Fresh Tracks Weekly

This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we bring you updates from across the West—even while Randy's out chasing turkeys!

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This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we're switching gears from our usual deep dives into public land policy and instead catching up with the crew to talk about springtime plans and upcoming hunts. But don’t worry—we still have the news segment covering some updates on wildlife and conservation across the country.

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This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we're exploring our ideas for improving government efficiency in the outdoors – D.O.G.E. style. Randy shares some ideas on how the government could improve its functionality when managing public lands and questions why these efficiency tools aren’t already being used.

But first, a few news stories:

Mossy Oak Turkey Stamp

Learn how you can support wild turkey conservation through Mossy Oak’s Conservation Stamp—100% of proceeds go to turkey research that benefits populations nationwide.

Controversial Conservation Easement Bill

Two Congresswomen introduced a bill that limits landowner options under the guise of increasing rights. We break down why this bill could hurt long-term land conservation efforts.

Louisiana Land Sale Scandal

A shady land deal in Louisiana potentially robbed the public of river access and millions in value, raising questions about state-level land transfers and government accountability.

Public Lands Rule Likely Death

The Public Lands Rule—meant to elevate conservation to the same level as extractive uses—may be on the chopping block, without a chance for public comment, despite overwhelming support.

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This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we follow up on last week’s budget reconciliation deep dive and talk about the push to sell off public lands. A failed amendment revealed which lawmakers are backing this controversial move — and who’s fighting to keep our lands public.

We also cover the latest outdoor and conservation news:

The U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on federal employee firings, impacting 16,000 workers.

How the loss of key NOAA and wildlife biologists could derail salmon and grizzly bear recovery.

New 2024 Chronic Wasting Disease data from Wyoming shows concerning spread in deer and elk populations.

After a 9-year legal fight, 50,000 acres of public land in Colorado are now open to the public.

“Freedom Cities” and what they could mean for over 500,000 acres of BLM land in Nevada.

Plus, one Idaho congressman makes a surprising move to protect public lands.

Dive in, stay informed, and join the conversation to help keep public lands in public hands.

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This week, Randy checks in from Washington D.C. where he’s meeting with lawmakers and staffers to get the latest on public land policy—and sound the alarm on new efforts to sell off public lands. With major decisions looming, we break down what’s at stake and how it could impact access and conservation across the country.

We also cover a wide range of wildlife and land management stories from around the West:

🦌 Washington State bans baiting for big game hunting and tightens rules to combat Chronic Wasting Disease.

🐏 Montana’s famed Missouri Breaks sheep unit is closed after a concerning population crash.

🐺 New Mexico declares a state of emergency over Mexican gray wolves after rising livestock losses.

🎣 Great Lakes Fishery at risk after key Sea Lamprey control workers were illegally fired—but now reinstated.

🏞️ Wyoming conservation easement funding frozen—jeopardizing protection of critical migration corridors.

🏘️ Nevada eyes BLM land for affordable housing amid skyrocketing demand and limited space.

Stick around for the deeper dive where Randy breaks down the latest from Capitol Hill and what it all means for our public lands.

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This week, we have Jared Frasier from what was previously 2% For Conservation. They are relaunching as Fish and Wildlife Volunteers, and Jared explains why the relaunch was necessary and how businesses and individuals can get involved.

A few news stories also include.

A few weeks ago, the Alaska state supreme court ruled that the Department of Game and Fish needed to halt its intensive predator management program, claiming it was unconstitutional.

In Montana, a significant amendment to the water rights bill would have allowed sales of isolated state land within the state.

Congressman Jeff Hurd has introduced the “Productive Public Lands Act,” which aims to reverse decisions made on Bureau of Land Management resource management plans in recent years for multiple areas within Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon.

A former Wyoming Game warden and Game and Fish director will likely be the new director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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This week, we are discussing the recent announcement from the Department of Interior to use Federal Land to help with the Housing Affordability crisis.

Also, some news stories from the week include

Big news for corner crossing in multiple states. The U.S. 10 Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling for the four hunters sued by a private landowner for corner crossing in Wyoming.

Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum recently announced plans to open more of Alaska to oil and gas leasing.

In Idaho, the state senate has called for the state to take over control of the Camas National Wildlife Refuge from the federal government.

Montana re-introduced a Joint Resolution in which they want to make a statement that Montana supports Utah's claim that federal ownership of public lands is unconstitutional.

A press release from the U.S. Department of Interior this week details a recent auction in which the Bureau of Land Management sold off $16.5 million worth of land in the Las Vegas area.

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This week, we are discussing the land and water conservation fund, how it’s one of the greatest conservation tools we have, and how, with all the chaos of trying to pass a budget, some LWCF projects could fall through the cracks if Congress doesn’t release funds.

Some news stories also include.

In Colorado, several ranchers were granted compensation for damages to their livestock herds caused by newly reintroduced wolves, which used up almost the entire wolf damage budget.

In Wyoming, black-footed ferrets face a challenging year ahead as key employees have been fired and funding frozen from the Department of Government Efficiency efforts.

Andrew McKean wrote an article summarizing some of the recent turmoil within federal agencies, which gives insight into what conservation might look like over the next four years.

In Montana, the legislature is halfway through with some interesting things coming out of the woodwork.

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This week, we’re discussing how a significant amount of Bureau of Land Management land has already been identified as suitable for disposal and would not require Congressional approval to sell.

There is still much uncertainty about the status of the federal employees who were fired in the last month. A judge did, however, rule that the Office of Personnel Management should rescind the memos that fired certain employees.

The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate. It would reauthorize and fund the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program at three times the current rate.

We also cover various state legislation that could impact hunting, fishing, or public land in your state.

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This week, we’re discussing the drastic changes we’ve seen over the last month within our federal agencies and how thousands of people have been fired. Randy details his idea of Government Efficiency.

A few news stories are also included.

A Montana bill has been introduced that would take money generated from the tax on marijuana that currently goes towards funding wildlife habitats, parks, and non-game wildlife and re-direct it to the general fund and various marijuana addiction and prevention accounts.

Another interesting bill in Montana would allow Fish Wildlife and Parks to compensate landowners for allowing access through their property to hunt inaccessible public land.

In Wyoming, even more elk have been found dead from chronic wasting disease at one of the state-run feed-grounds.

In Colorado, House Bill 25-1133 would prohibit 18 - to 20-year-olds from purchasing ammunition. This follows 2023 legislation prohibiting 18-20-year-olds from purchasing semi-auto rifles and shotguns.

In Alaska, the Governor introduced legislation, Senate Bill 105, that creates opportunities for residents to purchase or lease state land for cabin sites. If you’re watching this video right now. Public testimony is being heard in the Senate Resources Committee right now.

In Kentucky, Senate Bill 89 would change how they define water within the state, abandoning its definition in exchange for the federal definition of navigable waters, which removes protections for wetlands, headwaters, and groundwater.

In Indiana, House Bill 1447 would restrict logging and forest management within particular state forests.

In Washington, House Bill 1775 would phase out and ultimately ban fur farming within the state. That bill narrowly passed out of committee and is moving forward.

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