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The Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast
Published by Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division
- Government
- Science
- Nature
The Wildtalk Podcast is a production of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. On the Wildtalk Podcast, representatives of the Wildlife Division chew the fat and shoot the scat about all things habitat, feathers, and fur. With insights, interviews, and listener questions answered on the air, you'll come away with a better picture of what's happening in the world of Michigan's wildlife. Thank you for listening.Email questions to: dnr-wildlife@michigan.govor call 517-284-9453
Listen on Apple PodcastsRecent episodes
- Fire, Carolina wrens, the gray fox and Rachel says farewell
In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Rachel and Eric talk fire with Jesse Lincoln. That's followed up with a discussion about the Carolina wren before we wrap things up chatting about the gray fox. Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat Prescribed fire Kirtland's warbler All things feathers Carolina wren Merlin app All things fur Gray fox Submit a gray fox observation Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Invasives, Invasives, Invasives
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 (CISMA) Midwest Invasive Species Network (MISIN) All things feathers Eastern Towhee All things fur Michigan Invasive Species Watchlist Nutria Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- All things wildlife disease
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 Wildlife disease laboratory All things feathers Wildlife Disease Manual Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza West Nile Virus Botulism Report diseased wildlife All things fur Rabies Public health directory for rabies testing Canine and feline distemper Bovine tuberculosis Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Ice storm, northern shrike and elk in "The Big Wild"
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 All things habitat 2025 Ice storm recovery All things feathers Northern shrike All things fur Michigan.gov/Elk Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Costal plain marshes, the spruce grouse, and the Indiana bat
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 Area Ross costal plain marsh preserve All things feathers Spruce grouse Ruffed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse All things fur Indiana bat White-nose syndrome Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Commercial forest lands, duck hunting regulations process and year two of the moose project
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 things habitat Commercial forest program All things feathers Michigan.gov/Waterfowl Mississippi Flyway All things fur Moose Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Harsens Island, mallards and muskrats
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 things fur Muskrats Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Wetland Wonders work, the snow goose and the least shrew
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 goose Snow goose ID sheet Michigan.gov/Waterfowl Wetland Wonders eBird All things fur North American Least shrew Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- 2025: a year in review with the chief and assistant chief of the Wildlife Division.
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's snipe All things fur Michigan.gov/Deer Report your harvest Disease and testing info Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Southwest habit, the Wilson's snipe, and firearm deer season
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 things feathers Wilson's snipe All things fur Michigan.gov/Deer Report your harvest Disease and testing info Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Hunters feeding Michigan, UP bears, wood ducks and skunks
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 habitat Michigan.gov/Bears All things feathers Wood ducks Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders All things fur Striped skunk Nuisance wildlife information Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Kirtland's warblers, blue-winged teal, and the mighty Michigan elk
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-headed cowbird Donate to nongame fund All things feathers Blue-winged teal Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders All things fur American Elk Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Wacky weather habitat impacts, peregrine falcons and badgers
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 Wetland Wonders Dams Bat roosting survey info All things feathers Peregrine falcon All things fur American badger Michigan.gov/Trapping Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Nighthawks, black bears and southeast habitat work
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/WetlandWonders Nuisance wildlife information All things feathers Common nighthawks All things fur Black bears Nuisance wildlife information Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Rare species, blue birds and the bat man
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 Action Plan iNaturalist Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival All things feathers Bluebirds All things fur Michigan.gov/Bats Bat roosting survey info Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Southwest habitat work, turkeys and the muskrat
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 things feathers Michigan.gov/Turkey Eastern Wild Turkey All things fur Michigan.gov/Trapping Muskrat Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Cougar kittens, invasive species, and the bufflehead.
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 All things habitat Michigan.gov/Invasives MISIN Lesser Celandine All things feathers Bufflehead Spring birding tour at Nayanquing Point Spring birding tour at Portage Marsh All things fur Michigan.gov/Cougar Cougar dashboard Cougar kitten press release Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- UP habitat work, ravens and the Michigan moose
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 All things fur Moose Moose capture project news report Michigan moose lift (video) Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- Bobcats, black caps and Northern Michigan habitat
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 explained All things feathers Black-capped chickadee Avian influenza All things fur Bobcat Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .
- MUCC on the ground, snow geese and the coyote
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 goose Winter waterfowl identification webinar All things fur Coyote Video: coyote and badger Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov .