Wild

Have you ever wondered how wildlife agencies catch and track ducks and geese? Are you curious about what happens inside a fish hatchery? “Wild,” a new podcast produced by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, will answer these questions and provide insight into the work that Utah does to protect its wildlife. A new episode will be launched the third Tuesday of each month and will feature an inside look at different projects and jobs within Utah’s wildlife agency.

Ep. 55: The CWMU & LOA Programs 04/16/2024

Ep. 55: The CWMU & LOA Programs In this episode, DWR Private Lands Public Wildlife Coordinator Chad Wilson dives into two unique programs in Utah that offer an important solution for some of the conflicts between wildlife and private lands: the Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit program and the Landowner Association program. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/30851588

Ep. 54: Virgin River Program 03/19/2024

Ep. 54: Virgin River Program In this episode, DWR Southern Region Native Aquatics Biologist Melinda Bennion and Steve Meismer, the Virgin River Program Local Coordinator for the Washington County Water Conservancy District, talk about a unique and collaborative program that is helping six native fish and two bird species in the Virgin River Basin. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/30445698

Ep. 53: Let’s talk moose 02/20/2024

Ep. 53: Let’s talk moose In this episode, DWR Once-In-A-Lifetime Species Coordinator Rusty Robinson and DWR Big Game Projects Coordinator Kent Hersey talk about the largest big game animal found in Utah: Moose! They share interesting moose facts, how we manage their populations and some important safety tips. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/30037398

Ep. 52: Researching cougars 01/16/2024

Ep. 52: Researching cougars In this episode, DWR Game Mammals Coordinator Darren DeBloois and Randy Larsen, a BYU Professor in the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, talk about mountain lions in Utah and the fascinating things we are learning about them through ongoing research studies. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/29514683

Ep. 51: Pheasants in Utah 12/19/2023

Ep. 51: Pheasants in Utah In this episode, DWR Upland Game Coordinator Heather Talley provides everything you need to know about pheasants in Utah: when they were introduced, how they are managed, the release program across the state and also tips for hunting them. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/29149228

Ep. 50: Geese, ducks and swans, oh my! 11/21/2023

Ep. 50: Geese, ducks and swans, oh my! In this episode, DWR Migratory Bird and Falconry Programs Coordinator Jason Jones talks all things waterfowl in Utah: which species we have, when they migrate through the state, where to see them and how important the waterfowl management areas are in providing crucial habitat for these birds. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/28725633

Ep. 49: Wildlife photography 10/17/2023

Ep. 49: Wildlife photography In this episode, DWR Videographer Phil Tuttle shares some tips for anyone wanting to get into wildlife photography, including places to see different wildlife species in Utah, gear recommendations and the best times of day to photograph. He also talks about some wild experiences he’s had during his videography career, which has taken him around the world. (Note: The travel mentioned in this episode is part of Phil’s freelance videographer work. He only captures footage of fish and wildlife in Utah for his job with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.) /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/28347488

Ep. 48: Recovery programs 09/19/2023

Ep. 48: Recovery programs In this episode, DWR Recovery Programs Director Sarah Seegert and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Colorado River Recovery Program Deputy Director Paul Badame talk about two unique and collaborative programs that are helping four fish species in the Colorado River and San Juan River basins. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/28082223

Ep. 47: Desert tortoises 08/15/2023

Ep. 47: Desert tortoises In this episode, DWR Wildlife Biologist Ann McLuckie talks all about desert tortoises in Utah: where they can be found, fun facts about this unique species, factors that led to their decline in population and how people can help. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/27762720

Ep. 46: Gila monsters 07/18/2023

Ep. 46: Gila monsters In this episode, DWR Wildlife Biologist Ann McLuckie dives into fascinating facts about the elusive Gila monster. She talks about where these unique heavy-bodied lizards can be found in Utah and why it’s so rare to see one. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/27499734

Ep. 45: Chasing gobblers 06/20/2023

Ep. 45: Chasing gobblers In this episode, DWR Upland Game Coordinator Heather Talley and Lynn Worwood, Utah State Chapter President of the National Wild Turkey Federation, talk all things turkey. They dive into the history of turkeys in Utah, fun facts about these birds, recent changes to turkey management in Utah and hunting tips. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/27216564

Ep. 44: Fishing in Utah 05/16/2023

Ep. 44: Fishing in Utah In this episode, DWR Northeastern Region Fisheries Biologist Natalie Boren and local radio personality and fishing enthusiast Amy Richards talk all about fishing: how they got into it, why they love it, great places to go in Utah, and tips for beginners just getting into it. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/26856837

Ep. 43: Helping endangered species 04/18/2023

Ep. 43: Helping endangered species In this episode, DWR Assistant Habitat Chief Paul Thompson and June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program Assistant Program Director Russ Franklin with the Central Utah Water Conservancy District talk about two very important related programs that help species of greatest conservation need. They explain what the Wildlife Action Plan and Endangered Species Mitigation Fund are, how they work and some of the success stories of wildlife species that have been helped through these efforts. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/26581875

Ep. 42: Shooting sports programs 03/21/2023

Ep. 42: Shooting sports programs In this episode, DWR Shooting Sports Manager Levi Bassett talks about the two different shooting sports programs that the Division oversees: the National Archery in the Schools Program and the Youth Hunter Education Challenge. Learn about these two unique programs, how they work and how to get involved. (Despite the name, YHEC is also open to adults!) /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/26287602

Ep. 41: Big game drawing 02/21/2023

Ep. 41: Big game drawing In this episode, DWR Wildlife Licensing Coordinator Lindy Varney explains the Utah big game drawing and also walks listeners through some common misconceptions (and mistakes) that we see in the application process. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/26003448

Ep. 40: Sleigh rides through elk 01/17/2023

Ep. 40: Sleigh rides through elk In this episode, DWR Hardware Wildlife Management Area Manager Brad Hunt and Wildlife Recreation Programs Coordinator Marni Lee talk about one of Utah’s lesser-known attractions: taking a sleigh ride through elk at the Hardware Wildlife Management Area. They talk about when this Cache Valley tradition started, why we feed elk in this area during the winter and what we have learned from doing this over the years. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/25639290

Ep. 39: Elk management 12/20/2022

Ep. 39: Elk management In this episode, DWR Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus explains how elk are managed in Utah and walks through the latest major updates to the Utah Statewide Elk Management Plan. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/25386858

Ep. 38: Wildlife crossings 11/15/2022

Ep. 38: Wildlife crossings In this episode, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Migration Initiative Coordinator Blair Stringham and Utah Department of Transportation Natural Resource Manager Matt Howard talk about how the state is working to reduce wildlife/vehicle collisions by implementing different types of wildlife crossings across Utah. These structures not only help make roads safer for Utah drivers, but they also allow wildlife to make important annual migrations across the landscape. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/25010871

Ep. 37: Dedicated Hunter Program 10/18/2022

Ep. 37: Dedicated Hunter Program In this episode, DWR Dedicated Hunter and Walk-In Access Coordinator Bryan Christensen talks about Utah’s Dedicated Hunter Program: what it is, how it works, why it is a win-win for wildlife conservation and avid hunters, and how to get involved. Note: At the time of this recording, the buyout price for one hour of service was $20. As of July 1, 2023, the buyout time for one hour of service is $40. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/24715587

Ep. 36: Watershed Restoration Initiative 09/21/2022

Ep. 36: Watershed Restoration Initiative In this episode, Utah Department of Natural Resources Watershed Program Director Tyler Thompson and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Habitat Conservation Coordinator Daniel Eddington talk about some of the proactive land management taking place in Utah and the program that helps make it possible. They also address some of the misconceptions regarding tree removal and the times when fire is beneficial for habitats. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/24447045

Ep. 35: Why I’m a hunter 08/17/2022

Ep. 35: Why I’m a hunter In this episode, DWR District Wildlife Biologists Xaela Walden and Sydney Lamb share their experiences with hunting: How they got into hunting, why they hunt, how hunting is used by wildlife agencies as a management tool and some common misconceptions about hunting. They also offer tips for someone who is interested in getting into hunting, including a few resources like /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/24085635

Ep. 34: Investigating wildlife diseases 07/26/2022

Ep. 34: Investigating wildlife diseases In this episode, DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout talks about the different types of diseases currently impacting wildlife species in Utah. She also explains how the Division works to detect and monitor diseases and how management techniques can help to reduce those impacts. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/23858055

Ep. 33: Wildlife pilot 06/21/2022

Ep. 33: Wildlife pilot In this episode, DWR Chief Pilot Craig Hunt talks about his thrilling job, which includes soaring through the air to aerially stock fish at high-elevation lakes and how the work he does helps biologists manage wildlife around the state. He also shares some of the coolest experiences he’s had while flying for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, so stay tuned for those stories at the end! /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/23498867

Ep. 32: Checking bear dens 05/17/2022

Ep. 32: Checking bear dens In this episode, DWR Northeastern Region Assistant Wildlife Manager Randall Thacker explains why biologists make the difficult trek out to snowy bear dens early each spring to check on hibernating black bears across the state. He also shares one of his own nerve-wracking experiences of being face to face with a bear. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/23140565

Ep. 31: Fisheries management 04/19/2022

Ep. 31: Fisheries management In this episode, DWR Fish Culture Coordinator Roger Mellethin and DWR Northern Region Aquatics Manager Chris Penne explain what goes into managing the state’s fishing. They talk through the overall process from extracting eggs from wild fish to growing them in fishing hatcheries to eventually stocking the fish. They also explain the management of why we raise and stock the fish species we do and the factors that play into some of those decisions, as well as how the DWR is making proactive changes to address drought impacts on fishing in Utah. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/22842515

Ep. 30: Rattlesnakes of Utah 03/15/2022

Ep. 30: Rattlesnakes of Utah In this episode, DWR Native Species Coordinator and Herpetologist Drew Dittmer and DWR Wildlife Conservation Biologist Scott Gibson take a serious deep dive talking about Utah rattlesnakes: the myths about them, interesting facts and what you should actually do if you happen to be one of the few who gets bitten by one. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/22455926

Ep. 29: Wildlife tooth fairy 02/15/2022

Ep. 29: Wildlife tooth fairy In this episode, DWR Biometrician Heather Bernales explains why the Division requests that hunters send in teeth sometimes from animals they have harvested. She talks about what we do with the teeth, what we learn, and how that helps shape certain wildlife management plans in Utah. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/22143872

Ep. 28: Shooting ranges 01/21/2022

Ep. 28: Shooting ranges In this episode, DWR Hunter Education Program Manager Ralynne Takeda and DWR Wildlife Recreation Coordinator Gary Cook go in-depth about the two public shooting ranges that the Division manages: the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City and the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range in Logan. They talk about the amenities at each facility, some unique things that people may not know about the ranges and some of their favorite memories there. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/21851246

Ep. 27: Prairie dog relocations 12/21/2021

Ep. 27: Prairie dog relocations In this episode, DWR Utah Prairie Dog Recovery Biologist Adam Kavalunas and DWR Impact Analysis Biologist Jessica Kinross talk about the unique balancing act of managing prairie dogs in Utah. There are three prairie dog species in Utah, one of which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. DWR and its partners are working to help the species recover, which often includes trapping and relocating the animals. This episode was originally recorded in July 2021. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/21547190

Ep. 26: Electrofishing for browns 11/16/2021

Ep. 26: Electrofishing for browns In this episode, DWR Central Region Sportfish Project Leader Mike Slater talks all about electrofishing — what it is, how it works, and what this unique fish surveying method tells biologists about fish in different bodies of water around Utah. /episode/index/show/dwrwild/id/21174632

Wild

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