Fresh Tracks Weekly

By Marcus Hockett and the Fresh Tracks CrewSports News Daily News Wilderness

Fresh Tracks Weekly episodes

December 19, 2025 46,000 Acres of New Access Cancelled? | Fresh Tracks Weekly (Ep. 108)
In this episode, we break down how Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) money generated from offshore oil and gas revenues and intended to permanently protect public lands is likely being diverted away from approved conservation projects.
One of the projects in jeopardy is the 46,000-acre La Jara Basin land sale in Colorado, which is eight years in development, has broad public support, and already has funding fully approved and allocated. Despite this, new Department of the Interior actions could block LWCF funds from being used, putting this and many other conservation projects at risk.

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28 min
July 25, 2025 Why Can't Hunters find Bulls? | Week of July 21
Buy the Elk Conservation Stamp here (proceeds donated to RMEF)
https://shopfreshtracks.com/products/2025-elk-conservation-stamp?srsltid=AfmBOorlsI5T-OHN5wvqK1ZU72s6EISgCuMItcxQQxYBMWOvkWb2fxjs
In this episode, we sit down with Jesse DeVoe from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to discuss an elk research project in Northwest Montana. Jesse shares insights into this large-scale collaborative effort to better understand local elk populations and looking into habitat and impacts from predators.
News this week includes:
-A Wildlife Migration License Plate Design Contest announced by TRCP and Montana FWP
-A recent land conveyance in Alaska under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
-New data from a national survey on public attitudes toward hunting and shooting sports

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1 hr 1 min
July 18, 2025 How the Big Beautiful Bill Impacts Hunters | Week of July 14
This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we break down what’s in the “Big Beautiful Bill” and how it impacts hunters and public land users—even without the controversial land sale provision. We also look ahead to next week’s launch of Elk Week, where we’ll be rolling out elk-focused content daily.
News Stories Covered:
– Wall Street Journal Opinion Piece: The WSJ Editorial Board criticized the removal of the public land sale from the bill, backing false claims about affordability and land use.
– Wyoming Corner Crossing Case: A new petition has been submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.
– BLM Wild Horse Roundup Blocked: The 10th Circuit Court halted a planned roundup of 3,600 feral horses in southern Wyoming due to insufficient explanation on ecological balance.
– Backcountry Lake Contamination: A lake in the Wind River Range showed fecal contamination 384x over safe swimming levels.
– Solar Farms and Wildlife Displacement: A new study tracks pronghorn movement around a Wyoming solar facility and reveals how habitat use changes after construction—even beyond the fenced area.

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34 min
July 07, 2025 Public Land Sale Defeated | Week of June 30
In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we cover a major win for public land advocates: Senator Mike Lee was forced to removed the controversial public land sale language from the "Big Beautiful Bill." While it's a victory for now, Randy Newberg breaks down why this issue isn't going away and where to watch for future attempts to sell off public lands.
We also cover several key conservation and public access updates:
The EXPLORE Act has officially been implemented, expanding access to outdoor recreation, improving public land maps, and increasing coordination to combat invasive species.
A collaborative project in Nevada brought volunteers and conservation groups together to install a new wildlife guzzler in Churchill County, providing critical water resources in desert habitat.
The Department of Government Efficiency has canceled grants to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, raising concerns over the future of the "Take Me Fishing" program.
Pheasants Forever has enrolled a new landowner into South Dakota’s PATH program, opening nearly 30,000 acres of high-quality habitat to public hunting and recreation.
Pennsylvania is on the verge of lifting its longstanding ban on Sunday hunting, with HB1431 awaiting the governor’s signature.

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27 min
June 27, 2025 Not One Acre | Week of June 23
Link to Mike Lee's updated language: https://www.hunttalk.com/attachments/lee-senr-06-24-2025-pdf.376000/
Call your Senators: (202) 224-3121
Email your Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Find and Contact your Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

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32 min
June 19, 2025 The Biggest Threat to Public Land in Our Lifetime | Week of June 16
Call your Senators: (202) 224-3121
Email your Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Find and Contact your Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representativeBuy
Arizona Bighorn Sheep Raffle Tickets: https://wildsheep.fanthem.io/give/sheep/online-raffles/bhs?referralCode=wsfweb

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34 min
June 12, 2025 This is Not a Drill | Week of June 9
Link to Mike Lee’s 69 page bill:
https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/DF7B7FBE-9866-4B69-8ACA-C661A4F18096
Members on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
https://www.energy.senate.gov/members
Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Andrew McKean’s Outdoor Life Article
https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/senate-proposes-selling-public-land/

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23 min
June 06, 2025 Selling Public Land and Gutting LWCF | Week of June 2
Contact Mike Lee: https://www.lee.senate.gov/contact
Contact your Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121
This week, we're talking about recent changes to the federal budget reconciliation bill and what they mean for hunters and public land users.
Some updates and news include:
The Wyoming corner crossing case could be heading to the Supreme Court.
A large-scale feral horse roundup is scheduled in Wyoming.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife kills a wolf after repeated livestock attacks.
Ohio Senate redirects wildlife funding from natural gas revenues.
President Trump nominates Michael Boren for U.S. Forest Service Director.

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27 min
May 16, 2025 Can the Public Land Caucus Flip the Script? | Week of May 12
Find your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
In this episode, we cover troubling developments in the latest budget reconciliation bill, including a proposed amendment that could lead to the sale of over 500,000 acres of public land and the formation of the new Public Lands Caucus.
We also look at potential impacts on the USGS Cooperative Wildlife Research Units and changes to oil and gas royalty rates that could reduce federal revenue. But it’s not all bad news — we highlight exciting wildlife conservation projects from Arizona to California, including new elk crossings and Tule Elk restoration efforts. Tune in for Randy’s take on what all this means for public lands and conservation.

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29 min
May 09, 2025 Why Non-Resident Hunters Pay More | Week of May 5
Capitol switchboard number: (202) 224-3121.
This week we’re taking a closer look at why states are legally allowed to discriminate against non-resident hunters. Randy joins to explain the legal and historical background of this system and what it could mean for the future of hunting access.
We also cover some major news stories affecting public lands and hunters:
A controversial budget amendment from Mark Amodei (NV) and Celeste Maloy (UT) could result in the sale of at least 11,000 acres of BLM and Forest Service land in Nevada and Utah. The amendment passed committee without public input.
Cuts to key federal land and wildlife agencies are also in the proposed budget, including major reductions to the Forest Service, BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service, and more. These cuts could significantly impact habitat research and conservation efforts.
In Colorado, the Attorney General clarified that corner crossing from federal land to federal land is legal—though not when it involves state land. We break down what that means for public land users.
In California, a bill that would have allowed hounds to haze bears in urban-wildlife conflict zones failed by just one vote but may return next year.
Stick around for the deep dive discussion on the legal standing of non-resident hunting restrictions and what it means for access across the U.S.

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31 min

About Fresh Tracks Weekly

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The Fresh Tracks crew, led by Marcus Hockett, keeps you in the know about what's happening in conservation. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't miss this weekly podcast covering the everything you…