Ep. 228 - Do the Ozarks Have a Conservation Funding Gap? We did the Math.
This math will change how you think about the outdoors (especially if you're a hunter). → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER The Kyles break down exactly where conservation funding comes from in Arkansas and Missouri, and what happens when fewer people hunt and fish. With a whiteboard and real numbers pulled straight from AGFC and MDC budgets, they map out the full picture: $141 million vs. $283 million, the 1/8-cent sales tax, Pittman-Robertson, license revenue, and who's really footing the bill. Then they run the scenario nobody wants to talk about — a 20% decline in sportsmen — and the number needed to replace it will stop you cold. This is the conservation funding episode every Ozark outdoorsman needs to watch. No agenda, just the numbers and a question worth asking. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars 0:00 – Why We're Standing at a Whiteboard 3:30 – Breaking News: Arkansas Just Announced a New WMA Permit 6:30 – Arkansas Game & Fish Budget Breakdown: $141 Million 11:30 – Missouri MDC Budget Breakdown: $283 Million 19:00 – Who Actually Pays for Conservation> 27:00 – The 20% Decline Scenario 33:00 – Current Conservation Gaps 38:00 – WMA Permits, Biking Fees, Sales Tax Increases & Voluntary Stamps 42:00 – Raising Out-of-State License Prices? What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Ep. 227 - The Old Ozarks - Muley Cows and the Poll Tax (S2:E1)
Welcome to The Old Ozarks with Dr. Brooks Blevins... This week for the first episode of season 2, we're playing a road-trip counting game older than the interstate itself: Zip Horse. And using it as our launchpad into the vanishing world of Ozark mules, the surprisingly Celtic backstory of a "muley" cow, and why nobody wanted anything to do with a "poll tax." No, not that poll tax...well, sort of. Let's dive into this episode of The Old Ozarks... What is The Old Ozarks? The Old Ozarks is your gateway to the forgotten history of the Ozarks. Hosted by renowned historian Dr. Brooks Blevins, the leading authority on the region’s history, this podcast explores the lives, legends, and landscapes that have shaped this unique region. Whether you’re a native Ozarker, a new resident, or a curious listener, join us as we share the stories that make the Ozarks special and connect us to our past.
Ep. 226 - Katherine Andrews & Becky Flynn - Are We in Danger of Loving the Ozarks to Death?
Hunters, hikers, and mountain bikers are all fighting for the same land, and someone has to figure it out. → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER Part 2 with the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation gets into the hard stuff. We tackle the real tension between user groups head-on — cyclists vs. hunters, growth vs. conservation, loving a place to death vs. sharing it with the next generation. You'll hear why the Mena Bike Park won't hurt hunters, how gateway activities like fishing could save the conservation funding model, and what it's going to take to keep the Ozarks from turning into the next Moab. This is the most honest conversation about the future of the Ozarks we've had on this show, and it's one every outdoorsman needs to hear. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars 0:00 – Recap of Part 1 4:00 – Are We Loving the Ozarks to Death? 7:00 – Manufacturing Drives Arkansas' Outdoor Economy 13:00 – The Real Cost of Growth: Wastewater 22:00 – How the State Decides Who Gets Trails, Boat Ramps & Grant Money 32:00 – The Cycling vs. Hunting Tension 43:00 – How Hiking & Biking Could Save Hunting & Fishing 50:00 – How Do You Fund Conservation When Fewer People Buy Licenses? 57:00 – What Does Success Look Like for the Office of Outdoor Recreation? What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Ep. 225 - Katherine Andrews & Becky Flynn - Is the Outdoor Recreation Boom Good for the Ozarks?
Arkansas just set a goal to double its outdoor economy to $7 billion — and the people making it happen just sat down with us. → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER Katherine Andrews and Becky Flynn, Director and Deputy Director of Arkansas' Office of Outdoor Recreation, break down what it actually looks like to build an outdoor economy from scratch. From a $6.5 million grant program funding trails, boat ramps, and shooting ranges, to a first-of-its-kind guide verification program, to the largest lift-served mountain bike park in the country coming to Mena — this episode is a masterclass in why Arkansas is quietly becoming one of the best outdoor destinations in the country. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars 0:00 – Kyle Plunkett's Back 2:00 – What Is the Office of Outdoor Recreation? 7:00 – The Goal: $7 Billion by 2032 13:00 – How the Office Connects Communities & State Agencies 25:00 – Why People Are Now Moving for Outdoor Recreation 33:00 – Guide ARK 45:00 – Holler Question 51:00 – Who Should Fund Conservation's Future? What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
Ep. 224 - Christy Graham - The Trout Disaster: Flooding, Failed Hatcheries, & Emergency Regulations
Trout fisheries are in crisis, and for the first time ever emergency regulations are the new normal. → Join other Ozarkers in our Patreon - The Holler → Get weekly updates, show notes, and stories in our NEWSLETTER Arkansas Game & Fish trout coordinator Christy Graham returns to break down one of the wildest 14 months in the history of Ozark trout fishing. A historic Spring River flood wiped out 50% of the state hatchery's fish. Then the Norfork National Fish Hatchery — which stocks 40% of all trout in Arkansas — lost millions of fish to catastrophic water quality failures inside their own tanks. The result: permanent reduced limits, catch-and-release-only sections, and a two-year road to recovery. This is the inside story most anglers never hear. Whether you're a weekend warrior, a guide, or a dad planning your son's first trout trip — this episode explains what happened, why the fishery is still worth fishing, and what it'll take to fix it for good. Together with... Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks 0:00 – How the Ozark Trout Program Works 4:00 – How Game & Fish Sets the Stocking Schedule 8:30 – Spring River Hatchery Flood Wipes Out 50% of Fish 11:30 – Norfork Hatchery Catastrophe 14:45 – Why It Takes 18-22 Months to Grow a Stocking-Size Trout 24:00 – The Emergency Regulations 32:00 – The Management Triangle 37:00 – Communication Failures During the Crisis 43:00 – Is the Fishery Still Worth Fishing? 48:00 – 90% of Stocked Rainbows Don't Survive a Year What is The Ozark Podcast? In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker. Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com