Harvest Your Own Podcast

Brad Fenson

Harvest Your Own’s Podcast is about to become your go-to resource for all things related to your field-to-fork experience, by helping you with the harvesting, processing and cooking of your own ethically-sourced, wild Alberta protein. Join host Brad Fenson as he talks to a wide variety of people about their experiences and expertise. Take on new challenges and deepen your connection to the outdoors—learn to harvest your own!

  1. 6D AGO

    Episode 117: Outdoor Influence

    A trailblazer in the Canadian outdoor industry, Lisa Roper is a television producer, hunter, and angler who holds the distinction of being the first woman in Canada to host and produce her own national fishing series. From her hometown of Lac La Biche to the national stage, she has dedicated her career to breaking barriers and building confidence in the next generation of outdoorsmen and women. Six years after appearing on the second-ever episode of the HYO podcast, Lisa returns to share how her mission has evolved and is excited to help introduce fishing into Harvest Your Own. In this episode: Lisa breaks down her guiding mantra, "Show Up and Good Things Happen," and explains how a simple shift in mindset led her to producing top-ranked series for the Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network.A deep dive into the philosophy of experiencing a region beyond the shoreline—focusing on local culture, community connection, and creating new memories.Creating initiatives like Ladies on Ice and Fishing Lines & Good Times that equip people with the tools to explore and get hooked on a new passion.Lisa and Brad discuss why it is vital to let youth own their own process in the field, from the initial struggle to the final harvest, and how taking a backseat as a mentor builds lasting memories.Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. Find Brad at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson Find Harvest Your Own at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

    39 min
  2. APR 7

    Episode 115: Tread Lightly

    A retired race car engineer turned powersports leader, Vince spent nearly two decades building and testing engines for stock, drag, and road racing before opening Cycle Works Motorsports Calgary—now representing 15 major brands. Today, he also serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Alberta Conservation Association, where he helps bridge the gap between the off-road community and conservation. In this episode, Vince shares why responsible land use is the “new kind of woodcraft,” how education is key to keeping access open, and what riders can do to protect the landscapes they depend on. Alongside his wife, he’s helped teach Introduction to ATVing courses through AHEIA—combining technical skill with stewardship. This conversation is about more than machines—it’s about respect, responsibility, and ensuring Alberta’s wild spaces remain open and healthy for generations to come. Brad and Vince discuss: ATVs and recreational vehiclesUsing recreational vehicles in the backcountry, on trails, and around wildlifeKnow where and when you are ridingLegal requirementsSupport your local fish and game clubsTips and tricksLike the episode or let us know another topic to cover. Find Brad at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson Find Harvest Your Own at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

    39 min
  3. MAR 16

    Episode 114: Tracking Mule Deer: What Collars Are Revealing

    Mule deer are one of Alberta’s most recognizable big game animals, but they are also one of the least studied. In this episode of the Harvest Your Own Podcast, Brad Fenson sits down with wildlife biologist Paul Jones to discuss the Alberta Mule Deer Collaring Project, a new research effort tracking mule deer movement, survival, and habitat use across southern Alberta. Researchers are using GPS collars deployed by helicopter capture teams to better understand how mule deer move across the landscape, how winter conditions affect survival, and how populations respond to predators, disease, and habitat changes. The project brings together several conservation partners, including Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, Grand Slam Club/Ovis Canada, and the Government of Alberta, with research partners Wilderness Solutions Inc. and EcoBorealis Consulting Inc. The data collected will help biologists improve how mule deer populations are monitored and managed across Alberta. Brad and Paul discuss: • How mule deer are captured and collared • What researchers are learning about migration and movement • How winter severity affects mule deer survival • New technologies being explored for wildlife monitoring • How landowners and conservation partners are helping support the research Learn more about the project: https://albertacollaringproject.com/ Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. Find Brad at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson Find Harvest Your Own at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

    35 min
  4. MAR 9

    BrAdvice Episode 13: Stop Digging. Start Managing. Freezer Tips for Hunters

    If you’ve ever stood over a chest freezer digging for that one moose roast buried somewhere at the bottom, this episode is for you. In this BrAdvice episode, Brad Fenson breaks down practical freezer management for wild game hunters. From proper wrapping techniques to colour-coding by species, labelling by year and cut, and building a freezer legend, Brad shares the system he uses to manage deer, elk, moose, bear, birds, and more. You’ll learn: • How to wrap wild game for long-term quality • Why butcher paper and colored burger bags matter • How to use cloth grocery bags to organize by species and cut • Why layering meat properly prevents spoilage • How to track older meat so nothing goes to waste • When to repurpose cuts into jerky, sausage, or pressure-canned meals Brad reminds us that hunting is about more than harvesting. It’s about respecting the meat, using it well, and planning ahead. If you care about wild game storage, freezer organization, and getting the most out of your harvest, this episode will change the way you use your freezer. Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. Find Brad at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson Find Harvest Your Own at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

    13 min
  5. FEB 16

    Episode 112: From South Dakota Camps to Alberta’s Turkey Plan with Jim Clarke

    Wild turkeys didn’t arrive in Alberta by chance. They arrived because people kept showing up. In this Harvest Your Own episode, Brad sits down with Jim Clarke, one of the key figures behind Alberta’s turkey management plan, to tell the full story of how trap-and-transfer became reality. Jim walks through the early history of turkeys in the province, including the 1962 Cypress Hills release, and explains why those birds didn’t establish as hoped. He then takes listeners inside the years of meetings, resolutions, and conversations that eventually shaped today’s program with Alberta Conservation Association, where turkeys are trapped in B.C., tested, and moved into Alberta. Along the way, you’ll hear about: •A memorable South Dakota hunt where Jim held out for a white-tipped Merriam •How local Fish & Game clubs are helping fund turkey releases •Why winter-hardy eastern turkeys from Quebec could matter for central Alberta •Jim’s long-term hope for a general turkey tag in the province If you’d like more information or want to get involved with turkey work in Alberta, you can reach Jim directly at jimclarkeffg@gmail.com Part hunting story, part policy history, and part grassroots effort, this episode shows what persistence looks like on the ground. Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. Find Brad at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson Find Harvest Your Own at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

    35 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Harvest Your Own’s Podcast is about to become your go-to resource for all things related to your field-to-fork experience, by helping you with the harvesting, processing and cooking of your own ethically-sourced, wild Alberta protein. Join host Brad Fenson as he talks to a wide variety of people about their experiences and expertise. Take on new challenges and deepen your connection to the outdoors—learn to harvest your own!

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