Episode 40: Igniting Change: Prescribed Fire for Wildlife Habitat

Episode 40: Igniting Change: Prescribed Fire for Wildlife Habitat

Author: Pennsylvania Game Commission March 6, 2024 Duration: 51:20
Prescribed fire is nothing new — Native Americans used controlled burns to boost berry production and draw in wildlife for centuries. Chief Land Manager Dr. Scott Bearer and Land Management Supervisor Steve Ferreri join host Matt Morrett to explain the value of this management tool to wildlife and their habitats throughout Pennsylvania. Learn how prescribed fire is fundamentally different from wildfire, how it ultimately benefits wild turkey nesting, creates woody browse for healthy deer populations, and uses drone technology to efficiently target pockets of land. Episode Highlights: Resources: Learn more about how the Pennsylvania Game Commission uses prescribed fire. Check out our interactive online...

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: 71

Call of the Outdoors
Podcast Episodes
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]

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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
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Special Update: Proposed Change to Firearms Deer Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
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Ep. 65 | Trapline to Tree Stand: Tom Miranda’s Outdoor Adventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:57
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Ep. 64 | Game Chat: Answering Your Wild Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:11
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Ep. 63 | Protect & Serve: Game Wardens in the Wild [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:01
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Ep. 62 | Deer Camp Kinship: A Hunting Legacy of Giving Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:59
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Ep. 61 | Firing for the Future: Conservation Starts at the Range [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:11
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