Fresh Tracks Weekly

This week, we’re discussing what creates hunting culture and how it changes over time and by region. This week, we have just a few headlines, including a bill that, if voters approve it, could impose an additional tax on firearms and ammunition in Colorado. Boulder County implemented a hunting ban that the Forest Service argues is unauthorized, and researchers across the West have put out a new volume of Wildlife Migration routes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re talking about how there’s a potential threat to the public’s ownership of fish and wildlife as the Georgia Legislature passed a bill that stripped language from a law that had to do with the public trust doctrine. A few news stories that we also cover include; The Alaska Governor recently announced new appointments to the Board of Fisheries and Board of Game which included Fresh Tracks regular, Jim Baichtal! A study in Michigan has been trying to figure out if they can vaccinate wild deer for bovine tuberculosis via an edible bait. In Grand Teton National Park it was reported that the removal of mountain goats has continued with 15 were killed within the park in 2023 and they estimate around 10-20 goats remain in the Teton Range. A Dairy worker in Texas recently contracted the bird flu making him the 2nd person in the United States to be reported. In Wyoming a man has been accused of running down a wolf with a snowmobile, catching it while still alive, taping its mouth shut and then bringing it home with him and then bringing it to a bar, before finally killing it. The first large-scale wildlife overpass in Idaho was finished last year and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership put out an article detailing the project and initial success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we are discussing how non-profits will sue federal agencies to stop them from managing land and how they use the Equal Access to Justice Act to profit from the lawsuits. Also, a few headlines we found interesting include; In Washington, the push to restore grizzly bears in the North Cascades continues, with the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publishing their final Environmental Impact Statements. Wolves have potentially been sighted in Nevada, which is definitely not a normal occurrence for the state. Are they there to stay? Or are they Passing through? The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recently announced that they have committed over $760,000 to numerous projects in Utah to improve wildlife habitat, further wildlife management and bolster research and hunting support. In Vermont, there have been a few updates and amendments to the legislation that would change how the state's wildlife board functions, along with changes to coyote hunting regulations. In Wyoming, the Legislative session has wrapped up, and Josh Metten with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has compiled a list of some of the state's conservation wins. Contact your Elected Officials https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we discuss how the Arizona Game and Fish Commission just voted to cancel its auction permits, which had previously raised millions of dollars for conservation. In addition to that, we touch on a few headlines and legislative updates. In Montana, a bill from the last legislative session is still in the air. SB442 is in headlines again, as the mail-out ballots are being sent out to determine whether the Governor’s veto can be overridden. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership recently published some highlights and disappointments of recent congressional appropriations from the perspective of hunters and anglers. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Boone and Crocket Club’s respective CEOs, Kyle Weaver and Tony Schoonen, recently wrote a joint op-ed in which they discussed their frustrations with environmental groups blocking forest management. Montana Legislature https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-informa... Link to Letter signed by members of MT Senate https://dailymontanan.com/wp-content/... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we are discussing putting more animals on the mountain, with bighorn sheep in Montana as the main example. We will also briefly cover the following headlines. In Kentucky, a bill has passed out of Committee and to the Senate that could have significant consequences for the Kentucky Department of Wildlife Resources and, ultimately, the hunters and anglers in the state. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is meeting today and potentially voting on whether or not to do away with their conservation permits. In Wyoming, the Game and Fish Commission just voted unanimously to pursue establishing protections for a pronghorn migration corridor. In Idaho, an effort has been made to pass a bill that would end the Open Fields Doctrine for conservation officers. This would essentially make it illegal for a game warden to check licenses or harvested animals on private land without a warrant. In Arizona, the Nature Conservancy recently received an 11.5 million dollar grant to purchase conservation easements in the Upper Verde River Watershed and Big Chino Grasslands. Page to look up your Kentucky Legislators https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/findyourlegislator/findyourlegislator.html Kentucky State Senators Contact https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/smembers_county.html Idaho Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee https://www.billtrack50.com/committee/3566 Link to “Selfless” Film https://youtu.be/zJa3SeEmTn0?si=s7qFVrIfYz3FQEyB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are talking about screwing over the Non-resident hunter, how multiple states are adopting regulations that restrict numbers, restrict access, or raise prices for non-residents… along with a few news stories which include; In Montana, Fish Wildlife and Parks plans to give out a free moose, sheep, or goat license to residents who purchase a general deer or elk tag early. Also, in Montana, the State Supreme Court sided with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Black Butte Project regarding the controversial copper mine along the Switch River. Former head of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, was recently ordered to repay 4.4 million dollars he had misspent of NRA money, along with retired finance chief Wilson Phillips being ordered to payback 2 million dollars. In Vermont a bill has been read in several committee hearings that would change how the states fish and wildlife board would function, how members are appointed along with changing certain coyote hunting regulations. In Iowa a bill has been progressing and has already passed the senate that would hamstring Iowa Department of Natural Resources ability to acquire property. In Oregon, a Wildlife Package bill has been introduced to provide funding to expand various wildlife programs and address invasive species issues in the state. Vermont Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2024/30 Iowa Legislature House Contact https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house Oregon Joint Committee on Ways and Means Contact https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2024R1/Committees/JWM/Overview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are talking about YouTube and social media and why certain hunting content rises to the top, and why certain things come across your individual feed. We also have a few news stories to cover including: In Wyoming a bill is currently making its way through the state house of representatives that would pay private landowners who have elk grazing on their property. The bill would offer the affected landowners 150% of the market value of the grass. In Colorado, the allocation of big game licenses has been modified for the upcoming season to increase resident tags and decrease non-resident tags. In Mississippi a bill was recently introduced to create a Turkey stamp that is similar to the federal duck stamp, but to fund turkey specific conservation projects within the state. In Oregon a petition to get a ballot initiative to “End Animal Cruelty” is somehow still a thing. We talked about the attempt in the past to get this on the ballot which failed in 2022. In Nevada the first ever Moose season was officially approved for the fall 2024 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we have a special guest, Kara Landolfi, and we will discuss some misconceptions about wild game meat. In addition to that, we have a few news stories we found interesting. In Idaho, a bill was recently introduced that would allow outfitters to purchase an additional bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or moose tag IF said outfitter fills a wolf tag while guiding. Also, in Idaho, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Idaho Fish and Game worked together to add an additional 328 acres to the Tex Creek Wildlife Management area. A new study conducted in Yellowstone National Park was recently published that compiled data over the last 20 years looking into the claim that wolves, grizzly bears, and mountain lions can restore ecosystems. A recent study was published looking into alternative testing methods for Chronic Wasting Disease. Contact Info for Senator Okuniewicz https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/membership/2023/id6706/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re going to talk about how hunting regulations impact wildlife populations and how people often over emphasize the impact hunters have on wildlife. In Nebraska, a bill was introduced that would transfer money out of the state game fund into the general fund along with transferring money from the Habitat fund and State parks fund into the general fund. In British Columbia the first cases of Chronic wasting disease were recently reported. In Alaska the State has updated the regulations for the Western Arctic Caribou Herd to reduce bag limits for all hunters. Read more about the bill in Nebraska here https://sportsmensalliance.org/news/nebraska-senator-mocks-citizens-supports-defunding-game-and-parks-department/ Contact Senator Steve Erdman here http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist47/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we are talking about the increase of hunters in the West, the increase in population in the Western states, and what it means for the future of wildlife and their habitats. Also, we talk about some of the friction between non-resident and resident hunters. In Washington, the bill to make hunting and fishing a constitutional right is making progress. The bill passed out of the Ag committee and moved onto the Rules committee. In Utah, seven different structures were recently completed to help fish and wildlife in the state. The TRCP recently posted a call to action to comment on the new U.S. Forest Service amendments to their nationwide management plans, particularly the promotion of old-growth forest conditions. An interesting article recently published by the Wildlife Society summarized a research project trying to understand how widespread the impacts of Renewable energy could be from analyzing carcasses or birds found at Solar and wind farms. Read about Washington's right to Hunt and Fish here https://www.howlforwildlife.org/wa_right_to_hunt_fish Contact info for WA Senate Rules Committee https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/RULE/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx Read the TRCP post on Forest Management here https://www.trcp.org/2024/01/23/weigh-in-on-forest-management-to-support-hunting-and-fishing/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are going to talk about a bill in Iowa which could have a rippling affect of displacing hunters, and the dangers of going down the road of privatizing hunting. The Bureau of Land Management recently released their roadmap for solar energy development on public lands in the west. In Montana a Judge recently ruled that lawmakers will have the ability to override Governor’s Gianforte’s controversial veto of bill last legislative session. In Colorado, the April Mountain lion season has been canceled, along with a statewide ban on electronic calls for lion hunting. Comment on the BLM Solar Road Map by emailing solar@blm.gov or going to this link https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022371/510 To view documents and learn more about the BLM Solar Road Map https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022371/510 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, our deeper dive is about recent proposals in Alaska that could shut down a ton of Caribou hunting for non-residents. Read Alaska Board of Game Proposals for upcoming meeting here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.meetinginfo&date=01-26-2024&meeting=kotzebue Submit Public Comment Here:https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/9af2ddc8fa584113a3d3d476ae9bef8b Read Outdoor Life Article here: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/proposals-to-close-non-resident-caribou-hunting-in-northwest-alaska/ We bring the fishing corner back, checking in with what Michael has been up to. A few news items this week include: The Supreme Court recently denied the state of Alaska’s request to overturn the EPA decision from last year that had blocked the Pebble mine in Bristol Bay. In Washington, a bill was recently introduced to make foraging, hunting, fishing and trapping a constitutional right. In Kentucky, the largest conservation easement in the state’s history was recently announced. Link to MTN Tough Podcast with Dustin Diefenderfer https://youtu.be/iPxMihlswwk?si=2kDNEO2rORxizMSm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we recap our crew's hunting season and jump into some news surrounding Colorado predators.  Join Fresh Tracks+ For Early Access - https://www.freshtracks.tv Backcountry BC and Ceasar Lake Outfitters  • https://backcountrybcandbeyond.com/ Randy's British Columbia Caribou & Moose  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B0rIAww7hA&t=705s September Idaho Archery Elk with Randy and Michael • Episode 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0b8zBddPU • Episode 2 - https://youtu.be/u5AVhLhHrPc • Episode 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taRCaOcRn3A CPW Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan  • https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Wolves/2023-Final-CO-Wolf-Plan.pdf Initiative 91 - "Prohibit Trophy Hunting" •https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2023-2024/91Final.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we talk Hunter Ed. Funds, the infamous Winchester Dam, Randy shares an update from the Utah Pronghorn Field and for our Deeper Dive, Marcus and friends share their experiences as non-residents hunting in Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hunting Season is upon us!  On this week's episode, we cover on Oregon's IP3, the re-opening of Swan Lake National Wildlife Refugee, and House Bill 1300 in Pennsylvania. Also, Randy and Michael give us an update on their Idaho Elk hunt and we jump into our deeper dive topic of hunting in grizzly country.  Join Fresh Tracks+ For Early Access - https://www.freshtracks.tv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are talking about a potential land swap in Nevada that could potentially cause the public to lose 150,000 acres of public land along with decreased access. We have a pretty sweet Fishing Corner with Michael Parente. The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service just announced that the Alexander Archipelago wolf was not warranted for listing under the endangered species act. California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently confirmed that there is a new wolf pack in the state more than 200 miles from the nearest known pack that resides in the Northeast corner of the state. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation just released a list of grant funding in Oregon to benefit elk, blacktail, mule deer and along with other wildlife and improving hunting opportunity. In Utah 3 domestic dogs were recently killed by mountain goats at a popular recreation area. Join Fresh Tracks+ For Early Access - https://www.freshtracks.tv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Randy and Marcus are going to talk about the recent interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that has potentially led to funding being cut for hunter education and archery programs in schools. In Montana three women were attacked by a river otter while floating the Jefferson river. In Vail Colorado there is finally some closure on the long-term dispute over a proposed housing development on bighorn sheep winter range. In Montana the Alliance for the Wild Rockies recently won a court case against the Lewis and Clark National forest over the effectiveness or closed roads and their impacts to grizzly bears. In Arizona, President Biden recently designated a new national monument on either side of Grand Canyon National Park totaling over a million acres. The National Elk Refuge is seeking public comments to update their bison and elk management plan. Learn about and comment on the National Elk Refuge Bison and Elk Management Plan: https://www.fws.gov/project/upcoming-bison-elk-management-plan “Feeding The Problem” Documentary: https://www.pbs.org/video/montanapbs-presents-feeding-the-problem/ Contact your Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm Contact your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative#:~:text=If%20you%20know%20who%20your,the%20U.S.%20House%20switchboard%20operator. Join Fresh Tracks+ For Early Access - https://www.freshtracks.tv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re going to do a deeper dive on Grizzly Bears. Talk about recent attacks, and the increasing frequency we’ve been running into them. In Nevada, feral horses are in the headlines again after animal advocacy groups are mad about the conditions in which horses are gathered on public land. We continue to see changes for the 2023 hunting seasons as state game agencies account for the toll last winter took on wildlife populations. Recently, both North Dakota and Montana just announced tag reductions. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation just detailed how over 10.7 million dollars will be spent in Wyoming on wildlife and habitat projects. The Wildlife Society bulletin recently published an article talking about how there is shifting attitudes within it’s membership base, particularly with the role of hunting and trapping. Join Fresh Tracks+ For Early Access - https://www.freshtracks.tv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comment on the Draft MT Elk Management Plan: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/draft-elk-plan Handmade Leather Goods https://flowersandfringe.com/ This week we’ve got a little of news, but then we’re diving into Montana’s Elk Management plan and Randy tells us how to get involved and be a part of the process. The the last time the elk management plan was updated was 2005! So it might be awhile before we get to weigh in again. In Minnesota the Department of Natural Resources Commission recently finalized banning the use of lead ammo on 56 Science and Natural Areas as well as a few State Parks that offer special hunting opportunities. In Wyoming we have an update on the on-going corner crossing saga, with some new information potentially stopping the appeal. In Montana a grizzly bear was recently photographed in the Pryor mountains which is the first time one has been confirmed being there in well over 100 years. Also In Montana the Trust for Public land, MKH Montana and the Lolo National Forest worked together recently to permanently protect nearly 6000 acres of land in the northwest part of the state. This brings the total acreage close to 26,000 acres of land being added to the Lolo National forest in the last three years. Join Fresh Tracks+ For Early Access - https://www.freshtracks.tv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re diving deep into migration barriers, some new science coming out showing how to identify migration barriers and how removing old fence can make a big difference. But before we get into that we get a little update on some Montana fishing, everything from cutthroat to largemouth bass as well as a quick sheep scouting update. A rain derailed and collapsed a bridge into the Yellowstone River spilling an estimated 500,000 pounds of liquid asphalt into the water. In Montana recreation users will now be required to purchase a conservation license if they utilize a Fishing Access Site. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation wrote an interesting op-ed in which they talk about fixing the “Cottonwood Decision” In Nevada, 23,675 acres of BLM land has been leased out for a solar development for 105 million dollars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices