Call of the Outdoors Episode 51: Penn’s Woods Law: Busting Poachers & Protecting Wildlife

Call of the Outdoors Episode 51: Penn’s Woods Law: Busting Poachers & Protecting Wildlife

Author: Pennsylvania Game Commission November 6, 2024 Duration: 58:50
From finding camouflage corn culprits to taking tips from scorned lovers to catching bear poachers in the act, the life of a Pennsylvania state game warden can be rewarding, dangerous, and anything but boring. Southcentral Region Director Seth Mesoras and Assistant Counsel Jason Raup join host Matt Morrett to discuss the demands of serving as a game warden, the intensive process of investigating poachers, and some of the most interesting cases that have resulted from Operation Game Thief (OGT). Learn what you can do to help protect our wildlife resources and how to avoid ending up on the wrong side of an OGT tip. Episode Highlights: Details of the recent Chester County poaching ring case How OGT helps protect Pennsylvania wildlife The critical role tips from the public play in uncovering cases — and the rewards up for grabs The investigation process and why some tips don’t result in criminal charges Some memorable and bizarre poaching cases in Pennsylvania The most common violations game wardens encounter  Resources: Report suspected wildlife crimes to OGT. Get familiar with current regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Digest. Review safe hunting tips. Find state game lands near you.

There’s a particular feeling that comes from swapping stories with good company under an open sky, and that’s the spirit we try to capture in every episode of Call of the Outdoors. Produced by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, this podcast brings together voices who live and breathe the state’s wild places. You’ll hear from biologists, wardens, hunters, and conservationists, all sharing their deep, firsthand knowledge. Conversations range from the intricate management of local habitats and the science behind tracking species, to the timeless traditions of hunting and the simple joys of noticing nature’s details. It’s not all serious talk-expect genuine laughter and personal anecdotes that remind you of a friendly chat around a campfire. Each installment offers a specific, grounded look at a piece of Pennsylvania’s natural world, whether it’s following the journey of a black bear, understanding the role of prescribed fires, or exploring how communities get involved in protecting their local environment. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that connect you to the ongoing story of wildlife and wilderness stewardship in the Keystone State.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Call of the Outdoors
Podcast Episodes
Ep.74 | Ignite the Spark: It Takes a Hunter to Make a Hunter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
Every time you go into Penn’s Woods, you take home more than a harvest. So pay it forward and take someone hunting this fall. Game Commissioner Bob Schwalm and R3 Program Coordinator Evan Mock join host Matt Morrett to d…
Ep. 73 | Blue Marsh: A Model for Habitat Diversity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:24
State Game Lands (SGL) 280 — known as Blue Marsh — isn’t just a haven for hunters. Its diverse habitat helps build a diverse food chain, making it a destination for birding, photography, hiking, dog training, and more. G…
Ep. 72 | Public Land on Mission: PA’s State Game Lands System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:58
Did you know Pennsylvania is home to enough state game lands (SGL) that each hunter could have two acres to themselves? Public Lands Section Chief Curtis Noll and Land Management Group Supervisor Rodney Mee join host Mat…
Ep. 70 | Luck of the Draw: Elk Application & Hunting Updates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:55
Applying for the hunt of a lifetime just got easier. Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield joins host Matt Morrett to provide an update on the Pennsylvania elk herd, explain all the changes to elk hunting for 2026-27, and share…
Ep. 69 | Spring Gobbler’s Golden Era: A Conservation Comeback [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:20
Are we living in the golden era of the wild turkey? The godfather of turkey hunting thinks so. Pennsylvania native and former NWTF CEO Rob Keck joins host Matt Morrett to discuss his role in the turkey hunting boom, from…
Special Update: Changes for 2026-27 Hunting Seasons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:39
Following the Board of Game Commissioners April meeting, Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to discuss expanded Sunday hunting opportunities, updates to big game seasons and bag limits, and the expans…
Ep. 68 | Speaking Spring Gobbler: Turkey Man’s Calling Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:28
Turkey hunting icon and champion caller Eddie Salter joins longtime friend Matt Morrett to share stories chasing gobblers with the greats, calling strategies for fooling toms, and wisdom from decades of tagging longbeard…
Ep. 67 | Forged by Fire: Prescribed Burns for Better Habitat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:06
Prescribed fire is a HOT topic in Pennsylvania! Fire Program Manager Bryan Whitmore and Southcentral Assistant Regional Forester Brent McNeal join host Matt Morrett to discuss the value of prescribed fire as the ultimate…
Ep. 66 | Conservation Legislation: Tags, Tradition, and Title 34 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
Growing up with Yellowstone as your backyard gives you a unique appreciation for the great outdoors — just ask Senator James Malone. The minority chair of the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee joins host Matt Morrett and…