The Kansas BHA Podcast

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.  March Commission Meeting Recording 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 April Commission Meeting Recording Time Stamps For referencing Commission Meeting Recording 12min Waterfowl season and bag limits 2hr 35min Coyote night hunting 3hr 50min Commission Procedure

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. KDWP Jan 30 Commission Meeting Youtube link 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 

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!

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!   Pheasant Fest 2025- Kansas City Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever

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 kansas@backcountryhunters.org Check out the Kansas Bowhunters Association

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 Events Page For Upcoming Kansas BHA Events

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 HERE

Today Marshal Loftus and Kurt Ratzlaff sit down with National Deer Association Director of Policy Catherine Appling-Pooler.  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. Wildlife Commissions  Are Under Threat. Here's How Hunters Can Help.   Why Is The North American Model of Wildlife Cosnervation Importnat? 

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 HERE  

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! 2024 KDWP Upland Forecast

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!

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! Extension Master Naturalist Program  

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!

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: https://gpnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GPNC-Mushrooms.FINAL_.pdf   Check out Lyndzee discussing mushrooms with pictures! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZQUQVUIFIs&t=958s    

Kent Fricke, the Small Game Coordinator for KDWP, gives us an update on all things Turkeys in the state of Kansas.      

Today we sit down with Chris Mullins from Kansas Forest Service to discuss the variety of services offered by KSFS and much more.  Enjoy! Kansas Forest Service

02/23/2024 UPDATE - HB 2671 & HB 2672 ARE DEAD.  PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS REGARDING HB 2582 & SB 347.   Another short episode detailing 4 bills that are currently alive in legislation that would be bad for the Kansas Outdoors.  Tune in to learn more about these and reach out to your legislator to oppose these bills! BHA Blog Post Discussing the Bills: Click Here Find your Legislator: openstates.org SB 347 - Senate Confirmation of KDWP Commission Bill Link: Click Here HB 2582 - Changing the KDWP Commission Selection Process Action Alert: Click Here Bill Link: Click Here Hearing Youtube Video: Click Here Committee Passing of Bill Youtube Video: Click Here HB 2671 - Refunding Nonresident Hunting Licenses Bill Link: Click Here Hearing Youtube Video: Click Here Committee Passing of Bill Youtube Video: Click Here HB 2672 - Issuing Landowner Appreciation Deer Permits Bill Link: Click Here Hearing Youtube Video: Click Here Committee Passing of Bill Youtube Video: Click Here

Important Episode for Kansas Outdoors!   Marshal, Kurt, and Kyle sit down with Sean Miller, a Kansas Legislative Lobbyist to discuss how legislative bills work their way through the Kansas legislative system and what bills outdoorsmen and women need to be paying attention to in Kansas.  We found this very informative and hope you do too! Please contact your legislators regarding the bills below! Contact us at kansas@backcountryhunters.org for any questions or comments! HB 2541 - State Conservation Fund HB 2582 - KDWP Commission Selection Process (House Version) HB 2671 - Refundable Nonresident Hunting Licenses HB 2672 - Free Transferrable Landowner Deer Tags SB 105 - Jewell County Land Purchase SB 347 - KDWP Commission Selection Process (Senate Version) SB 417 - KDWP Eminent Domain Openstates.org - Find your Legislator!  

There are 2 bills in the KS Legislature that need your immediate attention, and another with a hearing scheduled for Feb 16th.  Contact your legislators at the links below and lets get these bills killed! SB 347 - Contact your legislator HERE HB 2671 Contact your legislator HERE House Bill 2671 - $25 Nonresident Hunting License Senate Bill 347 - Senate Approval of Commissioners House Bill 2582 - Reconfiguring the KDWP Commission KDWP Legislative Stances and Updates

Today we are joined by well known writer, conservationist, and host of the BHA "Podcast and Blast", Hal Herring.  Hal is a wealth of knowledge, especially in regards to public lands. KS Find Your Legislator SB 105- Jewell Co Land Purchase HB 2079- Deer Season and Deer Tags BHA Podcast and Blast "What are We Doing to Our Public Lands and Waters" Hal Herring Website Public Trust Film

On this episode we have the honor of sitting down with well-known hunter and conservationist Randy Newberg.  We cover a wide range of topics, but primarily we focus on legislative issues that we face as hunters and anglers here in Kansas.  We hope this episode motivates our listeners to get involved and stay engaged with the processess that affect us and our ability to enjoy the great outdoors. Sign Up For Our Newsletter to stay up to date with our chapter, and be notified when impactful decisions are being made in the legislature or wildlife commission.

Join the Kansas BHA board as they delve into this year's Elk hunts, exploring the extensive preparations undertaken for the adventure. While some members experienced success, everyone had a memorable journey. The discussion encompasses physical conditioning, gear selection, and e-scouting, highlighting the year-long preparation leading up to the hunt.

We sit down with Laura Mendenhall of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and discuss how the Endangered Species Act works, ESA listed animals in Kansas, and lots of other stuff.  

It's fitting that Episode 100 is probably one of the best we have ever done.  I seriously mean that.  This episode is so freaking good.  We do a total recap or some of the more interesting and fun episodes with plenty of humor, commentary, and recollection of good and bad times interjected.  Enjoy.

Ok, get your toxic free shells out, brush up on your fowl identification, and listen in as we talk about one of the most interesting birds in the Kansas airspace...Sandhill Cranes.

We sit down with Jeff Prendergast and talk about what the uplands will hold this fall.

Everyone got to hear a light hearted rant against baiting in Episode 95.  Here's a turn from another BHA KS Board Member presenting additional perspectives from the other side of the deer stand.

"The Elite...Best of the Best!"  Trivia champions from the summer's various pint nights unite to find out who the Grand Champion is.  Take a listen and find out what you don't know about all things Kansas hunting and fishing.  This podcast even includes a snippet about what we THOUGHT we knew!

So, in this episode three Kansas board members make an argument for why the baiting of deer is not needed in the great state of Kansas.  Included in the show is an invite to anyone who is a BHA member to come on and make an argument for the baiting of deer.  Not a member...sign up and come make your point.  I'm an open minded guy.  Just last week I tried sushi.  I still don't like sushi and it will be an uphill battle to convince at least me baiting deer is deer hunting.

In this episode we visit with the State's Dove bioligist on all sorts of stuff about Dove.  Have a listen and enjoy.

In this episode we talk with the USFWS and a southwest Kansas rancher about the Parternerships for Fish and Wildlife Program administered by the USFWS.  Learn how this program is making better habitat for lesser pairie chickens, helping with water quality, and increasing ranching production.

When it was first communicated to me we were doing a podcast about a park in Johnson County I was a little confused about a how parks relate to hunting and fishing.  Boy was that confusion all cleared up.  This is an extremely interesting episode about how Johnson County has protected large areas, created opportunities for fishing and hunting, and made a connection between those living in the urban jungle and the great outdoors.  What a great episode on how near even the busiest metropolitan area in Kansas, there is still a high quality outdoors.

Four current and past board members talk Antelope Hunting in Kansas.

In this episode we sit down with Andrew Rutter and Libby Albers and talk about how KAWS is improving water quality for all Kansans.

We sit down with BHA Kansas Board Member Matt Clay and talk about his time outdoors, but more importantly how he has used that time to pay it forward.  Matt's new book, "The World Educators Create - The Role of Education in the Creation of Place" is a deep dive into the role of education in providing meaning to communities and landscapes.  Matt is a super smart dude.  You'll enjoy this one.  

When the boss is away the board members will play.  Kurt is on vacation so I get with Marshal Loftus, one of our founding board members, to get his perspectives on a few things.  It recently dawned on me our members and others need to get to know who is doing the work.  So, more board member interviews are coming.  These guys are superheros and who doesn't want to know a superhero, let alone 10? 

In this episode we visit with the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Brad Loveless.  We do a recap on the legislative session, talk Wildlife Commission, get the lowdown on the crazy proposal for 10,000 additional deer tags in the budget as a proviso, and talk about a new state park.  This is a long one, but it's full of good information, tough questions, and dreams.

If you like habitat and learning this is the episode for you.  In this episode we visit with Matt Smith of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture about the Farm Bill.  Buckle up and get smarter about what should matter to most hunters.

Do you want to know what's going with WIHA these days?  Take a listen as we sit down with  Wes Sowards and talk WIHA.

We sit down with the gentlemen of Elevated Archery in Bonner Springs and talk about getting into archery and making new friends along the way.  Topics covered include practicing like you hunt, equipment, camaraderie in the archery world, dry fires, and lots of other stuff.  This is a great episode with some top notch dudes doing what they love for all the right reasons.

This is one of the most serious and important episodes we've ever done.  We discuss the Public Trust Doctrine and the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation in the context of transferrable big game tags, an issue that annually hits the Kansas Legislature.  To help us with this discussion we enlist the help of former KDWP Assistant Secretary Mike Miller to talk about the history of transferrable deer tags in Kansas and Thomas Baumeister of the MT, an expert on both the Public Trust Doctrine and the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation.

We sit down with Dean Krehbiel of the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service and Cade Rensink an ag producer from the Minneapolis, KS area and talk about the varoius programs USDA has to help the farming and ranching community manage their property for better ag profits and conservation.  As the say goes "what's good for the herd is good for the bird".

In this episode Kurt and Michelle Ratzlaff explain how they do so many trips each year without spending tons of money.  If you like to be outdoors a lot in wild places, but can't figure out how to do it efficiently, this is the episode for you.

In this episode nearly the entire Kansas Board of BHA gets involved in a discussion about all sorts of stuff Kansas BHA related.   We cover everything from why BHA to overcrowding in the duck pond.   This podcast episode was part of the activities associated with the Kansas BHA Board 2023 Strategic Planning weekend at Eldorado Lake State Park.

In this episode Kurt goes over the basics of the Public Trust Doctrine, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and a few other things.  Enjoy!

So Kurt and I talk with Dawn Buehler, Kansas River Keeper, about trash and clean-ups related to the Kansas River.  Come to find out, unlike meatloaf, not all trash was thought to be bad at one time.  It was used in what was thought to be a good way.   We talk about the trash, tires, and other items in the Kansas River and the progress being made to clean the Kansas River up.

Merry Christmas from the Kansas BHA Podcast.  Kurt goes over some top fives on gear.

In this episode we visit with Trevor Hubbs from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers HQ regarding the Armed Forces Initiative (AFI).  Trevor leads the BHA AFI and man is this guy busy.  Listen to what he's been up to and the big things he has planned.

Kurt Ratzlaff reminds us of the mission of BHA, an organization that cares about a lot of stuff, but primarly public lands and access.

Kurt and I sit down with Jeff Prendergast, Small Game Specialist with the KDWP, to discuss the outlook on upland birds.  The bottom line...it's dry!

This episode is with special guest Daren Riedle of the KDWP.  This is a great rundown of the State Wildlife Action Plan and how it may be impacted by the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.  Plus we talk about a lot of other stuff.