This week on Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Devin O’Dea, Western Policy and Conservation Manager for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, for one of the most important conversations we have ever released on this podcast.This episode takes a deep dive into the real threats facing America’s public lands, from attempts to rescind the Roadless Rule to legislative proposals that could open the door to privatizing or selling off the lands that belong to every American. Devin breaks down exactly what’s happening behind the scenes, how certain bills bypass public input, and why hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts need to pay attention right now.Russell and Devin also talk through:• What the Roadless Rule actually protects• Why attempts to rescind it are dangerous for wildlife, watersheds, and recreation• How public land bills get disguised as “affordable housing” or “fire mitigation”• Why bipartisan stewardship is the only real path forward• The role hunters and anglers play in conservation through Pittman-Robertson & Dingell-Johnson• What everyday people can do today to protect public access• Why public lands are part of every American’s inheritanceThey also swap stories about learning to hunt, navigating difficult terrain, clean water issues, wildlife fragmentation, and even some unexpected wild-game culinary adventures (yes, crow and coyote recipes come up).If you hunt, fish, hike, camp, or simply care about the natural spaces that define this country, you cannot miss this episode. This discussion affects every Western state, every public land user, and every future generation that deserves access to wild places.Watch, share, and help protect what belongs to all of us.Take Action: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/take-actionBucked Up- https://bckd.co/vnjzgTkForetold Coffee Co.- https://www.foretoldcoffeeco.com00:00 – Public land ownership and the threat of selling public land00:22 – Welcome to Wild Life Outdoors00:54 – Introducing Devin O’Dea (BHA Western Policy Manager)01:38 – Why public lands are facing major threats03:27 – Russell’s hunting experiences and challenges06:24 – Rifle vs bow hunting in thick terrain07:14 – What is the biggest threat to public lands right now?11:40 – How “affordable housing” bills hide land-sale attempts13:26 – Why selling public lands makes no sense16:39 – Why certain politicians push land-transfer bills18:19 – America’s unique public land heritage21:30 – What the Roadless Rule protects23:42 – Wildlife fragmentation and fire-related myths27:22 – Why “fire mitigation” is used as misleading justification29:53 – Why public comment matters32:53 – What bipartisan conservation should look like37:06 – How Pittman-Robertson & Dingell-Johnson actually fund conservation41:51 – Why the U.S. system is unique globally45:02 – Wild-game cooking stories and food chain impacts48:07 – What YOU can do right now to protect public land51:36 – Clean water, invasive species, and eagle recovery issues54:33 – More wild-game talk (crow, coyote, black bear)56:00 – Closing thoughts from Devin57:09 – Final sendoff and call to action#publiclands #RoadlessRule #Conservation #BackcountryHuntersAndAnglers #BHA #PublicLandAccess #HuntingPodcast #OutdoorPodcast #ConservationPolicy #PittmanRobertson #DingellJohnson #PublicLandThreats #SavePublicLands #WildLifeOutdoors #WesternHunting #FlyFishingCommunity #HabitatProtection #OutdoorAdvocacy #HuntingAndFishing #PublicLandOwner