The Hunter Conservationist Podcast

North America's thinhorn sheep are in the middle of a quiet but crucial conservation story and the stakes reach far beyond the mountains. Bill Jex, Thinhorn Sheep Program Lead for the Wild Sheep Foundation, breaks down what is really happening across Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and the tiny places where these animals exist nowhere else on earth. From climate-driven population swings and rain-on-snow icing events to disease surveillance, predator pressure, and the future of sustainable harvest, this conversation gets into the details that matter if you care about sheep, wild country, or the future of North American wild sheep conservation. Brought to you by J Martin Taxidermy Want to become a supporter of this podcast? We'd love to have you on board. Join up here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/the-hunter-conservationist-podcast-supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark and Doug talk with Jason Lupardus, CEO of Turkeys for Tomorrow about the connection between trapping, predator management, and wild turkey conservation. Jason shares why turkey populations are declining in parts of North America, how predators like bobcats and raccoons affect nest success, and why habitat work alone may not be enough. The conversation also explores the role of trappers in helping restore balance on the landscape and why hunters and trappers need to work together to support sustainable wildlife management. Become a supporter of The Truth About Fur Podcast https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/truth-about-fur-podcast-supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Greg McClinchey, Director of legislative affairs and policies for the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, joins Mark and Curtis to explore the history, challenges, and triumphs of managing the Great Lakes ecosystem. Discover how international cooperation, scientific innovation, and proactive management have helped restore species like lake trout and control invasive species such as sea lamprey and invasive carp. Learn why prevention is better than cure and what individuals can do to support conservation efforts. If you enjoy the HC Podcast we would be honored if you considered supporting us: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/the-hunter-conservationist-podcast-supporter Brought to you by J Martin Taxidermy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Southern Alberta rancher went from the occasional grizzly loss over a decade to eight cattle killed in a month, a charged encounter on his own land, and neighbors seeing the same devastation. Mark talks with rancher Isaak Bustard for a raw, firsthand look at what conflict really feels like when it hits a working operation. Isaak explains how the attacks unfolded, why carcasses were so hard to find, and what happens when a bear keeps returning to the same fields. He breaks down the impact on his third generation ranch, what the kill sites revealed, and why this year feels completely out of character. Isaak also gets candid about range riding, electric fencing, shifting bear behavior, and trying to protect livestock while still respecting the landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Project Grizzly Balance Podcast, Mark sits down with a hunter from Alberta to share his firsthand experience participating in Alberta’s Grizzly Bear Responder Program. The hunter walks through how he got drawn, what the process looked like, and why he sees the hunt as both a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a practical response to ongoing livestock conflict. It’s an honest conversation about grizzly bear management, hunting ethics, and the value of using every part of the animal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Besko, Executive Director of Alberta's hunting branch, explains the intricacies of the province’s grizzly bear response guide. He explains that the guide is a nuanced decision-making matrix that balances wildlife conservation with human safety. Mark and Matt explore how Alberta manages human-bear interactions, the importance of context in wildlife decisions, and the deep philosophical considerations around coexistence and ethical wildlife management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Matt Besko, Executive Director of Alberta's hunting branch, explains the intricacies of the province’s grizzly bear response guide. He explains that the guide is a nuanced decision-making matrix that balances wildlife conservation with human safety. Mark and Matt explore how Alberta manages human-bear interactions, the importance of context in wildlife decisions, and the deep philosophical considerations around coexistence and ethical wildlife management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark and Doug discuss political engagement in the outdoor community, the expanding role of the Canadian Wildlife Conservation Partners, encouraging signs from recent fur auctions, and the potential impact of Etsy’s proposed fur ban on small makers and Indigenous artisans. They also share a broader message about why hunters, trappers, anglers, and wildlife advocates need to stay active in public policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kevin Estrada, guide and owner of Sturgeon Slayers shares how fishing and white sturgeon conservation are deeply connected in British Columbia. Kevin reveal the the science, the stories, and the real-world work behind protecting one of North America’s most iconic fish. This episode covers: • Why white sturgeon is such an important species • How catch-and-release fishing supports conservation • What tagging and monitoring reveal about the fish • Why juvenile sturgeon research matters • The role anglers play in funding conservation • The bigger conversation around habitat, harvest, and sustainability This episode shows that conservation is not just about protecting fish it’s about protecting the future of the river, the people who depend on it, and the stories that keep both alive. Brought to you by J Martin Taxidermy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s official … Matthew and Amanda Lynn are horrible people. Join us for this Campfire Special as we dive into all things hunting, bears, and ethics in an episode you won’t want to miss. Matt shares what inspired him to get into hunting and build Elite Bear Outfitters, while Amanda Lynn opens up about her experiences in the hunting world and life as That Hunting Girl. Learn More About Elite Bear Outfitters: https://nffa.ca/elite-bear-outfitters Follow Elite Bear Outfitters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DVmYHHEqa/?mibextid=wwXIfr Find Amanda: https://justhunt.ca Follow Amanda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gn9jjdHHM/?mibextid=wwXIfr Learn More About The Host: https://whywehunt.ca And Follow Jenn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Diy2NptGJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Or Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Diy2NptGJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Horrible People Podcast chats with people who live life “off the beaten path”. From hunters and homesteaders to outdoor adventurers and self-reliant thinkers, guests share their stories, experiences, and unique lifestyles during relaxed, open-minded conversations. The podcast challenges stereotypes, uncovers the truth about unconventional ways of living, and explores who the people labeled as "horrible" truly are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Brittany Semenoff shares a hard look at life on the ranch after a grizzly bear killed one of their first-calf heifers’ calves just a mile from home. Mark and Brittany discuss how predator pressure affects cattle, herd behavior, family life, and the emotional and financial toll of losing livestock, while also exploring the role of the BC livestock protection program and the need for practical predator management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore the complexities and challenges of conservation efforts in Manitoba, focusing on the Seal River Watershed Park proposal and Canada's 30 x 30 biodiversity initiative. Dennis Schindler from the Manitoba Wildlife Federation provides insight into stakeholder concerns, government actions, and the future of public land access across Canada. You Fuel the Mission. We Deliver the Impact https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/become-a-monthly-supporter-2 Brought to you by J Martin Taxidermy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's official: Greg is a Horrible Person. In this inspiring interview, Greg Traynor, known as the Accessible Hunter, shares his journey from a diving accident to becoming a passionate advocate for adaptive hunting. Discover practical tips, innovative equipment, and community support that empower hunters with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors. Meet Greg: https://www.instagram.com/accessiblehunter/ Meet Jenn, the host: https://www.instagram.com/whyjennhunts/ Horrible People Podcast chats with people who live life “off the beaten path”. From hunters and homesteaders to outdoor adventurers and self-reliant thinkers, guests share their stories, experiences, and unique lifestyles during relaxed, open-minded conversations. The podcast challenges stereotypes, uncovers the truth about unconventional ways of living, and explores who the people labeled as "horrible" truly are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the real keystone players are invisible, microscopic, and often overlooked? In this eye-opening episode, Mark deconstructs the narrative of large predators as the primary regulators of ecosystems. Using an ecological perspective, Mark reveals the species that hold the true power over habitat health, biodiversity, and resilience. You’ll discover that ecosystems are complex networks, not simple pyramid hierarchies, and that prioritizing charismatic megafauna might obscure the real drivers of ecological stability. In this episode Mark breaks down: the origins of the apex predator and keystone species concepts, why Yellowstone’s ecosystem hasn’t been the dramatic wilderness transformation it’s often made out to be and how scientific narratives are skewed by a mammal-centric bias. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the unexpected turn in Alberta's wildlife management as we delve into the reasons behind the withdrawal of a new hunting regulation. Uncover the powerful influence of community voices and the delicate balance between conservation goals and public sentiment. Matt Besko, Executive Director of the Hunting Branch of Alberta offers a transparent look into the decision-making process that shapes hunting opportunities and resource management. The conversation also covers harvest management goals, landowner concerns, the future of access and value of respectful feedback. Brought to you by J Martin Taxidermy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how British Columbia's innovative Livestock Protection Program balances wildlife conservation with the economic realities of livestock producers. Kevin Van Damme shares insights into the program’s success in reducing predator conflicts through strategic management, investigation, and prevention. BC Livestock Protection Program https://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/bcca-programs/livestock-protection-program.htm 24-hour hotline 1‐844‐852‐5788 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's official: Lyna is a Horrible Person. Lyna Rempel discusses her inspiring journey, hunting adventures and addressing misconceptions about food safety, environmental impact, and the importance of balancing pest control with crop yield. The conversation highlights the nuanced realities farmers face and the importance of understanding the full picture in agriculture. Horrible People Podcast chats with people who live life “off the beaten path”. From hunters and homesteaders to outdoor adventurers and self-reliant thinkers, guests share their stories, experiences, and unique lifestyles during relaxed, open-minded conversations. The podcast challenges stereotypes, uncovers the truth about unconventional ways of living, and explores who the people labeled as "horrible" truly are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are American duck hunters suddenly being restricted in Saskatchewan? In this episode, Rob Olson joins Mark and Curtis and lays out the growing controversy around Saskatchewan’s new restrictions on U.S. duck hunters — a move that’s sparking frustration in the flyways, raising questions about fairness, and reshaping decades of cross border hunting tradition. If you hunt the Central or Mississippi Flyways, or you care about how wildlife policy gets shaped behind the scenes, this episode matters. Brough to you by J Martin Taxidermy Help Fuel our Mission https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/become-a-monthly-supporter-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Northern Alberta’s moose are struggling, and the reasons aren’t as simple as you think. Bob Heyde joins us to unpack the data, the cultural context, and the community led efforts reshaping moose conservation. Learn how Indigenous partners, outfitters, and grassroots campaigns are protecting vulnerable cows and calves and why shifting harvest practices could change everything. If you care about wildlife, this episode shows how local action can drive real recovery. Brought to by The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder if your snow tires are more reliable than bear spray? In this episode, journalist Wes Siler joins Mark Hall to dig into the real science behind grizzly encounters, bear spray, and firearms and why much of what you’ve been told might put you at risk. Wes breaks down the myths, the misleading studies, and the hard truths about what works in bear country. From flawed success rate claims to the dangers of false confidence, this conversation exposes the misinformation shaping outdoor safety and offers practical, science backed strategies for hunters, hikers, and anyone living or working in bear country. If you’re ready to rethink your safety plan and challenge the narratives you’ve always heard hit play and get the facts that could save your life. Links: Wes Siler's Substack - https://wessiler.substack.com/ Instagram - https://instagram.com/wessiler Outside Magazine Article on Bear Defense Science - https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/does-bear-spray-work/ Gunsight Academy - https://gunsight.com Tactic MT - Surviving the Grizz Course - https://tacticmt.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices