Connecting with Conservation

Go behind the scenes of West Virginia’s wildlife management with Paul Johansen, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, we explore how elk restoration, big-game management, and healthy forests are funded and sustained through hunting and fishing license dollars, fe...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Kyle Tengwall, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Strategy at Smith & Wesson. Kyle shares insights from more than 25 years in the shooting sports and outdoor industry, including his early days at Federal Ammunition, his time with Duck Commander at the height of Duck Dynasty, and his leader...

This episode of “Connecting with Conservation” features an in-depth conversation with Jason Lupardus, CEO of Turkeys for Tomorrow, alongside Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto from Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation. The hosts and guest discuss the challenges facing wild turkey populations across the southeastern United States. Jason shares personal stories...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto of the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation sit down with John Nelson, President of the USA Clay Target League, to explore one of America’s fastest-growing high school sports — competitive clay target shooting. Nelson shares how the league began around a Minnesota kitche...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto from Outdoor Stewards of Conservation sit down with Dr. Mark Ruder, Director of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) at the University of Georgia. They explore the science, history, and management implications of hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer a...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, Dr. Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and co-host Jim Curcuruto of Outdoor Stewards of Conservation travel (virtually) to the U.S. Virgin Islands to talk with Dr. Nicole Angeli, Director of the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife. Dr. Angeli shares her remarkable path from field researcher to leading wildlife conservatio...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with legendary angler Boyd Duckett, co-founder and CEO of Major League Fishing (MLF). Boyd shares how MLF is reshaping tournament fishing through innovation, conservation, and youth engagement — from high-school and college programs to real-time “catch, weigh, and release” technology that protects fish an...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Jeff Sterner, a lifelong outdoorsman and the Channel Sales Manager for Benelli USA, to talk about how one of the most trusted names in firearms fuels conservation across America. From the legendary Super Black Eagle to the innovative Lupo Rifle, Jeff shares the history, technology, and reliability th...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Gene Gilliland, National Conservation Director for B.A.S.S. Gene shares his journey from fisheries biologist to leading national bass conservation efforts and explains how Bassmaster balances the excitement of tournament fishing with the responsibility of fish care and habitat protection. The convers...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, co-hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Ben Martin, founder of the Hunt Regs app. Ben shares his journey from a self-taught angler in Indiana and Florida to discovering the world of public-land hunting in college—and the challenges that came with navigating complex and often confusing hunting regulations. The conversation dives deep int...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Rachel Crume of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to explore the world of blood tracking with dogs. Rachel shares her personal journey into hunting and how she became a passionate advocate for game recovery using tracking dogs. The conversation covers the ethics of responsible hunting, why tracking is essen...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto talk with Tom Decker, Branch Manager at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Conservation Investment about how excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing gear, and motorboat fuels generate more than $1 billion annually to fund fish and wildlife conservation across the country. Tom e...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Dan Cabela, Executive Director of the Cabela Family Foundation and host of Hard Truths of Conservation. Dan shares his journey growing up in the legendary Cabela family, the founding of the Cabela Family Foundation, and how his work has evolved into one of the most compelling conservation storytellin...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, co-hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto welcome Dan Wolgin, CEO of Ammunition Depot, for an eye-opening discussion on how legislation can directly impact conservation, the outdoor sporting community, and Second Amendment rights. Dan shares the unique origin story of Ammunition Depot—from a commodity hedge fund to a leading retailer—and unpacks how th...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Brandon Maddox, founder and CEO of Silencer Central—the largest silencer dealer in the United States. Brandon shares his unique journey from pharmacist to leading the suppressor industry, making the purchase process simple and accessible nationwide. We bust common myths about suppressors, explore the...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, we sit down with Matt Whitman, Vice President of Marketing for American Outdoor Products, to explore how outdoor brands connect with today’s consumers—and what that means for the future of conservation. Matt shares insight from years of experience leading marketing strategy for well-known outdoor gear and apparel companies, and how those brands posi...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Cucaruto sit down with Tony Wasley—former Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and current President and CEO of the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI). The conversation dives deep into the roots and evolution of North American conservation, the challenges of outdated funding models, the need for broader public eng...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Cucaruto welcome Josh Wilson, Executive Director of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH). Josh shares the powerful story behind this national ministry—founded by his father in 1997—and its mission to connect hunters with families in need through donated wild game. From humble beginnings in Maryland to impacting ove...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Cucaruto sit down with Tony Schoonen, CEO of the Boone and Crockett Club, America’s oldest wildlife conservation organization founded by Theodore Roosevelt. Tony takes us on a journey through the club’s storied history — from pioneering the National Forest Service and National Wildlife Refuge System to their renowned record...

Join us for this episode of Connecting with Conservation as we sit down with Todd Seyfert, President & CEO of Ruger and Marlin, to discuss how the largest firearms manufacturer in the U.S. contributes to state-based fish and wildlife conservation through excise taxes. Todd shares his personal journey from growing up hunting in Wisconsin to leading iconic American outdoor brands. We explore Rug...

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, we sit down with Chuck R, founder of Open Source Defense and a longtime tech industry leader from Google and Facebook. We explore how technology and cultural perspectives around firearms shape modern wildlife conservation funding. Chuck shares fascinating stories from taking over a thousand Silicon Valley colleagues to the range for their first expe...

Your public lands under management of the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are in the crosshairs of congress. Give a listen to what several conservation community leaders think about this misguided approach.

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Dustin Wallace, Director of Sales & Marketing at Faxon to explore the fascinating intersection between American manufacturing, innovation, and wildlife conservation funding. Dustin shares Faxon’s journey from a machining operation to one of the most respected barrel manufacturers in the country....

Enjoy plinking or are you more of a competition type? This week on Connecting with Conservation we talk with Scott Volquartsen, the owner and innovator of high-end accessories and upgrades for your favorite rimfire calibers. Give it a listen!

Did you know that Hornady is one of the largest U.S. based manufacturer of hunting products? Today on Connecting with Conservation we talk with Hornady's Marketing Communications Manager Seth Swerczek about their commitment to wildlife conservation funded thru the federal excise tax.