Fresh Tracks Weekly

On this week's episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we talk Hunter Ed. Funds, the infamous Winchester Dam, Randy shares an update from the Utah Pronghorn Field and for our Deeper Dive, Marcus and friends share their experiences as non-residents hunting in Alaska.

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Hunting Season is upon us! 

On this week's episode, we cover on Oregon's IP3, the re-opening of Swan Lake National Wildlife Refugee, and House Bill 1300 in Pennsylvania. Also, Randy and Michael give us an update on their Idaho Elk hunt and we jump into our deeper dive topic of hunting in grizzly country. 

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This week we are talking about a potential land swap in Nevada that could potentially cause the public to lose 150,000 acres of public land along with decreased access.

We have a pretty sweet Fishing Corner with Michael Parente.

The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service just announced that the Alexander Archipelago wolf was not warranted for listing under the endangered species act.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently confirmed that there is a new wolf pack in the state more than 200 miles from the nearest known pack that resides in the Northeast corner of the state.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation just released a list of grant funding in Oregon to benefit elk, blacktail, mule deer and along with other wildlife and improving hunting opportunity.

In Utah 3 domestic dogs were recently killed by mountain goats at a popular recreation area.

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This week Randy and Marcus are going to talk about the recent interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that has potentially led to funding being cut for hunter education and archery programs in schools.

In Montana three women were attacked by a river otter while floating the Jefferson river.

In Vail Colorado there is finally some closure on the long-term dispute over a proposed housing development on bighorn sheep winter range.

In Montana the Alliance for the Wild Rockies recently won a court case against the Lewis and Clark National forest over the effectiveness or closed roads and their impacts to grizzly bears.

In Arizona, President Biden recently designated a new national monument on either side of Grand Canyon National Park totaling over a million acres.

The National Elk Refuge is seeking public comments to update their bison and elk management plan.

Learn about and comment on the National Elk Refuge Bison and Elk Management Plan: https://www.fws.gov/project/upcoming-bison-elk-management-plan

“Feeding The Problem” Documentary: https://www.pbs.org/video/montanapbs-presents-feeding-the-problem/

Contact your Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

Contact your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative#:~:text=If%20you%20know%20who%20your,the%20U.S.%20House%20switchboard%20operator.

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This week we’re going to do a deeper dive on Grizzly Bears. Talk about recent attacks, and the increasing frequency we’ve been running into them.

In Nevada, feral horses are in the headlines again after animal advocacy groups are mad about the conditions in which horses are gathered on public land.

We continue to see changes for the 2023 hunting seasons as state game agencies account for the toll last winter took on wildlife populations. Recently, both North Dakota and Montana just announced tag reductions.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation just detailed how over 10.7 million dollars will be spent in Wyoming on wildlife and habitat projects.

The Wildlife Society bulletin recently published an article talking about how there is shifting attitudes within it’s membership base, particularly with the role of hunting and trapping.

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Comment on the Draft MT Elk Management Plan: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/draft-elk-plan

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This week we’ve got a little of news, but then we’re diving into Montana’s Elk Management plan and Randy tells us how to get involved and be a part of the process. The the last time the elk management plan was updated was 2005! So it might be awhile before we get to weigh in again.

In Minnesota the Department of Natural Resources Commission recently finalized banning the use of lead ammo on 56 Science and Natural Areas as well as a few State Parks that offer special hunting opportunities.

In Wyoming we have an update on the on-going corner crossing saga, with some new information potentially stopping the appeal.

In Montana a grizzly bear was recently photographed in the Pryor mountains which is the first time one has been confirmed being there in well over 100 years.

Also In Montana the Trust for Public land, MKH Montana and the Lolo National Forest worked together recently to permanently protect nearly 6000 acres of land in the northwest part of the state. This brings the total acreage close to 26,000 acres of land being added to the Lolo National forest in the last three years.

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This week we’re diving deep into migration barriers, some new science coming out showing how to identify migration barriers and how removing old fence can make a big difference.

But before we get into that we get a little update on some Montana fishing, everything from cutthroat to largemouth bass as well as a quick sheep scouting update.

A rain derailed and collapsed a bridge into the Yellowstone River spilling an estimated 500,000 pounds of liquid asphalt into the water.

In Montana recreation users will now be required to purchase a conservation license if they utilize a Fishing Access Site.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation wrote an interesting op-ed in which they talk about fixing the “Cottonwood Decision”

In Nevada, 23,675 acres of BLM land has been leased out for a solar development for 105 million dollars.

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Well ruining might be a little extreme... but there is no doubt that advancements in technology can increase hunter success and lead to less opportunity over time. This will be the topic for this week's deeper dive.

A brief recap of some weekend fishing where Michael caught some big walleye and trout.

Oregon House Bill 3086 has passed both the house and the senate and is currently waiting to be signed into law.

The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service recently announced new hunting opportunities on three wildlife refuges while simultaneously announcing a lead tackle and ammunition ban on multiple refuges.

The Wildlife Society examined two separate studies in New Mexico that are trying to determine what is causing low elk recruitment in the Southwest.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is proposing changes to non-resident waterfowl hunting regulations to improve the quality of hunting for Kansas residents.

We then Dive deep into how changes in technology drive hunting regulation changes or affect the amount of opportunity hunters have in the field.

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We have a quick recap of some weekend bighorn sheep scouting which is proving to be a fun but tough experience.

A few news headlines including the Nevada's latest reports on the decline of mule deer and bighorn sheep.

Chronic wasting disease has now been confirmed in a road killed deer in Florida adding to the list of states dealing with the spread of this terminal disease, but a new research project sheds some hopeful light on the future as they've realized certain genetic traits cause deer to be more susceptible than others.

Montana Fish Wildlife and parks held their June commission meeting in which they announced hunting access being provided on over one million acres for the 2023 season. Some critics however have some reservations about what the public hunter has to give up in order to pay for this access.

For the deeper dive we discuss the changing cultures within several state's fish and wildlife commissions, how some are starting to stray away from the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and questing whether or not hunters are still needed in some scenarios.

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This week for the deeper dive we talk a little bighorn sheep scouting, hear about Michael and Jace's recent bear hunt and Blake's progress on bird dog training.

Michael also gives us the lowdown in the fishing corner recapping a little walleye outing along with improving trout conditions.

For news we find that Oklahoma finally confirmed their wild deer to test positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Commission has drafted a new policy that appears to be less friendly to hunters.

More info on how to submit comments in Washington: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/wdfw-dcpcomment

The Bureau of Land Management announced a 161 million dollar investment into the nations public lands that covers 11 western states and 21 different landscape level projects.

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