Call of the Outdoors

Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to discuss the 2026-27 license year, including guaranteed antlerless licenses for residents, expanded Sunday hunting, turkey season updates, elk applications, and more opportunities than ever to get out in Penn’s Woods. Episode Highlights: 2026 hunting licenses go on sale June 22, and residents are guaranteed antlerless licenses More Sunday hunting opportunities Spring gobbler wrap-up and turkey season future Elk application reminder and new changes Do your part and take someone new into Penn’s Woods Balancing opportunities with sustainability Resources: Log in to your HuntFishPA account. Learn more about antlerless license sales. Find state game lands and public shooting ranges near you. Apply now for an elk license. Become a mentor today!

Are we living in the golden era of the wild turkey? The godfather of turkey hunting thinks so. Pennsylvania native and former NWTF CEO Rob Keck joins host Matt Morrett to discuss his role in the turkey hunting boom, from talking conservation with U.S. presidents to expanding opportunity to millions of new hunters. Episode Highlights Rob’s PA roots and early days hunting Penn’s Woods History of turkey call technology and innovation Conservation successes under his leadership at NWTF His role in expanding the turkey range in the Keystone State How he became the first to complete the Canadian Super Slam Tips for a successful spring gobbler season Resources Learn more about turkey hunting. Find places to hunt turkeys.

Tree Trailblazers: Forest Stewardship & Wildlife Strategy Managing over 1.5 million acres of land may seem daunting — but not for Pennsylvania Game Commission’s habitat management staff. Northwest Regional Forester Scott Wolbert, Northcentral Regional Forester Dan Heggenstaller, and Forestry Division Chief Paul Weiss join host Matt Morrett to discuss how the agency uses sustainable forestry to create diverse ecosystems for better wildlife habitat. Episode Highlights: What is habitat? The Game Commission’s role in forestry The relationship between deer management goals and forest health The role of deer exclosures and why the agency uses deer fencing Tips for hunting inside deer fences What hunters should look for to improve their season Resources: Learn more about the balance of healthy forests and healthy deer. Find state game lands near you. Learn more about habitat management in Pennsylvania.

Question: what kind of bear is best? Black bear! The Game Commission’s new Black Bear Biologist Brandon Snavely joins host Matt Morrett to provide insight into the latest black bear science, a look at a year in the life of a Pennsylvania bear, and tips for coexisting with these opportunistic omnivores. Episode Highlights: The state of the black bear population in Pennsylvania Current studies and research projects that will help shape bear management What biologists learn from visiting bear dens The diet and lifecycle of black bears How to prevent human-bear conflicts Resources: Learn more about black bears in Pennsylvania. Explore ways to be BearWise.

Piling up corn for deer might seem helpful during harsh winters, but feeding wildlife is actually dangerous to animals and humans. Deputy Executive Director Dave Gustafson and Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Andrew Di Salvo join host Matt Morrett to explain how supplemental feeding negatively impacts wildlife, why food plots and birdfeeders are different, and how Pennsylvanians can create complex habitat in their own backyards. Episode Highlights: The ways supplemental feeding can harm wildlife How feeding deer can disrupt habitat for other species Why food plots can be beneficial for several species Best practices for birdfeeders Tips for helping wildlife long-term no matter where you live Resources: Learn more about the dangers of feeding wildlife. Find six things you can do for wildlife. Explore ways to improve habitat for wildlife.

From finding camouflage corn culprits to taking tips from scorned lovers to catching bear poachers in the act, the life of a Pennsylvania state game warden can be rewarding, dangerous, and anything but boring. Southcentral Region Director Seth Mesoras and Assistant Counsel Jason Raup join host Matt Morrett to discuss the demands of serving as a game warden, the intensive process of investigating poachers, and some of the most interesting cases that have resulted from Operation Game Thief (OGT). Learn what you can do to help protect our wildlife resources and how to avoid ending up on the wrong side of an OGT tip. Episode Highlights: Details of the recent Chester County poaching ring case How OGT helps protect Pennsylvania wildlife The critical role tips from the public play in uncovering cases — and the rewards up for grabs The investigation process and why some tips don’t result in criminal charges Some memorable and bizarre poaching cases in Pennsylvania The most common violations game wardens encounter Resources: Report suspected wildlife crimes to OGT. Get familiar with current regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Digest. Review safe hunting tips. Find state game lands near you.

Hunters are at the forefront of wildlife conservation — the Pennsylvania Game Commission depends on hunter harvest and input for the future of hunting in the Keystone State. Heading into hunting season, Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to discuss key changes for this fall, tips for success in the field, and updates on hot-button issues like Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. Episode Highlights: Squirrel season insights and tips Legislative updates on the Sunday hunting issue and how to make your voice heard How the Game Commission invests back into wildlife, habitat, and hunters The challenges of deer management and the importance of filling antlerless tags Early season archery tactics for hunting public land Bear season changes for better management and future hunting Resources: Find a shooting range near you. Learn more about your role in healthy forests and healthy deer. Review safe hunting tips. Contact the Game Commission with your feedback. Enter the Take Someone Hunting Photo Contest.

Did you know Pennsylvania proudly claims an elite archery program and a 2024 NASP world champion? Shooting Sports Division Chief Todd Holmes joins host Matt Morrett to discuss how participation in Pennsylvania NASP has skyrocketed over the last decade, and competitor Madi Rhinevault shares her firsthand experience rising to the top of the life-changing program. Episode Highlights: Resources: Learn more about Pennsylvania NASP. Check out our spotlight of a top Pennsylvania team. Explore Outdoor Insiders.