The National Wildlife Federation has worked with hunters and anglers since 1936 to tackle the biggest natural resource challenges. The NWF Outdoors Podcast explores the most important conservation issues and the people who do the hard work to safeguard our fish, wildlife, lands, and waters. Hosted by Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy at NWF.
Episodes
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Show notes (and links):
0:52 – “We’ve learned so much! It’s been a journey!”
1:52 – Stories from recent outdoor pursuits.
4:33 – Gratitude for hosts, cohosts, and great guests in 2023.
6:00 – We tried a lot of new concepts including the CWD Chronicles and podcast recordings.
9:45 – Feedback, upcoming podcast survey and something to look forward to in 2023.
10:48 – Aaron takes it back to the first episode with both hosts… Greg Fitz from the Wild Steelhead Coalition. Discussing the plight of steelhead, salmon runs, issues regarding the Pacific Northwest and the abundance of fish historically. It’s up to anglers for so much of this stuff!
13:07 – Gary Mason! Gary announces live on the show that Bill Cooksey was going to be inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Bill shares how heartfelt this honor was and how special it was for this announcement to be present while recording the podcast.
15:22 – Warren Coco! Ducks, overalls, and stories with this special person and conservationist.
18:01 -- Ron Rohrbaugh! Author, traditional bow craftsman and someone worth following on social media.
20:15 – Bob Budd! Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust and a favorite show for both hosts.
21:15 – Alex Harvey! A wonderful human who is involved in everything.
21:43 – Casey Stemler! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Senior Advisor for Western States.
23:25 – The CWD Chronicles! This special series really unpacked this issue and it’s a must listen if you haven’t tuned in already.
24:33 - Aaron Kindle and Ashley Chance share an update on the current CWD situation and pending legislation.
29:03 - Bill Cooksey adds his perspective on CWD after listening to the series. https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles
30:40 - Where’s Ronquest? Jimbo finally made it on the show and didn’t disappoint.
32:09 - Jake Latendresse may be the most well-known sportsmen you’ve never heard of.
34:58 – Senator Martin Heinrich came on the show and spoke about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. https://www.nwfoutdoors.org/e/the-recovering-america-s-wildlife-act-with-lead-sponsor-senator-martin-heinrich/
36:50 – Salmon experts came on the show to cover topics from Bristol Bay to the Snake River and everywhere in-between threatened by transboundary mining.
39:53 – Duck podcasts! Bill chats about his waterfowl expert podcast guests Chris Nicolai and Dr. Mike Brasher.
41:46 - From podcasts recorded on location in a fishing boat off the coast of Sitka or touching base with our affiliate in Alaska to conservations with Steve Bowen, Crispin Powley, Chad Hoover, and Rue Mapp.
43:03 - The Return Act discussion with David Willms and Mike Butler.
45:17 – What’s coming next? Make sure to take our short survey between Dec 14-Jan 9 for a chance to win a Roll-Top Cylinder Soft Sided Cooler. We are really excited to share our new short-form series, “Afield”.
We are unplugging until February so please be sure to catch up on podcasts you have yet to enjoy.
We would be incredibly grateful if you could gift us with a rating and written review on whatever podcast platform you listen to.
Thanks for listening!!!
Friday Jul 29, 2022
Friday Jul 29, 2022
It’s late July, and much of the country is in the midst of a heat wave, but Aaron and Bill are back talking ducks with Dr. Mike Brasher from Ducks Unlimited. Waterfowl are both a vocation and advocation for Mike as he’s spent his career studying and his free time hunting them. For the last two years, COVID protocols in Canada have prevented the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from conducting the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (known to duck hunters as the BPOP and May Pond Count). This survey is used to set future seasons. The 2022 flights have wrapped up, and Mike is here to help us understand what the initial reports could mean to duck hunters all over the country. And for the first time in several years, there’s some positive news!
Links:
https://www.ducks.org/media/du-podcast
And here’s a photo page from the folks who actually count the ducks:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pilotbiologist/albums/with/72157706996280821
Show notes:
3:40 – Bill introduces Mike and provides a little insight into his background and what we are going to cover in the show regarding ducks and how ducks are counted.
5:25 – Mike introduces himself with a little more detail.
7:19 – Mike, Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently.
13:40 – Jumping right into B-POP (Breeding Population Survey) but first, let’s clarify that we are not talking about K-POP.
14:21 – What is B-POP and why should duck hunters understand it?
19:13 – Laying out the mechanics of how big the count is, where do they fly and how are we doing with the trajectory of current population counts.
24:27 – Discussing the word “census” and why this count isn’t a census.
28:23 – What are the results?!
35:05 – Why have biologists been concerned, drought in the western U.S. and how are the numbers doing down south?
41:27 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for even more great content.
42:20 -- Because the count hasn’t happened for a few years, what was the approach this year?
46:39 -- Discussing the scientific approach to climate issues as they relate to duck populations, trajectory, warming trends and droughts.
53:33 -- Discussing the significance of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and recently introduced North American Grasslands Act. How does this legislation relate to natural infrastructure, habitat restoration and resilience.
1:00:23 -- With fresh water and fresh habitat, what does that mean for the productivity of waterfowl? Also, a few reflections on the current count numbers and what that might mean for the upcoming duck hunting season.
1:07:33 – Mike shares some closing statements.
1:10:24 – Ducks Unlimited U.S. and Ducks Unlimited Canada are teaming up soon to do a livestream!
1:12:53 – Bill shares some closing statements.
1:13:18 – Please speak up on behalf of shutting down the Return Act, the swift passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and the North American Grasslands Act. Get engaged, stay engaged and look for folks like Mike for guidance.
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Aaron and Bill sit down with David Willms and Mike Butler to discuss the recently introduced the RETURN Act and how it would dismantle the world’s most successful conservation program and begin a cascade effect that would set back America conservation in myriad ways. We walk through a refresher on the Pittman-Robertson Act – what it is, how it works, why it is so successful and why we need to protect by all means possible. Then we pivot to the RETURN Act – what it is, why it came about, how terrible it would be for American conservation and why we need to step up to stop it dead in its tracks.
Links:
https://tnwf.org/new-bill-would-gut-conservation-funding/
Show notes:
5:08 - Aaron shares a little background on this episodes guests.
7:56 - The group shares what they have been doing outside recently.
13:05 – David explains the Pittman-Robertson Act. Why do we have it and what it does?
19:38 – Mike discusses the significance of this legislation in Tennessee alone.
20:36 – What would it look like from state to state if we didn’t have the Pittman-Robertson Act?
24:02 - How is it funded? Who pays it? When do they pay it?
26:01 - Mike talks about the North American model of conservation and why Pittman-Robertson is integral to it.
29:31 – David lines out how much conservation funding comes from Pittman-Robertson and how it’s growing every year.
33:39 – Highlighting the 2nd Amendment and how it relates.
35:16 – What does the Return Act do exactly?
42:27 – Where did the concept of the Return Act come from? Let’s also highlight the conflict of interest at play here…
46:43 – Mike points out some fallacies in the proposed legislation and the press release from Rep. Clyde.
52:35 – It’s incredibly rare when a member of congress goes through the active process of removing their name from the list of cosponsors for a proposed bill. This is happening right now with the Return Act. Get informed! Call your congressman.
55:37 – What about the those who might like to see the majority of conservation funding coming from somewhere else besides the sporting community?
59:10 – Closing statements. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“A man who doesn’t speak has no advantage over a man who can’t – so use your voice.” –Bill Cooksey