National Wildlife Federation Outdoors

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. Please be sure to following NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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" For more great content, action alerts and information on how you can make a difference. Please follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Kindle sits down with the founders of Sporting Lead Free and the North American Non-Lead Partnership while they were together for a meeting of the key players working to reduce lead on the landscape from hunting and fishing activities. We discuss why we decided to convene at this time with the greatest minds on non-lead hunting and fishing, what the goals of the summit were, and where we hope the movement to reduce lead on the landscape goes from here. Aaron asks about other critters beyond the most well-known stories of poisoning in raptors, about human health impacts, and about ammunition pricing and availability. We also discuss the respective organizations, particularly the newest group on the scene, Sporting Lead Free, and discuss some of the common misconceptions surrounding lead free ammunition. Links: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/Lead-Free-Landscapes https://nonleadpartnership.org/ https://sportingleadfree.org/ Show notes: 3:53 – Brayan, Chris, Leland, and Aaron share what they’ve been doing outside recently, in particular, spreading the word about the voluntarily use of non-lead alternatives in the field. 7:25 – Bryan shares a little background on Sporting Lead-Free. 11:15 – Chris and Leland share a little background on the North American Non-Lead Partnership. 15:25 - The group talks about the event that brought them together in Boise and recent work in the realm of lead-free hunting and fishing. 17:41 – The group chimes in on the material (lead) being the problem. How can we improve the sustainability of the practices by shifting the use of this material in the field? 27:59 – What direction is this lead-free movement heading? 34:15 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors AND Artemis Sportswomen on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. *Inserted ads from our hosting platform may affect the time slots below* 35:44 - Talking about the science and its relationship to the lead-free movement. 40:22 – Why do people switch to non-lead alternatives? Performance… Wildlife conservation… Food consumption… 46:58 – “We are all decedents of hunters…” 51:55 - Where else and how else are we going to spread the word so more people will make the switch to non-lead alternatives in the field. 59:35 – Where do we hope to be in ten years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York isn’t exactly the place the average American thinks of when the topic of raising a sportsman is discussed, but hunting and fishing in northern New York inspired a lifelong love of hunting and angling in Brad Cohen so strong he has made studying several species his life’s work…with a little hunting thrown in. In this episode, we discuss the Tennessee Mallard Project he oversees for Tennessee Tech. The team has been trapping wintering mallards in Tennessee for three years, and some of the early findings are shaking up our understanding of how waterfowl move during the hunting season! Suggested Links and social media: Facebook: Cohen Wildlife Lab Instagram: cohenwildlab https://www.cohenwildlifelab.com/ Show notes: 3:08 – Bill mentions the (unfortunate) duck season and introduces Dr. Brad Cohen of Tennesee Tech. 4:17 – The crew shares what they have been doing outdoors recently! Catching a bone fish in Belize, wrapping up duck season, puppy training and hunting pigeons. 7:56 – Brad talks about his childhood and background growing up in New York. Saltwater fishing, deer hunting and wild turkeys. 13:08 – Brad talks about his duck study… What are ducks doing in western Tennessee? What role are these refuges playing on the landscape? What if we try to get the ducks off these refuges – what would happen? 19:30 – Brad explains ducks and nocturnal behavior. Once hunting season starts, most of the time, ducks only fly twice a day. 24:45 – Brad doesn’t have any expectations when he does these studies, but he was surprised to learn that in west Tennessee ducks don’t fly very far, and 70% of these ducks use one refuge the entire time they are in the area. 30:30 – Brad discusses what we have done as hunters including more money and privatization. 32:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!! Be sure to follow both NWF Outdoors and Artemis on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter! 33:00 - When and where are ducks flying? 35:20 - Does it matter if you are a good duck caller? 38:00 – When things freeze up, do ducks go south? 41:30 – Turns out, ducks that come to Tennessee – stay in the state and will often return should they leave. 45:06 – A few recommendations regarding how we hunt and disturb ducks. 49:22 – Brad shares a few projects he is currently working on right now… working with state agencies to help set seasons. 56:17 - For hunters in Tennessee, is there anything they can do to help Brad and his team? 57:20 – What about how this work ties into national policy? 1:02:54 – Closing statements and suggested resources! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Ashley Chance for the most epic deer hunt of her entire life. Ashley is the southeast program coordinator for Artemis Sportswomen. “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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Deubel, Executive Director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation joins Aaron Kindle for short discussion following today’s (2/27/23) historic decision where the United States Supreme Court declined to review the New Mexico Supreme Court’s ruling from last fall that affirmed the right of New Mexicans to walk or wade on the streambeds of water that flows over privately-owned lands. This means that it remains legal to walk or wade New Mexico’s streams and cements the victory of public access to those streams. Congratulations to the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and to all the public lands and waters users who will continue to benefit from this decision! https://nmwildlife.org/us-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-challenge-to-nm-stream-access-ruling/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world where everyone has a podcast, we are excited to offer you something different. Join NWF Outdoors & Artemis Sportswomen for the world premiere of a new 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 the premiere of “Afield” we invite you to join NWF’s director of sporting advocacy, Aaron Kindle, while he removes elk ribs with his son. “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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NWF Outdoors sends you off into 2023 with some help from our friends, listeners, and colleagues. They share their favorite outdoor memories from 2022 and some even share their favorite NWF Outdoors podcast episode. Enjoy these fun short stories from around the country and we’ll see you in 2023! Show notes: Show Notes: 1:30 - Leanne Chadwick shares her favorite turkey hunting experience of 2022. 3:35 – Jesse Deubel of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. 4:15 – Jodee Dixon, Artemis ambassador based in Southeast Alaska. 7:12 – Andrew Black, NWF’s public lands field director. 8:56 – Morgan Harrell, Artemis ambassador based in South Carolina. 9:44 – Jason Baldes, NWF’s tribal buffalo program manager. 11:24 – Ashlee Smith, sportswomen based in Mississippi. 12:45 - Lew Carpenter, NWF director of conservation partnerships in the intermountain west. 16:19 – Alyssa Bowen, Artemis ambassador based in Oklahoma. 17:10 – Todd Waldron of the Rough Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society. 20:21 – David Willms, NWF’s senior director of western wildlife. 21:10 – Mike McTee of MPG Ranch based in Missoula, Montana. 23:00 – Matthew Waguespack, Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator for Vanishing Paradise. 25:18 – Alec Underwood, senior policy and development director for the Montana Wildlife Federation. 25:25 - Gary Marz, lifelong angler, BHA board member and podcast listener based in Long Island New York. 28:42 - Dan Ritz of the Idaho Wildlife Federation. 29:33 – Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships for NWF’s Great Lakes Region. 32:33 – Mary Lynn of Light Em Up Kennels based in Eastern Tennessee. 33:19 – Closing statements. Thanks for listening in 2022! We look forward to seeing you in 2023!! Be sure to take our podcast survey: Whatever it is you want to hear from us – we want to know. Fill out our short survey here to share your voice and you’ll be entered to win a fantastic roll top soft cooler from our friends at Banded/Avery Outdoors. We appreciate your support and the time you’ll spend on the survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill and Aaron take some time to ponder the year, look back on interesting guests and topics, and look to 2023 changes for the podcast, exciting new products, and how listeners can help. Aaron also chats quickly with Ashley Chance about CWD and what progress has been made since the release of the CWD Chronicles. Show notes (and links): 0:52 – “We’ve learned so much! It’s been a journey!” 1:52 – Stories from recent outdoor pursuits. 4:33 – Gratitude for hosts, cohosts, and great guests in 2023. 6:00 – We tried a lot of new concepts including the CWD Chronicles and podcast recordings. 9:45 – Feedback, upcoming podcast survey and something to look forward to in 2023. 10:48 – Aaron takes it back to the first episode with both hosts… Greg Fitz from the Wild Steelhead Coalition. Discussing the plight of steelhead, salmon runs, issues regarding the Pacific Northwest and the abundance of fish historically. It’s up to anglers for so much of this stuff! 13:07 – Gary Mason! Gary announces live on the show that Bill Cooksey was going to be inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Bill shares how heartfelt this honor was and how special it was for this announcement to be present while recording the podcast. 15:22 – Warren Coco! Ducks, overalls, and stories with this special person and conservationist. 18:01 -- Ron Rohrbaugh! Author, traditional bow craftsman and someone worth following on social media. 20:15 – Bob Budd! Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust and a favorite show for both hosts. 21:15 – Alex Harvey! A wonderful human who is involved in everything. 21:43 – Casey Stemler! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Senior Advisor for Western States. 23:25 – The CWD Chronicles! This special series really unpacked this issue and it’s a must listen if you haven’t tuned in already. 24:33 - Aaron Kindle and Ashley Chance share an update on the current CWD situation and pending legislation. 29:03 - Bill Cooksey adds his perspective on CWD after listening to the series. https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles 30:40 - Where’s Ronquest? Jimbo finally made it on the show and didn’t disappoint. 32:09 - Jake Latendresse may be the most well-known sportsmen you’ve never heard of. 34:58 – Senator Martin Heinrich came on the show and spoke about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. https://www.nwfoutdoors.org/e/the-recovering-america-s-wildlife-act-with-lead-sponsor-senator-martin-heinrich/ 36:50 – Salmon experts came on the show to cover topics from Bristol Bay to the Snake River and everywhere in-between threatened by transboundary mining. 39:53 – Duck podcasts! Bill chats about his waterfowl expert podcast guests Chris Nicolai and Dr. Mike Brasher. 41:46 - From podcasts recorded on location in a fishing boat off the coast of Sitka or touching base with our affiliate in Alaska to conservations with Steve Bowen, Crispin Powley, Chad Hoover, and Rue Mapp. 43:03 - The Return Act discussion with David Willms and Mike Butler. 45:17 – What’s coming next? Make sure to take our short survey between Dec 14-Jan 9 for a chance to win a Roll-Top Cylinder Soft Sided Cooler. We are really excited to share our new short-form series, “Afield”. We are unplugging until February so please be sure to catch up on podcasts you have yet to enjoy. We would be incredibly grateful if you could gift us with a rating and written review on whatever podcast platform you listen to. Thanks for listening!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Nicolai is a certified “duck nut,” but he’s also a waterfowl scientist with a PhD and leads the waterfowl research program with Delta Waterfowl. For this episode, Aaron and Bill to talk duck and goose hunting just as a major front is hitting North America and sending a huge wave of waterfowl south. In addition to waterfowl hunting and this year’s migration, we talk about the current state of waterfowl, the confusion surrounding pintails and the future of the birds Chris loves. Links: https://deltawaterfowl.org/ https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/longevity/longevity_main.cfm (Record ages of wild ducks and geese) https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/ (Keep up with bird migrations in real time) Show notes: 3:19 – Bill introduces Chris from Delta Waterfowl. 4:15 – Chris shares what he has been doing outside recently. #DuckHunting 8:58 – Chris chats about heat records and how it changed flight patterns of geese and ducks. 10:36 – Chris was born is Missouri and tells us about his background and how he got into duck hunting. 16:31 – Waterfowl migration is amazing to see. 17:45 - Summary of the status of ducks and geese right now. 23:10 – Studying nest site fidelity. #DuckBiology 26:44 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to subscribe to their podcast and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. 27:50 – Storms, snow on the ground and duck production. What scenario are we looking at right now? 33:39 - Chris talks about pintail numbers. 39:17 - Chris talks about the conversation regarding climate change in the duck hunting world. 45:46 – “It all comes down to habitat, and a lot of those habitat decisions are made at the policy level.” 48:12 – Bill wants to go back to talking about pintails… 54:00 - Chris talks about reporting bands and how it breaks his heart that some folks don’t report them. 57:09 – What does the future hold and how do hunters and anglers play a role? 1:00:12 – Closing statements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill and Aaron welcome Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro to talk all things outdoors, Rue’s recent journey back into hunting and her new book – Nature Swagger. We hear about Rue’s early life and how her father, in particular, shaped her connection with the outdoors and how that led her to found Outdoors Afro. We also talk about Black Heritage Hunts, a unique hunting opportunity Rue co-leads in Northern California. Links: Rue Mapp transformed her kitchen table blog into a national nature business and movement. Today, Mapp is founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro. For more than a decade, the not-for-profit organization has continued to celebrate and inspire Black connections and leadership in nature across the United States. Mapp also is an awarded and inspirational leader, speaker, public lands champion, and published author. Her first national book titled “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” releases with American publisher Chronicle Books on Nov. 1, 2022. Mapp also established for-profit enterprise Outdoor Afro, Inc., in 2021 and launched a co-branded hike collection with REI Co-op in September 2022. Mapp became a National Geographic 2019 Fellow, Heinz Awards Honoree, and National Wildlife Federation Communication Award recipient as well. Her work has earned international media attention from Oprah Winfrey, The New York Times, Good Morning America, NPR, NBC’s TODAY, Forbes, and currently Netflix’s popular series “MeatEater” with Steven Rinella. Follow her adventures @RueMapp across social platforms! Show notes: 4:01 – Aaron introduces Rue. 5:00 – Rue talks about her father and shares some insight into her path of helping people connect to the outdoors. 8:40 – Rue shares what she has been doing outside recently and what she is looking forward to this winter. She also shares the joy of walking her dog and being present. 9:38 – Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently. 13:16 -- Rue talks about her introduction and connection to hunting. 16:41 -- Rue explores her “Why”. 18:37 -- She is doing it all. Rue chats about being a hunter who enjoys pursuing all types of game. 23:27 -- Rue makes the connection between regarding her work and turkey hunt with MeatEater. 30:16 – Rue talks about her organization, “Outdoor Afro”. 36:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to subscribe to their podcast follow them on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. 38:17 -- Rue reflects on diversity in the hunting community. 40:35 -- How “Outdoor Afro” operates around the country. 46:00 – Community, support networks and making an impact through digital media and outreach. 48:29 -- Are we always going to need affinity group organizations? 50:38 -- Rue talks about “Black Heritage Hunts”. 54:55 – Who comes to these events? (Anyone is welcome to join!) 57:07 – Rue talks about her first book, Nature Swagger. It’s available now! 1:00:34 -- Aaron asks, “What was it at this moment that you said, you know I’m going to tell some of these stories, I’m going to bring these folks together, I’m going to tell these now?” 1:03:59 – “There’s no book like it that has been written before.” 1:07:36 -- Rue shares her thoughts and advice on the journey of Diversity Equity Inclusive and Environmental Justice efforts for the National Wildlife Federation. “Make new friends, nothing happens faster than the speed of relationships.” 1:12:24 – Closing statements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices