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Join David Willms, Mike McGrady, Nephi Cole, and entertaining guests each week as they use humor, storytelling, and more than 40 years of collective experience in law, science, and policy to explain important decisions affecting your outdoor experience. As the guys frequently say, "There are millions of acres of opportunity out there. They belong to you. Every day, decisions are being made that affect your land, your water, and your wildlife. You should know about them. This is Your Mountain." http://www.itsyourmountain.com/

Location:

United States

Description:

Join David Willms, Mike McGrady, Nephi Cole, and entertaining guests each week as they use humor, storytelling, and more than 40 years of collective experience in law, science, and policy to explain important decisions affecting your outdoor experience. As the guys frequently say, "There are millions of acres of opportunity out there. They belong to you. Every day, decisions are being made that affect your land, your water, and your wildlife. You should know about them. This is Your Mountain." http://www.itsyourmountain.com/

Language:

English

Contact:

307-421-8086


Episodes

The Decades Long Wolf Delisting Fight Continues

2/26/2024
Earlier in February, the US Fish and Wildlife Service made a determination that a population of wolves delisted years ago in the Western United States should not be relisted under the Endangered Species Act. However, the decision is more complicated than that, and could create some unintended consequences for these states down the line. The guys explain that, and the entire legal history that got us to this point.

Duration:01:20:17

Pontificating on the Complexity of State Hunting/Fishing Regulations - and Other Stuff

2/17/2024
Dave and Nephi recorded this episode in January to, among other things, alert non-resident hunters of changes to elk hunting application processes in Wyoming. Of course, they didn't release the episode until mid-February--after the application deadline. So, hopefully it helps for 2025. Other topics discussed include: upcoming sage grouse management plans, the complexitiy of state hunting/fishing regulations, hunting state lands in Nebraska, wolf release in Colorado, corner crossing, and more. Want more frequent episodes? Shoot us a note and let us know at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com.

Duration:01:19:10

Land for Sale in the Tetons and Challenging a Hunter Harassment Law in Wisconsin

1/12/2024
In an episode recorded a month ago, but only released today because Dave dropped the ball on doing his part to keep this podcast going, the guys discuss a controversial state land disposal proposal near Grand Teton National Park and a recent 7th Circuit Court of Appeals decision regarding the constitutionality of Wisconsin's hunter harassment law. Other topics include: Nephi possessing the rifle that gave Steven Rinella trichinosis, a first elk story, and Dave shamelessly plugs a recently published book that includes a chapter he wrote. It's available everywhere...that sells books about the Endangered Species Act. Take a listen, and we'll record more!

Duration:01:25:28

Wolves, Mountain Lions, MapWaters Act, and Elk Hunting

11/17/2023
Hunting season is well underway, which means the guys aren't recording much, and when they do they take weeks to publish. However, they found time to sit down and talk about some current events that hunters and anglers should care about. They discuss: collaboration in SW Wyoming on land use planning; wolf reintroduction; ballot box biology strikes again in Colorado to try to end mountain lion and bobcat hunting; and the MapWater Act. They also recount their elk hunting experience this fall. Spoiler alert: only one of them punched their tag, and it wasn't Nephi.

Duration:01:08:48

Having a Voice in Federal Land Management Planning

10/10/2023
The guys sit down with Josh Coursey, CEO of the Muley Fanatic Foundation and host of the Wild Things & Wild Places podcast, to discuss a controversial Resource Management Plan (RMP) in Southwest Wyoming. They correct misinformation about the draft RMP, speak to the importance of local collaboratives, explain how the Bureau of Land Management could have more effectively rolled out the draft, and dive deeply into the importance of participating in the planning process. Then, Josh shares his Mountain. Whether you are from Wyoming, or enjoy public lands elsewhere in the country, this episode gives you some important tips on how to make your voice heard.

Duration:01:16:32

Wildlife Conservation with Chris Tymeson of Safari Club International

10/3/2023
Chris Tymeson earns his gold jacket by joining the guys for the fifth time--this time representing Safari Club International (SCI). They discuss the history of SCI, and the type of legal and governmental affairs work SCI does on behalf of hunters around the country and world. In a Your Mountain first, Chris also arbitrates a series of disputes between Dave and Nephi. They also share a tribute to a giant of conservation, the late Miles Moretti. Tune in!

Duration:01:14:10

The Summer Conservation Rundown

9/19/2023
Dave and Nephi are back after taking a podcasing summer break. In this episode, the guys run down some of the biggest conservation stories that took place while they were climbing peaks, fishing, and entering shooting competitions. Topics include: a new national monument, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Evnironmental Protection Agency and waters of the US, National Public Lands Day, National Hunting and Fishing Day, and Dave tries to ruin Nephi's elk hunt before it even starts.

Duration:00:54:01

New Oil and Gas Leasing Rules from BLM

7/28/2023
The Bureau of Land Management just released a draft rule that, if finalized, would significantly change the way in which oil and gas leases are issued on public lands. The guys break down what it means for the industry, and the public at large. They also offer a tip of the hat to Backcountry Hunter and Anglers CEO, Land Tawney.

Duration:01:31:25

Support for Hunting in the United States Declines

7/21/2023
A recent study shows that support for hunting, fishing, trapping, and the shooting sports in the United States has declined over the past 3 years (though it's still very high). The guys dive into the results, what it means for hunters and anglers, and things to think about to ensure strong public support long into the future.

Duration:01:19:31

SCOTUS defines Waters of the United States

6/14/2023
Jonathan Wood from the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) joins the guys to discuss a landmark SCOTUS case, Sackett v. EPA, which defines "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act. They break down the decision and explain what it means for states, landowners, hunters, and others. Johathan also shares his Mountain. Don't miss this episode--it certainly isn't dry.

Duration:01:37:39

The Corner Crossing Decision

6/1/2023
In a long anticipated decision, a Federal judge recently found that four hunters did not commit a civil trespass when corner crossing in Wyoming's checkerboard lands. Great news for those four hunters, but what about the rest of us? Is corner crossing now legal? The guys break down the decision and explain what it might mean for you as you plan your public land hunt this fall. Spoiler: the decision doesn't go as far as you might think.

Duration:01:23:13

The Bureau of Land Management's Proposed Conservation Rule

5/26/2023
The Bureau of Land Management is proposing a new rule that would allow companies, individuals, and NGOs to lease lands for restoration. They also propose to elevate conservation as a multiple use on par with other land uses. This proposal has generated some controversy. Dave and Nephi assign themselves different perspectives and discuss.

Duration:01:24:48

The Politics of Wildlife Management

5/2/2023
Congress is considering several bills that would remove a number of species from the protections of the Endangered Species Act. Dave and Nephi discuss them. Other topics include: bird flu in California condors; catastrophic losses of pronghorn and mule deer this winter; Wyoming's corner crossing case; and the Colorado legislature's new action on wolf reintroduction (note: the bill has passed since recording this episode).

Duration:01:10:09

Breaking down Willow (not the classic 1980s film)

4/11/2023
The Biden administration recently gave the green light to a controversial oil project in northern Alaska. Dave and Nephi wade into the issue. They discuss why many in the conservation world oppose it, why others support it--including how it fits into the national security debate and the climate debate. They also provide an update on a New Mexico stream access case, provide a PSA about leaving stressed wildlife alone, answer a listener question about lead/copper ammunition, and preview a future episode of the Your Mountain podcast.

Duration:01:20:13

Advocacy and Grizzlies: Making a Point vs. Making a Difference

3/1/2023
The US Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced it would consider Montana's and Wyoming's petitions to delist grizzly bears. The guys do a deep dive into the decision, the state politics, the legal process, and what it means for grizzly bears in the West. They also discuss a frustrating trend in state legislatures, and Dave encourages attending a convention that's already occurred! Check us out, and then shoot us a note at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com

Duration:00:57:03

Boundary Waters, Tongass, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

2/7/2023
Dave and Nephi break down a bill that could require leasing tens of millions of acres of public land to replenish the strategic petroleum reserve. They also discuss the administration's decision to prevent mineral leasing in the Boundary Waters area of northern Minnesota, and to reinstate roadless rule protections in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. Finally, the guys discuss a proposal to allow mountain lion pursuit with dogs after a tag's been filled. Enjoying the content? Ideas for an episode? Let us know. Send an email to yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com, rate us, and find us on social media @itsyourmountain.

Duration:01:12:11

Wolves, Bears, and Bills

1/26/2023
Grizzly bears and wolves remain hot topics. Dave and Nephi provide an update on Colorado's efforts to reintroduce wolves, and how the public can get involved in the process. Then, they break down a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that challenged grizzly bear recovery plans, and discuss what the decision means for bear recovery/delisting. Next, the guys highlight a few bills circulating in state legislatures that are worth following, including bills about corner crossing, hunting predators with infrared technology, lead alternative programs, range day requirements for hunters education, and more. Other topics include: Safari Club International's wildlife law CLE, a Mule Deer Foundation banquet, SHOT Show, and more.

Duration:01:32:12

Lead Ammunition on Wildlife Refuges and the Colorado River Water Catastrophe

12/29/2022
Dave and Nephi end 2022 discussing some hot topics in conservation, including a Recovering America's Widlife Act update (update since recording: it didn't pass in 2022), and teeing up a needed deeper dive into the Montana Crazy Mountains access saga. They also discuss the resolution of a recent case brought by Center for Biological Diversity challenging lead use on wildlife refuges, which gets Nephi a bit fired up. Next, they give a 30,000 ft view of the Colorado River Compact, the river system, and the unprecedented drought that is pushing the west toward the biggest water war this country has ever seen. Tune in, and then join us for more new episodes in 2023!

Duration:01:28:09

Whose Land is it Anyway: Contentious Access Issues in the West

11/22/2022
Jonathan Wood, Vice President of Law & Policy at the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), joins the guys to discuss some contentious access issues in the West. They dive into a New Mexico stream access case that may find its way to the US Supreme Court, and then provide an update on a land access dispute in the Crazy Mountains of Montana. Other topics include: whether Nephi should host the podcast; market-based envionmental solutions; listing the lesser priaire chicken; Jonathan's mountain; and more. Enjoying the podcast? Give us a 5 star rating, follow us on social media, send us an email at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com; and most importantly--tell your friends. Thanks for the support--it means everything.

Duration:01:28:51

From Scarcity to Abundance: The History of Game Management

11/11/2022
The guys take a deep dive into the history of wildlife management in America, using Wyoming's journey as as example. They discuss: how wildlife laws progressed from the 1860s to the modern era; how important the Pittman-Robertson Act passing was to state management efforts; what revenues make up state wildlife agency budgets; why the firearms industry supports the Pittman-Robertson Act, what the Recovering America's Wildlife Act would do for states; and more. They also try to match attorneys with conservation organizations in need of pro bono legal services. Take a listen, and then email yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com with future show ideas.

Duration:01:14:01