Hunting Science

Overview

Listen to my conversation with Tony Hollis, area biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and lifelong hunter, about moose hunting in Alaska.   Tony is passionate about moose hunting and his success is clearly in part due to his knowledge about moose ecology.   It also doesn’t hurt that his has an awesome hunting spot, which we don’t reveal.   However, we do get into many specific about the science of moose hunting, include details about calling moose.   We also discuss moose management in Alaska and what is in the future.   Be sure to check out the short bonus video where we teach a class how to butcher a moose.

Show Notes

0:30 — Introductions

2:40 — Tony describes what he does as an area biologist for Alaska Department of Fish and Game

5:15 — Listen to Tony describe his favorite hunt and reasons for hunting

9:30 — Learn how Tony uses science for hunting

11:30 — We talk about general ecology of moose

13:45 — Tony describes how he applies science to moose hunting

16:45 — We talk about the specifics of calling moose, which might include Tony doing his best cow call

29:00 – How do you hunt a bull that has a cow with him?

32:30 – Can you stand hunt for moose in Alaska?

34:15 – How does weather affect your moose hunting?

36:00 – Tony talks about how climate may or may not be affecting moose hunting

42:00 – We talk about hunting gear for moose hunting

46:30 – What is the perfect situation for moose hunting?

47:45 – We talk about packing and butchering a moose

49:15 – Tony discusses his thoughts about bringing kids into hunting

52:45 – We consider moose management strategies in Alaska

1:00:00 – Tony talks about aspects of moose ecology that haven’t yet been explained by science and may never be

1:02:15 – What are the most essential ingredients for success in moose hunting?

1:05:30 – What is the future of moose management and science?

1:09:20 – Concluding thoughts

1:13:00 – Outro

WLF F101, Moose Harvest Lab

 

Additional Resources

* Moose Hunting in Alaska – Alaska Department of Fish and Game

The photo is of Tony and his son Kody with his first moose (a 59″ bull!) when he was 10.   Photo credit: Shawn Davies.

Overview

What is your definition of a “trophy” animal?   Why are some hunters motivated by the size of antlers or horns on the animals that they pursue? In episode 8, I talk with Alan Jubenville, retired Professor of Natural Resource Management and official measurer for the Boone and Crockett Club, about trophy hunting.   Alan has a fascinating background and has hunted extensively in Alaska and around the world, especially for sheep.   Join us to hear many exciting hunting stories and Alan’s view of what constitutes a trophy animal…you might be surprised.

Show Notes

0:30 — Introductions

8:30 — Alan gives us his hunting resume

15:30 — We talk about Alan’s experience as a trophy scoring and what he views as a trophy

18:15 — I ask Alan why he mounts his “trophies’?

20:40 — What is Alan’s favorite hunt?

24:50 — I ask Alan why he hunts, which leads into a story about a hunt for a Marco Polo ram.

31:00 — I ask Alan how you research a trophy hunt, which also leads into several great hunting story.

38:35 — We return to questions about criticism of trophy hunting and hunting in genera

42:00 — Hear what Alan sees for the future of hunting and science?

46:40 — We revisit the story of Alan’s favorite hunt.

52:55 — I ask Alan about his final thoughts especially for young hunters.

55:15 — We finish with concluding statements about trophy hunting.

57:10 — Outro.

Additional Resources

* Boone and Crockett Club

* News Miner story about Alan scoring a record sheep

Overview

In this episode I talk with Bruce Dale about predator management in Alaska based on his 35 years of experience.   Bruce has a rich set of experiences having worked on a variety of projects for several agencies.  Most recently he was the Director of Wildlife Conservation for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Show Notes

0:30 – Introductions including Bruce’s thoughts on why he hunts and the value of hunting to him.

8:30 – Bruce shares stories about favorite hunts.

10:30 – We discuss how Bruce uses science in hunting.

13:30 — We initiate a discussion of the science of predator management.

16:40 — Bruce considers how we manage people as predators in the system and how wildlife management is a value based process.

23:00 — We discuss the trade offs between scientific information and values.   When do we have enough science to make a science based decision?

31:15 — We talk about several case studies of predator management in Alaska.

41:30 — Bruce talks us through a situation where predator management wasn’t justified nor effective.

43:45 — We discuss differences between managing wolves and bears.

46:00 — Bruce describes Intensive Management Law in Alaska.

51:00 — We transition into a conversation about what is a population for management purposes.

58:30 — Why is predator management so political?

1:03:00 — We talk about the changes that have occurred in the attitudes about hunting.

1:04:30 — What is the future for predator management?

1:06:30 — Bruce offers his advice about what he thinks young professionals should consider as they enter the workforce.

1:11:00 — Outro.

Additional Resources

* Alaska Department of Fish and Game Predator Management

 

Overview

In this episode, I talk with Rick Merizon, statewide small game coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, about the science of small game hunting in Alaska. Rick covers the range of small game species in Alaska with a focus on ptarmigan. Rick and I have collaborated on ptarmigan research in Alaska for almost 10 years now and I have really appreciated his insights about these birds and many other small game species in Alaska.

Show Notes

Early in the Small Game Management podcast episode Rick Merizon states that very little had been done with reference to small game research and management between when Bob Weeden completed his work in the 1970s and Rick began in 2011. This statement was meant to reference grouse and ptarmigan research specifically. In fact, beginning in the early 1990s Bill Taylor and Nick Steen had been very involved with management related projects including the completion of annual spring breeding surveys for select populations of grouse and ptarmigan along the road system and transplanting ruffed grouse to the Mat-Su valley and Kenai Peninsula. Many of the spring breeding surveys established by Bill Taylor continue today.

0:30 Introductions.

2:30 Rick talks about his background.

6:45 Rick considers his favorite hunt, hunting background, and a hunt that almost costs him his life.

12:30 I ask Rick why he hunts.

14:35 Rick reviews the 9 small game species in Alaska.

19:15 We discuss hunting tactics, season lengths, and bag limits. Find out why you should go higher for ptarmigan.

35:45 Rick talks about the data they use for small game management and the role of the hunter in this process.

43:50 We discuss the process for setting harvest regulations and how in Alaska the state constitution recognizes hunting. We conclude with a discussion of the role of social media in the management process.

57:15 I ask Rick what he sees for the future of small game hunting in Alaska. He again talks about the role of the hunter in the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

Additional Resources

* ADF&G site on small   game hunting (https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=smallgamehunting.main)

* Individual species accounts from ADF&G like this one on Willow Ptarmigan (https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=smallgamehunting.willowptarmigan)

* Facebook site on Rock Ptarmigan in Alaska (https://www.facebook.com/Ptarmigan-of-Alaska-223460308588686/?modal=admin_todo_tour)

Overview

In this episode I took advantage of the fact that Jim Sedinger was limited mostly to camp activity since he was still recovering from knee replacement surgery. Jim self-interviewed, although I later added questions, and recounted the history of management on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD) of Alaska from memory.  It’s a fascinating story and one that Jim was a part of for 36 years and counting.

Photo Caption: A Black Brant defends its nest site while we record data.

Show Notes

0:30 – I introduce Jim and his self-interview.

3:45 – Jim tells the story of the history of work in this region, which began with exploration in 1880s.

20:15 – In this segment, Jim transitions to a discussion of work supervised by Dennis Raveling, including Jim’s PhD research.

31:30 – Jim talks about how research, particularly following his PhD shaped management on the YKD.

53:00 – Jim considers the future of research and management on the YKD.

Additional Resources

* Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge

* Geese and hunters of Alaska’s Yukon delta: management problems and political dilemmas – Dennis Raveling’s seminal (1984) work on the YKD

Overview

In this episode (Part 2 of Harvest Management) of Hunting Science, I continue my talk with  Jim Sedinger and Dave Koons about harvest management with a focus on waterfowl harvest management.  Jim Sedinger (ag.unr.edu/sedinger/Default.aspx)  is a recently retired professor of Wildlife Ecology who spent his career studying the life history and ecology of vertebrates, mostly birds.  Jim led the Black Brant research project on the Yukon Delta of Alaska, where we conduct the interview, 1984-2018. Dave Koons (davidkoons.webs.com ) is currently an Associate Professor and holds the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair of Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation at Colorado State University.  Both Jim and Dave are leading authorities on population dynamics and harvest management. We are conducting the interview in a Weatherport, a quonset hut structure with a synthetic cover that is flapping in the background on a very windy day.

Photo Caption: My son, Zane, with his first caribou when he was 11.

Show Notes

0:30 – I introduce Part 2 of this episode and we start a discussion of harvest management of Snow Geese.  We begin this case study by talking about why we mark animals with things like legbands on birds and radio collars on mammals.

20:22 – Dave meant to say NW Canada not NE.

23:00 – We discuss examples of species that are great examples of successful harvest management.

31:35 – We consider the politics of harvest management and how that might be related to the uncertainty associated with harvest management.

40:15 – We finish this episode with a discussion of the future of harvest management.

 

Overview

In this episode (Part 1 of 2) of Hunting Science, I talk with with Jim Sedinger and Dave Koons about harvest management with a focus on waterfowl harvest management.  Jim Sedinger (ag.unr.edu/sedinger/Default.aspx)  is a recently retired professor of Wildlife Ecology who spent his career studying the life history and ecology of vertebrates, mostly birds.  Jim led the Black Brant research project on the Yukon Delta of Alaska, where we conduct the interview, 1984-2018. Dave Koons (davidkoons.webs.com ) is currently an Associate Professor and holds the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair of Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation at Colorado State University.  Both Jim and Dave are leading authorities on population dynamics and harvest management. We are conducting the interview in a Weatherport, a quonset hut structure with a synthetic cover that is flapping in the background on a very windy day.

Photo caption: A large flock of mostly snow geese stage during the fall in NW Montana.

Show Note

0:30 – Introduction and Background.

5:00 – We discuss the concepts of density dependence and maximum sustainable yield.

13:55 – Jim describes the ideas of compensation and additivity.

19:45 – Dave introduces how heterogeneity (variation) in quality of individuals in a population may affect harvest dynamics.

38:00 – Dave mistakenly refers to horns as antlers; he wanted me to make sure you knew he was aware of the difference.

44:20 – We transition to a discussion of adaptive harvest management.

51:00 – We start a discussion of how adaptive harvest management (AHM) is used to manage mallards in the mid-continent, which leads to a detailed discussion of the effectiveness of AHM.

Additional Resources for Episodes 3 and 4

* Maximum Sustainable Yield

* My lecture notes on Additive and Compensatory Mortality

* US Fish and Wildlife Service Adaptive Harvest Management

* This is a scientific article that Jim and I wrote on the effects of individual heterogeneity on harvest dynamics of Black Brant:

* Individual heterogeneity in black brant survival and recruitment with implications for harvest dynamics

* Management strategies for over-abundant Snow Geese

Overview

In this episode of the Hunting Science podcast, I talk with Mike Gould about his 48 years of experience training and breeding hunting dogs, mostly labs.  I consider the science that Mike brings to the table as Traditional Knowledge, based more on experiences than any specific education, although he has worked with a number of important teachers in the field, notably Bill Tarrant.   Mike is the author of several books and of specific interest for this podcast is this title: The Labrador Shooting Dog: Training the Labrador Retriever as an All-Around Sporting Dog.  Mike discusses his training philosophy, which unlike most others does not include the use of e-collars.  As the owner of 4 dogs from his Grand River Kennel, I can attest that his training methods and dog are the real deal.  We unfortunately didn’t have a chance to discuss his music.

Photo Caption: Jeff Baguley trains with Obi at one of Mike’s seminars.

Show Notes

If you have had the pleasure of interacting with Mike, you quickly realize that conversations with him are quit fluid.  Therefore, these show notes are rough.

0:30 – Introduction and background.

5:30 – Mike discusses his training program and the principles of influence training.

37:40 – We discuss electronic collars, which Mike does not use.

52:00 – We explore the application of the influence training technique to different breeds of dogs, which leads to a conversation about breeding and the Grand River line of labs.

72:00 – We loop back to talk about Mike’s hunting resume.

89:00 – We return to Mike’s breeding program.

99:15 – Mike talks about the future of dog training and breeding.

101:00 – Story about Rambo the ugly pointer.

Additional Resources

 

Overview

In this first episode, we talk with Scott Stephens  (PhD, Director of Regional Operations – Prairies for Ducks Unlimited Canada) about the science behind waterfowl hunting.  Our focus is on hunting ducks in the mid-continent, but many ideas discussed are applicable to other species and other areas.  We also spend sometime discussing the science of goose hunting.  Finally, we consider the concepts that aren’t yet fully explained by science and may never be.  Additional links for this episode and a waterfowl ID quiz are available under Resources.

Photo Caption: Ulu delivers a Pintail to Scott Stephens during a a hunt in the Canadian Prairies.

Show Notes

1:00 min – Introduction and background.

12:30 min – General information about life-history of waterfowl and how that affects hunting strategies, mostly for prairie ducks.  We cover how the need for food and social interaction affect waterfowl.  We also consider how to use science as you call, set up decoys, and blinds.  Finally, we discuss how weather and climate may affect hunting strategies.

43:00 min – We switch gears and discuss how the same factors that we considered for ducks might affect goose hunting.

63:00 min – We discuss rotary wing decoys, shot and shooting considerations, habitat conservation, the future of waterfowl hunting, and several other topics until the end of the podcast (74:00 min).

Other Resources

* Ducks Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited Canada

* Waterfowl Identification

* Can you identify this duck?