Episodios

  • What's Happening in the West | Week of March 23

    What's Happening in the West | Week of March 23
    Mar 27 2026
    Blake Phelps provides a Field Report on the spring waterfowl migration at Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area following several conservation updates. Recent research from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Montana FWP indicates that elk populations in Northwest Montana remain stable despite predation from lions, bears, and wolves. Data shows that while some elk utilize private land for forage, the majority remain accessible on public land in timbered or difficult terrain. In Oregon, the passing of House Bill 4134 increased the state lodging tax to 2.75% to generate 38 million dollars for habitat restoration and the State Wildlife Action Plan. A study on YouTube wildlife content revealed that only 9% of videos focus on conservation, with very few viewers taking direct action on behalf of wildlife. Across the Western U.S., record low snowpack and high temperatures in 2026 have already led to 1.5 million acres burned. These conditions are expected to reduce forage quality for wildlife and may trigger early fishing restrictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 m
  • Public Lands AREN'T a Balance Sheet Item | Week of March 16th

    Public Lands AREN'T a Balance Sheet Item | Week of March 16th
    Mar 20 2026
    No News for this week's Fresh Tracks Weekly. However, Randy Newberg and Marcus Hockett take a deep dive into some controversial comments from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and his management plan of our public lands. Is the federal government actually following sound business practices, or are they holding a fire sale on assets that belong to you, the American taxpayer? Join Marcus and Randy as they break down the "balance sheet" of our National Forests and BLM lands. From 0% royalty rates on hard-rock mining to the massive $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy, we explore why treating public lands solely as a resource for extraction ignores the very people who own them. We’re tackling the myth that conservation and industry can’t coexist and calling out the "swamp rats" looking to profit off our shared backcountry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 m
  • CWD and Game Farms | Week of March 9

    CWD and Game Farms | Week of March 9
    Mar 13 2026
    This week, we’re discussing Chronic Wasting Disease, game farms and how lack of common sense laws could worsen the spread throughout the United States. We also touch on some new research from Wyoming indicates that deer covering longer migration distances accumulate more body fat by following the green wave of forage. Proposed legislation in Idaho would shift the appointment of state agency directors, including Fish and Game, to the governor. The House Agricultural Committee is advancing a new version of the Farm Bill containing key conservation and public access programs. Check out TRCPs breakdown here. https://www.trcp.org/2026/03/05/new-farm-bill-advances-in-house-committee-key-impacts-for-hunters-and-anglers/ Private timber land sales in the Elochoman River valley are resulting in locked gates and reduced hunting opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 m
  • Ban Hunting Completely | Week of March 2

    Ban Hunting Completely | Week of March 2
    Mar 6 2026
    This week we’re discussing ballot measures and how they can be used to impact wildlife and conservation, specifically with the example of Oregon IP28, a proposal that would criminalize standard animal husbandry, hunting, and fishing practices The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 11 to 9 along party lines to advance Steve Pearce’s nomination for Director of the Bureau of Land Management to the full Senate. The Secretary of the Interior opened 2.1 million acres along the Dalton Highway to mining claims, a move that facilitates land transfers to the state and clears a path for the proposed Ambler Road. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved a petition to ban the sale and trade of fur statewide, despite opposition from the agency’s director and the majority of public commenters. House Bill 4145 passed the Oregon House, modifying a previous ballot measure to extend firearm permit processing times and increase fees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 m
  • Congress Needs to Grow a Spine | Week of February 23

    Congress Needs to Grow a Spine | Week of February 23
    Feb 27 2026
    In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, Randy Newberg and Marcus Hockett dive deep into the complex world of public land management and the fragile nature of administrative rules. Using the Roadless Rule of 2001 as a primary case study, they explore how major land-use policies can remain "fickle" for decades because they lack the permanent weight of Congressional law. The conversation sheds light on the growing trend of "management by executive order," where shifting administrations use tools like the Congressional Review Act to bypass public comment and overturn established rules, creating a political pendulum that swings further with every election cycle.The duo highlights the real-world consequences of this instability such as the potential loss of wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities. Randy issues a call to action, urging citizens to hold their elected officials accountable and demanding that Congress "get a spine" and return to the hard work of legislating. By prioritizing durable, bipartisan laws over short-term administrative shortcuts, the guys argue we can restore public enfranchisement and ensure that the voices of the people and the health of our wild places, aren't lost to political theatrics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 m
  • Refilling the Swamp | Week of February 16

    Refilling the Swamp | Week of February 16
    Feb 20 2026
    This week we discuss the Congressional Review Act. This fast-track law allows a simple majority in Congress to overturn agency rules and permanently bars those agencies from creating any "substantially similar" regulations in the future. We also cover a few news stories including:A new Forest Service proposal would shorten public comment periods to as little as 10 days and move official notices from newspapers to government websites while using AI to summarize feedback. A new citizen petition aims to ban the commercial sale of fur through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting on March 4 and 5. A new study reveals that wolves frequently scavenge mountain lion kills, forcing lions to hunt deer over elk to minimize the time spent at vulnerable kill sites. Another new study suggest that hunting vocal toms during peak breeding periods may reduce overall reproductivity, sparking discussions about shifting season dates to better protect populations. HJR 140 is still up for a senate vote. The resolution threatens protections upstream of the boundary waters canoe wilderness area. Theodore Roosevelt IV has issued an open letter urging the Senate to vote against HJR 140, arguing that the resolution favors foreign mining interests and ignores sound science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 m
  • Repaying Political Debts | Abusing the Congressional Review Act | Week of February 9th

    Repaying Political Debts | Abusing the Congressional Review Act | Week of February 9th
    Feb 9 2026
    ACT NOW!!! Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 Email your Senators https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm The Senate could vote on HJ 140 as early as tomorrow, February 10th. This backdoor political move uses the Congressional Review Act to ignore public input and allow mining that cannot withstand scientific or economic scrutiny, at the risk of the wild waters near the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 m
  • Bad Game Management | Week of February 2

    Bad Game Management | Week of February 2
    Feb 6 2026
    This week, we explore the friction between hunters and state wildlife agencies, specifically focusing on the common misunderstandings regarding agency jurisdictions and roles. Contact your Senators via the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 Watch the Killing Catalina film here https://www.howlforwildlife.org/catalinaisland Also... The Senate is expected to vote next week on using the Congressional Review Act to overturn the 20-year mining ban near Minnesota's Boundary Waters; those opposed can use the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers website to quickly contact their representatives. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/take-action A recent cold snap allowed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue a unique executive order, resulting in the removal of over 5,000 invasive green iguanas after citizens were permitted to collect and transport cold-stunned animals to state drop-off sites. Arizona is considering its first-ever landowner deer tag system through a new bill that could be a step towards the potential privatization of wildlife and the allocation of public hunting opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 m