The Great Northeast Podcast The Great Northeast Podcast

Brian Bird, of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, joins the podcast and talks about several issues facing sportsmen in his region, which includes New York, New England and New Jersey. Brian shares his thoughts on non-hunters trying to influence hunting regulations, New Hampshire’s moose management program and striped bass along the east coast. He also talks about the joys of mentoring new hunters, something that his role in BHA allows him to be heavily involved in.

Join New York Outdoor News Editor Dan Ladd who takes the helm on this episode to get caught up on a number of topics. After honoring members of our armed forces, past and present as Memorial Day approaches, Dan discusses the upcoming Adirondack brook trout management plan, DEC’s proposal to seek permits for bass fishing tournaments, and recent outdoor writer awards. Then it’s on to turkeys, including talk of hunting with a .410 and tips on bagging an eleventh hour gobbler.

Well-known outdoor writer and retired DEC biologist Bill Hollister, who is approaching his 90th birthday, joins the podcast to talk about turkeys and turkey hunting. Bill was there when New York re-established wild turkeys in New York and several neighboring states and shares a great deal of that history. He also offers hunting and calling strategies that have helped him bag spring gobblers in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and beyond.

With striped bass now making their way up the Hudson River, and other Northeast tributary rivers, anglers pursuing these saltwater fish are brewing with excitement. Striped bass angler and conservationist Ed Skorupski joins the podcast to talk about issues facing the these highly sought after fish and their ecosystems, and also discusses how to catch them on the Hudson River by boat and from shore.

In June, 2023, Rick McDermott, founder and president of the NY Crossbow Coalition passed away suddenly as the result of vehicle accident. Since then, the organization has been redefining itself as it attempts to rebound. Roy Dust has stepped to the forefront as president and joins the Great Northeast Podcast to discuss the challenges of the past 10 months, what’s happening in New York in terms of crossbow legislation and developments, and why he feels crossbows should be allowed during the entire archery season.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Fisheries Chief Steve Hurst joins Dan Ladd for a solid discussion of the forthcoming Adirondack Brook Trout Management Plan. Hurts gets into the details of the background of New York’s state freshwater fish and most importantly: how the species will be managed in the future. There’s also talk of bass management across the state with an emphasis on the St. Lawrence River/East Lake Ontario region.