Your Mountain

Dave and Nephi visit with Jon Zinnel, Federal Premium's Conservation and Youth Shooting Sports Director. They talk all things Federal, including: innovation in the ammunition industry, why you should care about the shooting sports, youth shooting programs, what makes up a wildlife agency budget, impediments to recruiting youth hunters, the need to invest in conversation, Jon's Mountain, and more. ...

Mike and Nephi break down the recent action to repeal the Waters of the United States regulation established during the Obama administration, but first give the historic context to understand what is going on. They take a dry subject and filter out the noise so you can be informed around the water cooler. Enjoy. 

In this episode, Dave and Mike want to hear from you! They quickly run through 10 current events in natural resource law and policy that you need to know. Then they ask you to let them know which ones deserve a dedicated episode. This is your chance to weigh in on the next several episodes of the podcast, so take a listen and then email your suggestions to yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com  or conn...

Dave and Mike visit with US Senate Budget Committee Chairman, Mike Enzi (R-WY). They discuss his decision to enter politics; his early career; the Interstate Transport Act of 2019; pack rafting in Yellowstone; the Land and Water Conservation Fund; the difference between the budget and appropriations; whether the President's budget matters; getting money to projects on the ground; how the public sh...

Matt Hoobler of Pathfinder Ranches continues his conversation with the guys that began in episode 0064. They pick up right were they left off, and dive right into the Wyoming moose hunt that Dave and Matt shared. Lots of lessons in this episode. They cover: treating wounds in the field, navigating in the dark without a headlamp, processing meat properly, moose introduction in Colorado, coyotes, an...

Matt Hoobler of Pathfinder Ranches joins the guys to talk about his business of sage grouse conservation banking. They discuss how conservation banks work, grazing benefitting habitat, youth hunting programs, Dave turning 40, pranks on friends, and a primer on an epic moose hunt. You won't want to miss this episode. 

National media headlines would lead one to believe that the Trump administration just significantly weakened the Endangered Species Act. Did they? They guys dissect the recent amendments to the implementing regulations, and lay out both the positives and negatives of the changes. They also get philosophical about partisanship, and Nephi dishes some compliments. So, is the sky falling? Are species...

Join Dave as he visits with Chris Tymeson - chief legal counsel for Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. They discuss the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, being a wildlife attorney, fishing for wipers, public private partnerships, and everything you want to know about Kansas wildlife.  

Dave and Nephi address the controversial appointment of attorney William Perry Pendley to the highest post at the BLM. Is there cause for alarm? Are public lands really in jeopardy of being sold to the highest bidder? They tackle these questions, discuss the legal framework of public lands and the process for disposition of federal lands. They also discuss the importance of understanding alternati...

Dave and Nephi wax philosophical with TV host, podcaster, author and self-guided public land hunting advocate Randy Newberg. Join the conversation about Randy's evolution from hunting as a kid to being a major public voice for conservation on public lands. From managing the land, to managing for species such as wolves and grizzly bears, this episode covers a lot of ground. Enjoy.  

The guys discuss a new grizzly bear lawsuit (not about Wyoming grizzlies); a bill in Congress that would forever prohibit grizzly bear hunting; and a bill that would ban the importation of many species of African wildlife into the United States. Dave also shares a story from his private legal practice, and Dave and Mike plan their fall deer hunt.  True edutainment in this episode! Listen and subsc...

Your Mountain sits down with John Burns, the "Godfather" of Long Range, former host on Sportsmen's Channel and Shooting Beyond Belief. Listen as we discuss legislation on the use of technology in hunting, Mountain Pursuit's 400/50 challenge, Boone and Crockett Club's position on Long Range Hunting, how an individual can find their own proverbial line in the sand, can you really buy your way in, an...

Dave and Nephi take a deep dive into the current status of wolves in the United States. They discuss: the new US Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to delist wolves nationwide; the legal definition of distinct population segments; hunting wolves; reintroducing wolves in Colorado; the value of state management; current wolf populations; and more. They leave a lot on the table too, so watch for futu...

What do Gerrymandering and Census citizenship questions have to do with decisions relating to land, water, and wildlife? The guys will break-down two recent US Supreme Court decisions, and discuss the nuances that could make their way into the natural resources arena. You also learn where the genesis of the term, "Gerrymandering"; a little about Mike and Dave's recent camping experience; and why N...

Jake McGuigan of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) joins the guys to talk NSSF and Sunday hunting laws, i.e. Blue Laws. Topics include: SHOT Show; the difference between NSSF and NRA; history of blue laws; a break down of the recent movement of a Sunday hunting bill in Pennsylvania; the policy reasons to support Sunday hunting; how to get involved; a tally of Nephi's verbal tick; and...

Several Montana sporting and conservation groups recently sued the Forest Service over a lack of access to Montana's Crazy Mountains. The guys go through some of the background of the issue, describe the legal concept of prescriptive easements, and provide an introduction to the arguments raised in the lawsuit. Stay tuned for more detail in future episodes. They also give an update on the Herrera...

The trio of Dave, Mike, and Nephi are all together in one spot to announce the winner of the gun giveaway. Plus the guys take time to relax and share the hunting tips they have acquired through time and experience (and tears for some). From Nephi's love of the best gear to Dave's frugal repurposing beyond just trash bags, to Mike's backpack full of individually separated, yet heavy stuff. The guys...

Dave and Mike get a bit wonky without Nephi around to keep them in check. They break down Botswana's recent decision to allow elephant hunting. Other topics include: hunting threatened species, applying the Endangered Species Act overseas, the fact that neither Mike nor Dave have been to Africa, whether U.S. citizens should rush to hunt Botswana, and a human dimensions comparison between elephants...

What do Pheasants/Quail Forever and Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN have in common? Turns out, a lot. Howard Vincent, CEO of Pheasants Forever, and Matt Carstens, Senior VP of Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN join the guys to visit about their new partnership. Using the innovative Truterra Insights Engine, farmers are increasing yields, profits, and then Pheasants Forever helps them improve wildlife habitat. How does th...

SUBSCRIBER? TECHNICAL GLITCH ON THIS EPISODE. DOWNLOAD AGAIN FOR THE CORRECTED VERSION. On May 20, 2019, the United States Supreme Court decided the Tribal treaty right case of Herrera v. Wyoming 5-4 in favor of the Crow Tribe. In doing so, the Court determined that 1868 language guaranteeing the Tribe a right to hunt on the "unoccupied lands of the United States so long as game persists" is valid...

Last week the United Nations released its summary of a report indicating that one million wildlife species around the globe are at risk of extinction--many in our lifetimes. Dave and Nephi will introduce you to the  report's findings, what the biggest threats to wildlife are, and whether there is anything we can do about it. Oh, and they touch on introduced federal legislation that would prohibit...

No Dave, no problem. Nephi and Mike breakdown the newly passed Target Practice & Marksmanship Training Support Act which will change how Pittman-Robertson Act dollars can be used to make improvements at shooting ranges. They also give a quick take on Google's decision not to run a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation ad because it promoted hunting (note: Google ultimately recanted). Finally, the guys...

Compensatory mitigation has been around for more than 35 years, but many people still don't know much about it. They should. What is is? How does it work? Why should you care? What are mitigation/conservation banks? What is an in-lieu fee program? Other types of mitigation? How to companies make money on mitigation? The guys tackle these questions and more. It's a little wonky, and we only scratch...

Bow Hunters Jess Johnson, Hanna Herold, and Codee Augustin join the guys to talk bow hunting. What were their barriers to entry? What was their experience buying a bow and learning to hunt? What made them become bow hunters? You'll learn about all of that, plus we discuss ethics of bow hunting, compound bows vs cross-bows, their mountains, and more. Take a listen - we guarantee you will learn some...

Ryan Bronson and Jon Zinnel of Federal Premium/Vista Outdoor and John Gale of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers join the guys to talk wildlife, hunting, conservation, and quite frankly a bunch of nonsense. Topics include, feral cats, lead ammunition, non-lead ammunition, turkey hunting, Recovering America's Wildlife Act, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Ryan's Teddy Roosevelt shirt, the ethics of t...