Épisodes

  • Episode 59 - Inside the Real Yellowstone debate shaping Western wildlife management

    Episode 59 - Inside the Real Yellowstone debate shaping Western wildlife management
    Nov 14 2025
    A groundbreaking new film exposes the real fight shaping America’s wild places—and every hunter should hear this. In this feature edition of The Sportsmen’s Voice, Fred Bird sits down with filmmaker and conservation advocate Tom Opre to break down The Real Yellowstone—a revealing new documentary that dives straight into the conflicts shaping modern wildlife management, ranching, predator recovery, and the future of hunting access across the American West. Tom unpacks the tension between rewilding movements, regenerative ranching, and the long-standing North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Listeners get an insider look at how producers, ranchers, and wildlife managers navigate issues like elk distribution, water resources, fair chase, and the booming presence of apex predators. Along the way, Tom explains how private land stewardship, rotational grazing, and habitat-first ranching practices are creating healthier grasslands that benefit both cattle and wildlife—from upland birds to pronghorn and other big game. The conversation also digs into the rise of American Prairie, bison restoration controversies, and the delicate balance between national food security, public access, and the cultural identity of rural communities. From grizzly bear conflicts to the economics of outfitting, shed hunting seasons, property taxes, and hunter opportunity, this episode pulls no punches. Whether you’re passionate about elk hunting, land management, big-picture conservation policy, or the future of hunting in the Lower 48, this conversation gives you the informed perspective most sportsmen never hear. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 min
  • TSV Roundup Week of November 10th, 2025

    TSV Roundup Week of November 10th, 2025
    Nov 13 2025
    From California’s new firearm restrictions to reef fish recovery and deer disease alerts—this week’s roundup covers it all. Host Fred Bird breaks down the latest hunting, fishing, and conservation headlines shaping the outdoor community. Broadcasting from deer camp in New Hampshire, Fred covers California’s controversial Assembly Bill 1127, what many are calling a backdoor striker-fired handgun ban, and how it could jeopardize both firearm access and conservation funding nationwide. Then, in better news for anglers, the Gulf Council has voted to permanently implement Descend Act measures. Fred explains how descending devices and venting tools are helping to reduce barotrauma in deep-water reef fish, leading to healthier fisheries and more sustainable recreational fishing opportunities across the Gulf of Mexico. Rounding out the episode, Fred shares important updates on the menhaden harvest buffer rollback in Louisiana and CWD testing reminders across the Great Plains. Hunters will learn where testing is available, what new regulations to watch, and how staying informed helps protect deer herds for future seasons. Whether you’re tracking policy, chasing rutting whitetails, or tuning up your reef rig, this is your inside look at the week in conservation and outdoor legislation. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 min
  • TSV Roundup Week of November 3rd, 2025

    TSV Roundup Week of November 3rd, 2025
    Nov 5 2025
    From striped bass policy to black bear hunting, Fred Bird breaks down this week’s biggest wins for America’s sportsmen. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte officially joins the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus, continuing the state’s long tradition of leadership in defending hunting and angling heritage. Fred also spotlights CSF’s new Rocky Mountain States Coordinator, Nate Serlin, and his role working with the Legislative Sportsmen's Caucuses in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. On the fisheries front, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission decides to maintain striped bass regulations, averting unnecessary closures for thousands of saltwater anglers. Down south, Florida’s outdoor community celebrates major conservation wins, from saving the Rodman Reservoir bass fishery to reinstating a science-based black bear hunt. Fred also covers how the U.S. Senate voted to uphold science-based wildlife management, defeating an anti-hunting proposal targeting owl conservation, and explains why access without habitat is meaningless for hunters and trappers nationwide. If you care about how policy affects the woods, waters, and wildlife you love, this is your weekly must-listen briefing from the front lines of conservation. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 min
  • Episode 58 - Empowering Women in the Field: Inside the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Inaugural Hunt

    Episode 58 - Empowering Women in the Field: Inside the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s Inaugural Hunt
    Oct 30 2025
    Discover how mentorship, confidence, and camaraderie are redefining what it means to be a woman in hunting. Fred and a panel of women hunters reviews the inaugural women’s hunt organized by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, a groundbreaking event bringing together women from all walks of life to experience the outdoors in a supportive, mentorship-driven setting. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or curious about getting started, this conversation offers a rare look at how female-led hunting programs are changing the landscape of outdoor sports. Hear firsthand stories of women stepping behind the trigger for the first time, overcoming the intimidation of a male-dominated space, and finding empowerment through shared experiences in the field. The discussion unpacks everything from big game hunting fundamentals to the emotional side of the chase reminding listeners that the heart of hunting is connection: with the land, with wildlife, and with one another. You’ll also learn how these initiatives are building confidence, fostering lifelong friendships, and driving wildlife conservation through education and advocacy. The guests reveal why programs like this are vital for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and how mentorship remains the key to keeping our hunting heritage alive. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from leaders shaping the future of the outdoors. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 28 min
  • TSV Roundup Week of October 27, 2025

    TSV Roundup Week of October 27, 2025
    Oct 29 2025
    How smart policy can secure additional investments from America’s original conservationists. The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup this week dives into one of the most important (and overlooked) aspects of wildlife conservation: how we fund it. Bob Matthews joins the show to break down Michigan Senate Bills 276 and 277, a pair of measures aimed at securing long-term conservation funding through smarter hunting license and tag fee structures. Matthews explains how these bills would both generate additional conservation funding and modernize the state’s reimbursement framework, ensuring the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can continue managing wildlife, habitats, and public lands effectively. From license reforms to senior discounts, the conversation pulls back the curtain on how small policy details can make or break conservation success. Then, Fred shifts the focus to the Southeast, where outdated Sunday hunting restrictions still keep thousands of outdoorsmen out of the woods and cost critical dollars for habitat work. Together, the team unpacks the tension between access, tradition, and modern conservation funding, challenging listeners to rethink who really pays to protect the outdoors we all enjoy. Whether you hunt, fish, or just care about wild places, this episode offers a candid look at the policies shaping our shared future outdoors. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 min
  • TSV Roundup Week of October 20, 2025

    TSV Roundup Week of October 20, 2025
    Oct 22 2025
    From pheasant season updates to Montana’s new habitat protections—this week’s roundup covers the biggest moves shaping America’s hunting and fishing future. This week on The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup, the crew digs into the most important conservation and policy headlines impacting hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts nationwide. With Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joining the Sportsmen’s Caucus, the growing momentum behind legislative support for outdoor traditions takes center stage. You’ll get the latest on recreational fishing policy updates that could affect how and where you cast next season, plus new insights into pheasant hunting opportunities and access across the Midwest. The conversation also breaks down key actions from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, including wildlife disease management strategies, drought mitigation efforts, and how conservation easements are being used to protect both habitat and public hunting access. Listeners will walk away with a stronger understanding of how legislation, conservation groups, and state agencies are shaping the future of waterfowl hunting, big game management, and fisheries conservation. It’s a boots-on-the-ground look at how policy decisions ripple across the fields, forests, and waterways that define the American outdoors. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 min
  • Episode 57 - Inside Trappers College: Mentorship, Wildlife Management, and the Future of Modern Trapping

    Episode 57 - Inside Trappers College: Mentorship, Wildlife Management, and the Future of Modern Trapping
    Oct 19 2025
    Discover how America’s top trapping school is shaping the next generation of wildlife managers and conservationists. Few people outside the trapping world understand just how much science, skill, and stewardship go into the craft. In this episode, Fred Bird and Charlie Masheck, FTA College Instructor and owner of Hoosier Trapping Supply, take listeners deep inside Trappers College, exploring how its curriculum, mentorship programs, and field instruction prepare students to become leaders in wildlife conservation and furbearer management. From understanding coyote population dynamics to learning diverse trapping techniques from expert instructors, this isn’t just about setting traps—it’s about managing ecosystems responsibly. But first, Fred sits down with Cristina Jones, business executive for Fur Takers of America and assistant director of Trappers College. She shares how the college’s partnership with Purdue University brings credibility and structure to the nation’s premier trapping education program. Together, they unpack how professionalism and public outreach are reshaping the image of trappers in conservation policy circles and how mentorship plays a vital role in carrying the heritage of trapping forward. If you’ve ever wanted an insider’s look at the balance between fieldcraft, education, and advocacy in the outdoors, this episode delivers it straight from the source. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 3 min
  • TSV Roundup Week of October 13, 2025

    TSV Roundup Week of October 13, 2025
    Oct 17 2025
    From black bears to marine fisheries, this week’s stories reveal how science — and sportsmen and women — drive conservation. In this episode of The Sportsmen’s Voice Roundup, we dive deep into how hunters, anglers, and policymakers are shaping the future of wildlife conservation across the country. From black bear hunting seasons fueling conservation funding to new legislation safeguarding marine fisheries habitat, this episode unpacks how science-based management is the foundation of America’s outdoor legacy. You’ll hear how Missouri is inviting public input on deer management strategies, why drought is challenging furbearers and trappers in New England, and how game managers in Hawaii are using data-driven solutions utilizing hunters to restore ecosystem balance. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or a newcomer passionate about conserving wildlife and wild places, this episode delivers a grounded look at the policies, programs, and people securing the future of hunting, fishing, and wildlife management in America. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen’s Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min