The Hunter Conservationist Podcast

Do you say KI-yote or Ki-Yo-Tee? Courtney Anderson and Abby Thiemkey from the Ohio Coyote Research Project are on the show to talk all things coyote ecology and research. The scientists explain what the coyote project is about and share some of the highlights that the data are starting to highlight including coyote diet composition, population dynamics, behavior and movements. Abbey and Courtney share how they work with livestock producers, hunters, and trappers, what the general social attitudes are towards coyotes and whether intense hunting is changing the population or demographics of coyotes in Ohio. An engaging conversation and a great opportunity to learn more about one of the most hated and loved wildlife species in North America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers a wasted meat crime in the NWT, the status of Alberta's caribou recovery program, the closure of the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick elver fishery, avian flu in Ontario, Saskatchewan hunter fines, the dilemma of elk in the Yukon, trapping coyotes in Vancouver and new agreement in BC for a First Nation and the implication for issuing tags for hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are larger wolf packs more effective at finding a killing prey than smaller packs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chad Day, President of the Tahltan Central Government returns to the podcast to provide updates on wildlife management and hunting in Tahltan Territory. Chad talks about his journey in becoming a hunter and teaching his kids to hunt. Chad provides updates on grizzly bear management and the challenges facing predator control in a vast remote area of BC. Chad also discusses the challenges facing the relationships between resident hunters, guide-outfitters and Indigenous People and offers some ideas for a path forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each year Steve Hossack volunteers in the winter bison hunt school program that takes place in the Yukon wilderness. Steve explains what this hunting program is about, the logistics that go into planning it, the immense life changing lessons the kids gain and the changes he sees the kids as they become leaders in their communities. Steve talks about why helping with the school bison hunt program is special to him and why he will keep volunteering as long as he can. This is an inspirational story and a must listen for teachers and school administrators across Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is bear spray or a firearm better at stopping an aggressive charging brown bear? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Andrew Derocher is a polar bear researcher from the University of Alberta, and he is a hunter. He muses about the stress of researching bears and how research is his work, but hunting is his escape. Andy reflects on his hunting skills and whether they help him as polar bear researcher and explains what his favorite way to hunt is. He discusses the differences between how he hunted 20 years ago versus how he hunts today. Andy laughs at how dumb luck factors into hunting and whether being a hunter makes a person a better wildlife scientist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Marco Festa-Bianchet from Sherbrooke University is back on the show with Mark and Curtis. Marco is an evolutionary scientist and population ecologist whose research includes mountain sheep and goats. Marco discusses his research on bighorn sheep in Alberta and BC which if often criticized by the hunting community. Marco explains how the mating biology of mountain sheep including the age when rams start mating and the intense removal of young rams is linked to the changes in horn size and ram abundance. Marco discusses the differences between the full curl, 4/5 curl and over the nose horn regulations for bighorn and Stone's Sheep and he offers some solutions to the problems in Alberta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark does a deep dive into a controversial subject unfolding in British Columbia. The BC Lands Act is being amended to add decision making powers for First Nations People. Topics covered include the history of Canadian law that has led up to this, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the right to prior and informed consent, shared and consent-based decision making, what this amendment means for public land access, political framing, the fears about hunting in BC and the need for truth going into the fall election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The truth about spring black bear hunting with respect to the claims that hunters orphan thousands of cubs each year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Mark Boyce from the University of Alberta joins Mark and Curtis in this episode. Dr. Boyce is an ecologist working on research areas that include wildlife habitat selection, cougar predation and effects of hunter harvest on wildlife including interactions between wildlife density and hunter harvests. Mark provides his perspectives on intensive selective hunting pressure as one of the causes of reported decreases in bighorn sheep horn sized and he outlines his ideas on how bighorn sheep hunting should be managed in Alberta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jessica Haines is a wildlife scientist, professor at MacEwan University in Northern Alberta and a hunter. Jessica shares talks about how being a scientist helps her as a hunter and vice versa as well as how her students and co-workers react to her being a hunter. Jess talks about the peacefulness of hunting, reading the subtle clues of nature, hunting with dogs and mentoring students who are interested in hunting. Jess is truly an inspirational leader-hunter in Canada's post-secondary education system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers migratory game bird hunting regulation changes, a sandhill crane hunt in Ontario, hunters who don’t like a proposed migratory game bird hunting regulation change in PEI, highlights of a new seal report, the end of self-replicating crayfish, how much forest is left for boreal caribou in Quebec, and a grizzly bear-rancher-farmer mitigation program in Alberta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are celebrity hunters, outfitters and companies that profit from hunting actually perpetuating market hunting that the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation condemns? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Berukoff is the president of Canadian Wildlife Capture, helicopter pilot, conservationist, and a hunter. Ben joins Mark to chat about aerial wildlife capture for scientific research and how being a hunter helps him find and safely capture animals. Ben describes a typical capture day, the nuances between capturing different species and how deep snow helps him do his job. As well Ben discusses how he helps explain the importance of wildlife research to others, why he might question the need to capture animals sometimes and who has to pick up lost capture nets on the mountain side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Peter Cott, a fisheries biologist and scientist from the North West Territories joins Mark and Curtis to chat about one of Canada’s strangest fish – the burbot. Pete chronicles how he got into burbot research and he discusses where burbot came from, their closet relatives, what makes them unique, where they are found in Canada, their conservation status and threats. The guys also learn about singing burbot, the gargantuan nature of burbot gonads, underwater soundscapes and hunting in North West Territories. You might glean a few burbot ice fishing tips in this episode as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does general wolf hunt hunting make a difference to ungulate populations? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Peters is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, a hunter, and a passionate conservation leader. Rebecca is a member of the Wild Sheep Society of BC’s Women Shaping Conservation initiative, and she was a participant in the 2023 national event - Women in Conservation. She explains what she does in her practice and how hunting and conservation fit into a holistic lifestyle. Rebecca also talks about having to learn how to hunt as an adult and find her own path as a hunter. Rebecca and Mark talk about being present, being mindful, and how yoga provides many benefits to mind and body, including hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is an anti-hunting organization buying guide-outfitter licenses in BC? Can they really do that? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Siobhan is a wildlife scientist working on her PhD degree on mountain lions. Siobhan joins Mark and Curtis to provide insights into what her research. She discusses her research objectives, the highlights gleaned from tracking adult cats via GPS, where lions like to raise their litters, the fate of tagged kittens, what cougars are killing and eating, movement patterns, how cats respond to clearcutting and lion on lion violence. She discusses her teams journey in learning to track mountain lions, working with hunters, the skills of houndsmen and some things about mountain lions that have surprised her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark wraps up the year by putting the top 5 stories from 2023 on a naughty and nice list with a bit of Caddyshack humour thrown in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tammy joins Mark to share her story with listeners in hopes that someone out there might know something. Tammy explains the events of when Tom failed to return from his sheep hunt, the ongoing search effort and her emotional roller coaster as reports have come in over the years of items that hunters have found including a tent camp that might be Tom’s. Tammy shares her heart and lets us know how she is really doing and what keeps her going every year. Tammy talks about what it’s like each fall when she sees hunters in her community gearing up for the fall and how the hunting community has helped her and her family. It’s an emotional and inspiration episode! The Leonard family GoFundMe account: Fundraiser by Tammy Leonard : Help Search & Rescue end 16 year search for Tom! (gofundme.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lori McCarthy is a teacher, mentor, book author, forager, curator of fine foods, speaker and a hunter who is on a mission. She is committed to preserving the connection between Newfoundland culture and its food. Lori has a been on journey to understand how Newfoundlanders hunted, foraged, preserved food, cured meats, and prepared meals so that the traditions that define Newfoundland culture are not lost to the tides of time. A part of Lori’s journey has included her interest in butchering, preserving, and curing meat and hunting. Lori become a self-taught hunter as an adult and she describes the importance of hunting in Newfoundland as well as how the older generations view hunting versus buying Alberta beef. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers the passing of gun control bill C-21, the up-listing of the Eastern Grey Wolf, BC’s wolf control program, elver poaching, phasing out Eurasian boars in Ontario, Quebec’s urban deer court case, the killing of the mayor of Klukshu, a prison term for a BC bear poacher, parasites in Nunavut caribou, an Ontario trapping license suspension, conservation in action on an Alberta working ranch and the BC SPCA’s way of ending the killing cycle which is code for regulated hunting seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rod Giltaca, the CEO and Executive Director of the Canadian Collation for Firearm Rights (CCFR), joins Mark and Curtis in this episode. Rod provides a summary of the recent gun control bill including the handgun ban and the amendments that went after common hunting firearms. Rod also discusses the verdict of the CCFR’s court case against the Government of Canada and he discusses property rights in Canada, the gun buyback program, what might be on the horizon and how hunters can help the fight against gun control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chelsea Hansler is amazing person in every aspect of her life. She is an artist, mother, role model and a self-taught hunter who is raising her family in an off-the-grid wilderness home. Chelsea talks about her journey to becoming a professional artist and her passion for painting hunting hounds. She talks about how she learned to stay true to herself in her art and as a hunter. Chelsea explains how being an artist helps her as a hunter and how being a hunter helps her to be an artist. Chelsea is a role-model for her followers on social media and she talks about a brand-new venture she launched to help women get together in wilderness settings where then will be able to connect with each other and find their own path in the outdoor space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Ahtila is a hunting guide and she talks about her journey into the hunting industry including burning pancakes and the changes for women in the guiding business. Rachel talks about how she gets to know each of her clients, how every hunter has reason for being on the mountain and why, when she could be hunting for herself, she’s chosen a path to put others ahead of herself. Rachel touches on her personal story hunting with her father and her journey back to social media. Rachel closes out by explaining the challenges and frustrations of her endeavour to demystify the process for obtaining an authorization to carry a handgun for wilderness protection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Bradford & Dan Otway from Pittwaterfowlers join Mark and Curtis to talk about their waterfowl hunting and conservation projects. Chris and Dan explain the areas where they hunt waterfowl, how they are helping farmers protect their crops and they also discuss their wood duck and other conservation programs. The guys share their story about what happened when Duck Dynasty became popular and why that motivated them to create a waterfowl hunting course. Dan and Chris share their most memorable experiences in the blind as well as what motivates them to take other hunters out including the inspiring story of young Clayton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maya Basdeo grew up in a non-hunting family and actually considered herself an anti-hunter. Maya found a unique path into hunting through birds of prey. Maya shares her amazing story of hunting with falcons, what’s that taught her about hunting, how the birds have inspired her to become a hunter and how supportive and welcoming the hunting community has been to her. Maya is also a scientist pursing a Masters degree. She shares her thesis topic and her passion for publishing research that shows the positive sides of hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers the impact of the fall time change on wildlife, a wildlife feeding ban in Alberta, Alberta Sunday hunting rules, wild pigs in Jasper National Park, a First Nation not included in the hunting agreement for Jasper National Park, e-licensing in Manitoba, gun and ammo exports from the USA, 1 billion dollars for conservation in BC, phragmites control in Ontario, a massive hunter check in Quebec, a BC trapper standing up for black bears and what changing bird names means for Stone’s and Dall’s sheep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Dykema is a busy business owner and entrepreneur in British Columbia. She runs Valley to Shore which is an organic harvest box delivery service. Dana talks about why she got into this business and how she loves to help customers reconnect with food ingredients and recipes for healthy eating. Dana is working towards becoming a hunter and she discusses her reasons for wanting to hunt and harvest her own meat. Dana talks about the challenges of having a busy professional and family life and finding time to study for her hunting course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dylan Eyers is a legend in the Canadian hunting community. Dylan is the face of the EatWild brand and in this episode he explains what EatWild’s mission is all about and why he mentors new hunters. As a skilled hunter, teacher and mentor Dylan is all heart and passion when it comes to hunting as a way of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Hinter is with the Alberta Trappers Association and he is also a member of the Fur Institute of Canada’s Trap Research and Testing Committee. Ross joins Mark and Curtis to talk about the recent technology improvements, testing and certification of kill snare systems for trapping in Canada. The guys address some of the misinformation about killing snares and anti-trapping campaigns before discussing the mechanisms of how a snares works. Topics discussed include the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, the testing of snare systems, veterinary assessments, certification of snare components, trapping ethics and Canada as the leader in trap development and testing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Ryckman, Manager of Policy for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and Matt Besko, Executive Director of Alberta’s Hunting & Fishing Branch join Mark to catch up some recent news in Ontario and Alberta. Mark discusses a win for hunters with gains in Sunday hunting and he fills us in on a loss for hunters from the hunting ban in the Grimsby municipality. Matt discusses Alberta’s new Hunting and Fishing Branch which looks to be a promising win for hunters in Alberta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Bruce McLellan, author of the newly released book Grizzly Bear Science joins Mark and Curtis to discuss his life researching grizzly bears. Bruce discusses why he moved to a cabin in the remote Flathead Valley with his life partner Celine, what his grizzly bear research was about, raising his kids Michelle and Charlie in the wilderness, why there aren’t more grizzlies, the future for grizzlies, his advice for emerging scientists and how important Celine was to his life’s work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this story Mark covers the fatal grizzly attack in Banff National Park, night versus day time grizzly attacks, the vacant human-wildlife conflict specialist in Alberta, hunting in Jasper National Park, the two headless rams found in Jasper National Park, the caribou recovery program in Jasper, Alberta’s wild feral horses, the black bear cub rehab policy in Alberta being challenged, self-cloning invasive crayfish in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Truro Nova Scotia feeding families from its urban deer management program, hunting access issues in Saskatchewan, BC’s endangered spotted owl gets written off, restricting hunter access in BC and a cattle grazing investigation in BC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Dr. Lee Foote joins Mark to discuss the 2023 waterfowl breeding survey. Lee discusses what the population trend numbers mean for overall duck population health and for hunters this fall. Topics discussed include the top duck species harvested by hunters, population trend numbers for each duck species, ecological and environmental factors affecting numbers of breeding ducks, why mallard drakes will mate with a fence post and how cosmic events might affect migrating birds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brant MacDuff, author of the book Shotgun Conservationist - Why Environmentalists Should Love Hunting joins Mark and Curtis in this episode. Brant discusses his journey into hunting as well as his top reasons why non-hunters should love hunting. Other topics covered include the nuanced differences between a conservationist versus an environmentalist and an anti-hunter versus a non-hunter, who uses the term non-hunter the most, the ethics of trapping, issues in hunting, taxidermy and questions about hunting and conservation in Canada. The Hunter Conservation Podcast is supported by: J Martin Taxidermy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers a bear attack in BC, illegal crocodile meat in Alberta, killing fish in Banff National Park, coyote attacks in BC, a coyote transmitted disease in Alberta, a whale hunter-ed course in Nunavut, a new Alberta bison hunt, crab poaching fines, cuts to conservation in Manitoba, feral pigs in BC as well as convictions for illegal polar bear exports and moose hunting in Ontario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark discusses a grizzly that was killed in BC and whether it is another indicator of shifting social attitudes. Other stories covered include mining lithium in protected caribou habitat in Manitoba, a coyote attack in Cape Breton, a request from First Nations in BC about moose hunting, caribou funding in Ontario, protecting species at risk habitat in BC, and some new funding for seal and sea lion research that may lead to a hunting season, maybe, who knows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Besko, Executive Director of Alberta’s Hunting and Fishing Branch along with Dr. Lee Foote, retired ecology scientist join Mark and Curtis to wrestle with a really tough question – should hunting be deemed a cultural heritage that is legally protected? The discussion is based on a research paper from Poland that uses the five tests of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to assess the intangible elements of the Polish hunting model. Topics discussed in this episode include hunting skills and knowledge as an intangible cultural heritage in Canada, the significance of intergenerational hunting knowledge and skills for nature protection and conservation, and whether hunting skills and practices in Canada deserve, or already have, legal protection as a cultural practice that result in tangible benefits to Canada’s natural heritage. Matt and Lee always dig into topics with the highest level of critical thought and humor which in turn create a fun and engaging conversation. Brought to you by Community-Minded Cranbrook Toyota Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melanie Dickie, PhD candidate and caribou scientist along with Jesse Tigner, habitat restoration ecologist, join Curtis and Mark to discuss how they are trying to slow wolves down. This episode is a piece of the endangered caribou recovery story in Western Canada that rarely receives attention – the habitat restoration piece. Melanie shares her experience researching how wolves use old seismic trails to hunt caribou and moose more effectively in Canada’s Western Boreal Forest region. Jesse describes how his on-the-ground projects are using the science to restore seismic trails to slow wolves down and reduce their ability to find and kill endangered caribou. Melanie discusses the uncertainties around monitoring and effectiveness of this kind of habitat restoration work especially given that it’s relatively new. Jesse discusses the shear size of the number of seismic lines that need restoration. Mel and Jesse discuss where the future of slowing wolves down and restoring habitat in endangered caribou need to move towards. Brought to you by Community-Minded Cranbrook Toyota Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers a polar bear attack in Nunavut and the relationship to a new book on carnivores that hunt humans, as well as other trending stories on human-polar bear conflict in Churchill Manitoba, BC grizzlies, West Coast chinook salmon quota, East Coast capelin fishery concerns, a Fisheries Act judicial verdict on constitutional rights, Quebec endangered caribou, Baffin Island caribou harvest, CWD funding in Manitoba, NWT’s fur review, elk management in Ontario, more on Saskatchewan private land access and a look back at greater sage grouse habitat protection in the prairies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Zeman, Executive Director for the BC Wildlife Federation joins Mark and Curtis to provide the Federation’s analysis of the new draft grizzly bear management plan for British Columbia. Jesse talks about whether there is dedicated funding for grizzly bear science and population monitoring, how many grizzly bear experts there are in the province now, grizzly bear management objectives and accountability of government for grizzly bear management. Other topics covered include how much money BC spends on taking care of wildlife and habitat, how many grizzly bear scientists there are in Montana compared to BC, who and what is killing grizzly bears now that hunting is banned, how much money hunters still commit to grizzly conservation, where hunters can go to comment on the draft management plan and the need for a pro-hunting voice on the future of grizzly bear management in BC. Take Action: Provide input on the draft Grizzly Bear Management Plan before September 8th here: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/engagement/grizzly-bear-stewardship-framework/ Sponsored by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Robbie joins Mark to discuss the fallow deer cull on Sidney Island in British Columbia, the recent brown bear cull in Alaska and private land access in Canada. Topics covered included using hunters versus contract sharpshooters for population control, whether caribou or bears are worth more in Alaska, if it pays it stays mantra, private land rights in Canada, exclusive rights, changes in Saskatchewan’s Tress Pass Act and concerns over Land Trust coming to Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presented by Blood Origins Canada This podcast is sponsored by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota in Cranbrook, BC. Dr. Bruce McLellan and Dr. Clayton Lamb join Mark and Curtis in episode 100 to impart their wisdom on grizzly bears, conservation and sustainable hunting. Topics discussed include whether wolf or grizzly bear hunting is more controversial, the biological factors of grizzly bears critical for managing a hunt, ranges in sustainable harvest rates, when hunting permits get revoked, average age of bears killed by hunters, social and political factors influencing hunting and whether hunting reduces human-bear conflict, cub killing and predation on ungulates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark discusses a controversial announcement made by the Manitoba Metis Federation in regard to asserting constitutional hunting rights across the Metis Homeland of Canada and the USA. Mark takes you back 500 years for journey into the history of Canada's Metis People and their current effort to protect Metis culture and rights. Mark summarizes the proposed expansion of the Metis Harvesting Initiative, how Metis harvesting is governed in Manitoba and the response of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation to the recent announcement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark updates you on the outcome of the government’s decision to expand dog hunting training areas in Ontario as a well as, the reversal of the Alaska commercial fishery closure for salmon headed for Canadian rivers to spawn, a lawsuit over spotted owls in BC, the feds threating Ontario over endangered caribou protection, rounding up geese in Toronto, a land use plan for Nunavut, a highway overpass for BC bighorn sheep, a national conservation award for the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, the mackerel fishery closure extension in Atlantic Canada, anthrax in NWT bison and whether the stage is set for a fight over who gets to kill bison in Banff National Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to You by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Chris Parish and Leland Brown from the North American Non-Lead Partnership join Mark & Curtis to discuss lead shot and the risk to upland game birds. Christ and Leland. The guys discuss advances in X-ray technology that’s been showing more invisible lead particles in game meat than previously have been detected. Other topics include lead shot effects on partridge, grouse, and doves, dove mortality studies, distribution of lead shot on the landscape, lead impacts on flight distances in partridge and the number of shotgun shells used annually in dove hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Dr. Doug Manzer, Senior Scientist and Wildlife Program Manager for the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) joins Mark and Curtis to discuss a cool habitat enhancement project. This conversation comes on the heels of the field trip where Doug toured Mark and Curtis around a habitat enhancement project that the ACA is helping the landowner with to restore upland game bird and waterfowl habitat within the heart of the intensive agriculture zone in south-central Alberta. Topics covered include historical and modern farming practices in Alberta, landscape changes, gray partridge, ring-necked pheasants, waterfowl, songbirds, wetlands, water retention, groundwater recharge, insect diversity, crop predators, brood habitat, rearing habitat, security cover and paying for private land habitat management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices