Fresh Tracks Weekly

Suppressor laws are changing, and there's a lot of confusion about what it all means for hunters and gun owners. This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, Randy Newberg sits down with Brandon Maddox, CEO and founder of Silencer Central, to break down the latest developments surrounding suppressors, the National Firearms Act (NFA), and what hunters need to know about the evolving legal landscape. From the elimination of the $200 tax stamp fee to a recent federal court ruling and the anticipated ATF guidance, Brandon explains what's changed, what it could mean for buying a suppressor, and why state laws still matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we break down massive public land wins, controversial federal approvals, and real-world bowhunting gear data, followed by an in-depth conversation on science storytelling in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and a highlight of the Bison Jam Podcast. You can listen to the Bison Jam Podcast here - https://www.bisonjam.com/ In the News • USFWS Drain Tile Victory: A massive win for waterfowl hunters in the Prairie Pothole Region—over 200,000 public comments pushed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep critical wetland drain tile setbacks intact. • Links • https://fieldandstream.com/stories/feds-backtrack-on-prairie-potholes-rule-change • AI Data Center on BLM Land: The Bureau of Land Management quietly swaps a clean solar project for an 86-acre AI data center in Boulder City, Nevada. Bypassing NEPA environmental reviews and public comment, this project threatens to pull 167 megawatts of power and up to 600,000 gallons of water annually from record-low Lake Mead. • Links • https://fieldandstream.com/stories/conservation/public-lands-and-waters/data-center-approved-forpublic-land-in-nevada • https://www.blm.gov/announcement/approved-decision-townsite-data-center • Boundary Waters Mining Block: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signs an executive order halting nonferrous mineral mining permits in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, shifting the battle over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Watershed directly to the upcoming election. • Links • https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/#/detail/appId/1/id/764186 • https://www.eenews.net/articles/walz-throws-up-new-roadblock-to-mining-near-boundary-waters/ •https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MNGOV/2026/08/18/file_attachments/3749654/bwca-eo-onepager-FINAL.pdf Bowhunting Metrics with the TRAKR App: Analyzing data from 2,500+ tracking missions to reveal real-world setup effectiveness—including why pass-through shots nearly double recovery rates (48% vs. 26%) and how top broadheads like QAD and SEVR stack up. • https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/data-recovering-wounded-deer/ • https://open.spotify.com/episode/1j4VuK9mjCXeWkJtKw1Bqp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Important Links • Shop Stamps & Merch: https://shopfreshtracks.com • Check out Casey’s Artwork • https://caseyunderwood.com/ • Check out Allie's Artwork • https://www.antilocapraatelier.com/ • Expedition Overland Channel • https://www.youtube.com/@ExpeditionOverland • Submit USFWS Drain Tile Setback Comments • https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/24/2026-14995/national-wildlife-refuge-system-request-for-information-on-implementation-of-drain-tile-setbacks • Grizzly Bear Management Open Comment • https://www.fws.gov/grizzlyrulemaking ______________________________________________________________________ On this week’s deeper dive, Randy and Marcus examine the proposal to transfer grizzly management authority to Western states, Randy's background with grizzly management, what state management would look like, and the big question: will we be hunting grizzlies anytime soon? The public comment window close on August 17th. To provide your comment please visit the site below. https://www.fws.gov/grizzlyrulemaking ______________________________________________________________________ IP28 has FAILED The "PEACE Act" initiative fails to reach the required signature threshold and will NOT appear on the November ballot. A breakdown of signature verification, out-of-state/foreign funding, and what this means for the future of hunting and agriculture in Oregon. • News Article Links • https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/oregon-hunting-ban-fails/ • https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/07/a-controversial-oregon-measure-misses-the-november-ballot.html?outputType=amp https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/pages/state-law.aspx • https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/05/26/campaign-behind-initiative-to-criminalize-hunting-fishing-and-any-intentional-injury-to-animals-in-oregon-submits-required-number-of-signatures/ • https://www.yesonip28.org/post/julypress ______________________________________________________________________ USFWS opens short public comment window regarding drainage tiles The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting public feedback on drain tile setback calculations near intermittent wetlands in North America’s "duck factory." Learn how Duck Stamp-funded easements protect waterfowl habitat and how you can submit public comment to help balance private property rights with long-term habitat preservation. • News Article Links • https://fieldandstream.com/stories/proposed-rule-change-threatens-prairie-potholes • https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/usfws-wetland-easement-request/ • https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/24/2026-14995/national-wildlife-refuge-system-request-for-information-on-implementation-of-drain-tile-setbacks# Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Fresh Tracks weekly, Randy and Marcus take us for a Deeper Dive into massive regulatory updates to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) • Links • https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/14/2026-14195/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act#dates In the News Sunshine Protection Act - The U.S. House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act which would permanently leave the states in Daylight Saving Time. Effectively ending my ability to duck hunt before work… • Links • https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/139/text • https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-passes-bill-daylight-saving-time-permanent-sunshine-protection-rcna587531 Colorado Fur Ban Trashed, Furbearer Bag Limits Established - Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission votes 6 to 5 to stop the rule making process for banning the sale, barter, and trade of furs in the Centennial State. The CPW commission also voted, 6 to 5, to impose daily bag limits despite opposing agency science. • Links • https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/18/colorado-wildlife-commission-reduces-number-of-fur-bearing-animals-trappers-can-kill/ • https://www.postindependent.com/news/colorado-wildlife-commission-rejects-proposal-to-ban-sale-of-fur/ • https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/18/colorado-wildlife-commission-reduces-number-of-fur-bearing-animals-trappers-can-kill/ • https://completecolorado.com/2026/07/18/cpw-commission-tightens-trapping-limits-balks-at-fur-ban/ • https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/local/colorado/2026/07/17/colorado-wildlife-board-sets-new-trapping-limits/90958522007/ Grizzly Bear Management: Shifting Authority to Western States - The Department of the Interior has proposed shifting grizzly bear management to Western states. We take a time machine back to earlier this year to revisit a deeper dive in which Randy shares his thoughts on hunting grizzly bears, if they were to be delisted. Watch Full Episode 123 ("Congress to Delist Grizzly Bears?"): https://youtu.be/6NBgbEn8d80 • Links • https://fieldandstream.com/stories/feds-transfer-grizzly-bear-management-to-states • https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/grizzly-bear-management-returns-to-states/ • https://sportsmensalliance.org/news/sportsmens-alliance-applauds-doi-grizzly-proposal-prepares-for-the-next-delisting-fight/ • https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/7/18/800071410/environment/will-trumps-handoff-of-grizzly-management-to-states-lead-to-more-dead-bears/ • http://grandviewoutdoors.com/predator-hunting/will-lower-48-grizzlies-ever-be-hunted • https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/14/2026-14195/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act#dates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Housekeeping Links • Crew’s Belt, Montana NRL Rifle Match https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C81fcst0T_k • Randy’s New Rifle Setup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCYyvcHa-yA&feature=youtu.be • Hal Herring’s Carrying the Fire Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7lWLbTPrE5hDybQgZZwIPv?si=06968b4bed1945c7 For this week’s deeper dive, Randy and Marcus leave the studio and take us into the field. Building on their recent conversations about roadless areas, and travel management, the pair hike into a section of national forest just outside of Bozeman. This specific area underwent a thinning treatment in 2022 to protect the city's water supply from catastrophic wildfire.This place offers a firsthand look at how logging and thinning can reduce wildfire risk while simultaneously creating better forage for elk and other wildlife in areas without roads. Ultimately, Randy wants to drive home the point that we can have public lands that can benefit both wildlife and people. This week's news • On July 13th, President Trump signed an executive order that removes protections for just over 3 million acres of public land in the Beehive State. • Links • https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/trump-cuts-2-popular-utah-national-monuments-by-90-percent/ • https://fieldandstream.com/stories/white-house-shrinks-national-monuments-in-utah • https://wessiler.substack.com/p/heres-a-map-of-the-new-boundaries • In Minnesota, the US Forest Service has temporarily closed the Boundary Waters due to increasingly dangerous wildfires. • Links • https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/forest-service-closes-boundary-waters/ • Researchers at Montana State University have discovered a TRex tooth embedded in an Edmontosaurus' skull, providing some additional context to how these creatures might have lived. • Links • https://peerj.com/articles/20796/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices