The Hunter Conservationist Podcast

In this episode, Mark and Curtis are joined by Doug Chiasson, Executive Director of the Fur Institute of Canada. Doug provides a summary of the Fur Institute of Canada and its main role and different programs. Doug talks about the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, how modern humane traps work, how traps are scientifically tested and certified, coupling best management practices with trap technology as well as how the Fur Institute works with trappers and trap manufacturers to continually improve traps for commercial trapping as well as wildlife research trapping. Doug also gives an update on the testing and certification of modern power snares and the guys have some fun learning about how far back Doug’s family history in Canada extends. Show Notes: The Fur Institute of Canada https://fur.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode Mark is joined by Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus. Bob provides his thoughts on the amendments to Bill C-21 with respect to how they are including more hunting firearms. Bob also provides a call-to-action explaining how hunters in Canada can take action. Contact Hon. Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety Email: [email protected] Hill Office Telephone: 613-992-6361 Constituency Office Main office – Toronto. Telephone: 416-781-5583 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode Mark is joined by Romy Vaugeois, Program Manager at Seals & Sealing Network. Romy provides a summary of the Seal Summit held in St. John’s Newfoundland in early November including who organized the summit, who was in attendance, the main topics that were presented, some actions that came out of the event and what participants thought of the Summit when it was over. Show Notes: https://canadiansealproducts.com/ https://proudlyindigenouscrafts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers stories about the new amendment to Canada’s firearms Bill C-21, salmon and sturgeon deaths in BC, Yukon sockeye, COVID spike in rockfish poaching, a permanent rat poison ban in BC, censoring old growth stats, urban goose hunting permits, more coyote attacks, a rabbit viral disease in Alberta, an update on the NWT First Nations hunting camp search and possible implications for narwhals in Nunavut from an increase in mining production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Dr. Jason Fisher, a wildlife scientist from the University of Victoria. Jason talks about his research on the wolf cull in Northern Alberta specifically the behavioral changes in wolves. As well, Dr. Fisher provides are summary of the status of wolverines in Western Canada. Other topics the guys discuss include ideas why the wolf cull in caribou recovery is so controversial and upsetting to some people, as well as, wolverine competition with other meso carnivores, and a scientist and his whiskey distillery. Show Notes: Two Dogs Brewery and Macaloney's Island Whisky https://victoriacaledonian.com/ Dr. Jason Fisher http://www.jasonthomasfisher.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Dr. Lee Foote to learn a heck of a lot about ducks, geese, and hunting them. Lee goes into detail about duck and goose navigation, flyways, why waterfowl bother to migrate, duck physiology, the reason for bright colours, goose pairing, mating for life, prairie potholes, whether predator management is justified, duck mortality with and without hunting, why shoot drakes instead of hens, why hens take such a beating even without shooting them, the role of vocalization and calling ducks, why some waterfowl need extra protection, lead shot, healing after injuries, camouflage, catfish noodling, possums, gators, Doctor Pepper with peanuts and how shooting blanks leads to divorce among goose pairs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to You by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Ryan Kole, Vice President of the BC Trappers Association, and wildlife scientist Dr. Clayton Lamb. A recent research paper has reported that some grizzly bears in Southeastern British Columbia have lost toes on their front feet because their paws had gotten stuck in traps at one point in their lives. Topics discussed include understanding where and when bears might be at risk of being exposed to traps set by licensed trappers, whether bears can pull their foot out of a small trap, private land versus licensed use of commercial traps, humane trap design, speed and power of small traps, exclusion plates on marten trap boxes, other ideas to prevent incidental catch of grizzly bears, why this might just be a Southeast BC problem, regulations versus best management practices and collaborative opportunities to test preventative traps designs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark is joined by Matt Besko, Director of Wildlife and Licensing for the Province of Alberta. Matt provides some thoughts and perspectives on the recent Parks policy update clarifying hunting in Alberta Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas. Matt explains the alignment between the Park’s policy and the Wildlife Act. Topics Matt and Mark discuss include asymmetrical antipathy, public perceptions of protected areas, history of hunting in Alberta Parks, the use of bait for bear hunting, GPS collars on hunting dogs, whether hunting dogs chase non-game animals, whether bating might cause black bears to become food habituated, fair chase and ethical hunting practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers a poaching investigation in the North West Territory Bathurst Caribou herd, a youth Whale hunt, an Avian Flu update, killing cormorants in Newfoundland, Newfoundland fishing closures, BC anglers being frustrated with DFO, salmon at the Big Bar landslide on the Fraser River, animal attacks, new signatures to an international Indigenous Bison Treaty, the federal gun buyback program, lead poisoning in Haida Gwaii eagles, a lead ammo study in Saskatchewan, brain worm research in Nova Scotia, endangered caribou in Quebec and Jasper National Park, poisoning small mouth bass in Nova Scotia and lobster labelling to save North Atlantic Right Whales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by biologist Pat Stent for a conversation about the alarming trend in the number of illegal bull elk being killed by hunters in Southeast BC’s East Kootenay Zone of Region 4. To set the stage the guys discuss the geography and ecology of the Kootenay as it relates to what elk need, the history of the 6-point bull elk season, the Raedeke Report, current elk population dynamics, recent bull harvest trends, and what the upward trend in illegal bulls represents from the perspectives of future elk conservation and elk hunting opportunities. The single biggest issue biologists grapple with the illegal bull kills is trying to understand exactly what the causes are that are driving hunters to make mistakes and what to do if the trend continues to escalate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Dr. Eric (Rick) Taylor. Eric is a Professor and researcher from the University of British Columbia. Eric provides some background biology on steelhead and what makes them different from salmon. Eric describes the history of the Interior Fraser River Steelhead populations and their precipitous declines as well as what the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) said about the Interior Fraser River Steelhead populations, the Minister’s response to the Committee’s recommendation to protect steelhead under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, the altering of a key scientific report, preventing steelhead bycatch without closing the commercial fishery, pinniped management, shrinking fish, the uncontrollable ocean, when opportunity and preparedness meet, the shortcomings of the federal Fisheries Act, who should be in charge of fish conservation, steelhead recovery plans, how public advocacy for fish may be changing federal policy and putting butts in spawning grounds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Mark and Curtis are joined by Jenn Thornhill Verma author of the book Cod Collapse. Jenn describes the uniqueness of Canada’s Grand Banks, the history of the Newfoundland Labrador cod fishery, the cod moratorium put in place in 1992, the impacts of the 200-mile limit, the social costs of the lost cod fishery, scientific models, discounting knowledge of the inshore fishers, lessons learned, whether history is repeating itself, evidence-based decision making, fisheries management via the adjacency concept, state of the cod stock recovery, community wharves, oil rigs, resettlement, what Canadians can do to help fisheries, cultures whose identify is a fish, power of municipal laws, nature as a legal person, who was held accountable for the cod collapse and the meaning of Jenn’s words when she wrote - Life as it once was is gone, but what remains is what inspires. Show Notes Jenn’s book Cod Collapse: The Rise and Fall of Newfoundland's Saltwater Cowboys https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45550794-cod-collapse#CommunityReviews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode Curtis and Mark are joined by Mara Cur. Mara is a teacher and mentor who is joyfully passing on the ancient art and skill of natural hide tanning. Mara breaks down the steps of turning a raw animal hide into a textile by explaining smoke, bark, and mineral tanning methods as well as the process of making rawhide. Other topics Mara covers includes her own journey into tanning, the history of tanning, which tanning method cultures around the world have in common, using local resources for tanning, split grain, full grain, hair on versus hair off textiles, buckskin, brain tanning, breaking a hide, the molecular change that transforms a hide into textile, how to care for a fresh game hide, the life story that is written into each hide and purple leather. Show Notes: Follow Mara on Instagram @fern.and.roe Mara’s website: www.fernandroe.com Upcoming classes (book online at Mara’s website) August 25-28 Sooke BC Sheep Skin Sept 2-5 Salt Spring Island Smoked Tanned Buckskin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Wildlife Ecologist Mateen Hessami. Mateen recently completed his thesis research on the controversial moose reduction and stabilization program which was put in place as part of British Columbia’s endangered caribou recovery strategy in the Revelstoke Valley. Topics Mateen covers include the history behind the moose population boom in the Revelstoke Valley, Indigenous knowledge and values, the relationship between moose, wolves, and endangered caribou, shifting carrying capacity, doomed moose population, calf to cow ratios after population reduction, apparent competition between moose and caribou, the uniqueness of the moose management strategy in the Revelstoke Valley, hunting as a management tool, putting moose meat in people’s freezers, meeting social objectives, First Nation’s reliance on moose instead of salmon and caribou, science-based wildlife management, balancing public interests, the white-tailed deer dilemma, save the cow moose signs and a duck hunting program for UBC students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers stories of great white sharks in Canadian waters and new science about shark populations, as well as the anniversary of the 1992 Atlantic cod fishery moratorium, commercial herring quota cutbacks, Gulf of St. Lawrence cod fishery, more Northern BC salmon closures, endangered steelhead science being withheld, Southern resident killer whales, different perspectives on ocean-based fish farms, whether speed reductions help save wildlife from collisions, whether to relocate grizzly bears or not in Alberta, the story of the white bear that came back - we thought he was gonner but he just wouldn’t stay awayyyy, new Manitoba CWD hunting zones, lawsuit filed against the Alberta government over coal, charges against Ontario’s new Minister of Natural Resources and feral rabbit – hate or love em. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this tribute to late-night, slow-burn FM radio-style broadcasting, Mark and Curtis are joined by John Schneider, host of the Food Afield Podcast and member of the From the Wild Series. The guys learn about all things traditional archery from John including, why get into traditional archery, primitive archery, traditional archery, types of bows, poundage, how to pick a bow, arrow selection, ordering online, effective shooting range, making a personal connection while hunting, bear hunting on Vancouver Island, whether you should buy a bow from e-Bay and instinctive natural language when one hooks and loses a big fish. Show Notes: Traditional Bowhunting 101 workshop in Alberta https://www.foodafieldpodcast.com/product-page/traditional-bowhunting-101 FoodAfield Podcast https://www.foodafieldpodcast.com/ From the Wild https://www.fromthewild.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark explores the June 30th announcement by the Tŝilhqot’in Nation condemning the B.C. government’s moose harvest allocation for the Chilcotin Region of British Columbia. Mark provides an overview of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s concerns, some background on the history of moose in the Chilcotin, findings from the central interior moose research program, how moose hunting opportunity was allocated between First Nations, resident hunters and Guide-Outfitters for 2022, and excerpts from the wildlife managers report explaining how the allocation decision was made and the factors that were taken into account. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Mark and Curtis are joined by Jesse Zeman, Executive Director of the BC Wildlife Federation to discuss the government’s controversial decision to put bighorn sheep in BC’s Kootenay Region on Limited Entry Hunting. Jesse discusses the contradictions that the BC Wildlife Federation has recently uncovered regarding how sheep tags were allocated to BC residents versus Outfitters, how the conservation status of sheep changed depending on which group tag numbers were being calculated, and whether provincial policies were followed with respect to over-allocation, success rates and huntable sheep populations in the Kootenay Region. Jesse also describes how mountain goat hunting opportunity in the Kootenay Region is being taken away from BC residents even though goat harvest rates are well below targets. Jesse explains the three things the Federation has asked the Minister to address Show Notes BC Wildlife Federation Letter to Minister Conroy on Kootenay Region Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Allocation. https://bcwf.bc.ca/letter-to-minister-katrine-conroy-related-to-bighorn-sheep-and-goat-hunting-in-region-4/ Bighorn Sheep Science Webinar with Dr. Marco Festa- Bianchet https://bcwf.bc.ca/when-does-selective-hunting-lead-to-evolutionary-change-and-what-if-anything-should-we-do-about-it/ Bighorn Sheep Limited Entry Hunting in Region 4 with Gerry Paille of the BC Wildlife Federation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hd66tRBSR4&list=PL_Xj1_ue6mYCAgViGwS4meExm09nGOxMf&index=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers a controversial reduction in moose hunting for BC hunters, polar bear problems, polar bear quotas, polar bear harvest research, narwhal hunting, firearm regulations, problem geese, snow geese deaths, bear attacks, conflict bear management oversight, class action lawsuit over the BC grizzly hunt, a half-baked deer rescue plan, Newfoundland Labrador’s new helmet laws for hunters, urban coyotes versus super pigs, more cormorant culls, seized elvers, mackerel for tuna fishers and tipping points – the line between when Canadians love and then hate wildlife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curtis and Mark are joined by Andrea Wishart to talk all things squirrel. Andrea is a Ph.D. student at the University of Saskatchewan and an evolutionary and behavioral ecologist studying red squirrels in the Yukon. This is a fun look at one of Canada’s most underrated, abundant, and accessible wildlife species. Topics covered include red squirrel biology, life span, territory size, boom and bust cycles, predator avoidance, food refrigeration, bequeathing food caches, the motivation to store tree cones, turf wars, effects of logging a forest during the winter, middens, larder-hoarding, getting yelled at, Canada’s amazing Kluane region in the Yukon, squirrel rattling, Sabre-toothed squirrels, and the happy conclusion to Scrat’s story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you buy Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by their long-time friend Chris New. Chris is an avid fossil hunter and has helped paleontologists identify new trilobite species previously unknown to science. Chris’s journey and passion for fossils started at young age near Cranbrook, British Columbia and now he travels all over the place hunting fossils. Chris talks about how he got started in fossil hunting, how he preps fossil hunting, what he does in winter offseason, as well as how he gathers intel and leads on fossil sites. Other cool topics the gang discussions include the brief history of fossil formations, how to get into fossil hunting, how to hunt fossils, trilobites, similarities between fossil hunting and game hunting, laws around digging, poaching fossils, Burgess Shale, how crime doesn’t pay in fossil hunting and whether Ricky Gervais trolls fossil hunters on social media. Show Notes Here are the scientific names of the trilobites that Chris, his collecting partner Chris Jenkins, and his daughter Rebecca have had named after them for having discovered them. Olenaspella chrisnewi Anechocephalus rebeccae Orygmaspis jenkinsi Claycreekia chrisorum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Mark and Curtis are joined by Dr. Howie Harshaw from the University of Alberta, Dr. Lee Foote, and Matt Besko to discuss the decline in waterfowl hunter numbers in Canada. The group discusses waterfowl population trends, social science as a tool for wildlife management, hunter recruitment, retention, and reengagement strategies, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, access to private land, barriers to waterfowl hunting, inclusivity, cultural and ethnic differences among new hunters, complicated hunting regulations, duck stamps, paying for conservation bird watchers interested in waterfowl hunting, hunter surveys, trusting scientists, truck noises and practicing being on podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers the H5N1 avian bird flu outbreak in wild birds, new findings for COVID in deer, possible new gun registry system, trapping, beaver castors in the NWT, mackerel fishing, herring closures, the failure of Canada’s Species at Risk Act, goose poop and coexisting with wildlife bison moving to Alaska, hunting bison in Banff National Park, the rat poison debate in BC, Newfoundland’s online big game hunting license system, forgetting your password and endorsing squirrels in rehab or not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Romy Vaugeois. Romy is the Program Manager at the Seals and Sealing Network. Romy explains a bit about Canada’s seal species and the state of their populations. Romy describes how Canada’s seal harvesting industry works and its impact on East Coast and Indigenous culture and livelihoods. Romy describes the various products made from seals and the qualities and benefits of seals. Other topics covered include whether seal meat can be called venison, how to cook seal, why seal meat is black, pinnipeds, sea bears, sea weasels, whether a person can hunt seals, the difference in seal harvest policies between the East and West Coasts, why seals are classified as fish in Canada and the Montreal Phoque Fest. Show Notes https://www.canadiansealproducts.com/ https://proudlyindigenouscrafts.com/ https://phoquefest.ca/en/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Dr. Clayton Lamb. Clayton talks about his involvement and research in the Indigenous-led caribou recovery program for the Klinse-Za herd in Northeastern British Columbia. Clayton describes how the Indigenous-led program started, the details of citing, constructing, operating, and monitoring a caribou maternal pen as well as how the caribou are fed and guarded 24/7. Clayton describes his experience learning and integrating western science with traditional knowledge on this project. Clayton also provides an overview of his research findings on how the Klinse-Za caribou herd is doing since the Indigenous-leg recovery program started, caribou survival in and outside the maternal pen, and the effect of wolf management. Other topics discussed include spring turkey hunting, one vs two decoys, calling, the ethics of shooting roosted turkeys, rural living, and coexisting with grizzlies and chicken tractors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers a couple of coyote stories as bookends to the podcast including a lawsuit filed over a coyote killing contests and a coyote introduction Darwin Award. Other stories Mark covers include an amendment to BC’s Wildlife Act, BC’s controversial moose hunting proposal, a coastal mountain goat study, grizzlies in Manitoba, new research on caribou recovery, a lawsuit over night hunting restrictions in Manitoba, territorial turkeys in Ontario, new fall turkey hunting season in Ontario, herring, mackerel, cod, seals, broken DFO boats, COVID in deer and feeding deer in Ontario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode Curtis and Mark are joined by John Schneider, host of The Food Afield Podcast and member of the From the Wild film series in northern Alberta. The gang compares hunting spring black bears in BC’s Rocky Mountings versus the Alberta’s Northern Boreal Forest. John talks about the atmosphere and tempo of hunting spring bears versus fall deer and his general strategies to find bears in Alberta. Other topics the group muses over include how and where to find spring bear, early spring success versus late spring success, bear meat, cooking, bear organ meat, using the brains, baiting hunting bears form a tree stand, what to do with the hide, hunting outcomes, what size of bear should you take, rifle calibers, game rating systems for black bears, shot placement, getting messed up, Star Wars tribute and assless bear fur riding chaps. Show Notes: The Food Afield Podcast https://www.foodafieldpodcast.com/ From the Wild https://www.fromthewild.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Jesse Zeman, Executive Director of the BC Wildlife Federation. Jesse explains the situation with the current proposal to reduce hunting opportunities for moose and caribou in the Peace Region of northeastern British Columbia. As a backgrounder for listeners not from Canada, Mark provides a synopsis of First Nations rights in Canada with respect to hunting, the amount of unceded land in the province, the BC treaty process, game harvest priorities, and obligations of government to consult with First Nations. Jesse explains the Yahey v BC court decision and why First Nations' rights under Treaty 8 were deemed to have been violated by extensive resource development in the Peace Region. The guys discuss why hunting regulations are being used as the solution for habitat impacts caused by industrial projects, the danger of divisive issues, and what the next steps should be regardless of whether the government's moose hunting proposal is approved or not. Show Notes 7B Moose/Caribou Public Engagement Website: https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ahte/content/close-peace-caribou-hunts-and-reduce-peace-moose-hunts-region-wide Backgrounder: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/hunting/ahte-attachments/backgrounder_hunting_regulation_changes_region_7b.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Hayley Gavin. Hayley lives in Alberta and she was the Lead Administrator for the Alberta Northwest Species at Risk Committee. Hayley describes how and why the NWSAR committee was formed and how the communities that were involved stepped up to help with scientific studies on endangered species. She describes the disconnect between government, science, industry, and the public when it comes to environmental and wildlife management. Hayley talks about the value of boots-on-the-ground community-based science, the challenges, and successes in bringing people together as well as working with the Alberta Trappers Association, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, and forest companies. Other topics covered include hunting grouse in the Rocky Mountains and the mystery of the High Level Handy Tree. Show Notes: Public access to project data on Wildtrax: https://www.wildtrax.ca/home Alberta NWSAR website: https://albertanwsar.ca/ ABMI’s Human Footprint Inventory: https://abmi.ca/home/data-analytics/da-top/da-product-overview/Human-Footprint-Products/HF-inventory. Landscape Monitoring Results: https://albertanwsar.ca/landscape-monitoring-results/ Mammal Monitoring Year 1 Results: https://albertanwsar.ca/caribou-ranges-research-year-1-results/ State of the Region Report: https://albertanwsar.ca/state-of-the-region-report-release/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsored by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode Curtis and Mark are joined by Dr. Matt Scrafford, a Conservation Scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada. Matt has studied wolverines all over Canada and talks about their biology, ecology and distribution in Canada, their home range sizes, general behavior, threats, sources of mortality and the wolverine’s conservation status in Canada. Matt describes the results of some his research and how wolverines are doing in human-disturbed ecosystems what the key attributes are for wolverine habitat conservation and the difference in wolverine habitat in the boreal regions versus the western mountains. Find out about whether other meso-carnivores compete with wolverines, wolverine head injuries, how to survive a wolverine attack, colloquial names and most importantly, find out the winner of the wolverine game show, who won a bottle of Canadian wolverine whiskey and the significance of Valentine’s Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark looks at what’s being going on with the coyotes in Stanley Park, new science looking at competition between coyotes and wolverines, reducing wolf density through restoration, wolf control program extension in BC, the Yahey decision, venison for Nova Scotia families, keeping ducks warm in Newfoundland, penning caribou in Quebec, the last chance for Fraser River steelhead, life time fishing ban, hunting for TV in a National Park, harrowing experience of an Inuk hunter, hopes for Canada’s fur auction, a long haul Canada Goose and unlimited hunting refills. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Mateen Hessami, Dr. Adam Ford, Matt Besko, and Dr. Lee Foote. Mateen and Adam are co-authors of a new paper titled Indigenizing the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Matten and Adam walk through each of the seven tenets of the North American Model and explain how and why they modified the tenants to be more inclusive and better reflect Indigenous values in contemporary wildlife management. Matt and Lee wield their years of experience to further break down the North American Model and the challenges it has created due to the nature of the model’s colonial history. Other incidental topics covered include a vote on whether a 270 or 30-06 is more popular, a goose on one’s head, and talking so slow that others can’t understand. Show Notes Indigenizing the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation - https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2020-0088 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Jeff Senger star of the From the Wild series. The crew talks about the ethics and philosophy of killing. Jeff covers running a small family business slaughterhouse in Alberta and the care that goes into treating animals humanely. The varied topics that the guys talk cover include the dichotomy between nature's way of killing and human-caused death, killing in an abattoir versus hunting, centre of mass versus brain shots, whose perspective is humane death seen from, killing fish versus killing animals, whether nature needs the gruesome deaths as a precursor to evolution, rifle calibers, shooting, bullets, nature is metal, coyote Afghan blanket as a work in progress, why vegans should be vegans, what deer think when they see a hunter, active shooter POV in beaver hunting, and if you were a bear, whether you want Jeff to shoot you with a bow or a rifle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined by Bill Abercrombie – president of the Alberta Trappers Association. Bill provides a snapshot of the Alberta Trappers Association and everything that they are involved including owning and operating their own trapping and bushcraft centre. Bill describes several of the major conservation and research projects that Alberta trappers play a key role in. The guys then break down the different types of traps and discuss how each one work, why a trapper might use them, and what some of the misperceptions are around trap types in Canada. Bill also provides a history on snares in trapping, the advancement in snare lethality, and new scientific research being conducted on the snares as a humane trapping tool. Other topics include snowmobile mishaps, being dialed in, science-based trap research, certified traps, and rural versus city drivers. Show Notes Alberta Trappers Association https://www.albertatrappers.com/ Alberta Centre for Trapping & Bushcraft https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFehtd7dVN9gIrZSLDurV2Q The Hunters’ Underground Podcast https://www.patreon.com/thehunterconservationistpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Curtis and Mark are joined again by Dr. Marco Festa-Bianchet – professor wildlife researcher at the Unversité de Sherbrooke in Quebec, and Jesse Zeman – Executive Director of the BC Wildlife Federation. Topics discussed include Mountain Goat ecology and biology and what makes goats unique, what some of the newest science is telling us about goats, age of primiparity, whether selective hunting pressure is an issue in goats, Mountain Goat management and harvest, the state of Mountain Goats in BC and Alberta, whether we are doing a good job counting goats, the conservation priorities for goats and other white animals including the wild turkey. Show Notes Details on the Bring Tom Home – Leonard Family Fundraiser – Giveaway https://youtu.be/T-FkjMxhIbc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark and Curtis talk to Gerry Paille of the BC Wildlife Federation. Gerry is the BCWF Chair of the Wildlife and Allocation Committee and the provincial rep that helps assess proposed regulation changes. Learn about BC’s system of making changes to hunting and trapping regulations. in this episode the guys do a deep dive into a bunch of proposed changes to BC’s hunting and trapping regulations that are now open for public comment. Some of the new proposed regulation include deer scents and lures, air rifles, wounded dangerous game, tampering with horns and antlers, compulsory inspections, turkey bears, private land hunting, wireless trail cams, closures of mountain sheep, mountain goat, caribou, and black bear hunting in parts of the province, baiting for trappers and shifting moose seasons in the north. As well, the guys discuss why some people object to cow moose hunting but not cow elk hunting and whether all these regulation changes will make a difference to declining wildlife populations. Show Notes Link to the hunting and trapping regulation public comment page and instructions on how to log in using a BCeID number https://bcwf.bc.ca/engage-now-in-hunting-regulation-proposals-for-2022-2024/?bblinkid=256332481&bbemailid=35790049&bbejrid=-2106053830 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Curtis and Mark are joined by John Schneider and Kevin Kossowan. John is the host of the Foodafield Podcast and celebrity, on the From the Wild. Kevin is the creator of the From the Wild, and hunter-chef extraordinaire. In this episode the guys discuss white-tailed deer hunting, rattling, whether rattling antler size matters, how far away do bucks respond to rattling, how many bucks don’t you see, does rattling from a tree stand matter, harvesting bucks and does, and thinking about your food outcome as a function of why you hunt. Plus, John and Kevin discuss their why – why do they hunt, fish, and cook then share their experiences on social media. Also hear the guys talk about staying warm and of course, it’s never too early to talk about spring turkey hunting. Show Notes Details on the Bring Tom Home – Leonard Family Fundraiser – Giveaway https://youtu.be/T-FkjMxhIbc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers trending stories from across Canada including CWD in Manitoba, COVID in deer, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s global presentation on peatlands, more fish farms in BC, buying guide-outfitter licenses for conservation, a deer cull in Quebec moves forward, Ontario’s cormorant cull, moose hunting moratorium in Quebec, a moose attack in Alberta, the impact of the fall time change on wildlife-vehicle collisions, fencing in endangered caribou, Alberta’s Trails Act, wild pigs on the loose in Ontario, coyotes in Edmonton and a brilliant strategy of Canada’s newest Governor General to show heads of state in the European Union the importance of fur harvesting to Inuit culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Curtis and Mark are joined by Dr. Keith Munro, wildlife biologist for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to talk all things moose. Dr. Munro describes the moose sub-species in Canada, and the guys debate whether the Canada moose is real or not. As well, Keith talks about some of the key aspects of moose ecology, biology, habitat requirements, and population dynamics considered when managing moose. Other topics covered include the big health threats facing moose, moose management and the number of moose and moose hunters in Ontario, harvest management, moose predation, the unique candid predators in Ontario, the new permit system for hunter tags, simple versus complex moose antler regulations, group tag hunting, OFAH’s priority moose management issues, moose research, counting moose, how the deer season is going thus far and the correct or incorrect way to pronounce Shiras moose. Show Notes Book Ecology and Management of the North American Moose, Second Edition Edited by Charles C. Schwartz, Albert W. Franzmann, and Richard E. McCabe https://www.ubcpress.ca/ecology-and-management-of-the-north-american-moose-second-edition Ontario’s moose populations and population objective ranges can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/moose-population-management Show Sponsor Alpine Toyota https://www.alpinetoyota.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Curtis and Mark are joined by Matt DeMille, Policy and Program Director for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Matt authored a comprehensive report describing what a reasonable hunting firearm is in Canada. Matt’s report will become a resource to inform the court about hunting firearms. Matt talks about his journey trying to define a hunting firearm using an evidence-based methodology. Topics discussed include, traditional versus modern firearms, hunting cultures, hunting situations, factors that influence what a reasonable hunting firearm is, factors that hunters consider when choosing a firearm, what a military grade firearm is versus military style, the historical influence of military technologies on hunting firearms, public perceptions of firearms, firearm function versus form, considering hunting in new firearm laws, divisive conversations, wishing the problem would go away, keeping an open mind, hockey sticks and the deer season opener in Ontario Show Notes Alpine Toyota https://www.alpinetoyota.com/ What Firearms Are Reasonable and Proportionate for Hunting in Canada – Full Report https://www.ofah.org/insider/2021/10/ofah-releases-public-version-of-the-firearms-report-filed-with-the-federal-court/ What is a Hunting Firearm by Matt DeMille - Article https://www.ofah.org/insider/2021/10/what-is-a-hunting-firearm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Episode supporter – The Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance Curtis and Mark get together with Dr. Lee Foote for a cuss-filled, mantra bashing, nuanced, philosophical bumper sticker brainstorming conversation about the mantra - use science not emotion, which is so often used to defend hunting. The guys breakdown science and emotions into their basic elements to see if the two concepts make sense when used together to defend hunting. The guys discuss whether having emotions in hunting or wildlife management is wrong and whether science is the be-all-end-all in wildlife management. Other topics covered include a conversation about what part of the brain dominates human behavior, whether one feels sad for or has empathy for wildlife, whether emotions or personal values actually under pin a person’s position on hunting, whether the, use science not emotion mantra is making things worse or better between hunters and non hunters, hook and bullet versus oppressed social views, ducking hunting on frozen ponds, whether mountain goats all live on public land, shooting your mechanical goose decoy and the great bumper sticker meme challenge. Show Notes Alpine Toyota https://www.alpinetoyota.com/ The Rock Mountain Goat Alliance https://goatalliance.org/ The Hunter’s Underground Podcast https://www.patreon.com/thehunterconservationistpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers the story of what’s going on with invasive wild pigs in Canada, Ontario’s new legislation regarding invasive wild pigs, grizzly bear attacks in the Yukon and Alberta, more grizzly bears shot and left, Douglas Lake Ranch access court appeal update, urban deer turned into food in New Brunswick and a hefty penalty paid for feeding bears in Whistler BC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Episode supporter – The Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance Curtis and Mark are joined by Neil Keown, Chair of the Alberta Chapter of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Neil dives into some of the contentious public land issues in Alberta including Chronic Wasting Disease, the Bighorn Wilderness Area proposal, and the opening of the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to coal mine development. Then Neil talks about the highly controversial proposal currently being pushed in Alberta to allow for high fenced elk farm hunt operations. Neil explains who’s behind the proposal, why its being pushed forward at this time and why BHA, and even non-hunters in Alberta are voicing their opposition to high fence hunts farms. Topics discussed include the ethics of high fence hunts, Alberta versus Africa high fence hunting, whether hunters can marginalize high fence hunting from backcountry hunting or not, freak antlers, escaped wildlife, elk-ostrich combo hunts, whether waterfowl hunting is easy or hard and how to hunt sandhill cranes. Show Notes Alpine Toyota https://www.alpinetoyota.com/ The Rock Mountain Goat Alliance https://goatalliance.org/ Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Alberta Chapter https://www.backcountryhunters.org/alberta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota Episode supporter – The Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance In this episode, Curtis and Mark unpack the entire topic of hunter mistakes. The guys discuss the 3 types of hunter mistakes, cancel culture, the idea of a path to redemption, some hunting fines, and prohibitions from around Canada, the conundrum for wildlife management if fines are too high, the certainty of punishment versus the certainty of detection, what peoples’ thoughts whether social media fuels hunters to take uncertain shots or not, whether kick em in the nuts type attitudes are helpful, extreme ownership, all the things hunters can to do help their fellow hunter not make honest mistakes, whether hunting regulations are too complicated and the underlying reason why there are strict antler and horn regulations in place. Plus, the guys recount a close encounter of the elk kind and how to reconcile when your hunting partner must work the next day. Show Notes Check out the Rock Mountain Goat Alliance at https://goatalliance.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark covers a story about wildlife getting their own money, wolf control public input survey, Stanley Park coyote update, reversal of a commercial fishing closure decision, getting gored in the pit, Canadians who think hunting firearms should be banned, Ontario sandhill crane and mute swan hunting season proposals and ice-hurling polar bears. Show Notes Predator (wolf) management public input link: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/caribou/predator-reduction/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community-Minded Alpine Toyota In this episode Mark and Curtis are joined by Dr. Nikolaj Bichel. Nikolaj completed a PhD thesis on trophy hunting, hunting, hunters, and anti hunters. Nikolaj explains his definitions of trophy hunting and trophy and where those concepts originated. As well, he explains the difference between utilizing animal parts and displaying animal parts, collectors versus non-collectors. Nikolaj talks about the history of hunting as training for war and as a war tactic, and he covers trophy scoring, the benefits, and consequences of trophy records, how anthropomorphism facilitates anti-hunting, the moral issues of trophy hunting including deontology, consequentialism, virtue ethics and the worst-motive fallacy. Other topics covered include trophies as a type of currency, trophies as proof of rightful land ownership, hunting and revolutions, and what anti-trophy hunters really hate more than the death of a wild animal. Nikolaj explains how far hunting trophies go back in human history and how old oldest known Euro mount is. Show Notes Follow Nikolaj on Twitter @Nikolaj_Bi The Hunters’ Underground Podcast https://www.patreon.com/thehunterconservationistpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brought to you by Community Minded Alpine Toyota in Cranbrook, BC Sheep hunter Tom Leonard signed in at the Eaglenest Trail Head on September 11, 2005 before hiking into Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park in Northern British Columbia for a hunt of a lifetime. Tom never returned from this hunt. 16 years later no trace of Tom has been confirmed despite the searches. In this episode Mark and Curtis are joined by Tom’s wife Tammy. Tammy talks about Tom and his love of hunting and fishing, his love of his family and his excitement at being awarded a special hunting permit for Stone’s Sheep in Spatsizi. Tom trained and prepared for months leading up to his hunt as any backcountry wilderness hunter will appreciate. Tammy takes you through the chronology of events of all the searches for her husband. She discusses her gratitude for everyone, including strangers that have helped her family. Tammy also discusses what frustrated her with the authority-led searches and how it feels to be alone to carry on organizing searches herself. Tammy imparts some amazing thoughts on how you can prevent this happening to your family. The crew passes on some ideas and tips on how to conduct yourself so if you go missing you can be located quickly. This is a must listen episode as you will likely change how you hunt after listening to Tammy’s story. Please help the Leonard family by going to the links in the show notes. Show Notes Family video https://youtu.be/vOXqx51w9N0 Tammy’s Go Fund Me account to help pay for future family-organized searches https://www.gofundme.com/f/Help-Search-Rescue-end-16-year-search-for-Tom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark and Curtis are joined by their friend Ross Blake. Ross has lived in different countries and experienced very different cultures. Ross has a diverse perspective on hunting and conservation and is on route to becoming a hunter. Everything seems fckd up right now with the environment, conservation, and hunting including forest fires, climate change, anti-hunting petitions, environmental pollution and so on and so on. The guys dig into this topic and discuss what is stressing them out and how they cope with the avalanche of doomsday stories that hit their news feed every day. The guys discuss how they approach news stories, that on the surface might elicit a negative emotional reaction and where to focus your effort as a hunter. Concepts discussed include defining a personal sphere of concern, person sphere of impact, how far away from where you live should you be concerned about issues, what to give a fck about in life, what you can control, what you can’t change, the big picture outlook in conservation and whether you must believe every headline as being true. Sponsor: Heid Out Restaurant and Brewery Kootenay Fresh Local Legendary https://www.theheidout.ca/ Supporter: iHunter App iHunter lets you see which game seasons are open where you are or where you plan to go. Right on your mobile device. https://www.ihunterapp.com/ Get a 20% discount on iHunter using the PROMO CODE: THCPODCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mark is joined by Dr. Lee Foote and Matt Besko, a couple of wise guys. The gang talks in depth about COVID-19 in deer, CWD getting into cows and monkeys, coyotes biting people, crime sketches for coyotes, coyotes with personalities, massive poaching penalties, illicit sea cucumber trade, the illicit ivory trade, Canada considers trophy import ban, how big Africa really is, deer birth control rears its ugly head, bear attacks and tolerance to bears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by The Heid Out Restaurant and Brewery and supported by iHunter app. In this episode, Mark and Curtis are joined by Matt Besko and Dr. Lee Foote. Matt is the Director of Wildlife and Licensing for Alberta Environment and Parks and Lee is a retired professor from the University of Alberta. Matt and Lee delve into the deep nuances of hunting and cover everything under the sun including, being honest with why you hunt, mastering the skills, death, blood rituals, time-compression, flow experiences, out-of-body experiences, hunting as a means to make us better human beings, conservation vs preservation, human-wildlife conflict, primacy, carrying capacity, managing wildlife by the happiness quotient, social media, bringing in new hunters and the currency of hunting. Throw in some food, why having fun while you hunt is okay, mismatched bullets, Cabela’s vs the thrift store, and of course, why the food angle of hunting, while inspiring is wearing thin. Show Notes: Sponsor: HeidOut Restaurant and Brewery Kootenay Fresh Local Legendary https://www.theheidout.ca/ Supporter: iHunter App iHunter lets you see which game seasons are open where you are or where you plan to go. Right on your mobile device. https://www.ihunterapp.com/ Get a 20% discount on iHunter using the PROMO CODE: THCPODCAST The Veteran Hunters Program https://theveteranhunters.com An Alberta based non-profit chartable organization helping veterans and first responders with PTSD and injuries by providing hunt opportunities. Support, donate, and if you are a veteran or first responder – go to the website an apply for a hunt today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices