In this busy world there’s only so much time to get things done. Finding the time to research the issues that affect the sportsmen and women in the Commonwealth and North America usually falls by the wayside as life overcomes us with day-to-day events.

Since starting the “State of the Outdoors” podcast three years ago, I’ve left if and come back to it. I came back to it, because I believe now more than ever it is important be informed and get involved. This show is meant to be a ‘public service’ to the hardworking sportsmen and women who simply cannot make it to all the meetings, but care very much about our heritage. You will never have to listen to advertisements or be asked to patronize a sponsor. Further, we will not ask anyone to agree or disagree with us. The dialogue and participation are what is important. If we have to agree to disagree, that is part of the mission.

In starting it back up, we will work hard to inform the public of what is going on in the Commonwealth and North America. That will require a format change. Those loyal followers familiar with this show will remember that Ben Bishop and I tried to cover North America and the Commonwealth in one show. It made it long and cumbersome.

Now, we will produce twelve shows a year: four shows that cover our quarterly Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings in Kentucky. My co-host for that show will be the former Fourth District Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, Mr. Brian Mackey. The other eight months of the year, my original co-host, Mr. Ben Bishop will be “riding shotgun” to bring everyone up to speed on North American issues.

You can find the podcast at this link: The State of the Outdoors

If you’d like to learn more or take action here are some great places to look and valuable links:

1. Nationally Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has very powerful tools under their “Take Action” tab.

   a. You can learn more about the issues at this link - BHA Take Action

   b. You can directly access your Senator or Representative at this link - Federal Legislator Directory after you click the link, simply select Kentucky on the map and you’ll have immediate fingertip access to your federal legislators through email, social media, their office phone numbers and even their mailing address for “snail mail.” Of course this also works for anyone listening to our podcast from any State in the Union.

2. To learn more about what’s going on in the Kentucky Legislature, at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and with the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission a great resource is the Kentuckiana Chapter of Safari Club International’s - Legislative Action Committee page available here: KYSCI-LAC Once you’re there you’ll be able to learn about legislation from the 2019 session, pending legislation in the 2020 session, changes to Administrative Regulations that govern our actual hunting, fishing, trapping and boating practices and issues on the commission by simply selecting the appropriate button.

3. The Kentuckiana Chapter of Safari Club International also has a great resource where you can “take action” here in the state under their “Take Action” tab. Using that page you’ll be able to figure out who your Kentucky Senator or Representatives are, contact the Fish and Wildlife Commissioner for your district or directly contact the head of the agency for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. That link is here - KYSCI Take Action. Once you’re there, simply scroll down the page to find the link you’d like and follow it to complete your mission.

4. You can always reach out to me at Ranger@theslowhunt.com

Someone gave us all our start in the outdoors. Years ago it was a parent, uncle or aunt. Nowadays, the ranks of outdoorsmen/women are dwindling and those family mentors are fewer and farther between. Thanks to the popularity of folks like Steven Rinella (@themeateater) and his team and to organizations like Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (@backcountryhunters) there is a ground swelling of adults who want to rekindle the ancient relationship we humans have with the outdoors. If you’re one of those adults, this is your podcast. Every episode of this podcast will feature a new or novice outdoorsman/woman as the “star” of the show. My job is to help them and then interview them. So, if you are an adult who is new to hunting, fishing, scouting for game, or backpacking or if you’re not new, but want to improve your game or maybe you want to take your first DIY western big game hunt or DIY Alaskan trip, I can help. Anyone who needs my help simply has to reach out to me via the contact button on this website. I will get back to everyone, but I cannot physically help everyone. So, please understand I’m only one man and although I’m a retired Army Officer, I only have so much time to help so many people. God bless and enjoy your public lands and waters. You can get the podcast at this link: The Outdoor Mentor