Fresh Tracks Weekly

Oct 09 2024 78 ep. 33

Fresh Tracks Weekly Podcast artwork

The Fresh Tracks crew, led by Marcus Hockett, keeps you in the know about what's happening in conservation. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't miss this weekly podcast covering the everything you need to know.

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Politicians Cashing in on Public Land

Oct 09 2024 36 mins

Hunting season is in full swing, but Randy is fired up! So we sat down for a quick conversation about selling or transferring federal public lands. JD Vance recently mentioned the idea of transferring federal land to the states to address housing affordability along with the Biden administration talking about building housing on federal land. Randy's series on Public Land Trans

Paying for Comfy Lives with the Currency of Wildlife

Aug 02 2024 25 mins

This week, we’re discussing how wildlife and habitat are often used as currency to pay for our high standards of living and lower energy costs. We also discuss how issues are very often only evaluated economically and not biologically. In Montana, a judge just ruled in favor of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in a case in which a private landowner group sued the state for fail

Conservation Groups Can't Bid on Oil & Gas

Jul 19 2024 27 mins

This week, we’re discussing Wyoming’s recent ban on conservation groups bidding on oil and gas leases on state land and how, by doing so, they might actually be hurting the school system that they’re obligated to fund. A recently published study shows how human recreation and noise can negatively impact wildlife by displacing them and keeping them out of the area for extende

Follow The Science... Unless You Don't Like It | Week of June 24

Jun 28 2024 25 mins

This week, for our deeper dive, we’re talking about a new research project on Chronic Wasting Disease in Wyoming and how the best available science to slow the spread of the disease is likely not what hunters want to hear. In Wyoming, a ranch and family are attempting to close down a road that accesses a significant amount of public land. The road is also a primary access point

Are You a Public Land Jerk? | Week of June 17

Jun 21 2024 37 mins

This week, we’re discussing how you might be a jerk on public lands and not even realize it. A few news stories from this week include the following: A quick update on Colorado’s proposal to do away with non-resident over-the-counter archery elk tags. In Montana, American Prairie just acquired 12,500 more acres of land, bringing its total between deeded and leased property t

No More OTC Elk in CO? | Week of June 3

This week, we discuss how Colorado might shift away from over-the-counter opportunities for non-resident archery elk hunting. In Texas, the Parks and Wildlife Department killed off an entire herd of high-fence white-tailed deer after a severe Chronic wasting Disease outbreak and years of legal battles. In Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte is again in the spotlight after the New Yo

Conflicts of Interest on Game Commissions | Week of May 27

May 31 2024 33 mins

This week, we discussed some potential conflicts of interest within Fish and Wildlife commissions and how certain individuals could directly benefit from their votes as commissioners. In Montana, the statewide mule deer permit was recently raffled off by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, raising a record amount of money for mule deer conservation. Last December, the Duck Stamp Mo

Reduction in Wild Horses

May 17 2024 30 mins

This week, we are talking about Wild Horses in the West. They’ve been overpopulated on public lands for years… but have finally seen the biggest single-year population reduction since 1985. Randy failed to mention last week that he received the Wallace Pate award at the RMEF celebration. This is the highest conservation honor that RMEF gives out! Link to video on the award:

BLM Policy Punted like a Political Football | Week of May 6

May 10 2024 24 mins

Randy Newberg TAKEOVER! Marcus and Michael are busy catching Walleye and Smallmouth so Randy stepped in to deliver this week’s news. On this week’s episode, we are celebrating Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 40th Anniversary. In the last 40 years, RMEF has amassed 12,000 members, conserved 8.9 million acres as well as improved or secured access for 1.5 million acres. The m

Range Wide Wildlife Declines | Week of April 29

May 03 2024 34 mins

This week, we are talking about the overall decline of wildlife, shifting baselines, and the biggest factors that affect long-term population levels. Randy Newberg, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and Congressman Bruce Westerman received Theodore Roosevelt’s Conservation Awards for 2024! We have a quick recap from last week’s episode. Michael, Jace, Kara, and I went to shoot in