Idaho Outfitters and Guides

This week we are sharing the most recent episode of, The Outfitter Brief, the AO/IOGA shared podcast. If you follow it you should follow that podcast. On this one, Erik Weiseth (IOGA) and Aaron Lieberman (America Outdoors Association) cover the major policy issues facing outfitters and guides, then sit down with Jessica Turner, President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, for a wide-ranging con...

In this episode, Erik and Jack cover a packed week of news before sitting down with Kristin Sleeper, Governor Little's new Policy Director. On the news front: Erik recaps a productive National Trails Day outing, Jack reports on Big Water Blowout in Riggins; the guys dig into a new legislative working group on state lands management led by Representative Raybold; and they break down the implication...

Erik and Jack cover a busy week — Erik returns from the IPW convention in Florida where he spent three days pitching Idaho's outdoor recreation opportunities (jet boat rides, rafting, backcountry horse trips, hunting) to international tour operators and travel agents. They hit the week's policy news: Steve Pierce's official BLM confirmation, $12M in USDA CWD funding, and a sobering stat that the F...

Erik and Jack kick off with river season updates before diving into policy news: the Public Lands Integrity Act, Jim Risch's support for the America the Beautiful Act's Legacy Restoration Fund reauthorization, the BLM's rescission of the Public Lands Rule, and Steve Pierce's impending BLM director confirmation. The main event is a deep-dive interview on a landmark development: the Salmon-Challis N...

In this week's episode, Erik Weiseth sits down with Shannon Walton, Executive Director of the Redside Foundation — the organization born from tragedy in 2010 that has grown into a trusted lifeline for guides across the American West. Shannon shares the origin story of Redside, her own winding path from professional guide to corporate executive to nonprofit leader, and the remarkable scope of what...

In the debut episode of The Outfitter Brief, hosts Erik Weiseth (Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association) and Aaron Lieberman (America Outdoors Association) sit down with Chief Tom Schultz, Chief of the United States Forest Service. It's a wide-ranging, candid conversation covering the Forest Service reorganization, forest health, wildland fire consolidation, and what it all means for outfitters,...

Erik and Jack recap a memorable Salmon Chapter banquet, run through the final stretch of Idaho's legislative session — including a last-minute bill kill, a wild ride on hunting tech rules, and a public lands win — then sit down with researcher and guide Carly Knudsen to talk burnout, resilience, and health access in the guiding profession. Show Notes: Show Notes Salmon Chapter Meeting & Banque...

In this information-packed episode, Erik Weiseth and Jack Hurty dive into the "unsexy but essential" work of advocating for Idaho’s outfitting industry. Erik shares insights from his recent trip to D.C. for "Camp Washington," including a surprising meeting with Senator Risch and updates on the ORG Act. Later, Jack previews a critical new economic report on the risks of public land transfers. The s...

This week on the IOGA Podcast, hosts  Erik Weiseth  and  Jack Hurty  dive into a dense legislative update from Washington, D.C., and Boise. The episode was supposed to feature an interview with  Liz Townley  of the U.S. Forest Service regarding the implementation of the  EXPLORE Act , but tech problems stopped that effort. The episode also includes critical updates on public land amendments and la...

In this "long-haul" episode of the IOGA Podcast, Executive Director  Erik Weiseth  and Policy Director  Jack Hurty  are joined by a familiar face:  Aaron Lieberman , Executive Director of  America Outdoors . The crew dives deep into the technicalities that affect your bottom line—from "ghost" executive orders appearing in BLM permits to the high-stakes battle over water flows in Hells Canyon. Whet...

Episode 3: Outfitter Day, Legislative Updates, and Protecting the Wilderness Experience In this episode, IOGA Executive Director  Erik Weiseth  and Policy Director  Jack Hurty  recap a busy week at the Idaho State House, including the annual "Lobby Day" and Wild Game Dinner. They provide critical updates on legislation affecting public lands, working animals, and wildlife crossings. The second hal...

In this week’s episode of the IOGA podcast, hosts Erik Weiseth and Jack Hurty break down the high-stakes legislative and federal issues currently facing Idaho’s outfitting and guiding industry. From "dueling" constitutional amendments at the State House to the potential "Pandora's Box" of Resource Management Plan (RMP) challenges, this episode covers the critical updates every member needs to know...

Episode one of IOGA's new podcast - Hopefully this helps you stay in touch with what is going on in the industry. This Episode Jack and Erik discuss: IOGA's recent trip to D.C. The start of the Idaho legislative session The hunt allocation working group and meetings with IDFG IDFG Commission Meeting Hells Canyon SEIS Upcoming event - Lobby Day - https://ioga.org/events/ioga-lobby-days Upcoming Eve...