Outdoor News Radio

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the program with chatter on the status of pheasant nesting season, plus buckthorn rants and another recent black bear encounter for Tim. Then Stan Tekiela visits for the second straight week to offer some nongame nature talk. Joel Pedersen, the CEO and president from Theodore Roosevelt […] The post Episode 542 – New Minnesota WMA, pheasant chicks, Joel Pedersen from TRCP, public lands victory appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start by discussing the Minnesota DNR's new multi-million-dollar airplane and camera system, then Backyard and Beyond columnist Stan Tekiela jumps into the broadcast to talk about spring warbler migration and his photography trip to Arizona. Craig Prudhomme then jumps into the show to talk about rock hunting […] The post Episode 541 – New DNR aircraft, nature talk with Stan Tekiela, Lake Superior agates, bass opener appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman recap the 2025 Minnesota fishing opener plus talk fire danger in north country. Tony Peterson then joins Rob for a robust discussion on late-season wild turkey hunting tactics. General Manager from Bass Pro's new store in Duluth, Joe Thompson, previews the store's big “Evening of Conservation” grand […] The post Episode 540 – Fishing opener recap, turkey talk with Tony Peterson, new Bass Pro store in Duluth appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show with a Minnesota walleye opener preview, plus a breakdown (already!) on how waterfowl seasons will unfold this year. Then Sharon Stiteler, the Birdchick, drops in to talk spring migration. Linda Bylander joins the show to talk about her retirement as the Minnesota Becoming an […] The post Episode 539 – Fishing opener, birdwatching, outdoors women programs, Iowa bears, new NRA president appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show with an update on the Minnesota turkey season, plus a legislative update. Then Ron Schara offers some mid-season turkey hunting tips and makes a pitch for MN-Fish and its spring auction. Rapala pro Tony Roach then drops in with tips and tactics for the […] The post Episode 538 – Turkey season, Ron Schara turkey tips, Tony Roach on fishing opener, hen mallard cam appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman talk spring wild turkey hunting 2025, then unveil the recipient of the 2025 Minnesota Outdoor News Person of the Year Award. Then Brian “Bro” Brosdahl joins the conversation to talk spring crappie fishing locations and tactics. Andre Hafs, a professor at Bemidji State University, stops by to […] The post Episode 537 – Turkey update, ODN Man of the Year, crappie, muskie study, remembering Scott Bestul appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the broadcast remembering water conservation and trout advocate Jeff Broberg, who passed on Saturday, April 12. Then university professor and frequent contributor Bob Zink jumps into the program to offer his opinion on whether a Texas-based business actually cloned dire wolves. Cory Goldsworthy from Minnesota DNR […] The post Episode 536 – Remembering Jeff Broberg, dire wolf drama, coaster brookies, spring wild turkey opener appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman talk about the recent find of spawning coaster brook trout in Lake Superior, plus they remember famed Minnesota wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg. Then John Lenczewski from Minnesota Trout Unlimited joins the program to offer some tips for the Saturday, April 12 trout opener. Longtime friend of Outdoor […] The post Episode 535 – Coaster brookies spawning, remembering Jim Brandenburg, trout, turkeys, dire wolf appeared first on Outdoor News.

In the midst of additional tariffs drama, Canada announced last week that it will not be charging Americans with a tariff tax at the border this year. Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman break it down. Then Wisconsin Outdoor News Editor Dean Bortz jumps into the show to preview the Conservation Congress spring […] The post Episode 534 – Canada tariffs update, Wisconsin spring hearings, new Minn BHA chair, MN-FISH Summit appeared first on Outdoor News.

Grand Rapids, Minn.-resident Easton Fothergill's win at the 2025 Bassmasters Classic last weekend in Texas dominates this week's show with chatter from host Rob Drieslein, Editor Tim Spielman, and co-host Tim Lesmeister on the big victory. Other guests include Wally Swanson from the Bluebird Recovery Program of Minnesota and Lukas Leaf, from Sportsmen for the […] The post Episode 533 – Minnesota delivers 2025 Bassmasters champ Easton Fothergill; plus bluebirds and BWCA appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman begin this week's show talking about the two-walleye limit on Mille Lacs that begins on May 10 (fishing opener), then discuss tariffs that anglers could face at the Canadian border this year. Andy Wendt, a Minnesota DNR naturalist at Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park near Northfield, joins the program to talk […] The post Episode 532 – Mille Lacs walleye regs, maple sap season, bowfin research, cougar kits in Michigan appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman start this week's Outdoor News Radio reminding listeners about the new yellow perch reg on Lake Mille Lacs. Then Mark Holsten from MN-Fish invites the angling public to the group's March 27 Summit in Grand Rapids. Chris Granrud from Rainydaze Guide Service provides a late ice border update and Rainy […] The post Episode 531 – New Mille Lacs perch regs, MN-Fish summit, Rainy River outlook, crossbow talk appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman start this week's Outdoor News Radio with discussion about a great perch bite on Lake Mille Lacs that could mean a new regulation on the big lake. Shannon Fisher from Minnesota DNR jumps into the program to share details about lake management plan public review going on right now as […] The post Episode 530 – Mille Lacs jumbo perch controversy, fish regulations, Mississippi River open water appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman start this week's Outdoor News Radio talking about ice conditions and relatively low winter severity index readings for deer and other wildlife. Then Dan Stark, large carnivore specialist for the Minnesota DNR, joins the show to talk about the public review process underway to revamp the black bear no-quota zone […] The post Episode 529 – Winter deer survival, bear update, Yellowstone wolves, respect for National Parks appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman start this week's Outdoor News Radio talking about the public review process tackling management strategies for the new 1,800-acre Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area. Then new South Dakota columnist Josh Haiar joins Rob to talk about brewing legislation affecting hunting in the S.D. Legislature. Backyard and Beyond columnist Stan Tekiela […] The post Episode 528 – Keystone Woods WMA, South Dakota update, irrupting owls, federal layoffs appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman kick off the program talking too much oxygen in some southern Minnesota lakes, youth bear permits, and 2025 turkey permits becoming available in coming days and weeks. Joe Henry from Lake of the Woods tourism jumps into the program with an update on the big border lake and outlook for […] The post Episode 527 – Turkey permits, Lake of the Woods, DNR's Dave Trauba, Dylan movie review, shed hunting appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman launch the show with talk of new, watered-down deer farm legislation and fishing regulation changes. Then Eric Morken jumps into the program to talk about winter whitetail scouting and using mapping apps like onX. For segment three, Kelsie LaSharr from the Minnesota DNR outlines next week's public meetings as part […] The post Episode 526 – Deer farm legislation, winter whitetail scouting, northeast Minnesota elk restoration appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman launch the show talking about legislation taking another run at allowing rifles statewide for Minnesota deer hunting. Also, there's new chronic wasting disease research and hot spots in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Then Land Tawney joins Rob for a long segment to discuss a new organization that he is co-chairing, the […] The post Episode 525 – Land Tawney returns to conservation scene, CWD updates, meet Natalie Ryder appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman launch the show talking about new legislation affecting Minnesota's outdoors plus the lack of walk-in access funding in the latest U.S. Farm Bill extension. Then Aaron Meyer from the Muskie and Pike Alliance visits to talk about the status of the DNR's new muskie management plan. Kelly Pharis from the […] The post Episode 524 – Legislative session starts, DNR muskie plan, Keystone WMA, Denali and crossbows appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman recap the highlights from the 2025 DNR Roundtable event held last Friday. Top topics include agency funding and new DNR Wildlife leader Dave Trauba. Then DNR Fish and Wildlife Division Director Kelly Straka joins the program to talk about the agency's midpoint review of its 10-year deer plan and its […] The post Episode 523 – Minnesota DNR Roundtable roundup, MN deer plan, ice update, live sonar talk appeared first on Outdoor News.

Rob Drieslein and Tim Spielman start the show sharing the latest concerns about potentially exponential growth of chronic wasting disease in three southeast Minnesota deer permit areas. Then longtime contributor Joel Nelson from onX Fish jumps in to offer his insight on ice conditions and the latest hard-water bite. Eric Miller, the rifle product line […] The post Episode 522 – CWD blows up, ice update, new Federal 7mm Backcountry round, rifle suppressor talk appeared first on Outdoor News.

As 2025 kicks off, host Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman share what's nearly the final deer kill numbers from 2024 in Minnesota (hint, up from 2023.) Then Glen Schmitt, the Outdoor News Fishing Report guru, offers an upbeat assessment on the state of ice fishing across the region this winter. Chris Knopf, executive director […] The post Episode 521 – Deer kill recap, ice update, remembering Jimmy Carter and BWCA, and Denali appeared first on Outdoor News.

As 2024 winds down, host Rob Drieslein shares some of the top interviews from the past year. They include Adam Van Tassell recounting his trip to South America for peacock bass, Marybeth Beseke on her quest to legalize bear fat sales, shotgunning expert Phil Bourjaily shares some shooting insights from Iowa, and Samantha Ewald lives […] The post Episode 520 – Best of 2024: South American fishing, bear fat, hunter with bear cubs in her tree! appeared first on Outdoor News.

As 2024 winds down, Managing Editor Rob Drieslein devotes the first segment of this week's program to discussing winter bird feeding and off-season “bird travel” with Sharon “the Birdchick” Stiteler. Then Tony Peterson visits to talk about ring-necked pheasant opportunities that still exist through the end of the year, then rabbit and squirrel tactics through […] The post Episode 519 – Winter bird feeding, small game through Jan. 1 and beyond…, music chatter appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show talking ice with Minnesota Editor Tim Spielman. There's also a breaking news story regarding hundreds of dead geese in the Fairmont area. Then Barry Allen from Ducks Unlimited recaps the 2024 duck hunting season for the Upper Mississippi Flyway. A scientist from the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Natural […] The post Episode 518 – Ice update, dead geese, duck recap, flying squirrel research, top 10 stories of 2024 appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show with ice-making chatter with Minnesota Editor Tim Spielman. Also, deer harvest is up in Minnesota from 2023. Then DNR Fisheries Chief Brad Parsons joins the program to talk about the statewide four-walleye bag limit proposal. Tony Peterson jumps in to talk about how the deer season has […] The post Episode 517 – Ice and deer kill update, DNR Fisheries Chief, Tony Peterson on late deer hunting appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show with ice-making chatter with Minnesota Editor Tim Spielman. Skim ice is forming across the state, but ice anglers need to be careful until 4 inches of walkable ice is available. Then columnist Patrick Durkin from Wisconsin drops in to talk about top outdoors topics across the St. […] The post Episode 516 – Ice-making, Wisconsin report, eagle cam, BWCA permit cancellations appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show with Minnesota Editor Tim Spielman. They preview the final (cold and windy) weekend of duck hunting in Minnesota, and discuss the effects of windmills on conservation habitat. Then fishing guide Darren Troseth drops in to chat about sturgeon fishing on the St. Croix. Patrick Berry, CEO of […] The post Episode 515 – Grand duck finale, late fall river fishing, BHA's Patrick Berry, and flying squirrels appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show with Minnesota Editor Tim Spielman quickly reviewing the opener weekend of deer season. David Schuessler from Ducks Unlimited then joins the program to talk about the conservation nonprofit's Into The Vault annual online auction. Then Jared Mazurek visits the program to promote the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. […] The post Episode 514 – Firearms deer opener, DU's Into the Vault auction, MDHA, “Tackle” Terry, and a 4-walleye limit? appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show with the Minnesota DNR's Wildlife Health Supervisor Erik Hildebrand to talk about the state's efforts to monitor and manage chronic wasting disease this fall. Then Dr. Ellen Candler from the university of Alaska-Fairbanks visits to update listeners on the ongoing Offal Wildlife Watching study she launched six […] The post Episode 513 – CWD management, gutpile study update, wild game cooking tips, and election results appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show with Minnesota Editor Tim Spielman on how early deer seasons have progressed, plus a confirmed cougar via trail camera in St. Louis County. Tom Carpenter from Pheasants Forever then jumps in to describe his ring-necked pheasant hunting season thus far and offer his forecast for the remainder of […] The post Episode 512 – Deer preview, cougar on trail cam, election preview, and pheasant chatter appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein kicks off the show with Minnesota Editor Tim Spielman on how the prolonged heat and drought are affecting upland birds and deer, as well as hunters. They also discuss changes to the trapping season in Minnesota, which includes opportunities for fishers and pine martens in southern Minnesota this winter. Then Web […] The post Episode 511 – Upland birds, firearms deer preview, forest land easements, daughter heads afield appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman review the (mostly slow) 2024 ring-necked pheasant hunting opener from last Saturday, Oct. 12. Switching gears, old buddy Rob Kimm joins the program to offer some fall muskie and walleye fishing tips. Then Dr. Mike Brasher from Ducks Unlimited in Memphis spends a segment offering updates on […] The post Episode 510 – Minnesota pheasant opener review, fall fishing, waterfowl status, Iowa headlines appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman preview the 2024 ring-necked pheasant hunting opener (Saturday, Oct. 12) and provide details on the death of a park ranger in Voyageurs National Park. Then Samantha Ewald joins Drieslein to share her harrowing tale of black bears climbing up a Minnesota tree she was hunting from last […] The post Episode 509 – Pheasant opener, bear scare, Stan Tekiela on bears, the new Outdoor News Foundation appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman discuss the expanding results from a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fawn study in the southern part of the state, plus some big bulls taken during the state's elk hunting season. Then Adam Grimm, the newest winner of the federal duck stamp, joins the show from his home […] The post Episode 508 – Fawn study, duck stamp winner, Stan Tekiela on migration, Wisconsin black bear attack appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman recap the Sept. 21 duck opener and discuss the winner of last week's federal duck stamp contest. Then Nick Kludt from the Minnesota DNR joins the program to talk about the agency's new sturgeon documentary, “Kings in the North: Lake Sturgeon Recovery in the Red River Basin.” […] The post Episode 507 – Duck opener recap, Red River sturgeon, early archery deer tips, black bear encounters appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman run down a forecast for the Sept. 21 duck opener and debate whether the Mississippi Flyway should have a one hen-mallard limit. Then Nate Huck from the Minnesota DNR jumps into the program to ask upland bird hunters to maintain a print or digital diary to help […] The post Episode 506 – Duck forecast, DNR hunter diaries, S.D. pheasant forecast, hen mallard limits appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show breaking down the ring-necked pheasant hunting forecast for Minnesota this fall. Also, bear kill update and year two of crossbows during the archery deer season (which begins Saturday, Sept. 14.) Then Capt. Aaron Kahre from Minnesota DNR Enforcement explains how to use the relatively […] The post Episode 505 – Pheasant forecast, DNR Enforcement app, archery deer opener, B.A.S.S. live sonar rules appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman kick off the show with a recap of the early teal hunting season, plus… would a swan hunting season generate more money for the DNR? Then Eric Michel from the DNR joins the show to talk about a new state elk management plan and a public meeting […] The post Episode 504 – Early bird hunting, elk public meeting, 10-gauge shotguns, Wisconsin DNR secretary appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman launch the show with an outlook for early teal and other seasons kicking off this weekend, plus they offer a preview of a Sept. 10 meeting in northwestern Minnesota on state elk management. Barb Keller from the Minnesota DNR then visits the show to preview deer hunting […] The post Episode 503 – Hunting starts, deer outlook, firearms safety instructor of year, Iowa pheasants appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the show recapping the results of the 2024 federal waterfowl survey, which showed a 5% increase in continental breeding ducks. Then Modern Carnivore podcast host Mark Norquist joins Rob to co-host a segment from Game Fair interviewing Ian Donovan on his military dog training experience. Jon […] The post Episode 502 – Federal waterfowl survey, military dog training, special fishing regs, bear attack appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the show recapping the results of the 2024 state waterfowl survey, which showed a 37% drop in mallards and a 20% decline in overall duck numbers. Then Modern Carnivore podcast host Mark Norquist joins Rob to co-host two segments from Game Fair interviewing DNR Commissioner Sarah […] The post Episode 501 – State waterfowl survey down, DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, sharptail grouse status appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the show breaking down the latest Minnesota deer hunting regulations for 2024. Hint, they're slightly more conservative than last year. Then Cory Goldsworthy from the Minnesota DNR talks about the incredible cisco/tullibee/lake herring hatch of 2022 and how it's growing bigger trout and salmon on Lake […] The post Episode 500 – New deer hunting regulations, Lake Superior fish records, BWCA event, roadkill rules appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman kick off the show with discussion of the new Lake Mille Lacs two-walleye limit that begins on Friday, Aug. 16. Then Sharon “The Birdchick” Stiteler visits for the second week in a row to chat about early signs of fall migration. Ron Hustvedt stops in to preview Game […] The post Episode 499 – New Mille Lacs regs, Birdchick, Game Fair, live sonar drives new regs in Mississippi appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the show breaking down a lengthy Q&A with the new DNR Fish and Wildlife Division Director Kelly Straka. Then Outdoor News Sales and Marketing Director Josh Ahlberg joins the broadcast to recap new products and other highlights from the 2024 ICAST fishing industry trade show last […] The post Episode 498 – New DNR F&W Director, ICAST recap, spotted owls, Project 2025 and public lands appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman break down the Minnesota DNR's plan to transfer 80,000 acres of school trust lands to the U.S. Forest Service within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Then the Lake Detective Steve McComas drops in to talk about the state of Minnesota's lakes after a dry winter and […] The post Episode 497 – BWCA land transfer, the Lake Detective, new Hemingway book, Camp Ripley hunt changes appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show with quick thoughts on record fish plus the upbeat ruffed grouse reports from this spring. Then Drieslein gets the direct scoop on grouse from the Minnesota DNR's Charlotte Roy. Spring drumming counts were up, but will heavy rains hinder recruitment of young-of-the-year birds? Pete Fischer, […] The post Episode 496 – Great ruffed grouse counts, dog training tips, squabbling owls, BWCA dog leash law appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show catching up on whether recent flooding has had some direct effects on state wildlife. Then Mike Schrage from Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe joins the program to talk about the tribe's efforts to establish an elk herd in northeastern Minnesota. Old […] The post Episode 495 –Flood effects, Minn elk, Game Fair and BWCA chatter, and Lake Erie tourney scandal boat appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman begin the show breaking down the myriad effects of high water and flooding on the wild Minnesota landscape, including young-of-the-year birds and steelhead in North Shore streams. Then Matthew Schultz from Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters drops in to talk about the organization's Paddlin' for the Boundary […] The post Episode 494 – Flooding impacts fish and wildlife, SFBW July 5 event, Tekiela on turtles, coyotes appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman start the show reviewing the latest guidelines from the Center for Disease Control that alter rules for importing canines into the country. Then Eric Michel from the Minnesota DNR explains a study in northeastern Minnesota that will examine number of whitetails on public versus private land in […] The post Episode 493 – CDC dog rules, loons and grebes, north country deer study, barred owl sharpshooting appeared first on Outdoor News.

Managing Editor Rob Drieslein and contributor Tim Lesmeister kick off this week's program with chatter on new possible pintail regulations as well as a deer research project and Pheasants Forever's decision to restart a Minnesota chapter. Then Jon Mobeck from the National Loon Center drops in to promote forthcoming Loon Center and the June 20-22 […] The post Episode 492 – Pintail limits, national loon center, mushroom recap with Stan Tekiela, St. Croix Rods appeared first on Outdoor News.