UC Outdoors

Brad Halfacre sits down with Ranger Justin Vaughn from Edgar Evens State Park to talk all things summer safety. From fire safety and how to properly build, control, and extinguish a campfire, to staying cool and hydrated in the heat, Justin shares essential tips for protecting your family during outdoor adventures. They cover everything from water safety laws and watching kids near water, to tick and mosquito prevention and heat-related precautions like checking the back seat and wearing proper clothing. Whether you're hitting the trails or the lake, this episode is packed with practical advice to keep your summer fun...

Brad Halfacre sits down with Jerry Shanks, a seasoned coyote hunter and trapper from Silver Point, Tennessee. Jerry shares the importance of managing coyote populations, explaining how these invasive predators can pose serious threats to livestock and native wildlife. He dives into the gear needed for successful coyote hunting, year-round hunting laws, effective techniques, and signs to watch for before heading out. Jerry also emphasizes the importance of respecting private land when helping others control local coyote populations.

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Brad Halfacre sits down with Tammy Wright, one of the original members of the Red Silo Runners. Originally from Nashville, Tammy shares how a casual walking group with friends after lunch at Crawdaddy’s grew into a vibrant community centered around the Red Silo Brewing Company. With over 800 online members across the country, the Red Silo Runners welcome walkers, joggers, and runners of all levels—no membership required, just a friendly attitude and a love for staying active. Tammy also talks about the group’s involvement in local events, fundraising for shelters through marathons, and how their church-rooted, family-friendly atmosphere keeps...

Brad Halfacre chats with Tonya and Joey Posten, owners of Old Mill Campgrounds, located right next to Cummins Falls State Park. They share what makes their campground special including 41 RV sites with electricity, water, and Wi-Fi, as well as cozy cottages and two Airbnb rentals. Tonya and Joey talk about booking details, pricing, upcoming local music events, and the joy of camping as a way to relax and unplug (even though Wi-Fi is still available). They also highlight local treats from the nearby Muddy Pond Amish store—which recently had a visit from Reba McEntire’s son, who stopped in to e...

Brad Halfacre sits down with Mandy and Jenny from the Putnam County YMCA to talk about the wide range of programs they offer for families and individuals of all ages and abilities. With over 30 years of combined experience at the Y, they share details about youth day camps, swimming lessons for all ages, and soccer clinics that will prepare you for their Soccer Saturdays. A big focus of the conversation is water safety—including their "Phone Down, Eyes Up" campaign, which encourages parents to stay alert and engaged at the pool. They also share a fun, catchy tune to help ki...

Brad Halfacre chats with Ranger Kristen Willis from Burgess Falls State Park to dive into the challenges and beauty of the Window Cliffs Trail—a 5.4-mile hike she describes as strenuous but rewarding. Kristen shares tips on how to stay safe and prepared on the trail, and gives details about upcoming events in July, including night hikes, nature hikes, and the Advanced Junior Ranger Program. She also discusses the park's impressive transformation of a 7-acre grassland area, once 85% overrun by invasive species, now restored to native habitat teeming with wildlife. Tune in to hear Kristen’s journey into becoming a park...

Brad Halfacre sits down with Lieutenant Mike Beaty from the TWRA to talk all things boating safety. They cover where and how to access both in-person and online boating education classes, share a quick pre-trip boating checklist, and explain how to be prepared for emergencies on the water—including the importance of creating a "float plan." While the focus is on boating, they also touch on a few key updates to Tennessee's hunting and fishing laws that outdoor enthusiasts should know.

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Guests Bobbie & Paul Abel join Brad Halfacre to discuss Manna Hana Riding Stables and share some insights on their programs designed to help children with special needs, veterans, and first responders by helping them heal with horses.

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Brad Halfacre chats with Upperman High School students Gunnar Ballard and Steven Clark about their recent achievements in the competitive bass fishing world. The duo shares how they’re preparing for the upcoming Tennessee Bass Federation Tournament in Grove, Oklahoma, taking place June 24–28. They also reflect on the tournaments that got them here, swap favorite fishing stories, and some fishing fails as well.

In this episode, host Brad Halfacre sits down with Victoria Whitley. We explore how to get involved with beekeeping, the many benefits it offers, and the critical role bees play in our environment.

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During this episode, our host Brad Halfacre sits down with Janet Dowlen. They discuss everything you need to know about the upcoming Birds, Bees, Bucks, and Trees event happening on June 14th.

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During this episode, learn more about the forming of Scott's Gulf State Park in Sparta as our host Brad Halfacre sits down with vice president of the Friend's Group, Dylan Dunn. Also hear about event organization, the Sparta speaker series, and more!

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Visit with us as our host Brad Halfacre sits down with guest Dr. Derrick Edwards from Tennessee Tech University. During this episode, they talk about how being outdoors can help with cortisol levels, reducing stress, and more.

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Host Brad Halfacre sits down with Jared Wilson who is the owner of Resilient Living in Spencer! They talk all about preparedness for natural disasters, living outdoors, becoming less dependent, and more!

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During this episode, join host Brad Halfacre as he sits down with Sunny Reagan and Gale Reed to talk about the Kelly Walker Memorial Casting For Help And Hope. This is a memorial fishing tournament that benefits the Fentress County Children's Advocacy Center.

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Hear all about the open turkey season that's going strong with guest Casey Mullen from the TWRA, who joins host Brad Halfacre. They talk about the later start, what helps the population, response from birds, and more!

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During this episode, hear from US Army Corps Of Engineers Ranger Philip Sliger on what the Corps of Engineers has to offer in terms of recreation for folks. Also hear about Center Hill Lake, the swimming areas there, costs, and more!

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During this episode, Eddie and Terra Ramos sit down with our host Ben Rodgers to discuss all about Kayaking Adventures of Tennessee. They are a company that offers kayaking trips to the bottom of Burgess Falls, so you can hear about their offerings, routes, future plans, and more!

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Listen as our host Brad Halfacre sits down with Wayne Key from the UT AG Extension Office here in Cookeville. They talk all about how people can test their soil, how to adjust their PH in the soil to grow plants effectively, the best fertilizers, and more!

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During this episode, host Brad Halfacre sits down with April Hayden from Pickett County Tourism. They talk all about upcoming event in the Upper Cumberland, more specifically Pickett County. April works to bring awareness to Pickett County, through the visitor's center, restaurants, museums, and more. Also hear about how these facilities bring money back in to their area for further advancements.

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Brad Halfacre, our host, sits down with Steve Carter from Outdoor Junction to talk about the upcoming turkey season and fish that are starting to bite. Also hear about the offerings from Outdoor Junction including their equipment, upcoming events, indoor shooting range, and more!

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Tessa Davis sits down with our host Brad Halfacre to talk about the 150 waterfalls that surround is within an hour and a half drive. She works for the Cookeville Putman County Visitors Bureau, and currently they are informing our citizens about all of the waterfalls around us through the Waterfall Lovers Guide on their website. Also hear about Waterfalls For All, which is a campaign to provide information and support for folks that need accessibility accommodations to visit our waterfalls.

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Nancy Pardue from Bend Of The River talks all about her personal history, the history of Bend Of The River, classes they offer at Tennessee Tech, upcoming activities and events for the Spring, and more!

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During this episode of the UC Outdoors podcast, Ray Cutcher and Ashley Woolbright talk all about the four upcoming races happening at Cummins Falls in February. This is a certified route, so the race can be used as a qualifier for other marathons. However this is a challenging marathon, so timing is important in this race through the Jackson County hills.

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Today on UC Outdoors, join host Brad Halfacre as he sits down with Cole Carbanaro to speak on which fish are biting right now, certain fishing lures, different transition points on a lake, other winter time activities, and more!

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Mike Beaty from the TWRA gives an update on how productive this past deer season was! Mike also talks about deer scoring events that just passed, along with some totals on the numbers from the season. All this and more on Upper Cumberland Outdoors!

Get a perspective of the hunting and fishing seasons, being outdoors, different sports, and more from an outdoors women! Lauren Fagen is on the show with Brad Halfacre. All of this and more, on UC Outdoors. Listen today!

This week on UC Outdoors... hear Steve Carter from Outdoor Junction talk all about the classes they offer, their operating times, shooting range, products, and more with our host Brad Halfacre!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Bill Wisniewski about trails in the Upper Cumberland. Bill is the chairperson of the Tennessee Trails Association. Hear all about hiking as a student, adult, and beyond as well as the location of trails and ease of accessibility.

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Holly Taylor all about Birding in the UC. Hear about birding, where to see birds, what gear you may need, how this is the best season, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Ray Cutcher about Rock Climbing around Middle Tennessee. Hear about what kind of gear you need, where you can rock climb in our area, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Casey Mullins who is a TWRA Biologist. Hear all about what trapping is, which animals are good to trap, where to find them, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Laurie Snyder who works for the Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park. They talk all about how the organization raises money for parks, teaches people about different critters and parks, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Phillip Sliger about Youth Hunts here in the Upper Cumberland. Hear all about where these are located, what they are, future events, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Michael Hodge who works for the Pickett State Park. They talk all about what the night sky has to offer moving from summer to fall and winter - bringing new skies and different constellations. The sky is crisper at this time of year and everything is more clear.

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Trevor Daniels about all things caves. Here about temperatures in caves, locations, info on UC Grotto, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Matt Simcox from the TN Wildlife Federation and Hunters for the Hungry. They discuss the start of deer season, donating killed deer for the needy, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Dr. Amanda Rosenberger who is the assistant unit leader of the cooperative fishery research department at TnTech. They discuss all things mussels, where to find them in Tennessee, where they came from, diversity, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Thad Hoffman from SORBA. He works to provide mountain biking information and facilitation across the Upper Cumberland. Hear all about group rides, locations, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.

This week on Upper Cumberland Outdoors... Host Brad Halfacre talks with Steve Carter from Outdoor Junction. They discuss the industry being behind all year before this upcoming season, the busyness of the store, how to get supplies, and more!

Powered By Outdoor Junction in Cookeville. New episodes every Saturday at 6am on Rock 93-7, 9am on 101.9/AM 920 WLIV, and Sundays at 9am on Sports Radio 104.7.