Stay ConnectedListen to the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, hosted by Matt Wyatt. We’ll dive into fascinating conversations about Mississippi’s rich outdoor life, where each episode brings new knowledge about wildlife, the outdoors, and unique local experiences. Join us for diverse stories all aimed at shaping the state’s cultural outdoor narrative.
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Copyright: © Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
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 opportunities
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
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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 carnivores
How collaboration between MSU’s labs benefits landowners, hunters, and conservation
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
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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 the first hog cameras
• How live-video trapping changed feral hog control
• Working with Mississippi State researchers and USDA Wildlife Services
• Growing from a shed to a global business based in Crawford, MS
• Expanding to trap geese, ducks, pigeons, carp, and even bears
• Why customer service and problem-solving drive their company forward
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
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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 championship
• Demonstrations of turkey calls with glass, slate, titanium, and ceramic surfaces
• Tips on using squirrel calls and how squirrels signal danger in the woods
• Predator hunting stories and why controlling coyotes, foxes, and bobcats matters for deer and turkey
• Favorite squirrel recipes and why it’s called the “chicken of the tree”
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
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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 learned in deer habitat management with help from MDWFP’s John Gruchy
• Controlled burns, food plots, and the challenges of balancing deer density
• Why hunting, cooking, and conservation go hand-in-hand in Mississippi
Whether you’re a barbecue fan, a hunter, or just love Southern cooking, this episode is full of insight, recipes, and stories from the field.
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Follow MDWFP
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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 Deer Lab
• How deer research impacts hunters, landowners, and conservation
• Plans for a new deer research facility and outreach hub
• Insights on chronic wasting disease (CWD) and management strategies
Why white-tailed deer are an economic and cultural cornerstone in Mississippi
Whether you’re a hunter, landowner, or just passionate about conservation, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the science shaping the future of Mississippi’s deer population.
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
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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 highs and lows.
Brock talks about:
• His first Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham (after watching his first one there as a kid)
• Winning his first Elite event at the Sabine River after five runner-up finishes
• The differences between fishing for fun and competing professionally
• Favorite Mississippi fisheries like Ross Barnett and Pickwick Lake
• Balancing family life, cattle farming, and a pro fishing career
If you love bass fishing, competition stories, and Mississippi outdoors heritage, this episode is a must-listen.
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Follow MDWFP
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdwfp
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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 the six venomous species
• Misconceptions about snakes — from myths about chasing people to exaggerated tales of danger
• Snake bite facts: around 125 bites per year in Mississippi, but no fatalities in 75 years
• Conservation concerns for timber rattlesnakes, eastern diamondbacks, and black pine snakes
• The important role snakes play in controlling pests and maintaining balance in the ecosystem
Terry also previews his upcoming book Mississippi Snakes: Their Identification, Natural History, and Cultural Influence (University Press of Mississippi), and even brings live snakes into the studio — including a speckled kingsnake and a corn snake.
Whether you fear them or find them fascinating, this episode will help you better understand Mississippi’s most misunderstood wildlife.
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Follow MDWFP
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Cathy Shropshire, who portrays Fannye Cook, the pioneering conservationist who spearheaded the creation of the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission nearly 100 years ago. Through her performance and firsthand research, Cathy brings to life the story of a woman whose passion for nature, education, and public outreach led to the establishment of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and laid the foundation for the modern MDWFP.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Dr. Jason Hoeksema, a biology professor at Ole Miss, to explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms. They cover everything from edible species like chanterelles, morels, and lion’s mane, to the dangerous lookalikes that can make you or your dog sick. Dr. Hoeksema explains how mushrooms interact with forests, the difference between decomposers and mycorrhizal fungi, and why foraging can be both safe and rewarding with a little knowledge and care. If you’ve ever wondered what’s growing underfoot in Mississippi’s woods—or your backyard—this episode will change the way you look at mushrooms forever.
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