Fresh Tracks Weekly

In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we discuss a renewed threat to Wyoming’s famous mule deer migration. New oil and gas leases on BLM land are near critical winter ranges and migration corridors for the Sublette mule deer and pronghorn herds. We discuss how the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan is being bypassed and why "energy independence" is no longer a valid excuse for poor conservation. We also cover several headlines from the week, including 2026 federal budget cuts, the reopening of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and the controversial "flooded corn" baiting debate in waterfowl hunting.

In this episode, we break down how Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) money generated from offshore oil and gas revenues and intended to permanently protect public lands is likely being diverted away from approved conservation projects. One of the projects in jeopardy is the 46,000-acre La Jara Basin land sale in Colorado, which is eight years in development, has broad public support, and already has funding fully approved and allocated. Despite this, new Department of the Interior actions could block LWCF funds from being used, putting this and many other conservation projects at risk.

...

Buy the Elk Conservation Stamp here (proceeds donated to RMEF) https://shopfreshtracks.com/products/2025-elk-conservation-stamp?srsltid=AfmBOorlsI5T-OHN5wvqK1ZU72s6EISgCuMItcxQQxYBMWOvkWb2fxjs In this episode, we sit down with Jesse DeVoe from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to discuss an elk research project in Northwest Montana. Jesse shares insights into this large-scale collaborative effort to better understand local elk populations and looking into habitat and impacts from predators. News this week includes: -A Wildlife Migration License Plate Design Contest announced by TRCP and Montana FWP -A recent land conveyance in Alaska under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act -New...

This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we break down what’s in the “Big Beautiful Bill” and how it impacts hunters and public land users—even without the controversial land sale provision. We also look ahead to next week’s launch of Elk Week, where we’ll be rolling out elk-focused content daily. News Stories Covered: – Wall Street Journal Opinion Piece: The WSJ Editorial Board criticized the removal of the public land sale from the bill, backing false claims about affordability and land use. – Wyoming Corner Crossing Case: A new petition has been submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. – BLM Wi...

In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we cover a major win for public land advocates: Senator Mike Lee was forced to removed the controversial public land sale language from the "Big Beautiful Bill." While it's a victory for now, Randy Newberg breaks down why this issue isn't going away and where to watch for future attempts to sell off public lands. We also cover several key conservation and public access updates: The EXPLORE Act has officially been implemented, expanding access to outdoor recreation, improving public land maps, and increasing coordination to combat invasive species. A collaborative project in...

Link to Mike Lee's updated language: https://www.hunttalk.com/attachments/lee-senr-06-24-2025-pdf.376000/ Call your Senators: (202) 224-3121 Email your Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm Find and Contact your Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

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Call your Senators: (202) 224-3121

Email your Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

Find and Contact your Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representativeBuy

Arizona Bighorn Sheep Raffle Tickets: https://wildsheep.fanthem.io/give/sheep/online-raffles/bhs?referralCode=wsfweb

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Link to Mike Lee’s 69 page bill: https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/DF7B7FBE-9866-4B69-8ACA-C661A4F18096 Members on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee https://www.energy.senate.gov/members Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 Andrew McKean’s Outdoor Life Article https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/senate-proposes-selling-public-land/

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Contact Mike Lee: https://www.lee.senate.gov/contact Contact your Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 This week, we're talking about recent changes to the federal budget reconciliation bill and what they mean for hunters and public land users. Some updates and news include: The Wyoming corner crossing case could be heading to the Supreme Court. A large-scale feral horse roundup is scheduled in Wyoming. Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills a wolf after repeated livestock attacks. Ohio Senate redirects wildlife funding from natural gas revenues. President Trump nominates Michael Boren for U.S...

Find your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative In this episode, we cover troubling developments in the latest budget reconciliation bill, including a proposed amendment that could lead to the sale of over 500,000 acres of public land and the formation of the new Public Lands Caucus. We also look at potential impacts on the USGS Cooperative Wildlife Research Units and changes to oil and gas royalty rates that could reduce federal revenue. But it’s not all bad news — we highlight exciting wildlife conservation projects from Arizona to California, including new elk crossings and Tule Elk restoration efforts. Tune...

Capitol switchboard number: (202) 224-3121. This week we’re taking a closer look at why states are legally allowed to discriminate against non-resident hunters. Randy joins to explain the legal and historical background of this system and what it could mean for the future of hunting access. We also cover some major news stories affecting public lands and hunters: A controversial budget amendment from Mark Amodei (NV) and Celeste Maloy (UT) could result in the sale of at least 11,000 acres of BLM and Forest Service land in Nevada and Utah. The amendment passed committee without public input. Cuts to key fe...

This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we bring you updates from across the West—even while Randy's out chasing turkeys! New Film "UNWIRED" – A must-watch on Wyoming pronghorn, GPS tracking, and how fencing is evolving for wildlife migration. https://thewyldlifefund.org/unwired/ Montana Legislative Wins – Two competing bills (HB 932 & SB 537) could shape the future of conservation funding from marijuana tax revenue. Moose & Sheep Tags – A new law allows FWP to raffle or auction high-demand tags. What does it mean for conservation groups and revenue? Montana expands its Block Management Program to improve public land access through private property. Wolf Conflict...

This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we're switching gears from our usual deep dives into public land policy and instead catching up with the crew to talk about springtime plans and upcoming hunts. But don’t worry—we still have the news segment covering some updates on wildlife and conservation across the country. In this episode: Montana Wildlife Crossings – A new bill is one step away from becoming law, creating a Wildlife Highway Crossing Account. We look at how similar programs in Wyoming and Nevada have proven to save both wildlife and money. Closures by the Army Corps of Engine...

This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we're exploring our ideas for improving government efficiency in the outdoors – D.O.G.E. style. Randy shares some ideas on how the government could improve its functionality when managing public lands and questions why these efficiency tools aren’t already being used.

But first, a few news stories:

Mossy Oak Turkey Stamp

Learn how you can support wild turkey conservation through Mossy Oak’s Conservation Stamp—100% of proceeds go to turkey research that benefits populations nationwide.

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This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we follow up on last week’s budget reconciliation deep dive and talk about the push to sell off public lands. A failed amendment revealed which lawmakers are backing this controversial move — and who’s fighting to keep our lands public.

We also cover the latest outdoor and conservation news:

The U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on federal employee firings, impacting 16,000 workers.

How the loss of key NOAA and wildlife biologists could derail salmon and grizzly bear recove...

This week, Randy checks in from Washington D.C. where he’s meeting with lawmakers and staffers to get the latest on public land policy—and sound the alarm on new efforts to sell off public lands. With major decisions looming, we break down what’s at stake and how it could impact access and conservation across the country.

We also cover a wide range of wildlife and land management stories from around the West:

🦌 Washington State bans baiting for big game hunting and tightens rules to combat Chronic Wasting D...

This week, we have Jared Frasier from what was previously 2% For Conservation. They are relaunching as Fish and Wildlife Volunteers, and Jared explains why the relaunch was necessary and how businesses and individuals can get involved.

A few news stories also include.

A few weeks ago, the Alaska state supreme court ruled that the Department of Game and Fish needed to halt its intensive predator management program, claiming it was unconstitutional.

In Montana, a significant amendment to the water rights bill would have allowed...

This week, we are discussing the recent announcement from the Department of Interior to use Federal Land to help with the Housing Affordability crisis.

Also, some news stories from the week include

Big news for corner crossing in multiple states. The U.S. 10 Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling for the four hunters sued by a private landowner for corner crossing in Wyoming.

Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum recently announced plans to open more of Alaska to oil and gas leasing.

This week, we are discussing the land and water conservation fund, how it’s one of the greatest conservation tools we have, and how, with all the chaos of trying to pass a budget, some LWCF projects could fall through the cracks if Congress doesn’t release funds.

Some news stories also include.

In Colorado, several ranchers were granted compensation for damages to their livestock herds caused by newly reintroduced wolves, which used up almost the entire wolf damage budget.

In Wyoming, black-footed ferrets face...

This week, we’re discussing how a significant amount of Bureau of Land Management land has already been identified as suitable for disposal and would not require Congressional approval to sell.

There is still much uncertainty about the status of the federal employees who were fired in the last month. A judge did, however, rule that the Office of Personnel Management should rescind the memos that fired certain employees.

The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate. It would reauthorize and fund the Vo...

This week, we’re discussing the drastic changes we’ve seen over the last month within our federal agencies and how thousands of people have been fired. Randy details his idea of Government Efficiency.

A few news stories are also included.

A Montana bill has been introduced that would take money generated from the tax on marijuana that currently goes towards funding wildlife habitats, parks, and non-game wildlife and re-direct it to the general fund and various marijuana addiction and prevention accounts.

Another interesting bill...

In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we take a deep dive into Alaska’s board of game with Jim Baichtal.  

Then, we dive into Colorado's controversial HB 1258, which could shift wildlife management from mandatory hunting and fishing to optional, opening the door for litigation. We also cover Colorado's successful bighorn sheep translocation project, funded by hunters, and discuss concerning CWD cases in Wyoming's elk feed grounds. Plus, Idaho announces changes to non-resident tag systems and mule deer conservation efforts, while Colorado prepares for big changes to its tag draw system by 2028.

In this week's episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, Randy and Marcus dive into the ongoing debate over federal land management. They discuss potential solutions that would allow Congress to manage our public lands properly—without resorting to selling them off to state land boards. From funding challenges to policy changes, they explore ways to keep these lands accessible for future generations. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on protecting our public lands and ensuring they remain in public hands!

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In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, Marcus and Randy break down the harsh reality of federal land transfers and what they mean for recreational shooters. If federal lands are handed over to state land boards, millions of acres currently open to target shooting could be lost forever. They discuss real-world examples, the differences in land management policies, and why public land advocates should be paying attention. Don’t take access for granted—tune in to find out what’s at stake.

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This week, we are continuing the series talking about transferring federal land to the states and, in particular, how Congress has the ability to fix a lot of the issues with land management; they just refuse to do so.

Some other news stories include;

Trump’s executive order to pause federal grants and funding led to panic and confusion amongst many in the conservation world as billions in funding was about to be cut off.

A bill in Wyoming popped up that would have ma...

This week we’re discussing transferring federal land to the states and in particular state land boards, what a state land board is, what their responsibilities are and the history of them selling off their land.

The big news story from the week is president Trump's executive orders and what they might mean to public land users and hunters.

Backcountry Hunter’s and Anglers released a statement detailing some of the changes that will come from the result of the orders in Alaska.

In Wyom...

This week, Randy and I are kicking off a series about public land transfer and how the same old ideas of selling and transferring public lands are popping back up.

We’ll revisit how Utah has been pushing the idea of transferring federal land to the state and how the Supreme Court recently shut them down. The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case was certainly a win for public land advocates, but this idea and movement are not going away anytime soon.

So, Randy is going to brea...

Hunting season is in full swing, but Randy is fired up! So we sat down for a quick conversation about selling or transferring federal public lands.

JD Vance recently mentioned the idea of transferring federal land to the states to address housing affordability along with the Biden administration talking about building housing on federal land.

Randy's series on Public Land Transfer is still very relevant. Check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLdxutimd-JvLtlmkrjgsehgJ46BX-lhP

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This week, we’re discussing how wildlife and habitat are often used as currency to pay for our high standards of living and lower energy costs. We also discuss how issues are very often only evaluated economically and not biologically.

In Montana, a judge just ruled in favor of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in a case in which a private landowner group sued the state for failing to kill enough elk.

In Massachusetts, an Act Modernizing Firearm Laws was recently signed into law, which will significantly impact hunters.

This week, we’re discussing Wyoming’s recent ban on conservation groups bidding on oil and gas leases on state land and how, by doing so, they might actually be hurting the school system that they’re obligated to fund.

A recently published study shows how human recreation and noise can negatively impact wildlife by displacing them and keeping them out of the area for extended periods.

In Wyoming, billionaire Joe Ricketts has halted construction on a massive resort near a small town along a mule deer migration corridor.

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This week, for our deeper dive, we’re talking about a new research project on Chronic Wasting Disease in Wyoming and how the best available science to slow the spread of the disease is likely not what hunters want to hear.

In Wyoming, a ranch and family are attempting to close down a road that accesses a significant amount of public land. The road is also a primary access point for other landowners and the county.

Andrew McKean with Outdoor Life recently published an article that dissects a new re...

This week, we’re discussing how you might be a jerk on public lands and not even realize it.

A few news stories from this week include the following:

A quick update on Colorado’s proposal to do away with non-resident over-the-counter archery elk tags.

In Montana, American Prairie just acquired 12,500 more acres of land, bringing its total between deeded and leased property to 475,000 acres.

In Wyoming, Joe Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade, has been attempting to build a lu...

This week, we discuss how Colorado might shift away from over-the-counter opportunities for non-resident archery elk hunting.

In Texas, the Parks and Wildlife Department killed off an entire herd of high-fence white-tailed deer after a severe Chronic wasting Disease outbreak and years of legal battles.

In Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte is again in the spotlight after the New York Times published a story highlighting some new information on his questionable wolf-trapping incident from a few years back.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recently announced...

This week, we discussed some potential conflicts of interest within Fish and Wildlife commissions and how certain individuals could directly benefit from their votes as commissioners.

In Montana, the statewide mule deer permit was recently raffled off by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, raising a record amount of money for mule deer conservation.

Last December, the Duck Stamp Modernization Act was signed into law. This act will allow federal duck stamps to be purchased online, and an E-Stamp will be valid throughout the season.

In...

This week, we are talking about Wild Horses in the West. They’ve been overpopulated on public lands for years… but have finally seen the biggest single-year population reduction since 1985.

Randy failed to mention last week that he received the Wallace Pate award at the RMEF celebration. This is the highest conservation honor that RMEF gives out!

Link to video on the award: https://youtu.be/0MJ8wd0Z1o0?si=yzhEIYAuB_pEB9Bs

We have a quick update on the Corner crossing case in W...

Randy Newberg TAKEOVER! 

Marcus and Michael are busy catching Walleye and Smallmouth so Randy stepped in to deliver this week’s news.

On this week’s episode, we are celebrating Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 40th Anniversary. In the last 40 years, RMEF has amassed 12,000 members, conserved 8.9 million acres as well as improved or secured access for 1.5 million acres. The mission continues! 

To signup for RMEF visit this link - https://www.rmef.org/join/

40th Anniversary Articles

https://ww...

This week, we are talking about the overall decline of wildlife, shifting baselines, and the biggest factors that affect long-term population levels.

Randy Newberg, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and Congressman Bruce Westerman received Theodore Roosevelt’s Conservation Awards for 2024!

We have a quick recap from last week’s episode. Michael, Jace, Kara, and I went to shoot in the NRL hunter competition in Idaho, where we learned a lot about precision shooting.

In Pennsylvania, two bills have been introduced that could remove the longstanding prohibition of S...

This week we’re discussing a news series we're creating to become a better shot with a rifle but also how recreational shooters might contribute more money to conservation than hunters.

A few news stories from this week include the following.

In Alaska the Bureau of Land management has released their final supplemental environmental impact statement in regards to the construction of the Ambler Road where they have recommended "No Action".

News of chronic wasting disease potentially infecting humans has been spreading like wild fi...

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.

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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...

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...

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 so...

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.

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 Sw...

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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...

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...

On this week's episode, we recap our crew's hunting season and jump into some news surrounding Colorado predators. 

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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

• Epi...

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.

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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. 

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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...

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...

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.

Comment on the Draft MT Elk Management Plan: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/draft-elk-plan

Handmade Leather Goods

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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 Depart...

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 wi...

Well ruining might be a little extreme... but there is no doubt that advancements in technology can increase hunter success and lead to less opportunity over time. This will be the topic for this week's deeper dive.

A brief recap of some weekend fishing where Michael caught some big walleye and trout.

Oregon House Bill 3086 has passed both the house and the senate and is currently waiting to be signed into law.

The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service recently announced new hunting opportunities on...

We have a quick recap of some weekend bighorn sheep scouting which is proving to be a fun but tough experience.

A few news headlines including the Nevada's latest reports on the decline of mule deer and bighorn sheep.

Chronic wasting disease has now been confirmed in a road killed deer in Florida adding to the list of states dealing with the spread of this terminal disease, but a new research project sheds some hopeful light on the future as they've realized certain genetic traits cause deer to be...

This week for the deeper dive we talk a little bighorn sheep scouting, hear about Michael and Jace's recent bear hunt and Blake's progress on bird dog training.

Michael also gives us the lowdown in the fishing corner recapping a little walleye outing along with improving trout conditions.

For news we find that Oklahoma finally confirmed their wild deer to test positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Commission has drafted a new policy that appears to be less friendly...

AnyFin Goes Paddlefish Episode:    • ANYFIN GOES! Mont...  

This week we’re talking about a few recent headlines concerning public land and public access.

We give a quick update from a weekend of paddlefish fishing along with picking up a few catfish.

For news we have updates on the Wyoming corner crossing case and how Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks reacted to the ruling of the case.

An update on the Colorado court case concerning an angler suing a private landowner in...

Randy Gives an update on what the crew has been up to. Michael has a fishing report from Fort Peck. Marcus is back from his bear hunt and Randy gives some news updates. This week for the deeper dive, the crew discusses the recent ruling in the Wyoming corner crossing case.

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Randy Newberg gives an update on his Black Bear hunt in Alaska! A man mistakenly kills a grizzly bear thinking it was a black bear in Wyoming... Marcus and Kara are digging up clams and catching crabs with their friends! And Michael is fishing during spring runoff!

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Big news. Marcus drew a bighorn sheep tag in Montana.

A lot of excitement and plans going into the upcoming season but also reeling back and talking about the status of bighorn sheep in Montana along with Shiras moose and mountain goat. s

Many people wait a lifetime to draw one of these tags and unfortunately in Montana, populations are trending down while applications are trending up.

We ponder what we can do and what research has been done and will hopefully be done...

After a few week break we're back with some turkey hunting and fishing stories.

A little news concerning SB 442 in Montana where Governor Gianforte vetoed a popular bill concerning the marijuana tax revenue that was supposed to go to Habitat Montana.

Some news concerning new gun laws in Washington, an update on Colorado's supreme court case that could affect stream access and a new paper that claims wild burros and mountain lions are great for desert ecosystem but has been met with a lot of skepticism from biologists.

Montana turkey season started out great ,filling a couple tags on opening day! We cooked one of the birds in a couple different ways to make some office lunches this week.

Michael finally got his boat out so gives us the fishing update in which he landed a few nice walleye, bass, trout and pike.

The snow keeps coming in the western United States, with the majority of the Snotel sites measuring over 150% snow water equivalent. Arizona Game and Fish sent out an email warning turkey hunters areas are...

It's Spring in Montana! By "Spring" I mean it's turkey and bear season!

Michael fills us in with all things fishing as he's been getting more excited about gear for walleye and bass than he is fly fishing for trout.

For news, we have an update on the two Montana bills that are competing over the marijuana tax revenue that was supposed to go to Habitat Montana.

John Meyer was arrested for Criminal Trespass for collecting water samples Yellowstone Club property.

<...

This week Randy is taking over Fresh Tracks Weekly to give his thoughts on a few things going on in the legislative world.

There has been a movement to add the right to hunt, fish and trap to state's constitutions to try and ensure these activities can continue into the future. Randy gives an update on states that have already achieved this along with a few more currently trying.

Randy also talks about how to gain access primarily in the form of getting hunting access on state trust lands...

Two new national monuments have been designated. What does that mean for public access and management?

A grizzly bear reintroduction is back on the table for the Northern Cascades mountains in Washington.

Three different bills have been introduced before congress to delist wolves nationwide and two different grizzly bear populations.

An interesting study looked at artificial water sources and whether or not they serve as ambush sites for mountain lions to prey on mule deer.

For the deeper dive...

We start off with a quick story and recap of our freezer dying and needing to process 200 lbs of meat into pre-made meals, jerky, and summer sausage.

We catch up with Michael in the fishing corner with some good times on some Montana rivers.

Results from new research on Chronic Wasting Disease shows different methods of detection which could lead to management implications.

Alaska's Willow Project was recently been approved opening up oil drilling on millions of acres of land on the North Slope.<...

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For the deeper dive we hear the story of how Randy messed up his arm in Portland this week. Was it a bear!? Wild dog?! Mugged in an alley? Find out by listening to his story!

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A little fishing update to start off the episode as Michael is still out there swinging bugs.

For news we start off with talking about environmental groups suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trying to get them to place Arctic Grayling on the endangered species list. It's a never ending saga that has been going on for 30 years, but a lot of effort has been done to try and save them.

Idaho released their results of CWD testing in the state and a little glimpse into their...

This week we're starting out with a quick recipe for slow cooked pronghorn shoulder made from a Nevada antelope and chukar stock.

Michael recaps his recent steelhead fishing trip to Idaho which ended up being substantially more successful than last year.

We revisit the discussion of renewable energy development on public lands with some new insight into what's going into the decision making.

Wyoming has seen severe weather conditions across the state along with a rare disease outbreak that is making life tough for...

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Multiple bills are attempting to redistribute funds that are supposed to go to Habitat Montana. Significant tax revenue from the legalization of marijuana was supposed to be directed to a fund in that is used to purchase high quality wildlife habitat and conservation easements but instead lawmakers are trying to redirect it to other projects.

A few bills related to easements have been stopped but it sounds like there will likely be continued attacks on conservation easements in the state so we've been cautioned...

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We have a new in the field Fishing Corner from Michael, where he runs through his process of winter nymphing for trout.

A few news articles this week include the announcement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to launch a 12-month status review on whether or not they should delist grizzly bears from the Endangered Species List in select populations.

Two wolves were recently captured and fitted with GPS collars in Colorado, reminding us that they are...

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This week we catch up with Michael on some sub-zero temp fishing reports.

Oregon is trying to amend its constitution to include the right to hunt and fish, making them the 24th state to do so if successful. The boundary waters recently received protections from hard rock mine leasing for the next two years in a watershed that is a favorite amongst outdoorsmen. Idaho Game and Fish plans to continue to reduce their wolf population and is about to release their new draft management plan. The final s...

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Short episode this week with Michael and Randy out of the office. Just a few news segments to recap.

Legislation in Kansas to provide free deer tags and defund the game and fish.

The roadless rule has been restored on the Tongass National forest in Alaska, what does this mean for wildlife and habitat?

Fence removals and cows with gps collars using a virtual fence could revolutionize cattle grazing and help mitigate wildlife barriers.<...

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We start with a recap from the weekend's chukar hunt where some tasty, cheat grass filled, non-native upland birds were chased down by a bird dog in the cliffs.

We hear from Michael's fishing corner where we hear about his new rod he just broke.

News segments include three grizzly bears that came down with the bird flu, a poaching case in Nebraska where some celebrities were convicted, an update on some new media coming out of western Wyoming...

A Legislative storm of fish and wildlife-related bills is being drafted in Montana and likely in your state as well. Randy gives us a preview of what's to come in Montana in one of the segments of Fresh Tracks Weekly. Hopefully, we can get a weekly update as both good and bad bills are brought forth.

We also have some general updates, MP's fishing corner, and news segments. This year we're including more of the crew as we sit around the conference room to discuss the deeper dive. 

We g...

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Public Land Transfer Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

This week we talk about a recently published study looking at the Greater Yellowstone Elk Herd and how much they rely on private land in the winter. Much of the land they utilize in the winter is still unprotected. 

Conservation easements have recently seen pushback over concerns about land being used for various reasons, including as loopholes for large tax breaks.

Elk management in Mo...

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This is the last episode for the foreseeable future. Hunting season is starting for us, and we won't have time for the weekly show.

We catch up with Michael in the Ohio edition of the fishing corner and jump into a few news items.

The Center for Biological Diversity and some other animal welfare groups filed a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requesting to disqualify Montana and Idaho from receiving Pittman-Robertson funding because of their...

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RMEF Films Minam Project https://youtu.be/ADMmzy9bpSM

Another busy week for the Fresh Tracks crew as we gear up for the upcoming season.

Michael has been getting some great dry fly action fishing the last couple of weeks and fills us in at the fishing corner.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation released a film on the Minam River Project in which they are working towards opening up over 15,000 acres of land in prime...

It's a busy week for the crew, finishing up edits from last season while prepping for the next hunting season.

Wolves, being the charismatic megafauna they are, often pop up in national and hunting-related news feeds. They often gain so much attention for very different reasons depending on the audience.

A recent article in Frontiers in Conservation Science reviewed numerous scientific articles and found that many of the extreme stories about wolves are drastically overstated.

The Federal Subsistence Board also voted to close two...

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Video Editor Job Posting https://bit.ly/3OrBmon

Comment on Minnesota Draft Wolf Management Plan https://engage.dnr.state.mn.us/wolf-plan

This week we have a crew update, saying farewell and good luck to several employees. We have a sneak peak in to the recent AnyFin Goes episodes currently in production.  

We touch on the draft wolf management plan that Minnesota has put out for public comment, talking about the thin line Department of...

This week we get the crew fishing update from the 4th of July weekend.

We learn about the funding of the Northern Plains Grassland Project and talk through where the money comes from.

We look into the current status of wildfires throughout the United States this summer and ponder the potential consequences to wildlife.

For the deeper dive we discuss Andrew Clyde’s newly introduced "RETURN Act" to repeal the Pittman-Robertson Act. He and 53 co-sponsors somehow decided this is a good idea, despite being op...

In this episode, we catch up with the crew who's been out fishing quite a bit in the last couple of weeks.

News items this week include North Carolina elk and wildlife crossings. Turns out people really like elk back east too and are trying to help with connectivity across busy roadways.

A new study was recently published looking into the effects of wind turbines on bats and the cascading effects of removing bats from an ecosystem. 

A bill was recently introduced attempting to r...

This was the last week of bear hunting for the crew this spring. So we get a quick glimpse of Randy and Marcus’ end-of-the-season efforts. 

Congratulations to Paul Kemper for getting married to Jordanne!

Michael gives us the update on the rivers and the crazy floods that hit this week.

We talk about the Vail Bighorn Sheep Initiative and their issues with Vail Resort trying to develop in important winter range.

Good news with the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act passing the House, hopefully the momentum continues. 

We d...

This week we recap a recent paddlefish trip, catch up on Michael's fishing corner, talk about Dale filming the Warriors and Quiet Waters Hunt For a Purpose Program as well as wishing Dale luck on his future endeavors.

Topics discussed include over 40,000 acres of newly accessible land for hunting and fishing in Wyoming, recent bills moving forward on firearms and ammunition, wolves causing the death of 143 domestic sheep in Idaho, and learn about a recent study looking into the correlation between elk hoof disease and asymmetrical antlers.

For the deeper dive, CEO of Warriors and...

This week we recap the crew's week, which included chasing bears, turkeys and fish.

Recent news includes discussion of a new pilot project in Wyoming for conserving private lands along migration corridors. Talking about about another error made by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks where 1200 tags were accidentally sent out to non-residents. A new update on the United Property Owners of Montana lawsuit over elk management in Montana. A new portal to nominate parcels Bureau of Land Management Land that has access issues, and discussing the new changes that are incentivizing green energy development on public land.<...

This week we eat mountain goat tamales that were delicious. We talk about winter ticks and moose and how 90% of calves in a recent study were killed by ticks. We also look into some recent changes with Mexican wolf recovery and recap a presentation that tells the full story of how we got to the current status of wolves in the southwest. 

Randy joins in to do a deeper dive on ideas in which Montana can work towards fixing elk management in the state. It's a complicated mix of stakeholders who are very passionate a...

We missed last week as we were out bear hunting, but we catch up on some of the crew's stories and catch Michael Parente's fishing report.

News on Wyoming Migration Initiative tells the story of a mule deer's migration and encountering barriers. Bird flu sweeping across the country and now infecting wild turkeys, foxes, and a human. Bill to ban lead ammunition on U.S. Fish Wildlife Service Land.

In this week's deeper dive we are back on the topic of "bulls for billionaires" as there...

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The Fresh Tracks crew was spread out all over last week. We get Randy Newberg's beaver trapping report, Dale Evan's turkey hunting report, and Michael Parente's fishing report.

We touch on a few headlines including the passage of the MAPLand Act, the Forest Service's new Wildfire Crisis Strategy, and changes to Arizona's over-the-counter archery deer regulations.

For the deeper dive, Randy talks about the recent court case in Wyoming where four hunters were found not guilty of criminal...

This week we recap some turkey hunts, Michael Parente shares the fishing report, and we get a sneak peek at Randy's trip back to Minnesota where he is currently filming his friends on a beaver trapping expedition.

We touch on the recent denial of the petition to ban black bear hunting in California, hear about a new RMEF land acquisition in Oregon on the Siuslaw National Forest, and ponder what's happening to our wildlife in spring blizzards.

We are absent a deeper dive this week because we are out...

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Marcus is back from a week of vacationing and chasing turkeys with his dad. Michael is up to 56 days of fishing now and this week's office lunch consists of carnita style turkey tacos.

News this week includes:

For the deeper dive Randy and Marcus discuss the closure of millions of...

This week Marcus did some wildlife watching. Matthew caught a chinook salmon on the Oregon coast. Dale, Randy, and Beau helped out with a new project that Warriors and Quiet Waters has teaching combat veterans how to archery elk hunt.

We talk about Beau's new Divide Series Tents, the no-net loss bill in Georgia, the Crazy Mountain land access case, and a new study on wolf dynamics and the effects of hunting and trapping wolves.

For a deeper dive, Michael Parente talks about how invasive species rule Montana's fisheries...

Happy April, everyone! It looks like spring, and the crew is getting excited! Shed antler hunting, buying a "new" jet boat, and razor clamming were on the docket this week.

We talk about a new public property in Tennessee with some excellent elk habitat. We talk about corner crossing in Wyoming, killing big bucks to reduce CWD, and how the drought in Utah affects the available deer tags for the 2022 Utah general deer season.

For a deeper dive, we look into the Land and Water Conservation Fund and explore...

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In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, Marcus Hockett catches up on what's happening with the crew. Marcus and Michael get their tooth age data back from their Alaksa bears. This week's office lunch consists of some mountain lion tacos cooked up by Dale Evans. 

This week, Jonathan Spear is the guest to discuss the recent cancelation of the spring bear hunt in Washington and the movement to cancel predator hunting in general. Jonathan is a relatively new hunter that has been intrigued b...

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We have a few Fresh Tracks crew updates and some recent changes on hunting-related bills. Randy and Marcus dive deep into good news, talking about some animal trap and transplant stories that shaped the current status of how we have abundant wildlife throughout North America today.

Without the foresight of past wildlife managers, our landscape could look very different. We are pretty lucky to have the wildlife and hunting opportunities that we do, but there is always more work to do!<...

This week, Randy is out of the office, so we have a fill-in guest, Paul Kemper, to talk about sage-grouse farming in Wyoming and the legislative process. Marcus tells the story of the recent lake trout fishing trip; the crew eats some fresh snacks and more!

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