Fresh Tracks Weekly

Fresh Tracks
  • 4.9 (44)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Fresh Tracks crew, led by Marcus Hockett, keeps you in the know about what's happening in conservation. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't miss this weekly podcast covering the everything you need to know.

  1. 5D AGO

    Everyone is Lying to You | Week of January 26

    This episode discusses tribalism and the tendency for individuals to follow group narratives over personal beliefs, using recent media coverage of the Alex Pretti case as a starting point. The conversation focuses on how tribalism manifests within conservation and public land management. Topics covered in this week’s news: Utah Wolf Removal: State officials lethally removed three wolves in Northern Utah to comply with management plans. Wyoming Public Land Sale: A review of House Bill 55, which proposes selling state land for housing development. Oregon Petition: An update on an initiative to ban hunting, fishing, and animal agriculture that may reach the 2026 ballot. Ecological Research: The impact of losing long-term datasets on invasive species management and habitat conservation. Profitable Conservation: A Nature Conservancy report on how edge-of-field practices can improve farm productivity and wildlife habitat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

  2. JAN 23

    You Can't Graze Here! | Week of January 19

    This week, we examine the Bureau of Land Management's decision to revoke grazing leases for American Prairie bison and provide updates on public land funding, mining in Minnesota, wolf reintroduction in Colorado, and land access in North Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min

  3. JAN 16

    BLM Director Who Wants to Sell Public Land | Week of January 12

    This week, we examine the nomination of Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and talk about why there is so much pushback from public land advocates Pearce has a history of advocating for the disposal of federal lands. In 2005, he pushed for initiatives to sell public land to mining companies and has argued that the federal government does not "need" the majority of its western land holdings. We also cover a few news highlights from the week including Secretarial Order No. 3447 to Expand Hunting and Fishing Access on Department of Interior lands, new regulations in Idaho concerning technology and hunting, proposed changes to the Clean Water Act and a Joint Resolution that threatens the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min

  4. JAN 9

    Do We Need Them? | Fresh Tracks Weekly (Ep. 109)

    In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we discuss a renewed threat to Wyoming’s famous mule deer migration. New oil and gas leases on BLM land are near critical winter ranges and migration corridors for the Sublette mule deer and pronghorn herds. We discuss how the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan is being bypassed and why "energy independence" is no longer a valid excuse for poor conservation. We also cover several headlines from the week, including 2026 federal budget cuts, the reopening of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and the controversial "flooded corn" baiting debate in waterfowl hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  5. 12/19/2025

    46,000 Acres of New Access Cancelled? | Fresh Tracks Weekly (Ep. 108)

    In this episode, we break down how Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) money generated from offshore oil and gas revenues and intended to permanently protect public lands is likely being diverted away from approved conservation projects. One of the projects in jeopardy is the 46,000-acre La Jara Basin land sale in Colorado, which is eight years in development, has broad public support, and already has funding fully approved and allocated. Despite this, new Department of the Interior actions could block LWCF funds from being used, putting this and many other conservation projects at risk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  6. 07/25/2025

    Why Can't Hunters find Bulls? | Week of July 21

    Buy the Elk Conservation Stamp here (proceeds donated to RMEF) https://shopfreshtracks.com/products/2025-elk-conservation-stamp?srsltid=AfmBOorlsI5T-OHN5wvqK1ZU72s6EISgCuMItcxQQxYBMWOvkWb2fxjs In this episode, we sit down with Jesse DeVoe from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to discuss an elk research project in Northwest Montana. Jesse shares insights into this large-scale collaborative effort to better understand local elk populations and looking into habitat and impacts from predators. News this week includes: -A Wildlife Migration License Plate Design Contest announced by TRCP and Montana FWP -A recent land conveyance in Alaska under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act -New data from a national survey on public attitudes toward hunting and shooting sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  7. 07/18/2025

    How the Big Beautiful Bill Impacts Hunters | Week of July 14

    This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we break down what’s in the “Big Beautiful Bill” and how it impacts hunters and public land users—even without the controversial land sale provision. We also look ahead to next week’s launch of Elk Week, where we’ll be rolling out elk-focused content daily. News Stories Covered: – Wall Street Journal Opinion Piece: The WSJ Editorial Board criticized the removal of the public land sale from the bill, backing false claims about affordability and land use. – Wyoming Corner Crossing Case: A new petition has been submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. – BLM Wild Horse Roundup Blocked: The 10th Circuit Court halted a planned roundup of 3,600 feral horses in southern Wyoming due to insufficient explanation on ecological balance. – Backcountry Lake Contamination: A lake in the Wind River Range showed fecal contamination 384x over safe swimming levels. – Solar Farms and Wildlife Displacement: A new study tracks pronghorn movement around a Wyoming solar facility and reveals how habitat use changes after construction—even beyond the fenced area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min

  8. 07/07/2025

    Public Land Sale Defeated | Week of June 30

    In this episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly, we cover a major win for public land advocates: Senator Mike Lee was forced to removed the controversial public land sale language from the "Big Beautiful Bill." While it's a victory for now, Randy Newberg breaks down why this issue isn't going away and where to watch for future attempts to sell off public lands. We also cover several key conservation and public access updates: The EXPLORE Act has officially been implemented, expanding access to outdoor recreation, improving public land maps, and increasing coordination to combat invasive species. A collaborative project in Nevada brought volunteers and conservation groups together to install a new wildlife guzzler in Churchill County, providing critical water resources in desert habitat. The Department of Government Efficiency has canceled grants to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, raising concerns over the future of the "Take Me Fishing" program. Pheasants Forever has enrolled a new landowner into South Dakota’s PATH program, opening nearly 30,000 acres of high-quality habitat to public hunting and recreation. Pennsylvania is on the verge of lifting its longstanding ban on Sunday hunting, with HB1431 awaiting the governor’s signature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
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4.9
out of 5
44 Ratings

About

The Fresh Tracks crew, led by Marcus Hockett, keeps you in the know about what's happening in conservation. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't miss this weekly podcast covering the everything you need to know.

Information

  • Channel
    Fresh Tracks
  • Creator
    Marcus Hockett and the Fresh Tracks Crew
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © On Your Own Adventures
  • Show Website
    Fresh Tracks Weekly

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