This week on The Bend Show from the “house burping” home trend to dumb outdoor criminal stories and how winter weather can trigger migraines. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News!

Home Trends, Outdoor Headlines & Health Impacts of Winter Weather House Burping: Why Some Homeowners Are Opening Windows in Winter

Even as winter temperatures plunge, a growing number of homeowners are opening their windows on purpose — a trend known as “house burping.” The idea comes from a long-standing German practice called lüften, which simply means airing out your home to improve indoor air quality.

Air quality experts say it can actually be healthy. Letting in fresh air helps reduce moisture, mold, carbon dioxide, and indoor pollutants — especially important since Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors.

In Germany, lüften is so common that some rental agreements even require tenants to open windows regularly. The practice has gone viral in the U.S., with social media users sharing routines like airing out the house first thing in the morning, after cooking or showering, or after guests leave.

There are downsides, though. Critics say opening windows in winter can hurt energy efficiency and drive up heating costs. Experts recommend keeping it short — about ten minutes is all it takes.

So while it may feel counterintuitive, a quick blast of cold air could help keep your home healthier — just don’t leave those windows open too long.

Reference: https://www.today.com/life/what-is-house-burping-benefits-rcna255170

Outdoors Hunting & Fishing Dumb Crimes

According to Outdoor Life, A former Alaskan guide with a long history of wildlife violations has once again been found guilty—this time for crimes tied to his commercial fishing business. Fifty-one-year-old Michael Patrick Duby of Juneau was convicted by a jury on January 15 of multiple charges, including falsifying commercial fishing records, selling fish taken for personal use, fishing out of season, and harvesting clams without a permit.

Duby’s record of fish and game violations stretches back more than 20 years. In 2012, he received one of Alaska’s harshest sentences for wildlife crimes after a federal investigation found he illegally killed and sold protected birds. That case, along with other state offenses, cost him his hunting and sport fishing privileges, landed him in prison, and resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

After losing those privileges, Duby shifted into commercial fishing, saying it was still his passion. But prosecutors say the pattern continued. His most recent convictions stem from actions in 2019 and 2020 while operating Genesis Seafoods, including felony charges for falsifying harvest records and reckless endangerment for selling untested clams.

State prosecutors have described Duby as someone unable to stop breaking fish and game laws. His wife, who was charged as an accomplice and is a state fish and game operations manager, was acquitted. Patrick Duby represented himself at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced in May.

Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/alaska-poacher-turned-commercial-fisherman-convicted/

Bronze Bighorn Stolen from Kuiu HQ—And the Getaway Didn’t Go as Planned

Two masked thieves targeted the Kuiu headquarters in Dixon, California, but their bold plan hit a snag—they couldn’t fit what they stole into their car. In the early morning hours of December 31, surveillance video shows the suspects sawing a life-sized bronze bighorn sheep statue off its concrete base using a battery-powered saw.

After tipping the heavy statue over, the pair struggled to load it into the backseat of what appears to be a Chrysler 300. When that didn’t work, they left the scene, returned about 15 minutes later with a luggage cart, and wheeled the statue away. Police believe the bronze ram was later cut into smaller pieces so it could be transported and likely sold for scrap.

The statue, nicknamed “Rocky,” had been installed outside Kuiu’s headquarters just months earlier, in June of 2024. Bronze scrap currently sells for only a few dollars per pound, but thefts of bronze artwork are reportedly on the rise.

Kuiu has released the surveillance footage and is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The case is being handled by the Dixon Police Department, and the company says the response online has been immediate and overwhelming.

Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/thieves-steal-kuiu-sheep-statute/

Missouri Offers $15,000 Reward in Bull Elk Poaching Case

Missouri conservation officials are asking for the public’s help after a bull elk was illegally shot and killed at Peck Ranch Conservation Area in southern Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation is offering a fifteen-thousand-dollar reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The adult bull elk was discovered the morning of November 26, 2025, lying dead in an open field with a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. Investigators say evidence at the scene shows the shooter drove a vehicle directly into the field toward the elk, then circled back onto a gravel trail and left the area at a high rate of speed. Tire tracks entering and exiting the field were clearly visible.

Photos submitted by members of the public helped narrow down the timeline. One photo shows the elk alive and grazing around 5:15 the evening before. Another photo taken just after 8:00 the next morning shows the animal dead in the same field.

The case is being handled through Missouri’s Operation Game Thief program, which emphasizes that poaching hurts wildlife conservation efforts and the hunters who follow the law.

Anyone with information is urged to call 800-392-1111. Tips can be made anonymously, and conservation officials say even small details could help bring the person responsible to justice.

Reference: https://www.outdoornews.com/2026/01/20/missouri-offers-15k-reward-for-help-in-elk-poaching-case/

How Winter Weather Can Trigger Migraines — and What You Can Do

As winter weather settles in, doctors say colder temperatures and changing weather patterns may be triggering more migraines. According to a Cleveland Clinic headache specialist, sudden shifts in barometric pressure can create pressure changes in the sinuses, which may set off migraines in people who are already prone to them.

Extreme cold can also be a factor. For those sensitive to winter temperatures, simply being out in frigid air can increase the chances of a migraine starting.

There are steps you can take to help prevent winter-related migraines. On very cold days, staying indoors when possible can help. If you do head outside, bundle up — especially covering your head and neck to limit cold exposure. Doctors also recommend keeping migraine medications with you, so you can treat symptoms early.

Beyond the weather, lifestyle habits matter. Getting enough sleep, staying active, managing stress, and addressing anxiety or depression can all play a role in reducing migraine frequency.

And if migraines start interfering with daily life, Cleveland Clinic experts say it’s time to talk with your doctor, who can help find the right treatment plan to better manage symptoms through the winter months.

Reference: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2026/01/02/winter-weathers-impact-on-migraines

OUTDOORS FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS

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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 to bringing high-quality beef and wild game from the field to your table. They understand the importance of sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of your labor, and making memories in the great outdoors. Through their work, they aim to educate and inspire thos...