Your Mountain

Rescinding the Roadless Rule

Recently, the Secretary of Agriculture released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that proposes to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. This has some people celebrating, and others sounding alarm bells. The guys talk a bit about both sides of the debate, and explain how you can get involved. They also highlight the US Fish and Wildlife Service's new hunt/fish rule that opens more opportunities for hunting and fishing on National Wildlife Refuges. Reminder: our email address has changed. To get ahold of us, our new email address is yourmountainpodcast@gmail.com. Do not use our old email address anymore, we won't receive it.

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New Grizzly Bear Rule and a Monumental Reduction

The Federal government just proposed turning grizzly bear management over to Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho--without delisting. How is this possible? The guys discuss the proposed rule, and some of the history of the past 15 years that led to the proposal (Dave takes WAY too much credit!). Next, they discuss the recent Executive Order that shrinks the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah. They explain a little of the history, the pendulum swings, and why it's time to start thinking about durability, not dogma. Finally, they give a quick update on a rule that changes the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. Lots of meat in this episode. Want to share ideas, complain, praise, or just engage in a conversation. Reach out at our new email address yourmountainpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram or Facebook: @itsyourmountain.

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Senator Lee Strikes Again - Should You Panic?

The guys recorded this episode about 12 hours before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was set to consider an amendment to a potentially bipartisan bill from Sen. Mike Lee that would invalidate the 2001 Roadless Rule. Dave and Nephi discuss the implications (spoiler: the sky isn't falling, but it's not a great look). They also chat about a proposal to repeal the blanket 4(d) Rule (a wonky discussion that nearly put Nephi to sleep). They also share some stories from the trenches from their days working for former Wyoming Governor, Matt Mead. Reminder: new email address. If you want to reach the team, use yourmountainpodcast@gmail.com.

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Prospect of Banning Hunting In Oregon and New Hunting Opportunities on Wildlife Refuges

An effort to end hunting and fishing in Oregon is one step closer to making the ballot--the guys discuss. They also talk about the new Executive Order regarding travel management on public lands, proposed grazing regulation revisions on BLM lands, and the new Hunt/Fish Rule opening up more hunting opportunities on refuge lands across the country. And, they share the best new way to get ahold of them via their new email address: yourmountainpodcast@gmail.com

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Hunting Turkeys and the Farm Bill Passes the House

In a bleary eyed, late night recording, the guys talk about recent changes to what firearms can be used when turkey hunting in Wyoming that go into effect next spring. They also talk about conservation provisions in a Farm Bill that recently passed the US House. Other topics include: odds of the Farm Bill passing the Senate, risks of appropriating money without personnel to deliver it to projects on the ground, the recent withdrawal of controversial wildlife commission nominees in Colorado, and more. We also have a new email address. Be the first to send us an email at: yourmountainpodcast@gmail.com

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A Conversation with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers CEO Ryan "Cal" Callaghan

Dave and Nephi sit down with the new President and CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Ryan "Cal" Callaghan. In this wide ranging discussion taking place in Nephi's hotel room, the guys talk about the role of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) and its broad mission conserving and defending public lands. They also dive into topics such as accountability and advocacy, technology and fair chase, ballot initiatives and public opinion, conservation and stewardship, and membership organizations and community. Ryan also shares his Mountain. You won't want to miss this one.

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God Squad, Greyhounds, Boundary Waters, and a Soapbox

Dave and Nephi cover a series of current events in this episode. Topics include: (1) the recent decision to convene the "God Squad"; (2) what the "God Squad" is under the Endangered Species Act, and its history; (3) the Greyhound Protection Act, and what it meant for bird hunters; (4) the recent decision to overturn a mineral withdrawal near the Boundary Waters; (5) a soapbox/diatribe/frustration about our win-at-all-costs political environment; and more.

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Technology in Hunting, Ambler Road, and Some Politics

Dave and Nephi discuss: Idaho's technology in hunting regulations and the current legislative action on them; ethics around different types of technology in hunting; a lawsuit challenging the Ambler Road project in Alaska; whether certain conservation topics are big issues or not; the retirement of Sen. Daines and Rep. Zinke in MT; and more. Don't forget, you can watch us on YouTube now!

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Oregon Funds Conservation and a Colorado Controversy

In their first ever video podcast (visit the Your Mountain YouTube channel), Dave and Nephi dive into state actions around conservation. Topics include: Oregon's new 1.25% lodging tax for wildlife; How other states fund wildlife management; why we should stop saying "consumptive user" and "non-consumptive user"; Colorado moving forward with banning the sale of fur; Idaho debating prohibiting certain technology in hunting (we got the status of this one wrong, so feel free to fast forward and listen to a deeper, and more accurate dive in our next episode); and more.

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State Corner Crossing Legislative Efforts and Lesser Prairie Chickens

The guys discuss legislative efforts to decriminalize corner-crossing in Wyoming and Oregon. (Note: Wyoming's effort failed after this episode was recorded, but could come back in future years, and there's still a 10th Circuit of Appeals case saying it is and always has been legal). They also put their tin hats on to discuss the recent action by the FWS to remove lesser prairie chickens from Endangered Species Act protections and initiate an new review of whether or not they warrant listing.

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Boundary Waters and Ballot Initiatives

The US Senate is considering a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would cancel a 20 year mineral withdrawal in the Boundary Waters region of Northern Minnesota. Passing the resolution would remove one of the barriers to the development of a massive copper sulfide mine in the region. Dave and Nephi discuss. Also, the guys discuss a ballot initiative in Oregon that would criminalize hunting, fishing, ranching, and more.

A Cornucopia of Conservation with Swanny Evans of Pheasants Forever Quail Forever

Swanny Evans, state government affairs director for Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, joins the guys on a late night in late September (yes, just releasing now) to discuss conservation. Topics include: why there aren't quail in Wyoming, Swanny's deer capture research in Georgia and Pennsylvania, how to dart a deer safely, prairie dogs and black footed ferrets, strangest meat they've ever eaten, wild/feral horse management, how it's different to work on issues in different parts of the country, R3, the work of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, Swanny's mountain, and much more.

Public Lands Access: Helicopters, Corner Crossing, E-Bikes, and More

In this episode, Dave and Nephi dive into the creative ways people are accessing their public lands. Topics include: Dave's successful big game hunt; Nephi's slow start to the season; using the Congressional Review Act to overturn a barred owl management plan; an update on the corner crossing case; why you still shouldn't cross from state land to state land at corners; the use of helicopters to access public lands; are helicopter pilots dropping hunters on public land considered outfitters; use of ebikes for access; why just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should; whether it should be easy for everyone to access all public lands; how states could ban certain activities on public lands (i.e. hunting) without banning access; and more. This discussion gets more pointed than most, with lots of points and counterpoints. Give it a listen, and then send us your thoughts at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com.

Transferrable Landowner Hunting Licenses

Dave and Nephi may have recorded this episode in September, but it remains topical today. The guys discuss transferrable landowner hunting licenses. Topics include: the history of landowner licenses; the effect of transferrable tags in other states; the importance of landowners for habitat and wildlife; what transferrable tags can do to tag availability in the random draw, and so much more. Safe to say that Dave and Nephi aren't perfectly aligned on this one. Let us know who's side you are on by sending us an email at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com.

Disagreeing with Civility in Conservation

Dave did it again. We recorded this a month ago, and Dave is just getting it published. And, his excuses are worthless. In this episode, the guys talk about changes to implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the proposal to rescind the Public Lands Rule. Woven throughout is a discussion about the need for more durable outcomes for conservation, and why pendulum swings of the "my way or the highway" approach that both political parties use these days is bad for wildlife and conservation.

A Proposal to Rescind the Roadless Rule

In late August, the Administration published a proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule in most states across the United States, calling into question the legal status of more than 45 million acres of National Forest lands. Dave and Nephi provide a high level overview of the history of the Roadless Rule; activities it allows and disallows; the unique status of Colorado and Idaho; the importance of Roadless areas to wildlife; the importance of roads to firefighting; what the proposal actually does; how to provide comments; and whether there's a middle ground. Take a listen--like everything, there's some nuance.

Why We Need Hunters (and why you should care about the Congressional Review Act)

In this episode that the guys recorded a month ago and Dave forgot to publish, Dave and Nephi discuss a recent effort to use the Congressional Review Act to repeal three BLM Respurce Management Plans, and the unintended consequences of such action. They also discuss why hunters are so important to achieving positive conservation outcomes, why influencers can play an important role in achieving the goals, and why we need to keep recruiting new hunters into the ranks. At least, that's we we think we discussed--I mean--we recorded this a month ago.

The End of Sunday Hunting Bans in Pennsylvania with Steve Smith

The guys are joined by the Steve Smith, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, to discuss a new law that lifts the ban on hunting on Sundays in the state. Steve discusses the history of "blue laws", prior efforts to lift the Sunday hunting prohibition, the concerns of landowners and recreationistsand how they were addressed, how the agency will move forward with permitting Sunday hunting, how it will benefit hunters and wildlife, tresspassing in Pennsylvania, Dave and Nephi's different approaches to hunting antelope and elk, Steve's mountain, and so much more. It's not everyday that a several hundred year prohibition for hunters ends. It's worth celebrating! Tune in, and share this episode with your friends, family, colleagues, and enemies.

The Public Lands Sale Autopsy, Party 2: Where Should We Go From Here

In Part 2 of our reflection on Sen. Lee's attempt to sell millions of acres of public lands, we take a look forward. The guys discuss why the threat of sale isn't dead; why hunters must remain vigilent in defending public lands; and ideas for helping turn the temperature down on sales threats by identifying solutions to better manage public lands for the benefit of everyone. Have other ideas for turning the temperature down after listening to this episode? Let us know by sending us an email at yourmountain@itsyourmountain.com, or via Facebook or Instagram at the handle @itsyourmountain.

The Public Lands Sale Autopsy, Part 1: The History of Public Lands

As everyone knows, Sen. Lee's public land sales provision was pulled from the Reconciliation bill at the last moment, giving public lands champions a big win. However, this wasn't the first, nor will it be the last attempt to sell public lands. What led to this effort, and what can we do to quash it in the future? In a two part series, Dave and Nephi dive into those questions, and more. Part 1 focuses on the history of public lands, including the acquisition of lands, disposal of lands, conditions for admission of states to the Union, reserving lands for various purposes, ending homesteading, why we have so much public land in the west, and what sorts of events led to a desire to sell public lands. In Part II, the guys will discuss the future of public lands, and possible solutions to turn down the temperature.