The Bureau of Land Management just released a draft rule that, if finalized, would significantly change the way in which oil and gas leases are issued on public lands. The guys break down what it means for the industry, and the public at large. They also offer a tip of the hat to Backcountry Hunter and Anglers CEO, Land Tawney.
A recent study shows that support for hunting, fishing, trapping, and the shooting sports in the United States has declined over the past 3 years (though it's still very high). The guys dive into the results, what it means for hunters and anglers, and things to think about to ensure strong public support long into the future.
Jonathan Wood from the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) joins the guys to discuss a landmark SCOTUS case, Sackett v. EPA, which defines "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act. They break down the decision and explain what it means for states, landowners, hunters, and others. Johathan also shares his Mountain. Don't miss this episode--it certainly isn't dry.
In a long anticipated decision, a Federal judge recently found that four hunters did not commit a civil trespass when corner crossing in Wyoming's checkerboard lands. Great news for those four hunters, but what about the rest of us? Is corner crossing now legal? The guys break down the decision and explain what it might mean for you as you plan your public land hunt this fall. Spoiler: the decision doesn't go as far as you might think.
The Bureau of Land Management is proposing a new rule that would allow companies, individuals, and NGOs to lease lands for restoration. They also propose to elevate conservation as a multiple use on par with other land uses. This proposal has generated some controversy. Dave and Nephi assign themselves different perspectives and discuss.
Congress is considering several bills that would remove a number of species from the protections of the Endangered Species Act. Dave and Nephi discuss them. Other topics include: bird flu in California condors; catastrophic losses of pronghorn and mule deer this winter; Wyoming's corner crossing case; and the Colorado legislature's new action on wolf reintroduction (note: the bill has passed since recording this episode).
The Biden administration recently gave the green light to a controversial oil project in northern Alaska. Dave and Nephi wade into the issue. They discuss why many in the conservation world oppose it, why others support it--including how it fits into the national security debate and the climate debate. They also provide an update on a New Mexico stream access case, provide a PSA about leaving stressed wildlife alone, answer a listener question about lead/copper ammunition, and preview a future e...
The US Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced it would consider Montana's and Wyoming's petitions to delist grizzly bears. The guys do a deep dive into the decision, the state politics, the legal process, and what it means for grizzly bears in the West. They also discuss a frustrating trend in state legislatures, and Dave encourages attending a convention that's already occurred! Check us out, and then shoot us a note at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com...
Dave and Nephi break down a bill that could require leasing tens of millions of acres of public land to replenish the strategic petroleum reserve. They also discuss the administration's decision to prevent mineral leasing in the Boundary Waters area of northern Minnesota, and to reinstate roadless rule protections in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. Finally, the guys discuss a proposal to allow mountain lion pursuit with dogs after a tag's been filled. Enjoying the content? Ideas for an episode...
Grizzly bears and wolves remain hot topics. Dave and Nephi provide an update on Colorado's efforts to reintroduce wolves, and how the public can get involved in the process. Then, they break down a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that challenged grizzly bear recovery plans, and discuss what the decision means for bear recovery/delisting. Next, the guys highlight a few bills circulating in state legislatures that are worth following, including bills about corner crossing, hunting pre...
Dave and Nephi end 2022 discussing some hot topics in conservation, including a Recovering America's Widlife Act update (update since recording: it didn't pass in 2022), and teeing up a needed deeper dive into the Montana Crazy Mountains access saga. They also discuss the resolution of a recent case brought by Center for Biological Diversity challenging lead use on wildlife refuges, which gets Nephi a bit fired up. Next, they give a 30,000 ft view of the Colorado River Compact, the river system,...
Jonathan Wood, Vice President of Law & Policy at the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) , joins the guys to discuss some contentious access issues in the West. They dive into a New Mexico stream access case that may find its way to the US Supreme Court, and then provide an update on a land access dispute in the Crazy Mountains of Montana. Other topics include: whether Nephi should host the podcast; market-based envionmental solutions; listing the lesser priaire chicken; Jonathan...
The guys take a deep dive into the history of wildlife management in America, using Wyoming's journey as as example. They discuss: how wildlife laws progressed from the 1860s to the modern era; how important the Pittman-Robertson Act passing was to state management efforts; what revenues make up state wildlife agency budgets; why the firearms industry supports the Pittman-Robertson Act, what the Recovering America's Wildlife Act would do for states; and more. They also try to match attorneys wit...
Renowned biologist, and Wildlife Science Coordinator for the Arizona Game & Fish Department, Jim Heffelfinger, joins the podcast for a deep dive into the good science, bad science, politics, influencers, successes, and failures associated with Mexican gray wolf recovery. Jim's captivating story spans several decades and will leave you both appreciating and questioning science and the motives of people. It will also leave you with a better understanding of what it takes to recover carismatic ...
In this episode, Dave asks for help understanding the impacts Eurasian collared doves have on mourning doves. The guys also discuss the issues surrounding importing harvested game birds from Canada; how the damages claimed by the landowner in Wyoming’s corner-crossing case are a head scratcher; and new attacks on the Pittman-Robertson Act from some in the environmental community. Tune in. Have show ideas? Send them to us at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com ....
Dave and Nephi provide updates on the RETURN Act (Pittman-Robertson defunding act) and the infamous corner crossing case from Wyoming. Then they dive into the freshly passed (as of today) Inflation Reduction Act. Love the bill or hate it, the guys don't care. They just hope to cut through the hyperpartisan politics dominating the airwaves, and let you know some of the pieces in the bill that would send funding towards conservation. Take a listen, and tell your friends about the Your Mountain Pod...
In late June, nearly 5 dozen members of Congress co-sponsored a bill that would end the 100+ year excise tax on firearms and ammunition, which contributes more than $1.1 billion to state wildlife agencies each year. Dave and Nephi explain the history of the Pittman-Robertson Act, break down the bill, discuss how the excise taxes are used, and explain why the bill won't pass but needs the hunting community to kill it anyway. Take a listen, and then call your Congressman.
After a month away from recording due to Nephi building a house and Dave completing a fellowship in Europe, the guys are back. They discuss Recoving America's Wildlife Act, the major Congressional hurdle it cleared, and when it might become law. They also discuss a land acquisition by the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming that creates access to 70,000 of public land, and the controversy surrounding the purchase. Other topics include: hunting draw results, Nephi moving, why soccer is a boring,...
The guys discuss a recent bill in Congress that would ban lead ammunition on US Fish and Willdife Service lands. They also jump back into the corner crossing issue with an analysis of the Wyoming litigation. Other topics include, transferrable landowner tags, National Corndog Day, why Nephi constantly interrupts Dave, and a teaser on a Sunday hunting case in Maine. Tune in!
After a long absence, Mike McGrady rejoins the podcast to discuss the open fields doctrine and search and seizure laws under state and federal constitutions. They explain what the open fields doctrine is, the cases that gave rise to it during prohibition, and a recent Tennessee decision limiting a game warden's ability to enter private property. Other topics include: trona mining, and the importance of the 4th Amendment.
Tim Brass of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers joins the guys to talk about the North American Model of Wildlife Management. Topics include: what is the model; does the model work; what are the biggest threats to the model; should we rethink the model; Tim's mountain; and more.
NOTE: THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED PRIOR TO THE US BANNING RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS, BUT THE MATERIAL REMAINS RELEVANT TODAY. Nephi and Dave discuss oil and gas policy in the US since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Topics include: the problems with the “drill baby drill” and “keep it in the ground” mindsets; why energy companies aren’t drilling; why renewable energy has its own challenges; balancing development and conservation; will we have more ammo shortages; and more.
A Federal District Court just reinstated protections for wolves in 44 states, and the Fish and Wildlife Service announced they will consider whether to relist wolves in the Northern Rockies. What does this all mean? Dave and Nephi dive in, but leave a lot of questions on the table for a future episode. Tune in.
The guys discuss an idea to use the Endangered Species Act in a way that encourages state management of federally listed species. They also discuss: late velvet in mule deer; a bad goose hunt; a good goose hunt; hunting wolves near Yellowstone National Park; appreciation of wildlife professionals; and more.
Dave and Nephi are joined by John Burns of Wyoming Arms to talk about technology in hunting. They talk about the importance of range finders, and then take a deep dive into the history and use of suppressors, including new changes in processing paperwork to purchase a suppressor. Other topics include Dave's recent elk hunt; Nephi finally getting a goose hunt invite; remote game cameras; Wyoming Arms; John's Mountain; and more.
Dave and Nephi provide an update on all things grizzly bears, including updating on a petition to delist Yellowstone grizzlies; a petition to delist Northern Continental Divide grizzlies; and a new population estimator showing there are lots of freaking bears. They also weigh in on a recent Matt Rinella piece advocating for fewer hunters. Spoiler: the guys commend Matt for being willing to speak up, but think he's missing the forest through the trees.
Dave and Nephi take a look at Wyoming's corner crossing case through a different lens. Legal issues aside, they discuss the possible policy outcomes of the case, and how setting a court precedent could backfire for hunters. Other topics include: how to increase public land access; how they first met Steven Rinella; Nephi's love of fluvial geomorphology; Aldo Leopold; Dave meeting Dick Cheney; and more.
Dave and Nephi complete their road trip through MT and WY. In this episode they take a deep dive into Wyoming’s law that requires nonresidents to hunt with a guide in Wilderness Areas. They discuss the history of the law, possible reasons for the law, its legal history, and venerabilities. They also discuss their favorite hunts of 2021, and Dave asks for listener advice about an issue with his 2021 mule deer. Take a listen, share, then subscribe to get more great content!
Dave and Nephi continue their road trip across MT and WY. They discuss wildlife wins in Congress's bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, such as: money for wildlife crossings, reclaiming orphaned oil and gas wells, fire mitigation, and more. They also discuss Recovering America's Wildlife Act, what it could mean for hunters, and how to voice your support. Then stay tuned for Part III of the road trip where the guys will discuss Wyoming's requirement that nonresidents must hunt with a guide in Wilderne...
Dave and Nephi road trip across Montana and Wyoming. They discuss barriers for recruiting new hunters, such as: sharing your spot, finding a place to hunt, cost of equipment, access to shooting ranges, hunter diversity, judging others' reasons for hunting, complex hunting and fishing regulations, and more. They also preview parts 2 & 3 of this road trip series: good things for wildlife coming out of Congress; and a dive into the requirement that non-residents can't hunt Wyoming wilderness wi...
