Where Did Mississippi’s Quail Go with Rick Hamrick
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sea Dragons, Mammoths, & the Lost Ocean of Mississippi with James Starnes
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Taxidermy Tips Every Hunter Should Know with Dan Heasley
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Fox Hunting on Horseback and Hunting Traditions with Allison Crews
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Inside Mississippi’s Bat Population with Jack Creely
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listen 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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