‘Feral’ Takes on Invasive Lake Trout in Yellowstone Monday at 9 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel

Chef Yia Vang Teams Up with Western River Anglers in a Fly Fishing Expedition to Protect Native Species

DENVER (December 14, 2023) – In an unprecedented effort to restore balance in Yellowstone National Park, the latest episode of Feral, airing Monday at 9 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel, takes viewers on a thrilling adventure with host Yia Vang. Partnering with Western River Anglers, Yia delves into the heart of the park's ecosystem, taking on the invasive lake trout that threaten native cutthroat trout populations. With expert guidance from Jay Harris, Yia learns to fly fish, aiming to land a shore lunch while actively participating in the removal of this delicious, yet destructive species.

Feral highlights the wilderness adventure, thrill of the chase and exploration of less-traditional hunted species with a fun host and engaging guests that are in search of unique and wonderful food prepared by Vang, a James Beard Award nominee and master chef.

A trained chef, avid traveler, angler and hunter, Vang is always up for a culinary challenge. He has been named Best Chef in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) multiple times and has been featured on CNN’s United Shades of America, in the pages of National Geographic and graced the cover of the May 2020 issue of Bon Appetit.

Each 30-minute episode will feature Vang arriving in a new location, identifying an invasive species and coming up with a plan for catching and cooking it. Often with the help of a local expert who will guide him on his quest – and bear witness to his mistakes – Vang will do whatever it takes to create an amazing and unusual meal by the end of every episode.

“I enjoy creating amazing foods from animals that aren’t on everyone’s list – but they should be because they are delicious,” shared Chef Vang. “In this episode, we're venturing into the heart of Yellowstone National Park, tackling the challenge of invasive lake trout with fly fishing rod in hand. It's not just about the thrill of the catch, but also about understanding our environment and our impact in that space.”

Other examples of the invasive culinary delicacies Vang will prepare this season include:

• Copi/Asian Carp: Considered a nuisance and trash fish, the Asian carp has overtaken the Illinois River’s biomass and now outcompetes native species. Lucky for Yia, fishermen Clint Carter and Dave Buchanan have devised an ingenious way to rebrand this delicious fish by calling it Copi.
• Squirrel: When Yia receives an offer to join Ryan “Backwoods'' Dodd and his mentor, Barry Carter, on a squirrel hunt, he can’t resist. Squirrel is hugely popular in the Hmong community and was a family favorite in the Vang household when Yia was growing up.
• Beaver: Described as a keystone species, beavers heavily influence their environment. But when the population moves into the wrong properties, it’s up to Wisconsin state trapping educator Jim Binder to help landowners remove these destructive pests.
• Canada Goose: The Canada Goose was once a federally endangered species but through years of protection the population has exploded. Unfortunately, they are now doing millions of dollars a year in damages to farms and city parks.

The Outdoor Channel original series Feral will air during Monday nights “Taste of the Wild” programming block at 9 p.m. ET. Catch up on past episodes of Feral on MyOutdoorTV, Outdoor Sportsman Group’s online streaming service.

About Yia Vang: One of seven siblings, Chef Yia Vang was born in a Thai refugee camp where he lived until his family resettled in central Wisconsin. A trained chef who started his career working as a dishwasher, Yia uses food to tell a story and believes that every dish has a narrative. Through sourcing what’s in season and combining local traditions with those from his family and cultural traditions, the former “Iron Chef” participant brings Hmong flavors to American palates and invites people to change how they think about food by considering the influences in each bite. His new restaurant concept Vinai, slated to open in 2023 in Northeast Minneapolis, will celebrate his parents’ legacy and tell his family’s story through food.

About Outdoor Channel: Outdoor Channel has been taking viewers across America and around the world on unparalleled adventures since 1993. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, the independent cable network is a division of Outdoor Sportsman Group and provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel is the largest outdoor TV footprint in the country and is available in more than 50 countries internationally. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband and mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit www.outdoorchannel.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About MyOutdoorTV (MOTV): MyOutdoorTV is the No. 1 global subscription streaming platform from Outdoor Sportsman Group created just for outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. MOTV features favorite Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, Sportsman Channel Canada television shows, exclusive Major League Fishing content, acquired content from around the world, as well as exclusive MOTV Originals. MOTV is the pre-eminent voice for all outdoor enthusiasts and super serves the outdoor enthusiasts with an expansive acquired library of the best hunting, fishing and shooting programming in long and short form, recipes, tips and tricks, how-to instructional videos, as well as educational and exclusive content focusing on improving success in the field and on the waterways. MOTV is powered by the four networks, along with additional exclusive content available from Outdoor Sportsman Group’s established integrated media arm that includes 15 category-leading outdoor magazines, such as: Guns & Ammo, Game & Fish, Petersen’s HUNTING, In-Fisherman and 20 top websites. Subscribe to MOTV at www.MyOutdoorTV.com and watch on the following platforms: Apple IOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, Amazon Channels, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung SmartTV, LG SmartTV, Vizio SmartTV, YouTube TV, Xumo, YouTube Primetime Channels, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, Comcast, Cox and Vizio. MOTV is available in 162 markets worldwide. #MYOUTDOORTV.

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