Hunting has always been about more than the taking of an animal, it's about community, stewardship, and sharing the bounty. In this episode of Conservation Cooperative, we explore how modern hunters are expanding that age-old tradition through venison donation programs, turning successful hunts into powerful tools for wildlife management and community support.

We'll learn about two initiatives: Venison for Vermonters, started by two game wardens who saw a need in their own communities, and Massachusetts' Hunters Share the Harvest, a state-run program that's reducing deer overpopulation while feeding families in need. You'll hear firsthand from the wardens, biologists, and food pantry organizers on the front lines, and discover how donated venison is becoming a sought-after resource in food-insecure households.

From the backroads of Vermont to the islands of Massachusetts, this episode reveals how hunters are not just managing landscapes, they're changing hearts, filling plates, and strengthening the bond between wild harvests and human need.

Guests Include

Warden Abigail Serra. Warden Service Division, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Sgt. Jeffrey Whipple. Warden Service Division, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Catherine Appling-Pooler. Director of Policy, National Deer Association

Alicia Blais. Programs Director & Founder, Daniel's Table

Martin Feehan, PhD. Deer & Moose Project Leader. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Show Related Links

Venison for Vermonters - Vermont

Hunters For the Hungry - Massachusetts

National Deer Association Venison Donation Map

Daniel's Table

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

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New England Chapter

New York Chapter

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Join us as we explore the history of moose in New Hampshire, the science behind their management, and the role of community-driven conservation. We'll hear from Henry Jones, the Moose Project Leader for NH Fish & Game, and learn how the University of New Hampshire's Wildlife Modeling & Management Lab is using trail cameras, drones, and other innovative tools to gather critical data on moose populations and a whole lot more across the state.

We'll also meet volunteers from the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) New England Chapter, who are lending their time and expertise to help with data collection in the White Mountains. Their passion for wildlife and wild places is a reminder that conservation is a team effort, and that the future of moose and the Northeast's wild heritage depends on all of us.

Guests Include

Henry Jones. New Hampshire Fish & Game, Moose Project Leader.

Mairi Poisson. UNH Wildlife Modeling & Management Lab.

Brian Bird. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Chapter Coordinator.

Jeff Swayze. Backcountry Hunters & Angler, Chapter Leader.

AJ Hunter. Owner, HuntLyte. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Member.

Show Related Links

New Hampshire Fish & Game

UNH Wildlife Modeling & Management Lab

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

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New England Chapter

New York Chapter

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Check out the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

We've got a special episode for you today. Believe it or not, we've been doing Conservation Cooperative for a year now! So, it's a great time to look back at some stories, do some updates, and hear some audio from some of our guests this year.

Guests Include

Krysten Schuler, PhD. Department of Public & Ecosystem Health. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Ben Gahagan, PhD. Recreational Fisheries Program Leader. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Meredith Naughton. Recreation & Wildlife Researcher

Benjamin Letcher, Ph.D. Ecologist.

Show Related Links

Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

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New England Chapter

New York Chapter

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This is Part II of or our two part look at Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) preparedness and prevention in the Northeast. In this episode we will hear from the leading experts on how a number of different states, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts, to be precise, are positioning the state wildlife agencies to be prepared for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Guests Include

Krysten Schuler, PhD. Department of Public & Ecosystem Health. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Martin Feehan, PhD. Deer & Moose Project Leader. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Dylan Ferreira. Principal Wildlife Biologist, Deer & NE Cottontail Rabbits. Rhode Island Fish & Wildlife

Nathan Bieber. Wildlife Biologist, White-tailed Deer. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Nick Fortin. Wildlife Biologist - Deer & Moose Project Leader. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Show Related Links

Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

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New England Chapter

New York Chapter

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Check out the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

In this episode we are going to explore Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) preparedness and prevention in the Northeast. As you might know, the Northeast is currently the last CWD free region in the country. We'll hear from experts in zoonotic disease and learn some of the ways that state agencies and BHA are working to protect our wild deer herds and quite possibly the future of deer hunting and conservation as we know it in the Northeast

Guests Include

Krysten Schuler, PhD. Department of Public & Ecosystem Health. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Mike Woods. New England BHA Chapter Chair.

Show Related Links

Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

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New England Chapter

New York Chapter

HQ

Check out the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating field of Human Dimensions in wildlife and natural resources management. Discover how this discipline is shaping informed decision-making among state and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Whether you're already familiar with the Human Dimensions or hearing about it for the first time, you'll learn how it's helping to address some of our most pressing conservation challenges.

Guests Include

Josh Morse, PhD. University of Vermont

Jody Simoes, Ph.D. Human Dimensions Project Coordinator. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Shelby Perry. Wildlands Ecology Director. Northeast Wilderness Trust.

Show Related Links

Journal Article: Ecosystem service assessment of coyote stories reveals tradeoffs from human–coyote interactions in rural Vermont, United States. Conservation Science and Practice. Joshua W. Morse, Cheryl E. Morse, Rachelle K. Gould. October 2024.

Northeast Wilderness Trust

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

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New England Chapter

New York Chapter

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In Part II of our look at brook trout we are going to hear from fisheries managers and state officials from around the Northeast and learn how climate change is influencing brook trout management and fishing regulations.

Guests Include

Adam Kautza. Coldwater Fishery Resource Project Leader. MassWildlife.

John MaGee. Program Supervisor for the Inland Fisheries Division. NH Fish & Game

Mason Trumble. Deputy Commissioner - Environmental Conservation. CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Brian Eltz. Senior Fisheries Biologist. CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Fred Henson. Cold Water Fisheries Unit Leader. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Nate Camp. BHA Volunteer/Tenkara Wizard

Show Related Links

Journal Article: Concurrent warming and browning eliminate cold-water fish habitat in many temperate lakes. Stephen F. Jane, Thomas M. Detmer, Siena Lr. Larrick, and Siena L. Larrick. 2024.

Benjamin H. Letcher USGS Profile

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

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New England Chapter

New York Chapter

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Episode Preview Description

Today, we're diving into the world of brook trout - how they're being affected by our changing climate, and what that means for the future. We are also going to take some time to appreciate this incredible species. Ongoing research here in the Northeast is revealing some amazing insights into the resilience and adaptability of these beloved fish.

Guests Include

Adam Kautza. Coldwater Fishery Resource Project Leader. MassWildlife.

Stephen Jane, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Fellow. University of Notre Dame

Benjamin Letcher, Ph.D. Ecologist. USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center.

Show Related Links

Journal Article: Concurrent warming and browning eliminate cold-water fish habitat in many temperate lakes. Stephen F. Jane, Thomas M. Detmer, Siena Lr. Larrick, and Siena L. Larrick. 2024.

Benjamin H. Letcher USGS Profile

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

Follow us on social media!

New England Chapter

New York Chapter

HQ

Check out the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website

Become a member today!