The great Mark Twain once wrote, “Buy land, they aren’t making it anymore,” but Mr. Twain was wrong! The Mississippi River and the state of Louisiana are working together to build tens of thousands of acres on the Louisiana coast. Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s Chairman is Bren Haase. Chairman Haase is a passionate hunter and angler from Sportsman’s Paradise, and he joined us to talk about Louisiana’s coastal land loss crisis and how the state is battling that crisis for both people and wildlife.

Suggested Links:

https://coastal.la.gov/

https://midbasin.coastal.la.gov/

https://coastal.la.gov/our-plan/2023-coastal-master-plan/

https://www.vanishingparadise.org/blog/2022/8/creating-paradise-at-davis-pond

Due to advertising inserted into the show post production, we are no longer able to provide show notes.

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Aaron and Bill sit down with renowned deer expert, speaker, and author Jim Heffelfinger to discuss a wide-ranging set of topics focused around the status of mule deer. We expand on what is impacting mule deer health and abundance, CWD, what impacts antler growth, how habitat changes life histories of mule deer, and many other fascinating topics. We even throw in a good deer joke. Jim is the complete expert on mule deer and this is a discussion you don’t want to miss. 

Suggested Links: 

https://deernut.com/home

https://wafwa.org/wpdm-package/2023-range-wide-status-of-the-black-tailed-and-mule-deer/

Follow Jim on Instagram @CervidNut

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Bill and Aaron have a fun conversation about all things onX hunt app with Jared Larsen, the company’s Whitetail Marketing Manager. We talk about the advent and growth of the company, new features, things in the works, how they feel about the complaint that folks don’t have to put in the work to scout areas, the conservation work onX does, and many other interesting topics. We also take a few questions from listeners who will now receive a one-year elite membership. Jared is a fun and charismatic dude. You don’t want to miss this one. 

Suggested Links:

https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

https://www.onxmaps.com/news

https://www.onxmaps.com/onx-access-initiatives

https://www.onxmaps.com/onx-access-initiatives/private-land-public-access

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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

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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"

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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/

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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…

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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

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Aaron and Bill chat with long time authors Tom Reed and Greg McReynolds about the release of their new book, Mouthful of Feathers. The book is the result of years of compiling pieces from some of the most provocative upland bird hunting writers from across the country who have contributed to the blog of the same name.

We talk love of dogs, love of wild country, and why they choose to build the book. We also wax about conservation writing, what inspires their work, and the state of outdoor writing. Mouthful of Feathers showcases a different kind of writing you won’t find in the traditional sporting publications – humorous, inspiring, irreverent, full of clear love for the outdoors, it is a unique and refreshing complication that will leave you feeling satisfied. 

Suggested Link: 

www.mouthfuloffeathers.com

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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 Jodee Dixon in Hawaii for an archery hunt. Jodee is an ambassador for our partner program, Artemis Sportswomen. She lives in Juneau, Alaska.

“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

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Stories about growing up in a hunting family are always great to hear, and when they begin with “My father didn’t let me being a girl change how he raised me,” you know it’s going to be fun. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Amy Snider grew up hunting and fishing in East Tennessee and was about as immersed in the sporting culture of the region as anyone could be. That upbringing served her well during her career both as a Wildlife Officer and a communications and outreach manager with the agency. She was prepared to speak the language of sportsmen, care for the resource and deal with the occasional inappropriate comment from a smallminded hunter or angler.  

Suggested Links:

https://www.tn.gov/twra.html

https://www.amesplantation.org/field-trials

Show notes:

2:52 – Bill shares a little background on Amy Snider.

4:17 – The crew shares what they’ve been doing outside recently.

8:35 – Amy reflects on her upbringing with her father and growing up on a farm.

12:08 – Volleyball, wildlife sciences and the challenges Amy is facing due to the decrease in hunters.

14:13 – Amy talks about her path to working with hunting dogs. 

19:29 - Was it difficult to get started as a female game warden? Do people react differently in the field with a male vs. a female game warden?

22:56 – Amy’s husband is also a game warden, she shares whether or not they talk about work at home. 

26:35 – What entails the typical week of a game warden?

30:43 – Catching poachers by identifying footprints and other clues such as traces of corn

31:26 – Amy shares a moment that ended up being funny but wasn’t necessarily funny at the time.

37:12 – Other epic tales of poachers, domestic abuse, drugs, and daily encounters for game wardens like Amy. 

39:03 – Bill shares the story of the first time he encountered Amy in the field. 

41:26 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors and Artemis Sportswomen on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!

*The following time stamps may be incorrect due to advertising*

42:35 - What are some common excuses for poachers when they know they are getting caught?

44:12 - Common things folks get in trouble for without realizing it’s illegal.

49:08 – HONESTY IS KEY. Amy shares some insight regarding best practices for sportswomen and sportsmen. 

51:49 - What about Amy’s past work got her to this current role in communications and outreach?

54:02 – Average day for someone in communications and outreach with TWRA… everything from CWD to boating safety to hunting safety. 

56:29 – Some of the upcoming events and changes in Tennessee for turkey and boating safety. 

1:02:50 -- What are the fishing guide changes in Tennessee? It’s all online! DON’T MOVE THE ALABAMA BASS!

1:04:18 – The biggest challenge is the decrease in hunters and most hunters are over age 50. We need to get more youth into hunting and fishing.

1:07:04 – Amy helped test over 21,000 deer in TN, which is the second highest state in testing and had a little over 800 positive CWD tests.

1:09:13 – Closing statements. Get outside. Enjoy. Be respectful of other users. Be respectful of wildlife. BE SAFE. 

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