Call of the Wild

On this week's Call of the Wild, Wildman visits with his good friend Matt Mosler, Pastor of New Life Church in Pine Bluff, about what it means to be a father, they remember their fathers and wish all Dads a Happy Father's Day!

We're going outdoors to take photos! This week on Call of the Wild. Wildman visits with Austin Pittman & Jim Rose with Bedford Camera & Video about taking photographs in the outdoors and the Bedford Photo Expo. Later in the show, Wildman visits with renowned nature & wildlife photographer Tim Ernst, who will be speaking about outdoor photography at the Bedford Photo Expo at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel July 17 & 18, 2026. For all the details and to register to attend, visit https://www.bedfordphotoexpo.com/ 

Get all the dates and animals! This week on Call of the Wild, Wildman visits with AGFC's Randy Zellers and Jeff Williams about the resources and information you can find in the AGFC calendar, publications and website. Then we visit with AGFC's Chad Wicker, manager of The Joe Hogan Fish Hatchery in Lonoke, about upcoming fishing derbies and the Arkansas Free Fishing Weekend where EVERYONE can fish without a fishing license. 

This week on Call of the Wild, Wildman visits with Randy Zellers who gives us the AGFC Update for the week. Then Wildman visits with Karen Rowe, AGFC Non Game Bird Program Coordinator about bird watching in The Natural State, we get the where, the when & what to watch for.

This week on Call of the Wild, Wildman visits with AGFC Special Operations Captain Chris Foshee and Wildlife Officer Sgt Brady Baker about how to stay safe on Arkansas waterways this Memorial Day weekend and year round. Later we find out what it takes to become an AGFC Wildlife Officer.   

This week on Call of the Wild, Wildman visits with AGFC's Randy Zellers and gets the AFGC update, then we talk bass fishing in The Natural State with avid angler Mark Hendrick. We also get all the info on The Commissioners' Cup Youth Bass Fishing Tournament, presented by Xpress Boats going on today (5-16-26) on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, and what it takes to become a professional fisher.  

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN GETS THE AGFC UPDATE FROM RANDY ZELLLERS, THEN THEY'RE JOINED BY WES WRIGHT TO TALK ABOUT TURKEY AND ELK HUNTING IN ARKANSAS. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE'RE GETTING OUTSIDE AND ENJOY NG EVERYTHING THE NATURAL STATE HAS TO OFFER. WILDMAN IS JOINED BY WATCHABLE WILDLIFE COORDINATOR KRISTIN BARTLOW, RECREATION & ACCESS COORDINATOR DARRELL BOWMAN, THEN WILDMAN VISITS WITH DIRECTOR & DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OUTDOOR RECREATION AT AARKANSAS STATE PARKS, KATHERINE ANDREWS & BECKY FLYNN. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE'RE GETTING EDUCATED WITH THE AGFC, WILDMAN VISITS WITH BECKY BLOOMFIELD, AGFC'S EDUCATION STATEWIDE COORDINATOR AND AGFC EDUCATION SPECIALIST SKEET LEWIS ABOUT THE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE ALL AGES ABOUT THE OUTDOORS IN THE NATURAL STATE. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE'RE GOING PAN FISHING, WHAT'S PAN FISHING? CATFISH, CRAPPIE & BRIM! WILDMAN SPENDS THE HOUR WITH KEITH "CATFISH" SUTTON TALKING ABOUT THE HOW, WHEN, WHERE TO PAN FISH IN THE NATURAL STATE!

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD WE'RE FLOATING ARKANSAS! WILDMAN VISITS WITH RANDY ZELLERS AND GETS A TURKEY SEASON UPDATE, THEN WE'RE JOINED BY GORDON KUMPURIS TALKING ABOUT THE ARKANSAS CANOE CLUB AND KRISTA YARI, AGFC'S STREAM TEAM COODINATOR.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD,WILDMAN GETS THE AGFC UPDATE FROM RANDY ZELLERS, THEN WE VISIT WITH CLINT "CATFISH" COLEMAN, RECENTLY RETIRED FORM THE AGFC AFTER 38 YEARS, WE FIND OUT WHAT HIS PLANS ARE AND THE ORGANIZATION HE'LL BE HELPING OUT, THE ARKANSAS WILDLIFE FEDERATION, AND WHAT THEY DO FOR WILDLIFE IN THE NATURAL STATE.

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WILDMAN VISITS WITH AGFC TURKEY BIOLOGIST DAVID MOSCICKI AND PABLO BACON, ARKANSAS CHAPTER PRESIDENT OF NWTF. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT TURKEY HUNTING! WILMAN VISITS WITH RANDY ZELLERS AND GET THE AGFC UPDATE, THEN WE TALK WITH SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL'S ARKANSAS CHAPTER PRESIDENT LAVON WINKLER ABOUT THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER BANQUET & AUCTION COMING UP MARCH 27 AT THE BENTON EVENT CENTER. WE WRAP UP THE SHOW TALKING WITH GRANT WESTMORELAND, AVID TURKEY HUNTER, ABOUT THE WERE, WHEN & HOW TO GET THAT WILD TURKEY. 

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, WE'RE TALKING BASS FISHING IN THE NATURAL STATE, WILDMAN IS JOINED BY AGFC'S RANDY ZELLERS FOR AN AGFC UPDATE, THEN AGFC BLACK BASS BIOLOGIST ERIC NASS & AGFC LEGACY LUNKER PROGRAM COORDINATOR WILL LANCETT JOIN WILMAN TO TALK ALL THINGS BASS FISHING. THEY WRAP IT UP WITH THE ELITE 8 LAKES TO BASS FISH IN THTE NATURAL STATE!

THIS WEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RECENT DEER SEASON IN ARKANSAS THAT JUST CONCLUDED, WE GET THE NUMBERS THE WAYS, THE PLACES AND THE GOOD THE HARVEST DOES WITH AGFC DEER PROGRAM COORDINATOR RALPH MEEKER & ARKANSAS HUNTERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY'S RONNIE RITTER.

THI SWEEK ON CALL OF THE WILD WE'RE TALKIG ABOUT BEARS IN THE NATURAL STATE! IN THE FIRST SEGEMENT WILDMAN GETS AN UPDATE ON ALL THINGS AGFC FROM ASS'T CHEIF OF COMMS RANDY ZELLERS. THEN WILDMAN IN JOINED BY AGFC BEAR PROGRAM COORDINATOR SPENCER DANIELS AND JIM TAYLOR WITH BACK COUNTRY HINTERS TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE OF BEARS IN THE NATURAL STATE.

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