The Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Katie Grzesiak talk invasive species, and Ryan Wheeler pops in for a bit to talk about nutria, armadillo and the invasive species watch list.  Episode Hosts: Katie Grzesiak and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Stiltgrass Michigan.gov/EGLE Michigan.gov/MDARD Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CIS...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Melinda Cosgrove start off the show with a brief history of the wildlife disease laboratory. That's followed up with a chat about wildlife diseases affecting birds, before finally talking about wildlife diseases that affect mammals.  Episode Hosts: Melinda Cosgrove and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Shelby Adams start off the show with a discussion of the impacts to wildlife habitat from the 2025 ice storm. That's followed up with a chat about the northern shrike, before finally talking about Michigan elk and changes to hunting regulations this year.  Episode Hosts: Shelby Adams and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Fahimeh Baziari start off the show with some background on costal plain marshes. That's followed up with a chat about the spruce grouse, before finally flying into the world of the Indiana bat.  Episode Hosts: Fahimeh Baziari and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Costal plain marsh Allegan State Game Ar...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Caleb Eckloff start off the show with some background on commercial forest lands. That's followed up with a chat about the duck hunting regulations process. Finally, the show is wrapped up with some discussion about year two of the moose project.  Episode Hosts: Caleb Eckloff and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All thin...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host John Darling talk about water control structures at Harsens Island. That's followed up with a chat about the mallard duck, before diving into the world of the muskrat.  Episode Hosts: John Darling and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Harsens Island All things feathers Mallards Mississippi Flyway All th...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Ryan Soulard and Pat Brickel about a long habitat project wrapping up at Fish Point. We follow that up with a chat about the snow goose, before diving into the tiny world of the least shrew.  Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Fish Point State Wildlife Area All things feathers Snow go...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we have a lengthy conversation with Sara Thompson, Wildlife Division chief, and Keith Kintigh, Wildlife Division assistant chief, about where the division has been this year and where it is going in 2026. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Karner blue butterflies   All things feathers Wilson&apo...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Michael MacEachron about the work going on in southwest Michigan. We follow that up with a chat about the Wilson's snipe. Finally, we have a lengthy talk with Brent Rudolph about all things deer here in Michigan.  Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Karner blue butterflies All thi...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk briefly to Joe Presgrove about the Hunters Feeding Michigan program. We follow that up with a robust chat about Upper Peninsula black bears with Don Brown. Finally, we wrap things up talking about wood ducks and the striped skunk. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard Hunters Feeding Michigan All things habit...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, In this episode, we talk to Erin Victory about work being done to manage Kirtland’s warbler habitat. We follow that up with a discussion about blue-winged teal and the cap things off with a chat about the mighty, Michigan elk! Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Kirtland's warbler Brown-head...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Chris Hoving about how Michigan's wacky weather affects habitat and wildlife, fly away with a discussion about peregrine falcons, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about badgers. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Michigan State Game and Wildlife Areas Michigan's Wetlan...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Nate Levitte about habitat working going on in southeast Michigan, fly away with a discussion about the eastern common nighthawk, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about black bears. Turkey brood survey — Invasive species survey Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Michigan.gov/Wet...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Tony Henehan about habitat working going on in southwest Michigan, fly away with a discussion about the eastern wild turkey, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the humble muskrat. Licensed wildlife rehabilitator directory Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat State Wildlife Act...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Rachel Kanaziz about habitat working going on in southwest Michigan, fly away with a discussion about the eastern wild turkey, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the humble muskrat. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Michigan.gov/Invasives MISIN Hemlock wooly adelgid All thi...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Katie Grzesiak about invasive species and their impact on Michigan habitat, fly away with a discussion about the bufflehead, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat with Brian Roell about the cougar kittens recently spotted in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard Al...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Caleb Eckloff about habitat work happening in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, fly away with a discussion about the common raven, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat about Michigan moose. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Wildlife viewing All things feathers Common raven A...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Mike Kowalski about habitat work happening in Michigan's Northern Lower Peninsula, fly away with a discussion about black-capped chickadees, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the elusive bobcat. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Wildlife viewing Prescribed fire explai...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Olivia Triltsch about MUCC's on the ground program, fly away with a discussion about snow geese, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the coyote. TAKE THE LISTENER SURVEY Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat MUCC's  on the ground  calendar All things feathers Snow goos...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Pete Kailing about all things habitat in the Southwest Lower Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about the great horned owl, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat about Michigan short-tailed weasel.  Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Hemlock wooly adelg...

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Scott Eggeman about all things habitat in the Northern Lower Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about northern pintails, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat about Michigan deer and deer management.  Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Michigan.gov/elk...

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Terry McFadden about all things habitat in the Southeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan, fly away with eastern screech-owls as we talk all things feathers, and we discuss the odorous, striped skunk in our all things fur segment. Pete Kailing also chimes in with hunting and trapping opportunities during the month of October.  Episode Ho...

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk with Ashley Cole-Wick from Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) about the work they do for Michigan's rare species. Then, we fly away with a discussion about the trumpeter swan, and wrap up the episode with a chat about the northern long-eared bat. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities a...

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Heather Shaw and Tom Seablom about habitat work on GEMS in the Upper Peninsula, fly away with a discussion about the ruffed grouse, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the eastern and least chipmunk. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of Augus...

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Greg Hochstetler about turtle conservation work, fly away with a discussion about the ring-billed gull, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the Virginia opossum. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of July.  Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Er...