WCCO Outdoors

As his focus shifts from one Fair (Game) to another (State), Rob Drieslein takes some time to update the latest in Outdoors sporting news.  He also welcomes the following guests on the show: Jerry Ludwig explains some of the tips that helped earn him the honor of being named 2023 MN DNR Firearms Instructor of the Year. MN DNR Fisheries Management Consultant Jon Hansen gives us the latest on some e...

During this edition of the program, Rob Drieslein wraps up the festivities from Game Fair 2024.  For the majority of the time, however, he and Modern Carnivore founder Mark Norquist sit down with MN DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen to talk about several subjects, including the "Get Out More" campaign, who her boss may be after the November elections, and the new fishing regulations on Lake Mille La...

On this week's episode, Rob Drieslein gives us the lowdown from the first weekend of the year's Game Fair event.  He also welcomes the following guests on the program: MN DNR Big Game Program Leader Barb Keller explains what to watch for during the 2024 Whitetail deer hunting seasons. TheMeateater.com contributor Mark Kenyon previews what to expect when the Working for Wildlife Tour comes to the P...

August is here, which means a big event for Upper Midwest outdoors enthusiasts.  Ahead of Game Fair (starting next weekend), Rob Drieslein chats with the following guests: Sharon Stiteler (a.k.a. The Bird Chick) returns with the latest news about our feathered friends. MN DNR Lake Superior Fisheries Supervisor Cory Goldsworthy tells us about what we'll find when we cast a line in the largest of th...

After a couple weeks off, Rob Drieslein is back to bring you the latest in outdoor news.  He finally gets a chance to opine on the MN DNR's decision to sell parcels of the Boundary Waters area to the U.S. Forest Service.  Plus, the following guests join the program: MN DNR grouse project lead Charlotte Roy tells us about the promising rough grouse numbers across the state. Outdoor News sales &...

Over this long holiday weekend, there were plenty of chances to get out and enjoy the outdoors.  Rob Drieslein is back on to discuss the latest news and welcome the following guests: Mike Schrage, wildlife biologist for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, talks about the group's efforts to grow the elk population in Northern Minnesota. Outdoors journalist Ron Hustvedt recaps a recent tri...

On this Father's Day edition of the show, Rob Drieslein gives his thoughts on this week's Supreme Court ruling on bump stocks, as well as pintail ducks.  He also welcomes the following guests on the show: MN DNR research scientist Eric Michel previews the upcoming deer population study set to start next month in Northeastern MN. Dogtra trainer/consultant Pete Fischer tells us about training dogs t...

Rob Drieslein is in for this week's edition of the show.  He lets us know about an upcoming management change at the MN DNR.  Plus, he lends time to some of our fine-feathered friends, including chats with the following guests: Jon Mobeck, executive director of the National Loon Center, tells us about the new features being built to celebrate Minnesota's state bird. Dr. Karen Waldrop (Chief Conser...

Rob Drieslein starts off this week's edition of the program talking about the new Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo.  He then brings the following guests on the air: Registered nurse Mary Beth Beseke tells us the why and how she makes homemade natural soap from bear fat. Twin Cities Muskie, Inc. president Jim Doyle talks about the opening the 2024 season.

During this Memorial Day weekend, Rob Drieslein is in to help us enjoy those outdoor activities.  He talks a bit about Bass fishing and Peregrine falcons, while also giving some time to this week's guests: MN State Rep. Rick Hansen gives us a final rundown of the outdoors and conservation bills that passed during the 2024 session in St. Paul. Bob McGillivray, MN Land Protection Director of the Tru...

Rob Drieslein is in to take us through the outdoors headlines of the week.  Plus, he opens up the program to the following guests: MN DNR Hutchinson area fisheries supervisor Scott Mackenthun lets us know how the opening of the inland season is going on Clear Lake. Turkey hunting rolls on, and Meateater.com contributor Tony Peterson provides the latest information on how season's going.

It's a big weekend outdoors.  Rob Dreislein dives in on the annual Walleye Opening weekend, with anglers taking to lakes all around the state.  He also gets out on the water with the following guests: MN DNR large lake specialist Nick Schlesser tells us how the jumbo perch are biting in the southeastern part of the state. Birch Forest Lodge owner Adam Van Tassell details how a trip to South Americ...

After a week off (due to late-afternoon Twins baseball), Rob Drieslein is back to it.  He brings us the latest outdoors headlines and welcomes a couple of guests to speak on some pressing topics: Jim Siewert is the "local coordinator" for this year's Governor's Fishing Opener on Lake Pepin, and he tells us how the town is prepping for next weekend's festivities. National Deer Association chief com...

On this week's edition, Rob Drieslein takes us through the latest outdoors headlines and welcomes the following guests on the broadcast: Acme River Rides fishing guide Wendy Williamson gets us in the know about area fly fishing, especially when it comes to species other than trout. Outdoorsman Mark Strand returns to the program to discuss conditions as Minnesota's turkey hunting season opened up t...

On this week's episode, Rob Drieslein offers up the outdoors headlines that are making news.  He also talks with the following guests: Sharon Stiteler (a.k.a. The Bird Chick) is in studio to take your birding questions and discuss her viewing of last week's solar eclipse. Patrick Berry tells us how his first few months as the new CEO of the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers organization are gong.

It's appropriate on a rainy Sunday that Rob Drieslein focuses on the water this week.  Along with the latest headlines, he welcomes the following guests on the program. Retired fishing guide Scott Thorpe tells us about the practice of casting for and catching Steelhead trout. Leslie George, MN DNR Northeastern Regional Fisheries manager, discusses the organization's updates to Muskie management.

Rob Drieslein is in on this holiday weekend to preview a couple of upcoming events with Outdoors sporting in focus.  He also welcomes the following guests on the show: Sara Berhow, Public Relations Supervisor for the MN DNR's Parks and Trails Division, tells us about the state's variety of parks and explains why we should plan those Summer camping trips now. MN-FISH executive director and former D...

On this week's episode, Rob Drieslein updates us on some fishing headlines.  He also chats with the following guests: Wisconsin Outdoor News editor Dean Bortz tells us what's happening east of the St. Croix  River, including their annual Conservation Congress meetings and a little Badger basketball reaction. Author Tony Jones takes us behind the scenes of his latest book, "The God of Wild Places".

On this St. Patrick's Day, Rob Drieslein leaves us green with envy at his knowledge of the week's outdoors headlines.  He spreads the love (and luck) to the following guests: Minnesota Fishing Museum & Hall of Fame executive director Brenda Perlowski tells us about the organization's upcoming fundraiser (Friday, April 5th). Lukas Leaf from Sportsman for the Boundary Waters previews the upcomin...

Rob Drieslein has some updates to the week's big stories.  He also invites the following guest on for a chat: Retired U.S Fish & Wildlife biologist (and Rob's father) Bob Drieslein talk about his new passion...astronomy.  This is all in a preview to the total solar eclipse on April 8th. Jon Schneider, Manager of Conservation Programs for Ducks Unlimited, talks about receiving a Lifetime Achiev...

During this week's edition of the program, Rob Drieslein brings on a full list of guests.  They include the following: MN DNR Capt. Jeff Johanson tells us about the department's drive to hire new conservation officers. Rainydaze Guide Service owner Chris Granrud updates how ice fishing conditions are in northern parts of the state, along with his expectation for when open water season will being o...

Rob Drieslein lets us know what's making news in the outdoors before heading into a very wild weather week.  He also brings on the following guests: Wood Duck Society president John Molkenbur talks about this lesser-known waterfowl species. MeatEater.com contributor Tony Peterson tells us how this odd Winter season has effected rabbit and squirrel hunting, as well as its future effects on Whitetai...

We got a little blast of Winter this week.  Rob Drieslein gives us a sense of how this effected the Outdoors sporting world.  Plus, he sits down with the following guests: Matt Ginter from Stearns County Outfitters gives us an outlook on the opening day of the Snow Goose hunting season. The Aldo Leopold Foundation executive director Buddy Huffaker explains the importance of the late "A Sand County...

On this edition of the show, Rob Drieslein turns his eye towards the Mississippi River.  Two guests with livelihoods connected to America's most famous waterway join in on the discussion. Fisherman and broadcaster Eric Olson provides an update of the conditions this Winter on the Mighty Mississippi. National Eagle Center marketing director Ed Hahn tells us about the organization located in Wabasha...

There's a lot to get to this week, as Rob Drieslein goes through some headlines and tiptoes outside of the world of hunting and fishing...but stays outdoors. Team Birkie head coach Chad Salmela describes the difficulties of this unusually warm Winter on the sport of cross-country skiing. Outdoor News Vice President of Sales & Marketing Phil Frebault reviews his trip to the annual NSSF (Nationa...