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USGS Migration Route Data. Notice Interstate Locations and Migration Barriers.



We hear all the time about urban sprawl affecting mule deer populations. I think the average hunter, (me included) usually only thinks about habitat destruction directly related to communities, homes, and businesses. We don't even consider the road system that link all of these communities together and the impact roadways have on wildlife, especially mule deer.  Of course when we do think about roads and wildlife, the first thing that comes to mind is wildlife-auto collisions, but it is much more complex than that. In fact those collisions we see are a drop in the bucket when we compare it to the loss of historic migration routes, and loss of access to habitat that comes with migration.



Change has been everywhere you look nearly over the past half a century. It wasn't until 1956, that the Interstate Highway System was dreamed up under the Eisenhower administration. The speed limit on the highway during the 70's, 80's, and early 90's was 55 MPH, of course now, we would all lose our minds if we had to drive that slow.



The big question- How has this complex system of multi-lane highways, changes in speed limits, and road noise affected the wildlife in the State of Utah, and around the west, particularly the mule deer herds?



Here to address some of those questions, and many more is Matt Howard, the Utah Department of Transportations Natural Resource Manager. Matt is a biologist by definition, and a guy that studies "Road Ecology", which is a fairly new science. He explains what the State of Utah is doing to help reduce wildlife fatalities, improve migration corridors, and mitigate wildlife and automobile collisions.



Constructing "Main Street of America" Route 66



To learn more on Utah Migrations- www.wildlifemigration.utah.gov



The rest of the United States (besides Montana for some reason) www.westernmigrations.net



If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more about different episodes, you can check here for detailed show notes and overviews. Rokcast Podcast



Another great Rokcast on Migration Routes. ROKCAST MIGRATION 

Robby reads from Hunting Big Mule Deer: How to Take the Best Buck of Your Life. His chapter on Ambush Hunting is a must if you want to be a complete mule deer hunter.



Before he dives in, he recaps some mule deer news and checks in with The Mule Deer Foundation’s spring edition of their magazine--always a good source for on-the-ground mule deer updates. As Robby always says, this stuff will make you a better deer hunter, and better at Ambush Hunting, too



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You can find Robby’s books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here



or signed copies from the Rokslide store here



    

#30 Tipsy Tuesday has Daykota Kime giving out Bow Tuning tips. Daykota's tuning tips will help everyone get their broadheads flying straight for the 2024 Cold Bow Challenge. Howard Mee lays out the new rule changes and gives us the inside scoop of the Cold Bow Challenge. Finally, Bill Vanderhyden from Iron Will Outfitters talks about the University of Colorado arrow vane study https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/university-study-arrow-vane-designs-for-improved-broadhead-flight.355752/ and Bill even goes into a few of his favorite tuning tips. Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] and recaps the latest Western news.



Day Six Gear-https://www.daysixgear.com/



2024 Cold Bow Challenge- https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/2024-cold-bow-challenge.355440/



Iron Will Outfitters-https://ironwilloutfitters.com/



Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action 



Check out Rokslides 2023 Favorite Gear- Here



Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.



To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com



[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

We are winning the mountain lion fight in Colorado! Robby is back with Dan Gates of C.R.W.M with an update and why we can't let up now. Hunters can and must win this fight!



Topics covered in this episode:



Update on C.R.W.M since Travis Hobbs' January 1 episode here

Funds raised

Nonresidents contribute over 80% of individual donations!

Are we winning?

Why this fight won't stay in Colorado

Post-Colorado Long Term Plan



Listeners can get involved and support C.R.W.M & Dan Gates here



Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (savethehuntcolorado.com)







See you August 10th at Colorado Sportsman Conservation Banquet here

This Tipsy Tuesday is Everything Kifaru with Aron Synder and Anders Christianson. We cover Kifaru's move to Riverton Wyoming, jump into new material choices, and close out with what future holds for Kifaru. This week's reviews start with Les Welch's Mathews Lift https://www.rokslide.com/mathews-lift-review/. Sam then has Dustin Diefenderfer to talk about workouts and what's new at MTNTOUGH (https://mtntough.com/). Sam then shifts the talk toward the other Rokslide.com gear reviews [https://www.rokslide.com/category/gear/] and recaps the latest Western news.



Kifaru- https://kifaru.net/



Half Ass Hunting Academy https://www.unknownmunitions.com/product/half-ass-hunting-academy/.



Mule Deer Days- Mule Deer Days Rock Springs Wy



Howl for Wildlife https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action 



Check out Rokslides 2023 Favorite Gear- Here



Visit Rokslide's Rokcast Forum to submit questions, request a topic or give feedback.



To be a guest on Tipsy Tuesday please send an email to Sam@Rokslide.com



[ Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app



 

Most of us have been there, it's the worst day you can have hunting. You tried to do everything right, yet somehow you made a bad shot and now you have a wounded animal. A truly emotional rollercoaster ride. Now, the trail has gone cold, and you just can't sort the track out any further. It doesn't get much worse than this when hunting. This is where Rocky Mountain Big Game Recovery just might be able to help.



I was recently at the Mile High Hunt and Fish Expo and a booth caught my eye. Rocky Mountain Big Game Recovery, I walked up and met Scott Gillespie, the President and founder of sure enough, a non-profit organization out west that works to help hunters find wounded big game animals with leashed tracking dogs. How cool is that?



In this episode, Scott highlights some of what they do, and how this all came about. I know I hope I never have to call them, but it's sure an awesome resource to know about if that horrible day ever does come.



They are actively growing this organization, if this sounds like something you might be interested in doing they are also looking for trackers.



To find out more, check out their website and if you're a facebook user, they also have a group there.



www.rockymountainbiggamerecovery.org



Rocky Mountain Big Game Recovery Facebook Group