National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: Recent Episodes
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors
The National Wildlife Federation has worked with hunters and anglers since 1936 to tackle the biggest natural resource challenges. The NWF Outdoors Podcast explores the most important conservation issues and the people who do the hard work to safeguard our fish, wildlife, lands, and waters. Hosted by Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy at NWF.
Lots of guests elicit laughter and also a few tugs at the heartstrings. Laughter is pretty easy, but it’s rare a guest has both Aaron and Bill holding back tears in between the laughs, but Joey Monteleone did just that. From working hard in the inner city as a child of immigrants to traveling North America lecturing, writing and filming television shows about fishing, Monteleone has managed to live the life so many of us dream while hopefully watching a bobber during our youth. Over 50,000 (more than 1500 over five pounds) bass later, Joey’s focus on simplifying tackle and techniques is awesome information for both beginner and veteran fishermen. Suggested Links: https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/team-jk/kayak-fishing-factory-team/joey-monteleone/ https://www.amazon.com/ILL-BE-TENNESSEAN-YA-History/dp/1689845139 https://www.amazon.com/60-Seasons-fishing-Joey-Monteleone/dp/1952474922 https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Storms-CentAnni-Joey-Monteleone/dp/1957344202/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15Q7IQIDO5MUD&keywords=the+secret+of+storms+joey+monteleone&qid=1692194518&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+secret+of+storms+joey+monteleone%2Cdigital-text%2C106&sr=1-1-catcorr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aaron sits down with Chris Tymeson of Safari Club International while at the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference. They discuss what SCI is, what type of policy SCI works on, the work SCI does to defend hunting and what that currently looks like across the US. Aaron and Chris also discuss the negative impacts to wildlife management if/when attempts to degrade or reduce hunting opportunities become a reality. Suggested Link: https://safariclub.org/ Show Notes: 1:29 - Aaron shares a little background on SCI and his connection with Chris. 4:35 - Chris shares his aim when attending conferences around the country. 5:54 - Chris has a background in litigation. He shares some of his legal background and experience. 7:17 - "What's the craziest thing that came across your desk?" Chris shares what he can on a podcast. 8:44 - SCI is a 501 C4 which also has a 501 C3 advocacy side. Chris talks about how SCI is structured and the type of work they do around the world. 12:15 - Defending the federal government more often than not? Chris unpacks this and then talks about his state to state work. 16:30 - Chris deals with everything from rabbits to rhinos. 21:01 - Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. Show notes are not available after this stage due to inserted ads from our hosting platform. "Hunting pays for conservation. Hunting has paid for conservation for 100 years... or more" For more great content, action alerts and information on how you can make a difference. Please follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Andrew Wilkins works on the land stewardship team at the National Wildlife Federation. During this episode of AFIELD, he sits down with Rob Catalanotto and Chris Wood of Trout Unlimited and Friends of Fletcher’s Cove. Friends of Fletcher’s Cove is committed to maintaining, improving, and sustaining Fletcher’s Cove as a premier urban gateway to the outdoors within Washington, D.C. Through grassroots advocacy and stakeholder collaboration, they ensure Fletcher’s Cove is preserved and protected to benefit anglers, paddlers, wildlife enthusiasts, and outdoorspeople of all backgrounds. Fletcher’s Cove is a revered and historic outdoor resource along the Potomac River, located just below the fall line in the Potomac Gorge–roughly 2.5 miles upstream of Georgetown. The site is managed by the National Park Service within the boundaries of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, which receives millions of visitors each year. Fletcher’s Cove is one of the few public access points where for over one hundred years, visitors have enjoyed safe and reliable access to the Potomac river for fishing, boating, wildlife watching, and many other forms of outdoor recreation. Chris has worked for Trout Unlimited for 20 years, and previously worked for the United States Forest Service. He is an average but exceptionally earnest angler. Rob is a D.C. native who learned to love the outdoors and environmental conservation at Fletcher's Cove. Rob is also a Government Affairs representative for Trout Unlimited, working to advance coldwater conservation issues on Capitol Hill. Learn more here: https://savethecove.org/theissue/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aaron and Bill sit down with John Nores and Wayne Saunders, retired game wardens and co-hosts of the Warden’s Watch podcast. We hear crazy stories from the line of duty ranging from the time Wayne was shot and his badge saved his life to John’s many years of taking on drug cartels running illegal marijuana growing operations in California. We talk about how hunters and anglers should act if and when they are stopped by a warden, the most common violations, poaching stories, and how essential law enforcement is to safeguarding fish and wildlife. We also touch on the books John and Wayne have written. These guys are smart, entertaining, and have a wealth of knowledge you’ll definitely want to hear. Links: Warden’s Watch podcast - https://wardenswatch.com/tag/podcast/ Wayne’s book - https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Woods-Wayne-Saunders/dp/1734930896, John’s website and book - www.johnnores.com and https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-War-2nd-Operations-Reclaiming/dp/1951115333/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=hidden+war+2nd+edition&qid=1674147534&s=books&sr=1-2 Show notes: 3:00 – Bill introduces Wayne and John (“John-Wayne”) from the Warden’s Watch Podcast. 4:25 – John, Wayne, Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently. 8:53 – Ticks are bad this season… like, REALLY bad! 13:55 – Bill brings it back to the meat and potatoes of this podcast. How did these two men get into being Game Wardens? 19:45 – How did John and Wayne meet? 23:44 – Bill requests some good Game Warden stories… 30:50 - What is the connection between people doing dumb things and our society? 35:10 – Bill requests some of the dark sides of Game Warden stories… (being shot on the job). 44:47 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. Plus a few ads from our hosting platform. Show notes are not accurate from here onwards due to these ad inserts. We apologize for any inconvenience… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aaron and Bill chat with Bailey and David about the newly proposed “Public Lands Rule”, which will determine future management of Bureau of Land Management lands. We offer BLM history, why the BLM decided to propose the rule, what the rule is designed to do and how it can help fish, wildlife, and hunting and fishing opportunities. Also, sometimes called the “conservation rule”, the proposed rule sets out to rebalance management of 245 million acres of the American West, including some of the finest fish and wildlife habitat in the world. And anyone can offer their ideas and feedback to the BLM. This podcast will help you learn more and be ready to share your thoughts with the BLM during the official comment period, which closes June 20th. Suggested links: Learn about the rule – https://www.blm.gov/public-lands-rule Comment on the rule - https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001 Show notes: 4:32 – The team chats quickly about their outdoor pursuits during the Memorial Day weekend. 8:07 – David answers the question, “What is the BLM?” and shares a short history. 12:30 – Bailey joins the discussion regarding the history and background of the Bureau of Land Management. 16:13 – What is the BLM’s newly proposed “Conservation Rule”? 18:46 - Discussing neglect of the health and habitat of (some) public lands. These habitats need some active management and/or preservation. Cheatgrass and its role here. 24:55 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen, and a couple inserted ads from the Waypoints advertising community. *Unfortunately, because of these inserted ads we cannot be as detailed with show note time stamps from this point onward, but we will let you know a few key topics covered here: · What does a degraded habitat look like from the road? · “The land nobody else wanted…” · Underfunding · Conservation Leasing and the infusion of new resources · Why should hunters and anglers should care about the BLM’s proposed Conservation Rule? · Stream bank restoration projects and fish habitat improvements Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New York isn’t exactly the place the average American thinks of when the topic of raising a sportsman is discussed, but hunting and fishing in northern New York inspired a lifelong love of hunting and angling in Brad Cohen so strong he has made studying several species his life’s work…with a little hunting thrown in.
In this episode, we discuss the Tennessee Mallard Project he oversees for Tennessee Tech. The team has been trapping wintering mallards in Tennessee for three years, and some of the early findings are shaking up our understanding of how waterfowl move during the hunting season!
Suggested Links and social media:
Facebook: Cohen Wildlife Lab
Instagram: cohenwildlab
https://www.cohenwildlifelab.com/
Show notes:
3:08 – Bill mentions the (unfortunate) duck season and introduces Dr. Brad Cohen of Tennesee Tech.
4:17 – The crew shares what they have been doing outdoors recently! Catching a bone fish in Belize, wrapping up duck season, puppy training and hunting pigeons.
7:56 – Brad talks about his childhood and background growing up in New York. Saltwater fishing, deer hunting and wild turkeys.
13:08 – Brad talks about his duck study… What are ducks doing in western Tennessee? What role are these refuges playing on the landscape? What if we try to get the ducks off these refuges – what would happen?
19:30 – Brad explains ducks and nocturnal behavior. Once hunting season starts, most of the time, ducks only fly twice a day.
24:45 – Brad doesn’t have any expectations when he does these studies, but he was surprised to learn that in west Tennessee ducks don’t fly very far, and 70% of these ducks use one refuge the entire time they are in the area.
30:30 – Brad discusses what we have done as hunters including more money and privatization.
32:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!! Be sure to follow both NWF Outdoors and Artemis on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter!
33:00 - When and where are ducks flying?
35:20 - Does it matter if you are a good duck caller?
38:00 – When things freeze up, do ducks go south?
41:30 – Turns out, ducks that come to Tennessee – stay in the state and will often return should they leave.
45:06 – A few recommendations regarding how we hunt and disturb ducks.
49:22 – Brad shares a few projects he is currently working on right now… working with state agencies to help set seasons.
56:17 - For hunters in Tennessee, is there anything they can do to help Brad and his team?
57:20 – What about how this work ties into national policy?
1:02:54 – Closing statements and suggested resources!
In a world where everyone has a podcast, we are excited to offer you something different. Join NWF Outdoors & Artemis Sportswomen for our short form story telling series called “Afield”. These episodes are recorded on the river, in the forest, on the mountain and everywhere in between!
Some of the best stories are shared while hunting and fishing. We hope these ~10 minute episodes will transport you to the great outdoors, inspire and inform you.
For this episode of “Afield” we invite you to Join Ashley Chance for the most epic deer hunt of her entire life. Ashley is the southeast program coordinator for Artemis Sportswomen.
“Afield” is a special series which we plan to release intermittently through the NWF Outdoors podcast.
hunting #fishing #wildlife #conservation #wildlifeconservation #publiclands #huntingpodcast #fishingpodcast #podcast
Jesse Deubel, Executive Director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation joins Aaron Kindle for short discussion following today’s (2/27/23) historic decision where the United States Supreme Court declined to review the New Mexico Supreme Court’s ruling from last fall that affirmed the right of New Mexicans to walk or wade on the streambeds of water that flows over privately-owned lands. This means that it remains legal to walk or wade New Mexico’s streams and cements the victory of public access to those streams.
Congratulations to the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and to all the public lands and waters users who will continue to benefit from this decision!
https://nmwildlife.org/us-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-challenge-to-nm-stream-access-ruling/
In a world where everyone has a podcast, we are excited to offer you something different. Join NWF Outdoors & Artemis Sportswomen for the world premiere of a new short form story telling series called “Afield”. These episodes are recorded on the river, in the forest, on the mountain and everywhere in between!
Some of the best stories are shared while hunting and fishing. We hope these ~10 minute episodes will transport you to the great outdoors, inspire and inform you.
For the premiere of “Afield” we invite you to join NWF’s director of sporting advocacy, Aaron Kindle, while he removes elk ribs with his son.
“Afield” is a special series which we plan to release intermittently through the NWF Outdoors podcast.
hunting #fishing #wildlife #conservation #wildlifeconservation #publiclands #huntingpodcast #fishingpodcast #podcast
NWF Outdoors sends you off into 2023 with some help from our friends, listeners, and colleagues. They share their favorite outdoor memories from 2022 and some even share their favorite NWF Outdoors podcast episode. Enjoy these fun short stories from around the country and we’ll see you in 2023!
Show notes:
Show Notes:
1:30 - Leanne Chadwick shares her favorite turkey hunting experience of 2022.
3:35 – Jesse Deubel of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.
4:15 – Jodee Dixon, Artemis ambassador based in Southeast Alaska.
7:12 – Andrew Black, NWF’s public lands field director.
8:56 – Morgan Harrell, Artemis ambassador based in South Carolina.
9:44 – Jason Baldes, NWF’s tribal buffalo program manager.
11:24 – Ashlee Smith, sportswomen based in Mississippi.
12:45 - Lew Carpenter, NWF director of conservation partnerships in the intermountain west.
16:19 – Alyssa Bowen, Artemis ambassador based in Oklahoma.
17:10 – Todd Waldron of the Rough Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society.
20:21 – David Willms, NWF’s senior director of western wildlife.
21:10 – Mike McTee of MPG Ranch based in Missoula, Montana.
23:00 – Matthew Waguespack, Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator for Vanishing Paradise.
25:18 – Alec Underwood, senior policy and development director for the Montana Wildlife Federation.
25:25 - Gary Marz, lifelong angler, BHA board member and podcast listener based in Long Island New York.
28:42 - Dan Ritz of the Idaho Wildlife Federation.
29:33 – Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships for NWF’s Great Lakes Region.
32:33 – Mary Lynn of Light Em Up Kennels based in Eastern Tennessee.
33:19 – Closing statements.
Thanks for listening in 2022! We look forward to seeing you in 2023!!
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Bill and Aaron take some time to ponder the year, look back on interesting guests and topics, and look to 2023 changes for the podcast, exciting new products, and how listeners can help. Aaron also chats quickly with Ashley Chance about CWD and what progress has been made since the release of the CWD Chronicles. Show notes (and links):
0:52 – “We’ve learned so much! It’s been a journey!”
1:52 – Stories from recent outdoor pursuits.
4:33 – Gratitude for hosts, cohosts, and great guests in 2023.
6:00 – We tried a lot of new concepts including the CWD Chronicles and podcast recordings.
9:45 – Feedback, upcoming podcast survey and something to look forward to in 2023.
10:48 – Aaron takes it back to the first episode with both hosts… Greg Fitz from the Wild Steelhead Coalition. Discussing the plight of steelhead, salmon runs, issues regarding the Pacific Northwest and the abundance of fish historically. It’s up to anglers for so much of this stuff!
13:07 – Gary Mason! Gary announces live on the show that Bill Cooksey was going to be inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Bill shares how heartfelt this honor was and how special it was for this announcement to be present while recording the podcast.
15:22 – Warren Coco! Ducks, overalls, and stories with this special person and conservationist.
18:01 -- Ron Rohrbaugh! Author, traditional bow craftsman and someone worth following on social media.
20:15 – Bob Budd! Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust and a favorite show for both hosts.
21:15 – Alex Harvey! A wonderful human who is involved in everything.
21:43 – Casey Stemler! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Senior Advisor for Western States.
23:25 – The CWD Chronicles! This special series really unpacked this issue and it’s a must listen if you haven’t tuned in already.
24:33 - Aaron Kindle and Ashley Chance share an update on the current CWD situation and pending legislation.
29:03 - Bill Cooksey adds his perspective on CWD after listening to the series. https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles
30:40 - Where’s Ronquest? Jimbo finally made it on the show and didn’t disappoint.
32:09 - Jake Latendresse may be the most well-known sportsmen you’ve never heard of.
34:58 – Senator Martin Heinrich came on the show and spoke about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. https://www.nwfoutdoors.org/e/the-recovering-america-s-wildlife-act-with-lead-sponsor-senator-martin-heinrich/
36:50 – Salmon experts came on the show to cover topics from Bristol Bay to the Snake River and everywhere in-between threatened by transboundary mining.
39:53 – Duck podcasts! Bill chats about his waterfowl expert podcast guests Chris Nicolai and Dr. Mike Brasher.
41:46 - From podcasts recorded on location in a fishing boat off the coast of Sitka or touching base with our affiliate in Alaska to conservations with Steve Bowen, Crispin Powley, Chad Hoover, and Rue Mapp.
43:03 - The Return Act discussion with David Willms and Mike Butler.
45:17 – What’s coming next? Make sure to take our short survey between Dec 14-Jan 9 for a chance to win a Roll-Top Cylinder Soft Sided Cooler. We are really excited to share our new short-form series, “Afield”.
We are unplugging until February so please be sure to catch up on podcasts you have yet to enjoy.
We would be incredibly grateful if you could gift us with a rating and written review on whatever podcast platform you listen to.
Thanks for listening!!!
Chris Nicolai is a certified “duck nut,” but he’s also a waterfowl scientist with a PhD and leads the waterfowl research program with Delta Waterfowl. For this episode, Aaron and Bill to talk duck and goose hunting just as a major front is hitting North America and sending a huge wave of waterfowl south. In addition to waterfowl hunting and this year’s migration, we talk about the current state of waterfowl, the confusion surrounding pintails and the future of the birds Chris loves.
Links:
https://deltawaterfowl.org/
https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/longevity/longevity_main.cfm (Record ages of wild ducks and geese)
https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/ (Keep up with bird migrations in real time)
Show notes:
3:19 – Bill introduces Chris from Delta Waterfowl.
4:15 – Chris shares what he has been doing outside recently. #DuckHunting
8:58 – Chris chats about heat records and how it changed flight patterns of geese and ducks.
10:36 – Chris was born is Missouri and tells us about his background and how he got into duck hunting.
16:31 – Waterfowl migration is amazing to see.
17:45 - Summary of the status of ducks and geese right now.
23:10 – Studying nest site fidelity. #DuckBiology
26:44 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to subscribe to their podcast and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
27:50 – Storms, snow on the ground and duck production. What scenario are we looking at right now?
33:39 - Chris talks about pintail numbers.
39:17 - Chris talks about the conversation regarding climate change in the duck hunting world.
45:46 – “It all comes down to habitat, and a lot of those habitat decisions are made at the policy level.”
48:12 – Bill wants to go back to talking about pintails…
54:00 - Chris talks about reporting bands and how it breaks his heart that some folks don’t report them.
57:09 – What does the future hold and how do hunters and anglers play a role?
1:00:12 – Closing statements.
Bill and Aaron welcome Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro to talk all things outdoors, Rue’s recent journey back into hunting and her new book – Nature Swagger. We hear about Rue’s early life and how her father, in particular, shaped her connection with the outdoors and how that led her to found Outdoors Afro. We also talk about Black Heritage Hunts, a unique hunting opportunity Rue co-leads in Northern California.
Links:
Rue Mapp transformed her kitchen table blog into a national nature business and movement.
Today, Mapp is founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro. For more than a decade, the not-for-profit organization has continued to celebrate and inspire Black connections and leadership in nature across the United States.
Mapp also is an awarded and inspirational leader, speaker, public lands champion, and published author. Her first national book titled “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” releases with American publisher Chronicle Books on Nov. 1, 2022. Mapp also established for-profit enterprise Outdoor Afro, Inc., in 2021 and launched a co-branded hike collection with REI Co-op in September 2022.
Mapp became a National Geographic 2019 Fellow, Heinz Awards Honoree, and National Wildlife Federation Communication Award recipient as well. Her work has earned international media attention from Oprah Winfrey, The New York Times, Good Morning America, NPR, NBC’s TODAY, Forbes, and currently Netflix’s popular series “MeatEater” with Steven Rinella. Follow her adventures @RueMapp across social platforms!
Show notes:
4:01 – Aaron introduces Rue.
5:00 – Rue talks about her father and shares some insight into her path of helping people connect to the outdoors.
8:40 – Rue shares what she has been doing outside recently and what she is looking forward to this winter. She also shares the joy of walking her dog and being present.
9:38 – Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently.
13:16 -- Rue talks about her introduction and connection to hunting.
16:41 -- Rue explores her “Why”.
18:37 -- She is doing it all. Rue chats about being a hunter who enjoys pursuing all types of game.
23:27 -- Rue makes the connection between regarding her work and turkey hunt with MeatEater.
30:16 – Rue talks about her organization, “Outdoor Afro”.
36:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to subscribe to their podcast follow them on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
38:17 -- Rue reflects on diversity in the hunting community.
40:35 -- How “Outdoor Afro” operates around the country.
46:00 – Community, support networks and making an impact through digital media and outreach.
48:29 -- Are we always going to need affinity group organizations?
50:38 -- Rue talks about “Black Heritage Hunts”.
54:55 – Who comes to these events? (Anyone is welcome to join!)
57:07 – Rue talks about her first book, Nature Swagger. It’s available now!
1:00:34 -- Aaron asks, “What was it at this moment that you said, you know I’m going to tell some of these stories, I’m going to bring these folks together, I’m going to tell these now?”
1:03:59 – “There’s no book like it that has been written before.”
1:07:36 -- Rue shares her thoughts and advice on the journey of Diversity Equity Inclusive and Environmental Justice efforts for the National Wildlife Federation. “Make new friends, nothing happens faster than the speed of relationships.”
1:12:24 – Closing statements.
Aaron and Bill sit down with Mitch and Jarred, two experts from the great Northwest, to discuss transboundary mining issues. Numerous mines, and one in particular, in British Columbia threaten people, watersheds, and wildlife in Northwest states, including years of salmon recovery and restoration. We discuss the Copper Mountain mine, the potential for a catastrophic disaster that would devastate downstream communities, wildlife, and fisheries. We also discuss the landscape, the history, and the complications of advocating for responsible development across an international boundary.
Links:
Reports: https://www.cct-enr.com/copper-mt-mine-bcc
Breach animated simulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgwAsdFLHmo
Recording of presentation of simulation study: https://youtu.be/B9jRMCHZwTg
Recording of Emerman presentation: https://conservationnw-my.sharepoint.com/personal/tyler_conservationnw_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?ga=1&id=%2Fpersonal%2Ftyler%5Fconservationnw%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FShared%20Media%2FUCUT%20Conference%20%2D%20Resource%20Guide%2FPresentation%20Slides%2F10%20Session%20%2D%20Emmermen%20BC%5FTailings%5FDam%5FCopper%5FMountain%5FRisk%5FPresentation%5FRevised%2Emp4&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Ftyler%5Fconservationnw%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FShared%20Media%2FUCUT%20Conference%20%2D%20Resource%20Guide%2FPresentation%20Slides
More resources: https://conservationnw.org/our-work/wildlands/healthy-watersheds-campaign/
Conservation Northwest homepage: https://conservationnw.org/
Colville Tribe homepage: https://www.colvilletribes.com/
Colville Tribe Salmon Reintroduction work: https://www.colvilletribes.com/fish-wildlife
Colville Tribe Environmental Trust Copper Mountain Mine BCC : https://www.colvilletribes.com/environmental-trust
Show notes:
3:34 – Aaron introduces the guests.
7:24 – Jared shares what he has been doing outside recently.
9:32 – Mitch shares what he has been doing outdoors of late.
13:03 – Jared describes the landscape we are focusing on during this episode.
16:50 – Mitch adds that we are talking about the need and the right for clear, clean, cool, productive rivers that flow across the border.
18:42 – Aaron asks for the description of the fish and wildlife who live on these transboundary rivers.
26:04 – Bill asks for some background on the mines themselves and what makes them such a problem… particularly the Copper Mountain Mine upstream of Princeton, B.C.
30:53 – What are the risks? What are we worried about? What’s going to come out of these places if the dams fail.
41:12 – Should we expect these dams to eventually fail?
43:49 – Jared shares the tribal perspective on transboundary mines.
46:35 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Also, be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!
47:29 -- What do we want right now to safeguard the wildlife and communities downstream?
52:23 -- What can someone listening to this do to help?
58:18 -- What has the B.C. government said as a response? Are they listening? Is anything happening?
1:01:48 – Mitch shares his closing statements.
1:03:47 – Jared shares his closing statements.
1:06:05 – Bill shares his thoughts.
1:06:44 – Aaron closes the show with some wisdom and thank you’s.
After tons of travel and scheduling conflicts, Aaron and Bill are together again and joined by the world’s biggest promoter of kayak fishing! Retired Naval officer, kayak fishing pioneer, author and television show host Chad Hoover has a lot of experience and a lot to say.
From what it was like being a young naval officer on September 11 to starting a tournament organization to getting people involved in hunting and fishing, Chad has always faced uncomfortable things. In fact, getting uncomfortable is now something of a mantra for his view on life.
Conservation and growing our sports aren’t always easy, but a willingness to face the discomfort is something we all need.
https://www.kayakbassfishing.com/
https://www.heliconia.ca/portfolio/chad-hoover-fishing/
Show notes:
3:47 – Bill shares a little background on Chad Hoover.
6:15 – The team shares what they have been doing outside recently. Chad shares his passion for overlanding and shares insight into the various regions of Lousiana.
21:24 - Chad shares what it was like to be serving in the military during 9/11.
30:36 – Chad shares how 9/11 changed his civilian career and the way in which he trains and prepares for fishing.
33:53 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
35:26 – Chad highlights how he got into kayak bass fishing.
51:52 - Chad talks about catch-photo-release and his T.V. shows.
1:02:53 - Chad chats about embracing the hard things in life.
1:25:30 – Closing take home words.
After tons of travel and scheduling conflicts, Aaron and Bill are together again and joined by the world’s biggest promoter of kayak fishing! Retired Naval officer, kayak fishing pioneer, author and television show host Chad Hoover has a lot of experience and a lot to say.
From what it was like being a young naval officer on September 11 to starting a tournament organization to getting people involved in hunting and fishing, Chad has always faced uncomfortable things. In fact, getting uncomfortable is now something of a mantra for his view on life.
Conservation and growing our sports aren’t always easy, but a willingness to face the discomfort is something we all need.
https://www.kayakbassfishing.com/
https://www.heliconia.ca/portfolio/chad-hoover-fishing/
Show notes:
3:47 – Bill shares a little background on Chad Hoover.
6:15 – The team shares what they have been doing outside recently. Chad shares his passion for overlanding and shares insight into the various regions of Lousiana.
21:24 - Chad shares what it was like to be serving in the military during 9/11.
30:36 – Chad shares how 9/11 changed his civilian career and the way in which he trains and prepares for fishing.
33:53 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
35:26 – Chad highlights how he got into kayak bass fishing.
51:52 - Chad talks about catch-photo-release and his T.V. shows.
1:02:53 - Chad chats about embracing the hard things in life.
1:25:30 – Closing take home words.
We are excited to launch a short form story telling series on the NWF Outdoors podcast! We invite you to enjoy the premiere of our “From the Field” series with an episode recorded on board a 90’ wooden fishing vessel off the coast of Sitka, Alaska. For this episode, Aaron and Mandela joined the crew of the “North Wind” for a beautiful morning in the harbor and open water off the coast of Southeast Alaska. For this 15 minute interview, Aaron sits down with Robby Bruce, the operator of the "North Wind" -- a 90’ boat constructed in 1944. They discuss the fishing season, climate change, Alaskan fisheries, conservation and what a typical day looks like for his crew.
Curious where the boat is right now? Check out this live tracker: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:445614/mmsi:367448380/imo:7100316/vessel:NORTHWIND
Show notes:
0:05 – Intro to the show, the boat and Robby.
1:09 – Robby chimes in regarding what he and his crew are up to today on the fishing tender called the North Wind.
3:22 – When does the season begin?
4:35 – Fisheries conservation in Alaska is unique.
5:41 -- Commercial fishing as conservation.
7:19 -- What are fishermen concerned about? Sustainability…
8:34 -- Robby reflects on climate change and his concerns regarding ocean acidification.
9:40 -- What do fishermen think about seasons when the sockeye &/or king salmon are smaller than average?
11:46 -- Robby talks about his boat, crew and operations.
12:54 -- Robby chats about his future and the future of fisheries.
14:58 -- Robby shares some closing words.
We are excited to launch a short form story telling series on the NWF Outdoors podcast! We invite you to enjoy the premiere of our “From the Field” series with an episode recorded on board a 90’ wooden fishing vessel off the coast of Sitka, Alaska. For this episode, Aaron and Mandela joined the crew of the “North Wind” for a beautiful morning in the harbor and open water off the coast of Southeast Alaska. For this 15 minute interview, Aaron sits down with Robby Bruce, the operator of the "North Wind" -- a 90’ boat constructed in 1944. They discuss the fishing season, climate change, Alaskan fisheries, conservation and what a typical day looks like for his crew.
Curious where the boat is right now? Check out this live tracker: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:445614/mmsi:367448380/imo:7100316/vessel:NORTHWIND
Show notes:
0:05 – Intro to the show, the boat and Robby.
1:09 – Robby chimes in regarding what he and his crew are up to today on the fishing tender called the North Wind.
3:22 – When does the season begin?
4:35 – Fisheries conservation in Alaska is unique.
5:41 -- Commercial fishing as conservation.
7:19 -- What are fishermen concerned about? Sustainability…
8:34 -- Robby reflects on climate change and his concerns regarding ocean acidification.
9:40 -- What do fishermen think about seasons when the sockeye &/or king salmon are smaller than average?
11:46 -- Robby talks about his boat, crew and operations.
12:54 -- Robby chats about his future and the future of fisheries.
14:58 -- Robby shares some closing words.
Continuing with our newfound love of "from the field" podcasts, we take this one to Florida. Podcast co-host Bill Cooksey attended ICAST (a big fishing industry tradeshow) in July and had the opportunity to sit down with Geoff Mullins from the Everglades Foundation and Captain Chris Wittman from Captains for Clean water to talk about the myriad habitat problems in the Everglades and South Florida and what hunters and anglers can do to help. The region is full of iconic hunting and fishing locations such as Lake Okeechobee and Florida Bay, and waterfowl hunters come from around the country to hunt mottled ducks, black-bellied whistling ducks and fulvous ducks. When most people think about Everglades issues, they think pythons and algae closing down beaches, but there’s a whole lot more at stake.
Episode links:
https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/
https://captainsforcleanwater.org/
https://www.vanishingparadise.org/restoration-solutions/projects?state=florida
Show Notes:
1:05-Intro to ICAST.
3:22-What have we been doing lately?
5:15-Geoff explains what Everglades restoration means.
6:47-Chris explains restoration from his point of view as a sportsman.
8:50-What is Captains for Clean Water?
11:35-Geoff, where do sportsmen fit in this puzzle?
13:50-Bill offers his take on the issues.
15:55-Chris talks duck hunting and the impact of declining habitat and restoration.
18:05-Geoff, what is the most critical component at this moment?
21:35-How is the state involved financially with restoration?
23:35-Chris discusses the changes he’s witnessed to some bucket list Florida destinations.
29:35-What do the next ten years look like?
31:35-Who are the stakeholders?
38:05-Why is this a national issue?
39:55-What should Florida sportsmen be doing?
42:55-What have we missed?
47:15-Words of wisdom from Geoff, Chris and Bill
Join us for this fun pilot episode of our new “From the Field” podcast series we are beginning to explore. For the past week, our sporting team has been traveling around Southeast Alaska recording interviews with hunters and anglers regarding the endless opportunities and abundance of the region. During this episode, Aaron and Mandela sit on the edge of the Tongas National Forest with Artemis ambassador, Jodee Dixon, and the Executive Director of the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC), Meredith Trainor. We discuss their friendship and connection through hunting, mentorship and Yoga. We learn about the important conservation work SEACC does and the Artemis outreach programs Jodee offers. We also talk about the ways in which their background in mountaineering and whitewater kayaking parallel hunting and fishing.
Enjoy this abbreviated podcast pilot episode and let us know what you think. Did you like hearing podcasts recorded in the field? Would you like them to be shorter or longer? What questions would you like to ask our guests?
Links:
www.seacc.org
www.artemis.nwf.org
www.nwf.org/gamechanger
Show notes:
0:26 – Aaron sets the scene, introduces the guests and the stand-in cohost for this episode.
3:00 – Jodee talks about her passion for seeking and sharing knowledge. How she met Meredith and the transition to teaching Meredith how to hunt.
5:10 – Jodee talks about the different species she and her husband hunt in SE Alaska including Dahl sheep, elk, black bear and Sitka blacktail deer.
7:00 – Meredith talks about how she met Jodee and grew an interest in hunting after being a vegetarian for most of her life.
10:30 – Jodee shares how she got introduced to hunting and the story behind her first big game hunt for Dahl sheep.
14:00 – Jodee is currently teaching Meredith how to hunt. They both chat about how Artemis helped strengthen their connection and the opportunity to bring women together to share wild game and embrace a curiosity of hunting.
18:49 – Jodee and Meredith share how their experiences in whitewater kayaking, Yoga and mountaineering parallel how they approach hunting and fishing. Jodee reflects on single point focus and “forced meditation”.
23:19 – Meredith shares the conservation work she and her team at the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) focus on. One part of their work is focused on climate action, citizen science and the importance of sharing observations of a changing landscape due to climate change.
27:53 – Alaska is front and center when it comes to a warming climate. Meredith discusses how an increase in 3-6 degrees effects wildlife in Southeast Alaska.
29:40 – Jodee shares her observations and concerns regarding hunting, fishing and climate change in Southeast Alaska.
31:56 – Jodee highlights some of the Artemis outreach opportunities she offers in the region.
32:55 – Closing statements.
It’s late July, and much of the country is in the midst of a heat wave, but Aaron and Bill are back talking ducks with Dr. Mike Brasher from Ducks Unlimited. Waterfowl are both a vocation and advocation for Mike as he’s spent his career studying and his free time hunting them. For the last two years, COVID protocols in Canada have prevented the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from conducting the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (known to duck hunters as the BPOP and May Pond Count). This survey is used to set future seasons. The 2022 flights have wrapped up, and Mike is here to help us understand what the initial reports could mean to duck hunters all over the country. And for the first time in several years, there’s some positive news!
Links:
https://www.ducks.org/media/du-podcast
https://fws.gov/library/collections/2022-waterfowl-breeding-population-and-habitat-surveys-field-reports
And here’s a photo page from the folks who actually count the ducks:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pilotbiologist/albums/with/72157706996280821
Show notes:
3:40 – Bill introduces Mike and provides a little insight into his background and what we are going to cover in the show regarding ducks and how ducks are counted.
5:25 – Mike introduces himself with a little more detail.
7:19 – Mike, Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently.
13:40 – Jumping right into B-POP (Breeding Population Survey) but first, let’s clarify that we are not talking about K-POP.
14:21 – What is B-POP and why should duck hunters understand it?
19:13 – Laying out the mechanics of how big the count is, where do they fly and how are we doing with the trajectory of current population counts.
24:27 – Discussing the word “census” and why this count isn’t a census.
28:23 – What are the results?!
35:05 – Why have biologists been concerned, drought in the western U.S. and how are the numbers doing down south?
41:27 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for even more great content.
42:20 -- Because the count hasn’t happened for a few years, what was the approach this year?
46:39 -- Discussing the scientific approach to climate issues as they relate to duck populations, trajectory, warming trends and droughts.
53:33 -- Discussing the significance of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and recently introduced North American Grasslands Act. How does this legislation relate to natural infrastructure, habitat restoration and resilience.
1:00:23 -- With fresh water and fresh habitat, what does that mean for the productivity of waterfowl? Also, a few reflections on the current count numbers and what that might mean for the upcoming duck hunting season.
1:07:33 – Mike shares some closing statements.
1:10:24 – Ducks Unlimited U.S. and Ducks Unlimited Canada are teaming up soon to do a livestream!
1:12:53 – Bill shares some closing statements.
1:13:18 – Please speak up on behalf of shutting down the Return Act, the swift passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and the North American Grasslands Act. Get engaged, stay engaged and look for folks like Mike for guidance.
Aaron and Bill sit down with David Willms and Mike Butler to discuss the recently introduced the RETURN Act and how it would dismantle the world’s most successful conservation program and begin a cascade effect that would set back America conservation in myriad ways. We walk through a refresher on the Pittman-Robertson Act – what it is, how it works, why it is so successful and why we need to protect by all means possible. Then we pivot to the RETURN Act – what it is, why it came about, how terrible it would be for American conservation and why we need to step up to stop it dead in its tracks.
Links:
https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2022/7-13-22-Dismantling-Pittman-Robertson-Will-Harm-Wildlife
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-federal-proposal-to-gut-wildlife-funding-for-states/id1395671263?i=1000568850775
https://www.wildfowlmag.com/editorial/new-congressional-bill-threatens-pittmanrobertson-act-wildlife-restoration-act/462140?fbclid=IwAR25dzoemzvU-Vm-xJoK1J4g8t6ABZAHrMjr7fClzrzrIFw8Ou92m2czpAE
https://tnwf.org/new-bill-would-gut-conservation-funding/
Show notes:
5:08 - Aaron shares a little background on this episodes guests.
7:56 - The group shares what they have been doing outside recently.
13:05 – David explains the Pittman-Robertson Act. Why do we have it and what it does?
19:38 – Mike discusses the significance of this legislation in Tennessee alone.
20:36 – What would it look like from state to state if we didn’t have the Pittman-Robertson Act?
24:02 - How is it funded? Who pays it? When do they pay it?
26:01 - Mike talks about the North American model of conservation and why Pittman-Robertson is integral to it.
29:31 – David lines out how much conservation funding comes from Pittman-Robertson and how it’s growing every year.
33:39 – Highlighting the 2nd Amendment and how it relates.
35:16 – What does the Return Act do exactly?
42:27 – Where did the concept of the Return Act come from? Let’s also highlight the conflict of interest at play here…
46:43 – Mike points out some fallacies in the proposed legislation and the press release from Rep. Clyde.
52:35 – It’s incredibly rare when a member of congress goes through the active process of removing their name from the list of cosponsors for a proposed bill. This is happening right now with the Return Act. Get informed! Call your congressman.
55:37 – What about the those who might like to see the majority of conservation funding coming from somewhere else besides the sporting community?
59:10 – Closing statements. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“A man who doesn’t speak has no advantage over a man who can’t – so use your voice.” –Bill Cooksey
Aaron and Bill sit down with lifelong hunter and professional angler Crispin Powley. Crispin is a husband and father who spends hundreds of days afield each year and has hunted waterfowl in 30 states and three countries. He also runs an outdoors ministry at his local church.
Show notes:
3:44 – Bill shares a little background on Crispin and how they met.
5:00 – Crispin, Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently. Also, Aaron shares a fun update on recent lead-free landscapes field work from our sporting team.
9:10 - Crispin shares a little background on his upbringing.
11:46 – Crispin talks about how he got into the outdoor industry.
16:40 - Crispin chats about his role at Stratus and what it was like to work with so many famous people.
23:47 – Crispin tells us about his transition to working with GSM. Also, what does that stand for?
33:20 – Crispin talks about expanding past bass fishing. What other species are they after?
35:45 - Crispin’s shares his top fishing spots (then and now). Can you believe it?!
47:25 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on social media for more great content!!
50:00 - Crispin talks about his conservation realm and explains how the industry is looking at current conservation challenges.
57:26 - Crispin talks about what happened on Kentucky Lake regarding bass fishing over the past decade.
1:07:38 – Crispin shares some words of wisdom regarding the future of bass fishing and conservation.
1:11:43 – Parting words.
Aaron and Bill sit down with the 2021 Orvis Conservationists of the Year, owner of Alaska Sportsmen’s Lodge, and renowned Bristol Bay conservationist Brian Kraft. Brian has spent nearly 20 years working to stop the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay from ever becoming a reality. The EPA recently announced another comment period regarding prohibiting discharge of dredge or fill materials. If the latest effort is successful, the Pebble Mine would again be halted. We talk to Brian about how he got into the lodge operating and fishing guide service, the incredible fishing and wildlife resources of Bristol Bay including 30” rainbow trout, how he first learned of the proposed mine, and his work to keep the mine away from the area that produces nearly half of all the planet’s salmon. And last, we pivot to permanent protection and how we can end the threats of large-scale mining in Bristol Bay once and for all.
Links:
EPA link to comment portal
https://www.epa.gov/bristolbay/public-comments-and-hearings-2022-proposed-determination
EPA link describing comment process
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-protect-bristol-bays-salmon-fishery-subsistence-fishing-alaska-natives
Video of Brain and his family talking about the values in Bristol Bay
https://www.fishasl.com/hold-the-line-bristol-bay-alaska/
Video announcing Brian as Orvis Conservationist of the Year
https://vimeo.com/538850163
Conservation Organization Resources on Bristol Bay and the Pebble Mine
https://www.savebristolbay.org/
https://stoppebbleminenow.org/
Brian’s lodge website
https://www.fishasl.com/
Show notes:
3:58 – A little background on Brian.
5:35 – Brian, Aaron and Bill share what they have been doing outside recently.
9:20 - Brian provides a brief overview of the scale and scope of Bristol Bay and the surrounding area… The “breadbasket of fisheries” the bounty there is mindboggling! 47% of the world’s salmon comes from here!
16:50 - Brian talks about how he got into running fishing lodges in Bristol Bay without any prior experience.
25:55 - Brian takes us through a day on the water with his clients in Alaska… they’re catching 22-26” rainbow trout on the fly!
30:38 - What is the average size range of the rainbow trout up there?
32:53 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. For more great content, be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
34:45 - Brain shares a little background on how we got to where we are at now regarding the threat of the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay. This has been a team battle!
56:29 – How do we get permanent protection? Where would the relief money come from that would be used for the Federal Government to purchase land that is now part of the state of Alaska? What are other options including land swaps, etc.
59:19 - What should folks be telling the EPA right now and how can we help with the permanent solution? “This is the wrong place for this type of development. Salmon runs are irreplaceable and provide food for the world. Let’s not replace one resource with another.”
1:04:07 – Parting words from Brian, Bill and Aaron.
“I didn’t inherit this land and these fisheries from my ancestors. I’m borrowing it from my children. It’s my responsibility to make sure that it’s in better shape for them to use and enjoy. We need to do the right thing. There are right places to do things like this and wrong places – and this is definitely the wrong place.” –Brian Kraft.
If you love bass fishing, this is the episode for you. Our guest today is Steve Bowman, and when it comes to bass fishing, conservation and tournament angling, he’s definitely the guy you want to hear from. From being a member of The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame to his work as manager of Bassmaster.com tournament coverage and BASS Manager of Angler Relations, he’s in the mix. His career and work are interesting, but it’s when he tells the story of making his first rod from an old car antenna to which he attached drink can pop-tops for guides and a Zebco reel he spent the summer mowing yards to buy when this show goes to the next level. The antenna rod comes back to mind when Steve tells how an African American kid in Little Rock changed his life and how he views the outdoors.
Show links:
https://www.bassfishinghof.com/inductee/steve-bowman
https://www.bassmaster.com/
https://www.wired2fish.com/w2f-slide/steve-bowman
https://www.waterfowlerhof.com/
Show notes:
4:31 – Bill, Aaron and Steve share what they’ve been up too outside recently. Cue the turkey hunting, bass fishing and shed hunting!
9:20 - Steve shares a little background on his childhood, a heartfelt story or two and his earliest memories of fishing with a stick and a string and the adventure of converting an antenna into a fishing rod so he could fish at the pond near his house. “So here’s a kid that’s right on the verge of going into a gang or going fishing… and he’s taking the opportunity to go fishing.”
22:37 – Steve continues his discussion on the importance of providing fishing opportunities for every angler. He goes on to discuss high school and college bass fishing programs and the importance of investing in opportunity.
27:56 – Steve talks about how he grew up saying he wanted to hunt and fish for a living. He chats about how he got into journalism and taught himself to write after saying to his boss, “I’ll do anything you want me to do, just ever ask me to write.”
30:57 - Steve shares an inspiring duck hunting story that changed the direction of his life.
33:35 – Steve talks about the time they wanted to channel the White River.
37:00 - Discussing wildlife management and past deer situations in Arkansas.
39:13 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. For more great content, be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!!
40:05 – Bill brings it back to storytelling and salesmen. Steve talks about his late friend, Ray Scott, and his profound impact on hunting and fishing in the U.S. as well as international bass fishing.
44:05 - The evolution of “catch and release” in our country.
47:16 - Aaron brings it back to the connection between conservation and opportunity.
51:36 – Bill brings up the topic of fishing with pro anglers and a few things that weekend anglers can pick up from observing these professionals in action.
55:55 – Lots of professional bass fishing professionals were athletes prior… Also a mention of Tom Brady, duck hunting and duck habitat.
59:03 – Bill brings it back to Vanishing Paradise and Steve’s involvement in a conservation issues that sportsmen and sportswomen need to know about.
1:02:12 – Steve discusses a few conservation issues in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.
1:05:15 – Closing statements.
“Just realize that a greater entity created all this, rather than a core of engineers…” -Steve Bowman
Aaron and Bill revisit salmon conservation in the northwest in advance of nationwide day of action asking for immediate action and the removal of the four Snake River dams. We sit down with Brian Brooks, the executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, Aaron Lieberman, the executive director of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association. We talk salmon conservation broadly, the history of salmon issues in the Northwest and how we got to this point, the recent processes to address the issues surrounding dam removal and salmon recovery, how the Snake River system dams are different from dams in places like Tennessee, and how the sporting community can engage to save this iconic species from extinction.
Links:
- General Links
- Congressman Simpson’s leading page on the CBI: https://simpson.house.gov/salmon/
- Inslee Murray Study site (including comment links): https://www.lsrdoptions.org
- White House Press release (3/18/22) re: Dams/Fish/Tribes: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/news-updates/2022/03/28/columbia-river-basin-fisheries-working-together-to-develop-a-path-forward/
- Idaho Wildlife Federation links:
- https://idahowildlife.org/
- https://idahowildlife.org/news/salmonsteelhead-campaign-enters-new-stage-of-momentum
- https://idahowildlife.org/news/nw-energy-coalition-lower-snake-river-dams-can-be-removed
- https://idahowildlife.org/news/bpa-funded-study-states-salmonsteelhead-recovery-only-likely-if-dams-breached
- Donate to IWF: https://secure.everyaction.com/7bVn-yO2r0SFdf7WGFzk6A2
- IOGA Links:
- IOGA’s Action Page: https://ioga.org/the-columbia-basin-initiative/
- Alternatively, here’s a link directly to the Out of Idaho action form: https://actnow.io/EdVJdCS
- Link to Donate in Support of IOGA’s advocacy for Idaho Salmon & Steelhead: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SY9ZJ352VZMYE
- Link to sign up for IOGA’s newsletter to stay in the loop on the work: Subscribe
- IOGA’s Action Page: https://ioga.org/the-columbia-basin-initiative/
Show notes:
3:55 – A little background on both guests.
5:14 – What have these gentlemen been doing outdoors recently? Gobble gobble…
10:54 – Jumping into why we are here – SALMON!!
11:33 – Brian Brooks shares a salmon adventure story.
14:03 – Aaron shares a salmon story that he enjoys sharing with his clients on the river.
15:46 – After a long intro, we get down to the big questions:
WHY ARE WE HERE? HOW BAD IS IT? WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?
19:28 - What these dams do. Where they are at. How they constrict fish movements. An overview of the multiple factors which are affecting these fish runs.
25:35 - The journey back to Idaho… salmon become tanks!
27:27 – Well, why the Snake River dams?
30:15 – Aaron shares how the low salmon returns affect his lifestyle as a fly fishing and rafting guide.
36:01 – Brian highlights the importance of the Chinook Salmon season for the small town of Riggins, Idaho.
37:51 – Aaron H. brings up somethings to consider regarding outdoor recreation and the connection between the economy in Idaho and the U.S.
41:25 - Picking apart what removing the dams would entail.
42:47 – What is the difference between removing dams in places like Tennessee versus removing the four lower Snake River dams?
47:34 – “This should be a no brainer…”
49:30 – “Both the heartening thing and also the deeply frustrating thing about this particular issue is we can do at least the primary thing we need to do in order to restore salmon and steelhead; and we can do so without negatively impacting the people who are most dependent on the current system.”
51:12 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. Please be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more great content!
53:07 – Unpacking the details regarding the Simpson plan, the solution and five things the sporting community and others can do to work together and get this done.
56:22 – The three realities in Simpson’s plan.
57:47 - The investments and assurances that are necessary in order to seed all three components of the plan.
1:01:37 – Top level components that still need to be addressed.
1:03:15 – How would they remove the dams? $1.5 billion to breach all four dams.
1:04:45 - What can people do to help? If you’re in the northwest, REACH OUT TO YOUR SENATORS.
“At the end of the day, it’s a taxpayer issue…”
This process
1:09:46 - Figuring out how to replace the benefits of the dams.
1:12:24 - At the end of the day we are going to have to deal with this issue as a nation. It will have to be an act of Congress. We are at the first few steps of leaving part A in this plan.
1:17:45 - We want legislation, right?
1:19:19 - We should dream big. “This could be the biggest restoration project in human history, we can forestall the extinction of a key stone species.”
1:21:23 - Getting these dams down is just the start, we will still have more work to do. This is an ongoing project.
1:23:10 - Closing statements.
“This could be the biggest restoration project in human history, we can forestall the extinction of a key stone species.”
Aaron and Bill sit down with Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico to discuss the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) - what it is, what it aims to accomplish, and what we need to do to get I passed. Senator Heinrich is the leading sporting advocate in Congress and has worked diligently on numerous pieces of conservation legislation. We cover his perspectives of RAWA, how it will help state agencies, the opportunities to mitigate wildfire and its impacts, and his opinion that RAWA will be “the most impactful wildlife conservation investment in U.S. history”. Senator Heinrich has also been a champion on combating CWD. We ask him for an update on the Senate companion legislation to the passed House version of the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act.
Links:
NWF Outdoors Recovering America’s Wildlife Act action alert – email your Member of Congress here: https://support.nwf.org/page/39420/action/1?fbclid=IwAR32AQFGFCHRenhBbDzEtHB9vBVXrb9T0PURcT9pv6kDfyweoSLgBckvSBo
RAWA bill text: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2773
More details on RAWA: https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Wildlife-Conservation/Policy/Recovering-Americas-Wildlife-Act
Our recent sporting blog on RAWA: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Blog/03-23-2022-Bipartisan-Wildlife-Bill-Will-Benefit-Hunters-Anglers
House version CWD bill text: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5608
Show notes:
2:39 – Little background on Senator Martin Heinrich. “The sporting community’s biggest champion in Congress.”
3:27 – What has Senator Heinrich been doing outside recently?
5:44 - Senator Heinrich talks about Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. “…the wildlife version of the Great American Outdoors Act”
8:23 – Why should the sporting community support this?
11:24 – “This is the number one agreed upon focus for benefiting wildlife in this Congress, and the sporting community in particular has stepped up in a way that’s allowed us to move this forward and keep it incredibly bipartisan during a divided time in our country. Wildlife is something that brings us back together…”
12:36 - Senator Martin Heinrich reflects on what the early advocates for wildlife went through a century ago in places like New Mexico… highlighting elk, mule deer, pronghorn and wild turkey.
Expressing hope that our grandkids inherit the same amazing breath of wildlife that folks took for granted when they grew up.
15:28 - How much latitude will state agencies will have when they spend the money provided by Recovering America’s Wildlife Act? Turns out, the actual program is built completely by each individual state agency.
Please note: States all have what are called state wildlife action plans, if you are interested for your state be sure to google “(your state) wildlife action plan”
17:06 – Senator Heinrich points out -- the current programs which support these state wildlife action plans are completely inadequate to implement them. The need outstrips the support. RAWA would allow the agencies to implement these plans.
18:01 – “What the catch? There’s gotta be a catch? Nothing can be this perfect…” Right now, sportswomen and sportsmen have a lot of input with state agencies because their dollars fund the agencies. Will this change when the states have additional funding?
21:04 – Shout out to our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. For more great content, please be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
22:48 - Senator Heinrich talks about how Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help with natural infrastructure and wild fires.
26:14 – Continuing discussion the benefits that stack up when you restore habitat for one small song bird in a wetland… restoration like this benefit’s multiple species (including hunters and anglers).
27:07 - Senator Heinrich talks twenty years down the road with Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, highlighting the importance of restoring riparian habitat for Rio Grande cutthroat trout, song birds and the sporting community.
29:46 - What do we need to do to get this across the finish line?
30:50 - Senator Heinrich talks about the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act being introduced into the Senate.
32:21 - Senator Heinrich shares statement about the importance of passing Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.
“Reach out to your house member and both of your senators and say this is good policy. This is good for our sporting communities. This is good for wildlife. It’s bipartisan. Let’s get this thing done.”
In the final episode of the CWD Chronicles, we bring back Matt Dunfee from the Wildlife Management Institute to put a bow on the series, help us affirm good information, throw away bad information, respond to listener questions, and look to the future of managing and living with CWD.
Links:
CWD Chronicles FULL SHOW ARCHIVE: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles
Recent and Ongoing CWD Research and Management Projects: https://cwd-info.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CWD-RESEARCH-SUMMARIES-MASTER-6-29-21.pdf
CWD in North America: https://cwd-info.org/map-chronic-wasting-disease-in-north-america/
Carcass Importation Regulations: https://cwd-info.org/state-and-province-carcass-import-regulations/
CWD-Related Hunting Regulations: https://cwd-info.org/cwd-hunting-regulations-map/
Show notes:
5:14 – Aaron shares a little background on Matt for those who didn’t catch episode one.
6:34 – Quick overview of previous topics covered in the CWD Chronicles Episodes 1-5.
9:18 – Ashley shares a few other things that we hope to look at as we wrap up this series.
*A few take-aways from previous episodes: Get tested. Support intensive management actions when necessary. Don’t congregate animals.
11:53 – Within the past six months, we have four new states with CWD positive tests!
13:09 – Matt reflects on the broader picture which has been reinforced over this series.
“The first one is never the first one, we find this disease as we test more for it.”
17:00 – Aaron chips in that in this episode we are highlighting questions from our listeners.
19:05 – First listener question from John Matis in Loveland, CO.
John says: I’d like to know why all the deer aren’t dead? If chronic wasting disease is so contagious, and results in 100% fatalities, then why haven’t all the deer and elk died? Or is there genetic selection taking place, where the animals are developing immunity or resistance to the disease? Why not let natural selection take place?
21:57 – Can a fawn be born CWD positive? Ashley points out that younger populations have other implications beyond just total numbers.
24:50 – Second listener question from Gary Maerz in Westbury, NY.
Gary asks: Have state agencies considered a program that allows the issuance of additional tags if a hunter harvests a CWD positive deer, after verified by testing?
29:08 – Third listener question from Austin Moon in Cheyenne, WY.
Austin asks: Why is CWD more prevalent in deer than in other ungulates?
34:07 – Fourth listener question from Sarah Mueller in Pennsylvania. Sarah says: We are just now on the edge of the CWD zone, should I get my deer tested? Can I eat the meat if it’s CWD positive? I’m nervous about using my good knives to butcher if I get prions that will never come off on them. Other states have lived with CWD for years but Pennsylvania is pretty new – how do I navigate this?
38:00 – Ashley asks about the potential of prions penetrating the handles of her knives.
39:00 – Aaron asks if we, as a sporting community, should just take on as a sporting community that everyone should get tested 100% of the time.
43:22 – Should we be testing pronghorn if they are harvested in a CWD hot zone given the fact that the disease has been documented to jump species?
“When nothing is sure, anything is possible.”
45:43 - Unpacking the logistics of universal testing. Meaning that every cervid out there is tested.
54:50 - What if every research project out there at any given point could take a tiny “punch” sample from their ears for surveillance and tracking disease distribution.
1:00:47 - How can the nonsporting public engage in the issues regarding CWD? Taking a look at the North American model of wildlife conservation.
1:05:50 - It seems like there’s not really an end point in sight. Matt discusses some simple things to consider regarding wildlife conservation, getting involved, hunting with CWD on the mind, etc.
“This is your heritage. Treat it as such.”
1:07:34 - Pointing to the future, looking at a crystal ball, where are we at in 20 years?
1:12:46 - How can we bridge the gap of being in it 100% or just putting the blinders on because folks are bored of dealing with CWD. “Rather than getting angry and just calling someone an idiot, let’s get curious and say where did you get that perspective… let me listen to yours so you will listen to mine. We know as humans that gets us a lot more ground than shame, gilt or ridicule.”
1:15:30 – Closing statements from Ashley and Aaron.
“If everyone would listen to this podcast series, I think we would get where we need to go. This is definitely a long form conversation and I think at the end of this if folks do take the time to listen to the whole thing, they can come to a good solid perspective on not just CWD but a lot of other things.”
-Matt Dunfee, the Wildlife Management Institute
Jake Latendresse may be the most well-known sportsmen you’ve never heard of. He’s one of the nation’s finest hunter/angler videographers and has produced content for some of the biggest companies and organizations in the world. You see his work on Bassmaster every weekend and on videos and television shows from myriad entities, and it’s there because Jake had the courage to live his dreams. As a bar owner, videographer/producer and owner of Prairie Rock Outfitters, there’s no doubt he’s a driven entrepreneur, but Jake’s comments about childhood and conservation are what left Aaron and Bill speechless.
Links:
https://www.bassmaster.com/news/have-camera-will-travel-for-latendresse/
http://lmcollective.com/about/
https://youtu.be/pS7bwj9pwlw
https://prairierockoutfitters.com/
Show notes:
3:27 – “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
3:38 – Bill gives some background on Jake Latendresse, the guest for the show.
6:12 – Everyone shares what they’ve been doing outside recently.
7:50 – Jake reflects on the recent below freezing weather events, “It was one of the most extreme weather conditions that we’ve ever had in the Great Lakes…”
8:49 – Jakes gives an update on the recent happenings in his life.
9:53 - Jakes shares how many events he films per year, relating the “Bass Master” events to a full football season.
11:29 – How does Jake balance all the things he does in addition to being a single dad.
14:18 - How Jake got started and established in sporting media and an early interest in art and photography.
22:00 - Was being fulltime in the outdoors something Jake dreamed about as a kid? (plus: Jake shares a very special story for the first time ever, it’s a heartfelt story about what happened one time when he couldn’t go hunting with this father. His father never left him home during a hunting trip ever again.)
25:21 - At what point did Jake break through and become a sportsman?
29:39 - A day in the life of Jake capturing the “meat” of events all over the world.
34:30 - Jake talks about what the day is like and the relationships that form when he gets in a boat with a pro angler.
37:30 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
38:58 - Jake chats about some of his other film projects he has done around the world starting with a sheep hunt in Mongolia.
44:28 – How did Jake meet Bill?
45:12 - Horse incident while hunting stone sheep hunt in B.C.
48:04 – “I carry an expedition medical kit wherever I go…”
52:47 - Jake talks about his father and the Gov. of Tennessee working together.
55:12 – Conservation! Mentorship! When and how did Jake get involved with conserving resources. “My dad pushed conservation on me pretty hard from a very young age.”
59:56 - What advice would Jake give to kids who have a similar dream of following the path he took in life. “Don’t force your children to do what you want them to do, support what they want to do. Allow them to be free and go down the road.” “Never give up.”
1:04:07 - Shout out for the video project that Bill and Jake are working on in the Everglades. Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors and Vanishing Paradise to see more!!
“Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to understand what their great outdoors are all about.” -Jake Latendresse-
After a month of tech issues and time conflicts, Aaron and Bill finally get together with Jim Ronquest of RNTV. Jimbo outlines his 21/22 duck season experiences from both home and on the road filming the show before moving to the timely topic of turkeys. After decades of population growth, many regions are experiencing declines, and we learn how Turkeys for Tomorrow is trying to find out why. It’s a lot to unpack, and then Jimbo drops a bomb on us!
Links:
https://turkeysfortomorrow.org/
https://rntcalls.com/
https://www.drakewaterfowl.com/
https://www.nwf.org/-/media/PDFs/Outdoors/NWF_GameSpeciesAnalysis_Report_Final
Show notes:
4:18 – Aaron, Bill and Jim discuss what they’ve been doing outside lately.
8:00 – Talking the beginning of turkey season!
10:30 -- Jim talks about his upbringing and early years as a sportsman. “It was raining pitch forks and tater babies…”
17:14 -- Jim rounds up duck season.
21:27 – Shout out to Jim’s show, “RN T.V.” on the Sportsman Channel. Other than Ducks Unlimited, it is the longest running dedicated waterfowl show on outdoor T.V.
23:13 – Bill reflects on the first year he went turkey hunting with Jim almost twenty years ago.
25:40 – Jim discusses Turkeys for Tomorrow: Promoting America's hunting traditions, conservation, and education through the timeless collaboration of hunters and wildlife professionals to ensure we all have TURKEYS FOR TOMORROW.
38:15 -- What are the known turkey conservation issues? #HabitatLoss
41:57 – Aaron shares some critical stats regarding the loss of turkey habitat in a few states.
44:14 – Jim talks about how much he enjoys the transition from duck season to turkey season.
44:58 – Quick break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
46:42 -- Jim talks about a research project he would like to have done regarding the use of chicken litter and fertilizer on pastures potentially causing disease.
50:07 – Jim reflects on hunters’ response to Turkeys For Tomorrow.
53:52 – “If you’re able, we need more than to just buy a license. That’s the bare minimum for conservation… “ If you don’t have money, perhaps you have time to volunteer.
54:50 – Jim highlights the unique model for wildlife management in North America.
55:30 – How long has Jim been on RN T.V.?
56:55 – JIM SHARES SOME BIG NEWS!!
1:00:17 – Jim talks about hunting with some of the Bass Elite guys during duck season. “I fish so I can go duck hunting…”
1:02:50 – Keep an eye out for Jim’s upcoming Climate Chronicle short film by making sure you’re following NWF Outdoors on social media!
In this episode Aaron and Ashley talk with Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin. Representative Kind discusses how he came to understand the weight of CWD and eventually become a champion for it in Washington D.C. We cover what the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act is, it’s current status, how it could impact states’ ability to manage the disease, and the boost it would give to researchers’ efforts to develop new science and tools like a live test for CWD!
Links:
Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus
Show notes:
4:33 – Rep. Ron Kind talks about his background as a bow hunter growing up in Wisconsin, his family farm where they hunt whitetail and pheasant, how he got into politics and how he got involved with Chronic Wasting Disease.
6:58 – Rep. Kind talks about 2002 when CWD was first detected in Wisconsin.
10:15 -- Rep. Kind is asked whether or not he has ever harvested a deer which has tested positive for CWD.
12:31 -- Discussing the fact that CWD will be handled at the state level and the CWD Research and Management Act will provide funding directly to states and Tribal management agencies.
14:15 – Rep. Kind shares some of the frustrations he has experienced as a hunter trying to test the deer he has harvested. He gives an overview of the CWD Research and Management Act and the end goal.
16:04 -- How is this bill different than previous attempts at trying to control the disease?
18:10 -- What is Rep. Ron Kind telling other Senators and collogues who need to get moving on this Bill right now?
20:24 -- Rep. Kind brings us back to the moment when he realized CWD was a major problem.
23:55 -- What are the lessons that other states can learn from Wisconsin? “Don’t be afraid of testing, just because you’re not testing doesn’t mean it is not there.”
25:13 -- What will be entailed in the review of the herd certification standards which are currently in place?
27:13 -- Discussion regarding the potential and importance of a live test for CWD.
28:35 -- How do we smooth out the dips in the funding cycle for this Bill? It would be great if it was eradicated within six years but we need to be realistic as we look forward on the next iteration of this bill and (maybe) an eventual permanent authorization on this.
30:38 -- What does the average hunter needs to think about and what actions should they be taking to stay engaged and keep this movement.
33:07 -- Rep. Kind discusses the decline of hunters and fewer youth being involved with hunting and fishing. He highlights that this is another issue we need to address as hunters and anglers are some of the most powerful conservationists out there.
35:13 – Update as of 03/23/2022 regarding the CWD Research and Management Act.
Be sure to get engaged by following NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter—where you can access action alerts and timely updates regarding CWD and many other hunting and angling conservation issues we are working on. Thanks!
Aaron and Bill have an interesting chat with Casey Stemler, the lead for Secretarial Order 3362. S.O. 3362 was issued during the Trump Administration but continues to this day. It is aimed and conserving and resourcing big game migration corridors. It has already helped infused millions of dollars into migration areas and connectivity projects. We discuss how and why the order came to be, it’s latest status, why no sheep and moose, and other lessons learned on the conservation of migration corridors.
Links:
https://wafwa.org/so3362/
https://westernmigrations.net/
https://wildlifemigration.utah.gov/
https://migrationinitiative.org/
Show notes:
3:00 - Aaron shares a little of Casey’s background and recent work regarding wildlife corridors.
5:00 – What the crew has been doing outside recently.
6:54 – Sika deer!
9:52 – Latest news on SO 3362 (Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors).
13:34 – What exactly is wildlife migration and connectivity work? Why does it matter? Plus, some good stories regarding the amazing stuff they have learned doing this work.
20:46 – The focus of state agencies collaring animals, miniature vs. large skill migration routes, technology and what this focus reveals to us about what these critters do and what they need.
25:22 – 3362 is focused on deer, elk and pronghorn.
27:26 – We know that pronghorn don’t like fences; will they also avoid railroad tracks?
30:50 – This work benefits more species than just deer, elk and pronghorn.
35:06 – The infrastructure bill and how much it will benefit habitat connectivity.
37:13 – Short break for message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Also, for more great content, be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
38:53 -- Casey brings folks up to speed on 3362 regarding habitat conservation, due diligence, and the introduction of bighorn sheep, moose and migratory birds as species to consider.
45:16 – Habitat work regarding ducks and duck hunting.
48:07 -- Corporation with private land owners within 3362.
50:55 -- Do large chunks of area (i.e. 5,000 acres) present new problems compared to working with smaller ones?
52:00 -- Discussing other developments that are happening parallel to this which is helping move it along.
55:39 – The Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act.
58:17 – Discussing the diverse habitat projects on the border between Colorado and New Mexico and NWF rock star, Jeremy Romero.
1:00:06 – The Southern Ute Tribe is very engaged in these conservation efforts including building an overpass.
1:01:51 -- Suggestions for people on how to keep up with these issues on a local level. Skip the social media and go back to the good stuff by supporting your local newspaper and gatherings in your community!
1:04:41 -- Closing thoughts from Casey, “We have to take the initiative.”
“With privilege comes obligation. We've got this amazing natural resource, this wildlife... especially as sportsmen and women, we get to go enjoy it and bring it home and feed our our families… Go take care of it.” –Aaron Kindle.
Aaron and Ashley talk interstate borders, barriers to management, and the financial and emotional toll that CWD can take on state wildlife agencies. Kelly speaks poignantly on the issue of chronic wasting disease and offers a unique perspective informed by her background as a wildlife veterinarian and manager of an entire state wildlife section. We even ask her about the “E” word!
Links:
MN DNR CWD Response Plan
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/cwd/cwd-response-plan.html
AFWA CWD Best Management Practices
https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/5215/3729/1805/AFWA_CWD_BMPS_12_September_2018_FINAL.pdf
Show notes:
2:51 – Introduction on Dr. Kelly Straka, Wildlife Section Manager for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
4:10 – Kelly talks about her career path to working with CWD.
7:10 – Kelly frames the issue with CWD from the perspective of state agencies. “CWD might be the most pressing issue facing cervid populations across the country right now.”
10:40 - The barriers to effective management of CWD.
17:11 - How hunters can help or hinder efforts to manage CWD.
23:29 - The Federal – State intersection of CWD. The regulatory and jurisdiction issues that have a bearing on how we deal with CWD.
33:15 - Minnesota’s approach and how it got us to where we are today.
39:07 - Minnesota’s response plan, management applications in different zones and various strategies.
43:10 – The “E” word!
48:21 - If we cannot eradicate CWD, how do we live with it in the future?
52:57 - The challenges around CWD surveillance and how hard it is to detect the disease when it is present in low numbers.
58:13 - What do the agencies wish the public knew about CWD management?
1:00:44 - What is one thing that could have been done differently?
1:03:33 - Closing statements. Stay engaged, stay aware, stay involved.
Please take a moment to rate the podcast and write us a review!
Thanks for listening!
Aaron and Bill sit down with forester, sportsman, and conservationist Alex Harvey to discuss a life rooted to the outdoors, hunting, and land management and restoration. We cover Alex’s family roots and hunting traditions while he helps us understand and unpack several historical and social contexts regarding Southern African American sporting traditions, barriers to land management and ownership, and how the tide is changing for the better. We tell hunting stories, share laughs, and ponder all the great ways hunting and the outdoors unite all people.
Links: https://www.legacylandmanagement.org/ ; https://www.huntersofcolor.org/ ; https://www.instagram.com/legacylandmgmt/ ; https://www.facebook.com/LegacyLM
Show notes:
4:54 – Introduction of Alex Harvey.
5:15 – What has Alex, Aaron and Bill been doing outside recently?
9:48 - Alex’s personal background. Where he grew up in Mississippi, cattle farming and growing up in the country #RabbitHunting
18:55 - Alex shares the story of his grandparents and reflects on his connections with ancestors and being on the right path.
24:05 - Highlighting Holt Collier, the hunter who influenced Theodore Roosevelt during a private bear hunt in 1902.
27:00 - Alex shares how he got to where he is today and then highlights his professional work as of right now.
34:01 - Alex shares some of the unique challenges for African American land owners in the South.
37:03 – Has Alex seen an improvement?
39:44 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
41:02 – Thoughts on forestry restoration, management and what it’s like to think about forests 24/7.
44:38 - Alex’s introduction to Hunters of Color and how he became a board member.
53:12 - Alex shares his experiences as an African American man in the field.
59:13 – What is going on in Alex’s region? Much of it is involved with improving habitat and access for hunters and anglers.
1:00:35 – Closing statements.
Ashley and Aaron talk with Kip Adams about how hunting traditions can impact chronic wasting disease. Kip is the Chief Conservation Officer for the National Deer Association and very well-versed in both the science and culture of deer hunting. He lends a unique and optimistic perspective on what sportswomen and men can do to in their backyards and at a state level to slow the spread.
Links:
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Resource Center - A comprehensive guide from NDA (deerassociation.com)
https://www.deerassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CWD-BMPs-Revised-2022.pdf
Show notes:
2:54 – Introduction of Kip Adams.
3:50 - The short and sweet of the National Deer Association, “The Guardians of the Deer” who are they and what do they do?
5:18 - It’s important to serve both sides of the coin, both hunters and deer.
6:23 - Kips professional opinion regarding CWD. “The biggest thing impacting the future of deer herds right now.”
7:54 - Words of wisdom for folks who hunt and live in states who have yet to test positive. “Do everything possible to keep it out.”
9:03 - What are the most important steps we can take to stop the spread of CWD?
10:43 – NDA’s specific approach in the fight against the spread of CWD.
12:47 - If only 4% of the population purchases a hunting license, how do we activate the other 96%?
15:50 - Bringing the hunter knowledge of the landscape to other conservation issues.
17:32 - The cost of testing, staff time to collect samples, outreach, etc. is a hidden cost that we don’t talk about a lot. It costs an average of $250,000 bill when they discover CWD in a state!
19:28 - How to inform hunters tactfully as to how they might want to change their behaviors in order to stop the spread. Changing our routine is hard but we have to do it in order to stop the spread of CWD.
23:02 - Deer hunting has changed a lot over the past two hundred years. There’s room for new traditions to be made, it’s not impossible to change.
25:14 - What should we be doing regarding traditions such as feed stations, salt licks and other forms of baiting deer.
27:50 - Should we have a widespread ban on feeding and other forms of baiting deer?
30:02 - Reflecting on the concept that we should be all hands on deck in fighting to prevent the spread.
Finding balance with sporting traditions and age structures when it comes to older bucks. “Older bucks are twice as likely to have CWD.”
38:56 - Targeted removals and how various hunters might process this concept depending on their background and experience regarding CWD.
41:53 - NDA’s thoughts on captive cervids and interstate travel of cervids. “We should stop all movement of live animals.”
44:37 - What are the road blocks to making this happen.
47:10 - What can average Joe/Jane do regarding CWD?
48:48 - What is the single biggest thing that NDA has done to prevent CWD?
50:58 - What’s the one thing that should have been done different and what can we learn from this.
52:17 - There are a lot of resources out there where you can learn more about CWD. Be sure to educate yourself and get engaged. Kip is a firm believer that we are going to beat this.
Aaron and Bill host Bob Budd to wax on the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which utilizes a unique model to conduct habitat and restoration projects across Wyoming. These projects help restore and enhance the lands and waters that sportsmen and women from Wyoming and across the country have the privilege to enjoy. The Wyoming state legislature is currently considering adding $75 million to the fund, which will then be leveraged to create about $50 million annually to conduct this excellent work in perpetuity. For one of the least populated and most wildlife rich states in the country, this is an exceptional resource that also benefit all Americans who visit. You don’t want to miss Bob’s keen mind, exuberance, and enthusiasm for Wyoming’s incredible natural resources.
Links:
https://wwnrt.wyo.gov/home
https://wyomingwildlife.org
Show notes:
5:30 – Introduction of Bob Budd.
8:05 – What have these guys been up to outdoors recently?
10:27 – Bob explains his childhood and the path which led him to where he is today.
13:15 – The Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund – how it got started, what it’s supposed to do, and day to day activities…
17:05 - Details behind the structure and approach to funding for the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
19:30 - How does the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund get projects and take them to completion.
22:12 - Conservation easement funding.
23:37 - How many applications does the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund receive and how many organizations do they work with?
27:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Are you following @NWFOutdoors on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube?
28:23 - The history of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation.
31:00 - How has the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund helped hunters specifically?
33:30 – “They’re catching 30” rainbows in town!!” It used to be full of refrigerators.
34:56 - Bob tells a good story… “I had no idea this state was this state…”
38:12 - The possibility of being fully funded.
40:16 - One of the unique things about the trust is that they utilize the interest from this fund to continue to perpetually do these projects. Bob talks about how this works.
46:13 - Mechanically what has to happen now and what can sportsmen and sportswomen tell their representative?
47:36 - What could other states learn from Wyoming?
50:51 - Wyoming does wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in a special way. Bob highlights some of their achievements.
52:47 - Camo at the Capital!! Great event and opportunity. Look it up and participate.
54:22 - Closing statement from Bob Budd – his has a book coming out! “There’s great stuff going on everywhere.”
Ashley and Aaron sit down with Dr. Colin Gillin to talk about the captive cervid industry and how it’s stymied efforts to control CWD. Colin is the State Wildlife Veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and takes us on a deep dive into how cervid farms work and how they need to change in order for us to make headway in the fight.
Recommended link:
https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/5215/3729/1805/AFWA_CWD_BMPS_12_September_2018_FINAL.pdf
Show notes:
2:55 - Introduction of Dr. Colin Gillin, a state wildlife veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He has been active in national efforts to monitor and stop the spread of CWD for decades.
3:57 - Explanation of wild animals versus captive cervids.
5:20 – How did we go from having wild animals in their natural environment to having wild animals in captivity?
7:10 - Deer farming predates the North American model of conservation.
8:50 – What are the rules to hold captive cervids?
12:31 – Does it differ from state to state who is in charge of making and enforcing rules for captive cervids?
14:51 - Discussing the different products that come out of captive cervid farms and how that can be problematic for the spread of CWD.
19:53 – Fence talk. What about the risk of animals escaping the farms and spreading CWD?
24:12 - A closer look at the operations and facilities within captive cervid farming. It’s estimated that they bring in $8 billion nationally!
28:39 - How many farms are in the USA? There are about 10,000 deer farms in the USA!
31:40 - Federal rules for interstate movement of cervids and a discussion of animals being moved around illegally.
36:44 – Clearing up a few acronyms for the audience.
37:25 - “The rules setup for the herd certification program is geared solely for the interstate transport.”
43:09 - What happens when a facility tests positive for CWD?
48:56 – Break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Artemis.nwf.org
50:34 - What do you say to someone who thinks captive cervid farming is out of place?
55:48 - The North American model, “You cannot take wildlife and use it for market purposes.” Considering the various parts of the model.
59:11 - It would seem like the captive service industry as a whole costs a lot to our wildlife resource and doesn’t give anything to it.
1:01:29 - Brief overview of AFWA best management practices.
1:08:54 - What is one thing that could have been done differently 50 years ago? What can do done now?
1:14:34 - Closing statement.
Bill and Aaron wax poetic on a few subjects after a few failures to get the famous Jim Ronquest connected (we’ll get him back soon). We talk end of duck season, getting outside, preview the Ronquest episode, and point to some current events in conservation.
Matt Dunfee is a career CWD expert and in this episode he walks us through everything from the discovery of the disease to how its affecting deer populations today. Along with a deep dive into the biology of CWD, we talk about the responsibility that hunters have and the fears they face around CWD. Join us for this incredible primer on what’s happening out there and what needs to be done about it.
Links: Modeled Impacts of Chronic Wasting Disease on White-Tailed Deer in a Semi-Arid Environment
Chronic Wasting Disease Drives Population Decline of White-Tailed Deer
Endemic chronic wasting disease causes mule deer population decline in Wyoming
Socially Amplified Risk: Attitude and Behavior Change in Response to CWD in Wisconsin Deer
Reduction of Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Seeding Activity
Digestion by Mountain Lions
mountain lion paper
USGS Maps
https://wildlifemanagement.institute/
https://cwd-info.org/
Show notes:
3:30 – Who is Matt Dunfee?
4:45 – What is CWD?
9:56 – CWD is always fatal. What’s is caused by?
11:37 - Discussing the incubation of CWD. What does the incubation period represent?
13:40 - Animals infected with CWD do not display symptoms immediately. How does this affect management?
16:00 - Infected versus uninfected. What are the best terms to use?
16:37 - Deer infected with CWD die at a higher rate than uninfected animals from all causes.
17:35 - What does it take to destroy a CWD prion?
19:55 - Discussing a study regarding CWD prions being denatured in the digestive track of mountain lions.
22:25 - Trying to manage this disease in free ranging cervids on the landscape.
26:34 - CWD origin story. Where did it begin? How did it start spreading? Is it endemic in cervids?
33:48 - GIS mapping of CWD coming soon! Until then check the link above for CWD mapping from USGS.
37:11 - Discovering CWD in new locations… “The first time you find it is not the first time it was ever there.”
40:00 - The latest in CWD testing, prevalence and population level impacts.
47:25 - CWD and the potential of jumping species… including the potential of it jumping to humans.
59:52 - Unpacking why it seems to be more prevalent in bucks and bulls.
1:03:47 - Population declines in whitetail and mule deer in areas with very high prevalence of CWD.
1:08:36 - “CWD Fatigue”
1:12:47 - What are the various factors that prevent the spread and promote good management?
1:20:22 - We need to be clear on effective management of CWD (reducing prevalence and stopping spread) and the importance of the state fish and wildlife agencies.
1:27:15 - Closing statements from Matt Dunfee, Ashley Chance and Aaron Kindle.
Welcome to the Chronic Wasting Disease Chronicles, brought to you by NWF Outdoors and Artemis.
Chronic Wasting Disease is an always fatal and definitely complex neurological disease afflicting cervids across North America and beyond. More than 50 years after its discovery, the impacts of this disease are ramping up quickly while hunters are having to make tough decisions about how they hunt and feed their families.
What does this mean for the future of big game hunting?
What can be done to stop the spread and conserve our hunting traditions?
The Chronic Wasting Disease Chronicles explores these issues with leading experts from around the country and looks hopefully to a future full of healthy wild cervid populations.
Aaron and Bill sit down with renowned archery author and traditional bow craftsman, Ron Rohrbaugh. We discuss conservation, archery, getting young people outdoors and his two recent books, A Traditional Bowhunter’s Path and Echo: Living Wild with the Orions. Ron also reads an excerpt from Echo, discusses the visceral and intimate act of hunting at very close range, and tells some great hunting stories.
https://yourlifecyclegear.comLifeCycle Gear
https://www.amazon.com/Ron-Rohrbaugh-Jr./e/B01KI3U7NI?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000
https://www.facebook.com/RonRohrbaughAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/lifecyclegear/
Show notes:
:05 – Bill and Aaron provide overview and intro to the episode.
5:33 - What Ron has been up to outside lately. Have you heard of “Black Powder Season”?
10:00 - Ron discusses this statement: “Without hunters, there would be no wild places.”
12:45 - How Ron got into conservation and writing.
15:00 - Thoughts on mentorship and how to find one if you don’t have one yet! Also, the importance of getting parents and guardians hooked as well.
18:40 - Ron sets the stage for his book, the characters, and the inspiration.
22:10 - Ron reads an excerpt from his book. The character, Echo, comes upon the scene of a group of coyotes who have taken down a deer. Echo needs food…
26:19 – Ron reflects on how his real life experiences inspire and inform his writing.
28:41 - Ron discusses that moment when the animal dies and you start harvesting.
29:54 - The traditional bow hunter’s path. Ron discusses his process in going deep into the world of archery.
What’s going through Ron’s head when he is crafting his hand made bows. Life Cycle Gear
36:38 - Does the wood working skills required in bow making benefit hunting as a whole?
38:36 - Who is the audience of his book? Bow hunters? Conservationists? New people?
41:16 - Ron discusses is career with birds, forest management and what birding has taught him about hunting.
44:00 – Quick message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
45:11 - The ivory billed woodpecker and Ron’s involvement in Cornell University’s search.
49:03 - Ron’s advice on parenting, mentoring and guiding kids when it comes to the outdoors.
52:04 - What’s the first thing kids outta know when they are considering hunting?
55:19 - Ron shares two of his favorite whitetail stories.
1:02:51 - Ron shares his closing thoughts. Be sure to check the links above to see Ron’s books!
Aaron and Bill have a chat with renowned entrepreneur, duckman, and conservationist, Warren Coco. "Coco’s" inventing the GO-DEVIL Longtail motor in the 1970s changed duck hunting forever, but he didn’t stop there and continued innovating longtails, surface drives, and boat designs. In the 80s he collaborated with Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty on what many duck hunters believe to still be the best waterfowl hunting video ever produced, The Duckmen of Louisiana. In the 90s he turned his energy, time and resources to conservation, and that focus continues to this day. Not only does he contribute his voice and money to conservation causes, he spends most of his days off on an excavator restoring coastal marsh in southwest Louisiana. We discuss Coco's sporting life, his adventures, and his dedication to conservation.
Links:
Vanishing Paradise film of Delta restoration featuring Coco
https://youtu.be/pS7bwj9pwlw
The Go-Devil Company page
https://www.godevil.com/the-company-about-us/
Coco's personal take on the conservation and restoration issue in the Delta
https://youtu.be/j_bmTxJKph0
The Duckmen of Louisiana with Warren Coco and Phil Robertson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQaq5H8MSDw
Warren Coco bio with his contributions to wetlands restoration
https://www.ducks.org/get-involved/go-devil-founder-works-plays-and-invests-in-wetlands
Show Notes:
:05 – Bill and Aaron provide overview and Intro to the episode
6:10 - What "Coco" has been up to lately
9:05 – “We can’t kill enough ducks to make gravy”
11:30 – the ducks haven’t gotten to Southern LA yet
13:15 – All the ducks came in 83’ and 89’
15:02 – How Coco’s Company Go Devil got started
18:00 – business grows like crazy and the duck limit goes from 3 to 5
19:25 – “we cut a big hog the first year of sales”
21:20 – how the Go Devil motors work and what makes them special in the marsh
22:30 – B.O.A.T – “Break Out Another Thousand”
25:15 – the origin of the “Go-Devil” name
26:55 – the backstory of Coco’s participation the famous video, “The Duckmen of Louisiana” with Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty”
30:10 –making the Duckmen of Louisiana over 13 days and two hunting seasons
34:30 - how the invasive species salvinia ruined the Muarepas Swamps for duck hunting and how it outcompetes and kill “duck wheat”
38:40 – more changes in the duck swamps and the need for restoration
43:55 – marsh loss through Coco’s eyes
46:00 – floating islands
48:45 – an old fishing hole that is now 600 yards out in the gulf
52:28 – when the Midwest lost its top soil, a lot of it came down the river
59:52 – these guys are fishing oysters where their grandfathers trapped
1:02:10 – restoring Hackberry
1:06:00 – the difficulties of restoration and management
1:10:30 – supporting DU and Vanishing Paradise
1:14:25 – delta conservation is a nationwide issue
Aaron and Bill sit down with renowned outdoor media personality, Lisa Ballard. Lisa is a professional skier, hunter, angler, outdoor writer, Emmy-winning TV producer, and two-time Ruger North American sporting clays champion who has traveled the world skiing, hunting, fishing, and covering the outdoors. We cover her career, the unique opportunities and challenges she has faced as a woman, how her media work led her to conservation, RAWA, and climate issue she’s experienced at home and while traveling.
https://www.lisaballardoutdoors.com/densmoredesigns.html
http://nwf.org/Outdoors/Blog/06-30-2021-Recovering-Americas-Wildlife
https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Wildlife-Conservation/Policy/Recovering-Americas-Wildlife-Act
Show notes:
1:00 – Aaron and Bill discuss their recent journey together in Tennessee through the area where the tornado recently destroyed large areas of the state.
3:10 – Intro and background on Lisa Ballard.
4:25 – What Lisa has been doing outside recently.
8:10 -- How Lisa got into the outdoor media world! From professionally skiing to PBS!
10:00 -- Story about making a film about teaching a bird dog how to hunt.
14:30 -- That first moment Lisa knew she was going to be paid to work outside… the real reward is bringing the outdoors to other people.
19:18 -- How does one become a Lisa Ballard in these days? How does one become an outdoor media professional in 2021? Speak well. Record well. Write well. Know your outdoor skills!
12:41 -- The path to competitive shooting.
25:03 – Mentorship.
26:09 -- Advice for men listening who are planning on taking a woman out hunting (for the first time). Make sure it’s warm and dry… bring snacks… be mindful of time. This advice goes for both men and women!
28:57 -- Rifle and shotgun advice for women.
31:20 -- Artemis Sportswomen shout out & short message for their podcast.
33:06 -- Lisa’s evolution in the outdoor world as a woman. How have things changed?
“When you are hunting, you really are part of your natural surroundings and women really connect to that emotionally”
37:26 -- The journey to conservation and Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.
41:16 – Climate Change and Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.
44:31 -- In Montana, where Lisa is from, what would Recovering America’s Wildlife Act look like. Extreme drought, extreme wildlife, extreme fishing restrictions…
47:54 -- State agencies have limited resources; getting them some additional help through Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will be huge. Good for the bird, good for the herd!
50:36 -- Lisa reflects on climate change from the perspective of a hunter, angler, skier and overall professional outdoors woman. For starters, what she has noticed by documenting glacier recession around the world.
55:50 – A skier’s perspective on climate change and a reflection on how WEIRD the climate trends have been.
1:00:00 – Parting comment from Lisa Ballard: GET OUTDOORS!
Host Aaron Kindle and co-host, Bill Cooksey, spend an hour with Garry Mason, Founder of The Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame, professional fishing and wing shooting guide, and collegiate bass coach at Bethel University. We start with his beginnings in the outdoor industry, talk about hunters and angler leaders, the H.O.F. and how awesome it is young people today have the opportunity to get college scholarship by fishing. It’s all good until talk turns to invasive carp and cormorants which are both causing problems in and around the waters in Garry’s home state of Tennessee.
http://www.legendsoftheoutdoors.com/
https://mshfn.com/mid-south-legend-garry-mason/
https://www.bethelu.edu/news/bethel-university-is-dominating-the-collegiate-sport-of-bass-fishing
Show notes:
1:48 – Who is Gary Mason?
5:50 – What are these guys doing outside these days?
9:44 – What was Gary’s path to getting to and staying in the out of doors?
15:20 - How do you stay in touch with what is going on?
18:38 – The growth and background story of the The Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame and the Legends of the Outdoors T.V.
23:04 – Bill Cooksey is a legend and an icon 😊
28:32 – A story behind The Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame inductee.
31:44 – Break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen.
32:35 - Bass team work and background story.
36:36 - Collegiate fishing growth information. There are over 1,000+ programs!
39:54 - Northwest Tennessee Tourism.
41:36 - How does hunter and angler tourism affect the tourism of northwest Tennessee?
43:20 - The nexus of bringing in new hunters/anglers while taking care of the resources so hunting and fishing stays good for everyone.
46:12 - Challenges with balancing tourism and moving forward as an outdoorsmen.
56:50 - Invasive species solutions in Tennessee that are accessible to average hunters and anglers.
59:53 - BIG ANNOUCEMENT……!!!
Host Aaron Kindle and our new co-host, Bill Cooksey, sit down with Greg Fitz, communications manager for the Wild Steelhead Coalition. The trio discusses steelhead conservation and the new campaign recently launched by the Wild Steelhead Coalition dubbed “Now or Never”. Steelhead are in severe decline and 2021 saw record low returns. The Pacific Northwest also experienced record heatwaves in the summer of 2021. These and other factors like dams are pushing steelhead to the brink. We discuss the situation, why the new campaign, and how regular folks can and should get engaged in conservation.
Suggested links:
https://www.wildsteelheadcoalition.org/
https://www.wildsteelheadcoalition.org/now-or-never
https://www.patagonia.com/stories/last-chance-to-get-it-right/story-97951.html
https://swingthefly.com/author/gregory-fitz/
Show Notes:
1:15 – If you have yet to hear the exciting news… here are some more details! We have a new co-host!
2:22 - Introduction of Greg Fitz.
3:21 – What have Greg, Bill and Aaron been doing outside recently?
6:30 – What is a steelhead? What makes it so special? What were they up too before dams blocked their migration routes? The key to the fish is their astounding diversity!
10:40 – What distancing are these fish swimming and climbing?
14:40 - What is the Wild Steelhead Coalition?
19:09 - Let’s chat about the “Now OR Never” campaign from the Wild Steelhead Coalition.
21:22 – What is the state of wild steelhead right now? Also, why do conservationists never get invited back to parties??
24:00 - Let’s talk about the numbers now compared to the steelhead runs during their hay day?
25:30 - What is the attitude of fishermen regarding steelhead?
27:17 - The intersection of angling, conservation and steelhead fishing.
29:35 – Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen.
30:41 - Personal responsibility as it relates to being an angler.
37:18 - Restoration and Recovery.
41:30 - Pushback and removing the dams.
48:22 - Hot water as an impact for steelhead.
49:05 – Adapting our fisheries to climate change.
51:17 - Restoration and Resilience!
57:15 - What can we do about the plight of the wild steelhead?
1:03:00 - Closing question… how does Fitz like to fish for steelhead?
1:05:03 - Closing statement.
Bill Cooksey from Tennessee and of NWF’s Vanishing Paradise team is joining Aaron Kindle co-host of the NWF Outdoors podcast. Bill brings a wealth of knowledge from the waterfowl side as a four-time TN duck calling champion, avid turkey hunter, accomplished angler, consummate conservationist, and all-around great guy. The addition of Bill to the podcast will help pull more ideas, topics, and guests from around the country and improve the overall feel and entertainment value of the show.
In our latest episode, we sit down with two Midwestern fisherman and catfish advocates. They have grown increasingly concerned with "paylakes" in their region. We discuss what paylakes are, how they operate, and how they are decimating the public resource of catfish by largely unregulated and unethical means. We detail the situation, what it's meant for average anglers, fishing tournaments, invasive species spread, management, and for the rivers of the Midwest that grow very large catfish. Last we touch on how you can learn more, and get involved in helping to better manage the resource and getting a fair shake for regional anglers.
Links:
Lots of info about paylakes: www.exposingpaylakes.com
Indiana Catfish Conservation Association
https://www.facebook.com/IndianaCatfishConservationAssociation
Home site of the catfish tournament Aaron Wheatley started:
https://www.monstersontheohio.com/
National Wildlife Federation's work on invasive carp in the Midwest
https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Environmental-Threats/Invasive-Species/Asian-Carp
Show notes:
1:00 - intro to episode
2:08 - intro to guests
4:45 - Greg's recent small mouth fishing trips
6:10 - what is a paylake
9:05 - the situation in Kentucky
13:15 - monetizing a natural resource through paylakes
15:30 - methods of take and "netting"
19:45 - what did it look like for average anglers leading up to this situation
22:05 - the Monsters on the Ohio catfish tournament - how this paylakes situation has degraded the tournament experience and local tourism
26:45 - catfish are being exploited all over the Midwest
32:45 - one thousand people in the crowd at the Monsters on the Ohio tournament
34:57 - a message from the Artemis sportswomen podcast
35:30 - the scope of the problem
40:12 - problems with transporting live fish
43:00 - how the current paylakes situation exacerbates invasive species issues
46:45 - we know large catfish are feeding on invasive carp
48:15 - what do we need to do about this
51:00 - pushing for no transportation of live fish in KY
55:00 - the need to change limits, take methods, and size thresholds
1:00:20 - the need for cooperative interstate regulations
1:03:20 - checking out the "exposing paylakes" website
1:08:15 - fighting this fight for the next generations
1:08:30 - listening to the side of those who operate paylakes
In this episode Aaron sits down with Samantha Pedder, VP of Marketing for Terra Technology Group, and Steve Bergmann, Administrator for the Administrative Services Division of Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. We discuss the modernization of issuing hunting and fishing licenses and outdoor user permits, the efficiencies gained by going paperless, and how agencies are collecting data to optimize user experiences. We talk about how Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is leading the way and how their use of technology has helped them provide a better experience for hunters and anglers for things like steelhead catch limits, wildfire hunting unit closers, and understanding the needs of specific demographics. Steve and Sam also illuminate how we’ll be better able to monitor things like CWD and to implement programs like the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act using technology. We also cover the latest efforts on the federal level to better help outdoor users use technology in the field and gain addition access to public lands such as the SOAR Act and the MAPLand Act.
Links:
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: https://myodfw.com/
Terra Technology Group: www.terratg.com
S.O.A.R. Act – Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act - https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3670/text?r=6&s=1
MAPLand Act - Modernizing Access to our Public Land Act or the MAPLand Act - https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/904?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22s904%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1
Paperless Permit Tag System Example in Arizona -https://www.azgfd.com/commission-proposes-rulemaking-to-establish-a-paperless-permit-tag-system/
Digital License Example in Pennsylvania - https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/game-commission-details.aspx?newsid=502
Show Notes:
Who is Samantha Pedder and Steve Bergmann?
What have they been doing outside recently? Let's start with Samantha!
Broad overview of the business of conservation, technology and delivering licenses.
8:10 - Oregon is doing it well! What changed within the system at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife? The transition to being paperless.
12:25 - What are people doing around the country? Are most people going paperless with their licenses/tags? This new world of mobile app hunting licenses...
15:00 - For someone who hunts around the country, are they going to have to download multiple apps for each state or are we moving towards a nationwide paperless system. The connection between conservation and utilizing technology in order to conserve wildlife.
21:20 - What are we doing with this data? How are agencies taking input in order to improve the technology and optimize this service?
24:50 - The approach of going paperless is going to make it easier for hunters and anglers to get out and enjoy. What are the basic questions that people have in terms of technology in order to make this process easier?
28:25 - What is the reluctance for hunters and anglers to make the move to go paperless? Talking about embracing various approaches to change.
32:40 - How are agencies analyzing the data and utilizing adaptive management?
36:05 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen.
36:55- Using some of this new information to address area closures, such as ice storms and wild fires.
38:55 - Unpacking the prevention of a fee increase through the savings of going paper free.
40:33 - What is it that has to happen for more states to embrace technology?
45:20 - How does Recovering America's Wildlife Act come into play? The process of empowering conservation agencies to do their jobs better!
50:03 - What is the SOAR Act?
54:00 - What is the take home message for embracing technology in conservation?
At the end of the day, in times of CWD and climate change, embracing new technology is going to be at the betterment of conservation.
For this episode we sit down with the President and CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Howard Vincent. We talk pheasant and quail season outlooks and the issues the birds are facing, then we move on to several conservation topics including the upcoming Farm bill and the Conservation Reserve Program – what it does, it’s benefits and why it’s so important for conservation. We also cover the recently formed grasslands sporting coalition and their hopes and dreams for restoring America’s grasslands. We touch on the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, climate change impacts on wildlife, and why it’s so critical average sportsmen and women engage in conservation.
Links: https://www.quailforever.org/; https://www.pheasantsforever.org/ ; https://www.actfrograsslands.org
Show notes:
1:05 - Howard Vincent introduction.
3:00 - What has Howard been doing outside recently?
5:05 - General outlook on on this year. How are the pheasants and quail doing overall?
7:54 - What is the state of pheasants and quail? What is the conservation outlook?
13:14 - The Farm Bill 101 and CRP. What they do, what they are designed to do and why we need them.
15:40 - What does a typical CRP acre look like?
20:40 - Precision agriculture.
23:20 - Unpacking the new Farm Bill.
39:50 - A message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen.
42:10 - The Grasslands Act. What it is and what it's designed to do.
47:34 - How an average Joe/Jane get engaged in the Grasslands Act?
70% of grasslands are gone. The time to act is NOW.
54:27 - Recovering America's Wildlife Act and its importance for the sporting community.
1:02:45 - Closing statement from Howard Vincent. Get fired up! Your voice makes a difference!
Aaron sits down with Bill Cooksey, of NWF’s Vanishing Paradise team, to talk waterfowl season. Bill is a dedicated conservationist, waterfowl expert, and a duck calling champion. We cover waterfowl hunting 101 – decoys, habitat, calling, conservation, the forecast for this season, and of course, conservation. Bill also treats us to some calling and advice on what calls to use along with some discussion of best waterfowl guns and ammo.
Check out Bill's work with Vanishing Paradise:
http://vanishingparadise.org
The World Championship Duck calling contest is coming up and Bill will be a judge!
Check out this link to learn more:
https://www.stuttgartarkansas.org/duck-calling.html
www.nwf.org
Show notes:
2:30 - Who is Bill Cooksey? This man has been duck hunting for 49 years!
6:15 - The when, where, how and regulations. Bill tells us about duck season!
10:10 - Bill chats about habitat changes and what this season looks like considering different variables.
13:34 - What do new duck hunters need to think about in terms of what they should be looking for and considering?
17:46 - How many different species of ducks does Bill hunt in his neck of the woods?
21:47 - How do you identify different flight patterns between waterfowl?
23:58 - Different states, the US Fish and Wildlife Services and wildlife refuges have different regulations. Learn them (especially the USFWS).
29:06 - Short cuts to learning state to state regulations for waterfowl.
31:00 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
32:21 - Duck decoys 101
37:00 - DUCK CALLING 101 (You don't want to miss this).
42:03 - Lets talk about non-toxic ammunition.
48:32 - Bill has been hunting before lead shot was illegal. He can reflect on the evolution of steel shot and how effective it is.
51:39 - Do you notice a difference in speed of shot when using steel?
54:32 - What are the differences between older guns and newer ammunition?
57:58 - What is Bill's favorite duck to eat and how does it prepare it?
1:00:00 - Duck conservation. What is the # 1 we should know about and understand regarding duck conservation?
1:05:00 - Reasons to get involved in waterfowl conservation.
1:07:00 - Bill tells us a good duck hunting story!
1:09:00 - Bill's closing statements on waterfowl hunting and conservation.
After a nice summer break, we head to New Hampshire for our 7th episode of Vanishing Seasons to hear from Eric Orff, a 30 plus year resident of New Hampshire and retired New Hampshire Fish and Game biologist. Eric shares his passion for wildlife and details the unnatural occurrences he has witnessed as a biologist and sportsman, including the incoming and outgoing tide of moose in New Hampshire and the disappearing ice.
For this episode we sit down with Todd Waldron. Todd is a forester, conservationist, podcaster, and the Northeast Forest Conservation Director for Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. He is a great guy with lots of passion for conservation. We cover some forestry, why grouse and woodcock are “species of conservation need”, overall trends in conservation, climate change impacts on grouse and beyond, and our hopes and dreams for the future.
Checkout these useful links:
www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
www.modcarn.com
www.nwf.org/leadfreelandscapes
Show notes:
2:55 - What has Todd been up to outdoors recently?
6:00 - What are the big things that are standing out in the sporting conservation world right now?
8:30 - The contrast and transitions between the private forestry consultation, podcasting and the nonprofit world.
11:56 - What does Todd's role entail with the Ruffed Grouse Society? Background and context.
15:37 - Does Ruffed Grouse Society do actual forestry? What do they do on the ground?
17:47 - Species of Greatest Conservation Concern in multiple states... What's going on, how did they get to this state and what are some of the problems?
23:45 - Forest Conservation 101. Getting outdoor enthusiasts more engaged in ecology and forest conservation.
29:15 - How can a regular Joe/Jane who wants to get engaged with forest conservation across the country get the big picture with limited time?
32:45 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen.
34:50 - Climate change regarding forestry mitigation, grouse and personal experience.
43:08 - What can our hunting and angling communities be doing to move the needle regarding climate change?
47:49 - What is the next step for conservation and shaping our future?
55:11 - Partnerships and collaboratives with land owners to find common values in order to move forward.
57:30 - Learn more about Todd's awesome podcast.
1:00:00 - Parting words of wisdom from Todd Waldron... checkout the cool work that is going on with habitat restoration from the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society.
Aaron sits down with Abby Tinsley, the Associate Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs for the National Wildlife Federation. They discuss the process of “reconciliation” how it works, what it will do, and what it means for hunting, angling, and conservation. They cover the bipartisan infrastructure package, why we need it, how it will help hunters and anglers, and how the infrastructure package relates to the reconciliation process. These are tough processes to digest but have huge implications for the lands and waters that support hunting and angling. The idea behind this podcast is to help the average person gain a basic understanding of the various developments and what will happen over the coming weeks and months. For a quick and inciteful look at your government in action, you won’t want to miss this one!
For more information on infrastructure investments and opportunities see this link: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Press-Releases/2021/02-24-21_Jobs-Restoration-and-Resilience-for-the-21st-Century
Testimony to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by President and CEO of NWF, Collin O’Mara: https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/9D69DE42-63C7-40CE-8E7F-722A64498265
More on the bipartisan infrastructure package: https://nwf.org/Home/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/7-28-21-Bipartisan-Infrastructure-Framework
Nature based infrastructure and climate solutions: https://nwf.org/Home/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/7-29-21-Nature-Based-Solutions
Infrastructure Bill aiding the Great Lakes: https://nwf.org/Home/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/8-2-21-Bipartisan_Infrastructure_Adds_$1_Billion_for_Great_Lakes_Restoration
Show Notes:
2:25 - Background on podcast guest, Abby Tinsley.
3:10 - What have Aaron and Abby been doing outside recently? Beaches, kayaking, gearing up for hunting season, canning veggies and backpacking.
5:30 - "Reconciliation 101"
9:00 - What happened with the recent fire drill/oversight in the reconciliation bill? People wanted this bill to be 10 trillion, then 6 trillion and now 3.5 trillion dollars... People forgot that lands and water and rural areas need funding.
11:45 - What exactly was that "Pre-Money Scramble" when there wasn't any funding in there for the BLM? The sausage making!
13:47 - Congress is going to return after congressional recess & then what happens?
17:23 - How do you prepare and package the bills? What gets to be a part of the pie?
19:15 - A deeper look at the 3.5 trillion dollars. How is it paid for and when is this funding spread out?
21:00 - A message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
23:00 - How does infrastructure and reconciliation interface and a few examples on what natural infrastructure entails.
25:35 - Wildlife crossings are an example of the types of projects that could receive funding. Why are these real life projects important?
28:13 - How does infrastructure and reconciliation have to do with one another?
31:10 - What's next on the Hill?
33:00 - When do we expect all of this to start being implemented?
34:18 - What is the procedure for the next steps in terms of the funding getting to each state and programs?
38:54 - Unpacking the use of the funding (old bridges, old schools).
42:24 - Cool infrastructure opportunities and the hunting and fishing connection.
44:10 - Closing statements on infrastructure and reconciliation from Abby Tinsley. There is still time to make it look the way you want it to look so TELL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS how important you think it is to balance the needs across states. It's time to go to bat and communicate with your member of congress!
Aaron heads to Georgia for a chat with Mike Worley, Executive Director of the Georgia Wildlife Federation (GWF). They explore GWF’s groundbreaking work to bring the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters into an innovative, adaptive, and effective space that better adapts to changing demographics and the needs of younger and more diverse potential hunters. Topics include GWF and partner’s “Field to Fork” program, GWF’s “Academics Afield” program and their efforts to serve historically black colleges and universities. They also provide a little background into the history of Georgia Wildlife Federation and the big conservation issues in GA.
Be sure to visit Georgia Wildlife Federation's official website: https://gwf.org
Show notes:
3:33 - What has Mike Worley been doing outside lately?
4:25 - When does duck season get rolling?
6:20 - 13' long alligators that weigh 900 lbs...
8:17 - The Georgia Wildlife Federation is a conservation powerhouse.
10:57 - What is Mike dealing with that has the most immediate need?
14:34 - Georgia Wildlife Federation upcoming events and opportunities to learn.
17:00 - Break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen.
19:52 - Why Georgia Wildlife Federation puts outreach and advocacy first.
33:51 - How does GWF mechanically put outreach and advocacy opportunities together.
40:50 - Do the participants show up in other spaces?
50:04 - What is one of the coolest things you've seen when talking to the newer hunting community? Different reasons people choose to hunt.
54:55 - Georgia Wildlife Federation likes to try new things and succeed! You have to be willing to try things differently, especially with R3.
57:08 - Closing statement... "Takes somebody hunting and enjoy it!"
Aaron sits down with Cliff Cadet of UrbanArcheryNYC. They cover getting into hunting as an adult while living in the middle of New York City. Cliff shares his personal history, the journey that brought him to hunting, and the passion he now has for archery and hunting. Cliff also shares what it’s like to use trains and busses to get to his hunting spots and how he has immersed in the hunting culture and become a sporting ambassador and communicator.
1:00 - Intro and background on Cliff Cadet.
2:00 - Getting outdoors in the New York City metropolitan area recently during the pandemic.
4:20 - Born and raised in Brooklyn. Cliff’s story behind how he got into hunting as a first generation.
11:36 - What was Cliff’s biggest epiphany and reason behind going all the way in with hunting.
18:03 - Hunting is the great equalizer. Cliff reflects on this perspective.
21:48 - How do you make it happen as an urban hunter/anger? Public transportation and Public land!
27:47 - Using public transportation and helping fellow travelers understand the difference between hunting camo and military camo.
29:05 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswoman.
30:00 - Cliff’s favorite species and strategies to hunt.
33:33 - Collaboration with Outdoor Life and trajectory in media and conservation.
39:07 - Cliff’s children’s response to hunting. Getting outside is always a good idea!
42:47 - Future plans and projects in conservation.
46:00 - What Cliff would like to tell the non-hunting public.
49:37 - Cliff’s parting words. There’s no excuse get outside, even if you are in an urban environment.
Aaron sits down with Thor Tingey co-founder and owner of Alpacka Rafts. Thor has traveled extensively in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and in Alaska using his company’s specialized rafts that he developed to do traverses across Alaska. We cover the uniqueness of the refuge and why it should be protected, how he got into these big traverses, his experiences in Alaska including his recent trip through the refuge, and how he and his mother developed Alpacka Rafts. We also talk about camping and outdoor travel with children, a caribou hunt, and fishing for Arctic char.
Show notes:
1:32 – Some background on Thor, the cofounder and owner of Alpacka Rafts in Colorado.
3:09 – What Thor has been doing outside recently, including a trip within the Arctic Refuge with his toddler.
4:25 – What trip lead to start Alpacka Rafts in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
5:40 – Insight into having kids and taking them outside to explore at a young age. You don’t need to stop exploring, just adjust!
8:10 – Thor talks about the Arctic and why it is so special… starting with the light.
10:50 – We all use energy resources, the important distinction is that some places are too special and too wild. These places need to remain undisturbed.
11:40 – The origin story and core idea behind pack rafting and Alpacka Rafts as a company.
13:05 –The life changing trip: The Brooks Range over 39 days and 700 miles utilizing paper maps. Linking landscapes together via pack rafts.
15:12 – The anatomy of the Alpacka Raft. It’s a family affair regarding how they are designed to take on new frontiers. Where they have come to since the first design in 2001.
16:53 – The core of pack rafting is exploring and linking intact landscapes. Alaska is ground zero for intact landscapes which brings us back to the Arctic.
19:00 – Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswoman.
19:42 - Thor takes us there and walks us through a typical day pack rafting in the Arctic. 24 hour light, toddler bedtime, weather systems, migratory animals and wide open views of jagged limestone mountains.
23:00 – What wildlife Thor saw during his last trip to Alaska including musk ox, Dall sheep and golden eagles.
24:24 – What fish Thor saw during this trip including resident grayling, arctic char and what happened when rain made the river rise seven feet.
27:00 – How do you fish for arctic char?
27:40 – Unique wildlife encounters including howling with the wolves.
29:25 – Where are the caribou migrating?
30:30 – Hunting caribou in Alaska in 2018… walking into the refuge and floating the harvest out. The caribou season aligns nicely with the arctic char season!
33:30 – Growing up in Alaska, protecting the Arctic and why Thor thinks the Arctic should not be developed.
34:30 – Understanding oil pipelines, natural resource development and what has paid for Alaska for 40 years.
36:20 – Flying over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and realizing how small it is in comparison. It is likely going to be the last place in Alaska that can be utilized for natural resources… what’s the plan moving forward?
38:34 - The idea that there are some places worth keeping wild. Can we ask ourselves, “is it worth these last few places?”
40:40 - What does Thor think permanent protection would look like? What does protection look like? Take a look at landscapes.
42:27 – Change happens and we need to think about that but we do need to keep industrialized development out.
45:00 – The reality of the wild king salmon status and runs over the past decade. The experience that Thor had as a kid does not exist anymore.
46:55 – We have a lot of oil development in the world. How can we get on the same page that there are simply some places are need to stay wild?
49:30 – Alpacka Raft’s core values and commitment to engagement in conservation as a company. Core pack rafting pursuits is enact landscapes!
52:41 - It’s exciting that places still exist where you can get away from it all.
54:23 – Closing statements… a soft approach to activism as an individual – contact your local legislator.
After a break to refresh, Aaron sits down with Andrew McKean, one of the most respected outdoors journalists and the current hunting and conservation editor of Outdoor Life magazine. We talk the history of Outdoor Life and sporting journalism, the latest sporting issues and how they can either connect or divide our community, and the “conservation obligation”. We also discuss the public lands owner movement and how it could be more inclusive for all conservationists and overall trends in the sporting conservation arena.
Check out Outdoor Life here:
https://www.outdoorlife.com/
Check out Andrew’s podcast, “On Gravel”:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-gravel/id1429069645
Show notes:
1:35 - Heat wave across the west.
2:36 - Meet Andrew McKean, learn about his background in hunter and angler information and education.
3:30 - What has Andrew been doing outside recently... conservation and his recent involvement with nocturnal posse of Texas hog hunters.
7:08 - How Andrew got to Montana as a journalist, the public value of conservation and growing up on a farm as a squirrel hunter with "The Missouri Promise".
10:07 - The infrastructure built around conservation is intact and thorough in Missouri but the care and maintenance required.
11:23 - The current infrastructure projects and policy that NWF Outdoors is working on.
12:43 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis! Listen to the Artemis podcast wherever you gather podcasts.
14:07 - The history and structure of outdoor journalism with a deeper look at Outdoor Life magazine. Why Andrew thinks it is a happy time for outdoor journalism.
22:20 - Exploring multiple avenues as a journalist and covering important issues such as guns and wildlife conservation. The second amendment.
25:35 - Wildlife is a public resource. "Just like our air and our water, it requires constant attention."
28:48 - Hunting and fishing access. Working with private land owners with a closer look at what has been unfolding in Montana. "We can't be single issue voters, no matter what the issue is."
35:30 - Public land owners & public land hunters. Andrew presents a different way of looking at this broad issue.
40:08 - States that may not have public land or accessible private land or waterways but have a strong cultural connection with conservation and their public trust doctrine. The flame of the blue collar conservationist is still being carried in upper midwest - otherwise known as the "Rust Belt".
42:24 - Looking forward instead of looking back when it comes to the outcome or consequences of some of the conservation issues we are dealing with at this time.
What is habitat for the hunting community and where is the funding coming from.
47:46 - Speaking in an authentic and respectful way and our obligation as hunters in general.
55:20 - Andrew encourages every listener to become a hunter education instructor.
59:48 - "The Conservation Obligation" and getting people more engaged in conservation.
1:03:00 - Going back in time to go forward in time. Looking back at the history of the National Wildlife Federation and a big shout out to Aaron Kindle for his work and engagement on this podcast.
1:04:00 - A note on the creation of the NWF in 1936.
This week we are excited to feature a podcast from our partner, Artemis, and will head afield this week to talk with NWF Outdoor's newest member, storyteller and adventurer Mandela van Eeden. This episode was recorded on the edge of the forest near a meadow in Montana. Mandela's upbringing was split between South Africa, where her family harvested from the sea, and Montana - where they gratefully accepted the river's bounty. Mandela talks to us about connecting to place, pursuing your dreams, and how we can care for what sustains us. Plus, a black bear walks in on Marcia and Mandela mid-way through the episode. (No jokes, folks!)
4:00 All the 'boks' in Africa, which is Afrikaans for 'deer' (springbok, bontebok, gemsbok)
5:00 A childhood split between the African bush and Montana, leaving your heart in both
11:00 Three Gorges Dam & the Yangtze River
12:00 Storytelling with sound and music AND raft guiding both hemispheres
16:00 What's the core value that makes us do what we do?
18:00 The Oily River Rendezvous and seeing an oil spill from the river's view
19:00 "If you think you're too little to make a difference, you've obviously not spent the night with a mosquito."
22:00 "Grand Canyon pink" - a rattlesnake endemic to that space
24:00 Getting Primitive program gets kids into bushcrafting
27:00 Fish in one hand, shark in the other
30:00 Fly-fishing as a family affair
32:00 Podcast interrupted by a black bear... yep, bonafide bear strolling through!
37:00 The myriad of ways in which people gather from the sea
38:00 NWF Outdoors podcast, Vanishing Seasons
41:00 If you want to connect with a place... BE there. Fully present. Cease the wandering mind.
42:00 Yoga sutras written by Pantanjali
49:00 Connection to the outdoors through harvest + patience and mindfulness
50:00 The value of a mentor
54:00 Riverboarding the Grand Canyon for 15 days... the dream started with a flip.
56:00 Thalweg: the fastest current in the river
59:00 "Go into your dream closet and dust off some of those ones you've filed away."
1:03 Introducing family to game - antelope and bear... and recruiting a nephew into the ranks
1:06 Listen to what your body tells you to eat (plus, spearfishing)
It's been a long time coming but we finally had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Mamie Parker, an avid angler and former Assistant Director of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mamie is highly regarded as a pioneer in the field for women of color and has won numerous prestigious awards for her work in conservation including the highest award given to government employees for her leadership in the creation of the National Fish Habitat Action Partnership. Mamie was inspired by her mother who was an avid angler and outdoorswoman (before that was a coined term). Mamie continues to promote diversity in fisheries education and careers. She may be retired but she continues to work hard as an inspirational speaker and conservationist on the board of directors for numerous organizations including the National Wildlife Federation.
In the sixth episode of Vanishing Seasons we head to Florida to visit with Travis Thompson, a fifth generation Floridian and hunting and fishing guide. Travis takes us on a multigeneration journey through a life in Florida hunting and fishing hundreds of days a year. He speaks of changes in waterfowl seasons and the difference in what ducks he hunts now compared to a decade ago. He explains how he's had to adapt to different species and different behaviors in his guiding business, and also shares anecdotes of odd things he's seeing and how he thinks hunters and anglers should engage in conservation.
In this special episode Aaron sits down with three Westerners with extensive experience working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the nominee to lead the agency, Tracy Stone-Manning. We discuss the ins and outs of the BLM's mandates and mission, and how it affects hunters and anglers. We also cover Tracy's leadership style and some of our collective experiences working with her and witnessing her leadership capabilities.
Info about the Bureau of Land Management: https://www.blm.gov/
NWF press release on Tracy's nomination: https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/04-22-21-Stone-Manning-BLM-Nomination
Press release from NWF and affiliates supporting Tracy's nomination: https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/06-04-21-NWF-Affiliates-Urge-Senate-to-Confirm-Tracy-Stone-Manning
Butte, MT's MT Standard newspaper editorial board letter in support of Tracy's nomination: https://mtstandard.com/opinion/editorial/standard-view-stone-manning-merits-daines-support-to-lead-blm/article_55bd1eae-e547-51ab-a47e-548a490a223a.html
Show notes:
2:30 – intro to guests
4:50 – a good hunting story from BLM lands
10:15 – the BLM mission and multiple use mandate and what is means for hunters and anglers
14:12 – the main things sportsmen and women should be paying attention to with respect to BLM lands
17:45 - how having the right leader makes a huge difference
21:25 – what the BLM’s multiple use mandate means for a grazing permitee
23:45 – what happens when conflict arises between user groups on BLM lands
27:15 – more overlap of public lands users and the necessity of a new way of thinking
29:45 – results of not having a BLM director for the past four plus years
32:30 – the honor and pride of being a career agency person back in the 80’s
33:30 – how Resource Management Plans (RMPs) suffered without a BLM director
37:15 – how a career stop for Tracy Stone-Manning that involved superfund cleanup and dam removal points to her abilities to effectively lead the BLM
45:55 – Jess’s experience with Tracy when she was Chief of Staff for then MT Governor, Steve Bullock
48:55 – what Tracy did to win over ranchers when she was working with Jess on sage-grouse conservation
51:40 – Gaspar’s experiences working with Tracy on an energy development proposal near the Great Sand Dunes National Park
57:45 – how Tracy can act as a public servant for the land, water, wildlife, and people
59:00 – the diverse people and experiences that led us to this podcast
1:01:00 – the concept of collective ownership of public lands and how it brings us together
We sit down with Ted Koch, Executive Director of the North American Grouse Partnership to discuss the recent proposal on 5/26 to the list the Lesser Prairie-Chicken under the Endangered Species Act. We cover how we got here, what we can do to bring the bird back from the brink, and some of the tools that can help get the job done.
Show notes:
1:10 - Intro to Ted Koch
2:25 - Ted and Aaron’s latest outdoor adventures
3:50 – what is the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
6:25 – how did we get to the need to list as an endangered species
9:10 – why the Lesser Prairie-Chicken was proposed for listing now
11:00 – what are next steps and what should we be paying attention to
16:18 – when the Lesser Prairie-Chicken was last hunted
17:50 – the various tools we can use to help recover the Lesser Prairie-Chicken starting with the Farm Bill’s Conservation Reserve Program
22:00 – The Grasslands Act and how it can help
25:10 – a big shout out to Aviva Glaser, NWF’s Director of Agriculture Policy, and her amazing work on prairie conservation
27:23 – what are the implications of climate change on the prairies and the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
32:10 – what we know we can do right now to help
34:00 – the state of America’s prairies – how much we’ve lost
37:00 – a great story about grouse in Ted’s family
42:10 – the gift Ted gave his son later from that original hunt
43:10 – what can an average person do to help the prairies and the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
46:30 – the grasslands need our help
47:45 – Lew Carpenter’s, NWF’s Director of Conservation Partnerships for NM, AZ, CO, and NE, role at the North America Grouse Partnership
Resources:
The North American Grouse Partnership:
http://www.grousepartners.org/
USFWS Press release on listing proposal:
https://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=service-seeks-comment-on-proposal-to-list-the-lesser-prairie-chicken-&_ID=36914
Description of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lesser_Prairie-Chicken/media-browser/163988331
Recent op-ed on Grasslands from the CEOs of National Wildlife Federation, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation:
https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/528890-americas-dwindling-grasslands-require-action?rl=1
Link to NWF's Farm Bill work:
https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Our-Lands/Farm-Bill
We sit down with Collin to talk about the recently released, "Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful" plan, formerly known as 30x30. We cover the plan's aim, its genesis, what we hope it does, how it can benefit hunters and anglers, and how average folks can get engaged.
Find the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Plan here:
https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-conserving-and-restoring-america-the-beautiful-2021.pdf
More hunting and fishing specific info on 30x30 here:
https://www.huntfish3030.com/
Show Notes:
3:45 - 30x30/Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful – what it is and why we need it
6:30 - Where did the 30x30 concept come from
9:37 - “protection” compared to “conservation”
12:30 - What the plan does for hunters and anglers
16:00 - how the plan intersects with other initiatives from the Biden administration and examples of how they benefit habitats, hunting and fishing
19:45 - Economic development and job creation restoring degraded landscapes
23:25 - A Cooper’s Hawk interrupts the show!
24:18 - The six principles of the plan
27:53 - What an average hunter/angler can do to get engaged
30:58 - Resilience – what it is and why it matters
38:08 - The non-partisan nature of conservation and restoration
39:14 – an unprecedented opportunity
42:00 - Collin out to Colorado in the near future for some hunting?
For the 5th episode of Vanishing Seasons, we sit down with Stevie Kapanui Parsons, a native Hawaiian, wild harvester, and dedicated hunter and angler who now resides in Oregon. We explore changing ocean conditions, odd fish appearing in Oregon's oceans, indigenous hunting and gathering traditions, and a changing way of life.
Aaron and Mark Titus enjoy a wide ranging chat about, salmon, conservation, Bristol Bay, and the twists and turns of life that lead you where you're supposed to go if you're willing to follow. We cover how Mark became a filmmaker and podcaster, the plight of salmon, and the latest with Bristol Bay along with the intent and aspirations of Mark's company, Eva's wild.
Mark's company and links to his films and podcast found at: https://www.evaswild.com/
Show notes:
3:00 – Mark’s recent steelhead and sea run cutthroat adventures
5:30 – how Mark’s father’s love of hunting and fishing got Mark to Washington State
8:50 – how Mark became a filmmaker
11:30 -Mark immersion as a filmmaker and winning the Washington state screenplay competition
16:10 – Mark’s first epiphany that drove him into making films about salmon
19:30 - why protecting pristine areas like Bristol Bay is better than having to restore places already degraded
22:15 – Mark’s next life events that led to filmmaking about Bristol Bay
28:00 - the plight of wild salmon
32:25 – the proposed Pebble Mine
36:50 – the utter insanity of developing the Pebble Mine
40:20 – the friction between user groups and how protecting Bristol Bay is an exception
43:00 – how wild salmon’s food value gets people more engaged and the founding of Eva’s Wild
47:20 – how taking an animal’s life and eating it can connect people to landscapes and incites love of landscapes and engagement in conservation
50:15 – gratitude replacing fear
52:05 – connecting instead of dividing
58:10 – the status of Bristol Bay and what we can do
1:00:30 – the move to permanent protection for Bristol Bay
Aaron chats with Tovar Cerulli, speaker, conservationist, and author of the book, "Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian's Hunt for Sustenance". We cover a life in the outdoors, the transition from vegetarian to vegan to hunter, his work in conservation, and making connections between people who care about wildlife.
https://tovarcerulli.com/
Show notes:
2:33 – Tovar’s early season kayak adventures
4:48 – Tovar’s childhood outdoors
6:45 – when, how, and why Tovar became a vegetarian
9:40 – the rationale and ideas that made Tovar shift away from vegetarianism
11:30 – when Tovar began to realize agriculture’s impact on wild animals
14:20 – Aaron’s animal ethics course in graduate school
16:45 – the transformation to hunting
20:38 – how Tovar received much less negative feedback about being a hunter than he thought he would
24:40 – peers and neighbors who helped Tovar establish his hunting identity
29:10 – Tovar never imagining being a hunter, a writer or a public speaker
30:45 – building bridges between hunters, environmentalists, and vegetarians
33:24 - Tovar’s journey into a professional life in conservation
36:40 – Tovar’s work on the “Relevancy Roadmap”
42:45 – how we can diversify wildlife funding and bring more people into conservation
49:20 – the resistance by users to pay for conservation
52:55 – talking about hunting in an inviting and connecting way
56:12 – not making assumptions about non-hunters
59:30 – the biggest issues facing hunters and anglers today
In the fourth installment of Vanishing Seasons we visit with Nick Green, a Michigan native and avid outdoorsman. Nick speaks of changes in waterfowl migrations, lessons from an old timer, and water too warm for trout. Nick sees the need to help hunters and anglers see climate change on their terms in order to address the issues.
Aaron sits down with Crystal Egli of Inclusive Journeys to talk about her personal journeys into hunting, getting over her fear of firearms, connecting with Artemis, the digital "Green Book", and her work to make the outdoors more safe and accessible for all.
Crystal's organization, Inclusive Journeys - https://www.inclusivejourneys.com/
Crystal's journey to becoming a big game hunter Youtube series- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm3BprUD81o&list=PLWGY7bVNQHtUJWk3df07FsByo8qVfYIJ3&index=1
Link to Crystal's outdoor media work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife - https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/author/crystal-egli/
Show notes:
3:30 – Crystal’s latest outdoor adventures – taking her daughter fishing a dodging Colorado’s crazy weather while doing so
6:04 - Aaron’s time in the desert and 8 days with no screens
7:05 – Crystal’s migration from Vermont to L.A. and the consequences that led her to Colorado
12:04 - Crystal’s job with Colorado Parks and Wildlife
13:26 - how her job led her to hunting
14:55 – growing up with a fear of firearms, learning to face it, and eventually becoming comfortable
21:21 – harvesting her first animal and being proud of the food
23:31 – getting engaged with Artemis
28:05 – new and different entryways to hunting
29:40 – the origin story of Inclusive Journeys
33:10 – trying to get the data to make the case and create change
38:15 – the “Green Book” what it is, why it existed, and how Inclusive Journeys is mirroring some of that work
44:45 – changing and growing the outdoor community based on the data
48:40 – the opportunity to learn from mistakes and be better humans
51:18 – the hope for resetting our minds about inclusion and acceptance
54:28 – the things organizations can do to improve
58:45 – ways individuals can engage and improve
1:02:15 – Crystal’s plan for the hunting season
Aaron chats with good friend and conservation colleague, Jeremy Romero, of the National Wildlife Federation. We cover spring activities, getting ready for turkey season, shed hunting - tactics, fun, calling, etc. We also talk Jeremy's work, migration corridors, SO 3362, and wildlife connectivity.
Check out some of Jeremy's work here: https://connectedcorridors.com/
Show notes:
3:15 – Jeremy latest outdoors adventures
5:40 – skiing, gearing up for Barbary sheep, and backpacking in Bears Ears
8:39 - gearing up for spring turkey and shed hunting
10:45 – Aaron and Jeremy’s preferred turkey load (*note: Aaron misspoke – the Federal TSS load is an all tungsten load, not a mix of metals)
13: 49 – Jeremy’s adding shotgun turkey hunting to his love of turkey hunting with a bow
15:45 – the three species of turkey in New Mexico
17:49 – seeing Vermillion flycatchers
19:20 – what you should be thinking about right now to get ready for turkey hunting
24:43 – having a good seat while turkey hunting
26:30 – tactics for a western public lands turkey hunters
33:10 – locator calls
38:25 – shed hunting while turkey hunting
44:39 – the “gas tank” concept for wintering ungulates
46:40 – the popularity of shed hunting
51:49 – strategies for finding sheds
56:20 – what’s happening with migration corridors and SO 3362 in the new administration
62:24 - gaps in 3362 that can be filled to address species and entities that were left out
70:50 - forest planning for wildlife and migration corridors
Jeremy Maestas joins the podcast to talk the sage brush sea, partnering with private landowners to conserve rangelands, sage grouse, and the critters that rely on the western range - "good for the bird, good for the herd". We also speak about the Sage Grouse Initiative's collaboration with Hunt to Eat dubbed "Western Roots" highlighting the importance of native plants in the West.
Hunt to Eat/Sage Grouse Initiative Collaboration
https://hunttoeat.com/products/western-roots
NRCS Sage Grouse Initiative: https://www.sagegrouseinitiative.com/
SGI’s Conserve our Western Roots: https://www.sagegrouseinitiative.com/roots/
NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1046975
Show notes:
4:30 – intro to “Rangelands”
7:39 – Jeremy’s love of mule deer
8:26 – Jeremy’s best sage country memories
10:17 - what is the Sage Grouse Initiative or SGI
13:45 – what are sage ands, rangelands and why are they so important
15:25 – the amazingness of sage grouse and sage grouse life
19:30 - what does “good for the bird, good for the herd” mean and the connection between wildlife health in the sagelands ecosystem
25:30 – the benefits of native plants over introduced and noxious species
28:19 – the nastiness of cheat grass
32:23 – soil is an under sung hero
34:02 – having cheatgrass on the land doubles the risk of wildfire
37:26 – restoration on the range
43:17 – How can average Joe or Jane hunter be part of the solution
In the 3rd episode of Vanishing Seasons, we head to Alaska and the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge to hear from Tia Shoemaker. Tia is a three plus decades resident of the only inholding in the refuge and a renowned hunting and fishing guide. She has seen numerous impacts from climate change right out her front door. We cover lack of snow, hot fish, bloody paws, and a changing way of life in the Alaskan Wilderness.
Aaron sits down with Jimmy Flatt, co-founder of Hunters of Color (HOC). We discuss how HOC came to be, barriers facing entry to hunting for people of color, how HOC plans to make an impact, Jimmy's favorite types of hunting, and hunting with a 7'1", 300 lb man.
http://huntersofcolor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/huntersofcolor
https://www.instagram.com/huntersofcolor/
Show notes:
2:00 - Intro to Jimmy Flatt, Founder - Hunters of Color
4:20 – Jimmy’s background and the origins of Hunters of Color
8:54 – When Jimmy’s girlfriend and co-founder of HOC kickstarted the organization’s development
13:00 – mission and goals on Hunters of Color
21:15 – what HOC aims to do in the conservation space
24:45 – what do people need to understand about the issue HOC is tackling
29:42 – It all starts with the love for humanity and understanding where people come from
34:04 – The HOC mentor program
38:11 – Jimmy’s favorite types of hunting
43:16 – lucky in the West to have lots of access and public lands, access issues for new hunters and people of color
45:46 – dream scenario for Hunters of Color
51:00 – a first time turkey hunt with a 7’ tall, 300 pound person
54:12 – where to find HOC and how to get engaged
In the second episode of Vanishing Seasons we head to New Mexico to speak with Gabe Vasquez to examine how climate change is changing hunting, fishing and a way of life. We talk desert mule deer, scorching temperatures, an amazing grandfather, white bass, and a dwindling Gila River.
In this special edition Aaron talks with Liz Hamilton, the executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, about yesterday's historic announcement from Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho. Rep. Simpson introduced a plan just yesterday that charts a path to recovery of anadromous fish in the Pacific Northwest. We talk about how we got here, what the plan does, and hopes for the future.
Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association
https://nsiafishing.org/
Representative Mike Simpson's information on the plan
https://simpson.house.gov/salmon/
Show notes:
2:30 - Liz’s history and why she hasn’t been recreating lately
4:33 – by early 90’s every species of anadromous fish that migrates to Idaho was listed on ESA
5:50 - Rep. Simpson says enough is enough, these fish aren’t going to go extinct
6:45 - biologists tell us there were between 15-17 million fish in the system pre dams, then only around four thousand in early 90’s
8:50 - what the Simpson package does and is intended to do
11:09 – the “pray for rain” plan
11:45 - the economic boom when fish do come back
16:05 - anadromous fish are in the emergency room
18:35 – how salmon “spill” over the top of dams
21:26 – restoring access and the river ecosystem
25:25 – what is the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and what does it do
30:09 – the complexities of commercial fishing under these conditions
32:43 – the need for the plan to be added to the infrastructure package
34:45 – Rep. Simpson’s foresight and the other issues besides fish
39:40 - the huge role the “hook n bullet” crowd plays in this issue
Aaron sits down with Cal from the MeatEater crew to talk about a recent bill in the Montana legislature that would allocate as much as 60% of non-resident big game tags to outfitters. We also talk about Cal's latest hunts, his job at the MeatEater, and his podcast "Cal's Week in Review".
Cal's podcast:
https://www.themeateater.com/listen/cals-week-in-review
The MeatEater site:
https://www.themeateater.com/
For more information about SB 143 and conservation in Montana head to Montana Wildlife Federation's site here and their Facebook post:
https://montanawildlife.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MontanaWildlife/posts/10157622249191643
Show notes:
2:28 – Ryan’s recent waterfowl hunt in the Sacramento River Valley
6:05 – Aaron thinking spring fishing and helping his son pick out his first bow
7:47 – Senate Bill 143 in MT, what it does, why it's in the news
11:00 – How the bill would impact nonresident hunters
12:30 – A study that says all types of outfitting accounts for 10% of MT’s recreational income
13:50 – Outfitted recreators spend five times more the DIY folks but it’s only one study
15:50 – Tag guarantees for landowners
16:44- Many private landowners are great partners
17:25 – what do these issues mean for the average hunters
21:20 - Over 10% of checked deer in the Ruby Valley tested positive for CWD
22:00 – MT Ballot Imitative 161
28:55 – Incentivizing folks who already have access to tags for use on open market
30:53 - VRBO style hunts
33:57 – Similarities to Montana bill in New Mexico
37:05 - How to stay respectful, outfitters love the land too
40:41 – What happens next for SB 143
43:40 – The world’s most beautiful shoveler
44:45 – What Ryan does at MeatEater
51:19 – How does MeatEater determine conservation priorities
53:40 – Ryan asks what’s going on at NWF
59:59 – Cal a big appreciator of the National Wildlife Federation
Sam Pedder of the Council to Advance the Hunting and Shooting Sports joins Aaron Kindle to discuss the trends in hunting participation, how 2020 was an anomaly, and what we can do to keep those who returned to hunting or hunted for the first time in 2020 in our ranks and part of conservation.
*Note - Sam mentioned the contribution from excises taxes as roughly $80 million annually. The actual contribution is roughly $600 million annually. Sam knew immediately that she had misspoken and wanted a note reflecting the correct value. Thanks Sam!
Learn more here:
Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports: www.cahss.org
Council on Social Media: @thanks4hunting
Wildlife Sportfish Restoration Program (Excise Taxes): https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms/subpages/aboutus/aboutus1.htm
National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Related Recreation: https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms/Subpages/NationalSurvey/NatSurveyIndex.htm
What is R3?: https://cahss.org/what-is-r3/
Making Mentorship Work – 2020 insights on mentoring new people: https://find.nationalr3community.org/l/644f63361d3668ee/
Show notes:
2:18 – Sam taking her brother and dog pheasant hunting
4:45 – how are hunting, fishing, and conservation linked
6:45 – what is R3 and how does it work
9:30 – how hunting helps funds wildlife management and conservation and how excise taxes work
12:25 - what are “PR” and “DJ”
13:55 – what was different about 2020
16:50 – national survey of hunting, fishing and wildlife-based recreation
18:20 – hunting and fishing participation trends
19:43 - “churn” in hunting and fishing participation
22:20 – how to be more inclusive and more inviting to get more people hunting and fishing
28:08 – access and the role it plays in keeping hunters hunting
33:55 – how to make hunting more palatable to those who don’t hunt
37:40 – volunteer in places where you don’t think people want to hunt
38:49 – overaccommodating and underestimating someone you are teaching
39:40– the outlook and what we should be doing
42:25 – promoting passion and avidity for hunting
46:20 - what the average hunter can do to help get others into hunting
Aaron sits down with Rob Sand, the state auditor of Iowa. Rob is a hunter, angler, Iowa promoter, and a known thinker and doer, who works across party lines to get things done. He has been featured in the New York Times for his fresh and constructive takes on politics. We talk hunting, fishing, Iowa, politics, and how we can reunite our country. Learn more about Rob at the links below.
www.robsand.com
https://www.facebook.com/robsandia
https://www.instagram.com/robsandia/
and on twitter @RobSandIA
Music by National Park Radio
In this episode Aaron Kindle sits down with Johnny Le Coq. Johnny is friend of NWF Outdoors, a painter, photographer, and the CEO and director of design and development for Fishpond. Fishpond is a fishing, travel, and outdoor lifestyle company. Johnny and Aaron cover a whole slew of issues from fishing and climate change to the outdoor industry and changes in the fishing world.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Check out Fishpond! https://fishpondusa.com/
In our inaugural episode of Vanishing Seasons we visit with Ryan Lambert. Ryan is the founder and president of Cajun Fishing Adventures, which is rated as one of the top five hunting and fishing lodges in North America. He has spent his life hunting and fishing the Mississippi River delta, watching how it has changed over the years, and working to protect and restore this amazing landscape. In this episode we discuss the changes Ryan has seen, how they are impacting his life and business, and his hopes for the future.
Our friends Brandon Butler and Nate "Shags" McLeod from the Driftwood Outdoors Podcast join us to talk about their podcast, how they met, their Missouri deer camp, poachers and outlaw culture, outdoor media, conservation funding in Missouri, Chronic Wasting Disease, and what they're looking forward to in 2021.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Find more from Driftwood Outdoors at www.driftwoodoutdoors.com subscribe to their podcast!
In this special episode, Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited, joins Aaron Kindle to talk about the recent decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to deny the permit for the Pebble Mine. The proposed Pebble Mine would bring massive industrial development to the heart of the Bristol Bay area of Alaska and threaten huge portions of the finest salmon populations on earth. The announcement, just last Wednesday, right before Thanksgiving was huge victory and certainly something to be thankful for. Chris and Aaron discuss the latest developments along with the history of the project, the incredible values of this pristine area and next steps for ensuring that Bristol Bay remains wild and undeveloped in perpetuity.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Links:
https://www.tu.org/
http://www.utbb.org/
http://www.savebristolbay.org/
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Wild-Places/Bristol-Bay
https://www.tu.org/scientific-case-lower-snake/.
Matt Kauffman is a Research Wildlife Biologist with the United Stated Geological Survey and the lead scientist at the Wyoming Migration Initiative, based out of the University of Wyoming. He has worked on and researched everything from peregrine falcons and wolves to carnivores in Africa. For the last 15 years Matt has been conducting research on the seasonal movements of ungulates like mule deer in the western United States and is a leading authority on their migration ecology and conservation. On this episode we discuss wildlife migration and the recent release of the report “Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States” of which Matt was a key author. Along with the release of the report was a new mapping tool for use by the public that can be found at https://westernmigrations.net/.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- Wyoming Migration Initiative: http://www.migrationinitiative.org/
Paul Forward, Tom Lohuis and Roman Dial join us from Alaska to talk Dall Sheep hunting and ecology, the warm up in the north and its effects on the landscape and fish and wildlife, and the future of hunting, fishing, and wildlife in Alaska. Paul is a doctor who spends part of his time in the most northern stretches of Alaska treating rural and indigenous communities and a hunter with an obsession for Dall Sheep. He also spends his winters as a heli-ski guide and has seen interesting changes in snowpack. Tom is a lifelong hunter from Wyoming works currently works as a sheep research biologist for Alaska Fish and Game. He has also done research on moose, black bears, and several others species. Roman is a professor of mathematics and biology at Alaska Pacific University and an author who has spent more than forty years crisscrossing the Alaskan backcountry doing research, exploring, and finding material for his two books.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Learn more at www.nwf.org/outdoors
Rick McIntyre and Jackee Riccio of CROP Project join us to highlight the impacts that illegal cannabis trespass grows have on our public lands, fish, and wildlife, especially in California. Trespass grows use toxicants that contaminate water and poison fish and wildlife - including species which hunters and anglers pursue. Not only that, but he heavily armed sites also pose a danger to hunters and anglers who accidentally encounter them while hunting or fishing our public lands. This results in large acreages effectively being off-limits. We greatly appreciate Rich and Jackee joining us to educate us - and you - about this serious issue. Click the links below for more information.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- CROP Project
- NPR: Illegal Pot Operations In Public Forests Are Poisoning Wildlife And Water
- AP: Illegal pot farms on public land create environmental hazard
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors
Leland Brown and Chris Parish of the North American Non-Lead Partnership join us to discuss benefits of using non-lead ammunition for hunting, the science behind the impacts of lead ammunition on non-target species, the effectiveness of non-lead ammunition, tips and considerations for making the switch, dispelling common misconceptions about non-lead ammunition, why encouraging voluntary adoptions of non-lead ammunition by hunters can be more effective than mandating it, and what their organization does to educate hunters about the benefits of using non-lead ammunition.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- North American Non-Lead Partnership
- The Peregrine Fund
- Hunting with Non-Lead
- Oregon Zoo
- National Wildlife: Letting Go of Lead
- NWF Outdoors: Northwoods Unleaded
- NWF's Lead-Free Landscapes
SPECIAL EPISODE: This week we're dropping this special episode of the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast featuring Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation President Jeff Crane and National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Collin O'Mara. Jeff and Collin were recently honored with an award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for the collaborative work of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and the National Wildlife Federation on the Recovering America's Wildlife Act. We talk with them about the history of our organizations, how, why, and when we work together, the successes resulting from that like the Great American Outdoors Act and the recently-passed America's Conservation Enhancement Act, and the genesis of the idea for the Recovering America's Wildlife Act through the Blue Ribbon Panel, why it's so important for wildlife, and where it stands now.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Links:
- Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
- Association of Fish, Wildlife Agencies Honors Leadership on Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
- Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and National Wildlife Federation Join Forces for Wildlife
- Recovering America's Wildlife Act
- The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources
- America's Conservation Enhancement Act is a Bipartisan Win for Wildlife
- Congress, President Should Build on Historic, Bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act
Kevin Monteith, assistant professor at the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming joins the podcast to talk about the Monteith Shop for large ungulate research, his team's research on mule deer, including causes of their decline, habitat needs, migration patterns, summer and winter range, competition with elk, the Deer Elk Ecology Research project, the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project, the Ungulate Compendium, the Rose Petal Hypothesis, why science is more that the one piece of observational data you witnessed that one time while hunting, and more.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- The Ungulate Compendium
- The Monteith Shop
- Montieth Shop 2019 Annual Update
- Hunt To Eat Migration T-Shirt benefiting Wyoming Wildlife Federation, Montana Wildlife Federation, and Idaho Wildlife Federation
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors
Award-winning outdoor journalist Christine Peterson joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast to discuss the role of conservation in outdoor media, her career as an award-winning outdoor writer, the Outdoor Writers Association of America, adventures with her family and the epic treks of her four-year-old daughter, becoming an adult-onset hunter, diversity in the outdoors, and some of the biggest conservation issues she's covered like predator management, invasive species, and climate change.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is sponsored by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources
Christine-Peterson.com: http://www.christine-peterson.com/
Outdoor Writers Association of America: https://www.owaa.org/
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
Christine Peterson articles:
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2018/07/can-grizzly-bears-survive-hunting-animals/
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/07/yellowstone-wolves-reintroduction-helped-stabilize-ecosystem/
- https://www.hcn.org/issues/51.18/hunting-faced-with-chronic-wasting-disease-whats-a-hunting-family-to-do
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/06/how-to-eradicate-yellowstone-lake-trout/
Travis Macy is a speaker, author, coach, professional endurance athlete and an elk hunter. He joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast to discuss his experience as an endurance athlete and on The World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji in which he competed with his dad, who has Alzheimer's Disease, getting outside during the pandemic, becoming an elk hunter as an adult, the similarities and contrasts between endurance events and elk hunting, the beginner mindset, why failing is OK, how international travel and hunting have influenced his views on conservation, and how to get more involved in conservation.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- Travis Macy: http://www.travismacy.com/
- Instagram: @travismacy
- Watch World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji on Prime
- Travis Macy on The Rich Outdoors Podcast
- 2% for Conservation
Mahting Putelis of Hunt To Eat joins the podcast to talk about Hunt To Eat's brand new rebranding and focus, its origin story, sponsoring and partnering with the National Wildlife Federation, approachable wild game recipes, our admiration for the culinary greatness of Michael Cravens, how Hunt To Eat t-shirts feel and why "friends don't let friends wear plastisol," drawing inspiration from Patagonia, why there's more to hunting than just "big bucks," Mahting's Latvian roots, fighting oppression, making the outdoors welcoming for all, how Mahting started hunting, fishing to eat vs. catch and release, outdoor recreation activities not named hunting or fishing, the hunting culture and community, fall plans, running 100 miles, and how not to get trichinosis from undercooked bear meat.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is proudly sponsored by Hunt To Eat. Music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- Hunt To Eat Artemis Collaboration: https://hunttoeat.com/collections/artemis-x-hunt-to-eat
- Hunt To Eat Pride Tee: https://hunttoeat.com/collections/signature/products/pride-rainbow-trout
- Hunt To Eat New Mexico Wildlife Federation Collaboration: https://hunttoeat.com/collections/states/products/new-mexico
- Hunt To Eat Migration Collaboration with Idaho, Montana, Wyoming Wildlife Federations: https://hunttoeat.com/products/migration
- Hunt To Eat / NWF "Hunt Clean" Initiative: https://hunttoeat.com/blogs/conservation/hunt-to-eat-and-the-national-wildlife-federation-announce-hunt-clean-initiative-shirt-to-promote-lead-free-landscapes
Gray Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation, and Kit Fischer of the National Wildlife Federation join the podcast to talk about all facets of wild sheep conservation, the work of the Wild Sheep Foundation to put and keep wild sheep on the mountain, conservation issues facing wild sheep like disease spread from domestic sheep, the work WSF's work with the National Wildlife Federation to work keep wild and domestic sheep separate, how habitat and disease impact where wild sheep restoration can occur, working together with domestic sheep producers, the < 1 Club, and the WSF film "Wild and Wool."
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Hunt To Eat.
Music provided by National Park Radio.
Resources:
- Wild Sheep Foundation: https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/
- Wild Sheep Foundation's
David Willms of the National Wildlife Federation (and host of the Your Mountain Podcast) joins host Aaron Kindle on this episode to discuss the effect of non-competitive energy leasing on federal public lands and its impact on wildlife habitat, why hunters should care, and proposed legislation to end it.
Intro/Outro music by National Park Radio
Resources:
- Tester press release on the bill https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7584
- Bill text https://www.tester.senate.gov/files/documents/EDW20446.pdf
- Cortez Masto Press release on her bill https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-introduces-legislation-to-prohibit-oil-and-gas-speculation-on-low-potential-lands#:~:text=January%2017%2C%202020-,Cortez%20Masto%20Introduces%20Legislation%20to%20Prohibit%20Oil,Speculation%20on%20Low%20Potential%20Lands&text=introduced%20the%20End%20Speculative%20Oil,or%20no%20potential%20for%20development.
- Your Mountain Podcast http://www.itsyourmountain.com/podcast/
- Unchecked Energy Development Report https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Press-Releases/2020/04-21-20-Unchecked-Energy-Development-Report
Jason Baldes, an Eastern Shoshone tribal member and the National Wildlife Federation's tribal buffalo coordinator, joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast to discuss buffalo restoration (or bison, if you prefer) on the Wind River Reservation, the historical and cultural importance of buffalo to the Eastern Shoshone, how his dad led efforts to restore pronghorn to the reservation, how the Eastern Shoshone set game regulations, pack horses for hunting, and much more. This is an episode you won't want to miss!
Music provided by National Park Radio
Resources:
- National Wildlife Federation Unites Tribes to Bring New Bison to the Wind River Reservation
- National Wildlife Federation Tribal Buffalo Restoration
- Film: Boy-zshan Bi-den (Buffalo Return)
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors
Renowned conservationist Shane Mahoney, founder of Conservation Visions and the Wild Harvest Initiative, joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast and co-hosts Drew YoungeDyke and Aaron Kindle to discuss the impact of climate change on hunting, fishing, and the wild harvest of game, fish, and forage, as well as the critical role that hunters and anglers can play in addressing it.
Resources:
- Conservation Visions: https://www.conservationvisions.com/
- Wild Harvest Initiative: https://www.conservationvisions.com/wild-harvest-initiative
- NWF's Natural Climate Solutions Policy Platform: https://www.nwf.org/naturalsolutions
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
Support from:
- Rep Your Water: www.repyourwater.com
- National Park Radio: www.nationalparkradio.com (Music)
The Great American Outdoors Act is on the cusp of passage in the U.S. Senate and has been introduced in the U.S. House. Hailed as the biggest conservation bill in a generation, the Great American Outdoors Act will permanently and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and address the maintenance backlog at National Parks and other federal public lands, putting people back to work. Co-hosts Drew YoungeDyke and Aaron Kindle discuss what's in the Great American Outdoors Act, how the Land and Water Conservation Fund has personally affected their lives and probably yours, too, and how you can make a difference right now to help it pass.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Rep Your Water with intro music by National Park Radio.
Resources:
- Tell Congress to support the Great American Outdoors Act and fully fund LWCF!
- Map of LWCF Projects by State (LWCF Coalition)
- Blog: Fishing for Responsible Recreation and Public Access
- Press Release: Great American Outdoors Act will spur economic recovery
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors
- Rep Your Water
- National Park Radio
In this episode, Josh Corsey of the Muley Fanatic Foundation joins co-hosts Drew YoungeDyke and Aaron Kindle to talk about mule deer conservation, his organization, mule deer migration routes, how they're affected by oil and gas development, and the Bureau of Land Management's resource management plan for the Rock Springs Field Office in Wyoming. They also discuss the National Wildlife Federation's new report, "Unchecked Energy Development and the Future of Hunting Across the West." The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Rep Your Water and their 3% for Conservation commitment. Intro music provided by National Park Radio.
Resources:
Muley Fanatic Foundation: www.muleyfanatic.org
NWF Report: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Press-Releases/2020/04-21-20-Unchecked-Energy-Development-Report
Public News Service: BLM's Blanket Oil-Gas Leasing Puts Wyoming Hunting at Risk: https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2020-04-27/endangered-species-and-wildlife/blms-blanket-oil-gas-leasing-puts-wy-hunting-at-risk/a70011-1?fbclid=IwAR36_RymZlBeVzxafWsdxm5y3qE2t348S4FbVsEV0fnNnKaY_ThewklYJwc
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
Rep Your Water: www.repyourwater.com
National Park Radio: www.nationalparkradio.com
In this episode we talk with Jared Frasier, executive director of 2% for Conservation. He explains how 2% for Conservation certifies businesses which contribute at least 1% of their time and 1% of their profit to conservation, how he became involved with it, how conservation funding is being affected by COVID-19 and the cancelled events which generate significant funding for conservation organizations, and how conservationists can help out through efforts like #tinesandtrash and #helptheevents.
The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Rep Your Water and their 3% for Conservation commitment. Intro music is provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- 2% for Conservation: www.fishandwildlife.org
- First Lite: www.firstlite.com
- Hunt To Eat: www.hunttoeat.com
- Rep Your Water: www.repyourwater.com
- National Park Radio: www.nationalparkradio.com
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
In this episode, we get to know Michael Cravens, the new Advocacy and Communications Coordinator for the Arizona Wildlife Federation. Michael is an avid hunter, angler, naturalist, and wild game cook who is also a brand ambassador for Hunt To Eat. We discuss his background in conservation, the bipartisan conservation approach of the Arizona Wildlife Federation, his return to hunting as an adult and the ridiculously successful hunting season he had last year, his approach to wild game that won the past two Wild Game Cookoffs at the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Annual Rendezvous, how he's adapting to working from home to help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic and how conservation organizations are still working for wildlife, and hunting with nonlead ammunition. We apologize for the tinny sound of this recording: The National Wildlife Federation is working from home, too, and this episode was recorded through Zoom in our host Drew YoungeDyke's garage. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Rep Your Water and their 3% for Conservation commitment. Intro music provided by National Park Radio.
Additional Resources:
- Arizona Wildlife Federation
- Hunt To Eat
- Rep Your Water
- National Park Radio
On this episode, we're joined by Emily Wood, executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, to talk about her organization and the Recovering America's Wildlife Act. Each state has a federally mandated list of species of greatest conservation need - essentially species at a higher risk of becoming threatened or endangered. Tallied together, this represents about one-third of all wildlife in America. While the Pittman-Robertson Fund and hunter/angler license dollars have done a tremendous job of recovering game species over the last century, many other species are in crisis. The Recovering America's Wildlife Act will provide the funding for states to implement State Wildlife Action plans to recover those species and keep them off the endangered species list. Emily talks about the work of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, how they work with the National Wildlife Federation on priorities like recovering wildlife, and what the Recovering America's Wildlife Act would mean for Indiana. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Rep Your Water and the intro music has been provided by National Park Radio.
Resources:
- Indiana Wildlife Federation: https://www.indianawildlife.org/
- Recovering America's Wildlife Act: https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Wildlife-Conservation/Policy/Recovering-Americas-Wildlife-Act
- Rep Your Water (Indiana bass hat): https://www.repyourwater.com/collections/indiana/products/indiana-bass-hat
- National Park Radio: https://www.nationalparkradio.com/
We're back! After a hiatus while our host was on paternity leave, the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is back for 2020 with new guests and new intro music from our friends at National Park Radio. In this episode, we talk with Cindy Stites, an avid hunter and conservation volunteer from Indiana. Cindy's story about getting into hunting as an adult is one that you have to hear, and the volunteerism it inspired in her is something we should all try to emulate. She is a hunter safety and youth shooting sports instructor, a board member of the International Caribou Foundation, a regional committee member for 2% for Conservation, an ambassador for Hunt To Eat, and was a founding board member of the Indiana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. She tells us how she got into hunting and volunteering for conservation, the lessons she's learned about avoiding burnout, the challenges of recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters, the plight of North American caribou, her participation at the National Wildlife Federation's upcoming Women in Conservation Leadership Summit, and squirrel hunting with her dad. As always, the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by Rep Your Water, and be sure to check out the music of National Park Radio, which provided our new intro music.
Resources:
- 2% for Conservation: www.fishandwildlife.org
- International Caribou Foundation: https://www.internationalcariboufoundation.org/
- NWF's Women in Conservation Leadership: https://wcl.nwf.org/
- Hunt To Eat: www.hunttoeat.com
- Rep Your Water: www.repyourwater.com
- National Park Radio: www.nationalparkradio.com
Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation covering Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota joined the podcast for this episode to talk about deer hunting, deer camp, deer regulations, how our deer seasons have gone so far, hunting with nonlead ammunition, the efforts of the Michigan DNR to reduce the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, the bait ban in Michigan, politicans' efforts to undermine scientific wildlife management in Michigan, and why that's a bad idea.
As always, the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation commitment.
Additional Resources:
NWF Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
NWF's Lead-Free Landscapes: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/Lead-Free-Landscapes
On this episode, we catch back up with Artemis Sportswomen's Marcia Brownlee and Aaron Kindle, senior manager of western sporting campaigns for the National Wildlife Federation. We first interviewed Marcia when she started a year ago on Episode 2 and Aaron on Episode 5. On this episode we discuss how Artemis has grown in the last year, what they're working on now, how Artemis ambassadors are taking over the hunting world, hunter recruitment and moving beyond recruitment, the National Wildlife Federation's sporting roots with the Pittman-Robertson Act, telling hunting stories, how "traditional bros" can be good allies to women hunters, LWCF, clean water, and sage grouse, the new conservation landscape, the future of hunting, the wildlife crisis, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, and hunting with non lead ammunition.
Additional Resources:
- Artemis Sportswomen: www.artemis.nwf.org/
- NWF Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
- Article on Becca Aceto's Turkey Camp: https://magicvalley.com/outdoors/idaho-women-are-starting-groups-to-hike-hunt-and-more/article_f1d26e53-eb60-550d-9385-d06568be90e0.html
- New York Times article on Chelsea Cassens and non lead ammunition: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/24/us/ammunition-lead-bullets-condors.html
- Outside Magazine on Artemis: https://www.outsideonline.com/2231226/conservation-movements-best-hope-may-be-group-women-hunters-anglers
- GearJunkie - It's Time We Kill These 5 Topics About Sportswomen: https://gearjunkie.com/women-hunting-stereotypes
- Episode 2 with Artemis Sportswomen: https://www.nwfoutdoors.org/e/002-artemis-sportswomen-with-marcia-brownlee/
- Hunt To Eat x Artemis: https://hunttoeat.com/collections/artemis-x-hunt-to-eat
- Hunt To Eat "Hunt Clean": https://hunttoeat.com/products/hunt-clean
Tim Endsley is a bowhunter, filmmaker, cowboy, conservationist, owner of Livin the Brand and Wildhorse Motion, a brand rep for Badlands and Prime, and the host of the Badlands Film Fest. Tim joined the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors podcast in Little Rock, Arkansas to talk about bowhunting, how he got started hunting as an adult, his rodeo roots, the public perception of hunting, public land, deer camp, making hunting films, and how he talks to non-hunters about hunting.
Additional Resources:
- WildHorse Motion: http://www.wildhorsemotion.com/
- Tim's bio at Badlands: https://www.badlandsgear.com/blogs/pros/tim-endsley
- Badlands Film Festival: https://www.badlandsgear.com/pages/film-festival
- "Camp" film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrHKXiSigTY
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.com/outdoors
- Arkansas Wildlife Federation: www.arwild.org
- RepYourWater: www.repyourwater.com
In this episode, host outdoor writer and fisheries biologist Scott Mackenthum and Fish Stories' Buddy Seiner join host Drew YoungeDyke to talk about fly fishing in the Driftless Area. They talk about Minnesota's trout easement public access program, the fish, geology, and terrain of the Driftless Area, the heated rivalry between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan about who has the most lakes, preserving fishing stories for future generations, controversial terminology such as fly fishing with bobbers and poles, using a tungsten bead head to get down to brown trout holding in a pool, how to deal with stinging nettle, wardrobe malfunctions on the stream, having fun not catching fish, Robert Traver's Testament of a Fisherman, and why trout don't live in ugly places. If this episode just sounds like three fishing buddies having fun after a great day of trout fishing, that's because it is. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation commitment. Get the new RepYourWater/National Wildlife Federation collab hat to support efforts to stop Asian carp!
Additional Resources:
- Fish Stories: http://www.fishstories.org
- Minnesota Trout Easements: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_streams/south_mn_maps.html
- Scott Mackentum article on invasive carp: https://www.mankatofreepress.com/sports/outdoors/outdoors-column-working-the-waterways-to-put-a-stop-to/article_132ae1ea-fc91-11e8-adc1-2ff77bcba596.html
- Minnesota vs. Wisconsin lakes: https://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2019/may/23/sara-meaney/who-has-more-lakes-minnesota-or-wisconsin/
- Michigan lakes: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79135_81276_82887-160092--,00.html
- RepYourWater Stop Asian Carp hat: https://www.repyourwater.com/products/stop-asian-carp-hat
This past Saturday was National Public Lands Day, where Americans from all of the country celebrated our public lands by hunting, fishing, recreating, and volunteering for our shared spaces. At the recent Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers annual conference, we sat down with Curt McAllister of Toyota, which has sponsored National Public Lands Day volunteer activities through the National Environmental Education Foundation for 21 years, about the importance of our public lands to outdoor recreation as well as Toyota's support for outdoor media through its Let's Go Places scholarship partnership with multiple national, regional, and state outdoor writers associations.
Additional Links:
- National Public Lands Day: https://www.neefusa.org/npld
- Toyota Let's Go Places Scholarship: https://aglowinfo.org/aglow/scholarships/
- Toyota USA: https://www.toyota.com/
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
- RepYourWater: www.repyourwater.com
John Bradley and Dave Brandt of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation join the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors podcast this week to talk about America's "Duck Factory," the Prairie Pothole region that occupies much of North Dakota, and how North Dakota farm policy affects waterfowl production for much of the country. John is the executive director for the North Dakota Wildlife Federation and Dave is a board member for the organization as well as a wildlife biologist. They talk about what drew them to North Dakota, the history of the federation and its conservation work for fish and wildlife in the state. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors podcast is supported RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation commitment.
Additional Resources:
- North Dakota Wildlife Federation: www.northdakotawildlifefederation.org/
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
- RepYourWater: www.repyourwater.com
- Episode cover photo (NWF): Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Bismark, North Dakota
Alec Underwood, federal conservation campaigns director for the Montana Wildlife Federation, joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast to discuss how climate change is affecting fishing and hunting in Montana, the public land wildlife impacts of the federal administration's energy dominance agenda, the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act and how it's brought together diverse interests to support a conservation initiative, and how the Montana Wildlife Federation applies grassroots conservation to fish and wildlife issues in the state through events like Camo at the Capitol. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation initiative.
Additional Resources:
- Montana Wildlife Federation: www.montanawildlife.org
- Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Initiative: http://blackfootclearwater.org/
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
- RepYourWater: www.repyourwater.com
Eric Morris is the host of the forthcoming hunting show, "Nontypical Outdoorsman," a U.S. Army veteran, and a tireless advocate to increase the racial diversity of the hunting and fishing community. He joins the podcast from the Outdoor Writers Association of America conference to discuss his efforts to get new hunters in the field, how conservation clubs and organizations can better diversify their ranks, how the images we portray of hunting affect recruitment efforts, how historical racial violence impacts hunting participation today, the story of Holt Collier, the guide and hunter behind Theodore Roosevelt's "teddy bear" incident. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors podcast is supported by RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation commitment.
Additional Resources
KC Star article on Eric Morris: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/outdoors/article4741914.html
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
RepYourWater: www.repyourwater.com
Shilo Harris, the founder of Boundless Spirit, a U.S. Army veteran, and the author of Steel Will, joins the podcast from the National Wildlife Federation Annual Meeting, where he gave the keynote address. National Wildlife Federation's public lands manager Andrew Black also joins us as we discuss Shilo's efforts to get veterans outdoors after surviving catastrophic burns during his second tour of duty in Iraq, how public lands can heal, why the outdoors are good for everyone, why we need to protect our public lands, and what you need to do to prepare to adventure in them. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation commitment.
Additional Resources:
Boundless Spirit: http://www.boundlessspiritinternational.com/
Shilo's Autobiography - Steel Will: http://www.boundlessspiritinternational.com/product/steel-will/
National Wildlife Federation Public Lands: https://keepitpublic.nwf.org/
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: https://www.nwf.org/outdoors
RepYourWater: www.repyourwater.com
Leland Miyawaki is a fly fishing guide and the co-star of a recent video from New Belguim Brewing, The Angler & The Kayaker, which is part of their Finding Common Ground series promoting our shared public lands. In the video, Leland is paired with whitewater kayaker Tyler Brandt, where they teach each other about their favorite ways to enjoy the river. Not only is it a powerful video about forging friendships on our public lands and waters, but New Belgium is donating $1 to the National Wildlife Federation and American Whitewater for each share that the video gets on social media - so follow the link in the resource notes to watch and share the video! In addition to describing the behind the scenes action shooting the film, Leland describes fishing the Pacific Northwest from the beaches of Puget Sound to the Snake River in Idaho, public access to fishing waters, his guiding services, and where you can find his famous Miyawaki Beach Popper. He also discusses challenges to the fisheries of the northwest, including dams and aquaculture.
New Belgium Brewing Video: The Angler & The Kayaker
RepYourWater: https://www.repyourwater.com/
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: https://www.nwf.org/outdoors
Kris Millgate of Tight Line Media joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast this week to discuss her new book, "My Place Among Men." Kris has worked with the National Wildlife Federation and state affiliates like the Idaho Wildlife Federation on films like "Your Land," and donated a portion of pre-orders for her book to the National Wildlife Federation. We discuss breaking down the barriers between "hook & bullet" and "hike & bike" outdoor recreation, conservation issues affecting her home state of Idaho like wildfires, climate change, and the dams blocking Idaho's salmon runs, her career transitioning from a television journalist to a freelance outdoor media producer - often as "the only woman in the woods" on her assignments - and the stereotypes she had to defy to succeed, and teaching her sons to fly fish. As always, the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation commitment.
Resources:
- Tight Line Media: https://www.tightlinemedia.com/
- My Place Among Men: https://www.inkshares.com/books/my-place-among-men-0699d4
- "Your Land" film: https://www.tightlinemedia.com/production-services/video-samples/?set=2762#sim-vid
- Idaho Wildlife Federation: https://www.idahowildlife.org
- Artemis Sportswomen: https://artemis.nwf.org/
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: https://www.nwf.org/outdoors
- RepYourWater: https://www.repyourwater.com/
Jesse Deubel is the executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. He joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast to talk about how Aldo Leopold started his organization in 1914 and how they try to live up to his legacy today. We talk about the concept of wilderness, the importance of wildlife migration corridors, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, how to choose which hunting units to apply for, hunting ethics, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and how the New Mexico Wildlife Federation found itself simultaneously trying to ban coyote contests while defending against a proposed ban on trapping. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by RepYourWater and their 3% for Conservation commitment.
Additional Resources:
New Mexico Wildlife Federation: www.nmwildlife.org
Hunt To Eat / New Mexico Wildlife Federation collab: https://hunttoeat.com/products/new-mexico
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
RepYourWater: www.repyourwater.com
The Tennessee Wildlife Federation has a storied history of conserving Tennessee's natural resources, but right now an invasive species is threatening those very resources. Mike Butler, executive director of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, joins the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast to tell us what his organization is doing to stop Asian carp from spreading in Tennessee's waters, where they undermine native fisheries for popular sport-fish like bass on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. He discusses the coalition they've pulled together from across the Mississippi River basin including anglers like Bill Dance, conservation groups, and political offices, to increase the funding that wildlife agencies in the region have to fight this invasive species. As always, this episode is supported by Rep Your Water, whose "Stop Asian Carp" collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation helps our efforts to stop Asian carp.
Additional Resources:
- Tennessee Wildlife Federation: www.tnwf.org
- Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Administration (MICRA): http://micrarivers.org/asiancarp/
- Rep Your Water "Stop Asian Carp": https://www.repyourwater.com/products/stop-asian-carp-sticker
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
Johnny Carrol Sain is an award-winning outdoor writer from Arkansas and a board member for Conservation Hawks, a nonprofit with a mission to protect hunting and fishing from the impacts of climate change. We caught up with Johnny at the Outdoor Writers Association of America annual conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he accepted an Excellence In Craft award for his writing. In this episode, he describes the impact that climate change is having on hunting and fishing in Arkansas, the role of outdoor writers in conservation, good books, how he approaches his work, and the recent victory to protect the Buffalo National River from a polluting hog farm.
Additional links referenced in the podcast:
Conservation Hawks: http://www.conservationhawks.org/
Hatch Magazine blog on Buffalo River CAFO: https://www.hatchmag.com/blog/downstream/7713759
OWAA award-winning "Blood brother" in Hatch Magazine: https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/blood-brother/7714716
Hatch Magazine series on Vanishing Paradise: https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/vanishing-paradise-i-pure-life/7714279
Philosophical Hillbilly Blog: https://www.philosophicalhillbilly.com/
Rep Your Water: www.repyourwater.com
Arkansas Wildlife Federation: https://www.arwild.org/
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
This episode of the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors podcast features Ryan Schaefer, board member of Louisiana Wildlife Federation, professional fur trapper, and conservationist, and Bill Cooksey, sportsmen outreach coordinator for NWF’s Vanishing Paradise program. We talk about Louisiana’s disappearing coastline, coastal forage fish declines, giving back to the resource, the work of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the cascade of effects from fisheries issues on the fishing industry and conservation funding, the importance of talking to your legislators about conservation issues, the sway that an individual hunter and angler holds with legislators, the bipartisan nature of conservation issues, getting over the sticker shock of necessary infrastructure projects, and how to make sure your legislators know what they're talking about. We're publishing this episode a day early because we'll be on the road this weekend to the Outdoor Writers Association of America annual conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, where Bill Cooksey will be on a panel discussing climate change impacts to waterfowl habitat. And while we forgot to mention it on the podcast, the National Wildlife Federation's Vanishing Paradise program is supported in part by Wiley X sunglasses, so we provided a link to the press release announcing the partnership below. And as always, the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors podcast is supported by Rep Your Water, whose Great Lakes products support our efforts to stop Asian carp.
Additional Links:
- Louisiana Wildlife Federation: https://lawildlifefed.org/
- Vanishing Paradise: https://www.vanishingparadise.org/
- Video – Vanishing Paradise Louisiana Legislators Tour: https://www.vanishingparadise.org/news-media/videos
- Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan: http://coastal.la.gov/our-plan/2023-coastal-master-plan/
- Wiley X: https://www.vanishingparadise.org/press-releases/wiley-x-supports-vanishing-paradise-to-protect-the-gulf-coast
- Rep Your Water: www.repyourwater.com
- National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
GearJunkie's Nicole Qualtieri and Hunt To Eat's Mahting Putelis join this episode of the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast to talk about hunting with non-lead ammunition, how they deliberately chose to become hunters as adults and why, the role of mortality in modern society, hunting ethics and respecting wildlife, what genuine inclusivity means in hunting, Hunt To Eat's participation in 2% for Conservation and the new Hunt Clean collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation, and Nicole's recent article in GearJunkie about the five topics about women in hunting that we need to get over. This is a jam-packed episode filled with deep thoughts, tough conversations, and laughter throughout. And, since it's almost Father's Day, we're including an additional link to Nicole's recent article with great suggestions for outdoorsy dads in case you need any last minute ideas. The National Wildlife Federation Podcast is supported by Rep Your Water.
Additional Links:
Hunt To Eat/National Wildlife Federation Hunt Clean Collaboration: https://hunttoeat.com/products/hunt-clean
Gear Junkie - It's Time We Kill These 5 Topics About Sportswomen: https://gearjunkie.com/women-hunting-stereotypes
Gear Junkie - Father's Day Fishing Gifts for Dads: https://gearjunkie.com/fishing-gifts-fathers-day
National Wildlife Federation - Lead-Free Landscapes: www.nwf.org/leadfreelandscapes
National Wildlife Federation Outdoors: www.nwf.org/outdoors
Rep Your Water: www.repyourwater.com
In this special episode of the National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast, Shane Mahoney of Conservation Visions discusses the Wild Harvest Initiative, his new partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, the wildlife crisis, and how the wild food for which we hunt, fish, and gather can help solve it.
Additional Resources:
https://www.conservationvisions.com/wild-harvest-initiative
Taylor Ridderbusch of Trout Unlimited joins the NWF Outdoors Podcast from the Great Lakes Conference in Detroit, Michigan, to discuss the policy work he does in the Great Lakes region, including collaborations with the National Wildlife Federation on the effort to stop Asian carp through the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition, the Clean Water Act and the implications of a potential rollback of the Waters of the U.S. Rule on trout streams in the Driftless Area, and his background growing up hunting and fishing in northern Wisconsin.
Additional Links:
www.tu.org
www.greatlakesconservation.org
www.nwf.org
On this conservation news short, we cover new polling from the National Wildlife Federation showing tremendous public support in Colorado and New Mexico for protecting wildlife migration corridors and the new collaboration between Hunt To Eat and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, Montana Wildlife Federaion, and Idaho Wildlife Federation. We also highlight Idaho Wildlife Federation's work to reform salmon recovery efforts in their state, and close with a plug for Conservation Hawks new film addressing climate change impacts to hunting and fishing, "In the Heart of the Rockies."
Each week, the NWF Outdoors Podcast will cover recent conservation issues in short digests like this episode, along with our full-length interviews with conservation, hunting and fishing leaders each month. The next interview will feature Heather Shaw of the Ruffed Grouse Society, discussing grouse habitat needs and how they're met through active forest management.
For decades, Asian carp have been moving north toward the Great Lakes, threatening its $7 billion sport-fishery as they undermine fisheries throughout the Mississippi River basin. For much of that time, Marc Smith of the National Wildlife Federation has been a leader in advocating for solutions to stop Asian carp. On this episode of the NWF Outdoors Podcast, Marc and host Drew YoungeDyke discuss the history of the effort to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and the current status of the Army Corps of Engineers plan to block them by rebuilding a lock and dam south of Chicago. The National Wildlife Federation Outdoors Podcast is supported by a conservation partnership with Rep Your Water, which supports the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center's work to stop Asian carp.
Links:
www.greatlakesconservation.com
https://www.repyourwater.com/pages/great-lakes-reg
https://blog.nwf.org/tags/asian-carp/
On today’s episode, we’ll talk with Jason Dinsmore, interim executive director of the Minnesota Conservation Federation about public lands, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, why you should switch to lead-free ammo for hunting, and what’s going on with the Boundary Waters. We recorded this last month before the old Congress departed without renewing the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the new one inherited a shutdown government. The LWCF still needs to be renewed, though, so our call for Congress to renew it in this episode is as urgent as the day we originally recorded it. Also, I’ve since learned that the Minnesota Conservation Federation in co-hosting a Rally for Public Lands on February 7th at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Conservation Country is a podcast from the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional Center featuring conservation issues from across the country, through interviews with the conservationists behind the scenes working hard every day for our fish and wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation is the nation’s largest grassroots conservation organization, representing 51 state and territorial affiliates from statewide hunting coalitions to state environmental leagues. Its mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Conservation Country is supported by Rep Your Water and their 3% for Conservation commitment. And as a Rep Your Water Conservation Partner, sales of Great Lakes, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana Rep Your Water gear help to support the National Wildlife Federation’s work to protect our water and stop Asian carp. You can find these at RepYourWater.com.
Links:
Minnesota Conservation Federation - www.mncf.org
National Wildlife Federation Sportsmen & Conservation - www.nwf.org/sportsmen
National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center - www.nwf.org/greatlakes
NWF Sportsmen & Conservation Blog - https://medium.com/@NWFSportsmen
Rep Your Water - https://www.repyourwater.com/pages/great-lakes-reg
"If you build it, they will come." The classic line from Field of Dreams certainly applies to our country's investment in outdoor recreation for its citizens. The Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau rebranded itself a few years ago as "All Outdoors" to capitalize on the investments made in this northern Michigan community through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. As new trails were built connecting downtown with nearby state parks, bike shops and microbreweries opened up downtown, helping to revitalize this former lumber town. At the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers annual conference in Bismarck, North Dakota, Gaylord Tourism executive director Paul Beachnau joined Conservation Country to discuss how the draw of wildlife like elk, wild forests, free-flowing rivers and outdoor recreation investment are driving economic development in his community.
Additional links:
www.nwf.org/greatlakes
www.repyourwater.com/pages/great-lakes-reg
www.gaylordmichigan.net
www.aglowoutdoors.org
Cody Kamrowski and Marco Marchetti are just 24 and have already been elected to the Board of Directors for the National Wildlife Federation and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, respectively. They are also both graduates of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation's Conservation Leadership Corps, which is doing what few conservation organizations have been able to do recently: recruit young conservationists. Cody and Marco sat down with us at the National Wildlife Federation's Annual Meeting this summer to talk about the program, how they were introduced to the outdoors, how the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is addressing wetland loss and chronic wasting disease, and the existential debate about the comparative greatness between Brett Farve and Aaron Rodgers. Conservation Country is presented by the National Wildlife Federation with support from Rep Your Water.
Additional Links:
www.wiwf.org
www.nwf.org/greatlakes
www.lwcfcoalition.com
The National Wildlife Federation has been working to keep our public lands public since 1936, and the New Mexico Wildlife Federation has been doing that since it was founded in 1914 by Aldo Leopold. On this episode, we talk with Andrew Black – Public Lands Field Director for NWF – and his work with the New Mexico Wildlife Federation to expand access to the Sabinosa Wilderness. And as an ordained Presbyterian minister, we get to hear Andrew preach the gospel of public lands. We’re also joined by Aaron Kindle, NWF’s Senior Manager for Western Sporting Campaigns, to discuss the attacks on national monuments, sage grouse conservation and why "what's good for the bird is good for the herd," and what you can do to protect public lands. This episode is as vast as the western landscapes it covers.
Helpful links referenced in this episode include:
www.nmwildlife.org
www.medium.com/@nwfsportsmen
www.nwf.org/greatlakes
www.repyourwater.com
The Idaho Wildlife Federation has managed to make conservation a priority issue in Idaho politics through a significant victory stemming from a gubernatorial forum they held and actually raising hunting license fees to generate more funding for conservation. Brian Brooks, IWF's executive director, sits down with us to talk about how the Idaho Wildife Federation pulled it off, how they work with partner organizations across the state for conservation, how Brian got into hunting, what happens to duck feet if you pull on them, why keeping public land public matters so much in a red state like Idaho, and why conservation needs funding to win.
Helpful links from this episode include:
www.idahowildlife.org
www.repyourwater.com
www.nwf.org/greatlakes
www.nwf.org/asiancarp
Marcia Brownlee is the new program manager for the National Wildlife Federation’s Artemis Sportswomen program. On this episode, we discuss her affliction of adult onset hunting, the meaning of “sportsman,” why a program like Artemis is necessary for conservation, what dudes can do to make women feel more welcome in the hunting, fishing and conservation community, the shots we don’t take, authentic reactions to a kill, how Marcia’s hunting journey tracked the timeline of a challenging personal time in her life, planning an antelope hunt, hunting your own hunt, what dudes can learn from Artemis, Marcia’s epic bear hunt, what “mansplaining” means, a Greek Goddess, the privilege of hunting, and the voice that Artemis will bring to the national conservation dialogue.
Helpful links referenced in this episode include:
www.artemis.nwf.org
www.repyourwater.com
www.nwf.org/greatlakes
www.nwf.org/asiancarp
Bill Cooksey isn't just the National Wildlife Federation's Sportsmen's Outreach Coordinator for the Vanishing Paradise program, he's also an avid angler who owns a home on Kentucky Lake, which has been invaded by Asian carp. On this episode of Conservation Country, we'll hear from Bill about the efforts of Vanishing Paradise to advocate for the restoration of the disappearing Mississippi River Delta and about how Asian carp have impacted the bass fishery on Kentucky Lake.
Helpful links referenced in this episode:
www.vanishingparadise.org
https://www.repyourwater.com/pages/great-lakes-reg
https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Environmental-Threats/Invasive-Species/Asian-Carp