Best David Willms Podcasts (2025)

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The Peculiar Life and Times of Wildlife Officers with Wayne Saunders and John Nores of Warden’s Watch 1:29:30

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2y ago1:29:30

1:29:30

Aaron and Bill sit down with John Nores and Wayne Saunders, retired game wardens and co-hosts of the Warden’s Watch podcast. We hear crazy stories from the line of duty ranging from the time Wayne was shot and his badge saved his life to John’s many years of taking on drug cartels running illegal marijuana growing operations in California. We talk …

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The BLM’s Public Lands Rule with Bailey Brennan and David Willms 54:47

2y ago54:47

54:47

Aaron and Bill chat with Bailey and David about the newly proposed “Public Lands Rule”, which will determine future management of Bureau of Land Management lands. We offer BLM history, why the BLM decided to propose the rule, what the rule is designed to do and how it can help fish, wildlife, and hunting and fishing opportunities. Also, sometimes c…

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Mouthful of Feathers with Tom Reed and Greg McReynolds 1:05:30

2+ y ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Aaron and Bill chat with long time authors Tom Reed and Greg McReynolds about the release of their new book, Mouthful of Feathers. The book is the result of years of compiling pieces from some of the most provocative upland bird hunting writers from across the country who have contributed to the blog of the same name. We talk love of dogs, love of …

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AFIELD: Archery Lessons with Moving Targets 9:10

2+ y ago9:10

9:10

In a world where everyone has a podcast, we are excited to offer you something different. Join NWF Outdoors & Artemis Sportswomen for our short form story telling series called “Afield”. These episodes are recorded on the river, in the forest, on the mountain and everywhere in between! Some of the best stories are shared while hunting and fishing. …

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Dogging Poachers… and Helping Hunters 1:12:56

2+ y ago1:12:56

1:12:56

Stories about growing up in a hunting family are always great to hear, and when they begin with “My father didn’t let me being a girl change how he raised me,” you know it’s going to be fun. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Amy Snider grew up hunting and fishing in East Tennessee and was about as immersed in the sporting culture of the reg…

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The Evolution Away from Lead While Hunting and Fishing with Bryan Bedrosian, Chris Parish, Leland Brown 1:08:27

2+ y ago1:08:27

1:08:27

Aaron Kindle sits down with the founders of Sporting Lead Free and the North American Non-Lead Partnership while they were together for a meeting of the key players working to reduce lead on the landscape from hunting and fishing activities. We discuss why we decided to convene at this time with the greatest minds on non-lead hunting and fishing, w…

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Living for Ducks and Turkeys with Dr. Bradley Cohen 1:08:32

2+ y ago1:08:32

1:08:32

New York isn’t exactly the place the average American thinks of when the topic of raising a sportsman is discussed, but hunting and fishing in northern New York inspired a lifelong love of hunting and angling in Brad Cohen so strong he has made studying several species his life’s work…with a little hunting thrown in. In this episode, we discuss the…

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AFIELD: Muzzleloader Spot & Stalk 15:16

2+ y ago15:16

15:16

In a world where everyone has a podcast, we are excited to offer you something different. Join NWF Outdoors & Artemis Sportswomen for our short form story telling series called “Afield”. These episodes are recorded on the river, in the forest, on the mountain and everywhere in between! Some of the best stories are shared while hunting and fishing. …

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Historic Access Decision in New Mexico Today (2/27/23)! 13:26

2+ y ago13:26

13:26

Jesse Deubel, Executive Director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation joins Aaron Kindle for short discussion following today’s (2/27/23) historic decision where the United States Supreme Court declined to review the New Mexico Supreme Court’s ruling from last fall that affirmed the right of New Mexicans to walk or wade on the streambeds of water …

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Baby Back Elk: AFIELD 9:49

2+ y ago9:49

9:49

In a world where everyone has a podcast, we are excited to offer you something different. Join NWF Outdoors & Artemis Sportswomen for the world premiere of a new short form story telling series called “Afield”. These episodes are recorded on the river, in the forest, on the mountain and everywhere in between! Some of the best stories are shared whi…

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A Little Help from our Friends 35:42

2+ y ago35:42

35:42

NWF Outdoors sends you off into 2023 with some help from our friends, listeners, and colleagues. They share their favorite outdoor memories from 2022 and some even share their favorite NWF Outdoors podcast episode. Enjoy these fun short stories from around the country and we’ll see you in 2023! Show notes: Show Notes: 1:30 - Leanne Chadwick shares …

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2022 is a Wrap! What we learned and where we’re going. 49:58

3y ago49:58

49:58

Bill and Aaron take some time to ponder the year, look back on interesting guests and topics, and look to 2023 changes for the podcast, exciting new products, and how listeners can help. Aaron also chats quickly with Ashley Chance about CWD and what progress has been made since the release of the CWD Chronicles. Show notes (and links): 0:52 – “We’v…

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Duck Nuts and “The Grand Passage” with Chris Nicolai of Delta Waterfowl 1:03:55

3y ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Chris Nicolai is a certified “duck nut,” but he’s also a waterfowl scientist with a PhD and leads the waterfowl research program with Delta Waterfowl. For this episode, Aaron and Bill to talk duck and goose hunting just as a major front is hitting North America and sending a huge wave of waterfowl south. In addition to waterfowl hunting and this ye…

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Outdoors Swagger with Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro 1:16:25

3y ago1:16:25

1:16:25

Bill and Aaron welcome Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro to talk all things outdoors, Rue’s recent journey back into hunting and her new book – Nature Swagger. We hear about Rue’s early life and how her father, in particular, shaped her connection with the outdoors and how that led her to found Outdoors Afro. We also talk about Black Herita…

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Transboundary Trouble with Mitch Friedman of Conservation Northwest and Jarred Erickson, Chairman of the Colville Business Council for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. 1:09:02

3y ago1:09:02

1:09:02

Aaron and Bill sit down with Mitch and Jarred, two experts from the great Northwest, to discuss transboundary mining issues. Numerous mines, and one in particular, in British Columbia threaten people, watersheds, and wildlife in Northwest states, including years of salmon recovery and restoration. We discuss the Copper Mountain mine, the potential …

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Getting Uncomfortable with Chad Hoover 1:32:59

3y ago1:32:59

1:32:59

After tons of travel and scheduling conflicts, Aaron and Bill are together again and joined by the world’s biggest promoter of kayak fishing! Retired Naval officer, kayak fishing pioneer, author and television show host Chad Hoover has a lot of experience and a lot to say. From what it was like being a young naval officer on September 11 to startin…

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From the Field: Commercial fishing off the coast of Sitka, Alaska with Robby Bruce. 17:36

3y ago17:36

17:36

We are excited to launch a short form story telling series on the NWF Outdoors podcast! We invite you to enjoy the premiere of our “From the Field” series with an episode recorded on board a 90’ wooden fishing vessel off the coast of Sitka, Alaska. For this episode, Aaron and Mandela joined the crew of the “North Wind” for a beautiful morning in th…

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On Location in Southeast Alaska with the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council 40:28

3y ago40:28

40:28

Join us for this fun pilot episode of our new “From the Field” podcast series we are beginning to explore. For the past week, our sporting team has been traveling around Southeast Alaska recording interviews with hunters and anglers regarding the endless opportunities and abundance of the region. During this episode, Aaron and Mandela sit on the ed…

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Good News for Duck Hunters with Dr. Mike Brasher of Ducks Unlimited 1:16:15

3y ago1:16:15

1:16:15

It’s late July, and much of the country is in the midst of a heat wave, but Aaron and Bill are back talking ducks with Dr. Mike Brasher from Ducks Unlimited. Waterfowl are both a vocation and advocation for Mike as he’s spent his career studying and his free time hunting them. For the last two years, COVID protocols in Canada have prevented the U.S…

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The Return Act: An Ominous Attempt to Gut Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson 1:05:30

3y ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Aaron and Bill sit down with David Willms and Mike Butler to discuss the recently introduced the RETURN Act and how it would dismantle the world’s most successful conservation program and begin a cascade effect that would set back America conservation in myriad ways. We walk through a refresher on the Pittman-Robertson Act – what it is, how it work…

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Crispin Powley talks Bass Fishing, Conservation and a Look to the Future. 1:17:18

3y ago1:17:18

1:17:18

Aaron and Bill sit down with lifelong hunter and professional angler Crispin Powley. Crispin is a husband and father who spends hundreds of days afield each year and has hunted waterfowl in 30 states and three countries. He also runs an outdoors ministry at his local church. Show notes: 3:44 – Bill shares a little background on Crispin and how they…

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20 years of Protecting Bristol Bay and the best Salmon Runs on Earth with Brian Kraft of Alaska Sportsmen’s Lodge 1:08:16

3y ago1:08:16

1:08:16

Aaron and Bill sit down with the 2021 Orvis Conservationists of the Year, owner of Alaska Sportsmen’s Lodge, and renowned Bristol Bay conservationist Brian Kraft. Brian has spent nearly 20 years working to stop the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay from ever becoming a reality. The EPA recently announced another comment period regarding prohibiting discha…

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Catching Fish Changes Lives with Steve Bowman 1:10:38

3+ y ago1:10:38

1:10:38

If you love bass fishing, this is the episode for you. Our guest today is Steve Bowman, and when it comes to bass fishing, conservation and tournament angling, he’s definitely the guy you want to hear from. From being a member of The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame to his work as manager of Bassmaster.com tournament coverage and BASS Manager of Angler Re…

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Dreams Differ. Parents often dream a certain future for their children, but Jake had the courage to find his own way. 1:07:35

3+ y ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Jake Latendresse may be the most well-known sportsmen you’ve never heard of. He’s one of the nation’s finest hunter/angler videographers and has produced content for some of the biggest companies and organizations in the world. You see his work on Bassmaster every weekend and on videos and television shows from myriad entities, and it’s there becau…

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Here’s Jimbo! Waterfowl Season Wrap-up, Turkeys for Tomorrow and a Surprise Announcement. 1:05:20

3+ y ago1:05:20

1:05:20

After a month of tech issues and time conflicts, Aaron and Bill finally get together with Jim Ronquest of RNTV. Jimbo outlines his 21/22 duck season experiences from both home and on the road filming the show before moving to the timely topic of turkeys. After decades of population growth, many regions are experiencing declines, and we learn how Tu…

1
The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act with Representative Ron Kind 37:23

3+ y ago37:23

37:23

In this episode Aaron and Ashley talk with Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin. Representative Kind discusses how he came to understand the weight of CWD and eventually become a champion for it in Washington D.C. We cover what the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act is, it’s current status, how it could impact states’ ability to ma…

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Migrating towards Landscape Connectivity with Casey Stemler of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service 1:08:47

3+ y ago1:08:47

1:08:47

Aaron and Bill have an interesting chat with Casey Stemler, the lead for Secretarial Order 3362. S.O. 3362 was issued during the Trump Administration but continues to this day. It is aimed and conserving and resourcing big game migration corridors. It has already helped infused millions of dollars into migration areas and connectivity projects. We …

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A state agency perspective on CWD with Dr. Kelly Straka of the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources 1:07:25

3+ y ago1:07:25

1:07:25

Aaron and Ashley talk interstate borders, barriers to management, and the financial and emotional toll that CWD can take on state wildlife agencies. Kelly speaks poignantly on the issue of chronic wasting disease and offers a unique perspective informed by her background as a wildlife veterinarian and manager of an entire state wildlife section. We…

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A Deeply Rooted Land Legacy with Alex Harvey of Legacy Land Management 1:03:48

3+ y ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Aaron and Bill sit down with forester, sportsman, and conservationist Alex Harvey to discuss a life rooted to the outdoors, hunting, and land management and restoration. We cover Alex’s family roots and hunting traditions while he helps us understand and unpack several historical and social contexts regarding Southern African American sporting trad…

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How Hunters are Impacted by CWD and Actions They can Take. 55:42

3+ y ago55:42

55:42

Ashley and Aaron talk with Kip Adams about how hunting traditions can impact chronic wasting disease. Kip is the Chief Conservation Officer for the National Deer Association and very well-versed in both the science and culture of deer hunting. He lends a unique and optimistic perspective on what sportswomen and men can do to in their backyards and …

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Conserving and Restoring the Best of the West with Bob Budd, director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund 58:49

3+ y ago58:49

58:49

Aaron and Bill host Bob Budd to wax on the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which utilizes a unique model to conduct habitat and restoration projects across Wyoming. These projects help restore and enhance the lands and waters that sportsmen and women from Wyoming and across the country have the privilege to enjoy. The Wyoming sta…

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Captive Cervids and their Contribution to CWD 1:16:41

3+ y ago1:16:41

1:16:41

Ashley and Aaron sit down with Dr. Colin Gillin to talk about the captive cervid industry and how it’s stymied efforts to control CWD. Colin is the State Wildlife Veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and takes us on a deep dive into how cervid farms work and how they need to change in order for us to make headway in the fight…

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Bill and Aaron BS’n, where is Ronquest? 31:09

3+ y ago31:09

31:09

Bill and Aaron wax poetic on a few subjects after a few failures to get the famous Jim Ronquest connected (we’ll get him back soon). We talk end of duck season, getting outside, preview the Ronquest episode, and point to some current events in conservation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Commencing the CWD Chronicles: An overview of the disease & the Issues we’ll cover for this series. 1:32:50

3+ y ago1:32:50

1:32:50

Matt Dunfee is a career CWD expert and in this episode he walks us through everything from the discovery of the disease to how its affecting deer populations today. Along with a deep dive into the biology of CWD, we talk about the responsibility that hunters have and the fears they face around CWD. Join us for this incredible primer on what’s happe…

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CWD Chronicles Teaser 11:45

3+ y ago11:45

11:45

Welcome to the Chronic Wasting Disease Chronicles, brought to you by NWF Outdoors and Artemis. Chronic Wasting Disease is an always fatal and definitely complex neurological disease afflicting cervids across North America and beyond. More than 50 years after its discovery, the impacts of this disease are ramping up quickly while hunters are having …

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Back to the Earth with Ron Rohrbaugh 1:09:09

3+ y ago1:09:09

1:09:09

Aaron and Bill sit down with renowned archery author and traditional bow craftsman, Ron Rohrbaugh. We discuss conservation, archery, getting young people outdoors and his two recent books, A Traditional Bowhunter’s Path and Echo: Living Wild with the Orions. Ron also reads an excerpt from Echo, discusses the visceral and intimate act of hunting at …

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Goin’ like the Devil with Warren Coco, Owner and Founder of Go-Devil Manufacturing and Renowned Delta Conservationist 1:17:52

3+ y ago1:17:52

1:17:52

Aaron and Bill have a chat with renowned entrepreneur, duckman, and conservationist, Warren Coco. "Coco’s" inventing the GO-DEVIL Longtail motor in the 1970s changed duck hunting forever, but he didn’t stop there and continued innovating longtails, surface drives, and boat designs. In the 80s he collaborated with Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty on w…

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Covering the Outdoors with Lisa Ballard 1:03:31

3+ y ago1:03:31

1:03:31

Aaron and Bill sit down with renowned outdoor media personality, Lisa Ballard. Lisa is a professional skier, hunter, angler, outdoor writer, Emmy-winning TV producer, and two-time Ruger North American sporting clays champion who has traveled the world skiing, hunting, fishing, and covering the outdoors. We cover her career, the unique opportunities…

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The Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame with Garry Mason 1:05:25

3+ y ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Host Aaron Kindle and co-host, Bill Cooksey, spend an hour with Garry Mason, Founder of The Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame, professional fishing and wing shooting guide, and collegiate bass coach at Bethel University. We start with his beginnings in the outdoor industry, talk about hunters and angler leaders, the H.O.F. and how awesome it is …

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The Steelhead Predicament with Greg Fitz of the Wild Steelhead Coalition 1:07:22

4y ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Host Aaron Kindle and our new co-host, Bill Cooksey, sit down with Greg Fitz, communications manager for the Wild Steelhead Coalition. The trio discusses steelhead conservation and the new campaign recently launched by the Wild Steelhead Coalition dubbed “Now or Never”. Steelhead are in severe decline and 2021 saw record low returns. The Pacific No…

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NWF Outdoors Podcast has a New Co-Host! 6:15

4y ago6:15

6:15

Bill Cooksey from Tennessee and of NWF’s Vanishing Paradise team is joining Aaron Kindle co-host of the NWF Outdoors podcast. Bill brings a wealth of knowledge from the waterfowl side as a four-time TN duck calling champion, avid turkey hunter, accomplished angler, consummate conservationist, and all-around great guy. The addition of Bill to the po…

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Problematic Paylakes with Aaron Wheatley and Greg Schwipps 1:11:13

4y ago1:11:13

1:11:13

In our latest episode, we sit down with two Midwestern fisherman and catfish advocates. They have grown increasingly concerned with "paylakes" in their region. We discuss what paylakes are, how they operate, and how they are decimating the public resource of catfish by largely unregulated and unethical means. We detail the situation, what it's mean…

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Delivering on Conservation by Leveraging Technology 1:01:39

4y ago1:01:39

1:01:39

In this episode Aaron sits down with Samantha Pedder, VP of Marketing for Terra Technology Group, and Steve Bergmann, Administrator for the Administrative Services Division of Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. We discuss the modernization of issuing hunting and fishing licenses and outdoor user permits, the efficiencies gained by going paperless, …

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Take Action with Howard Vincent, President & CEO of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. 1:08:34

4y ago1:08:34

1:08:34

For this episode we sit down with the President and CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Howard Vincent. We talk pheasant and quail season outlooks and the issues the birds are facing, then we move on to several conservation topics including the upcoming Farm bill and the Conservation Reserve Program – what it does, it’s benefits and why it’…

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Waterfowl Time with Bill Cooksey 1:12:45

4y ago1:12:45

1:12:45

Aaron sits down with Bill Cooksey, of NWF’s Vanishing Paradise team, to talk waterfowl season. Bill is a dedicated conservationist, waterfowl expert, and a duck calling champion. We cover waterfowl hunting 101 – decoys, habitat, calling, conservation, the forecast for this season, and of course, conservation. Bill also treats us to some calling and…

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Vanishing Seasons, Episode 7 - 30 Years as a New Hampshire Field Biologist with Eric Orff. 28:40

4y ago28:40

28:40

After a nice summer break, we head to New Hampshire for our 7th episode of Vanishing Seasons to hear from Eric Orff, a 30 plus year resident of New Hampshire and retired New Hampshire Fish and Game biologist. Eric shares his passion for wildlife and details the unnatural occurrences he has witnessed as a biologist and sportsman, including the incom…

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Why Grouse & Woodcock are Species of Conservation need, Forestry & Trends in Conservation with Todd Waldron. 1:05:02

4y ago1:05:02

1:05:02

For this episode we sit down with Todd Waldron. Todd is a forester, conservationist, podcaster, and the Northeast Forest Conservation Director for Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. He is a great guy with lots of passion for conservation. We cover some forestry, why grouse and woodcock are “species of conservation need”, overall t…

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What the bipartisan infrastructure package and the reconciliation process means for conservation and hunters and anglers with Abby Tinsley of the National Wildlife Federation. 48:31

4y ago48:31

48:31

Aaron sits down with Abby Tinsley, the Associate Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs for the National Wildlife Federation. They discuss the process of “reconciliation” how it works, what it will do, and what it means for hunting, angling, and conservation. They cover the bipartisan infrastructure package, why we need it, how it will he…

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A New Era of Innovation and R3 with Mike Worley of Georgia Wildlife Federation 59:02

4y ago59:02

59:02

Aaron heads to Georgia for a chat with Mike Worley, Executive Director of the Georgia Wildlife Federation (GWF). They explore GWF’s groundbreaking work to bring the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters into an innovative, adaptive, and effective space that better adapts to changing demographics and the needs of younger and more diver…

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From the City to the Woods: Getting it Done with Patience, Persistence and Public Transportation with Cliff Cadet. 53:50

4y ago53:50

53:50

Aaron sits down with Cliff Cadet of UrbanArcheryNYC. They cover getting into hunting as an adult while living in the middle of New York City. Cliff shares his personal history, the journey that brought him to hunting, and the passion he now has for archery and hunting. Cliff also shares what it’s like to use trains and busses to get to his hunting …