
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

Thursday Dec 15, 2022
A Little Help from our Friends
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
NWF Outdoors sends you off into 2023 with some help from our friends, listeners, and colleagues. They share their favorite outdoor memories from 2022 and some even share their favorite NWF Outdoors podcast episode. Enjoy these fun short stories from around the country and we’ll see you in 2023!
Show notes:
Show Notes:
1:30 - Leanne Chadwick shares her favorite turkey hunting experience of 2022.
3:35 – Jesse Deubel of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.
4:15 – Jodee Dixon, Artemis ambassador based in Southeast Alaska.
7:12 – Andrew Black, NWF’s public lands field director.
8:56 – Morgan Harrell, Artemis ambassador based in South Carolina.
9:44 – Jason Baldes, NWF’s tribal buffalo program manager.
11:24 – Ashlee Smith, sportswomen based in Mississippi.
12:45 - Lew Carpenter, NWF director of conservation partnerships in the intermountain west.
16:19 – Alyssa Bowen, Artemis ambassador based in Oklahoma.
17:10 – Todd Waldron of the Rough Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society.
20:21 – David Willms, NWF’s senior director of western wildlife.
21:10 – Mike McTee of MPG Ranch based in Missoula, Montana.
23:00 – Matthew Waguespack, Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator for Vanishing Paradise.
25:18 – Alec Underwood, senior policy and development director for the Montana Wildlife Federation.
25:25 - Gary Marz, lifelong angler, BHA board member and podcast listener based in Long Island New York.
28:42 - Dan Ritz of the Idaho Wildlife Federation.
29:33 – Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships for NWF’s Great Lakes Region.
32:33 – Mary Lynn of Light Em Up Kennels based in Eastern Tennessee.
33:19 – Closing statements.
Thanks for listening in 2022! We look forward to seeing you in 2023!!
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Friday Dec 02, 2022
2022 is a Wrap! What we learned and where we’re going.
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!!!

Thursday Apr 28, 2022
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act with lead sponsor, Senator Martin Heinrich
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Aaron and Bill sit down with Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico to discuss the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) - what it is, what it aims to accomplish, and what we need to do to get I passed. Senator Heinrich is the leading sporting advocate in Congress and has worked diligently on numerous pieces of conservation legislation. We cover his perspectives of RAWA, how it will help state agencies, the opportunities to mitigate wildfire and its impacts, and his opinion that RAWA will be “the most impactful wildlife conservation investment in U.S. history”. Senator Heinrich has also been a champion on combating CWD. We ask him for an update on the Senate companion legislation to the passed House version of the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act.
Links:
NWF Outdoors Recovering America’s Wildlife Act action alert – email your Member of Congress here: https://support.nwf.org/page/39420/action/1?fbclid=IwAR32AQFGFCHRenhBbDzEtHB9vBVXrb9T0PURcT9pv6kDfyweoSLgBckvSBo
RAWA bill text: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2773
More details on RAWA: https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Wildlife-Conservation/Policy/Recovering-Americas-Wildlife-Act
Our recent sporting blog on RAWA: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Blog/03-23-2022-Bipartisan-Wildlife-Bill-Will-Benefit-Hunters-Anglers
House version CWD bill text: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5608
Show notes:
2:39 – Little background on Senator Martin Heinrich. “The sporting community’s biggest champion in Congress.”
3:27 – What has Senator Heinrich been doing outside recently?
5:44 - Senator Heinrich talks about Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. “…the wildlife version of the Great American Outdoors Act”
8:23 – Why should the sporting community support this?
11:24 – “This is the number one agreed upon focus for benefiting wildlife in this Congress, and the sporting community in particular has stepped up in a way that’s allowed us to move this forward and keep it incredibly bipartisan during a divided time in our country. Wildlife is something that brings us back together…”
12:36 - Senator Martin Heinrich reflects on what the early advocates for wildlife went through a century ago in places like New Mexico… highlighting elk, mule deer, pronghorn and wild turkey.
Expressing hope that our grandkids inherit the same amazing breath of wildlife that folks took for granted when they grew up.
15:28 - How much latitude will state agencies will have when they spend the money provided by Recovering America’s Wildlife Act? Turns out, the actual program is built completely by each individual state agency.
Please note: States all have what are called state wildlife action plans, if you are interested for your state be sure to google “(your state) wildlife action plan”
17:06 – Senator Heinrich points out -- the current programs which support these state wildlife action plans are completely inadequate to implement them. The need outstrips the support. RAWA would allow the agencies to implement these plans.
18:01 – “What the catch? There’s gotta be a catch? Nothing can be this perfect…” Right now, sportswomen and sportsmen have a lot of input with state agencies because their dollars fund the agencies. Will this change when the states have additional funding?
21:04 – Shout out to our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. For more great content, please be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
22:48 - Senator Heinrich talks about how Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help with natural infrastructure and wild fires.
26:14 – Continuing discussion the benefits that stack up when you restore habitat for one small song bird in a wetland… restoration like this benefit’s multiple species (including hunters and anglers).
27:07 - Senator Heinrich talks twenty years down the road with Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, highlighting the importance of restoring riparian habitat for Rio Grande cutthroat trout, song birds and the sporting community.
29:46 - What do we need to do to get this across the finish line?
30:50 - Senator Heinrich talks about the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act being introduced into the Senate.
32:21 - Senator Heinrich shares statement about the importance of passing Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
In the final episode of the CWD Chronicles, we bring back Matt Dunfee from the Wildlife Management Institute to put a bow on the series, help us affirm good information, throw away bad information, respond to listener questions, and look to the future of managing and living with CWD.
Links:
CWD Chronicles FULL SHOW ARCHIVE: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles
Recent and Ongoing CWD Research and Management Projects: https://cwd-info.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CWD-RESEARCH-SUMMARIES-MASTER-6-29-21.pdf
CWD in North America: https://cwd-info.org/map-chronic-wasting-disease-in-north-america/
Carcass Importation Regulations: https://cwd-info.org/state-and-province-carcass-import-regulations/
CWD-Related Hunting Regulations: https://cwd-info.org/cwd-hunting-regulations-map/
Show notes:
5:14 – Aaron shares a little background on Matt for those who didn’t catch episode one.
6:34 – Quick overview of previous topics covered in the CWD Chronicles Episodes 1-5.
9:18 – Ashley shares a few other things that we hope to look at as we wrap up this series.
*A few take-aways from previous episodes: Get tested. Support intensive management actions when necessary. Don’t congregate animals.
11:53 – Within the past six months, we have four new states with CWD positive tests!
13:09 – Matt reflects on the broader picture which has been reinforced over this series.
“The first one is never the first one, we find this disease as we test more for it.”
17:00 – Aaron chips in that in this episode we are highlighting questions from our listeners.
19:05 – First listener question from John Matis in Loveland, CO.
John says: I’d like to know why all the deer aren’t dead? If chronic wasting disease is so contagious, and results in 100% fatalities, then why haven’t all the deer and elk died? Or is there genetic selection taking place, where the animals are developing immunity or resistance to the disease? Why not let natural selection take place?
21:57 – Can a fawn be born CWD positive? Ashley points out that younger populations have other implications beyond just total numbers.
24:50 – Second listener question from Gary Maerz in Westbury, NY.
Gary asks: Have state agencies considered a program that allows the issuance of additional tags if a hunter harvests a CWD positive deer, after verified by testing?
29:08 – Third listener question from Austin Moon in Cheyenne, WY.
Austin asks: Why is CWD more prevalent in deer than in other ungulates?
34:07 – Fourth listener question from Sarah Mueller in Pennsylvania.
Sarah says: We are just now on the edge of the CWD zone, should I get my deer tested? Can I eat the meat if it’s CWD positive? I’m nervous about using my good knives to butcher if I get prions that will never come off on them. Other states have lived with CWD for years but Pennsylvania is pretty new – how do I navigate this?
38:00 – Ashley asks about the potential of prions penetrating the handles of her knives.
39:00 – Aaron asks if we, as a sporting community, should just take on as a sporting community that everyone should get tested 100% of the time.
43:22 – Should we be testing pronghorn if they are harvested in a CWD hot zone given the fact that the disease has been documented to jump species?
“When nothing is sure, anything is possible.”
45:43 - Unpacking the logistics of universal testing. Meaning that every cervid out there is tested.
54:50 - What if every research project out there at any given point could take a tiny “punch” sample from their ears for surveillance and tracking disease distribution.
1:00:47 - How can the nonsporting public engage in the issues regarding CWD? Taking a look at the North American model of wildlife conservation.
1:05:50 - It seems like there’s not really an end point in sight. Matt discusses some simple things to consider regarding wildlife conservation, getting involved, hunting with CWD on the mind, etc.
“This is your heritage. Treat it as such.”
1:07:34 - Pointing to the future, looking at a crystal ball, where are we at in 20 years?
1:12:46 - How can we bridge the gap of being in it 100% or just putting the blinders on because folks are bored of dealing with CWD. “Rather than getting angry and just calling someone an idiot, let’s get curious and say where did you get that perspective… let me listen to yours so you will listen to mine. We know as humans that gets us a lot more ground than shame, gilt or ridicule.”
1:15:30 – Closing statements from Ashley and Aaron.
“If everyone would listen to this podcast series, I think we would get where we need to go. This is definitely a long form conversation and I think at the end of this if folks do take the time to listen to the whole thing, they can come to a good solid perspective on not just CWD but a lot of other things.”
-Matt Dunfee, the Wildlife Management Institute

Friday Apr 01, 2022
Friday Apr 01, 2022
After a month of tech issues and time conflicts, Aaron and Bill finally get together with Jim Ronquest of RNTV. Jimbo outlines his 21/22 duck season experiences from both home and on the road filming the show before moving to the timely topic of turkeys. After decades of population growth, many regions are experiencing declines, and we learn how Turkeys for Tomorrow is trying to find out why. It’s a lot to unpack, and then Jimbo drops a bomb on us!
Links:
https://turkeysfortomorrow.org/
https://www.drakewaterfowl.com/
https://www.nwf.org/-/media/PDFs/Outdoors/NWF_GameSpeciesAnalysis_Report_Final
Show notes:
4:18 – Aaron, Bill and Jim discuss what they’ve been doing outside lately.
8:00 – Talking the beginning of turkey season!
10:30 -- Jim talks about his upbringing and early years as a sportsman. “It was raining pitch forks and tater babies…”
17:14 -- Jim rounds up duck season.
21:27 – Shout out to Jim’s show, “RN T.V.” on the Sportsman Channel. Other than Ducks Unlimited, it is the longest running dedicated waterfowl show on outdoor T.V.
23:13 – Bill reflects on the first year he went turkey hunting with Jim almost twenty years ago.
25:40 – Jim discusses Turkeys for Tomorrow: Promoting America's hunting traditions, conservation, and education through the timeless collaboration of hunters and wildlife professionals to ensure we all have TURKEYS FOR TOMORROW.
38:15 -- What are the known turkey conservation issues? #HabitatLoss
41:57 – Aaron shares some critical stats regarding the loss of turkey habitat in a few states.
44:14 – Jim talks about how much he enjoys the transition from duck season to turkey season.
44:58 – Quick break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!
46:42 -- Jim talks about a research project he would like to have done regarding the use of chicken litter and fertilizer on pastures potentially causing disease.
50:07 – Jim reflects on hunters’ response to Turkeys For Tomorrow.
53:52 – “If you’re able, we need more than to just buy a license. That’s the bare minimum for conservation… “ If you don’t have money, perhaps you have time to volunteer.
54:50 – Jim highlights the unique model for wildlife management in North America.
55:30 – How long has Jim been on RN T.V.?
56:55 – JIM SHARES SOME BIG NEWS!!
1:00:17 – Jim talks about hunting with some of the Bass Elite guys during duck season. “I fish so I can go duck hunting…”
1:02:50 – Keep an eye out for Jim’s upcoming Climate Chronicle short film by making sure you’re following NWF Outdoors on social media!