Show Notes
In their first ever video podcast (visit the Your Mountain YouTube channel), Dave and Nephi dive into state actions around conservation. Topics include: Oregon's new 1.25% lodging tax for wildlife; How other states fund wildlife management; why we should stop saying "consumptive user" and "non-consumptive user"; Colorado moving forward with banning the sale of fur; Idaho debating prohibiting certain technology in hunting (we got the status of this one wrong, so feel free to fast forward and listen to a deeper, and more accurate dive in our next episode); and more.
More from Your Mountain
After missing the last two months, the guys are back to talk about their recent hunting exploits. More importantly, they discuss an upcoming vote in Colorado that would make hunting/fishing a constitutional right. Are the critics of the proposed amendment right that the sky is falling, that it would be a killing free for all, that science would be cut out of wildlife management, or that the doors to litigation would swing wide open. The guys discuss. They also provide a brief update on a New Mexico Attorney General Opinion that suggests outfitter set aside licenses in the state are illegal. Reminder, Your Mountain has a new email address, so please send your comments/questions to: [email protected]
Recently, the Secretary of Agriculture released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that proposes to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. This has some people celebrating, and others sounding alarm bells. The guys talk a bit about both sides of the debate, and explain how you can get involved. They also highlight the US Fish and Wildlife Service's new hunt/fish rule that opens more opportunities for hunting and fishing on National Wildlife Refuges.
The Federal government just proposed turning grizzly bear management over to Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho--without delisting. How is this possible? The guys discuss the proposed rule, and some of the history of the past 15 years that led to the proposal (Dave takes WAY too much credit!). Next, they discuss the recent Executive Order that shrinks the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah. They explain a little of the history, the pendulum swings, and why it's time to start thinking about durability, not dogma. Finally, they give a quick update on a rule that changes the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. Lots of meat in this episode.
The guys recorded this episode about 12 hours before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was set to consider an amendment to a potentially bipartisan bill from Sen. Mike Lee that would invalidate the 2001 Roadless Rule. Dave and Nephi discuss the implications (spoiler: the sky isn't falling, but it's not a great look). They also chat about a proposal to repeal the blanket 4(d) Rule (a wonky discussion that nearly put Nephi to sleep). They also share some stories from the trenches from their days working for former Wyoming Governor, Matt Mead.
An effort to end hunting and fishing in Oregon is one step closer to making the ballot--the guys discuss. They also talk about the new Executive Order regarding travel management on public lands, proposed grazing regulation revisions on BLM lands, and the new Hunt/Fish Rule opening up more hunting opportunities on refuge lands across the country. And, they share the best new way to get ahold of them via their new email address: [email protected]