Mississippi Outdoors Podcast

Winter doesn’t shut bass fishing down in Mississippi — it just changes the game. In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt talks winter bass fishing with longtime fisheries expert and former MDWFP Deputy Director Larry Pugh.

Larry explains why water temperature — not air temperature — drives everything, how bass become more predictable in cold water, and why January and February offer some of the best chanc...

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with Mississippi author Brooks Eason to talk about his book The Scoutmaster — the story of his father’s extraordinary 61 years leading Troop 85 in Tupelo. Eason shares memories of monthly campouts dating back to 1947, rope-bridge traditions at Tishomingo State Park, canoe trips on Bear Creek, and the hundreds of boys who grew up under his father’s leadership.

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with longtime Mississippi Outdoors TV host Amanda Mills — a familiar face to anyone who’s watched the show over the past two decades.

Amanda shares how she started with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks back in 2005, the surprising phone call that put her on Mississippi Outdoors TV for the first time, and what it was like to...

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 bein...

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 mec...

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, a...

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 a...

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...

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 thei...

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 ...

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 Ameri...

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 & Popul...

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt talks with Jack Robertson and T.J. Arnott of Wildlife Dominion, the Mississippi company behind the HogEye Camera System. They share how a small project at Mississippi State University turned into a global business that now builds live-video trapping systems used in over 30 states and 8 countries. The conversation covers:

• The origins of Wildlife Dominion and t...

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Jeffrey Wood of Swamp Boys Custom Calls. Jeffrey talks about growing up squirrel hunting in Mississippi, training and competing with squirrel dogs, and how he got started building custom game calls.

The conversation includes:

• Early memories of squirrel hunting and family traditions

• Training squirrel dogs and winning a Mississippi state champion...

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt visits with Mikey Dyer of How to BBQ Right and Buck Junkie. Mikey shares how competition barbecue, wild game cooking, and land management all come together at deer camp.

They cover:

• The story behind How to BBQ Right and the Buck Junkie podcast

• Favorite wild game and fish recipes (from grilled venison backstrap to catfish with crawfish étouffée)

• Lessons l...

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Dr. Jacob Dikes and Dr. Eric Mitchell, the new leaders of the Mississippi State University Deer Lab. They share their journeys into wildlife research, what it’s like stepping into the roles of their mentors, and the exciting future of deer-focused research in Mississippi.

The conversation covers:

• The history and transition of leadership at the D...

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Mississippi native and professional bass angler Brock Mosley. Brock reflects on growing up in Collinsville, playing baseball at Delta State, and how his competitive drive carried over into fishing. He shares what it takes to compete on the Bassmaster Elite Series, including breaking down new lakes, managing time, and staying mentally tough through h...

In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with herpetologist Terry Vandeventer, better known to many Mississippians as “the Snake Dude.” Terry shares his lifelong passion for reptiles, from growing up fascinated with snakes in Illinois to moving south in the 1970s and becoming one of the region’s foremost snake educators.

They cover:

• The 56 species of snakes found in Mississippi, including t...