes to bring them back.Rick explains how land use changes over the last 100+ years reshaped the entire landscape for quail. From the days of mule farming and small patchwork fields to modern mechanized agriculture and dense pine stands, Mississippi’s habitat has shifted — taking quail numbers with it. He also breaks down predator dynamics, the role of prescribed fire, why some regions still hold birds, and how landowners can create small pockets of habitat that truly matter.The conversation covers:• Mississippi’s quail boom of the early 1900s• How habitat changes led to long-term decline• Why quail thrive after disturbances like fire, floods, and clearcuts• Regions of Mississippi where quail still exist today• Public lands with quail opportunities• The role of predators• What landowners can realistically do — from prescribed burning to habitat restoration• The acreage needed for hearing vs hunting vs sustaining a coveyIt’s a clear, science-driven explanation of quail decline that every Mississippi landowner, hunter, or conservationist should hear.Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with James Starnes, research geologist for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, to uncover the deep prehistoric story hidden beneath our state.James explains how Mississippi was once covered by tropical seas filled with massive sea creatures, and how today’s hills, creeks, and highways reveal an ancient world of mosasaurs, mammoths, and even whales. From 70-million-year-old oyster shells to a newly discovered mammoth tusk in Madison County, he shows how Mississippi’s geology tells the story of the Earth itself.The conversation covers:• The work of the Mississippi Geological Survey and its history since 1850• Fossils from Starkville’s “sea dragon” mosasaur and Mississippi’s official fossil whale• Why the northeast corner of Mississippi holds the state’s oldest rocks• How public fossil sites like the Franks Town site let kids find real fossils• New discoveries like mammoth teeth on the Gulf Coast• The science behind paleoclimate and how fossils preserve evidence of ancient environments• The Fossil Road Show and how everyday Mississippians help discover the past• It’s an eye-opening look at the ancient world beneath our feet — and why Mississippi may be one of the best fossil-hunting states in the country.Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Dan Heasley, a veteran taxidermist from Raymond, Mississippi, who’s been in the business for more than 25 years.Dan shares how he got started — turning a hobby into a full-time career — and offers practical, detailed advice for hunters and anglers on how to properly handle and preserve their trophies for the best results. He also tells stories about the most unusual mounts he’s worked on, from giraffes and brown bears to tiny crawfish.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with lifelong outdoorswoman Allison Crews — founder of the group affectionately known as the Swamp Witches.Allison shares how a nickname from her husband during duck season grew into a community of women who hunt, fish, and enjoy Mississippi’s outdoors together. She talks about learning to hunt as a child, training her own retrievers, and introducing new people — especially women and kids — to hunting without the pressure.The conversation moves from mornings in the Delta duck blinds to Mississippi’s little-known world of fox hunting on horseback, a sport she’s helped keep alive for more than thirty years. Allison also explains her work with the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust, which funds projects that make outdoor recreation more accessible across the state.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Jack Creely, wildlife biologist with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, to talk all about bats.Jack breaks down the myths, facts, and science behind one of Mississippi’s most misunderstood mammals. Mississippi is home to 14 different species of bats, all of which play a major role in keeping insect populations under control — eating their body weight in insects every night.The conversation covers:• How bats benefit Mississippi’s ecosystems and agriculture• Common myths about bats, caves, and rabies• What white-nose syndrome is and how biologists monitor it• Where bats roost and how you can attract them with bat houses• Why bats are vital for farmers and the environmentJack also shares his personal path from Delta State University to the Museum of Natural Science, what it’s like to prep mammals for the museum’s research collection, and how fieldwork takes him into caves, culverts, and even football stadiums.Mississippi Outdoors is a product of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.Follow MDWFPWebsite: http://www.mdwfp.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdwfpInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdwfponline/ X: https://twitter.com/MDWFPonline

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Angel Rohnke, Director of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Angel shares her journey from moving to Mississippi over twenty years ago to leading one of the state’s most beloved educational destinations.She talks about how the museum connects children to nature through education, outreach, and hands-on experiences — from field trips and summer camps to overnight sleepovers under the aquariums. Angel also explains what makes the museum unique within the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, and how it serves as the first point of connection to the outdoors for thousands of Mississippi families every year.The conversation covers:• Angel’s 20-year path from educator to director• The museum’s outreach programs serving all 82 counties• How the LaFleur’s Bluff Playground has brought in over 500,000 visitors• Upcoming museum renovations and new exhibits, including Ice Age Animals and LEGO builds• Why connecting kids to the outdoors is at the heart of the museum’s missionMississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.Follow MDWFPWebsite: http://www.mdwfp.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdwfpInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdwfponline/ X: https://twitter.com/MDWFPonline

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt visits with Billy Johnson, founder of the Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Museum in Leland, Mississippi.Billy shares how a personal collection of vintage hunting and fishing photos and memorabilia grew into a 14,000-square-foot museum celebrating Mississippi’s rich outdoor history. The conversation covers:• Stories of early hunting, fishing, and Native American culture in Mississippi• Handmade lures, turkey calls, and legendary Mississippi outdoorsmen• How conservation leaders like Fannie Cook, Billy Joe Cross, and Fox Haas shaped Mississippi’s outdoor legacy• Why Mississippi remains one of the best states in America for hunting and fishing opportunitiesMississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.Follow MDWFPWebsite: http://www.mdwfp.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdwfpInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdwfponline/ X: https://twitter.com/MDWFPonline

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt visits with Dr. Dana Morin and Dr. Jacob Dykes from Mississippi State University. Dana leads the Carnivore and Population Ecology Lab, where her research focuses on black bears, coyotes, and bobcats, while Jacob brings expertise from the MSU Deer Lab and extension work with landowners.The discussion covers:• The history and purpose of the Carnivore & Population Ecology Lab at MSU• Black bear recovery in Mississippi and across North America• How habitat loss influences predator–prey dynamics• Coyotes, bobcats, and the role of predators in deer and turkey populations• Why “predators are often scapegoated” and the importance of habitat diversity• Genetics and population modeling used to study bears and other carnivoresHow collaboration between MSU’s labs benefits landowners, hunters, and conservationMississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.Follow MDWFPWebsite: http://www.mdwfp.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdwfpInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdwfponline/ X: https://twitter.com/MDWFPonline