Echoes of the Tracks: MFF podcast

Muley Fanatic Foundation Team
  • 4.8 (15)
  • Nature
  • Updated Weekly

Echoes of the Tracks is a Muley Fanatic Foundation podcast that aims to discuss issues and efforts related to the MFF mission, the conservation of mule deer, furthering the sport of hunting and sound wildlife management. Featuring experts from the field, decision makers, celebrities, partners and everyday sportsmen and sportswomen. Wild Things and Wild Places celebrates the passion we hold for the great outdoors and our role of stewardship to maintain it. We look forward to having you along on the journey uncovering Wild Things & Wild Places.

  1. Aug 12

    Beyond the Capture

    Joey hosts this episode exploring the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Research Project, led by Dr. Kevin Monteith and his team at the University of Wyoming. The conversation focuses on a newer part of the long-running research effort: capturing and collaring mule deer fawns to better understand fawn survival, doe-fawn relationships, migration, and the challenges young deer face during their first year. Annette, Stevie, and Lindsay share their firsthand experiences joining Kevin's research team in the field. Annette earned the opportunity through a Muley Fanatic Foundation Glammed Up auction, giving the group a rare chance to see what goes into hands-on mule deer research. They describe hiking through Wyoming habitat while using telemetry equipment to locate fawns and following strict, permitted protocols designed to keep the animals safe. That includes minimizing handling time, collecting samples efficiently, and using nearby vegetation to help reduce human scent before returning the fawns to their hiding places. The group recalls several memorable moments, including locating a set of collared triplets, re-collaring fawns, learning that one animal was presumed dead, and assisting with the capture and sampling of a newborn fawn. Beyond the science, the experience gave them an even greater appreciation for mule deer does, the challenges of raising fawns, and the importance of quality habitat and migration routes.  It's a behind-the-scenes look at mule deer research and the people working to better understand what these animals need to survive and thrive across Wyoming's landscapes.

  2. Jun 17

    Boots on the Ground: Fawn Capture Season

    Joey and Chris are back with a field recap from two days assisting the Monteith Shop's mule deer research in the Wyoming Range. Their work focused on fawn captures, a key part of understanding mule deer survival, reproduction, genetics, and how harsh or mild winters impact the herd. They explain how collared adult does, implant transmitters, satellite location "clusters," and telemetry help researchers locate birth sites and newborn fawns. Once found, each fawn is carefully processed for data like weight, measurements, and genetic samples before being safely returned. Tuesday brought a tough challenge with doe 338, who was believed to be carrying rare triplets. A premature VIT release led to a long, cold, steep hike, but with updated data and help from Ollin Company's Starlink setup, the team eventually found and processed one fawn later confirmed as hers. Wednesday went more smoothly, with Joey helping process a set of twins after a clearer VIT signal and birth site. The episode also highlights Ollin Company's live social coverage and the bigger picture of the Monteith Shop's research, which has been tracking mule deer in the region since 2013. Thank you to Ollin for the fantastic coverage.

  3. Mar 3

    Echoes of the Tracks: Breanna Ball & the Wyldlife Fund

    Joey, Janet and Chris sit down with Breanna Ball with The Wyldlife Fund—a nonprofit partner created in 2019 to help fill funding gaps for Wyoming Game and Fish priorities, with 90% of funds going to on-the-ground work. Breanna shares how the fund has grown from about $500,000 raised in 2020 to over $4.4 million last year, and how that support turns into fast, measurable conservation wins. They talk wildlife crossing projects, including how roughly $1 million in support helped strengthen a federal grant application. Breanna also explains the Red Desert Fence Initiative, prompted after severe 2022–23 pronghorn losses that were made worse by fences and highways. She walks through how research and prioritization tools guide where fence conversions happen, what it can cost, how quickly projects can move, and what "opened habitat" really means. The episode also covers pooled migration fund projects, how private foundations and matching federal dollars multiply impact, ways listeners can donate, and upcoming Mule Deer Days events and seminars featuring the Unwired documentary.  Don't miss Mule Deer Days 2026 — March 13–15, 2026. Mark your calendar and come be part of the biggest weekend for mule deer, conservation, and the hunting community.

  4. Feb 5

    Putting the 'U' in Hunt: Evan Cooper's First Bull Elk Story

    Evan was selected to participate in Wyoming's "Un Hunt" program, creating an opportunity that brought the Coopers to the West for a hunt they'll never forget. Evan describes the experience in a way that makes you feel like you're right there with him. The heart of the episode is the story of when Evan harvested his first bull elk. It's not told as a highlight reel. It's told honestly: the anticipation, the effort, the nerves, the reality of it all—and the pride that comes after. For Evan, this wasn't "just" a successful hunt. It was proof of strength. Proof of progress. Proof that his body and spirit could carry him into something big again. For Erin, it's impossible not to hear the emotion underneath every word: the gratitude, the relief, the pride, and the awe of seeing her son experience joy after everything they've been through. This episode also highlights the mission behind the " Putting the U in Hunt" program and the people who make experiences like this possible. The conversation underscores the shared commitment of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Muley Fanatic Foundation to create impactful, meaningful opportunities for youth facing life-threatening illnesses—opportunities that are more than a getaway. If you need a story that restores your faith in people—and reminds you why the outdoors can mean so much—this episode is it.

  5. 10/22/2025

    The Heart and Hope Behind MFF's "Putting the U in Hunt" Program

    This truly touching episode of Wild Things & Wild Places brings listeners into the heart of the Muley Fanatic Foundation's Putting the U in Hunt program — a life-changing experience for youth facing life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Hosts Joey Faigl and Janet Crofts sit down with longtime volunteers John Grossnickle and Jason Faigl, who share deeply personal stories from their years helping with these special hunts. From emotional first encounters to unforgettable moments in the field, this conversation highlights the compassion, teamwork, and purpose that drive everyone involved. You'll hear how the program brings families together, creates lasting friendships, and shows what can happen when people unite for something bigger than themselves. It's a reminder that sometimes, a single hunt can change many lives. Learn more about the Muley Fanatic Foundation and the Putting the U in Hunt program at www.muleyfanatic.org.

  6. 09/03/2025

    What Is a Conservation Easement? Kerry Schultz with the Green River Valley Jackson Hole Land Trust Explains

    In this episode of the Wild Things & Wild Places podcast, hosts Joy Faigl, Janet Crofts, and Chris Steffen sit down with Kerry Schultz, Program Director of the Green River Valley Jackson Hole Land Trust. Kerry breaks down the concept of conservation easements, which are legal agreements between private landowners and a qualified entity such as a land trust to permanently protect the land from development. She explains how these agreements play a vital role in conservation, particularly on private lands that are essential for wildlife habitats and migration corridors. The conversation dives into examples of easements in Wyoming, the process and challenges of putting them in place, and the financial side of things, including funding sources and potential tax benefits for landowners. Kerry and the hosts also highlight how conservation easements not only safeguard landscapes but also provide lasting benefits to ecosystems and communities alike. You won't believe how much time will pass just listening to this conversation on conservation easements — it's that engaging!  The episode wraps up with some personal hunting plans and a look ahead at upcoming Muley Fanatic Foundation events, tying together the importance of conservation with the culture and lifestyle of those who cherish the outdoors.

  7. 08/05/2025

    Summer Projects 2025 Has MFF Working Hard for Mule Deer

    In this episode of Wild Things and Wild Places, Janet, Chris, and Joey from the Muley Fanatic Foundation recap their busy and impactful summer of 2025. The team took part in fawn captures in the Wyoming Range to support ongoing mule deer monitoring efforts, gathering critical data on population health. They also tackled invasive species and habitat restoration through Cheatgrass spraying near Rock Springs and Juniper removal south of town—both essential to preserving quality mule deer habitat. Additional efforts included sagebrush mowing in Kemmer, Wyoming, where the goal was to improve forage conditions by promoting the growth of new, nutritious plants. The group also previewed the upcoming Porcupine Creek project, which will reduce conifer encroachment in Aspen stands through prescribed burns. Janet shared updates on a vegetation study with the Monteith Shop, focusing on mule deer browsing habits in the Big Piney area by analyzing vegetation and fecal samples. The episode wraps up with a look ahead at future restoration work and newly allocated funding...reinforcing the Muley Fanatic Foundation's dedication to conservation and habitat health across Wyoming.

  8. 07/23/2025

    Bear Tracks & Good Company: A Conversation with Jessica Evans

    In this laid-back and personal episode of Wild Things & Wild Places, we welcome Jessica Evans...hunter, business owner, and all-around outdoor enthusiast from Rock Springs, Wyoming. Jessica pulls up a chair and shares her story in a way that feels like you're right there beside her in the field, on the mountain, or at the truck tailgate after a long day outdoors. She walks us through her early memories of hunting with her parents, how she found her own path in the sport after college, and the thrill of her first antelope hunt. But it's not just about the harvest—it's about what you learn along the way. Jessica opens up about her experience diving into predator hunting and navigating the backlash that sometimes comes with being a woman who hunts, especially on social media. We also dig into her side hustle-turned-business, Whiskey Goats—a brand that started as a nickname and has grown into a storefront and lifestyle. Jessica talks about how time spent on public lands shaped her love for Wyoming's wild places, and how that connection fuels everything she does. This conversation goes beyond gear and tags... it's about the deeper meaning of the hunt. From emotional highs to unforgettable moments in the field, and a lot of laughs...the group reflects on what makes hunting such a powerful and personal experience.  If you love real conversations about hunting, conservation, and the grit behind the glory, this episode is for you. Don't miss out on furthering the journey with Wild Things & Wild Places. Become a member of the Muley Fanatic Foundation and help make a difference. Join an organization that gets things done. Find out more here.

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4.8
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Echoes of the Tracks is a Muley Fanatic Foundation podcast that aims to discuss issues and efforts related to the MFF mission, the conservation of mule deer, furthering the sport of hunting and sound wildlife management. Featuring experts from the field, decision makers, celebrities, partners and everyday sportsmen and sportswomen. Wild Things and Wild Places celebrates the passion we hold for the great outdoors and our role of stewardship to maintain it. We look forward to having you along on the journey uncovering Wild Things & Wild Places.

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