Wildlife for You

Daryl Ratajczak

Discussions about wildlife that are both entertaining and educational.

  • 39 minutes 12 seconds
    Winter Feeding of Wildlife

    Yes, we know that deer looks hungry... but should you feed it? Daryl and Stephanne delve into the good and bad of feeding wildlife. Even some of those unintended consequences that you may not think about.

    20 January 2026, 2:58 am
  • 29 minutes 56 seconds
    WFY Reboot and Bear Hibernation

    In this episode of the Wildlife for You podcast, hosts Daryl Ratajczak and Stephanne Payne discuss the reboot of their podcast after a four-year hiatus. They emphasize the importance of addressing misinformation in wildlife. The conversation delves into the science of hibernation, the differences between true hibernation and torpor, and the common myths surrounding bear behavior. The hosts aim to educate listeners and debunk falsehoods while fostering a love for wildlife and conservation.

    fiyr86am

    8 January 2026, 3:11 am
  • 57 minutes 34 seconds
    Cry of the Red Wolf
    Did you know that red wolves were once one of the dominant Apex predators in the southeast? Sadly, the species is now hanging by a thread along the coast of North Carolina.
    21 September 2023, 3:35 pm
  • 57 minutes 16 seconds
    Wildlife Careers
    If you’re wanting to drive fast expensive cars and travel the world, run away. If you don’t mind being broke but extremely happy… boy, do we have a career for you!
    9 September 2023, 5:14 am
  • 57 minutes 38 seconds
    Bear Solutions, Not Problems
    Talking about bears in the news. We need to focus on solutions rather than problems,
    10 August 2023, 4:10 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    SWAPping in New Mexico
    Meg and Daryl talk to some aspiring young wildlife biology students who recently took part in the SWAP program. Don’t know what the SWAP program is? Well, listen to the podcast and find out. These promising young students are the future stewards of our precious wildlife resources.
    27 July 2023, 2:42 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Hogs Gone Wild! His name is Al!

    Al... a big ol' Russian boar in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park spurs a discussion on not only pigs in the Park, but pigs in America.

    29 June 2023, 3:51 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Offending the Grandpappy's - Debunking Urban Legends

    The hardest lesson I learned was finding out my dad didn't really know everything there was to know about wildlife. In fact, he got a whole lot wrong! Daryl and Meg discuss some of those things they heard as kids and explain the truth about what is really going on.

    1 June 2023, 1:46 am
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    Smoky Mountain Hiking Tips

    Lots of people head to the Smoky Mountains and some of them actually get out of their car and hit the trails. If you want to be one of those people, listen to Meg who is a seasoned hiker in GSMNP.

    10 May 2023, 4:08 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    Bear Basics

    Meg comes prepared to grill Daryl

    with a whole list of bear questions... and a turkey question to boot!

    20 April 2023, 2:32 am
  • 1 hour 14 minutes
    Cool Critters of GSMNP

    Last episode Daryl and Meg introduced you to the wonderful world of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This episode, they dive into a discussion about some of the amazing wildlife you will find there, and even some of the wildlife you won't.

    6 April 2023, 3:35 am
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