Your Mountain

What is Vista Outdoor? You probably use many of their products and don't even know it. David and Nephi sit down with their Director of Conservation & Public Policy, Ryan Bronson, to talk about the company and much more. Topics include: Vista's contributions to conservation; responding to gun boycotts; the backpack tax; why relationships matter; the politics of hunting; lead v copper ammunition; long-range shooting ethics; David's preferred use for garbage bags; and Ryan gets emotional sharing his Mountain.

Since 2015, forest fires have burned more than 33 million acres in the US - an area larger than Louisiana. Why are we seeing so many fires? Why are there billions of dead trees across the western United States and Canada? The guys tackle those questions and more in this episode. Topics include: the 1891 Forest Reserve Act, Gifford Pinchot's vision, clear-cutting, pine beetles, drought, NEPA, Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act, National Forest Management Act, the future of forest management - and so much more.

What do you get when you put four wildlife lawyers and Nephi in a room? Great conversation and a lot of useful information. Learn from Dave, Chris Tymeson, Kelley Myers and Tamara McIntosh about wildlife laws in Wyoming, Kansas, and Iowa. Topics include: Wildlife Violator Compact, landowner damage claims, valuing wildlife, road kill salvage, using disease to build fear to end hunting, captive breeding challenges, food bank programs, Chris's WY elk hunt, sharing honey holes, and a great grizzly bear case. 

Not all public land is treated the same, especially when it comes to access for hunting. Myriad acronyms and oversight agencies can make knowing your rights hard. David and Mike break down the different agencies managing public land, and whether the public can hunt it. Think you cannot hunt on National Parks or Monuments, or even Military installations? You may be surprised. Any restrictions on state managed lands? We have you covered there too. Take a listen before you head into the field this fall.

You've heard about three gun matches, or maybe not. We discuss how taking part in shooting sports can improve your hunting skills, and specifically how three gun shooters impact conservation funding. Maybe you're a three gun shooter thinking about taking your skills to the field. We've got you covered. Dive into the conversation with some of the sport's leading shooters, Dianna and Ryan Muller as well as long-range shooting expert John Burns. We promise you'll walk away with a different perspective.  

Maybe you've read about it or seen references to it on social media. Maybe you know that it's set to expire on Sept. 30, 2018. But how much to you really know about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)? You'll learn plenty as David, Mike, and Nephi take you through its history, how it's funded, how money is spent, and what Congress is considering today. Do you like baseball fields, swimming pools, parks, trails, river access, and land access, hunting, or fishing? Then don't miss this episode!

The guys crash the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association annual convention and talk to Liza-J Bobseine of New York, Kerry Wrishko of Saskatchewan, and Shawn Blajszczak of Wyoming about their experiences in wildlife law enforcement.  Subjects covered include fighting illegal trade of animal parts, how to become a game warden, solving wildlife crimes, their most memorable experience in law enforcement, and so much more.  This episode has it all--including an unusual surprise in Chinatown.

It's all been building to this. In Part 1, we talked history of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Part 2 focused on how it works. Now, in Part 3, the guys discuss the future of the ESA. They touch on a series of bills introduced by the Western Caucus in the US House. What is the Western Caucus? The guys explain. They dissect a US Senate draft bill, and detail regulatory proposals introduced by the Secretary of Interior. Can they succeed? How can you make your voice heard? You'll have to listen to find out.

Land Tawney, President and CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) joins Dave, Mike, and Nephi for an educational, thought-provoking, and hilarious conversation. Learn about BHA's "Hike to Hunt" program; training for hunting season; hunter/outdoor rec partnerships; Dave's terrible kayaking skills; history, mission, and structure of BHA; Land and Water Conservation Fund; river access; backcountry law enforcement; importance of landowner relationships; Dave's deer honey hole; and Land's favorite place.

In Part 2 of a 3 part series, Dave, Mike and Nephi get a little wonky talking about about how the Endangered Species Act operates. The guys discuss the process of listing and delisting species, candidate species, public participation in the process, and some of the other things the Fish and Wildlife Service must do under the Act. This episode draws upon the Part 1 discussion about why the Act was passed, and sets up Part 3 that will cover proposed changes to the law. Get ready for a crash course in the ESA.

0010 - Interview with Zach Bowhay of Hunt DIY

Dave and Mike tackle the first of a three part series on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They share their professional experiences working with the ESA, and then dive into its history. They discuss: how the ESA was Congress's 3rd attempt at a species preservation law; how a 3" fish stopped a $100 mill. water project; amendments to the ESA over the years; and the changed political dynamic around the ESA. Parts 2 & 3 will discuss the mechanics of ESA, and efforts to amend the law. This will be interesting.

Kryptec's slogan, from battlefield to back country, only tells part of the company's story. They also have notable employees and the guys sit down with one of them--international hunter and hunting emissary Kelli Thornton. The guys learn about how she got into hunting and the fast growing segment of women hunters, blaze pink, commissioner tags, getting veterans into hunting, and the North American versus African conservation models.  Hunting, Fishing, Conservation, Public Lands, Law and Policy, Kryptec

You've read the headlines and seen the tweets about US Senator Mike Lee's ideas for limiting national monument designations and transferring public lands to private hands. Some groups are using it to fundraise. But what did the Senator actually say, and what does it mean? The guys discuss what is motivating the public lands transfer crowd, Senator Lee's ideas for transferring public lands, the likelihood of the legislation going anywhere this Congress, and how you can make your voice heard. Check it out.

The guys cover lots of ground in this educational and funny episode with First Lite's Ryan Callahan, and Western Hunter's Zach Bowhay. Topics covered include: why everyone loves Idaho, what got Ryan started in the outdoor industry, advocating for front country vs. backcountry access, does camo work, the Pittman-Robertson Act, finding more money for wildlife conservation, the 2% for Conservation program, do non-hunters pay their fair share for conservation, Butch Cassidy in Idaho, and much more.