Podcast
Fresh Tracks Weekly
Hosted by Marcus Hockett and the Fresh Tracks Crew · EN
The Fresh Tracks crew, led by Marcus Hockett, keeps you in the know about what's happening in conservation. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't miss this weekly podcast covering the everything you need to know.
36episodes
Episodes
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Science Not Politics | | Week of June 22
2d ago00:38:22Tap to summarizeThis week we're discussing the intersection of science and politics, specifically regarding how motorized travel impacts elk populations. Randy’s Garage Sale: https://shopfreshtracks.com/collections/gear-list Comment on Federal Grant Rule Change: https://www.regulations.gov/document/OMB-2026-0034-0001 Wildlife Society Video on How To Comment: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSQRnjLDjRP/?igsh=eDBzY3ZtaGd0Z2Zn A few news items also include; The National Park Service continues its efforts to remove non-native mountain goats from Grand Teton National Park. Proposed federal rule changes regarding grant funding may allow the executive branch to prioritize political agendas over scientific research. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering ending its management lease for the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana due to budget and staffing shortages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mike Lee's Last Minute Amendment | Week of June 15
1w ago00:28:58Tap to summarizeContact your Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 Comment on BLM Grazing Rule Change: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/12/2026-09387/revision-of-regulations-for-grazing-administration-exclusive-of-alaska Buy Randy's garage sale items here: https://shopfreshtracks.com/collections/gear-list The current legislative landscape highlights a trend of using procedural maneuvers to bypass traditional congressional debate, such as the inclusion of contentious amendments in bipartisan legislation. Mike Lee's recent amendments to rescind the Roadless Rule shows he doesn't care about what his constituents want. The Public Lands Integrity Act seeks to address these tactics by amending the Congressional Budget Act’s Byrd Rule, which would explicitly classify any provision involving the sale, transfer, or disposal of federal public lands as extraneous to the budget reconciliation process. By removing these land-related measures from the simplified budget reconciliation path, the bill aims to prevent backroom deals and ensure that any potential disposal of public land receives full public scrutiny and debate. The Bureau of Land Management has proposed new grazing rules that increase allowed grazing by 31% and maintain lower fees, raising concerns about the impact on wildlife and the reduction of public input on land management. The Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service have released a new framework for Migratory Big Game Conservation that focuses on interagency collaboration and incentives for private landowners to manage land for both livestock and wildlife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Executive Order on Off-Road Travel | Week of June 8, 2026
2w ago00:32:22Tap to summarizeBuy a hand-muff made from muskrats trapped by Randy Newberg: https://shopfreshtracks.com/collections/gear-list?srsltid=AfmBOoqkvnz41xhiwnbIJR30_pxnmv2yXhwfzkf0oHt4nwltq3pbMaMt Comment on wild horses on BLM Land: https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=F8129444-CA5D-F111-BEC6-001DD8029ED0 Arizona Residents contact your leaders in regards to wild horses: https://www.howlforwildlife.org/hold-the-line This week we take a look at Trump’s new executive order to rescind previous regulations from 1972 and 1977 that governed off-road vehicle use on public lands. The administration argues these older orders were overly vague and difficult for agencies to implement. Critics contend that increasing road access displaces wildlife, pushes animals onto private land, and alters hunter success rates, which can ultimately lead to fewer available tags and reduced recreational opportunities. Other news stories include; The National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System released a list of locations where hunting and fishing opportunities will be opened or expanded. While new access is available, the specific regulations and management changes for many of these sites remain unclear. American Prairie canceled their public bison hunt after the Bureau of Land Management revoked their grazing permit. This decision followed pressure from Montana state officials and industry organizations, despite the non-profit's work on wildlife management and public land access. A mule deer was harvested in Alaska for the first time, prompting concerns from wildlife managers regarding disease transmission to native species. Managers have opened year-round hunting with no bag limit to mitigate the risk of parasites and diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease. A recent oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge received minimal interest, with very few tracts receiving bids. The low turnout highlights the high costs, logistical challenges, and lack of industry incentive to develop in the region. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the management of wild horses and burros on public lands. There is also a push for Arizona residents to contact officials regarding the removal of unauthorized horses on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why Point Systems CAN’T Fix Your Draw Odds | Week of June 1
3w ago00:34:51Tap to summarizeEvery May and June, internet forums explode with angry hunters complaining about point systems, demanding non-resident tag cuts, and blaming state agencies. But in this episode, Randy and Marcus break down the brutal mathematical reality of why Western big game tags are drying up—and it has almost nothing to do with the draw system itself. Using Montana’s moose, sheep, and goat numbers as a case study, we dive deep into the differences between a "scarcity mindset" (fighting over a shrinking pie) and an "abundance mindset" (working to grow the pie). If you're tired of waiting decades to draw a tag, it’s time to look in the mirror and face the real culprit: habitat degradation. Freezer Burn Party RSVP - https://www.facebook.com/share/1BQ4eRGVib/ Upload videos here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWzxTY7LrXOY5-_YUpORwTKbrlCUZiF8iLZyPrdQipeUd_Qw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101466896678078840531 Randy's Garage Item - https://shopfreshtracks.com/collections/gear-list Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Randy wants YOU to VOTE in your Primary Elections | Fresh Tracks Weekly PSA
4w ago00:10:54Tap to summarizeFind your deadline to vote in your state - https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/VAO/PrimaryElectionsCalendar.pdf About 20% of the US population participates in the primary elections but those primaries often determine who will be elected. Have your voice felt this election season. Get out there and VOTE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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MONTANA : The Latest Corner Crossing Battleground | Week of May 25
May 2600:34:48Tap to summarizeGot a question, news topic, or feedback? Drop us an email at: weekly@freshtracks.tv Interested in some gear from Randy’s Garage Sale? Visit https://shopfreshtracks.com/ On this week’s Deeper Dive, Randy and Marcus talk corner crossing in Montana. They discuss the lawsuit filed by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and the Public Land and Water Access Association, which challenges Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for enforcing corner crossing as criminal trespass without following proper lawmaking channels. Freezer Burn Event Details - https://www.facebook.com/events/167-all-west-trl-bozeman-mt-59718-8203-united-states/freezer-burn-party/3067283536789028/ Submit your Public Land videos here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWzxTY7LrXOY5-_YUpORwTKbrlCUZiF8iLZyPrdQipeUd_Qw/viewform Or send us an email at weekly@freshtracks.tv News Topics H.R. 7695 & The Roadless Rule Congress is moving to target the 2001 Roadless Rule, threatening 58.5 million acres of public land. Read Trout Unlimited’s incredibly insightful and beautiful report detailing the economic and ecological impact of protecting these lands. Links • https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless • https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7695/text • https://www.tu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/TU-ROADLESS-REPORT_0401_web.pdf • https://wyofile.com/wyomings-hageman-aims-to-block-future-roadless-areas-despite-overwhelming-support-to-keep-public-land-pristine/ • https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/general/congress-to-consider-roadless-rule-rescission Oregon’s IP 28 (The PEACE Act) The minimum signature threshold has been met to put IP 28 on the 2026 Oregon ballot. If passed, this initiative would effectively criminalize hunting, fishing, trapping, dog training, and standard animal husbandry practices. This is a blueprint that anti-hunting groups will try to export to your state next. If you live in Oregon: Verify your voter registration, mobilize your hunting camp, and educate your non-hunting neighbors. If you live outside Oregon: Support the fight by getting involved with or donating to groups on the ground: Links https://www.ducks.org/newsroom/why-ducks-unlimited-opposes-oregons-ip-28 BCCOS Looking for 2 involved in Grizzly Bear Feedings A reminder for the summer season: Stop messing with wildlife. Don't pet the bison, don't swim in hydrothermal features, and definitely don't hand-feed apples and carrots to grizzly bears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Public Land Rule Gone | Week of May 18
May 2000:27:06Tap to summarizehttps://shopfreshtracks.com/collections/gear-list Contact your Representatives (202) 224-3121 Take Action on North Dakota issueshttps://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/take-action This episode of Fresh Tracks Weekly addresses the recent rescission of the Public Land Rule and the implications of excluding conservation from multiple-use mandates. The episode examines the broader erosion of public land protections, including the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act and a proposed bill to transfer 140,000 acres of the Kisatchie National Forest to local control in Louisiana. It covers the lawsuit filed by BHA and PLWA against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regarding corner crossing, the BLM’s proposal to open 79,000 acres in Arizona to oil and gas leasing, and the confirmation of Chronic Wasting Disease on the National Elk Refuge. Additionally, the show discusses the Senate confirmation of Steve Pearce as BLM Director, the revocation of American Prairie’s grazing permits for bison, and the introduction of the Public Lands Integrity Act to prevent fast-tracked federal land sales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Congress is Cutting Conservation to Pay for WHAT?! | Fresh Tracks Weekly Ep. 126
May 1200:26:14Tap to summarizeCONTACT YOUR SENATOR: https://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm Capitol Switchboard - (202) 224-3121 RANDY’S GARAGE SALE: Interested in some signed DVDs? Check them out at shopfreshtracks.com GET IN TOUCH: Have a question or a news tip? Email us at weekly@freshtracks.tv DEEPER DIVE: Randy Newberg and Marcus Hockett dive into the complex and frustrating world of federal budgeting to see where wildlife conservation and public lands truly sit on the national priority list. Despite broad public support for the outdoors, recent budget proposals suggest significant cuts to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and critical research programs. These cuts pale in comparison to massive spending in other sectors. News Stories Leaked Documents could Shake up Hunting Restrictions on Federal Land • Leaked Department of the Interior documents reveal significant policy shifts within national parks, including the expansion of designated firearm areas and new provisions for cleaning game in public restrooms? • https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/climate/hunting-federal-lands-burgum.html AI Advancement Can Speed UP Camera Trap Image Reviews • The Journal of Applied Ecology releases a new study on artificial intelligence and its use for sifting through thousands of wind triggered images. • https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2026/05/07/ai-cuts-wildlife-tracking-time-from-months-to-days/ Montana’s Environmental Quality Council Setting the Corner Crossing Stake in the Ground • Link to Randy’s Hunt Talk Thread • https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/mt-eqc-to-determine-corner-crossing-as-illegal.332694/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Do Antler Point Restrictions Actually Work? | Week of May 4th
May 500:35:08Tap to summarizeWATCH OUR Latest Elk Hunt with Ted Roosevelt IV - https://youtu.be/0n_1BAyYRiQ RANDY’S GARAGE SALE: Grab a map set and the $25 Trophy Bag Kooler at https://shopfreshtracks.com/ QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you could hunt with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why? Let us know in the comments! GET IN TOUCH: Have a question or a news tip? Email us at weekly@freshtracks.tv Deeper Dive: Randy Newberg and Marcus Hockett talk us through a recent decision on antler point restrictions in Wyoming, where public pressure for trophy quality is currently clashing with biological data. - Link to Mule Deer Working Group Fact Sheets - https://wafwa.org/publications/mule-deer-working-group-fact-sheets/ News Stories Wyoming Ups the Charge for Non-Resident Preference Points - Blake breaks down the staggering math behind Wyoming's recent non-resident point price hike. An increase that could generate over $40 million annually without removing a single animal from the landscape. - https://wgfd.wyo.gov/news-events/commissioners-vote-increase-non-resident-preference-point-prices 2026 Farm Bill Passes in House - Blake jumps into a critical update on the 2026 Farm Bill passing the House and why its conservation titles are the backbone of public access programs like Block Management and PLOTS as well as other items that hunters and anglers should be following. - Link to Last Week's Fresh Tracks Weekly about Virtual Fencing - https://youtu.be/jGMybr7Xxv8 - https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/farm-bill-passes-house/ - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/voluntary-public-access-and-habitat-incentive-program/news/usda-announces-52 - https://sportsmensalliance.org/news/house-passes-2026-farm-bill-anti-hunting-language-removed-in-major-win/ Idaho’s New Ban on Hunting Tech - Cell trail cams, thermal imaging, helicopter hunting, and more regulations coming out of Idaho that could impact your 2026 hunting season. - https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/idaho-hunting-technology-ban/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Are Virtual Fences the Future for Wildlife Migration? Week of April 27th
Apr 2800:37:29Tap to summarizeInterested in items from Randy's Garage Sale??? Check out https://shopfreshtracks.com/ This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we’re diving into the critical role of wildlife-friendly fencing and how new technology like virtual fencing is helping clear the path for big game migrations. But first, we’re cleaning out the shop for a cause! Join Randy for a special "Garage Sale" featuring a Leupold clock and a signed collection of books by conservation legend Jim Posewitz—with all proceeds benefiting the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. We also break down the latest news impacting the outdoors, including: • Why proposed 70-80% cuts to the BLM and Fish & Wildlife Service could be devastating for habitat management. • Does nuclear power offer a smaller land footprint for hunters compared to solar and wind? • Wyoming Land Leases, public input is needed on 360,000 acres of potential oil and gas development. • An update on the Farm Bill and the protection of bird dog training practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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