Casey Eckhardt and her first Kansas whitetail.There’s no place like home, unless you’re after a big Sunflower state buck In the movie, “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy was convinced that there was no place like home. But going to Kansas is pretty close to getting an audience  with the Wizard for those that make a visit to the Sunflower State in search of one of its many huge trophy whitetail deer. “My husband and I have always dreamed of beginning to do one out of state hunt per year in addition to hunting in Louisiana,” said Physical Therapist Dr. Casey Eckhardt of NELA Rehab in northeast Lou ..read more

This recipe is pretty easy to make, uses venison from this past deer season, and is a slightly different and delicious approach to sloppy joes. (Photo by Jerry Dilsaver) March is a time of transition for sportsmen. Winter hunting seasons are winding down. Fishing is going the other way, with fish and anglers becoming more active. The beginning of Daylight Savings Time is a big plus too. Sportsmen can take advantage of this “extra” hour of daylight to enjoy the outdoors after work. This recipe should fit well during this time. If you don’t try this in March, try it at another time. Once you try ..read more

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) recently received Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) positive test results for a hunter-harvested buck from Claiborne County. This is the first CWD-positive detection for this county. The buck is considered “suspect positive” through initial testing and will be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories for a confirmatory test. Since February 2018, 315 CWD-positive white-tailed deer have been detected across sixteen (16) counties. MDWFP thanks all hunters that have submitted deer during the 2023–24 hunting season. Hunt ..read more

Zuppa Toscana is a hearty Italian soup that originated in the Tuscany region and its name translates to Tuscan Soup. This delicious soup gained popularity worldwide due to its rich flavors and satisfying ingredients. It is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed year round. It is perfect for chilly winter evenings, as its warmth and heartiness provide comfort during colder months. However, the soup can also be enjoyed in lighter variations during the warmer months by reducing the amount of cream or opting for a lighter broth. This dish is often served with crusty bread or a side salad. It is a ..read more

Hunters across the country spend countless hours and dollars preparing for hunting season in one form or another. For many, establishing a smorgasbord of groceries on their own land or hunting lease for their furred and feathered friends is well worth the price of admission. And when deer season ends, it’s time to review the plot successes and failures so the following year will produce greater returns from revisions to the process. Some hunters prepare food plots for small game, wild turkey, or whatever will eat what’s planted. Most food plots support the local deer population. But even in t ..read more

This Friday night favorite is a wild tasty switch from the ordinary Pizza, a Friday night tradition, should be a staple in every household. Growing up, I remember my mother making pizza dough and baking it into a tasty pizza almost every Friday night. Once she mastered her pizza dough recipe, she handed it down to me so I could continue to enjoy the Friday night pizza tradition. Over the years, I have become passionate about knowing where my food comes from and enjoying wild game in traditional recipes. Then, the idea of combining the Friday night tradition and wild game struck me. After mul ..read more

Randy Levingston took this beautiful buck while hunting with the author on public land. They were able to conceal their area from hunter pressure by using the stealth mode tactics described in this article. When hunting public land, sometimes you need to think outside of the box. Avoiding the crowds should always be the main goal. One can find rubs, scrapes and the best sign, but if that area becomes crowded, you will likely be unsuccessful. So is it possible to find a nice hunting spot on public land and then keep it to yourself? It is, but you must be willing to use some stealth tactics like ..read more

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) will host a public meeting to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) at the West Harrison High School Gymnasium (10399 County Farm Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503), Dec. 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. In late November, MDWFP received a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) positive test result for a hunter-harvested buck from Harrison County. With this being the first CWD-positive detection for this county, MDWFP is hosting this public meeting to inform local hunters on the effects and management of this disease. As with previous seasons, MDWFP is rel ..read more

If you’re not a big breakfast eater, don’t fret; these venison sausage biscuits work well for other meals too. I prepared this for the photos one afternoon and was planning to reheat and serve it for breakfast the next day. But my wife walked into the kitchen and saw what I was fixing and insisted we have some for supper. It worked great! The biggest changes were adding a salad and serving tea instead of coffee. With numerous gatherings this time of year, these biscuits can be a special treat for them all. Just make sure folks know they are venison and not beef. The appealing look often convi ..read more

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) recently received Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) positive test results for a hunter-harvested buck from Harrison County. This is the first CWD-positive detection for this county. The buck was considered “suspect positive” through initial testing and confirmed on Nov. 29, 2023 by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Additional information will be forthcoming about a CWD Management Zone. Since February 2018, 218 CWD-positive white-tailed deer have been detected across eleven (11) counties. MDWFP thanks all hunters tha ..read more