The Bend Show Radio & Podcast

Wanting to hunt private land this fall? Learn why now is the time to act and how to gain private land hunting access. Stay updated on major wildlife news, including a federal corruption case, venison donation fraud in Ohio, and Etsy’s controversial fur sales ban. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! Season 6, Episode 284 How to Access Private Hunting Land + Key Updates on Wildlife Corruption, Venison Fraud, and Etsy’s Fur Policy How to respectfully gain access to private lands for hunting access. According to Outdoor Life, a former head of Louisiana’s wildlife agency has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge tied to a kickback scheme involving public contracts. Jack Montoucet, who led the state agency from 2017 to 2023, admitted he helped steer a contract for online hunter education courses to a specific company in exchange for a share of the profits. Prosecutors say the money was split among Montoucet, a former wildlife commissioner, and the contractor. As part of a plea deal, four other charges—including wire fraud and money laundering—were dropped. Montoucet now faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for June. Federal officials say the scheme involved hiding payments until after Montoucet left office. Another official connected to the case has already been sentenced to four years in prison. Prosecutors say the case highlights the importance of accountability in public office and warned they will continue pursuing corruption at all levels of government. Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/louisiana-wildlife-secretary-pleads-guilty-corruption/ Ohio Deer Processor Accused of Selling Donated Venison Meant for Food Pantries Wildlife officials in Ohio say a deer processor has pleaded guilty after investigators found he was selling venison that had been donated to help feed people in need. The case was investigated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and involved a business called Rod’s Custom Deer Processing. Authorities say deer donated through a program intended to supply local food pantries were instead processed and sold. The investigation, known as “Operation Donor Deer,” uncovered a wider set of wildlife violations tied to the case. Officials say Rodney Shields, 59, of Harrisville pleaded guilty to seven charges, including felony counts of obstructing justice and theft by deception. According to the Department of Natural Resources, investigators ultimately identified 35 people connected to the case and 55 wildlife violations overall. Charges included the illegal sale of wild animals, inaccurate record-keeping, and possession of untagged deer parts. Many of the deer involved had been officially checked and reported to the state after being legally harvested. Shields received 17 months of suspended jail time and was placed on two years of community control. He was also ordered to pay 16-thousand-500 dollars in restitution, which state officials say will be distributed to victims whose donated venison was sold. It’s not clear how much venison was involved in the scheme, and officials have not confirmed whether the processing business is still operating. Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/ohio-deer-processor-caught-selling-donated-deer/ Etsy to Ban Fur Sales, Sparking Debate Over Impact Online marketplace Etsy will ban the sale of animal fur products starting August 11, a move the company says supports biodiversity efforts. The policy targets items made from animals killed primarily for their pelts, though products like leather, wool, and sheepskin are still allowed. Who supports the ban: Animal-rights groups, including the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade, are celebrating the decision. They say it’s part of a broader push that has already led to fur bans in places like California and proposed restrictions in several other states. Concerns from trappers and wildlife managers: Trappers and some wildlife experts argue the ban misunderstands how fur is sourced. They say regulated trapping helps manage wildlife populations and that fur is often a byproduct of conservation efforts—not the sole purpose. They also warn the policy could hurt small businesses that rely on online platforms. Some sellers say Etsy was their primary marketplace, handling nearly all of their sales. Economic and environmental debate: Critics of the ban say natural fur is biodegradable and longer-lasting than synthetic alternatives, which are often petroleum-based. They also argue that declining fur markets can make wildlife management more difficult by reducing incentives for regulated trapping. What happens next: Affected sellers are now looking to move to other platforms, while activists signal they may continue pushing for similar bans elsewhere. The decision highlights an ongoing divide between animal-rights advocates and those who

Spring cleaning meets outdoor news—learn how to declutter unwanted gifts, meet a Louisiana dog that retrieves bullfrogs, and get a quick update on the rare industry clash between Beretta and Ruger. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! Season 6, Episode 283 From Gift Cleanouts to Hunting Dogs and Industry News Spring Cleaning Guide: What to Do With Gifts You Won’t Use Spring cleaning isn’t just about closets—it’s also a chance to clear out those well-meaning gifts that don’t quite fit your life. Whether it’s something you already own, doesn’t match your style, or just isn’t useful, you’ve got a few smart, guilt-free options. Donate it If the item is new or gently used, consider donating to local charities, shelters, or thrift stores. Household goods, clothing, and unopened items can make a real difference for someone else. Re-gift thoughtfully There’s nothing wrong with passing along a nice item to someone who will truly enjoy it. Pro tip: add a small sticky note with the original giver’s name so you don’t accidentally return it to them. Sell it If it’s a higher-value item, try selling it online or through local marketplaces. This can help you declutter while putting a little extra cash in your pocket. Repurpose it Get creative—can it be turned into something useful or decorative? Sometimes a small DIY tweak makes all the difference. Swap it Host a gift swap with friends or family. It’s a fun, social way to trade items and give them a second life. Recycle responsibly If the item can’t be reused, check local recycling guidelines to dispose of it properly. The bottom line: A gift served its purpose when it was given. Keeping something you’ll never use only adds clutter—passing it on lets it bring value somewhere else. A Louisiana Dog With an Unusual Talent: Frogging According to OutdoorLife, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever named Juice is gaining attention for a skill you don’t hear about every day: fetching bullfrogs. His owner, Barret Fritscher of Louisiana, grew up around working dogs trained for duck hunting. As a kid, he admired an uncle’s dog that became locally famous in the late 1990s for retrieving frogs—a memory that stuck with him for years. Recently, Fritscher decided to see if his own dog, Juice, could learn the same trick. Thanks to Juice’s strong training as a retriever, it didn’t take much. After a few short practice drills, Juice figured out how to spot and retrieve frogs, even though dogs don’t seem to rely on smell for finding them—they have to see them. Fritscher says the key is solid “hold” training, since frogs taste unpleasant and most dogs won’t naturally want to carry them. Juice, already well-trained, adapted quickly. Now, the pair go “frogging” at night in shallow rice fields and crawfish ponds, where Fritscher uses a bright light to help Juice spot his target. The activity gives the aging dog a lower-impact way to stay active outside of traditional hunting. For Fritscher, it’s about more than a viral video—it’s about making the most of time with a remarkable, do-it-all dog. Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/bullfrog-dog/ Beretta and Ruger Clash in Rare Firearms Industry Showdown According to Outdoorlife, A major dispute is unfolding between two of the biggest names in the gun industry, as Beretta Holding and Sturm, Ruger & Co. head toward a high-stakes shareholder vote this spring. Beretta has quietly built nearly a 10% stake in Ruger, making it the company’s largest shareholder. Now, it’s pushing to add four new members to Ruger’s board—something Ruger strongly opposes, calling it an attempted “creeping takeover.” Beretta says it wants to improve Ruger’s performance and bring its centuries of experience to the table. Ruger argues the move could threaten its independence and shift control to the much larger, Europe-based company. Both companies bring major brand portfolios to the fight. Beretta Holding owns a wide range of well-known firearms and outdoor brands, including Benelli, Franchi, Sako, Tikka, Stoeger, Uberti, and premium maker Holland & Holland, along with related brands like Norma and Burris Optics. Ruger, while more focused, has expanded in recent years through partnerships and acquisitions. Its lineup includes the historic Marlin Firearms brand, along with collaborations with companies like Magpul and Dead Air Silencers. The disagreement has turned public, with both sides exchanging sharp public statements ahead of the vote. That vote will let shareholders decide whether to keep Ruger’s current leadership or bring in Beretta-backed board members. Hostile takeovers like this are rare in the firearms industry, which has traditionally been more cooperative than competitive. But analysts say the outcome could have long-term effects, especially as gun sales have slowed since their pandemic-era surge. For now, both companies are making their case to