Joe Rahn - Aerial Population Surveys for Wildlife Conservation | Episode 293

Randy is joined by John Nosler of Nosler, Inc., talking about the company's 80 year history. A frustrating 1940s moose hunt sparked the creation of the iconic Nosler Partition bullet, one of Randy's favorites. John shares the story of how his grandfather (also John Nosler) learned to manufacture bullets and how the company grew to what it is today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy interviews Joe Rahn, the Director of Operations and Chief Pilot for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They talk through the complexities of managing the state's aerial wildlife survey fleet. These flights are vital for conservation efforts, enabling biologists to track herd populations and determine sustainable hunting tag quotas. This episode gives a look into the behind the scenes work that fish and wildlife agencies perform to balance hunting seasons and game populations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy sits down with wildlife scientist Jim Heffelfinger to discuss the complex factors impacting mule deer populations across North America. They cover significant conservation challenges, such as landscape-scale habitat changes, the impacts of human population growth, and the difficulties of managing herds amid changing environmental conditions. They look at how difficult it can be to balance scientific management with social and political pressures that often influence wildlife policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold‘s Hunt Talk radio, Randy interviews Seth Bodnar, an independent candidate for US Senate. Like many of you, Randy is disappointed and frustrated with the two-party system. Is it feasible, when Senate elections cost hundreds of millions of dollars, to think an independent candidate can win? Seth believes that is possible, and he makes a very compelling case. Could this be the start of a modern day Bull Moose movement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold’s Hunt Talk Radio, host Randy interviews his longtime podcast editor, Joe Johnson. Joe talks about his background as a professional musician and circus performer, and how he eventually found his way into hunting. They discuss the "dark art" of audio editing, their shared commitment to public land advocacy, and the importance of fostering an "abundance mindset" to build coalitions across different communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Hal Herring. Hal was the host of BHA's podcast for several years and now he's setting out on a new project - Carrying the Fire. Carrying the Fire podcast features the voices of writers and thinkers, homesteaders and conservationists, explorers, historians and futurists-it is about reconnecting us to nature, and to each other. Randy and Hal talk about the new podcast as well as share their own stories of conservation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy joins MTNTOUGH coaches Sarah and Nick to discuss their new "Always Ready 50+" fitness program, a course designed to help older adults improve their mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. Randy talks about his own experience navigating injuries, and the value of having structured accountability to keep him hunting for years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold’s Hunt Talk Radio, Randy Newberg meets with Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management to discuss an effort to protect hunting and fishing in Colorado through a constitutional amendment. Dan explains how years of defending against ballot initiatives, legislative challenges, and wildlife policy battles have led Colorado’s conservation community to take a proactive approach by pursuing a constitutional right to hunt and fish. They talk through the importance of science-based wildlife management, the growing role of advocacy in conservation, and why hunters and anglers across the country should pay attention to what happens in Colorado. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy hosts longtime public land advocates Bob Dennee and Kurt Alt, reflecting on decades of work to improve access to public lands in Montana. They share behind-the-scenes stories of major land conservation efforts and cover how collaboration between agencies, nonprofits, landowners, and engaged hunters helped secure millions of acres for public use. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy interviews Ted Koch, Executive Director of the North American Grouse Partnership, about the rapid decline of prairie grouse, particularly the Lesser Prairie Chicken, due to large-scale grassland loss. They discuss how most remaining habitat is on private land, where economic pressures often discourage conservation even among landowners who value it. Rather than relying only on regulation through the Endangered Species Act, they advocate for market-based incentive alignment that pay ranchers for ecosystem services like habitat, water, and soil health. Long-term conservation success depends on keeping ranching viable while working collaboratively with private landowners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices