In this episode, we sit down with Blake Dudzik, longtime hunter, as him and Dean break down their experiences deer hunting in Illinois and Wisconsin.

A common misconception of hunting is that people often think it is a cruel sport that people do purely for self-satisfaction. While there are many forms of hunting and different hunters with different intents, deer hunting across the United States is typically a sustainable and ethical way to maintain deer populations.

Due to the extirpation of natural predators such as wolves and bears in certain states, deer do not have many, if any, natural predators. This causes their numbers to grow exponentially to an amount that their habitat cannot provide for. Without hunting, many of these individuals would die due to starvation or disease, specifically chronic wasting disease (CWD).

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose and is also known as "zombie deer". CWD is a cruel way for these animals to die and is one of the reasons that hunting of these animals is not only allowed, but encouraged during hunting season.

Deer populations are monitored closely and determines how many permits are given and how long hunting seasons can last. A quick death by gun or bow is far more ethical than starving or getting CWD and is why deer hunting IS ethical and supported when in accordance with the seasons and laws.

Tune into this weeks episode to learn more from Blake and Dean as Jake takes the backseat to learn from these two longtime hunters. If you're enjoying the podcast, make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel to help us grow our community!

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Unchanged for 340 million years, predating the dinosaurs, this parasitic species has survived 4 major extinctions and dates back to the Paleozoic era.

After being introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1800s, this invasive species has been wreaking havoc on native fish populations and is being called, "America's first destructive invasive fish species".

These prehistoric fish latch onto the side of other fish, using their sharp, horny teeth to tear away at the flesh to suck its blood and bodily fluid. In its native ranges, the northern and western Atlantic, the host fish are able to withstand the Sea Lamprey latching onto them. In the Great Lakes, the smaller and less adapted fish often die. Each Sea Lamprey kills roughly 40 pounds of fish per year, leading to urgent efforts to manage these populations.

Field biologists are doing everything they can to insert barriers that prevent them from moving upstream and use lampricides - a chemical that kills sea lamprey but not other fish - to reduce their numbers. Today, we talk with MSU graduate, Conor O'Kane, as he discusses his experience working with these field biology programs during his Master's Program.

As always, make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave a comment. We're looking to build a group of outdoor enthusiasts committed to wildlife, conservation and adventure!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Monster bass, a 10 pound walleye, 39 inch muskie and 50+ years of fishing experiences!

This week we sit-down for our first guest episode with longtime freshwater fisherman and Jake's dad, Bob Johnson, to dive into the world of fishing. Bob's experiences provide listeners with an in depth view of what it looks like to be a passionate angler and how that's allowed him to have some trophy catches over the years.

From tips and tricks, to the ethics of keeping your catch and the changes he's seeing with climate change, Bob hits all the important topics on what he's learned over the years to be a responsible, yet effective fisherman.

From winning tournaments to being featured on the cover of Midwest Outdoors multiple times and a frequent contributor to the Chicago Sun Time's Fishing Report, Bob's expertise has reached many and we're happy to dive deeper here on the show.

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to check out the linked content! We have a few different videos on our channel of some of Bob's fishing experiences. Be sure to also subscribe to the channel and leave him a comment!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Have you ever wondered what it's like to trek through one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet? Welcome to the Amazon Rainforest, home to roughly 10% of the world's known species.

A bucket list destination for both Jake and Dean, Dean breaks down his 3-day trip with JunglePro, a guiding company through the Amazon. With an incredible array of flora and fauna, Dean highlights some of the animals he was able to find, which ones meant the most to him and which ones eluded him on this trip.

A longer episode, there's so much to take away from this experience in the Amazon and has ignited our drive to go back. Have you ever been to the Amazon or are looking to go? Make sure to leave a comment and share your experiences or any questions you have! If you're enjoying the show, make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel. Each subscription helps us grow our community of adventurers dedicated to wild animals and wild places!

Instagram:
@chasingwildpod

Travel to one of the seven human-made wonders of the world, Machu Picchu, with Dean as he breaks down his recent trip to Peru. An archaeological treasure, Machu Picchu was built by the Incas around 1450 AD, a full millennium after the fall of the Roman Empire and less than a century before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru.

Re-discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu quickly became a popular tourist destination, now hosting 1.5 million tourists annually.

Dean talks about his expectations of the trip and how they changed as he arrived at the peak of this mountaintop. From the trains that cut through the cloud forests to the incredible ruins preserved on the mountain, there's plenty to break down in this immersive episode.

Make sure to like this video and subscribe to the channel! Each subscription helps us build our community of people dedicated to wild animals and wild places. Be sure to also follow us on our socials for more content!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Dive deep into the bioluminescent waters of the Sea of Cortez and enjoy one of the top 5 most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world. The Vermilion Institute is a field station nestled on the coast of Baja California and is where the Project Dragonfly Master's Program brings students for Earth Expeditions.

On this 5 day adventure, I was able to experience a super pod of dolphins, snorkel with sea lions and even a whale shark. But the heart of the trip was the growth and perspective that came with getting out of my comfort zone and the many people who helped me get there.

Something is to be said about the trips that mean so much that they alter the path of your life. Baja California was the culmination of a 10-day expedition that drives me to this day. We hope you enjoy the episode and make sure to like and subscribe to the channel!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Vermilion Sea Institute YouTube:
@vermilionseainstitute9754

Vermilion Sea Institute Instagram:
@vermilionseainstitue

Vermilion Sea Institute Website:
https://vermilionseainstitute.org

Join an immersive storytelling experience where Jake travels to Rancho San Gregorio in the Sonoran Desert with the Master's Program, Project Dragonfly. This trip was the spark that led Jake down the path to start The Dreamers Initiative and ultimately, the Chasing Wild Podcast.

Rattlesnakes, scorpions, sleeping under the stars, new friends and the Sound of Silence Cover by Disturbed, this trip was truly nothing Jake expected and had so many different unique experiences packed in.

Make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel, as we look to build our community of outdoor explorers! Be sure to leave a comment as well and share some of your favorite adventure experiences!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

On today's episode, we break down our biggest role model, Steve Irwin. The charismatic "crocodile hunter" was a global symbol for wildlife conservation, but who was he as a person? There's been a lot of questions about how Steve interacted with wildlife and whether or not it was ethical. We'll dive into the facts, showing just how much he accomplished in his 44 years of life for wild animals across the globe.

A husband, father, zookeeper, media personality and conservationist, Steve's mission was, "conservation through exciting education" and that was consistent in each aspect of his life. Sharing insights from his many "croc diaries" films and Terri's book, "Steve and Me", there's so many incredible stories to share about his life.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel as we look to build our podcast community! Episodes airing every Wednesday at 11 AM CST.

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Steve and Me Book | Terri Irwin
https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Me-Terri...

Wildlife Warriors Conservation Site:
https://wildlifewarriors.org.au