WCCO Outdoors

With Game Fair wrapped up for another year and the State Fair around the corner, there's a lot for Rob Drieslein to dig into. To help him out, he welcomes Meateater.com contributor Tony Peterson back on the show to preview what hunters and anglers should expect during the Fall 2025 season across the state.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are meeting today in Alaska to talk about the possibility of peace in Russia's war against Ukraine. One analyst says the word 'no' is Trump's most powerful weapon ... But will he use it? Also, CBS' Major Garrett has tips on what to watch for in the meeting.

Here are the facts, darn facts and opinions about President Donald Trump ordering the National Guard into Washington D.C., a move some believe underscores his totalitarian tendencies and others believe is a much-needed security measure for a key place in America.

At the beginning of this episode, Rob Drieslein digs into how deer management is going across the state. Then, he turns the program over to ducks, with help from the following guests: MN DNR migratory game bird consultant Nate Huck discusses topics surrounding various types of the bird species, including Blue-winged teals and mallards. Scott Anderson, Director of Non-Traditional Fundraising & Prom...

To kick off this week's episode, Rob Drieslein looks ahead to a new MN DNR rule removing the "B" deer hunting seasons from the annual calendar. Then, he turns the show over to bird chatter and the following guests: MN DNR researcher Charlotte Roy details the organization's recent studies on Ruffed Grouse in northern parts of the state. WI DNR researcher Amy Shipley explains her recent study on how...

On this week's episode, Rob Drieslein opens up by answering why there are discussions for permits to kill some Common merganser ducks on a couple state lakes. Afterwards, he chats with the following guests: MN DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen is back for the second part of her two-week interview. This time around, she chats about the Get Out initiative, funding for the agency, the impacts of crossb...

Rob Drieslein opens up this week's episode with a fishing update on Lake Mille Lacs. Then, he welcomes on the following guests: Delta Waterfowl Chief Policy Officer John Devney joins the show to talk ducks and how these birds will be affected by the recent Reconciliation Act passed in D.C. MN DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen is on for the first of a two-part, two-show interview. This week, she disc...

During this edition of the show, Rob Drieslein digs back into the proposed fee changes for the Boundary Waters area in Northern Minnesota. He also chats with the following guests: Andrew Schmidt, Director of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, discusses how the new law from Washington (formerly the One Big Beautiful Bill) will affect those small game birds. Dr. Valerie Brad...

After a Sunday off due to a Twins night game, Rob Drieslein is back on the air to close out your July 4th weekend. He starts by updating how the Outdoors could be affected by the Big Beautiful Bill going into law. After that, he chats with the following guests: Freelance outdoors journalist contributor Roy Heilman discusses his recent article on some of the lesser-known places you should canoe acr...

On this episode of the program, Rob Drieslein offers his condolences to the late MN Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman. After that, he talks to the following guests: Conservation Officer Jake Swedberg of the MN DNR updates us on the organization's K9 program. Outdoorsman Ron Hustvedt discusses potential recreation fee increases to access your favorite outdoors activities.

A detailed 20-page complaint filed by federal prosecutors reveals chilling details about the actions by Vance Boelter, the suspect in targeted, political shootings that left former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark dead, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife seriously injured. Here's reaction from local hosts on WCCO in Minneapolis, plus commentary on our ov...

In this Father's Day edition of the program, Rob Drieslein revisits the new law regarding shotgun and rifle hunting across the state. Then, he chats with the following guests: MN DNR Boating Law Administrator Capt. Adam Block about the new law that will eventually require all watercraft operators to be licensed. Blue Water Science owner Steve McComas (a.k.a. The Lake Detective) describes how the s...

After a week off (pre-empted by the Twins), Rob Drieslein is back at it. He opens this episode by revisiting the potential legislation to allow rifle hunting across parts of the state. Then, he opens up the lines to the following guests: Muskie fishing education Steve Heiting joins the program with the Muskie season getting underway this weekend. Sharon Stiteler (a.k.a. "The Bird Chick") steps bac...

On this Memorial Day weekend, Rob Drieslein is still here for you with the latest outdoors sporting news. He opens up by talking about a controversial case involving public versus private land. Then, he welcomes the following guests on the broadcast: After discussing what he did on his recent travels, Naturesmart.com creator and Outdoors News contributor Stan Tekiela is back to talk about his loca...

With most open-water fishing seasons open, Rob Drieslein opens this week's episode by looking ahead to the upcoming Muskie opener in July. Then, he welcomes the following guests on the show: Longtime Outdoor News contributor Stan Tekiela updates his recent travels. Agate Financial Services president Craig Prudhomme shows off his expertise on the colorful rocks found in nature. Plus, he previews th...

It may be the Walleye Fishing opener this weekend, but host Rob Drieslein has his mind on birds...specifically turkeys. First, Rob takes a few minutes to recap the Public Lands Rally that happened earlier this week at the State Capitol. Then, he brings on Meateater.com contributor and renowned outdoorsman Tony Peterson for an extended discussion about the turkey hunting season (which continues thr...

During this week's edition of the program, Rob Drieslein takes some time to explain the importance of firearms safety classes and the instructors that run them. Legendary outdoors guide Tony Roach lets us know how Spring fishing in going and provides a preview ahead of next weekend's Governor's Fishing Opener. Linda Bylander, longtime coordinator of the MN DNR's Becoming an Outdoors Woman program,...

Unfortunately, it's another week for Rob Drieslein to start the show on a somber note. This episode, he remembers the life and career of the late hunter and Outdoors News contributor Scott Bestul. After that, he talks with the following guests: Legendary outdoorsman and former WCCO host Ron Schara chats about turkey hunting as the seasons continue. Sharon Stiteler (a.k.a. The Bird Chick) chats abo...

On the holiday episode, Rob Drieslein takes a few moments to remember the life of local conservationist Jeff Broberg. Then, he chats with the following guests: Bemidji State biology professor Andrew Hafs provides information on the study he's leading on how front-facing sonar affects Muskie mortality on Leech Lake (and sonar's potential role in that). Legendary fishing guide Brian "Bro" Brosdahl e...

On the week's edition, Rob Drieslein takes a few minutes to remember the storied career of nature photographer Jim Brandenburg. After that, he opens up the show to the following guests: MN DNR Lake Superior supervisor Cory Goldsworthy tells us about what's happening at fisheries along the state's North Shore. Outdoor News contributor and University of Nebraska-Lincoln biology professor Bob Zink of...

This week, Rob Drieslein provides an update to a story about cougars in Northern Michigan. Plus, he offers a tribute to the late actor Val Kilmer. Then, he opens up the show for the following guests: John Lenczewski, executive director of the MN chapter of Trout Unlimited, previews next weekend's annual opener for the popular fish species (on state streams). Frequent guest of the program Mark Stra...

On this week's edition, Rob Drieslein sends some flowers to a Minnesota angler that recently won the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world. Then, he opens up the lines to the following guests: Chance Adams joins the show to discuss his new role as board chair of the Minnesota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. We gets news updates from east of the St. Croix River as Wisconsin O...

On this week's edition, Rob Drieslein makes a brief return to last week's show. He talks about the impact on front-facing sonar on fishing, specifically Jumbo Perch. Then, he turns things forward with the following guests: Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters executive director Lukas Leaf discusses why the potential moratorium repeal of copper-nickel mining in Northern MN may have damaging impacts on...

This week, Rob Drieslein takes us back on the frozen lakes to discuss some new concerns about Jumbo Perch fishing that took place over the past season. He also opens up the mic to the following guests: MN-FISH executive director Mark Holsten looks ahead at the upcoming summit that the organization will hold. What issues will the event focus on? Nerstand Big Woods Park naturalist Andy Wendt talks m...

During this edition of the program, Rob Drieslein discusses how recent government decisions may effect fishing on area lakes. Before that, the show is packed with the following guests: Eric Meyer previews the upcoming Minnesota Deer & Turkey Classic. RainyDaze service guide Chris Granrud looks at how ice fishing is starting to wrap up in northern parts of the state. Bemidji State graduate student/...