Ahi Va

"Camo at the Capitol" is an event that takes place annually in many states across the West. This concept was actualized by the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates. In this episode Jesse Deubel sits down with Aaron Kindle from the National Wildlife Federation, Craig Benjamin also from NWF and famed outdoor journalist Tracy Ross. The conversation takes place in Cheyenne, Wyoming immediately following the event that filled the Wyoming State House with camo-clad conservationists. Our discussion touches on a wide array of topics including fashion in advocacy, being new to hunting, wildlife migration corridors, and the interface between hunting and other types of outdoor recreation. Learn how a group of enthusiastic hunters wearing camo received standing ovations from the floors of both the Senate and the House as we overlooked state legislators working to pass laws inside the gorgeous renaissance revival architecture that is Wyoming's Capitol Building. Spoiler alert: all we had to do was show up. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation looks forward to seeing you at our next "Camo at the Capitol" event at the "Roundhouse" in Santa Fe in early 2023. Until then, enjoy the listen.

For more info:
https://nmwildlife.org/
https://www.facebook.com/nmwildlife

In this episode Jesse Deubel speaks with Kevin Bixby from "Wildlife For All" and Andre Miller from "Western Resources Advocates." The topic of conversation is conservation funding. Who pays to manage the wildlife that belongs equally to all the residents of New Mexico? How does New Mexico compare to other states? This diverse trio of public land and wildlife enthusiasts examines current funding mechanisms and explores opportunities to advance conservation funding into the future. At one point in the discussion Jesse asks about the potential to increase voluntary contributions from the general public. In his reply, Kevin asks, "Should we ask the navy to hold a bake sale to build an aircraft carrier?"

For More Info:
https://nmwildlife.org/

Over 100 years ago, the New Mexico State Legislature passed a bill which created the NM State Game Commission. In 1917 the NMWF founder Aldo Leopold, said the purpose of the commission was to “Get the game department out of politics.”

On May 28, 2019, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed seven exceptionally qualified people to serve on the game commission. As of this date [Jan. 21, 2022], only three of those seven appointees still serve on the commission.

In this episode we take a deep dive into the unraveling of our game commission and how the agency the commission is supposed to oversee -- the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish -- has come to be called an “agency in crisis.”

New Mexico Wildlife Federation Executive Director Jesse Deubel visits with former chair of the commission, Joanna Prukop and former vice chair, Jeremy Vesbach. The governor removed Prukop from the commission without explanation on Dec. 31, 2019 after only six months of service. The governor removed Vesbach on Jan. 4, 2022, also with no reasonable explanation.

For anybody who hunts or fishes in New Mexico or anybody generally concerned about wildlife management in the state, this is a MUST LISTEN episode. Learn the intricacies of the issues facing our state wildlife agency, our game commission and most importantly learn what you can do to help. Enjoy the listen!

For more info:
https://nmwildlife.org/

Enjoy this conversation wherein Ray Trejo, Adrian Angulo, Jesse Deubel and most importantly New Mexico Wildlife Federation board member Joshua Carney discuss the 2021 NMWF annual meeting. If you didn't make it to the meeting, stay tuned for details about our 2022 gathering. In this episode we discuss the confusion of assigning nationality to migratory waterfowl, Josh's unique ability to replicate wildlife vocalizations and between the laughs we get into some very serious topics. After being paralyzed in a hunting accident at the age of thirteen, Joshua Carney has overcome immense obstacles during his journey of becoming an inspiration to hunters across the country. Joshua Carney, professionally known as "Son of the South" emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude regardless of unique circumstances. We can't always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we respond. Josh's sense of humor is infectious. We discuss how his jokes about himself sometimes offend others. Speaking of offensive, listen to some of the public reactions to a recent noodling trip Josh experienced. If you're not familiar with Joshua Carney and his work, please listen to this inaugural appearance and look forward to future appearances by the [soon-to-be] "Sun of the Southwest."

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/Sonofthesouthtv
https://sonofthesouthtv.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TrinityOutdoorsDisabledAdventuresLlc

NMWF:
https://nmwildlife.org/

The Recovering America's Wildlife Act [RAWA] is a crucial tool moving through Congress which will help state wildlife agencies around the country do more to support species of greatest conservation need. Every species on the planet has a purpose and a role to play in the health of our diverse ecosystems. Maintaining and promoting maximum biodiversity on the landscape is critical for robust species of all wildlife. Join us as we speak with Richard "The Bugman" Fagerlund about the importance of insects to the natural world. We talk about the devastating effects humans have had on insect populations. We also explore ways and reasons to rethink how we approach sharing our world with the wild others. From bumblebees to bison, the passage of RAWA will give us the resources we need to ensure future generations enjoy a planet with thriving wildlife populations.

For More Info:
https://www.facebook.com/NMBugman
https://nmwildlife.org/

President Joe Biden signed a proclamation Oct. 8 to restore protections to two national monuments in the American Southwest. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation refers to one of those monuments, Bears Ears in southeastern Utah, as "The Hunter's Monument."

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante comprise over 3.2 million acres of breathtaking public land.

In this episode, NMWF Executive Director Jesse Deubel sits down with renowned scientist Marietta Eaton to discuss the significance of Biden's recent proclamation.

Marietta recently retired from the BLM. During her incredible career, she worked as a science advisor for Grand Staircase-Escalante. This was the first BLM National Monument and Marietta was one of the very first people hired to work there.

Although not a hunter herself, Marietta recognizes the cultural importance of hunting as a means of procuring food. She also sees the value of hunting as a management tool and is aware of the necessary funding that hunting and angling provide for conservation.

This conversation covers an array of topics relevant to New Mexico and to all Americans. Enjoy the listen!

For more info:
https://nmwildlife.org/

Hunting and firearms are two words that are often paired together. For many hunters, guns are the tools of their trade. It's no surprise that most hunters are staunch supporters of Second Amendment rights. The Second Amendment though, was not drafted with hunters in mind. Hunting and our right to bear arms are two very different issues with separate histories. Ray Trejo and Jesse Deubel of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation sit down with author Ryan Busse to discuss why hunters and all responsible firearms owners should be leaders in the effort to reduce gun violence across the United States. In his new book, Ryan Busse discusses how the firearms industry has changed over the years and why gun enthusiasts across the United States should be concerned.

For More Info:
https://ryanbusseauthor.com/
https://nmwildlife.org/

Adrian Angulo makes his debut on Ahí Va as he joins Jesse Deubel to discuss our National Wildlife Refuge system with Kara Matsumoto and Brad Brooks both from The Wilderness Society. Other topics discussed include: a belt buckle that sharpens knives, broadheads and fishing hooks, Brad's upcoming sabbatical, Kara's future as a hunter, Adrian's first elk hunt, Idaho's new state record grayling and the future of salmonids in Idaho's rivers.

For More Info:
https://www.wilderness.org/#
https://nmwildlife.org/

On this episode we sit down with Sgt. Tyson Sanders from New Mexico Game and Fish, Dennis Callaway Chief Operations Officer and Glenn Plunkett Chief Training Officer from Founder’s Ranch. We discuss a day-in-the life of a game warden, poaching, fish pedicures and bear rescues. Dennis and Glenn talk about the new acquisition of Founder’s Ranch, mounted archery, knife and axe throwing, ADA compliant shooting lanes, biweekly bon fires and dancing. We announce our newest partnership with Founder’s Ranch and talk about all the potential activities available to the public/members.

For More Info:
https://foundersranch.com/
https://www.facebook.com/foundersranch
https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/operation-game-thief-overview/

https://nmwildlife.org/
https://www.facebook.com/nmwildlife
https://www.instagram.com/nmwildlifefed/

The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is proud to introduce the man, the myth, the legend, the Godfather of Conservation Mr. Shane Mahoney. On this episode we sit down with Shane Mahoney all the way from Newfoundland, Canada, Jesse Debeul Executive Director for the NMWF who was on his way to a turkey hunt and Kami Elsisie the Communications and Education Outreach Coordinator for NMWF. We talked with Shane about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, Indigenous communities, the Wildlife Harvest Initiative and so much more. Give a listen and get involved with the Wild Harvest Initiative by visiting Conservation Visions of The Wild Harvest Initiative website.

https://thewildharvestinitiative.com/
https://www.conservationvisions.com/