Working to Improve Public Land Access - Bob Dennee and Kurt Alt | Episode 286

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

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy and Ian Wargo (Montana FWP Fish and Wildlife Commissioner) talk about the challenges of wildlife management, particularly declining elk populations in northwest Montana. A major topic is how habitat quality, largely influenced by federal land policies, is one of the most critical factors in population dynamics. The conversation highlights how complex and interconnected conservation issues are, including the importance of understanding decision-making roles. They also talk about the ability of hunters to engage more effectively in official processes, and how this can result in meaningful differences in management policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Hunt Talk Radio, Randy welcomes back independent journalist Todd Wilkinson, co-founder of Yellowstonian, for a deep dive into the complex intersection of conservation, policy, and the future of the American West. Todd has a unique perspective on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a 24-million-acre landscape that remains the only region in the lower 48 states to retain all the original species present before European arrival. They discuss the critical role of both public and private lands: while 75% of the region is public, the remaining 25% of private land is vital for winter habitat and migration corridors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy hosts Alison Fox, CEO of American Prairie, and Mike Kautz, AP's VP of Access and Infrastructure. They talk through some of the misconceptions and realities of AP's role in conservation, the impact of the BLM's proposed rule changes, how ranching and wildlife conservation can coexist, and how AP facilitates public access. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life's Hunting and Conservation editor. They discuss the history, purpose, and future of outdoor media, talking through how media has been beneficial to conservation, as well as some of the struggles and dangers of modern platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randy sits down with ODFW's Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator Brian Wolfer at the PNW Sportsman's Show in Portland, OR to answer your questions. Topics cover the full range of wildlife population strategies, habitat, predators, and even why state agencies are often limited in what they are legally allowed to advocate for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by two of the lead minds behind Leupold's legendary gold ring: Tim Lesser and Dustin Miller. In a rare, deep-dive technical conversation, the trio explores what it really takes to build world-class optics in Beaverton, Oregon, and why American manufacturing remains the backbone of the brand. From the high-stakes "Moment of Truth" at SHOT Show to the meticulous engineering of the new BX-6 Range HD binocular, this episode pulls back the curtain on the culture of innovation, family ownership, and the "Secret Sauce" that keeps Leupold at the top of the podium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy has returning guest Dr. Kevin Monteith from the University of Wyoming. In this episode, we dig into Kevin's knowledge and research to connect healthy mule deer herds to how fat the mothers are. Fat does have big fawns that grow to be bigger bucks. All of that depends on premium habitat availability, which Kevin explains in great detail. A great explanation of why habitat is the key to herd health, buck numbers, and hunting opportunity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices