Bluegrass Woods and Water

Spring in Kentucky means one thing — it's time to spend as much time as possible outdoors. In this episode of Bluegrass Woods & Water , I recap our annual Spring Classic Striper Trip on Lake Cumberland , where our crew put together one of our best trips ever, boating 37 stripers over four days. From early-morning bait runs and limit catches to great food, good bourbon, and time spent with frie...

🦃🎙️ Episode 13 of the Bluegrass Woods & Water Podcast is all about getting ready for spring turkey season here in Kentucky. In this episode, Rick breaks down the history of wild turkeys in Kentucky — from near extinction to one of the greatest conservation success stories in the country — and takes a look at the current state of the turkey population heading into this season. Rick is joined b...

Rick breaks down a tough fishing trip to Lake Cumberland with Brian, Chris, and Paul where stripers were hard to find and bait was even harder to catch. Even local outfitters were seeing the same thing, with some trips cancelled due to poor fishing conditions. The episode then dives into the science behind live bait with Damon Melcho from X-Treme Bait Tanks. The conversation covers oxygen systems,...

In this episode of the Bluegrass Woods & Water Podcast , Rick sits down with Marcy Anderson , Program Coordinator for the Southeast Fisheries District with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, for an in-depth conversation every Lake Cumberland and Cumberland River angler needs to hear. Rick and Marcy dive deep into how Kentucky’s Southeast Fisheries System works and how ma...

Episode Description — Spotify 🎙️ In this episode of Bluegrass Woods & Water , Rick looks ahead to 2026 and helps Kentucky hunters and anglers start planning for the year ahead 🗓️🦌🎣 We break down Kentucky’s tentative 2026 hunting season dates , talking through what they mean for archery 🏹, crossbow 🎯, youth hunts 👦🦌, and muzzleloader seasons 🔥—and why a little planning now can pay off bi...

: 🦌 Episode 9: Deer Biology, Seasonal Change, and Smarter Hunting in Kentucky If you’ve ever wondered why deer suddenly change patterns during the season — not just where they go, but when and how they move — this episode is for you. In this episode of Bluegrass Woods & Water , we take a deep dive into deer biology and physiology throughout the entire season , from early archery to the rut, s...

This week on Bluegrass Woods & Water , Rick recaps one of the strangest Kentucky deer seasons in recent memory — from nocturnal bucks and odd post-rut movement to time at deer camp, hanging venison in the walk-in cooler, and finishing an 8-day brined venison pastrami. We break down three Post-Rut Field Fact or Fiction items every hunter should know heading into the late season. Then the show h...

The rut is on, rifle season is here, and we’ve got one of the biggest guests in Bluegrass Woods & Water history. In this episode, Rick sits down with Kentucky outdoor legend Tim Farmer for a conversation packed with stories, wisdom, and the kind of insight only Tim can deliver. If you grew up hunting or fishing in Kentucky, you know exactly what his voice means to this state. Rick also breaks...

This week, Rick sits down with Chad Miles , the voice and vision behind Kentucky Afield TV — one of the most iconic outdoor programs in America. Chad shares his journey from growing up in Kentucky’s outdoors to capturing it through the lens — showing what it takes to tell the stories of our hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the Bluegrass. His passion for the outdoors and the people who...

This week on Bluegrass Woods and Water , we take a deep dive into the science and stories behind Kentucky’s great wildlife comeback. From the early days of whitetail and turkey restoration to the elk reintroduction that changed Eastern Kentucky forever, District Wildlife Biologist Ethan Newman joins Rick to share what it takes to keep the Bluegrass thriving. 💥 We also tackle a critical topic for...

🎧 Episode 4: “On Duty with Lieutenant Ping” In this episode of Bluegrass Woods and Water , host Rick Straus sits down with fellow Alexandria native and Campbell County Camel , Lieutenant Jason Ping of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources . They talk about life in wildlife law enforcement, the challenges of protecting Kentucky’s woods and waters, and the dedication it takes to ke...

Kentucky’s whitetail deer herd is one of the greatest conservation success stories in the country — but it wasn’t always that way. In this episode, Rick takes a deep dive into the rise, fall, and incredible recovery of the Bluegrass whitetail, exploring how biologists, hunters, and landowners worked together to bring deer back from the brink. Then, Rick is joined by Chip Hart , host of The Big Out...

Lake Cumberland is home to one of the nation’s top inland striper fisheries — and it didn’t happen by accident. In this episode, I dive into the fascinating history of how stripers came to Kentucky, share my own striper journey across three boats, countless memories, and the mentors who helped shape me along the way. Then I’m joined by my friend Brian Beauchamp of Laker Guide Service , one of the...

On the very first episode of Bluegrass Woods and Water , Rick Straus sits down with Hurley Combs Jr. of Lost Mountain Outfitters — one of Kentucky’s most successful elk outfitters. Hurley shares his story growing up in Hazard, how he got into hunting and guiding, and the journey of building Lost Mountain into a top-notch outfitting business. We dive into: Preparing for elk season and elk camp. Hur...