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. 4d ago

    Episode 119: Jill Frederick - Do it for yourself

    The outdoors isn't just a hobby for Jill Frederick—it’s a way of life. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the outfitting and hunting community, Jill grew up listening to stories of the wild before ultimately becoming her dad's lifelong hunting partner. Now, as a mother, her focus has shifted to passing those same traditions, patience, and respect for nature down to her kids. In this episode, Jill shares the special moments that have shaped her journey, from her very first days in the field to the unforgettable moments with her children. Whether she is advocating for women in the outdoors or helping kids trade screen time for nature, Jill’s story is an inspiring reminder of how the outdoors allows us to reset, recharge, and connect with the people who matter most. In this episode: The lessons of the field: How hunting teaches patience, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.Unforgettable memories: Watching the next generation harvest their first animals.Breaking barriers and giving back: Jill's journey volunteering with hunter education and serving as the first female board member for the SCI Northern Alberta Chapter.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
  2. May 18

    Episode 118: Wildlife Diseases

    As the Provincial Wildlife Disease Specialist, Dr. Margo Pybus has led Alberta’s wildlife health efforts for four decades. Responsible for managing provincial and national policy on wildlife parasites, Margo’s work bridges the gap between scientific research and real-world conservation. In this episode, she joins the podcast to discuss how hunters, farmers, and locals serve as the front line for disease surveillance and what we can learn from the "stories" told by the animals around us. In this episode: A deep dive into the meningeal worm: its complex lifecycle, how it  spreads, and the significance of the first confirmed cases appearing in  Alberta in the summer of 2025.Roadside mortalities and harvested animals as critical data points to confirm the presence of infectious diseases and track their movement across the landscape.The shifting scale of susceptibility regarding avian flu, from its impact on snow geese to the surprising cases involving skunks and fox pups.What outdoor enthusiasts and landowners can do to help manage parasites and maintain the health of Alberta’s wild populations.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/

    56 min
  3. May 4

    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
  4. 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
  5. 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

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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