Aaron and Ashley talk interstate borders, barriers to management, and the financial and emotional toll that CWD can take on state wildlife agencies. Kelly speaks poignantly on the issue of chronic wasting disease and offers a unique perspective informed by her background as a wildlife veterinarian and manager of an entire state wildlife section. We even ask her about the “E” word!

Links:

MN DNR CWD Response Plan

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/cwd/cwd-response-plan.html

AFWA CWD Best Management Practices

https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/5215/3729/1805/AFWA_CWD_BMPS_12_September_2018_FINAL.pdf

Show notes:

2:51 – Introduction on Dr. Kelly Straka, Wildlife Section Manager for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

 4:10 – Kelly talks about her career path to working with CWD.

7:10 – Kelly frames the issue with CWD from the perspective of state agencies. “CWD might be the most pressing issue facing cervid populations across the country right now.”

10:40 - The barriers to effective management of CWD.

17:11 - How hunters can help or hinder efforts to manage CWD.

23:29 - The Federal – State intersection of CWD. The regulatory and jurisdiction issues that have a bearing on how we deal with CWD.

33:15 - Minnesota’s approach and how it got us to where we are today.

39:07 - Minnesota’s response plan, management applications in different zones and various strategies.

43:10 – The “E” word!

48:21 - If we cannot eradicate CWD, how do we live with it in the future?

52:57 - The challenges around CWD surveillance and how hard it is to detect the disease when it is present in low numbers.

58:13 - What do the agencies wish the public knew about CWD management?

1:00:44 - What is one thing that could have been done differently?

1:03:33 - Closing statements. Stay engaged, stay aware, stay involved.

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Aaron and Bill sit down with forester, sportsman, and conservationist Alex Harvey to discuss a life rooted to the outdoors, hunting, and land management and restoration. We cover Alex’s family roots and hunting traditions while he helps us understand and unpack several historical and social contexts regarding Southern African American sporting traditions, barriers to land management and ownership, and how the tide is changing for the better. We tell hunting stories, share laughs, and ponder all the great ways hunting and the outdoors unite all people.

Links: https://www.legacylandmanagement.org/ ; https://www.huntersofcolor.org/ ; https://www.instagram.com/legacylandmgmt/ ; https://www.facebook.com/LegacyLM

Show notes:

4:54 – Introduction of Alex Harvey.

5:15 – What has Alex, Aaron and Bill been doing outside recently?

9:48 - Alex’s personal background. Where he grew up in Mississippi, cattle farming and growing up in the country #RabbitHunting

18:55 - Alex shares the story of his grandparents and reflects on his connections with ancestors and being on the right path.

24:05 - Highlighting Holt Collier, the hunter who influenced Theodore Roosevelt during a private bear hunt in 1902.

27:00 - Alex shares how he got to where he is today and then highlights his professional work as of right now.

34:01 - Alex shares some of the unique challenges for African American land owners in the South.

37:03 – Has Alex seen an improvement?

39:44 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!

41:02 – Thoughts on forestry restoration, management and what it’s like to think about forests 24/7.

44:38 - Alex’s introduction to Hunters of Color and how he became a board member.

53:12 - Alex shares his experiences as an African American man in the field.

59:13 – What is going on in Alex’s region? Much of it is involved with improving habitat and access for hunters and anglers.

1:00:35 – Closing statements.

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Ashley and Aaron talk with Kip Adams about how hunting traditions can impact chronic wasting disease. Kip is the Chief Conservation Officer for the National Deer Association and very well-versed in both the science and culture of deer hunting. He lends a unique and optimistic perspective on what sportswomen and men can do to in their backyards and at a state level to slow the spread.

Links:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Resource Center - A comprehensive guide from NDA (deerassociation.com)

https://www.deerassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CWD-BMPs-Revised-2022.pdf

Show notes:

2:54 – Introduction of Kip Adams.

3:50 - The short and sweet of the National Deer Association, “The Guardians of the Deer” who are they and what do they do?

5:18 - It’s important to serve both sides of the coin, both hunters and deer.

6:23 - Kips professional opinion regarding CWD. “The biggest thing impacting the future of deer herds right now.”

7:54 - Words of wisdom for folks who hunt and live in states who have yet to test positive. “Do everything possible to keep it out.”

9:03 - What are the most important steps we can take to stop the spread of CWD?

10:43 – NDA’s specific approach in the fight against the spread of CWD.

12:47 - If only 4% of the population purchases a hunting license, how do we activate the other 96%?

15:50 - Bringing the hunter knowledge of the landscape to other conservation issues.

17:32 - The cost of testing, staff time to collect samples, outreach, etc. is a hidden cost that we don’t talk about a lot. It costs an average of $250,000 bill when they discover CWD in a state!

19:28 - How to inform hunters tactfully as to how they might want to change their behaviors in order to stop the spread. Changing our routine is hard but we have to do it in order to stop the spread of CWD.

23:02 - Deer hunting has changed a lot over the past two hundred years. There’s room for new traditions to be made, it’s not impossible to change.

25:14 - What should we be doing regarding traditions such as feed stations, salt licks and other forms of baiting deer.

27:50 - Should we have a widespread ban on feeding and other forms of baiting deer?

30:02 - Reflecting on the concept that we should be all hands on deck in fighting to prevent the spread.

Finding balance with sporting traditions and age structures when it comes to older bucks. “Older bucks are twice as likely to have CWD.”

38:56 - Targeted removals and how various hunters might process this concept depending on their background and experience regarding CWD.

41:53 - NDA’s thoughts on captive cervids and interstate travel of cervids. “We should stop all movement of live animals.”

44:37 - What are the road blocks to making this happen.

47:10 - What can average Joe/Jane do regarding CWD?

48:48 - What is the single biggest thing that NDA has done to prevent CWD?

50:58 - What’s the one thing that should have been done different and what can we learn from this.

52:17 - There are a lot of resources out there where you can learn more about CWD. Be sure to educate yourself and get engaged. Kip is a firm believer that we are going to beat this.

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Aaron and Bill host Bob Budd to wax on the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which utilizes a unique model to conduct habitat and restoration projects across Wyoming. These projects help restore and enhance the lands and waters that sportsmen and women from Wyoming and across the country have the privilege to enjoy. The Wyoming state legislature is currently considering adding $75 million to the fund, which will then be leveraged to create about $50 million annually to conduct this excellent work in perpetuity. For one of the least populated and most wildlife rich states in the country, this is an exceptional resource that also benefit all Americans who visit. You don’t want to miss Bob’s keen mind, exuberance, and enthusiasm for Wyoming’s incredible natural resources. 

Links: 

https://wwnrt.wyo.gov/home

https://wyomingwildlife.org

Show notes:

5:30 – Introduction of Bob Budd.

8:05 – What have these guys been up to outdoors recently?

10:27 – Bob explains his childhood and the path which led him to where he is today.

13:15 – The Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund – how it got started, what it’s supposed to do, and day to day activities…

17:05 - Details behind the structure and approach to funding for the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

19:30 - How does the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund get projects and take them to completion.

22:12 - Conservation easement funding.

23:37 - How many applications does the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund receive and how many organizations do they work with?

27:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Are you following @NWFOutdoors on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube?

28:23 - The history of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation.

31:00 - How has the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund helped hunters specifically?

33:30 – “They’re catching 30” rainbows in town!!” It used to be full of refrigerators.

34:56 - Bob tells a good story… “I had no idea this state was this state…”

38:12 - The possibility of being fully funded.

40:16 - One of the unique things about the trust is that they utilize the interest from this fund to continue to perpetually do these projects. Bob talks about how this works.

46:13 - Mechanically what has to happen now and what can sportsmen and sportswomen tell their representative?

47:36 - What could other states learn from Wyoming?

50:51 - Wyoming does wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in a special way. Bob highlights some of their achievements.

52:47 - Camo at the Capital!! Great event and opportunity. Look it up and participate.

54:22 - Closing statement from Bob Budd – his has a book coming out! “There’s great stuff going on everywhere.”

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Ashley and Aaron sit down with Dr. Colin Gillin to talk about the captive cervid industry and how it’s stymied efforts to control CWD. Colin is the State Wildlife Veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and takes us on a deep dive into how cervid farms work and how they need to change in order for us to make headway in the fight.

Recommended link:

https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/5215/3729/1805/AFWA_CWD_BMPS_12_September_2018_FINAL.pdf

Show notes:

2:55 - Introduction of Dr. Colin Gillin, a state wildlife veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He has been active in national efforts to monitor and stop the spread of CWD for decades.

3:57 - Explanation of wild animals versus captive cervids.

5:20 – How did we go from having wild animals in their natural environment to having wild animals in captivity?

7:10 - Deer farming predates the North American model of conservation.

8:50 – What are the rules to hold captive cervids?

12:31 – Does it differ from state to state who is in charge of making and enforcing rules for captive cervids?

14:51 - Discussing the different products that come out of captive cervid farms and how that can be problematic for the spread of CWD.

19:53 – Fence talk. What about the risk of animals escaping the farms and spreading CWD?

24:12 -   A closer look at the operations and facilities within captive cervid farming. It’s estimated that they bring in $8 billion nationally!

28:39 - How many farms are in the USA? There are about 10,000 deer farms in the USA!

31:40 - Federal rules for interstate movement of cervids and a discussion of animals being moved around illegally. 

36:44 – Clearing up a few acronyms for the audience.

37:25 - “The rules setup for the herd certification program is geared solely for the interstate transport.”

43:09 - What happens when a facility tests positive for CWD?

48:56 – Break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Artemis.nwf.org

50:34 - What do you say to someone who thinks captive cervid farming is out of place?

55:48 - The North American model, “You cannot take wildlife and use it for market purposes.” Considering the various parts of the model.

59:11 - It would seem like the captive service industry as a whole costs a lot to our wildlife resource and doesn’t give anything to it.

1:01:29 - Brief overview of AFWA best management practices.

1:08:54 - What is one thing that could have been done differently 50 years ago? What can do done now?

1:14:34 -  Closing statement.

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Bill and Aaron wax poetic on a few subjects after a few failures to get the famous Jim Ronquest connected (we’ll get him back soon). We talk end of duck season, getting outside, preview the Ronquest episode, and point to some current events in conservation. 

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Matt Dunfee is a career CWD expert and in this episode he walks us through everything from the discovery of the disease to how its affecting deer populations today. Along with a deep dive into the biology of CWD, we talk about the responsibility that hunters have and the fears they face around CWD. Join us for this incredible primer on what’s happening out there and what needs to be done about it.  

Links:

Chronic Wasting Disease Drives Population Decline of White-Tailed Deer

Endemic chronic wasting disease causes mule deer population decline in Wyoming

Socially Amplified Risk: Attitude and Behavior Change in Response to CWD in Wisconsin Deer

Reduction of Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Seeding Activity

Digestion by Mountain Lions

mountain lion paper

USGS Maps

https://wildlifemanagement.institute/

https://cwd-info.org/

Show notes:

3:30 – Who is Matt Dunfee?

4:45 – What is CWD?

9:56 – CWD is always fatal. What’s is caused by?

11:37 - Discussing the incubation of CWD. What does the incubation period represent?

13:40 - Animals infected with CWD do not display symptoms immediately. How does this affect management?

16:00 - Infected versus uninfected. What are the best terms to use?

16:37 - Deer infected with CWD die at a higher rate than uninfected animals from all causes.

17:35 - What does it take to destroy a CWD prion?

19:55 - Discussing a study regarding CWD prions being denatured in the digestive track of mountain lions.

22:25 - Trying to manage this disease in free ranging cervids on the landscape.

26:34 - CWD origin story. Where did it begin? How did it start spreading? Is it endemic in cervids?

33:48 - GIS mapping of CWD coming soon! Until then check the link above for CWD mapping from USGS.

37:11 - Discovering CWD in new locations… “The first time you find it is not the first time it was ever there.”

40:00 - The latest in CWD testing, prevalence and population level impacts.

47:25 - CWD and the potential of jumping species… including the potential of it jumping to humans.

59:52 - Unpacking why it seems to be more prevalent in bucks and bulls.

1:03:47 - Population declines in whitetail and mule deer in areas with very high prevalence of CWD.

1:08:36 - “CWD Fatigue”

1:12:47 - What are the various factors that prevent the spread and promote good management?

1:20:22 - We need to be clear on effective management of CWD (reducing prevalence and stopping spread) and the importance of the state fish and wildlife agencies.

1:27:15 - Closing statements from Matt Dunfee, Ashley Chance and Aaron Kindle.

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Welcome to the Chronic Wasting Disease Chronicles, brought to you by NWF Outdoors and Artemis.

Chronic Wasting Disease is an always fatal and definitely complex neurological disease afflicting cervids across North America and beyond. More than 50 years after its discovery, the impacts of this disease are ramping up quickly while hunters are having to make tough decisions about how they hunt and feed their families.

What does this mean for the future of big game hunting?

What can be done to stop the spread and conserve our hunting traditions?

The Chronic Wasting Disease Chronicles explores these issues with leading experts from around the country and looks hopefully to a future full of healthy wild cervid populations.

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Aaron and Bill sit down with renowned archery author and traditional bow craftsman, Ron Rohrbaugh. We discuss conservation, archery, getting young people outdoors and his two recent books, A Traditional Bowhunter’s Path and Echo: Living Wild with the Orions. Ron also reads an excerpt from Echo, discusses the visceral and intimate act of hunting at very close range, and tells some great hunting stories. 

https://yourlifecyclegear.comLifeCycle Gear

https://www.amazon.com/Ron-Rohrbaugh-Jr./e/B01KI3U7NI?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

https://www.facebook.com/RonRohrbaughAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/lifecyclegear/

Show notes:

:05 – Bill and Aaron provide overview and intro to the episode.

5:33 - What Ron has been up to outside lately. Have you heard of “Black Powder Season”?

10:00 - Ron discusses this statement: “Without hunters, there would be no wild places.”

12:45 - How Ron got into conservation and writing.

15:00 - Thoughts on mentorship and how to find one if you don’t have one yet! Also, the importance of getting parents and guardians hooked as well.

18:40 - Ron sets the stage for his book, the characters, and the inspiration.

22:10 - Ron reads an excerpt from his book. The character, Echo, comes upon the scene of a group of coyotes who have taken down a deer. Echo needs food…

26:19 – Ron reflects on how his real life experiences inspire and inform his writing.

28:41 - Ron discusses that moment when the animal dies and you start harvesting.

29:54 - The traditional bow hunter’s path. Ron discusses his process in going deep into the world of archery.

What’s going through Ron’s head when he is crafting his hand made bows. Life Cycle Gear

36:38 - Does the wood working skills required in bow making benefit hunting as a whole?

38:36 - Who is the audience of his book? Bow hunters? Conservationists? New people?

41:16 - Ron discusses is career with birds, forest management and what birding has taught him about hunting.

44:00 – Quick message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!

45:11 - The ivory billed woodpecker and Ron’s involvement in Cornell University’s search.

49:03 - Ron’s advice on parenting, mentoring and guiding kids when it comes to the outdoors.

52:04 - What’s the first thing kids outta know when they are considering hunting?

55:19 - Ron shares two of his favorite whitetail stories.

1:02:51 - Ron shares his closing thoughts. Be sure to check the links above to see Ron’s books!

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Aaron and Bill have a chat with renowned entrepreneur, duckman, and conservationist, Warren Coco. "Coco’s" inventing the GO-DEVIL Longtail motor in the 1970s changed duck hunting forever, but he didn’t stop there and continued innovating longtails, surface drives, and boat designs. In the 80s he collaborated with Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty on what many duck hunters believe to still be the best waterfowl hunting video ever produced, The Duckmen of Louisiana. In the 90s he turned his energy, time and resources to conservation, and that focus continues to this day. Not only does he contribute his voice and money to conservation causes, he spends most of his days off on an excavator restoring coastal marsh in southwest Louisiana. We discuss Coco's sporting life, his adventures, and his dedication to conservation. 

Links:

Vanishing Paradise film of Delta restoration featuring Coco

https://youtu.be/pS7bwj9pwlw

The Go-Devil Company page 

https://www.godevil.com/the-company-about-us/

Coco's personal take on the conservation and restoration issue in the Delta

https://youtu.be/j_bmTxJKph0

The Duckmen of Louisiana with Warren Coco and Phil Robertson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQaq5H8MSDw

Warren Coco bio with his contributions to wetlands restoration 

https://www.ducks.org/get-involved/go-devil-founder-works-plays-and-invests-in-wetlands

Show Notes:

:05 – Bill and Aaron provide overview and Intro to the episode

6:10 - What "Coco" has been up to lately

9:05 – “We can’t kill enough ducks to make gravy”

11:30 – the ducks haven’t gotten to Southern LA yet

13:15 – All the ducks came in 83’ and 89’

15:02 – How Coco’s Company Go Devil got started

18:00 – business grows like crazy and the duck limit goes from 3 to 5

19:25 – “we cut a big hog the first year of sales”

21:20 – how the Go Devil motors work and what makes them special in the marsh

22:30 – B.O.A.T – “Break Out Another Thousand”

25:15 – the origin of the “Go-Devil” name

26:55 – the backstory of Coco’s participation the famous video, “The Duckmen of Louisiana” with Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty”

30:10 –making the Duckmen of Louisiana over 13 days and two hunting seasons

34:30 - how the invasive species salvinia ruined the Muarepas Swamps for duck hunting and how it outcompetes and kill “duck wheat”

38:40 – more changes in the duck swamps and the need for restoration

43:55 – marsh loss through Coco’s eyes

46:00 – floating islands

48:45 – an old fishing hole that is now 600 yards out in the gulf

52:28 – when the Midwest lost its top soil, a lot of it came down the river

59:52 – these guys are fishing oysters where their grandfathers trapped

1:02:10 – restoring Hackberry

1:06:00 – the difficulties of restoration and management

1:10:30 – supporting DU and Vanishing Paradise

1:14:25 – delta conservation is a nationwide issue

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