120 Outdoors

If you have driven across the state of Pennsylvania, you crossed over the Clarion River. A tributary of the Allegheny River, it's approximately 110 miles. In the 1970s, the river was considered a "dead river,” unable to sustain life. It's now become a recreational Mecca. Our guest on today's show is Dr. Andy Turner, a Professor at Penn West University. We discuss the history of the Clarion and it's rebirth. Andy talks about everything from the tanneries that once lined the river to the distructive logging and coal mining that took place in the surrounding forests. If you are interested in the Great Outdoors and learning more about an environmental success story this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Flying Fishing Expert Jeff Liskay.

Chris and Don interview Walleye Pro, Ryan Buddy. Several years ago, Ryan started fishing the Great Lakes from his small aluminum boat. Today he is a tournament angler. We discuss how small boat anglers can enjoy the fantastic fishing on Lake Erie. He talks about easy to use tactics to improve your results. Planer boards, bait selection and boat control are just a few of the topics covered. If you are a small boat angler this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Pro Walleye Anglers, Ted Takasaki and Sammy Cappelli. Ted and Sammy are great friends and share a similar fishing style. It's not often you get to talk with two pro anglers at the same time. We get the inside scoop on one of their favorite techniques. Both have had great success slip bobber fishing for walleye. We touch on all the fine details of this much overlooked technique. If you love walleye fishing this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Legendary Muskie Angler, Pete Maina. Today, however we will not be talking about Muskie fishing instead we will be discussing Turkey hunting. Many people don't know that Pete is an avid turkey hunter. He has chased birds all over the upper Midwest. Pete shares some of his favorite techniques for bagging a bird. We talk about scouting, types of decoys, his favorite calls and much more. If you are interested in turkey hunting this podcast is for you. Look for this episode on all the major platforms.

Chris and Don interview ODNR Upland Gamebird Specialist, Mark Wiley. Mark gives us an update on the current Turkey study in Ohio. This is year number two of the study and he shares some interesting findings . The ODNR will be banding another 50 hens in Southwest Ohio to expand the study. Also, Mark discusses the overall health of the Wild Turkey population in Ohio and the outlook for this spring season. If you are interested in Wild Turkey this podcast is for you.

Many look forward to warmer weather and the early season crappie bite. Chris and Don interview Panfish Expert, Tyler Woak. We discuss early season tactics, the importance of water temperature and crappie location. We get into different floats, jig sizes, line weight and rod length. If the bite is slow, Tyler stresses the willingness to try different tactics and locations. This is a detailed interview that should be enjoyed by any panfish angler.

Chris and Don interviewed John Jablonski who is an avid angler that has fished Chautauqua Lake his entire life. He is the co- founder and former executive director of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. He spoke to us as a fisherman, not as arepresentative of the Conservancy.   Aquatic plants are a part of the lake, and various efforts to control them arise yearly.  Many lakes and waterways in the Northeast and Midwest have similar issues, not just with plants, but competing interests.  John gives some facts on the complex plant management situation at Chautauqua.  If you are interested in Chautauqua Lake, this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Travis Hartman. Travis is the Lake Erie Fisheries Program Administrator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. We discuss the latest walleye production report and Travis offers an overview. Excellent walleye fishing can be expected for the foreseeable future, with large numbers of fish found throughout the lake. We talk about the seasonal movement of Lake Erie walleye and the impact for anglers. Also, Travis touches on the perch population and what anglers can expect this season. If you like fishing Lake Erie this podcast is for you.

Searching for Shed Antlers is a pastime enjoyed by whitetail deer hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Chris and Don interview Erin Lewis from Buckeye Antler Dogs. Erin has six shed dogs, four of which earned elite titles and Hall Of Fame (HOF) status. According to the United Kennel Club (UKC) shed hunting with a dog has become very popular. We talk to Erin about what breeds are natural shed hunters and when is the best time to begin training. We review some of Erin's favorite training techniques to help you and your dog be successful. Nothing beats spending a day shed hunting with your K9 companion. If you enjoy shed hunting and dogs this podcast is for you.

It's no secret that women share and enjoy the outdoor opportunities we have around us.  If you've tuned in to our podcast before you know we acknowledge women in the outdoors. Many occupy important roles in the agencies that keep the outdoor, fisheries, and wildlife world functioning. Join us for a discussion with Fisheries Biologist, Beth Streifeneder of the New York DEC . She shares her perspective of someone in the field and doing the work.

120 Outdoors Podcast trailer.

Chris and Don interview Cleveland Metroparks Wildlife Ecologist, Jonathon Cepek. In the late 90's Jon did his Grad Research project on Coyotes in the Cuyahoga Valley. Jon did participate in a National Research Study on Coyote behavior. We discuss everything from the home range of Coyote's to the impact they have on native wildlife. Jon shares some amazing findings about how adaptable Coyotes are. If you are interested in the great outdoors this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don discuss the wacky weather and how it has affected their fishing, hunting and habitat work. They break down all four season and how they adjusted to local weather conditions. For example, the lack of rain in early fall forced them to use the boat instead of a pair of waders. If you are an outdoorsmen and deal with the weather this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Brian Pilarcik, the Watershed Specialist for Crawford County Pennsylvania Conservation District. Brian defines a watershed and the importance of knowing which one you live in. We discuss his role and responsibilities. He shares some interesting facts about watershed features in Crawford County. If you are interested in the great outdoors this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Great Lakes Steelhead Expert, Roger Hinchcliff. Roger is a featured speaker, a popular blogger, rod designer and a successful author of many magazine articles. Also Roger has several instructional videos on his YouTube Channel, "Steelhead Manifesto". He is considered an authority on tributary steelhead fishing. This is a wide ranging interview. We discuss everything from the essentials to fish location. Roger is an open book sharing several of his fish catching secrets. If you are interested in great lakes steelhead this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Legendary Outdoor Writer, D'Arcy Egan. D'Arcy worked at the Cleveland Plain Dealer for over 50 years and served an its outdoor writer for 45 years. Also, he hosted a weekly television show called "Outdoors with D'Arcy Egan and Joe Thomas". In 2023 D'Arcy was inducted into the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Hall of Fame recognizing the impact he had on Ohio's outdoors. We discuss the early environmental issues plaguing Lake Erie to the current fantastic walleye and steelhead fishing. D'Arcy gets into the success stories with the improved water quality and the reintroduction of native species. If you love the great outdoors this podcast is for you. It was a pleasure to have D'Arcy on as a guest and we hope to have him on again to share his outdoor adventures.

Chris and Don interview John Diez better known as the "Aquatic Matador". John's Favorite time of year to fish steelhead is the late season. John was a previous guest on episode 75 where he introduced us to fly rod basics. Today, John's focus is steelhead. He discusses everything from what gear he uses to his choice in waders. We get into fly rod setups and his favorite patterns. He discusses in detail where to locate active fish and how to catch them. If you are into Great Lakes Steelhead this show is for you.

Chris and Don interview Taxidermist, Jim Lynch. Jim has been a taxidermist for over 40 years and is on the board of directors for the Ohio Taxidermist Association. Jim talks about how much Taxidermy has changed over the years. He offers tips on what you should and shouldn't do with your deer. We get into some of the craziest animals and the largest whitetail he ever mounted. If you are interested hunting and taxidermy this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Beth Christopher. She is the ODNR Program Administrator for the Call Before you Cut Program. Beth is a forestry professional with over 9 years experience in natural resources management. Beth goes into detail about the Call Before you Cut Program. This program is free to landowners in Ohio. They offer services to help the landowner manage their forest areas. We talk about the importance of developing a forest management plan before doing any cutting. If you are interested in forest management you will enjoy this podcast.

Chris and Don interview Jon Cepek a Wildlife Ecologist with for the Cleveland Metro Parks. Jon offers a broader perspective to urban wildlife management. He explains urban wildlife issues to help us understand how we got here, highlighting how people unintentionally contribute to human wildlife conflict. If you are interested in wildlife management you will find this podcast very interesting.

Chris and Don interview Professional Kayak Angler, Chuck Earls. Chuck owns and operates Lake Erie Kayak Fishing Charters. He is a Cold Water Kayak safety expert, kayak outfitter, and ACA instructor. Also, Chuck is a member of the USA Kayak Fishing Team. Chuck spends much of his time fishing Lake Erie. He offers details on safety before trying to tackle the big lake. He stresses the importance of being prepared for anything and checking the local weather before each trip. We talk about how he has his kayak rigged for taking open water walleye. Chuck gets into a few of his favorite fish catching techniques. If you are interested in kayak fishing this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Buckeye Bowhunter, Josh Grund. The topic for today's discussion is how to effectively call deer. Josh talks about the different types of deer calls and how to use them. He shares his ideas on using calls in high pressured areas and offers a few tips that have worked for him in the past. If you love deer hunting this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Steelhead guru, Mike Durkalec. Mike is the Aquatic Biologist for the Cleveland Metroparks. In his spare time Mike chases every fish in the area, but his first love is steelhead. Mike talks about the upcoming Steelhead Expo on September 28th from 9:00 - 3:00 at the Rocky River Nature Center. Also, we discuss early season tactics and Mike reveals his favorite methods for catching Steelhead. If you are interested in steelhead this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Jay Stewart from Maverick Drone Deer Recovery. We review the current laws in Ohio for Drone Deer Recovery. Jay discusses how he started his business and the equipment needed. He offers suggestions on when to call for his services and when not to. If you are interested in deer hunting you might be interested in this podcast.

Chris and Don interview ODNR Fisheries Biologist Supervisor, Eric Weimer. Eric reviews the history of Sauger in Ohio and Lake Erie. He talks about what happened to native Sauger population and the future plans for reintroduction. This is a very interesting discussion that we think you will enjoy.

Chris and Don interview Dr. Sean Landsman about the potential issues with Forward Facing Sonar. Sean is a Professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. We discuss the concern for fisheries and pressure from Forward Facing Sonar. We review the Muskies, Inc statement on Forward Facing Sonar and the idea of Fair Chase. Sean provides examples of what he considers ethical use and unethical use of this technology. If you are a fisherman and are interested in learning more about this issue this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Eric Saas, H2Ohio Wetlands Program Manager for the ODNR. Eric provides us with an update on the progress of the program. Included in the update are the number of wetland projects statewide. He explains the benefits of adding thousands of acres of wetlands. If you are interested in restoring wetlands this update is for you.

Chris and Don interview Rick Heubel from FSUP Outdoors. They reviewed their recent fishing trip on the Sandusky Bay. Several large Channel Catfish were caught, including a 13 pounder. Rick shared his tactics on catching Sandusky Bay catfish. Bait, rods, reels and seasonal timing are discussed. If you are interested in catching catfish this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Jeremy Pritt, Fisheries Biologist in the Inland Fisheries Research Unit of the ODNR. Jeremy discusses the Blue Catfish Program in Ohio and the 9 program lakes. He mentions that Blue Catfish are native to the Ohio River drainage. We talk about the new Ohio State Record Blue Catfish. This is an exciting program that will offer catfish anglers around the state an opportunity to catch Big Fish close to home. If you are interested in Catfish fishing this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview fly fishing expert John Diez. John talks about how he got started on his fly fishing journey. He shares thoughts on how to get started in fly fishing. We discuss everything from buying your first fly rod to simple fly patterns. Beginners and veteran fly fishing enthusiasts will love this podcast.

Chris and Don interview Muskie Angler, Kevin Goldberg. Kevin discusses how to find and catch Muskie during the early summer period. He talks about the importance of focusing on forage. We get into trolling, casting and how/when to use for effective outcomes. This discussion includes bait selection for certain situations on the lake. If you like to fish for Muskie this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Stephanie Uber, Natural Resources Officer with the Division of Parks and Watercraft. They discuss boater safety courses, insurance and special safety requirements for the Great Lakes. Stephanie talks about kayak registration and safety. Also she reviews boater safety at night and shares some crazy boater stories. Remember, May is National Water Safety Month.

Chris and Don interview ODNR Fisheries Management Supervisor, Curt Wagner on Steelhead being stocked in the Cuyahoga River. Curt gives us a brief history on The River That Caught Fire. He also talks about all the partners that worked hard to help clean the Cuyahoga. We discuss the importance of the Steelhead program in Ohio and the effects on the local economy. The future looks bright for the Cuyahoga and all anglers statewide. If you'd love to hear about a true environmental success story this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Hans Mann the Owner Operator of Buffalo Harbor Outfitters. Hans shares secrets on how you can catch Great Lakes Smallmouth. He talks about his rigs and specific rod setups. Hans offers insight into why he believes the Smallmouth fishing is so good on the Great Lakes. If you enjoy fishing this podcast is for you.

Don and Chris interview Tom Kirkman,  author and editor/publisher of Rodmaker Magazine and the driving force behind the International Custom Rod Builders Expo. Tom talks of his endeavors and insights into the world of custom rod building, a craft practiced by young and old worldwide, and you can do it right at home. If you are interested in fishing then this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview ODNR Forest Gamebird Specialist, Mark Wiley. Mark gives us an update on the current Hen Turkey study in Ohio. He shares some interesting finds in year one. The ODNR will be banding another 50 hens in 2024 to expand the study statewide. Also, Mark discusses the overall health of the Wild Turkey population in Ohio and the outlook for this spring season. If you are interested in Wild Turkey this podcast is for you.

Don and Chris interview Crawford County Watershed Specialist, Brian Pilarcik. Brian talks about how Conservation Districts were legislated by the Federal Government. Their origins rooted in the effects of the Dust Bowl. Also, Brian shares what Conservation Districts' roles are in the communities they serve. If you are interested in Conservation this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Walleye Pro Angler, Sammy Cappelli. Sammy talks about spring tactics on inland lakes. Everything from walleye location near spawning sites to main lake structure was discussed. Also, Sammy talks about his favorite setups for spinning and trolling techniques. If you love chasing walleye this podcast is worth a listen.

Don and Chris interview Dave Riddell, Operations Manager for OPN Seed Company. Dave shares the many benefits of growing native plants. He discusses some of the challenges that may be faced when planting natives. If you are interested in native plants to benefit wildlife and conservation this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Ohio River angler, Rick Heubel. Rick talks about all the fishing opportunities available on the Ohio River. Anglers can anticipate catching a mixed bag from walleye to catfish. He reviews license requirements by state and the bag limits. If you are interested in fishing the Ohio River this Podcast will be of interest.

Don talks about how unique the weather is in our 120. Heavy lake effect snow, rain, cloud cover and winds are all influenced by our close proximity to Lake Erie. He discusses our Great Lake and its effects on our weather and environment.

Chris and Don interview well known Steelhead Angler, John Breedlove. John shares a few secrets on catching steelhead during the winter. He talks about his recent results and how the crazy weather has affected fish movement. Also we get into his setup and techniques used to boat more fish. If you are interested in winter steelhead this podcast is for you.

Chris and Don interview Curt Yoder from Whitetail Heritage of Ohio. Curt talks about how his organization supports deer management and conservation efforts statewide. Also he explains their affiliation with first time hunters and hunters with disabilities. Kurt is very proud of Whitetail Heritage of Ohio's annual banquet that helps support all their activities. If you are interested in deer and deer hunting you will enjoy this podcast!

Chris and Don interview Steelhead angler, Jim Morrison. Jim discusses the often overlooked and underutilized Steelhead opportunity. Jim likes to focus his attention on the break walls and piers . Many of the Great Lake streams have a pier or break wall. He explains how to be successful chasing steelhead out front! If you love chasing steelhead you will enjoy this podcast.

Don and Chris interview Jerry Zona the Recycling Soild Waste Director for Mercer and Lawrence County. He is also the Executive Director for the Tri-County Cleanways. Jerry talks about how recycling = conservation, less landfills, less mining and energy savings. He explains what should be recycled and what shouldn't. Very informative podcast, we know you will enjoy.

Chris and Don interview Tony Miller from the Ohio Bow Hunters Association. Tony talks about Crossbows and Crossbow hunting. We discuss everything from recommendations of what Crossbow to purchase to what broadhead works best. This show should answer many of your Crossbow questions.

Chris and Don interview Tony Sangialosi from Drawn Archery. We talk about everything you ever wanted to know about Bow Strings. Tony shares how he got into the business of custom Bow Strings. Our in depth conversation ranges from how often to change your strings to the benefits of custom Strings. Also, we discuss the misconceptions bow hunters have about string maintenance.

Our guest on today's Podcast is Buckeye Bow Hunter, Josh Grund. Josh gives us an update on his Kentucky Velvet Hunt and how his new saddle worked for him. We discuss several topics like when you should make a mock scrape, the location, type of branch, rope and vine. Josh shares his opinion on using scent and a camera to monitor activity.

Don shares his findings on the relationship between the Spotted Lanternfly and the Tree Of Heaven. He discusses the history and how to identify this tree, which is the host for the Spotted Lanternfly. Don suggests different ways to eradicate both the tree and this harmful insect.

Chris and Don interview Mike Sperry and Andy Ohl about the Chautauqua Lake fish habitat project. They discuss why the project was necessary and the process required for permits. Both Mike and Andy are members of Muskie Inc Chapter 69. The chapter was involved in several fund raising programs to help pay for permits and materials for the fish cribs. Also, the significant weed issues were discussed and how complicated the entire lake health has become.