NDOW presents the Nevada Wild Podcast

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with outgoing fisheries biologist extraordinaire Kim Tisdale to reflect on her 31-year career with NDOW. Kim shares the different roles she’s held over the years, highlights some of her favorite projects, and gives us a peek behind the curtain at the exciting changes coming to the Nevada Native Fish Slam Program. Kim is revered at NDOW not only as an exceptional biologist, but also as a friend and a mentor to many, and she will be sincerely missed. Be sure to give this week’s podcast a listen, and check out the link to the video below to learn more about Kim Tisdale and her incredible career. Kim talks about the different jobs she’s had here, highlights some of her favorite projects, and gives us a peek behind the curtain at the exciting changes coming to the Nevada Native Fish Slam Program. Kim is revered here at the Department as a biologist, a friend, and a mentor to many, she will be sincerely missed. Make sure to give this week’s podcast a listen and checkout the link to the video below to learn all about Kim Tisdale!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down to talk with NDOW’s Publication Coordinator Jamie Roice-Gomes. She tells us about the work that went into combining NDOW’s two big game publications into one convenient publication. She also shares her personal story of how she always wanted to go hunting but never had the opportunity, until she took matters into her own hands this past year. Listen to this weeks’ episode to learn about the new publication and a story about how it’s never too late to try something new!

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Bobby Jones is joined by NDOW outdoor education experts Julie Gabrielson and Nicole St. John to talk about why you don’t want to miss the 2026 Elko Sportsman’s Expo! The expo is free to attend and takes place from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. today, February 27 and tomorrow, February 28 at the Elko Conference Center. This is a can't-miss, family-friendly event with lots of activities for kids. New to the expo this year we have several first-time vendors, we’re bringing in a local falconer and his Harris Hawk “Leonidas” and we will have a big, Nevada bull moose European mount on display! Checkout the podcast and the flyers linked below for more information about this year’s expo! 2026 Elko Sportsman's Expo Flyer: https://www.ndow.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/26-Poster-Elko-Sportsmans-Expo-11x14-1.png Meet "Leonidas" at the Expo: https://www.ndow.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Artemis-and-Leo-Social-media.png

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW’s Game Division Administrator Shawn Espinosa to talk about chukar hunting and the story of how chukar first came to Nevada in the early 1930’s. Shawn shares his thoughts on how the 2025-2026 chukar hunting season has played out, gives his tips for anyone planning to head out before the end of the season, which is this coming Sunday, February 1, and dives into the history of the Nevada exotic game bird program. If you’re interested in chukar or chukar hunting at all give this week’s episode a listen.

The Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE) is back for the 15th year! YWCE, the youth portion of the Wild Sheep Foundation's Sheep Show, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 24 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. This FREE event is designed to excite and inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts with 43 hands-on stations offering a variety of activities. In this week’s Nevada Wild, NDOW’s Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Youth Education Coordinator Ryan Brock to talk about all the activities to expect at this year's YWCE, fill us in on the what's new this year, and how much the event has grown. Special guest Eva Briant, YWCE volunteer and Wild Sheep Foundation's Archery Club Member, joins us to tell us about her favorite YWCE stations, fond memories and her love for archery. More details on YWCE: https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Youth-Education/YWCE To volunteer at the YWCE, contact Ryan Brock at: [email protected]

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with the 2024 Wayne E. Kirch Nevada Wildlife Conservation Award Winners Ken and Jill Wilkinson. The conversation covers how Ken and Jill initially met working at NDOW, the various volunteer projects the Wilkinsons have focused on recently, and we dive into Ken’s extensive conservation-centric career. Make sure to listen to this week's episode to hear what these very deserving award winners have to say about conservation in Nevada.

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down to talk with NDOW Public Information Officer Ashley Zeme. She tells the guys what a typical day for her looks likes and shares how even after eight years how she still gets nervous right before she hits send on emails going out to hundreds of thousands of people. Ashley is the primary driver behind growing NDOW social media channels, communicating information through email campaigns, overseeing NDOW’s website and acting as the point person for most of the Department’s media requests. Listen to this week’s episode to learn all about Ashley!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with Nevada Department of Wildlife Veterinarian Nate LaHue to talk about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a transmissible neurological disease that is always fatal to animals in the deer family. Currently, CWD is found in 34 states and 4 Canadian provinces, but not in Nevada. Nate explains the recent positive samples just over Nevada's western border in California, NDOW's efforts to prevent the disease from entering Nevada and what it means for Nevada's deer, elk, and even moose, if the disease enters the state. He also explains the new transport restriction zone and the different ways hunters can help, including the program that allows hunters to sample their own harvests. Find more information about CWD and prevention efforts in Nevada here: www.ndow.org/blog/chronic-wasting-disease/ or here: www.cwd-info.org

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is excited to announce the debut of Nevada Wild, a brand-new television series coming to Animal Planet on Tuesday, November 4. Produced by Engel Entertainment, the creators of Lone Star Law and North Woods Law, the show highlights the incredible work of NDOW staff across the state. In this week’s Nevada Wild podcast, NDOW’s Bobby Jones and Aaron Keller sit down with Engel Entertainment Executive Producer Ben Shanks for an in-depth conversation about what went into bringing the series to life.

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW's Migratory Game Bird Staff Specialist Russell Woolstenhulme to talk about the great conditions waterfowl hunters can expect this season. Russell shares some important information about waterfowl hunting for each Nevada hunt zone! The crew talks about bag limit changes, habitat conditions, discusses water levels at our Wildlife Management Areas and why they’re so excited to go waterfowl hunting this fall. Find updates for WMA's here: www.ndow.org/discover-your-public-land/

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW’s Upland Game Staff Specialist Justin Small for a detailed conversation about the 2025 chukar hunting forecast. Justin talks about all the work that goes into the forecast from "boots on the ground" brood surveys to the chick production in Nevada counties. Listen to this week’s podcast to find out why this years’ forecast calls for another good year of chukar hunting in Nevada!

After 30 years of dedicated service, Conservation Education Division Administrator Chris Vasey is retiring from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. A native Nevadan, avid sportsman, and passionate outdoorsman, Chris brought his love for the wild to every aspect of his work. For the past 10 years, he has led NDOW’s education and outreach division, helping it grow into a nationally recognized, award-winning program admired by other states. Under his leadership, NDOW’s education, outreach, and social media efforts have flourished. His enthusiasm for the job was infectious, and his laughter was a familiar and welcome sound in the halls. Thank you, Chris, for everything you’ve done. You will be deeply missed.

In this week's Nevada Wild podcast, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by the Southern Region Hunter Education and Shooting Sports Coordinator Martin Olson to have a conversation about muzzleloader hunting in Nevada. Martin talks about NDOW’s free muzzleloader introduction classes and why he thinks shooting a muzzleloader is so fun. The guys also talk about how choosing to apply for muzzleloader tags can help both kids and adults go big game hunting more often in the Silver State. Thank you for supporting Nevada's wildlife!

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is a proud member of BearWise®, a program of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Black bears have been in Nevada long before we lived here, but by the early 1900s they had been extirpated from the state. Conservation efforts and habitat regeneration allowed black bears to begin coming back into Nevada and reinhabit their old stomping grounds. Since the 1980s we have watched Nevada’s bear population in the western part of the state increase dramatically. It is now up to Nevada’s residents and visitors to live and recreate responsibly in bear country! In this episode of Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by Game Biologist and Bear Expert Becca Carniello. Becca explains her unique position in the Department, and they discuss solutions to human-caused problems for bears in Nevada and how we can all live with wildlife and what it means to be BearWise. Find more resources on living with bears and other wildlife here: https://www.ndow.org/learn-discover/wildlife-discovery/living-with-wildlife/

In this week's Nevada Wild podcast, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by Statewide Boating Education Coordinator Aaron Meier to talk about Operation Dry Water and boating safety. Aaron explains that Operation Dry Water is a national campaign designed to combat boating under the influence (BUI) through increased boat patrols over the three-day weekend. The guys talk about how much fun boating in Nevada can be and outline a few simple steps you can take to stay safe on the water.

In this week’s Nevada Wild podcast, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by Rendle Taylor and Ken Shoemaker, two Director’s from the Silver Arrow Bowmen Archery Club in Reno, Nevada. Rendle and Ken explain their roles on the board, the current goals of the club, NDOW’s recent investments in the archery range, and how you can get involved. They discuss the June 21-22, 2025, Bowhunter Bonanza, how to register, and the ins and outs of a competitive archery shoot.

In this week's Nevada Wild podcast, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by Fisheries Biologist Heath Korell to talk about one of everyone's favorite Nevada lakes, Cave Lake. Heath gives a great history lesson dating back to the 1930's and details the dam rebuild project that started in 2019. The guys discuss interesting facts about the area including that the state record brown trout was caught at Cave Lake in 1984! They also talk about the Grand Reopening of Cave Lake on Saturday, June 7 with festivities that include a fish planting, float tube seminar, and a ribbon cutting to commemorate the day. Thank you for supporting Nevada's wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s Mountain Goat and Bighorn Sheep Staff Specialist Mike Cox. Mike talks about an exciting project to bring more mountain goats to Nevada earlier this year and gives an update on how well they’re doing overall. He also gives the guys an overview of all three subspecies of bighorn sheep found in Nevada and outlines how the Department is working through a tough drought situation down south. Mike is a wealth of knowledge and is as passionate of a biologist as they come. Make sure to listen to what he has to say on this weeks’ episode. Thank you for supporting Nevada’s wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s Data and Technology Services Division Administrator Matt Maples. The guys talk about technology and data in the Department, the big game application and draw, bonus points and why they matter, and what makes applying for tags in Nevada unique. They also share some tips and tricks to up your odds of drawing a big game tag this year! Thank you for supporting Nevada’s wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s Game Division Administrator Shawn Espinosa to get an overview of the outlook for the upcoming big game hunting season. Shawn speaks to the uptick in quota recommendations for mule deer, antelope, and elk, and shares a bit about the challenges bighorn sheep are facing in Southern Nevada. If you’re applying for big game hunts in Nevada this year, listen in, you might pick up a hot tip or two in this weeks’ episode! Thank you for supporting Nevada’s wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s Mule Deer and Antelope Staff Specialist Cody Schroeder to get the latest update on Mule Deer and Antelope in Nevada. Cody talks about deploying mule deer collars across the state, mapping migration corridors and gives the guys an update on how our Mule Deer and Antelope populations are doing throughout the state. Thank you for supporting Nevada’s wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s Elk and Moose Staff Specialist Cody McKee to get the latest update on Elk and Moose in Nevada! Cody tells us about the first-ever Moose collaring project in the Ruby Mountains and shares some interesting information he helped uncover about historical accounts of Elk in Nevada. This is an exciting conversation you won’t want to miss. If you want to learn more about Moose in Nevada checkout the "Tracking Moose in Nevada" episode Outdoor Nevada here: https://www.pbs.org/video/tracking-moose-in-nevada-p2p6jz/

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by Eastern Nevada Conservation Education Supervisor Julie Gabrielson and Educator Nicole St. John to talk about the long-awaited 10th annual Elko Sportsman’s Expo! The expo is back on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 with two days of outdoor related activities and booths presented by NDOW and the Ruby Mountain Rios Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Julie and Nicole explains what attendees can expect at this FREE event, why it’s the perfect event to experience with your friends and family, and how it's a great way to connect with the Elko community.

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW Wildlife Staff Specialist Russell Woolstenhulme to talk about the best internship in the country, the James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship Program. This program offers young adults who are passionate about pursuing a career in wildlife an exciting summer job working for the Department for up to four consecutive summers. On the job training is provided and work often consists of conducting a variety of wildlife surveys for species like bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and even moose! If you or someone you know is a graduating high school senior or a current undergraduate student passionate about wildlife, please have them listen to this episode for application tips and to learn more about this awesome program! Applications are open and are currently being accepted for several open positions within the program, so take your shot at the internship opportunity of a lifetime and apply today! The application deadline is February 7, 2025 at 5:00PM. For more information about the program and to download this years’ application use this link - https://www.ndow.org/blog/james-lathrop-and-wayne-capurro-memorial-internship/ Thank you for supporting Nevada’s wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW Wildlife Staff Specialist Pat Kelly to talk about his career at NDOW. Pat shares stories about raising a family at the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area and talks at length about why he’s enjoyed working at NDOW so much over the years. Pat has managed NDOW’s fish hatchery program for the past 14 years and is officially retiring later this month. Tune in this week to learn about NDOW’s fish hatchery program and listen to the guys swap stories about living and working at a fish hatchery. Who knows it just might be the perfect career for you! Thank you for supporting Nevada’s wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by Bat Conservation International’s (BCI) Conservation Research Coordinator Jessie Bunkley and NDOW Volunteer Charity Wanechek to talk about an exciting community science project focused on bat conservation in Nevada. Jessie gives us an overview of the pilot community science project she created and launched earlier this year, and we get a first-hand perspective from Charity about her role as an NDOW volunteer working on this project. This is a great story about how teachers, students, and NDOW volunteers like Charity and her 8-year old son Zephyr can be community scientists collecting important data on behalf of conservation organizations like BCI. Make sure you don’t miss this episode, and thank you for supporting Nevada's wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s Aquatic Education Coordinator Abbey Czarnecki to talk about kayak fishing in Nevada. They talk about different types of kayaks, fishing gear, kayak fishing groups, and the best places to go kayak fishing in Nevada. They talk about targeting bass at Lake Mead, going after giant trout in Northern Nevada and the gang also tries to get to the bottom of a real life mystery which is finding out why Aaron Keller of all people does not own a fishing kayak. Whether you’ve never been kayak fishing in your life and want to get started, or you’re already an expert, there is something for everyone on this kayak fishing podcast. Thank you for supporting Nevada's wildlife!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW’s Upland Game Staff Specialist Justin Small to take a deep-dive into the 2024 chukar hunting forecast. Long story short, chukar are thriving in Nevada, and it’s going to be great chukar hunting season this year! Tune in to this week’s podcast to find out why this years’ forecast looks so good for chukar hunting in Nevada.

Hunting season is in full swing! Learn more about the awesome hunting opportunities that kickoff on Saturday, September 28, and why this fall is setting up to be one for the record books. In this podcast, Nevada Wild hosts Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with Logan Klonicke, Western Region Hunter Education Coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife to talk about National and Nevada Hunting and Fishing Day. Aaron, Bobby, and Logan are all avid hunters and talk about what they hope to experience this fall. They also discuss the upcoming youth hunting opportunities, classes being offered by NDOW, and they share some great stories from the start of their hunting seasons.

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones continue the conversation about renewable energy in Nevada with NDOW’s Wildlife Diversity Division Administrator Jasmine Kleiber and they are joined by The Nature Conservancy Director of External Affairs for Nevada Jaina Moan. Jasmine and Jaina talk about the current renewable energy landscape, how NDOW collaborates with partners like The Nature Conservancy to help avoid impacts to wildlife and they discuss what the future could hold for the Silver State.

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with Nevada Department of Wildlife Veterinarian Nate LaHue to talk about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a transmissible neurological disease that is always fatal to animals in the deer family. Currently, CWD is found in 34 states and 4 Canadian provinces, but not in Nevada. Nate explains the recent positive samples just over Nevada's western border in California, NDOW's efforts to prevent the disease from entering Nevada and what it means for Nevada's deer, elk, and even moose, if the disease enters the state. He also explains the new transport restriction zone and the different ways hunters can help, including the program that allows hunters to sample their own harvests. Find more information about CWD and prevention efforts in Nevada here: www.ndow.org/blog/chronic-wasting-disease/ or here: www.cwd-info.org

Nevada's Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 8. This is the one day of the year you can fish any public water in the state without a fishing license. If you have never been fishing, Free Fishing Day is the day to get out and try it! In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller sits down with NDOW Educators Nicole Hamblin, Jan Nemec and Abbey Czarnecki to talk about all of the fun Free Fishing Day events happening across the state, how you can volunteer, fishing conditions, and how kids 12-17 years old can receive a fishing license from the Nevada Youth License Fund: www.ndow.org/blog/nevada-youth-license-fund/ Find a Free Fishing Day event near you here: www.ndow.org/blog/nevada-free-fishing-day/ Find fishing reports, stocking updates, the FishNV tool, and more resources here: www.ndow.org/get-outside/fishin…your-fishing-trip/

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with lifelong angler, Mike Day, to hear his captivating story about how a typical day fishing quickly turned into a truly life-threatening situation. Mike’s recounting of that fishing trip is a story you don’t want to miss! Mike helps us underscore the importance of wearing a life jacket and gives us a perfect take-home message to put a bow on this year’s National Safe Boating Week!

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s new Wildlife Diversity Division Administrator Jasmine Kleiber to talk about renewable energy in Nevada. Jasmine speaks to the current renewable energy landscape, how NDOW works with others to help avoid impacts to wildlife, and talks a bit about what we can expect the future to hold for the Silver State.

Nevada’s big game tag application deadline is almost here! In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW Elk and Moose Staff Specialist Cody McKee to talk about the current status of Elk and Moose in Nevada and the positive hunting outlook for these species in 2024. The application deadline for Nevada big game tags is 11:00 p.m. PST May 8. Apply today at ndowlicensing.com! https://nevada.licensing.app/ Resources mentioned in this podcast: NDOW's Moose Presentation - January 2024 Commission Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5vjP-Qoq-A 2024 Nevada Big Game Quota Recommendations: CR 24-12 https://nvboardofwildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CR-24-11-Black-Bear-Quotas-CR-24-12-Big-Game-Quotas.pdf May 2024 Commission Meeting Information: https://www.ndow.org/events/may-2024-commission-meeting/ NDOW's Top 10 Big Game Hunting Resources: https://www.ndow.org/blog/top-10-big-game-resources/

Nevada's big game tag application period deadline is quickly approaching! In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW Mule Deer and Antelope Staff Specialist Cody Schroeder to talk about the current status of Mule Deer and Antelope in Nevada, how a couple wet winters effect populations and tips to follow when preparing to apply. 2024 Nevada Big Game Quota Recommendations CR 24-12 https://nvboardofwildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CR-24-11-Black-Bear-Quotas-CR-24-12-Big-Game-Quotas.pdf May 2024 Commission Meeting Information https://www.ndow.org/events/may-2024-commission-meeting/ NDOW's Top 10 Big Game Hunting Resources https://www.ndow.org/blog/top-10-big-game-resources/ Apply for big game tags until 11 p.m. May 8 at www.ndowlicensing.com

The Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE) is back! YWCE, the youth portion of the Wild Sheep Foundation's Sheep Show, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 20 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. This FREE event is designed to excite and inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts with 40 hands-on stations offering a variety of activities. New this year, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Statewide Tournament is taking place right next door on Thursday, January 18; another exciting way to get kids excited about the outdoors! In this week’s Nevada Wild, NDOW’s Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Ryan Brock and NDOW Statewide Recreation Shooting Coordinator Adam Kavanagh to talk about all the activities to expect at this year's YWCE and fill us in on the NASP tournament and its growth. Special guest Chase Kincaid, Ryan's former student and YWCE volunteer, joins us for the second half of the show to tell us about his favorite YWCE stations and his love for archery. More details on YWCE: https://www.facebook.com/events/900465997777266/?ref=newsfeed

What’s New in 2024? A Lot! This year, NDOW’s Fisheries Division underwent a thorough review of statewide regulations with the intent of simplifying regulations throughout the State. As a result, numerous changes that were proposed by the Fisheries Division and accepted by the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission will come into effect on January 1, 2024. In this week’s Nevada Wild, hosts Ashley Zeme and Aaron Keller sit down with NDOW Sportfish Staff Specialist Kim Tisdale to fill you in on all the changes statewide, why they were made, and how our goal is to make it easier for you to enjoy Nevada’s waters! View the 2024 Nevada Fishing Regulations here: https://www.eregulations.com/nevada/fishing

Calling all procrastinators! Haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet? Don’t worry! We have you covered. In this festive installment of Nevada Wild, hosts Ashley Zeme and Aaron Keller are joined by NDOW Outdoor Connection Coordinator Bobby Jones to help you fill your loved one’s stockings! Just days away from Christmas, they highlight thoughtful and affordable gifts that are perfect for anyone who enjoys spending time in nature, cooking, road tripping through Nevada, and more! They cover gifts ideas that can be enjoyed by anyone in your life!

In this week’s Nevada Wild, hosts Ashley Zeme (formerly Sanchez) and Aaron Keller sit down with Wildlife Diversity Division Administrator Jen Newmark and Wildlife Staff Specialist Jon Young to talk about the latest Nevada State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). The plan represents the most important wildlife and habitats we must protect over the next 10 years, to ensure those species and landscapes are here for future generations. Our guests highlight the new, updated SWAP, the work that went into it, what’s new for this iteration, how it will engage partners and the public, its importance to funding, and more! Learn more and view the SWAP here: https://www.ndow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2022-SWAP-Full-Doc-FINAL-print.pdf

This week's Nevada Wild celebrates Bat Week, the annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature! Hosts Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller are joined by NDOW Wildlife Staff Specialist Jess Brooks, who tells us all about her new role at NDOW in the Wildlife Diversity Division, the division that manages bats! She explains all the projects NDOW Wildlife Diversity Biologists are working on to monitor Nevada’s bat populations, and also shares some interesting bat facts and the important role they play in our ecosystem!

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller are joined by NDOW Winnemucca Fisheries Biologist Colter Feuerstein. Colter takes a break from his busy field season to tell us about a recent project he worked on to build Beaver Dam Analogs (BDA’s), or artificial beave dams, in Crowley Creek northwest of Winnemucca. As Colter explains, the goal is to restore Lahontan Cutthroat (LCT) habitat to its original state, since the stream supports one of the last endemic LCT populations in the northwest. Colter explains the role of BDA’s in doing this, the collaboration of partners supporting this work, and how this project not only helps LCT but also other wildlife and the ecosystem as a whole!

Fall is a great time to enjoy the Nevada outdoors. Not only is it beautiful, but the season brings a chance for excellent fishing opportunities, whether you are new to fishing or a veteran. In this week’s Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller are joined by NDOW Angler Educators Jan Nemec, Abbey Czarnecki, and Nicole Hamblin to talk about the fishing conditions across the state, the best waters to go, and the educational classes they offer for anyone interested in fishing and fly fishing. Buy your fishing license at ndowlicensing.com and view fishing reports here: https://www.ndow.org/get-outside/fishing/fishing-stocking-reports/database/

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller introduce you to two new NDOW employees, Urban Wildlife Biologist Becca Carniello and her bear dog, Badger! Becca tells us about her background, how she ended up working at NDOW and adopting Badger to work on NDOW’s Karelian Bear Dog (KBD) team. She tells us a bit about the KBD program, and also what western Nevadans should be doing to secure their homes to keep Nevada’s bears wild as they build up calories before heading into their dens. Learn more about living in bear country here: https://www.ndow.org/blog/living-with-bears/

This Saturday, September 30, is the youth waterfowl hunt for Nevada's Northwest Zone! Don't forget, the general waterfowl season opens for the Northwest Zone and South Zone (except for Moapa Valley) on October 14 and it's already underway in eastern Nevada! In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with NDOW's Waterfowl Staff Specialist Russell Woolstenhulme to talk about the great conditions waterfowl hunters can expect this year! Russell shares some important information hunters should be aware of before heading into the field. While our wildlife management areas are open in time for the youth season, some WMA's, like Carson Lake Wildlife Manage Area, have specific vehicle access points due to flooding over the spring and summer. Russell goes over everything you need to know to have a safe and successful season at these locations. See this map of Carson Lake WMA's access points to follow along as Russell explains: https://www.ndow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-Carson-Lake-WMA-Access-Map.png Find updates for other WMA's here: https://www.ndow.org/discover-your-public-land/

Upland game hunters have a lot to look forward to! Our annual Chukar Forecast is out, the statewide youth chukar hunt is next Saturday, September 30, and the statewide general chukar season opener is right around the corner on Saturday, October 14. In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with NDOW's new Upland Game Staff Specialist Justin Small to prepare upland game hunters for the approaching seasons. Small introduces himself and tells us about his background, breaks down the 2023 Chukar Forecast, and explains the best locations across the state for hopeful hunters. Buy your license at ndowlicensing.com so you can join in on the fun. Make it a combination license so you can do some fall fishing while you're on your hunt! View the 2023-24 Chukar Forecast here: https://www.ndow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-24-Nevada-Chukar-Forecast.pdf View our Small Game Hunting Regulations and Seasons Book here: https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/23NVSG.pdf

There are many unique adventures in Nevada that might require a special license, application or permit. Thankfully Biologist Nick Everett is here at NDOW to help customers through the process! In this week’s Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with Nick to learn more about his important role at NDOW. Nick explains the various special licenses, applications and permits you may not even realize you need, what you need to do to apply for one, and more! Find NDOW’s Special Licenses, Applications and Permits here: https://www.ndow.org/apply-buy/apply-buy-slaps/

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Ashley Sanchez sit down with the 2022 Wayne E. Kirch Conservation Award recipient Elena Larsen. Larsen is the Vice President for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation's (TMPF) Rosewood Nature Study Area and has made great strides in restoring the area to a functioning wetland. TMPF Executive Director Heidi Anderson also joins us to explain why she nominated Larsen for this prestigious award. The two explain the importance and status of this project, how crucial Americorps were to the effort, how to get involved and more! If you are interested in joining TMPF as an Americorps member, click here: https://www.tmparksfoundation.org/employment-opportunities?fbclid=IwAR0C0exSbWZEwiXpKAivpDbQj_0Kl9fvypQFhHWkvMOfJ8Y4OryDCEGCfF0 Know someone or an organization who has demonstrated significant results towards conservation, management, or enhancement of wildlife in 2023? Find out how to nominate them for the Kirch Award here: https://www.ndow.org/news/wayne-e-kirch-nevada-wildlife-conservation-award/

In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with Nevada Department of Wildlife Veterinarian Nate LaHue to talk about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a transmissible neurological disease that is always fatal to animals in the deer family. Currently, CWD is found in 34 states and provinces but not in Nevada. Nate explains the state's efforts to prevent the disease from entering Nevada and what it means for Nevada's deer, elk, and even moose, if the disease enters the state. He also explains the different ways hunters can help, including a new program that allows hunters to sample their own harvests. Find more information about CWD and prevention efforts in Nevada here: www.ndow.org/blog/chronic-wasting-disease/