Shootin’ the Bull

Host Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) sits down with Joe Kozfkay (State Fisheries Manager) and Kevin Meyer (Principal Fisheries Research Manager) to discuss how catch-and-release fishing is used to manager fish populations, what safe fishing handling looks like, and "hoot owl" restrictions (and why Idaho doesn't enforce them). Other topics: A "medium kokanee day" at Arrowrock Reservoir; Michigan brothers; a brief history of catch and release fishing; enter the Dingell-Johnson Act; why do most people release fish?; when fisheries biologists use catch and release as a management tool; getting feedback from anglers; what does an angler want most?; a libertarian mentality; what is barotrauma and deep hooking?; are barbless hooks actually easier on fish?; overcatching and injuring certain species; what the heck does shark predation have to do with Idaho?; a worldwide concern among anglers; is your selfie grip and grin killing fish?; Hoot Owl restrictions; and more. ----more---- You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Host Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) sits down with Ben Bieri (IDFG Digital Content Specialist), TJ Ross (IDFG Regional Communications Manager), Laura Wolf (IDFG Regional Wildlife Biologist), Wayne Brood (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation), and Kirsten Voorhees (Osburn Resident/Civil Engineer) to discuss how one 50-year-old abandoned bridge crossing Idaho's Interstate 90 was retrofitted thanks to countless collaboraters and now welcomes a different type of traffic: Idaho's ungulates.  Other topics: when your last name defines your career trajectory; engineering corridors for fish and wildlife; where is Osburn?; the genesis of the project; the "bridge to nowhere"; where does RMEF come in?; stakeholders; how do you modify an existing 50-year-old traffic bridge?; what if elk don't want to use it?; Osburn's community support; no, animals don't read road signs; funnel fencing; Carl Wilson's legacy; the cost of a wildlife overpass; the California Superstructure example; how public input can lead to wildlife wins; and more. WATCH: "Bridge to Nowhere" (RMEF Films) on YouTube ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Host Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) and Ben Bieri (Digital Content Specialist) sit down with Martin Koenig (Sportfish Coordinator) to talk about Idaho's record fish program and managing sportfish fisheries and angler opportunities. Other topics: Drinking coffee at the crepuscular period; what is a piscatologist?; what does a sportfish coordinator coordinate?; Martin's many hats; why the emphasis on trout?; resident vs. native; the birth of alpine lake stocking; why Idaho's perfect for trout hatcheries; what factors drive cold and warmwater fisheries?; Oxbow Reservoir bass behavior; "world class"; Idaho's record fish program; good (and bad) fish pics; the infamous blue catfish story; Martin's biggest "big fish" stories; the "Dworshak problem"; trout slams; and more.   ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Host Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) and Ben Bieri (Digital Content Specialist) sit down with Sierra Robatcek (Big Game Habitat Staff Biologist) to discuss how Fish and Game tracks migratory species—deer, elk, and pronghorn—and why that information is so invaluable.  Other topics: Mispronouncing Sierra's last name; what is a habitat biologist?; Sierra's personal migration from Colorado; Fish and Game family; the difference between mule deer and wolverines; more to habitat than meets the eye; regional biologist vs. staff biologist; why does mule deer migration matter to sportsmen?; the pursuit of food; uncovering 12,000-year old migration routes; crossing five different highways; herds of moose; pronghorn can't jump; nature vs. nurture; how Idaho Fish and Game tracks animals; deer muggers; slingin' animals; what's the data for?; conservation relationships matter; why does a town deer stay in town?; animal-safe fencing; and more. ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Host Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) travels to Coeur d'Alene to talk with T.J. Ross (Panhandle Region Communications Manager) and expert houndsman, Carson Watkins (Panhandle Regional Supervisor).  Other Topics: Poppin' claws; Carson's tenure bouncing around the state, North Idaho vs. Southeast Idaho mountain lions; how do you get in to running hounds?; Blue the Bluetick; teaching a young dog an old dog's tricks; Carson's approach to mountain lion "hunting"; how does IDFG/houndsmen manage North Idaho mountain lions?; reclassifying lions as a big game animal (thanks to houndsmen); were hunters harvesting more lions back then or now?; what does a good day of mountain lion hunting look like?; hunting lions is...hard; a mountain lion's daily routine; advances in technology; hound hunting misconceptions; Carson's most memorable cat hunts; and more. ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Hosts Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) and Ben Bieri (Digital Content Specialist) visit Lewiston and talk with Jen Bruns (Regional Communications Manager) and Bill Seybold (Clearwater Region Trapper Education Coordinator). Other Topics: Bill celebrating his 642nd birthday; trapping with Grandpa in Wisconsin; Bill's famous Beaver Balls; ranking roadkill by flavor; are younger generations getting into trapping?; species you can (and can't) trap for; are trappers a dying breed?; Bill's "trapping Crocs"; Jen's muskrat jawbone earrings; what does beaver castor smell like?; the time Bill lured in his future wife using a turkey call and beaver castor; Mandles; beaver choice cuts; Connor's freezer full of pine/red squirrels; mandatory trapper ed; the do's and don'ts of trapping; going after raccoon dogs in Russia; and more. ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Hosts Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) and Ben Bieri (Digital Content Specialist) visit Lewiston during the November Commission meeting and talk with Jen Bruns (Regional Communications Manager), Tara Ball (Regional Wildlife Biologist), and Deborah Monzingo (Regional Wildlife Biologist). Other Topics: Having fun with the last name "Ball"; catching the Fish and Game bug; studying Andean bears in Ecuador; why everyone seems to go to U of I; being a two-month-old in elk camp; learning how to age deer teeth; when dreams of becoming a "roller disco queen" don't pan out; what is Good Neighbor Authority?; OGO's; elk habitat projects; elk food vs. deer food; "elk ice cream"; what's happening in the Clearwater Region; mastication; seeing different animals on game cameras; conversations with codgers; wildlife habitat is extremely complex; the Big Burn; "How to Think Like an Elk"; working with private landowners and sportsmen; Crystal Balling the future of GNA; inspiring the next generation; Shootin' the Bull podcast puts people to sleep; "Indian Creek Chronicles" and other book recommendations; and more. ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Hosts Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) and Ben Bieri (Digital Content Specialist) head to Coeur d'Alene to chat with T.J. Ross (Regional Communications Manager), and Kris Bragg and Jacob Berl (Conservation Officers).  Other Topics: Kids are expensive; "Doctor Officer"; educating the next generation; a doctorate in rodents; Euro mounting a prairie deer mouse; Kris' new hound dog, Doc; treeing a moose; wearing your enforcement hat when you're hunting; patroling the Panhandle; the weirdest thing Kris has ever found in the woods; a crocodile on the loose in Post Falls; what is a Cuvier's dwarf caiman?; the mystery of the "Tubbs Hill gator" continues; do North Idaho game wardens get claustrophobia?; the most common violations; educating vacationers about urban wildlife; getting chased up a tree by a cow moose; when bigfoot turns out to be an owl; and more. ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Hosts Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) and Tom Talley (Staff Engineer) head up to Mackay to talk with Christian Brown (Mackay Fish Hatchery Manager) and Steve Roberts (Conservation Officer in the Mackay Valley). Other Topics: Forecasting the Mackay Miners' football season; "re-districted" to the Upper Snake Region; patroling the Snake River corridor; first outdoor podcast; what's so special about Mackay?; commuting alongside seven 12,000-foot peaks; who technically patrols Mount Borah?; patroling the Lost River Range when you're afraid of heights; the limitations of motorized vehicles (and mules); the moment Steve knew he wanted to be a game warden; when a wasted antelope carcass leads to a wasted elk carcass; varying degrees of wildlfie violations; small-town vs. urban game wardens; what kind of calls does a Mackay warden get?; the "naked man at Mackay Reservoir" story; Mackay Reservoir's 4.6-star Google Review; kokanee; wildlife trafficking; putting on your biologist hat; fruit leather; relationships with your trucks; and more. ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

You’re listening to Shootin’ the Bull — a podcast by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. From fish squeezers to deer muggers and everyone in between, these are the conversations with the men and women of Idaho Fish and Game. Host Connor Jay Liess (Public Information Specialist) sits down with Ben Bieri (Digital Content Specialist), Kolby White (Conservation Officer - Southeast Region), and his right-hand man, Bear — an energetic black Lab and certified K9 Officer with Idaho Fish and Game. Bear and Kolby have been working together, wearing the Fish and Game badge, for just over a year. Other Topics: The Caribbean of the Rockies; Journal of a Trapper by Osborne Russell; what's inside a K9 handler's truck; any rivalries between working dogs and residential dogs?; a K9 officer's training regimen; when your grandfather's a game warden; patroling Idaho's borders; the history of canines with Idaho Fish and Game; "resting cop face"; can they sniff drugs?; training a dog to search for specific evidence; Bear's least-favorite word; potential hazards for a K9 officer; when your department property eats your other department property; finding a dog-sitter; the severe winter of '23; the Montpelier Reservoir state-record tiger trout story (and a $400 fine); stealing opportunities from other sportsmen; the folly of social media grip-n-grins; solving a case with your grandpa; and more. ----more---- Have a question or topic suggestion? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Follow Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.