The Kansas BHA Podcast

Kansas Backcountry Hunters and Anglers presents the Kansas BHA Podcast. An entertaining show about all things related to the preservation of the wild being wild.

Episode 137- June 2026 KDWP Commission Meeting Recap 07/10/2026

Episode 137- June 2026 KDWP Commission Meeting Recap Marshal & Kurt recap the most recent KDWP commission meeting and weigh in on a few issues. There is a lot going on right now in the commission. Kansas hunters and anglers need to be paying attention and weighing in with their opinions! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/42028250

Episode 136 - KDWP State Parks Director Conner O'Flannagan 06/29/2026

Episode 136 - KDWP State Parks Director Conner O'Flannagan In this episode, we sit down with Connor O’Flannagan, Director of Kansas State Parks with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), to explore the current state and future direction of Kansas’s park system. Whether you’re a frequent camper, a hunter or angler, or just someone who values Kansas’s public lands, this discussion offers a clear look at where state parks are headed and how leadership is shaping that path forward. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/41898760

Episode 135 - George Frazier 06/19/2026

Episode 135 - George Frazier In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed Kansas author and outdoorsman George Frazier to discuss two of his most influential works, The Last Wild Places of Kansas and Riverines. Our conversation explores the hidden landscapes, rivers, prairies, and wild corners of Kansas that many people never see, along with the stories, history, and conservation efforts that have helped shape them. George shares what inspired these books and the places that left the greatest impression on him Whether you're a hunter, angler, conservationist, history buff, or simply someone who loves the outdoors, this episode offers a deeper appreciation for the landscapes that define the Sunflower State. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/41704725

Episode 134- Kansas Fly Fishing 05/01/2026

Episode 134- Kansas Fly Fishing Today Kurt, Marshal, and Kyle are joined by Chris Selle. Chris is a board member of the MoKan chapter of Trout Unlimited. Chris helps walk us through some of the basics of fly fishing and some of the gear to consider if you want to dive into the world of fly fishing. You might not think of Kansas as a fly fishing state, but Chris opens our eyes to the ability to use fly gear for any type of fish. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/41120345

Episode 133- Grasslands & Prairie Chickens with Ted Koch 03/26/2026

Episode 133- Grasslands & Prairie Chickens with Ted Koch Marshal, Jeff, and Kurt had the honor of chatting with Ted Koch. Ted is the Executive Director of the North American Grouse Partnership. We discuss grasslands, prairie chickens, and much more! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/40629925

Episode 132 - Upland Season Recap 03/12/2026

Episode 132 - Upland Season Recap We sit down with Jeff Prendergast, Small Game Specialist, of the KDWP and discuss how the upland season went across the state, what it looks like for the future, and lots of other stuff. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/40412190

Episode 131 - What Matters are Legislative Matters 02/09/2026

Episode 131 - What Matters are Legislative Matters Kurt and Jeff do a rundown of current legislative bills from the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session. Ducks, drones, fees, and river access are all on the menu. We also talk about receding hair lines. There is some major stuff going on at your statehouse so have a listen, decide for yourself, and make a difference by calling your legislator and telling them how you feel. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/40042945

Episode 130 - Drowning in Water....Law 01/08/2026

Episode 130 - Drowning in Water....Law Everything you ever wanted to know about water in Kansas. Well almost...we need another episode to go deep on some topics. We visit with Burke Griggs, Professor at Washburn Law School, and one of the most knowledgeable people in the country on water law, particulary Kansas water law. Professor Burke provides a great rundown on everything outdoors people should know about waters of the United States, water rights, water access, water quality, and everything water. Enjoy. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/39652320

Episode 129 - Drill Down on CWD 12/04/2025

Episode 129 - Drill Down on CWD If you think facts are better than fiction on the topic of CWD you need to listen to this episode. We talked to Dr. Krysten Schuler, a Wildlife Disease Ecologist with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, about CWD. Dr. Schuler is the foremost expert on CWD, having studied the disease since 2002, her entire career. She’s presented expert testimony on CWD to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources where she explained that ““Chronic wasting disease is the most serious threat facing wild deer and elk populations in North America today.” The best part…she’s an avid hunter and we regrettably pulled her out of her tree stand to record this episode. This stuff is important to her. If anyone cares equally about deer, hunting and the impact of CWD; Dr. Schuler is that person. Have a listen, this is good stuff to know. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/39259495

Episode 128 - WIHA Update with Wes Sowards 11/20/2025

Episode 128 - WIHA Update with Wes Sowards In this episode, we sit down with Wes Sowards of KDWP And get an update on the walk-in hunting access program. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/39110355

Episode 127 - Year One Building the Hunting Dog Foundation 07/24/2025

Episode 127 - Year One Building the Hunting Dog Foundation In this episode of the Kansas BHA Podcast, we explore the first year of a hunting dog's life with Ron Boehme of The Hunting Dog Podcast and Jeff Hancock of Hickory Hollow Llewellin Setters. From crate training to first bird contact, we break down the key milestones, mistakes to avoid, and tips for building a reliable hunting companion /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/37076020

Episode 126- June 2025 KDWP Commission Meeting Recap 07/01/2025

Episode 126- June 2025 KDWP Commission Meeting Recap Kansas BHA board members Marshal Loftus and Kurt Ratzlaff break down the most recent KDWP commission meeting from June 2025. We have time stamps listed below for referencing the YouTube meeting recordings. If you want to skip our banter at the beginning and get right into the content, skip ahead to the 14:30 Mark. 21min Waterfowl History 31min Trout 46min Blue Cats 49min Various Fish Species 56min Regs in Promulgation 1hr 28min Hunting Pressure on Public Wetlands 1hr 39min KBA Opposes Expansion of Night hunting season 1hr 48min Secretary's Remarks 1hr 53min KS Fed of Houndsmen opposes Expansion of Night hunting season 2hr 23min Waterfowl Reg History 3hr 19min Turkeys 3hr 26min Commission Procedure 3hr 34 min Sean Miller Loves Trail Cams 3hr 56min Public Comments 4hr 25min Rep. Carpenter on Funding /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/37231340

Episode 125- Hunting Dog First-aid with Dr. Claire Maples 06/19/2025

Episode 125- Hunting Dog First-aid with Dr. Claire Maples In this episode, host Chad Woods sits down with Dr. Clair—veterinarian, hunter, and owner of Paradigm Sporting Dog. They dive into hunting dog health, nutrition, field safety, and injury prevention, plus what to pack in your field and truck kits. Clair also shares insights on puppy development, caring for aging dogs, and how to be best prepared in the field. Don’t miss the details on her upcoming Bird Dog First Aid Course at Wichita Scheels on July 19th! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/37075720

Episode 124- ACTION ALERT-CONTACT YOUR SENATORS 06/14/2025

Episode 124- ACTION ALERT-CONTACT YOUR SENATORS This episode is a quick Action Alert episode to let our listeners know about a very real threat of the sale of 2-3 MILLION acres of our public land. This process is moving quickly, so quick action is needed on our part. Lets take a stand and tell congress we oppose the sale of our public land! Links below to Learn and Take Action Senator Moran - 202-224-6521 Senator Marshall- 202-224-4774 /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/37011635

Episode 123- March & April 2025 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary 05/13/2025

Episode 123- March & April 2025 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary Kansas BHA board members Marshal Loftus and Kurt Ratzlaff break down the most recent KDWP commission meetings from March & April 2025. We have time stamps listed below for referencing the YouTube meeting recordings. Time Stamps For referencing Commission Meeting Recording 1hr 20min Coyote NIght Hunting 2hr 55min Waterfowl season Process 3hr 10min Kansas Elk 3hr 20min Anterless whitetail season Time Stamps For referencing Commission Meeting Recording 12min Waterfowl season and bag limits 2hr 35min Coyote night hunting 3hr 50min Commission Procedure /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/36546920

Episode 122- Jan. 2025 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary 03/24/2025

Episode 122- Jan. 2025 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary Kansas BHA board members Marshal Loftus and Kurt Ratzlaff break down the most recent KDWP commission meeting on January 30, 2025. This was an interesting meeting to say the least! We have time stamps listed below for referencing the recording. If you want to skip our banter at the beginning of this episode, skip to the 8:50 mark. Time Stamps For referencing Commission Meeting Recording 21 min- Eyeworms in Quail 43 min- Trail Cam Ban Discussion 1:09- Thermal Coyote Hunting 1:39- Law Enforcement Perspective on Thermal Hunting 2:25- Back From Break 3:09 Commission Tag Drawing 3:11 Waterfowl Discussion 3:26- Levi Jaster Whitetail Populations and Antlerless Permits /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/35837090

Episode 121- Ryan Callaghan 03/18/2025

Episode 121- Ryan Callaghan Kansas BHA board members Marshal Loftus, Kyle Pokorny, and Kurt Ratzlaff sit down with BHA's North American Board Chair & Meateater's Director of Conservation Ryan Callaghan. We were short on time but we discussed a wide range of topics around BHA, keeping a positive attitude while hunting, and much more! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/35707630

Episode 120- Pheasants Forever with Bob St. Pierre 02/25/2025

Episode 120- Pheasants Forever with Bob St. Pierre Kansas BHA board members Marshal Loftus, Chad Woods, & Kurt Ratzlaff sit down today to discuss Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever and the upcoming Pheasant Fest Event in Kansas City with Bob St. Pierre. Bob is the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for PF/QF. We hope to see you at Pheasant Fest! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/35388760

Episode 119- Kansas Outdoor Heritage Alliance- with Kansas Bowhunters Association 01/13/2025

Episode 119- Kansas Outdoor Heritage Alliance- with Kansas Bowhunters Association Kansas BHA board members Marshal Loftus and Kurt Ratzlaff sit down with Jamie Howater and Shawn Harding from the Kansas Bowhunters Association to discuss a new alliance of "Hook & Bullet" groups here in Kansas. Kansas Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a group of 14 (and growing) hunting and fishing based groups. The goal of KOHA is to make the voice of average hunters and anglers heard in Kansas both at the legislative and commission level. contact Kansas BHA at Check out the /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/34816440

Episode 118- Taking Kids on a Western Hunt- New Mexico Oryx 12/27/2024

Episode 118- Taking Kids on a Western Hunt- New Mexico Oryx This one is a little unique. KS BHA Board Members Marshal Loftus and Kyle Pokorny sit down to talk about their recent hunting trip to New Mexico. This isn't just a hunting story though. We wanted to provide a little perspective on taking kids along on a Western/Out-of-State hunt. It's not easy but we highly recommend taking your kids along any time it is possible. Enjoy! Check Out Our For Upcoming Kansas BHA Events /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/34626850

Episode 117- Nov. 2024 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary 12/09/2024

Episode 117- Nov. 2024 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary Kansas BHA Board Chair Marshal Loftus and Kansas BHA Legislative Chair Kurt Ratzlaff breakdown and summarize the most recent KDWP Commission meeting. These meetings can be long and exhaustive so we are summarizing these to keep our members and listeners engaged! If you want to jump past our rambling and story telling at the beginning, go to the 11 minute mark. KDWP Commission Meetings can be found /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/34354050

Episode 116- NDA Director of Policy Catherine Appling-Pooler 11/18/2024

Episode 116- NDA Director of Policy Catherine Appling-Pooler Today Marshal Loftus and Kurt Ratzlaff sit down with Director of Policy . NDA does a great job of monitoring wildlife legislation in each state and letting their members know what is going on. Catherine is a wealth of knowledge on wildlife commission issues and policy issues regarding wildlife. She has written some great articles which are linked below. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/33973987

Episode 115- October 2024 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary 10/23/2024

Episode 115- October 2024 KDWP Commission Meeting Summary Kansas BHA Board Chair Marshal Loftus and Kansas BHA Legislative Chair Kurt Ratzlaff breakdown and summarize the most recent KDWP Commission meeting. These meetings can be long and exhaustive so we thought this might be a good way to keep our members and listeners engaged! KDWP Commission Meetings can be found /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/33589897

Episode 114- 2024 Kansas Upland Hunting Forecast 10/10/2024

Episode 114- 2024 Kansas Upland Hunting Forecast Kansas BHA Chair Marshal Loftus sits down with Jeff Prendergast from KDWP, former KS BHA board member Jeff Hancock, and KS BHA board member Chad Woods. We discuss habitat conditions, and the forecast for hunting Pheasants, Quail, and Prairie Chickens in 2024/2025. Don't tell anyone, but it is looking pretty dang good folks! The Official KDWP 2024 Upland Forecast is now live as well! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/33404337

Episode 113- KDWP Commission with Lauren Queal Sill 07/29/2024

Episode 113- KDWP Commission with Lauren Queal Sill Kansas BHA board members Marshal Loftus, Kyle Pokorny, and Kurt Ratzlaff sit down with former KDWP Commission member Lauren Queal Sill. We discuss all things commission related including: How the commission works, misconceptions, rumors, changes to the commission, and much more! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/32337432

Episode 112- Extension Master Naturalists 06/17/2024

Episode 112- Extension Master Naturalists Arn Eccles and Amy Keigher join the KS BHA podcast today along with KS BHA board members Chuck Bartlett and Marshal Loftus. If you would like to learn more about the Extension Master Naturalist program, check out their website below. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/31760389

Episode 111 - Kansas Walleye Recruitment 05/06/2024

Episode 111 - Kansas Walleye Recruitment On this episode we join KDWP as they collect walleye eggs at Hillsdale Reservoir to rear at the KDWP hatcheries and redistribute around the state! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/31159903

Episode 110 - Mushrooms with Lyndzee Rhine 04/05/2024

Episode 110 - Mushrooms with Lyndzee Rhine Lyndzee Rhine drops some mushroom knowledge on us and discusses what is hot in the mycelial world. Pick up some hot tips on where to find them in the woods and understand what makes them pop! The pocket guide we used: Check out Lyndzee discussing mushrooms with pictures! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/30694343

Episode 109 - State of the Kansas Turkey 03/21/2024

Episode 109 - State of the Kansas Turkey Kent Fricke, the Small Game Coordinator for KDWP, gives us an update on all things Turkeys in the state of Kansas. /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/30476018

Episode 108- Kansas Forest Service 03/06/2024

Episode 108- Kansas Forest Service Today we sit down with Chris Mullins from Kansas Forest Service to discuss the variety of services offered by KSFS and much more. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/kansasbha/id/30254158

The Kansas BHA Podcast

TOPICS