Some of the biggest blockbuster films have been heavily inspired by nature. Think back to Jurassic Park, Jaws, Avatar and even Disney films such as The Jungle Book and Lion King. But just how often do artists draw inspiration from or reference the natural world in their art? Well, turns out it happens quite a bit.

On this episode, Jake and Dean cover a list of twelve different pieces of pop culture that reference nature. If you're looking to join in the fun and create your own "pop culture profile" follow the template below!

Choose 1 per category for each theme:
Movie:

• Adventure
• Wildlife
• Conservation

Song:

• Adventure
• Wildlife
• Conservation

Video Game:

• Adventure
• Wildlife
• Conservation

Celebrity:

• Adventure
• Wildlife
• Conservation

If you're enjoying the podcast, make sure to give the video a like, comment and subscribe to the channel. Each and every subscriptions helps us build our community of outdoor enthusiasts.

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Ready to build your very own adventure profile? Here's the layout:

Wildlife Team:
1. Mammal
2. Amphibian
3. Reptile
4. Bird
5. Fish
6. Spirit Animal (any of the above classes)

Expedition Log:
1. Favorite trip you've ever been on
2. Top bucket list destination
3. Second bucket list destination

Conservation Impact:
1. The conservation impact that means the most to you (ex: human-wildlife conflict, ecotourism, etc.)

Profile Backdrop:
An ecosystem that represents your profiles "banner" photo

Adventure Song:
The song that others would hear when visiting your profile

Make sure to like this video and subscribe to the channel. Every subscription helps us grow our community in an effort to fulfill our mission to bridge the gap between people and nature.

instagram: @chasingwildpodnture profile? Here's the layout:

Join us for an exciting episode where we bring in Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund (KACF), Dave Johnson. When a young conservationist and friend, Katie Adamson, passed away due to cancer, Dave stepped in to create a non-profit organization in her memory.

Based in Denver, Colorado, the fund is a community-based organization that travels across the world to help local communities in their efforts to save endangered species. From radio collaring lions in Tanzania to funding and building a new vet hospital in Nepal, the KACF has been to over 24 countries and has helped countless animals in need.

Beyond the global expeditions, Dave also works with people in education and entertainment, hosting fundraisers, speaking at zoos and writing children's books to extend their reach. Dave embodies what it means to be a conservationist, but knows that it takes people to save animals and is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his mission.

Make sure to like this video and subscribe to the channel. Every subscription helps us grow our community in an effort to fulfill our mission to bridge the gap between people (you) and nature. Be sure to also follow along with Dave and the KACF crew, subscribing to their channels and joining them on their trips across the world. Links down below!

instagram: @chasingwildpod

KACF instagram: @katieadamsonconservationfund

KACF website:
https://www.katieadamsonconservationfund.org/

On this episode, we sit down with avid Fly Fisherman, Chase Halter, as he dives into some of his most memorable experiences out on rivers, boats and streams.

Chase talks about the differences between fly fishing and conventional fishing, and how each can be better suited for certain fish and certain ecosystems. He also gives a few tips and tricks on how to become an effective fisherman, using tackle and timing to your advantage.

During his time on the water, Chase has also learned more about his natural surroundings and has helped form a group that is dedicated to working with Ohio's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to monitor and protect the native species. Monitoring trends and seeing changes in the area, these fishermen serve as a tool for the DNR to get a better understanding of what is going on in the area and how they can best help.

Make sure to tune in for a lively episode with some incredible fishing stories, specifically one with a couple of monster muskies. If you're enjoying the guest episodes, make sure to subscribe to the channel and leave a comment!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

In this episode, we sit down with Blake Dudzik, longtime hunter, as him and Dean break down their experiences deer hunting in Illinois and Wisconsin.

A common misconception of hunting is that people often think it is a cruel sport that people do purely for self-satisfaction. While there are many forms of hunting and different hunters with different intents, deer hunting across the United States is typically a sustainable and ethical way to maintain deer populations.

Due to the extirpation of natural predators such as wolves and bears in certain states, deer do not have many, if any, natural predators. This causes their numbers to grow exponentially to an amount that their habitat cannot provide for. Without hunting, many of these individuals would die due to starvation or disease, specifically chronic wasting disease (CWD).

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose and is also known as "zombie deer". CWD is a cruel way for these animals to die and is one of the reasons that hunting of these animals is not only allowed, but encouraged during hunting season.

Deer populations are monitored closely and determines how many permits are given and how long hunting seasons can last. A quick death by gun or bow is far more ethical than starving or getting CWD and is why deer hunting IS ethical and supported when in accordance with the seasons and laws.

Tune into this weeks episode to learn more from Blake and Dean as Jake takes the backseat to learn from these two longtime hunters. If you're enjoying the podcast, make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel to help us grow our community!

instagram: @chasingwildpod

Unchanged for 340 million years, predating the dinosaurs, this parasitic species has survived 4 major extinctions and dates back to the Paleozoic era.

After being introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1800s, this invasive species has been wreaking havoc on native fish populations and is being called, "America's first destructive invasive fish species".

These prehistoric fish latch onto the side of other fish, using their sharp, horny teeth to tear away at the flesh to suck its blood and bodily fluid. In its native ranges, the northern and western Atlantic, the host fish are able to withstand the Sea Lamprey latching onto them. In the Great Lakes, the smaller and less adapted fish often die. Each Sea Lamprey kills roughly 40 pounds of fish per year, leading to urgent efforts to manage these populations.

Field biologists are doing everything they can to insert barriers that prevent them from moving upstream and use lampricides - a chemical that kills sea lamprey but not other fish - to reduce their numbers. Today, we talk with MSU graduate, Conor O'Kane, as he discusses his experience working with these field biology programs during his Master's Program.

As always, make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave a comment. We're looking to build a group of outdoor enthusiasts committed to wildlife, conservation and adventure!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Monster bass, a 10 pound walleye, 39 inch muskie and 50+ years of fishing experiences!

This week we sit-down for our first guest episode with longtime freshwater fisherman and Jake's dad, Bob Johnson, to dive into the world of fishing. Bob's experiences provide listeners with an in depth view of what it looks like to be a passionate angler and how that's allowed him to have some trophy catches over the years.

From tips and tricks, to the ethics of keeping your catch and the changes he's seeing with climate change, Bob hits all the important topics on what he's learned over the years to be a responsible, yet effective fisherman.

From winning tournaments to being featured on the cover of Midwest Outdoors multiple times and a frequent contributor to the Chicago Sun Time's Fishing Report, Bob's expertise has reached many and we're happy to dive deeper here on the show.

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to check out the linked content! We have a few different videos on our channel of some of Bob's fishing experiences. Be sure to also subscribe to the channel and leave him a comment!

Instagram: @chasingwildpod

Have you ever wondered what it's like to trek through one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet? Welcome to the Amazon Rainforest, home to roughly 10% of the world's known species.

A bucket list destination for both Jake and Dean, Dean breaks down his 3-day trip with JunglePro, a guiding company through the Amazon. With an incredible array of flora and fauna, Dean highlights some of the animals he was able to find, which ones meant the most to him and which ones eluded him on this trip.

A longer episode, there's so much to take away from this experience in the Amazon and has ignited our drive to go back. Have you ever been to the Amazon or are looking to go? Make sure to leave a comment and share your experiences or any questions you have! If you're enjoying the show, make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel. Each subscription helps us grow our community of adventurers dedicated to wild animals and wild places!

Instagram:
@chasingwildpod