Call of the Wild

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT CRAPPIE FISHING IN THE NATURAL STATE, WILDMAN IS JOINED BY FISHING GUIDE ERIC WATTS, TALKING ABOUT HTE HOW AND WHERE OF CATCHING AND EATING CRAPPIE.

ON THIS EPISODE OF CALL OF THE WILD, WE CHECK IN WITH AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS, THEN WE FIND ABOUT ABOUT THE BECOMING AN OUTDOOS WOMAN PROGRAM WITH AGFC'S LEE WHITE

In this episode of Call of the Wild, host Steve Wildman Wilson is joined by Deputy Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Ben Batton, and Jeff Smith, founder of Leland's Lures. They dive into the world of trout fishing in Arkansas, discussing the impact of recent floods on the state's trout population and the new regulations put in place to protect the fishery. From stocking programs to tackle and techniques, Steve, Ben, and Jeff cover it all, sharing their expertise and insights on how to catch the perfect trout.

This episode of Call of the Wild features Steve Wildman Wilson and his guests AGFC's Randy Zellers and Clifton Jackson discussing the last days of duck season and the upcoming snow goose hunt. They talk about the challenges of hunting in the snow and the benefits of hunting in the cold weather, including easier blood trailing and better visibility. The conversation also touches on the Arkansas Big Buck Classics show and the World Championship snow goose hunt in Stuttgart. With the snow goose Conservation Order starting soon, the guys share tips and insights on how to make the most of this unique hunting opportunity.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE'RE TRAPPING WILD GAME. FIRST WILDMAN GETS AN UPDATE ON ALL THINGS AGFC FROM ASS'T CHIEF OF COMM'S RANDY ZELLERS AND AGFC WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST ELEY TALLEY. THEN CHARLIE FASS WITH THE ARKANSAS TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION TALKS TRAPPING WILD GAME. PLUS AN UPDATE ON THE RE-SCHEDULED BIG BUCK CLASSIC..

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ARKANSAS BIG BUCK CLASSIC, WILDMAN VISITS WITH ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE SHOW, CATHERINE MURCHISON ABOUT THIS YEARS SHOW AND THE HSITORY OF THE SHOW. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE DECALRE WAR ON SNOW GEESE IN THE NATURAL STATE! WILDMAN VISITS WITH AGFC ASST CHIEF OF COMM'S RANDY ZELLERS AND RONNIE RITTER WITH ARKANSAS HUNTEERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE DEER SEASON HARVEST NUMBERS,. THEN WE VISIT WITH DUCKS UNLIMITED'S CORY DUNN ABOUT THE BIG SNOW GOOSE CHAMPIONSHIP WHERE THE WINNING TEAM WILL WIN OVER $50 HOUSAND DOLLARS IN PRIZES!

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN GETS A PREVIEW OF IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS COMING UP IN HTE NATURAL STATE IN 2026 WITH AGFC ASS'T CHIEF OF COMMS, RANDY ZELLERS & AGFF DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & PROGRAMING, TYLER LAWRENCE.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN IS JOINED BY AGFC DIRECTOR DOUG SHOENROCK AND AGFC COMMISSION CHAIRWOMAN ANNE MARIE DORAMUS TO GET A LOOK BACK AT 2025 AND A PREVIEW OF 2026.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, WILDMAN VISITS WITH BEDFORD CAMERA & VIDEO PRESIDENT, AUSTIN PITTMAN & FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER ALEX KENT AS THEY EXPLORE THE BEST WAYS TO CAPTURE THAT PERFECT PICTURE IN NATURE.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, THINGS HAVE GONE TO THE BIRDS!! IT'S ALL ABOUT BIRD WATCHING IN THE NATURAL STATE. WILDMAN VISITS WITH AGFC'S SARAH BAXTER & AVID BIRD WATCHER KENNY NICHOLS. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT INTERESTING & UNUSUAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS IN THE NATRUAL STATE. WILDMAN VISITS WITH AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS AND AAGFF'S DEKE WHITBECK ABOUT WHAT TO GET FOR SOMEONE WHO LOVES THE OUTDOORS IN ARKANSAS FOR CHRISTMAS.

This week on Call of the Wild, Duck season is underway in the Natural State! Wildman talks with Will Hafner from AGFC's Potlatch Cook’s Lake Nature Center about his duck gumbo along with other ways to cook your ducks and Cory Dunn, Senior Director of Development for Duck’s Unlimited about this year’s World Championship Snow Goose Hunt.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT DUCK HUNTING SEASON. WILDMAN VISITS WITH BILL FREE, CHAIRMAN OF THE WINGS OVER THE PRARIE FESTIVAL AND MANAGING EDITOR OF THE ARKANSAS WILDLIFE MAGAZINE JIM HARRIS ABOUT HUNTING WATERFOWL IN THE NATURAL STATE.   

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, DEER SEASON IS OPEN! WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS AND AVID DEER HUNTERS ED STALEY & BRENT STALEY

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN GETS AN UPDATE ON THE OPENING OF DEER SEASON FROM AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS, THEN AGFC'S WATERFOWL BIOLOGIST BRETT LEACH GIVES A FORCAST FOR DUCK SEASON IWHICH OPENS NOVEMBER 15TH  IN THE NATURAL STATE.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, DEAD DEER, NOW WHAT? DEER SEASON OPENS AND WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC DEER BIOLOGIST RAPH MEEKER, AGFC ASST CHEIF OF COMMS RANDY ZELLERS AND ARKANSAS HUNTERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY'S RONNIE RITTER ABOUT WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU'VE BAGGED A DEER AND WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR EXTRA VENISON, DONATE IT TO AHFH!!.

IT'S FALL AND THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING COLORS, THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN IS JONED BY LAUREN CANNON, PONCA ELK EDUCATION CENTER MANAGER WHO TELLS US ABOUT VIEWING AND HEARING THE ELK. THEN, AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS FOR A HUNTING SEASON UPDATE AND WATCHABLE WILDLIFE COORDINATOR KIRSTEN BARTLOW ABOUT WHEN AND WHERE TO GO TO SEE FALL FOLIAGE CHANIGN COLORS. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT DUCK HUNTING IN THE NATURAL STATE. WILDMAND TALKS TO AGFC' RANDY ZELLERS AND COMMISSIONER & AVID DUCK HUNTER PHILLIP TAPPAN ABOUT THE DATES, THE PLACES, THE DUCKS AND THE HUNTERS!

ON THIS WEEK'S CALL OF THE WILD, WILDAN TALKS TO AGFC DEER BIOLOGIST RALPH MEEKER ABOUT THE STATE OF THE HERD AS WE HEAD INTO DEER HUNTING SEASON.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE HEARD THAT WE'RE HUNTING FOR. WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC'S WILDLIFE HEALTH BIOLOGIST A.J. RIGGS ABOUT ABOUT HOW THE NATURAL STATE KEEPS WILD GAME HEALTHY. LATER WILDMAN TALKS TO RONNIE WITH ARKANSAS HUNTERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY ABOUT THEIR FREEZER CLEAN OUT DAY COMING UP THIS WEEKEND AT BASS PRO IN LITTLE ROCK. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD IT'S ALL ABOUT WHERE TO GO HUNTING IN THE NATURAL STATE. WILDMAN TALKS WITH GARRICK DUGGAR, AGFC'S CHIEF OF PRIVATE LANDS DIVISION ABOUT HUNTING ON BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIUVATE LAND.  

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC ASS'T CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT THE DATES FOR UPCOMING HUNTING SEASONS IN ARKANSAS FOR THE NEXT YEAR. THEN WILDMAN IS JOINED BY JOE WILSON TO TALK ABOUT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SQUIRRELL COOK OFF GOING ON AT THE AGFC NATURE CENTER IN SPRINGDALE AR ON SEPT 13TH. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN GETS AN UPDATE ON THE START OF HUNTING SEASON WITH AGFC ASS'T CHIEF OF COMM'S RANDY ZELLERS, THEN HE TALKS WITH AGFC CHIEF OF EDUCTION DIVISION MARY BETH HATCH ABOUT OPPROTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE OUTDOORS IN ARKANSAS.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS WITH RANDY ZELLERS AND GETS THE LATEST AGFC NEWS AND DATES ON AN UNUSUAL HUNTING SEASON IN THE NATURAL STATE. LATER IT'S ALL ABOUT BASS FISHING, WILDMAN IS JOINED BY AGFC BLACK BASS BIOLOGIST JEREMY RISLEY AND AGFC FISHERIES BILOGIST WILL LANCETT TALKING ABOUT THE LEGACY LUNKER PROGRAM AND HOW YOU COULD WIN A BRAND NEW BASS BOAT!

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE'RE GETTING READY TO GET READY TO GO HUNTING!! WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC'S KYLE CURRY ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO GET YOUR LISCENSES AND THEN RONNIE RITTER WITH ARKANSAS HUNTERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY TELLS US HOW TO SHARE YOUR WILD GAME WITH THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS TO ARKANSAS WILDLIFE MAGAZINE EDITOR JEFF WILLIMAS & AGFC WATCHABLE WILDLIFE COORDINATOR KRISTEN BARTLOW ABOUT ARKANSAS WILDLIFE MAGAZINE AND THE NEW BOOK ABOUT ARKANSAS WILDLIFE "RIVER TO RIDGE" AVAILBALE FROM THE AGFC, THEN WILDMAN TALKS TO DIRECTOR OF THE AGFF DEKE WHITBECK & AGFF SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR TYLER LAWRENCE ABOUT THE OUTDOOR HALL OF FAME BANQUET COMING UP IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, WILDMAN TALKS WITH NEW AGFC COMMISSIONER JAMIE ANDERSON ABOUT STARTING HIS POSITION ON THE COMMISSION AND HIS HUNTING DOGS, THEN WILDMAN TALKS WITH MATT EMERSON WITH GRAND PRARIE RETRIEVERS ABOUT WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GOOD HUNTING DOG AND HOW TO TRAIN THEM.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD WILDMAN TALKS TO AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS AND GETS THE SKINNY ON HOW TO STAY COOL IN THE NATURAL STATE DURING THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER. LATER WILDMAN TALKS ABOUT KNIFE MAKING IN THE NATURAL STATE. WITH MASTER BLADESMITH LEN RHEA & SAM RODDY, DIRECTOR OF THE NATURAL STATE KNIFE SHOW GOING ON AT THE EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL IN ROGERS AR, FRIDAY AUGUST 1ST & SATURDAY AUGUST 2ND.  

This week on Call of the Wild, it's all about partners in conservation in The Natural State. In the first segment, Wildman gets the latest AGFC news From Asst Chief of Coms, Randy Zellers. Then Wildman is joined by Dr Jennifer Ballard with The Department of Natural Heritage and Roger Mangham, Director of The Nature Conservancy. They explain how all the different agencies and organizations work together to benefit wildlife in Arkansas.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT DUCKS IN THE NATURAL STATE, WILDMAN TALKS TO DUCKS UNLIMITED'S CORY DUNN AND MARK PERRY, LATER THEY TALK TO LOGAN NEVINS, DUCKS UNLIMITED MANAGER OF NATIONAL EVENTS ABOUT THE "DUX" DUCK EXPO COMING TO MEMPHIS, AUGUST 1-3 , 2025

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS TO LAVON WINKLER, PRESIDENT OF THE ARKANSAS CHAPTER OF SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL ABOUT THEIR BANQUET & AUCTION EVENT ON JUNE 26, 2025. THEN WILDMAN TALKS TO JUNO HALEY, REPTILE KEEPER AT THE LITTLE ROCK ZOO ABOUT CREEPY CRAWLY THINGS IN THE NATURAL STATE. 

IT'S THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND IN THE NATURAL STATE, THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN GETS AN UPDATE FROM AGFC ASS'T CHEIF OF COMMUNICATIONS RANDY ZELLERS. LATER HE VISITS WITH AGFC'S SGT GRANT AND MAJOR CRIMS ABOUT BOATING SAFETY AND WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME AN AGFC WILDLIFE OFFICER

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S A NEW YEAR FOR THE AGFC, WILDMAN TALKS TO AGFC DIRECTOR DOUG SCHOENROCK AND COMMS CHIEF KEITH STEVENS ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING IN THE NATURAL STATE WITH THE AGFC. LATER, WILDMAN TALKS TO OUTGOING AGFC CHAIRMAN J.D. NEELEY AND INCOMING AGFC CHAIRMAN ANNE MARIE DORAMUS. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF TEH WILD IT'S ALL ABOUT FATHER'S DAY IN THE NATURAL STATE. WUILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS AND MARK HENRY WITH FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH ABOUT BEING A BETTER DAD

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, SCHOOL'S OUT, NOW WHAT??? WILDMAND TALKS WITH AGFC'S ERIC MAYNARD AND 4H'S J.J. PITMAN ABOUT THINGS TO DO IN THE NATURAL STATE IN THE SUMMER WITH KIDS. IN THE LAST SEGMENT IT'S OUR PARK OF THE MONTH, WILDMAN TALKS TO ROBIN GABE, AN INTERPRETER AT PLUM BAYOU STATE PARK. 

ON THIS WEEK'S CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS ABOUT FISHING IN THE NATURAL STATE

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD WILDMAN TALKS TO AGFC BEAR BIOLOGIST SPENCER DANIELS AND AGFC WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST STACEY CLARK 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD IT'S ALL ABOUT BICYCLING IN THE NATURAL STATE, WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC''S RAVEN HARRIS AND DARRELL BOWMAN ABOUT BIKING IN  ARKANSAS, THEN WILDMAN TALKS TO SCOTTI MOODY, COORDINATOR OF THE ARKANSAS GRAVELER BIKE TRIP.

IT'S MOTHER'S DAY IN THE NATURAL STATE, WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC COMISSIONER ANN MARIE DORAMUS AND AGFC'S LEA WHITE ABOUT THE BECOMING AN OUTDOOR WOMAN PROGRAM

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT FLOATING ARKANSAS' WATERWAYS, WILDMAN TALKS TO AGFC'S OUTDOOR RECREATION COORDINATOR, DARRELL BOWMAN. LATER, WILDMAN TALKS TO DEBBIE SHEPHERD, PRESIDENT OF THE FRONTIER CHAPTER OF THE ARKANSAS CANOE CLUB. IN THE FINAL SEGENT, IT'S OUR PARK OF THE MONTH FEATURE, WILDMAN TALKS TO DAVY ASHCRAFT WITH CASSATOT STATE PARK-NATURAL AREA ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDAMAN TALKS TO AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS FOR AN UPDATE ON TURKEY SEASON, THEN HE TALKS TO KEITH "CATFISH" SUTTON WITH CATFISH NOW MAGAZINE ABOUT HOW, WHEN & WHERE TO CATCH THE BEST CATFISH!

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT BASS FISHING IN THE NATURAL STATE, WILDMAN TALKS TO AGFC BASS BIOLOGIST JEREMY RISLEY & AGFF DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & PROGRAMMING, TYLER LAWRENCE, WHO ALSO TELL US THE STORY OF TURKEY HUNTING WITH HIS KIDS!

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD IT'S ALL ABOUT CRAPPI & BRIM FISHING!

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS TO RANDY MILLIGAN, AVID TURKEY HUNTER, ABOUT CALLING TURKEYS, LATER IN OUR PARK OF THE MONTH FEATURE, WILDMAN TALKS WITH DEVIL'S DEN STATE PARK ASS'T MANAGER TIM SCOTT

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE'RE TALKIN' TURKEY!! GETTING READY FOR TURKEY HUNTING SEASON. WILDMAN TALKS TO AGFC TURKEY PROGRAM COORDINATOR DAVID MOSCICKI AND AVID TURKEY HUNTER GRANT WESTMORLAND

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC'S ERIC MAYNARD & AGFC FISHERIES BIOLOGIST WILL LANCETT ABOUT THE BEST PLACES TO FISH IN THE NATIRAL STATE 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING YOUR FOOD PLOTS READY FOR HUNTING. WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC DMAP BIOLOGIST RAUL QUEBRADO AND GREEWAY EQUIPMENT'S TODD TAYLOR ABOUT WHAT TO PLANT, WHEN TO PLANT & WHERE TO PLANT. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING READY TO GET READY TO GO FISHING IN THE NAUIRAL STATE! WILDMAN TALKS WITH AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS AND MANAGING EDITOR OF AR WILDLIFE MAGAZINE JIM HARRIS. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN TALKS TO AGFC'S AMY SWAIM WITH THE ARCHERY IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM, RONNIE RITTER WITH ARKANSAS HUNTERS FEEDING HTE HUNGRY AND WE'LL FIND OUT ABOUT THE STATE PARK OF THE MONTH.