Harvest Your Own Library

Every hunter dreams of having their most successful season ever, but the foundation for that success isn't built in the fall—it starts months earlier. In this episode, Brad reflects on his own best hunting season and the single habit that made it possible: pushing himself to practice shooting every single month of the year. By keeping your firearms active year-round, you build a familiarity with your gear that simply cannot be replicated by a rushed trip to the range right before opening day.


In this episode:

• Discover how year-round practice builds familiarity with your firearms, dramatically tightening your target groupings for cleaner, more ethical harvests.
• Learn the value of keeping detailed target notes to track how different ammunition changes your consistency and how varying weather conditions impact bullet trajectories.
• Find out how bringing a few friends along can boost your motivation and spark some healthy competition to sharpen everyone's skills.

Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1246919/fan_mail/new)


Find Brad at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson

Find Harvest Your Own at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca
X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown
Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

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 Fish populations face increasing pressure from environmental changes, habitat loss, and invasive species, but a new, invisible threat is emerging in our waters. While most anglers are familiar with whirling disease, the recent confirmation of Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) in Alberta has raised new concerns among fisheries managers and conservationists alike. In this episode, we dive into the history of fish diseases in North America, how these pathogens spread between water systems, and what the sudden discovery of this microscopic parasite means for the province's fisheries.


We are joined by Dr. Emmanuel Pila, whose work detecting fish pathogens safeguards the health of our populations, and Dr. Trish Kelley, a fish health and aquatic animal disease specialist who leads the province's monitoring and public outreach. Together, they give us an insider look at the work being done, the critical balance between public concern and scientific reality, and highlighting the practical steps anglers can take to protect our aquatic ecosystems.


In this episode:

• Explore the history of major fish diseases across North America and how environmental stressors like rising river temperatures, low stream flows, and drought make trout populations increasingly vulnerable to outbreaks.
• Learn exactly what PKD is, and why its detection in Alberta requires adaptive management rather than panic.
• Find out how anglers can act as the front line conservation stewards through "Clean, Drain, Dry" practices, proper fish handling to minimize catch-and-release stress, and reporting unusual fish behaviour to help tracking efforts.

Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1246919/fan_mail/new)


Find Brad at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson

Find Harvest Your Own at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca
X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown
Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

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Navigating the digital landscape as an outdoors person can be a tricky balancing act, especially when it comes to growing an online presence that highlights your passion while respecting platform guidelines. Born and raised in Edmonton, Darryl Dahl (@darrylhuntswest) brings over 16 years of marketing and digital strategy experience to the conversation, currently serving as the Marketing Director for the Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada (POMAC). In this episode, Darryl shares how hunters and anglers can successfully bridge the gap between traditional storytelling and digital media skills to build a compelling page.


From practical advice on content creation to the critical nuances of community management, Darryl breaks down the exact strategies needed to elevate your outdoor brand. Whether you are looking to fine-tune your content strategy or expand your reach through smart tagging, Darryl offers insights into social media outlets.


In this episode:

• Learn how to navigate tricky platform algorithms by avoiding specific flag words like guns, firearms, and rifles to keep your content from being restricted online.
• Discover the importance of a mindful content strategy, focusing on what and when to post, and why you should only publish content when you are in the right mindset to ensure your message is accurately conveyed.
• Find out how to streamline your writing process by using AI tools to take your general ideas and refine them into short, punchy, and succinct social media captions.
• Understand how to utilize targeted tag groups effectively to boost your visibility, expand your reach, and organically grow your online following.
• Explore how to manage specific sharing and viewing permissions to curate a safe, supportive space and protect your channel from individuals looking to tarnish the hunting lifestyle.

Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1246919/fan_mail/new)


Find Brad at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson

Find Harvest Your Own at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca
X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown
Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

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Sharing your love for the water with the next generation is incredibly rewarding, but taking kids fishing requires a complete shift in mindset. While you might be ready to stay on the lake and cast for hours, children don't possess that same deep-rooted passion just yet, they have to discover it on their own. The secret to building that lifelong excitement isn't actually about the number of fish caught; it’s about making the entire day an engaging, hands-on adventure.


In this episode, Brad breaks down how to create a lakeside experience that kids will actually want to repeat. From stepping back and letting them pick their own favourite hooks to packing plenty of snacks and taking swim breaks, it's all about prioritizing their fun over your personal fishing time. Brad is even joined by a very special guest—his eight-year-old daughter, Adeline—to share a kid's perspective on what truly makes a day on the water exciting.






In this episode:

• Involving kids in tasks like stringing the rod, launching the boat, and netting the fish creates ownership and excitement.
• The importance of letting kids cast for themselves and choosing their own favourite hooks, even if it means less are caught.
• Adeline shares her favourite parts about fishing.

Like the episode or let us know another topic to cover. (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1246919/fan_mail/new)


Find Brad at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.fenson

Find Harvest Your Own at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvestYourOwn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestyourownaca/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@harvestyourownaca
X/Twitter: https://x.com/harvestyourown
Website: https://www.harvestyourown.ca/

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