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The Bend Show Radio & Podcast

The Bend Show Radio & Podcast

Written by: Rebecca Wanner
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 NEW Outdoor Adventure & Western Lifestyle Show! Host Rebecca Wanner aka “BEC” dives into the news and topics of hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, cooking, conservation, rodeo, western lifestyle and anything and everything that has to do with the outdoors and the back trails. Guests share their stories about success, failure and the one that got away. Hear not just about the gear, but more about what makes the outdoors relatable to everyone each week on The Bend Show!Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Remembering Robert Duvall, Adventures with BEC & Why Yellowstone in March

    Remembering Robert Duvall, Adventures with BEC & Why Yellowstone in March
    Feb 21 2026
    From Robert Duvall’s legacy and impact on Westerns to Adventures with me, Rebecca Wanner aka BEC to then insight on why March is the best month to visit Yellowstone National Park. Stories of the West, travel, and adventure are on the schedule! Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! Honoring the Godfather of Westerns, Exploring Life on the Trail with Rebecca Wanner, and Discovering the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park Robert Duvall (1931–2026): The Godfather of Westerns Robert Duvall, 1931 - 2026, passed at age 95 on his horse farm in Virginia. Leaving a legacy on the silver screen from To Kill A Mocking Bird, The Godfather, to winning an Oscar for Tender Mercies… He had a love for westerns and horsemanship. Early in his career, Duvall noticed that actors in movies didn’t have the right “seat” when riding horses and hence stunt doubles were relied upon. On his own accord, Duvall took up horseback riding and learning from those that taught stunt doubles, proper horsemanship which led to him owning a farm, raising horses and performing his own stunts for the movies. Thanks to movies such as a cameo in the original “True Grit” to the epic mini-series “Lonesome Dove” and “Open Range”... Some have dubbed Robert Duvall as the Godfather of Westerns. How well do you know our, by far, favorite movie - Lonesome Dove where Duvall played Captain Augustus “Gus” McCrae, a Texas Ranger turned cattle rancher, a role that would earn him a Golden Globe How old was Robert Duvall during the production of Lonesome Dove? 58 years old Duvall starred alongside which actor in the epic Western Lonesome Dove? Tommy Lee Jones Tommy Lee Jones, another actor who was an experienced horseman that refused to use a stunt double in the movie. Favorite "Lonesome Dove" quotes by Augustus 'Gus' McCrae, Robert Duvall “It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living.” “We don’t rent pigs” "Any man who does rent pigs is....... he's hard to stop." "By God, Woodrow, it's been quite a party." “Ain’t nothing better than riding a fine horse in new country.” Another favorite movie that introduced Robert Duvall to a whole new generation was “Secondhand Lion”. Highly recommended family film… and a quote that stands out from these old bachelor uncles was Duvall, “We’re old, Damnit. Leave us alone.” Adventures of Rebecca Wanner aka BEC Our host, Rebecca 'BEC' Wanner, of The Bend Show shares adventures on her bucket list and stories of past adventures. We learn that she has a fear of heights, so flying an ultra-light plane will not be happening. Rebecca Wanner aka BEC has done snorkeling and hopes to gain her scuba license some day. Adventure wise she shares her own version of Planes, Train, & Automobiles when attempting to fly home from a summer abroad only to be left backpacking, hopping trains, outrunning security guards to finally find her way home at the age of 20 before smartphones thus no cellphones either. Fun Stories! YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: Why is March the best month to visit? Spring is when bison calves are born, and bears with cubs start to emerge from hibernation. The vegetation in March is still thin, so elk and moose are easier to spot. March is also one of the best months to see wolves in Lamar Valley. Plus no crowds, due to chances for snow and colder temperatures. Open year-round: North Entrance (Gardiner, MT) to Northeast Entrance (Cooke City, MT) A quick google search will show that there are multiple tours throughout the off-season in Yellowstone. Because interior park roads are closed to private vehicles, popular guided options include snow coach tours, snowmobile tours, and educational wildlife safaris. Same goes for visiting the Grand Tetons. Sit back, do a tour and take in the scenery! OUTDOORS FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or stories to share about bighorn sheep, outdoor adventures, or wildlife conservation, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call or text us at 305-900-BEND (305-900-2363), or send an email to BendRadioShow@gmail.com. Stay connected by following us on social media at Facebook/Instagram @thebendshow or by subscribing to The Bend Show on YouTube. Visit our website at TheBendShow.com for more exciting content and updates! https://thebendshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thebendshow WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC’ Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo, and the Western way of life. They are also staunch advocates for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. As outdoorsmen themselves, Tigger and BEC provide valuable insight and education to hunters, adventurers, ranchers, and anyone interested in agriculture and conservation. With a shared love for the outdoors, Tigger & BEC are committed...
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    27 mins
  • Winter Olympics vs Real-World Outdoors Plus Michigan’s Shortest Fishing Season & Maryland Duck Hunter Rescue

    Winter Olympics vs Real-World Outdoors Plus Michigan’s Shortest Fishing Season & Maryland Duck Hunter Rescue
    Feb 14 2026
    Fun show this week! From Michigan’s 48-minute Black Lake sturgeon season to a dramatic duck hunters rescue on a Maryland frozen River, to how real-world outdoor challenges rival the Winter Olympics, and what events we think could be added. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! Winter Olympics vs Real-World Outdoor Extremes, Michigan’s 48-Minute Fishing Season & Maryland Duck Hunter Ice Rescue Winter Olympics vs Real-World Outdoor Activities Do you know how many events there are in the Winter Olympics? The answer, 16! Alpine Skiing Biathlon - 5 Shots from 50 meters away Bobsleigh - 93 miles per hours Cross Country Skiing Curling Figure Skating - Oldest winter Olympic sport Freestyle Skiing Ice Hockey Luge - 80 to 90 mph Nordic Combined Short Track Speed Skating Skeleton - forces up to 5 G’s. 1G is the force you feel sitting still. At 5 G’s, a 150 pound person feels like they weigh 750 pounds Ski Jumping Ski Mountaineering - New Event for 2026, assent and descend, Skis, hike, ski down remove skins Snowboard Speed Skating Most Popular by viewership: Figure Skating, Snowboarding, Bobsled, Luge Least Popular: Alpine Skiing, Speed Skating, Ski Jumping Real-World Events to ADD to the Winter Olympics Skijoring: Horse, rider, skier. Popular in "Cowboy States" that have winter a Cowboy gallops pulling another cowboy strapped with skies! Farmer/Rancher Olympics Speed Skating: wearing muck boots, Cow calves in a muddy slop, fling calf over shoulders run like hell. Replace Curling with... Chopping ice for livestock. Ice Hockey: when you pick up a bale from the hay stack and mice run. Everywhere. Bobsleighing: pull behind a truck on a scoop shovel... Way harder than it sounds! Alpine Skiing: Hang onto truck while wearing cowboy boots. Biathlon: Shooting coyotes... aka Predator Control! Michigan’s Shortest Fishing Season Ends in Just 48 Minutes Michigan’s 2026 Black Lake sturgeon fishing season came and went fast — really fast. The season opened at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, and wrapped up just 48 minutes later when the six-fish quota was reached in Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties. According to the Department of Natural Resources, anglers landed fish starting at 8:07 a.m., with the final sturgeon harvested right at 8:48. In total, 679 anglers were registered, all competing in what’s known as the shortest fishing season in the state. The largest catch was a 67-inch female sturgeon weighing just over 79 pounds. The other five fish ranged from about 53 to 64 inches long, weighing between 40 and 78 pounds. Each angler was allowed to keep just one fish and had to report it immediately. The season automatically closed once the sixth fish was taken, with anglers alerted by text and by DNR staff on the ice. Black Lake’s sturgeon season is famous for its speed. Last year it lasted only 17 minutes, while in 2023 it stretched to just over an hour. In 2024, the season was canceled entirely because of unsafe ice. Lake sturgeon are among the oldest fish species in the Great Lakes, and their numbers dropped sharply in the past due to overfishing and habitat loss. Strict regulations and decades of restoration work have helped rebuild the population, allowing Michigan to continue this tightly controlled, blink-and-you-miss-it fishing tradition. Reference: https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/2026-lake-sturgeon-season-takes-48-minutes-to-hit-limit/ Duck Hunters Rescued After Becoming Trapped in Frozen Maryland River A dramatic helicopter rescue occurred January 31 when six duck hunters became stranded in the frozen Nanticoke River in Maryland on the final day of duck season. Natural Resources Police and Wildlife and Heritage Service crews were called out around 6:30 p.m. after the hunters’ boat became inoperable in icy conditions. Temperatures were in the teens and low 20s, with strong winds, and thick ice prevented local fire crews from reaching them by water or boat ramp. Officials believe the hunters had completed their hunt and were heading back when they ran into trouble — either mechanical issues or ice that moved in after the shoot. A helicopter crew was already nearby but decided it was too dangerous to hoist the hunters due to high winds. Instead, rescuers launched an airboat from a nearby campground. The river is about a half-mile wide at that location, a well-known but risky late-season duck hunting area. All six hunters were safely brought back in two trips, checked by EMS, and returned to their vehicles. While it’s unclear what happened to their boat — or whether they harvested any ducks — officials say it’s a last-day hunt the group won’t forget, and one they were fortunate to survive. Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/duck-hunters-rescued-nanticote-river/ OUTDOORS FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or ...
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    27 mins
  • Rural America: Wildlife, Technology, and the Future of Youth Agriculture

    Rural America: Wildlife, Technology, and the Future of Youth Agriculture
    Feb 7 2026
    This week we share how Utah is in a cougar debate tied to declining deer herds. We have fun with Real versus AI-generated stories. Plus how there is value in FFA and 4H, exploring key issues shaping our future youth. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! Utah Cougar Cull Sparks Tension as State Studies Mule Deer Declines Utah Cougar Cull Sparks Tension with Hunters & Houndsmen as State Studies Deer Declines Utah wildlife managers have launched a three-year study that involves culling mountain lions in six game management units to see whether reducing cougar numbers will help struggling mule deer herds. While the goal is more deer on the landscape, many of Utah’s houndsmen say the plan puts their dogs, their livelihoods, and the future of lion hunting at risk. State biologists say cougar predation is exceeding sustainable levels in parts of Utah, with some units seeing more than eight percent—and in some cases double-digit—deer losses to lions. The study focuses on the Boulder, Monroe, Stansbury, Pine Valley, Wasatch East, and Zion units, where state-run trapping efforts are now being added on top of already legal year-round lion hunting. That’s where the concern comes in for houndsmen and from hunters. The Utah Houndsmen Association opposes the study, warning that state-set traps and snares create dangerous conditions for hounds and discourage outfitters from turning dogs loose. Houndsmen are asking the state to release trap location maps so they can hunt safely and continue doing the hands-on, ethical predator management they’ve provided for generations. Supporters of the study, including several major conservation groups, say the data is needed. Mule deer have been collared across the study units, and early observations show poor body condition in some animals. Funding for the research is coming from sportsmen-driven organizations, and some groups are taking a wait-and-see approach before judging the results. Critics of predator management argue that habitat loss and winter severity are the real problems behind deer declines. But state officials point out that while habitat issues affect much of Utah, roughly 30 percent of the state appears to be dealing with a true predator-driven, top-down problem—something the legislature has directed wildlife managers to address. For houndsmen, the bigger issue may be perception. At a time when lion hunting faces pressure across the West, they worry this study could hand ammunition to anti-hunting groups and further threaten a tradition built around trained dogs, fair chase, and hands-on conservation. The debate puts Utah’s houndsmen squarely in the middle—supporting healthy deer herds and sound science, while fighting to protect their dogs, their way of life, and the future of cougar hunting. Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/utah-culling-cougars-new-study True Stories vs. AI-Generated Stories Why Authentic Experience Still Matters FUN stories that MANY you will be surprised to learn are actually true! Take a listen to find out if you can guess which are! Why To Support FFA & 4-H Supporting FFA and 4-H helps young people develop skills for leadership, communication, and personal growth. These organizations also help youth learn about agriculture and prepare for careers in the field. Benefits of FFA and 4-H Leadership: Learn how to take responsibility, set goals, and make decisionsCommunication: Build strong communication skillsResilience: Learn how to bounce back from challengesProfessional development: Learn skills that help prepare for college and careersCharacter: Develop positive character traits like trustworthiness, respect, and responsibilitySelf-esteem: Increase self-esteem and confidenceAgriculture knowledge: Learn how to grow food, raise animals, and fix things Why support these organizations? To help young people become leaders in their communities To help young people learn about agriculture and careers in the field To help young people develop life skills that will benefit them throughout their lives To help young people learn how to care for and show animals, animal husbandry OUTDOORS FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or stories to share about bighorn sheep, outdoor adventures, or wildlife conservation, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call or text us at 305-900-BEND (305-900-2363), or send an email to BendRadioShow@gmail.com. Stay connected by following us on social media at Facebook/Instagram @thebendshow or by subscribing to The Bend Show on YouTube. Visit our website at TheBendShow.com for more exciting content and updates! https://thebendshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thebendshow WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC’ Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo...
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    27 mins
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