In this episode, I interview Ryan Busse, 2024 Democratic candidate for Montana Governor and former executive with Kimber Firearms.

We discuss crucial issues surrounding public lands, conservation, and hunting advocacy. Ryan highlights his concern for the declining state of democracy and its impact on public lands, emphasizing the need for hunters and anglers to be unapologetic in their advocacy for wild places. We critique the current state of hunting nonprofits, arguing they are not adequately fighting for public land protections. Ryan introduces his new organization, Public Land Warriors, who fund advertisements targeting politicians who threaten public lands. Ryan underscores the significance of protecting Wilderness Study Areas and roadless lands to maintain the essence of wild America, and discusses his personal wilderness and wildlife experiences that have had profound impacts on his life.

Public Land Warriors

03:25 Interview with Ryan Busse Begins

04:04 Bird Hunting and Conservation Insights

08:14 Public Lands Grazing Issues

13:40 Ryan Busse’s Background and Political Journey

18:22 Challenges and Future of Public Lands

43:17 Environmental Concerns in Montana

44:16 Recreation and Development Threats

47:20 Advocacy for Conservation

50:52 Critique of Hunting and Angling Nonprofits

54:19 Political Influence on Conservation

01:02:16 Hunting’s Public Relations Problem

01:06:18 Instilling Conservation Values in the Next Generation

01:07:23 Wilderness Study Areas and Roadless Protections

01:12:53 Public Land Warriors

01:17:56 Conclusion and Call to Action

Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe