The Kansas BHA Podcast

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 transfer...

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.

Yeah.  I screwed up.  Listen in to see how.

In this episode we talk with J.R. Glenn of The Kansas Chapter of the Wildlife Society.

We talk with Bethany Erb of Pheasants Forever about the North American Grassland Conservation Act, recently introduced by Senator Wyden of Oregon.

Michelle Ratzlaff leads this podcast and tells listeners why she enjoys the outdoors and the passion the outdoors brings to her.

We sit down and talk with Barth Crouch who is the State Coordinator of the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition.  Barth brings us up to speed with what the KGLC is doing to help ranchers better manage their lands for cattle, wildlife, and the future of grasslands in Kansas.

Get smarter!  In this episode Kurt provides an overview of the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation.  This is a great episode to listen to if you like to know a lot.  If you don't like to know a lot, well I don't know what's wrong with you!

In this episode we visit with Board member Jed Reece about what he does to stay fit for packing.  Jed is chiseled, in shape, and the most successful novice elk hunter I know.  He's a living example of how fitness can help you be a better hunter.

In this episode we visit with KDWP Fisheries Biologist Jeff Koch about monster Blue Catfish in Kansas waters.  If you're not fishing for these, you're missing out on not only one of the biggest fish in Kansas waters, but also, one of the tastiest fish in Kansas.  Have a listen and learn all about Blue Cats and their increased popularity in Kansas as a sportfish.  

We sit down with KDWP Secretary Brad Loveless and Assistant Secretary Mike Miller to recap the legislative session, talk about the future, and more important take in what the retiring Mike Miller has to say about his 39 years with the Department.  It's always fun to sit down with these two.  Enjoy the episode.

We sit down with KDWP Secretary Brad Loveless and Assistant Secretary Mike Miller to recap the legislative session, talk about the future, and more important take in what the retiring Mike Miller has to say about his 39 years with the Department.  It's always fun to sit down with these two.  Enjoy the episode.