”The Carnivore Connection.”. A WOTR Production.

In this episode of Podbean All Things Wolf and Wild Carnivore Connection, we sit down with Erik Nylund, former natural resource advisor to U.S. Senator Jon Tester during the time wolves in the Northern Rockies were removed from the Endangered Species Act. Erik takes us behind the curtain and explains what was happening inside Washington when that decision was made. He shares what factors were being considered, the political pressures surrounding the issue, and why the final decision to delist wolves unfolded the way it did. It’s an honest look at a pivotal moment in modern wolf policy that still shapes wolf management in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming today. Just as important, Erik offers practical insight for those of us working to protect wolves and other wildlife today. He talks about what actually moves the needle in politics, how advocates can be more effective when dealing with lawmakers and agencies, and why staying engaged and informed matters. If you care about wolves and want to understand how policy decisions really get made—and how we can influence them moving forward—this is a conversation you will want to hear.

Join three friends in a random discussion about Montana's  native carnivores, non hunting community and wildlife management. Dave Stallings and Greg Price are both fair-chase, ethical hunters who eat what they kill. Dave focuses on wildlife reform through his Substack, “From The Wild Side,” and works to include non-hunters in wildlife decisions. Greg only hunts deer and elk and serves on Montana FWP’s Region 2 Citizen Advisory Council. Neither hunts native carnivores. Both strongly defend wolves, grizzly bears, and other large carnivores, and regularly testify before Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Legislature.  From the Wild Side: https://substack.com/@davidstalling?utm_source=global-search "all things wolf and wild" is a Wolves of the Rockies production. 

“The level of mortality is historic and catastrophic. And I’m worried about next winter, because the thing is, compromise and reasonability seems to be gone.” This is a snippet of the article -- Ryan and I sit down and discuss the 8 month long investigation that led him to serious issues within the Montana governance and the killing of America's wolves just outside the borders of Yellowstone National Park -- by rangers that work for them.  ARTICLE: https://theintercept.com/2022/07/20/wolves-yellowstone-ranger-montana-greg-gianforte/

Kevin founded the Southwest Environmental Center in New Mexico in the early 90’s and has been fighting for wildlife and wildlands for decades. Kevin realized that as long as people who viewed animals as soulless resources were making all the decisions on how wildlife should be managed – we as wildlife advocates would be fighting an endless battle. So he and his team at Southwest Environmental Center launched— Wildlife for All  – a national campaign to reform state wildlife management to be more ecologically driven, democratic and compassionate.   

Nick worked as an anthropologist, journalist and Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation. Nick is an avid outdoorsman that views himself as a true conservationist that believes in balanced ecosystems. Nick and I had a great conversation about ethical hunting, wolves, grizzlies and other predators and the need for them on the landscape. We also spoke about the attack on our public lands or better yet, as Nick pointed out, our public resources. This was an insightful and meaningful conversation.

As a former Force Recon Marine, Dave he is without a doubt a badass – but this badass has a deeper understanding of life and what it means to be a part of the natural world. Dave understood at a young age that he was different from most hunters, he understood then and even more so now the need for grizzly bears and wolves - the need for complete and balanced ecosystems. It wasn’t about the kill but about walking with nature. A self-described "Leopoldian" hunter a term he proudly took from friend and father figure Jim Posewitz the author of Beyond Fair Chase The Ethic and Tradition of Hunting. Dave was a conservation writer for Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations – Bugle Magazine for 10 years, as the organization changed from a conservationist organization to a more NRA/Safari Club hunting organization – he stayed true to who he is and left. Dave’s love and respect for Grizzly Bears is deep, personal and worthy of great respect and admiration. 

With the management of wildlife being dictated by special interest groups in the legislation and states wildlife agencies, I have to question: what has happened to ethical hunting and ethical management of our public lands? When did we go from the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and Management ideals to stomping wolf puppies to death at den sights?

This is part 2 of my conversation with Bradley Orsted. Brad is an award winning photographer, podcaster and truth-teller. His journey from tragically losing his daughter through that darkness and how the story of 2 orphaned bear cubs helped him move forward to tell their story and his. 

This is one of the most honest, vulnerable and important conversations I have ever had. Brad's story of tragedy, self medication, depression and the amazing journey through it, is as compelling as it is adventurous. It is those moments that can help bring us through some of our darkest times.

Leo Leckie is the co-founder of the Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree on Ancestry.com. Leo has given everyone the opportunity to follow the bloodlines as well as the stories behind the wolves of Yellowstone National Park from the reintroduction in 1995 to today. Leo is a writer, an author and an storyteller.