In late August, the state of Utah asked the United States Supreme Court to hear a case, where if Utah prevails, it could force the federal government to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of more than 18 million acres of public lands in Utah, and potentially hundreds of millions of acres of public lands across the country to states, or the highest bidder. Dave and Nephi take a deep dive into the issue discussing topics like: Utah's claims, how we got here, whether a decision favorable to Utah would include lands outside of Utah or lands beyond the Bureau of Land Management. They also discuss what happens if the Supreme Court declines to hear the case (hint: that's not the end of it), what they might want legislatively, their $12 million public education campaign, and other things you should know about this effort. If you are passionate about public lands, you should not miss this episode!

Organizers in Colorado gathered enough signatures to put a proposal to end mountain lion and bobcat hunting on the ballot this fall. Gaspar Perricone has been fighting this, and other ballot box biology efforts for years. He joins Dave and Nephi to discuss what it all means for the future of hunting and wildlife management. The guys also raise a glass to former co-host Mike McGrady for his recent appointment to a judgeship. Audio is a little choppy in spots, but don't let that keep you from listening to this important episode. 

Hunting season is well underway, which means the guys aren't recording much, and when they do they take weeks to publish. However, they found time to sit down and talk about some current events that hunters and anglers should care about. They discuss: collaboration in SW Wyoming on land use planning; wolf reintroduction; ballot box biology strikes again in Colorado to try to end mountain lion and bobcat hunting; and the MapWater Act. They also recount their elk hunting experience this fall. Spoiler alert: only one of them punched their tag, and it wasn't Nephi. 

In their first live podcast, the guys are joined by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon; WY Game and Fish Department Director Brian Nesvik; WY Game and Fish Commissioner Ralph Brokaw; and Wyoming Wildlife Federation's Jess Johnson. Topics include: the mountain goat controversy in Grand Teton National Park; migration corridors, being an effective advocate, the Camo at the Capitol program, and more. You don't want to miss this episode. 

Government feeding programs for elk are controversial. However, the guys don't shy away from controversy. Topics covered in this episode include: the history of elk feedgrounds; how feeding programs work; disease transmission; costs of operation; challenges with ending programs; opportunities for adaptive management; local and national political impacts; and more. There's a lot to unpack here, and not nearly enough time to discuss it all. 

State legislatures are in session all over the country, which means anything is possible, and hunters need to be engaged in the process to protect their interests. The guys highlight a handful of good and bad bills from around the country, and explain why what happens in one state can impact another. Topics covered include: hunting contests, trapping, landowner licenses, ammunition restrictions, hunting with dogs, license allocations, Sunday hunting, and hunters safety in the classroom. Check it out!

Laying the groundwork for a discussion on the rules for defining the phrase Waters of the United States, Nephi and Mike run through the process of Congress writing laws, agencies creating implementing regulations backed up by guidance, and how those regulations can be challenged in court. It is a clean overview of the process that is carried out all the time at the federal and state levels of government. 

The guys bring you two episodes in one to discuss the policy and science of using traditional lead ammunition and alternatives. Episode 1 features ballistics and ammunition expert Ryan Bronson discussing the use of traditional lead ammunition. Episode 2 features Chris Parish and Leland Brown of the North American Non-Lead Partnership discussing non-lead alternatives. Spoiler: everyone agrees there is no need to further regulate lead ammunition, but there's still a lot to unpack here. Enjoy the dialogue! 

The guys discuss the origin and meaning of the term "Green Decoy." Are there nefarious operatives in our midst? Are some of the most popular hunting organizations in the United States just Trojan horses for "extreme environmentalists?" Can hunters and anglers call themselves environmentalists? Is there a simple test for determining whether someone represents a legitimate hunting or angling organization? These questions, and many more are answered during this entertaining episode. 

Dave and Nephi plead for Mike's return, but are forced to record without him once again. They discuss ballot initiatives, and how they are used as a tool to limit and outright ban hunting. Topics include: the history of the North American Model; constitutional rights to hunt and fish; wolf reintroduction by ballot measure in Colorado; wolves in Wyoming; the use of ballot initiatives to ban or restrict trapping, bear hunting, and mountain lion hunting; what hunters should do about it; and more! 

Dave and Nephi look back on some of the issues they covered in 2019, provide a few updates, and give a sneak peek into topics they intend to cover in 2020. If you're new to the podcast, this is a great introduction to what we are all about, and why it's worth giving us a listen. If you're a longtime listener, there's something for you too. Check out the episode, and then tell us what topics you want us to cover in 2020 by emailing us at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com. Thanks for listening! 

Joel Webster, Director of the Center for Western Lands of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership joins Dave and Nephi to talk about public land access. Specifically, they discuss TRCP's work with OnX to identify and map the 6.35 million acres of public lands in the West that have no permanent, public access. Topics include: the history of TRCP; the importance of access to the future of hunting; corner crossing; successful existing access partnerships with landowners; ideas for increasing access; Joel's mountain; and so much more. 

Lindsay Layland, Deputy Director of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay, joins the guys to talk everything Pebble mine. Topics include: the geography and fishery of Bristol Bay; history of the proposed Pebble mine; a description of the project; concerns about the project; why being anti-Pebble mine doesn't mean being anti-mining; recent opinions from the EPA and Department of Interior; project timing; and more. If you've ever wondered what Pebble mine is and why you should care, this is the episode for you. 

The guys sit down with Josh Coursey, CEO of the Muley Fanatic Foundation and host of the Wild Things & Wild Places podcast, to discuss a controversial Resource Management Plan (RMP) in Southwest Wyoming. They correct misinformation about the draft RMP,  speak to the importance of local collaboratives, explain how the Bureau of Land Management could have more effectively rolled out the draft, and dive deeply into the importance of participating in the planning process. Then, Josh shares his Mountain. Whether you are from Wyoming, or enjoy public lands elsewhere in the country, this episode gives you some important tips on how to make your voice heard. 

The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 provides critical funding to state wildlife agencies (paid by hunters and recreational shooters) to manage wildlife. Last week, two bills passed the House Natural Resources Committee that would amend the Pittman-Robertson Act to help recruit new hunters and provide more resources to state wildlife agencies to manage wildlife and habitat. The guys tell you all about the bills, and the steps remaining before they become law. 

Hunters are on the decline nationwide, which means so is funding for wildlife management. The guys talk about how to fund the future of wildlife management. Topics covered include: state and federal funding efforts; why non-consumptive user really means non-contributory user; why hunters need non-hunters; the need for non-hunters to contribute to wildlife management; and more. We get a little philosophical and a lot less wonky in this one. Hope you'll tune in!

Dave and Nephi sit down to discuss several policies and laws that get in the way of your hunting, and also what grizzly bear management in the lower-48 might look like under a special ESA provision called a 4(d) Rule. Enjoy.

Mike and Nephi get together to discuss the recent developments in Pennsylvania over Sunday hunting. They cover the changes that have occurred since the last podcast on the issue and discuss the process the legislation went through to get to the Governor's desk. Enjoy the short and sweet breakdown. 

The Trump administration is seeking comment on a proposal to exempt Alaska's Tongass National Forest from the Clinton administration's Roadless Rule. What does this mean? The guys explain. They also provide an overview of the the regional economy, geography, biology, and regulatory overlay of the Tongass. And as always, they cut through the hyperbole and let you know what could happen, and when.

The guys talk all things hunting and hunting policy with Safari Club International's Cyrus Baird and Ben Cassidy. They discuss the role of Safari Club; Ben's experience at the Department of Interior; status of the CECIL Act (trophy import ban); silly season in Congress; protecting state's and hunter's rights; value of hunting competitions; the need for hunters to unite; litigation as a tool; hunters playing offense instead of defense; Ben and Cyrus's mountain; and more.  

After a short break to go hunting, the guys check back in to share some hunting stories from this fall and discuss the multi-dimensional issues surrounding federal oil and gas leasing in migration corridors. The guys discuss what federal leasing means and debate whether it will lead to development. Enjoy.  

Dave and Nephi visit with Jon Zinnel, Federal Premium's Conservation and Youth Shooting Sports Director. They talk all things Federal, including: innovation in the ammunition industry, why you should care about the shooting sports, youth shooting programs, what makes up a wildlife agency budget, impediments to recruiting youth hunters, the need to invest in conversation, Jon's Mountain, and more.  

Mike and Nephi break down the recent action to repeal the Waters of the United States regulation established during the Obama administration, but first give the historic context to understand what is going on. They take a dry subject and filter out the noise so you can be informed around the water cooler. Enjoy. 

In this episode, Dave and Mike want to hear from you! They quickly run through 10 current events in natural resource law and policy that you need to know. Then they ask you to let them know which ones deserve a dedicated episode. This is your chance to weigh in on the next several episodes of the podcast, so take a listen and then email your suggestions to yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com or connect via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at the handle @itsyourmountain. 

Chris Tymeson earns his gold jacket by joining the guys for the fifth time--this time representing Safari Club International (SCI). They discuss the history of SCI, and the type of legal and governmental affairs work SCI does on behalf of hunters around the country and world. In a Your Mountain first, Chris also arbitrates a series of disputes between Dave and Nephi. They also share a tribute to a giant of conservation, the late Miles Moretti. Tune in!

Dave and Mike visit with US Senate Budget Committee Chairman, Mike Enzi (R-WY). They discuss his decision to enter politics; his early career; the Interstate Transport Act of 2019; pack rafting in Yellowstone; the Land and Water Conservation Fund; the difference between the budget and appropriations; whether the President's budget matters; getting money to projects on the ground; how the public should advocate with the Senate; Sen. Enzi's experiences as a hunter/angler; his Mountain; and more. 

Matt Hoobler of Pathfinder Ranches continues his conversation with the guys that began in episode 0064. They pick up right were they left off, and dive right into the Wyoming moose hunt that Dave and Matt shared. Lots of lessons in this episode. They cover: treating wounds in the field, navigating in the dark without a headlamp, processing meat properly, moose introduction in Colorado, coyotes, and the misery of packing out a moose cape. Matt even cooks up something special for the guys. This episode is very different from a typical Your Mountain episode, but is a lot of fun! Listen to the story, and learn what not to do!

Matt Hoobler of Pathfinder Ranches joins the guys to talk about his business of sage grouse conservation banking. They discuss how conservation banks work, grazing benefitting habitat, youth hunting programs, Dave turning 40, pranks on friends, and a primer on an epic moose hunt. You won’t want to miss this episode. 

National media headlines would lead one to believe that the Trump administration just significantly weakened the Endangered Species Act. Did they? They guys dissect the recent amendments to the implementing regulations, and lay out both the positives and negatives of the changes. They also get philosophical about partisanship, and Nephi dishes some compliments. So, is the sky falling? Are species destined to falter? You'll have to listen to find out. 

Join Dave as he visits with Chris Tymeson - chief legal counsel for Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. They discuss the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, being a wildlife attorney, fishing for wipers, public private partnerships, and everything you want to know about Kansas wildlife.  

Dave and Nephi address the controversial appointment of attorney William Perry Pendley to the highest post at the BLM. Is there cause for alarm? Are public lands really in jeopardy of being sold to the highest bidder? They tackle these questions, discuss the legal framework of public lands and the process for disposition of federal lands. They also discuss the importance of understanding alternative points of view to better resolve conflict.  

Dave and Nephi wax philosophical with TV host, podcaster, author and self-guided public land hunting advocate Randy Newberg. Join the conversation about Randy’s evolution from hunting as a kid to being a major public voice for conservation on public lands. From managing the land, to managing for species such as wolves and grizzly bears, this episode covers a lot of ground. Enjoy.  

The guys discuss a new grizzly bear lawsuit (not about Wyoming grizzlies); a bill in Congress that would forever prohibit grizzly bear hunting; and a bill that would ban the importation of many species of African wildlife into the United States. Dave also shares a story from his private legal practice, and Dave and Mike plan their fall deer hunt.  True edutainment in this episode! Listen and subscribe!

Your Mountain sits down with John Burns, the "Godfather" of Long Range, former host on Sportsmen's Channel and Shooting Beyond Belief. Listen as we discuss legislation on the use of technology in hunting, Mountain Pursuit's 400/50 challenge, Boone and Crockett Club's position on Long Range Hunting, how an individual can find their own proverbial line in the sand, can you really buy your way in, and more.   

Dave and Nephi take a deep dive into the current status of wolves in the United States. They discuss: the new US Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to delist wolves nationwide; the legal definition of distinct population segments; hunting wolves; reintroducing wolves in Colorado; the value of state management; current wolf populations; and more. They leave a lot on the table too, so watch for future episodes on the topic! 

Dave and Nephi are back after taking a podcasing summer break. In this episode, the guys run down some of the biggest conservation stories that took place while they were climbing peaks, fishing, and entering shooting competitions. Topics include: a new national monument, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Evnironmental Protection Agency and waters of the US, National Public Lands Day, National Hunting and Fishing Day, and Dave tries to ruin Nephi's elk hunt before it even starts.   

What do Gerrymandering and Census citizenship questions have to do with decisions relating to land, water, and wildlife? The guys will break-down two recent US Supreme Court decisions, and discuss the nuances that could make their way into the natural resources arena. You also learn where the genesis of the term, "Gerrymandering"; a little about Mike and Dave's recent camping experience; and why Nephi was recently in Minnesota. Get ready to wonk out! 

Jake McGuigan of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) joins the guys to talk NSSF and Sunday hunting laws, i.e. Blue Laws. Topics include: SHOT Show; the difference between NSSF and NRA; history of blue laws; a break down of the recent movement of a Sunday hunting bill in Pennsylvania; the policy reasons to support Sunday hunting; how to get involved; a tally of Nephi's verbal tick; and more.  

Several Montana sporting and conservation groups recently sued the Forest Service over a lack of access to Montana's Crazy Mountains. The guys go through some of the background of the issue, describe the legal concept of prescriptive easements, and provide an introduction to the arguments raised in the lawsuit. Stay tuned for more detail in future episodes. They also give an update on the Herrera v Wyoming case. Take a listen. 

The trio of Dave, Mike, and Nephi are all together in one spot to announce the winner of the gun giveaway. Plus the guys take time to relax and share the hunting tips they have acquired through time and experience (and tears for some). From Nephi's love of the best gear to Dave's frugal repurposing beyond just trash bags, to Mike's backpack full of individually separated, yet heavy stuff. The guys dial back the wonk and up the fun. Enjoy.

Dave and Mike get a bit wonky without Nephi around to keep them in check. They break down Botswana's recent decision to allow elephant hunting. Other topics include: hunting threatened species, applying the Endangered Species Act overseas, the fact that neither Mike nor Dave have been to Africa, whether U.S. citizens should rush to hunt Botswana, and a human dimensions comparison between elephants and grizzly bears. All of this without actually taking a position on elephant hunting. Tune in! 

What do Pheasants/Quail Forever and Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN have in common? Turns out, a lot. Howard Vincent, CEO of Pheasants Forever, and Matt Carstens, Senior VP of Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN join the guys to visit about their new partnership. Using the innovative Truterra Insights Engine, farmers are increasing yields, profits, and then Pheasants Forever helps them improve wildlife habitat. How does this partnership work, and what does this mean for hunters? Listen to find out.  

SUBSCRIBER? TECHNICAL GLITCH ON THIS EPISODE. DOWNLOAD AGAIN FOR THE CORRECTED VERSION. On May 20, 2019, the United States Supreme Court decided the Tribal treaty right case of Herrera v. Wyoming 5-4 in favor of the Crow Tribe. In doing so, the Court determined that 1868 language guaranteeing the Tribe a right to hunt on the "unoccupied lands of the United States so long as game persists" is valid today. What does this decision mean? Not as much as you might think...yet. Listen as Dave and Nephi break down the decision.  

Last week the United Nations released its summary of a report indicating that one million wildlife species around the globe are at risk of extinction--many in our lifetimes. Dave and Nephi will introduce you to the  report's findings, what the biggest threats to wildlife are, and whether there is anything we can do about it. Oh, and they touch on introduced federal legislation that would prohibit grizzly bear hunting in the lower 48 states even after they lose Endangered Species Act protections. Scary!

No Dave, no problem. Nephi and Mike breakdown the newly passed Target Practice & Marksmanship Training Support Act which will change how Pittman-Robertson Act dollars can be used to make improvements at shooting ranges. They also give a quick take on Google's decision not to run a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation ad because it promoted hunting (note: Google ultimately recanted). Finally, the guys break down the mystery and the history behind the AR rifle (sneak peak: it's not an "assault rifle"). Enjoy!

Compensatory mitigation has been around for more than 35 years, but many people still don't know much about it. They should. What is is? How does it work? Why should you care? What are mitigation/conservation banks? What is an in-lieu fee program? Other types of mitigation? How to companies make money on mitigation? The guys tackle these questions and more. It's a little wonky, and we only scratch the surface of its complexity, but it's a very important conservation tool. Take a listen.

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. 

Bow Hunters Jess Johnson, Hanna Herold, and Codee Augustin join the guys to talk bow hunting. What were their barriers to entry? What was their experience buying a bow and learning to hunt? What made them become bow hunters? You'll learn about all of that, plus we discuss ethics of bow hunting, compound bows vs cross-bows, their mountains, and more. Take a listen - we guarantee you will learn something. 

Ryan Bronson and Jon Zinnel of Federal Premium/Vista Outdoor and John Gale of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers join the guys to talk wildlife, hunting, conservation, and quite frankly a bunch of nonsense. Topics include, feral cats, lead ammunition, non-lead ammunition, turkey hunting, Recovering America's Wildlife Act, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Ryan's Teddy Roosevelt shirt, the ethics of the Oregon Trail computer game, everyone's mountain, a fun giveaway and more. 

The guys dive into the Second Amendment, but not in the way you might think. They explore human kind’s hunting history. They talk about how taking up arms was required by law for hundreds of years in England before monarchs began civilian disarmament to prevent an uprising. Other topics include: the Game Act of 1671, the English Bill of Rights, armed citizens during the Revolutionary War, how hunting and the 2nd Amendment are inextricably linked, and much more.