Wildlife for You

A lesson from long ago about habituation and "loving animals to death" that still applies today.

An unexpected bear encounter can lead you to react in very different ways, some good, some not-so-good. If the end result is you walking away unharmed, great! But what can you learn from your experiences.

Comforting words from a father to his son as he grows into an ethical young hunter and an even finer young man.

The Appalachian mountains can tell stories of untold adventures and times. If only we'd slow down, stop, and listen to what he has to say.

Fear is a powerful thing. The ability to overcome fear is a valuable life lesson that can only be taught through experience. In my case it was a catfish and a tiny devilish woman who was trying to kill me.

Communication is key, especially when you're upside down in a bear den... WITH a bear!

Great Papa was a man of action, especially when it came to deer hunting. With one excited smile, his 11-year old grand daughter reminded him just how influential he really was.

Why are cougar sightings so rampant in the eastern states? Who and what it to blame for these "feline fires"?

Faced with a difficult decision, my two boys discovered that life is precious... and sometimes quite tasty!

Introducing a new podcast that explores the wonderful world of wildlife with each episode ending in a valuable life lesson. Mother Nature can teach us all a thing or two if only we would just stand still and listen to her. Gather the kids, sit back, and enjoy.

A narrative of what the future may hold tells a sobering story of what may be. Let's hope for a brighter future.

Stephanne and Daryl talk about why grizzlies are so revered and why people are so passionate about their "status."

Daryl and Stephanne listen to audio clips from Old Man Johnson's recent field trip with Hashtag Hazel, and boy, do they have some doozy urban legends to dispel. We're willing to bet you heard of most of them... we just hope you don't believe them!

Daryl provides details on how he saved Stephanne from being run over by a full-on charging black bear. True story with real life blunders.

When it comes to bear safety, there is a debate on what is a better deterrent, bear spray or a gun. Stephanne and Daryl debate the pros and cons of each tool, and it appears to be much less of a debate after all.

Wildlife rehab is generally a good thing, but it's not without its own set of concerns. Stephanne and Daryl talk about some of those issues that most people don't consider. Don't worry, it's just something to think about.

Stephanne and Daryl expain the "pigsplosian" that has taken place across North America. Wild hogs, feral pigs, Eurasian boars... whatever you want to call them, they're bad but they're here to stay.

Ever hear of Zombie Deer Disease? If you did, forget it! The misinformation regarding Chronic Wasting Disease abounds. Stephanne and Daryl break it down for you so you get the truth about CWD, Not the extremes, the information in the middle.

Old Man Johnson and Ms. Hazel get into a lively debate about who truly pays for wildlife conservation. Daryl and Stephanne take it from there and give a much better history and outline on how wildlife conservation works and is funded.

Stephanne and Daryl help clear up some of Old Man Johnson's tales regarding "painters" screamin' down in the holler. Not only do they talk about where cougars are found in North America, but they explain why that deer up in that thar tree, likely wasn't put there by a cougar.

Old Man Johnson makes his first appearance and lets us know how he really feels about the return of the Gray wolf to the lower 48. Stephanne and Daryl unpack his comments to set the record straight on a few things that are often misquoted and misunderstood about Gray wolves.

Stephanne and Daryl lay the final groundwork of why Old Man Johnson can't be trusted. Besides humans being incapable of predicting all intended outcomes in nature, many folks have a hrad time understanding "science." The final stage is set before we dive into some legends, lore, and misunderstandings.

Yes, we know that deer looks hungry... but should you feed it? Daryl and Stephanne delve into the good and bad of feeding wildlife. Even some of those unintended consequences that you may not think about.

In this episode of the Wildlife for You podcast, hosts Daryl Ratajczak and Stephanne Payne discuss the reboot of their podcast after a four-year hiatus. They emphasize the importance of addressing misinformation in wildlife. The conversation delves into the science of hibernation, the differences between true hibernation and torpor, and the common myths surrounding bear behavior. The hosts aim to...

Did you know that red wolves were once one of the dominant Apex predators in the southeast? Sadly, the species is now hanging by a thread along the coast of North Carolina.