JAN 16

Conservation Starts Before the Fish Hit the Water

In this episode of the WHIN Podcast, host Joel Henderson sits down with Brooke Knott, co-owner of Sunfish Farms, to dive into the surprisingly complex world of fish farming in Southern Nevada and Utah. Brooke explains how his operation raises warm-water sport fish for public waters, private ponds, and large aquarium displays, and why strict health certifications are critical before any fish can be sold or stocked. Brooke breaks down the costly and rigorous testing required to ensure fish are disease-free, how one bad batch can wipe out an entire water system, and why responsible fish stocking is essential to protecting native ecosystems. The conversation also explores invasive species like quagga mussels, how certain fish can help manage aquatic vegetation, and why ancient species like sturgeon have developed remarkable disease resistance over millions of years. From record-breaking bluegill to the role of fishing regulations in conservation, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how science, business, and outdoor recreation all intersect in modern fishery management — and why doing it right matters for future generations of anglers.

1h 16m

10/22/2025

Three Bilge Pumps and a Prayer

Out here in the desert, duck boats are either a ticket to wild country or a fast way to learn humility. In this episode, Ron circles up with a bench of salty Nevada waterfowlers—Joel Henderson, Sean Fairbairn, John Hymas, Nick, and Don—to talk hard-earned truths from Lake Mead’s big water to Sunnyside’s skinny mud. We dig into the long-tail vs. surface-drive debate, why an 18-footer beats a 14 once you start stacking dogs and decoys, and how to build a blind that flat-out disappears. There’s the unglamorous stuff that keeps you alive—weight placement, bilge redundancy, cold-weather starts, wader risks—and the unsexy maintenance that keeps you hunting—props, bearings, belts, batteries. We also get into dock and hunting etiquette, wanton-waste realities, and the simple discipline of letting birds work. It’s part shop talk, part cautionary tale, and all in service of doing it right: hunt smart, respect the resource, and make conservation a lifestyle.

1h 32m

10/01/2025

Flight Lines & Farm Fields: Inside America’s Dove Capital

In this one, we saddle up with Rashaun Gordon of Gordon’s Gundogs down in the Yuma desert—dove capital of the U.S. and home to one very unique opportunity: an all-year javelina season in Arizona’s Unit 41. We talk through what that actually means (and why farmers want those hog-bodied peccaries off organic fields), then range into the stuff that makes wingshooting addicting: white-wing vs. mourning vs. Eurasian dove ID, why flight paths matter more than fancy camo, and how rotating fields keeps birds using a spot all season. Rashaun lays out his no-nonsense scouting playbook—reading water holes at sunup, tracking zig-zag “pigeon-toed” prints, and letting birds eat so they’ll keep coming back—plus a crash course on Gambel’s quail and how to stitch together a “flying pig” javelina-and-birds weekend. We get deep on gun dogs, too: German shorthaired pointers vs. Brittanys, field-trial rockets vs. versatile close workers, e-collar tone discipline, cactus first aid (yes, carry an afro pick), rattlesnake realities, and why kids always hunt free in Rashaun’s camp. There’s community in this story—restaurants frying up dove tacos, bird-cleaning stations, farmers who welcome respectful hunters—and a reminder that bringing new folks afield is how the tradition survives. If you’re a first-timer, a parent with a tag-along, or a bird nut who likes a heavy game bag and a light billfold, this conversation is your map. Book a hunt with Rashaun at GordonGundogs.com or call 702-857-1714—and as always: make conservation a lifestyle, and support those who support wildlife.

1h 24m

09/02/2025

“Preserving More Than Trophies: Conservation Through Taxidermy”

Velvet, Antelope & the Art of Taxidermy On this episode, we’re talking shop with Bradley LeBaron of Coots Taxidermy, a guy who’s been grinding away for close to a decade, turning hides, horns, and capes into lasting pieces of art. We dig into what it takes to keep velvet antlers from rotting off in the heat, why antelope are both the most beautiful and most fragile critters to work on, and why cheap mounts almost always look like a stuffed sock. Bradley walks us through the nuts and bolts: caping an antelope in the field without butchering it, salting hides in the desert, dealing with maggots and stink-fees, and why your taxidermist might just be the first line of defense for conservation. From helping with CWD testing to spotting illegal kills, taxidermists end up seeing a side of wildlife management most folks never think about. We get into competition mounts, grizzly bears, and the fine line between art and science. And, like every good hunting story, there’s some hard-earned advice in here: treat your cape like meat, keep it cool, and respect the animal all the way through the process. If you’ve ever wondered what separates a mount that lasts a lifetime from one that makes you cringe every time you walk past it, this conversation will set you straight.

1h 8m

08/20/2025

Trout Don’t Live in Ugly Places: Healing on the Water

Out in the Mojave, in a town better known for neon than trout streams, there’s a small crew of folks who decided to bring a national program called Project Healing Waters to life. On this episode of the WIN Podcast, we sit down with the Las Vegas chapter leaders—Matt, Tyler, Nate, and the rest of the gang—to talk about how fly rods, bug boxes, and the simple act of standing knee-deep in cold water are changing lives. They’ll walk us through the origin story—how a seed planted in the Henderson Vet Center grew into a community where veterans, first responders, and everyday folks can find therapy in tying a fly, building a rod, or watching a trout rise. You’ll hear Tyler’s raw honesty about addiction, service, and giving back, Nate’s journey from the military to finding healing on the water, and Matt’s passion for making sure every vet has a place to belong. This isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about camaraderie, purpose, and what happens when good people decide to serve those who’ve already given so much. Trout don’t live in ugly places, and as you’ll hear, sometimes neither does healing. If you’ve ever wondered whether a fishing rod could be medicine—this is your episode.

1h 5m

07/14/2025

"From Bowfins to Backcasts: A Kayak Angler’s Journey"

In this jam-packed episode of the WHIN Podcast, host Rydell Danzey (Field to Grill/F2G) sits down with two passionate Nevada kayak anglers—Abby Czarnecki and Garrett Schumer—for a candid conversation about what it really takes to get started and stay safe on the water. From gear hacks and fish tales to conservation ethics and community support, they cover it all. Abby shares her journey from pandemic paddle-outs to tournament circuits, while Garrett brings his guzzler-building and bass-hunting insight straight from the habitat frontlines. You’ll hear stories about 14-mile wind battles on Lake Mead, creative kayak rigging, and how kayak fishing is more than just a sport—it’s therapy, it’s community, and it’s conservation. Whether you’re a seasoned bass junkie or just kayak-curious, this episode delivers big with humor, heart, and heaps of helpful tips. Bonus: Learn how to get involved with free kayak classes, youth outreach events, and even veteran wellness initiatives. 🎣 “You don’t need $10k to get on the water—you just need the will to try.” 👉 Powered by Wildlife and Habitat Improvement of Nevada—where conservation is a lifestyle.

1h 36m

06/30/2025

The Gospel According to the Gauge

Step into the Battleborn Duckers Studio with host Rydell Danzie for a high-caliber episode of the WHIN Podcast that hits harder than a 12-gauge at fly-down. Joined by an all-star table of waterfowl junkies—including Greg Vury (Bear Arms, Mossy Oak Pro Staff), Nick Gulley (Marsh Addiction NV), Joel Henderson (Alabama Outdoors), Don Probst (WHIN Board), and Nevada duck-hunting legend Ruben Aquino—this is a full-throttle dive into shotguns, choke tubes, and the fine art of folding ducks. From the evolution of duck loads and the rise of sub-gauges to the ethics of patterning and conserving with precision, this episode is less talk-show and more masterclass. These guys aren’t just blowing smoke—they’re breaking down everything from recoil control and barrel tuning to why you should always pattern your gun before opening day. We get real about the gear, share hard-earned wisdom, and yeah, even talk a little trash (because if your shotgun still crunches when you cycle it…you might be one of us). Whether you're a rookie hunting with dad’s old 870 or a seasoned killer rocking a Retay 20-gauge, this episode will sharpen your edge and deepen your love for the game.

1h 19m

06/16/2025

“Chasing Nesting Habitat in a Dry State”

On this episode of the WHIN Podcast, we’re posted up in the Battleborn Duckers studio talking with two gritty, boots-in-the-mud volunteers—Glynn Franke and Tanner Bingham—about a project that’s as innovative as it is wild: building floating islands in Nevada’s desert marshes to give ducks a better shot at nesting. We dig into how this idea came to life, the science behind plant selection, predator battles (muskrats, of all things), and how a couple of non-biologists ended up growing native vegetation in a homemade marsh lab two hours from Vegas. It’s the kind of hands-on conservation work that reminds you why we do what we do—sweating through the off-season, hauling heavy gear through mudflats, and solving real habitat problems because the next generation of ducks, and duck hunters, depends on it.

1h 1m

06/05/2025

"Donkeys, Dirt, and Desert Rehydration: Rewilding with Purpose"

In this first-of-its-kind international episode of the WHIN Podcast, host Ron Stoker and Dr. Jason Wasden bring together two visionary land stewards—Chris Engler from Australia and Alejandro Carrillo from Mexico—for a groundbreaking conversation on using donkeys as tools for ecological regeneration. From the outback of Western Australia to the rugged mountains of Chihuahua, these pioneers share how wild and domestic donkeys are transforming arid landscapes into thriving habitats. With deep dives into predator-prey dynamics, biodiversity restoration, fire management, and the politics of conservation, this episode challenges conventional thinking on what it means to manage land. Whether you're curious about regenerative agriculture, concerned about water scarcity, or just want to hear how two men turned feral animals into climate-resilient allies, this is the episode that will change how you look at hoofed animals forever.

1h 14m

06/02/2025

“Wildlife by the Numbers (and the Sweat): Nevada’s Conservation Deep Dive”

This week on the WHIN Podcast, we’re talking boots-on-the-ground wildlife management with Doug Nielsen and Joe Bennett from NDOW—two guys who’ve spent decades in the dirt making sure Nevada’s big game herds stay wild and healthy. We dig into everything from how tag quotas are really set, to what goes into moving 150 bighorn sheep across the state, to the brutal realities of drought, predation, and habitat loss. Joe breaks down the data, Doug lays out the history, and we talk about what hunters can actually do to make an impact beyond just buying a tag. If you’ve ever filled a freezer, volunteered for a guzzler, or just wanted to understand the sausage-making behind your draw odds—this one’s for you.

1h 23m

05/20/2025

Where Conservation Meets Grit

Brought to you by the Wildlife and Habitat Improvement of Nevada (WHIN), this podcast dives deep into the wild heart of the Silver State. From guzzler builds in the desert to youth duck hunts, mule deer collaring, and predator management, we bring you the real stories behind Nevada’s conservation movement. Each episode features boots-on-the-ground insights from volunteers, biologists, hunters, and community leaders—plus updates on how your support is turning every donated dollar into triple-matched action through the Pittman-Robertson Act. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman, a curious conservationist, or just love public lands, this is your backstage pass to the work that keeps Nevada wild.

1h 15m

WHIN's Podcast

Episodes

Conservation Starts Before the Fish Hit the Water

Three Bilge Pumps and a Prayer

Flight Lines & Farm Fields: Inside America’s Dove Capital

“Preserving More Than Trophies: Conservation Through Taxidermy”

Trout Don’t Live in Ugly Places: Healing on the Water

"From Bowfins to Backcasts: A Kayak Angler’s Journey"

The Gospel According to the Gauge

“Chasing Nesting Habitat in a Dry State”

"Donkeys, Dirt, and Desert Rehydration: Rewilding with Purpose"

“Wildlife by the Numbers (and the Sweat): Nevada’s Conservation Deep Dive”

Where Conservation Meets Grit

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