West Virginia Outdoors Audio Playlist

07-05-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks rattlesnakes with Frank Jernejcic, including listener calls and questions.

06-28-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris is joined by Mike Peters from the DNR to discuss banding of migratory Canada Geese, Dennis Feazell talks about the Natural Resource Police's response to the flooding in Ohio and Marion County, and a study from the University of Maine on the West Virginia Woodcock

June 21, 2025 - West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence (SNAKES!)

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence welcomes retired DNR fish biologist and self-taught herpetology expert Frank Jernejcic for a fascinating deep dive into West Virginia’s rattlesnake population. Frank shares insights from nearly a decade of research at Cooper’s Rock, explains how snakes are tracked, recaptured, and relocated, and answers listener questions about rattlesnake habitats, behavior, and myths. Plus, stories from the field—including surprising rattlesnake returns...

06-14-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence talks with Shaun Douglas with the West Virginia Bass Festival, Jeremy Simons with the WV Taxidermy Association, Eric Gladwell with the WV DNR, and Bill Curry with the Coal River Group on this year's Tour De Coal

June 7, 2025 - West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

Chris Lawrence returns with a full Saturday lineup covering the latest in the Mountain State’s great outdoors. This week, Chris recaps the busy spring turkey season with biologist Mike Peters, including statewide harvest numbers and what they reveal about long-term trends. Later, WVU’s Sheldon Owen joins the show to talk habitat management, conservation partnerships, and landowner programs aimed at improving wildlife resources. Plus, fishing updates from around the state, listener calls, and you...

05-31-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks with Dr. Barry Crutchfield from the Department of Agriculture about a recent cicada hatch. Also, Steve Rauch, the Assistant Chief of Game Management for the WVDNR, discusses changes to youth hunting seasons.

05-17-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence is at the Summitt Bechtel Reserve for the Total Archery Challenge. The Total Archery Challenge is a nationwide event that tests the skills of archers on difficult terrain.

May 10, 2025 West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

Chris Lawrence recaps a packed week for West Virginia’s outdoor scene, including interviews with record-setting anglers Jason Floyd and Seth Spry—who each landed new state-record fish. Plus, Chris digs into major updates from the DNR’s Natural Resources Commission meeting, including the removal of the youth hunting minimum age and new hybrid public meeting formats. Later, Game Bird Biologist Mike Peters shares insight on West Virginia’s wild turkey population trends and ongoing studies. All that...

05-03-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence - West Virginia Trout Fest 2025

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence is in Franklin for this year's West Virginia Trout Fest. Join Chris as he talks with event organizers, sponsors, and other enthusiasts about trout fishing in West Virginia.

April 26 2025 - West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

In this edition of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence chats with listener Calvin Grimm and Captain Adam DeLand about an unforgettable fishing trip on Lake Ontario, reeling in Browns, Coho, and Lake Trout. Hear how spring conditions create the perfect storm for success and learn about conservation efforts for Atlantic salmon. Later, Brad Reed, Executive Director of the West Virginia State Parks Foundation, joins Chris to discuss the foundation’s mission, recent improvements, and the future of...

04-19-2025 West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks with Jake Jenkins about the Youth Turkey Bash, Noah Hager talks about his exceptional pheasant-hunting dog, Arrow, and Jim Hedrick discusses a recent DNR trout study and recaps this year's Gold Rush.

04-12-25 West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence - Record Catches and River Access: Big Fish Stories and Big Cleanup Ahead

Live from the brand-new Charleston studio, Chris Lawrence kicks off this week's West Virginia Outdoors with two jaw-dropping fish tales—one about a state-record tiger trout caught at Mannington Lake, and another about a hybrid striper returned to Tennessee waters despite breaking the record. Plus, DNR biologist Jeff Hansbarger joins the show to detail the flood damage to boat ramps across southern West Virginia and the new river access site in Clendenin. Chris also previews the upcoming spring g...

04-05-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence talks with Ed McMinn from the WV Bowhunters Association about changes from the legislature concerning DNR's civil service protection. Also, Shon Butler from Longspur Tracking discusses a piece of legislation allowing drones and thermal imaging for tracking. And Mike Peters from the DNR talks about the upcoming gobbler season.

03-29-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, join Chris Lawrence on the banks of the New River in Fayette County. Chris is joined by Larry Nibert of the West Virginia Experience as they discuss the ideal conditions for catching fish. Also, a preview of this year's Gold Rush with Jim Hedrick.

03-22-2025 - West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence: Lake Ontario Steelhead, Mountaineer Marksmen, and Rattlesnakes at Cooper’s Rock

This week on West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence covers a wide range of topics. Ron Bierstine joins from Orleans County, New York, with a spring fishing update from Lake Ontario. WVU Rifle Coach Jon Hammond and shooter Natalie Perrin reflect on the Mountaineer rifle team's dramatic 20th national championship win. And retired DNR biologist Frank Gernacek shares insights from his latest rattlesnake research at Cooper’s Rock. From coldwater steelhead to high-caliber shooting and slithering repti...

03-15-2025 West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence - Turkey Calls with Newman Brown from Run and Gun Game Calls

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence talks turkey calls with Newman Brown from Run and Gun Game Calls. They discuss the nuances between different calls, the inconsistent quality of mass-produced calls, and the best way to use turkey calls while hunting.

03-08-25 West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence - Empowering Women in the Outdoors & Conservation Efforts Across WV

Join us on West Virginia Outdoors as we explore the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program with the DNR's Kayla Donathan, designed to introduce women to hunting, fishing, and outdoor skills in a welcoming environment. Then, Logan Bachrath from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers discusses conservation efforts, including the upcoming Trash Trout Cleanup, and legislative issues impacting public hunting and fishing lands in West Virginia. Whether you're new to the outdoors or a seasoned sportsman, this epi...

03-01-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence - 23rd Annual Fishing, Hunting, & Outdoors Sports Show

On this special episode of West Virginia Outdoors, join Chris Lawrence at Mylan Park in Morgantown for the 23rd Annual Fishing, Hunting, & Outdoors Sports Show. Chris talks with vendors, organizers, and outdoors experts about West Virginia's two favorite pastiems: Hunting and Fishing!

2-22-2025 West Virginia Outdoors with Chris Lawrence: Rescue, Recovery & the Outdoors

This week on West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence shares firsthand accounts from Mingo and McDowell counties, where he embedded with Natural Resources Police as they conducted swift water rescues in the wake of devastating floods. Sergeant Dennis Feazell discusses the team's efforts to save lives and navigate dangerous conditions. Plus, an update from Randy Kelly on the WV Elk Project, winter health checks, and collar tracking. Tune in for a packed show covering resilience, wildlife, and the g...

02-15-2025 WV Outdoors live from the Southern WV Fishing Expo

02-08-2025 West Virginia Outdoors: Flood Warnings, Spring Turkey Hunt, and Wildlife Center Updates

Join host Chris Lawrence on West Virginia Outdoors as we cover the latest outdoor news and events. We start with a weather update from the National Weather Service, discussing flood warnings and how they may impact local rivers and streams. Then, Kate Runk from the Clinton County, Ohio, chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation shares details about the upcoming Thunder in the Hills spring gobbler hunt for disabled veterans and hunters. We also get an important update on the West Virginia Wi...

02-01-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

01-25-2025 WV Outdoors from WV Hunting and Fishing Show

WV Outdoors Live from the 2025 West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show

Join host Chris Lawrence for a special edition of West Virginia Outdoors, recorded live from the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center during the 2025 West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show. Dive into incredible stories of epic hunts, like a 180-class whitetail encounter and tales of Kansas trophy deer. Explore unique outdoor adventures from elk hunts in Wyoming to trout jerky in Shady Spring. This episode highlights the passion for the outdoors in West Virginia, complete with expert advice,...

01-18-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

01-04-2025 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

12-21-2024 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

12-14-24 WV Outdoors with Chris Lawrence

12-07-24 - Success Stories from Public Land

11-30-2024 Addressing Chronic Wasting Disease and New Grouse Initiatives

In this episode, we delve into the recent detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a captive deer facility in North Central West Virginia. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt provides insights into the discovery and the measures being taken to contain its spread. We also discuss the state's proactive steps to combat the decline of the ruffed grouse population, featuring a conversation with WVDNR Director Brett McMillion about a new habitat recovery program aimed at revitalizing this ...