Public Range, Prescribed Flames - BGWT 110
Central Oklahoma’s public lands don’t manage themselves.
In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, veteran wildlife manager Jeff Pennington explains how the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation stewards roughly 125,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) scattered from Kansas to Texas.
He explains why deer now dominate management goals, how diverse habitats—from Cross Timbers uplands to Red River wetlands—shape every decision, and why prescribed fire remains the single most important habitat tool on state lands.
Jeff pulls back the curtain on ODWC’s “snake-flexible” burn crews, averaging 16–17 thousand acres of fire a year on a three-year rotation, while juggling hunters, smoke rules, and unpredictable weather.
From summer burns that drive cattle to winter lines that shape quail cover—and the unforgettable day his crew discovered his pants were literally on fire—this conversation delivers field-hardened advice any rural land steward can use.
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Better Habitat on Private Land
- BGWT 109
In this episode, Josh Richardson from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation unpacks the challenges and triumphs of managing wildlife habitat on the state’s overwhelmingly privately owned lands.
With a background in both private and migratory species work, Josh brings a wealth of experience to the table—from quail tracking with GPS to helping landowners realistically match goals with land capacity.
He highlights the importance of passion, persistence, and partnerships in building thriving ecosystems.
Listeners will hear stories of grassroots conservation in action—friends clearing cedars, landowners creating firebreaks, and people even seeking to attract beavers.
Josh walks through how to tap into Oklahoma's Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), explains how free assistance works, and reminds us that no acreage is too small to make a difference.
Whether you’re new to land ownership or part of a multi-generational ranching family, this episode is filled with tools, tips, and inspiration for stewarding the land well.
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Managed Chaos: Fire & Grazing Unite In The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve - BGWT 108
In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we travel through the story of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve with Bob Hamilton from The Nature Conservancy.
Bob shares how this iconic Oklahoma landscape transitioned from a failed federal park plan to a flagship private conservation project.
He recounts the acquisition of the land, the reintroduction of bison, and the development of a dynamic management model that utilizes fire and grazing to simulate natural prairie processes.
Joining Oklahoma State University’s John Weir and Dr. Laura Goodman, Bob discusses how fire behaves on the prairie, how patch-burn grazing supports a variety of wildlife, and how GPS tracking has helped compare cattle and bison behavior.
From historic land surveys to present-day fireline strategies, this conversation highlights decades of dedication to restoring and maintaining Oklahoma’s native grasslands.
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Blazing Trails for Quail Across the Great Plains
- BGWT 107
In this fiery new episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we bring the heat with special guests from Quail Forever—Tanner Swank and Adam Ray. They join hosts John Weir and Dr. Mark Turner to discuss how fire, community collaboration, and science-based management are revitalizing Oklahoma's native grasslands and Cross Timbers.
Learn how Quail Forever's landscape-level work benefits not only game species like bobwhite and pheasant, but also pollinators, deer, and the entire ecosystem.
Whether you’re a land manager, Extension professional, or outdoorsperson, you’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for the power of fire and the people who wield it wisely.
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- Adam Ray
Patch-Burned Into History - BGWT 106
We’re honored to host Dr. Dave Engle—Regents Professor Emeritus at Oklahoma State University and a pioneer in fire ecology.
From wildland firefighting in New Mexico to building OSU’s fire program with just two torches and a vision, Dave shares an incredible career rooted in science, stewardship, and some good ol’ fashioned trial and error.
We dive into the origins of patch-burn grazing, the challenges of managing the Cross Timbers, and why eastern redcedar became his lifelong nemesis.
Dr. Engle reflects on the research that changed policy, perceptions, and the trajectory of conservation in the Great Plains. If you care about fire, land, or legacy, this episode is a must-listen.
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The Bidwell Way: Restoring Land with Fire, Grazing, and a Little Grit
- BGWT 105
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Terry Bidwell — emeritus professor and longtime OSU Extension rangeland specialist — for a lively, insightful conversation about restoring native plant communities through fire and grazing. With stories that range from gas-can burns gone wrong to patch-burn systems that build biodiversity, Dr. Bidwell shares decades of wisdom on how ranchers can manage land for wildlife, profit, and resilience. If you care about cows, quail, or conservation, this one’s for you.
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Grasslands Thrive Where Prescribed Fire Lives
- BGWT 104
In this episode, we're joined by Cole Fagen, the coordinating biologist for the Oak and Prairies Joint Venture, and Ken Gee, a conservation delivery specialist. Together, they work with landowners to implement wildlife habitat management, focusing primarily on upland and grassland birds in southern and northern Oklahoma and central Texas.
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What Decades of Research Reveal About Deer
- BGWT 103
In this episode, we feature Mr. Ken Gee, a conservation delivery specialist for the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture, who brings decades of experience working with landowners in Oklahoma and the Great Plains, offering his extensive knowledge in land and wildlife management.
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Talking Turkey: Predator Control and Nest Success
- BGWT 102
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Chitwood to discuss the ongoing research into declining turkey populations.
We examine factors affecting turkey populations, including habitat changes, predator communities, and weather patterns.
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Meet The Hosts - BGWT 101
Get to know the hosts of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things in this introductory episode!
Join Oklahoma State University Extension Specialists John Weir, Laura Goodman, and Mark Turner as they discuss fire ecology, rangeland management, and wildlife across the southern Great Plains.