Conservation

Breaking down the latest news and unpacking the most critical issues surrounding conservation, climate & environment, and public lands & waters, and wildlife management.

Latest in Conservation

Conservation

Why Congress Must Pass Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Why Congress Must Pass Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

By Andrew McKean

A warthog chases a leopard

Conservation

Watch This Vicious Mama Warthog Chase a Leopard Off Her Piglets Watch This Vicious Mama Warthog Chase a Leopard Off Her Piglets

Pacu in Florida.

Fishing

Florida Has Become the Budget-Friendly Amazon for Anglers Florida Has Become the Budget-Friendly Amazon for Anglers

dead menhaden in Gulf of Mexico

Fishing

900,000 Fish Were Netted, Killed, and Dumped Back into the Gulf of Mexico. Not Many People Know or Care 900,000 Fish Were Netted, Killed, and Dumped Back into the Gulf of Mexico. Not Many People Know or Care

usfws duck hunter

Conservation

USFWS Will Expand Hunting and Fishing at 18 National Wildlife Refuges While Phasing Out Lead Ammo and Tackle There USFWS Will Expand Hunting and Fishing at 18 National Wildlife Refuges While Phasing Out Lead Ammo and Tackle There

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish spent two weeks finding the deer head in the Rio Grande.

Conservation

Poacher Is Hit With a Hefty Fine After Illegally Killing a 232-Inch Buck. But Is It High Enough? Poacher Is Hit With a Hefty Fine After Illegally Killing a 232-Inch Buck. But Is It High Enough?

Grant Woods sold America's most famous whitetail property, the "Proving Grounds."

Conservation

Grant Woods Just Sold the “Proving Grounds.” Here’s What He Learned from Building One of the Most Famous Whitetail Properties in America Grant Woods Just Sold the “Proving Grounds.” Here’s What He Learned from Building One of the Most Famous Whitetail Properties in America

Killer whales hunting

Conservation

Video Showing Killer Whales’ Hunting Tactics Demonstrates Why Orcas Are the Ultimate Predators Video Showing Killer Whales’ Hunting Tactics Demonstrates Why Orcas Are the Ultimate Predators

By Alex Robinson

USDA lifts a ban on importing hunter-harvested waterfowl meat from Canada.

Hunting

USDA Walks Back Canada Waterfowl Ban, Will Allow Hunters to Bring Meat Across the Border USDA Walks Back Canada Waterfowl Ban, Will Allow Hunters to Bring Meat Across the Border

A whitetail buck dunks his head underwater on trail camera to eat.

Conservation

Trail Cam Video Shows Georgia Whitetail Eating Corn Under Water Trail Cam Video Shows Georgia Whitetail Eating Corn Under Water

Conservation

USDA Bans Importation of All Hunter-Harvested Waterfowl from Canada the Day After Hunting Season Opens USDA Bans Importation of All Hunter-Harvested Waterfowl from Canada the Day After Hunting Season Opens

pintail drake seedskadee

Conservation

Pintails Hit Their Lowest Population in Decades. Some Researchers Think We Could be Miscounting Them Pintails Hit Their Lowest Population in Decades. Some Researchers Think We Could be Miscounting Them

By Keegan Sentner

Conservation

Study That Suggests Chronic Wasting Disease Can Infect Humans May Be Flawed, According to Top Researchers Study That Suggests Chronic Wasting Disease Can Infect Humans May Be Flawed, According to Top Researchers

By Andrew McKean

Luke Resop MSU graduate student putting a GPS collar on buck 140 in Mississippi.

Conservation

This Buck Swims Across the Mississippi River and Back Every Year During an 18-Mile Migration This Buck Swims Across the Mississippi River and Back Every Year During an 18-Mile Migration

SF baykeeper fish kill photo

Conservation

“Red Tide” Is Causing a Massive Fish Kill in San Francisco Bay “Red Tide” Is Causing a Massive Fish Kill in San Francisco Bay

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge closed to all bird hunting this week.

Conservation

A Pacific Waterfowl Oasis Ran Out of Water. These Duck Hunters Are Footing the Bill for Some More A Pacific Waterfowl Oasis Ran Out of Water. These Duck Hunters Are Footing the Bill for Some More

edited mexican red snapper poachers caught

Conservation

Coast Guard Intercepts 3 Boats off Texas Coast with 2,425 Pounds of Illegally Caught Red Snapper Coast Guard Intercepts 3 Boats off Texas Coast with 2,425 Pounds of Illegally Caught Red Snapper

Two California wildlife refuges have been closed to bird hunting.

Conservation

Two Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges Close to Bird Hunting Due to Extreme Drought Two Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges Close to Bird Hunting Due to Extreme Drought

salt marsh harvest mouse USFWS

Conservation

New Study Used Mice to Show Potential Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease to Humans New Study Used Mice to Show Potential Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease to Humans

By Keegan Sentner

Yellowstone floods road through Gardner Canyon

Conservation

Yellowstone’s Native Fish Populations Still Healthy in the Wake of June Floods Yellowstone’s Native Fish Populations Still Healthy in the Wake of June Floods

cottonmouth eats python in florida everglades

Conservation

A Cottonmouth Ate a Python in the Everglades, and the X-Ray Is Wild A Cottonmouth Ate a Python in the Everglades, and the X-Ray Is Wild

Mallard numbers were lower than the last survey count

Conservation

The USFWS Just Released Its First Full Duck Count in Three Years, and It’s Not Great The USFWS Just Released Its First Full Duck Count in Three Years, and It’s Not Great

rancher with cow killed by wolf

Conservation

How Many Wolves Should There Be in Colorado? How Many Wolves Should There Be in Colorado?

By Keegan Sentner

Alligator attacks in the Southeast are on the rise.

Survival

Four Fatal Gator Attacks in 76 Days Is a Statistical Anomaly. Here’s Why It Happened Four Fatal Gator Attacks in 76 Days Is a Statistical Anomaly. Here’s Why It Happened

rhode island dem boat

Conservation

Man Fined $9,000 for Poaching Striped Bass, Then Dumping Them Overboard While Fleeing Law Enforcement Man Fined $9,000 for Poaching Striped Bass, Then Dumping Them Overboard While Fleeing Law Enforcement

saltwater croc thrashes australian piggy

Conservation

Feral Hogs Are Invasive Pests, But They’ve Helped Australia’s Saltwater Crocs Rebound Feral Hogs Are Invasive Pests, But They’ve Helped Australia’s Saltwater Crocs Rebound

By Keegan Sentner

Angler wades in stream by barbed-wire fence

Conservation

“I’d Have to Bury You Out Here.” The New Mexico Stream Access Battle Is Far From Over “I’d Have to Bury You Out Here.” The New Mexico Stream Access Battle Is Far From Over

red desert elk blm wyoming

Conservation

New Mexico Poachers Convicted for Using Attack Dogs to Take Elk New Mexico Poachers Convicted for Using Attack Dogs to Take Elk

australian redclaw crawfish

Conservation

Researchers Find Giant, Invasive Australian Crayfish Near the Texas Border Researchers Find Giant, Invasive Australian Crayfish Near the Texas Border

By Keegan Sentner

Watch: Broom-Wielding Georgia Man Hospitalized After Hand-Fed Buck Gores His Arm

Conservation

Watch: Broom-Wielding Georgia Man Hospitalized After Hand-Fed Buck Gores His Arm Watch: Broom-Wielding Georgia Man Hospitalized After Hand-Fed Buck Gores His Arm

A female and two male wolves in Montana.

Conservation

Scientists Call for “Rewilding the West” by Bringing More Beavers and Wolves onto Public Lands Scientists Call for “Rewilding the West” by Bringing More Beavers and Wolves onto Public Lands

By Keegan Sentner

pheasant in field odfw

Conservation

The U.K. Releases 55 Million Game Birds Every Year. This Group Says Not to Release Any Amid Avian Flu Fears The U.K. Releases 55 Million Game Birds Every Year. This Group Says Not to Release Any Amid Avian Flu Fears

A black bear attempts to get into a trash can.

Conservation

Sow and Three Cubs Euthanized in Washington State After Breaking into a Home Sow and Three Cubs Euthanized in Washington State After Breaking into a Home

Two fishermen on the beach, one holding a rod, the other a fish, with a drone above them.

Fishing

Will Drones Take Over Fishing or Be Banned From It? Will Drones Take Over Fishing or Be Banned From It?

The inflation reduction act would help deer habitat.

Conservation

The Inflation Reduction Act Includes Billions of Dollars for Deer Habitat, Wildlife Refuges, and Coastal Projects The Inflation Reduction Act Includes Billions of Dollars for Deer Habitat, Wildlife Refuges, and Coastal Projects

Python hunters in Florida.

Conservation

Amateur Snake Hunters Catch Giant 17-Foot Python in Florida Amateur Snake Hunters Catch Giant 17-Foot Python in Florida

By Kristen A. Schmitt

Wildfire in Utah.

Conservation

Utah Man Allegedly Starts a Wildfire While Attempting to Kill a Spider Utah Man Allegedly Starts a Wildfire While Attempting to Kill a Spider

By Keegan Sentner

Crocodile hunt.

Hunting

Hunting the Nile Crocodile in Zambia Hunting the Nile Crocodile in Zambia

By Sierra Langbell

Pronghorn antelope in Montana

Conservation

Montana Is on the Brink of Destroying One of Its Most Successful Conservation Programs Montana Is on the Brink of Destroying One of Its Most Successful Conservation Programs

By Andrew McKean

Colorado is asking anglers to catch fish in two reservoirs.

Fishing

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

By Keegan Sentner

Guns

The Coolest Ducks Unlimited Dinner Guns of All Time The Coolest Ducks Unlimited Dinner Guns of All Time

Can Game Wardens Hang Trail Cameras on Your Private Property?

Conservation

Can Game Wardens Hang Trail Cameras on Your Private Property? Can Game Wardens Hang Trail Cameras on Your Private Property?

By Kristen A. Schmitt

Gator with python.

Conservation

Watch: Alligator Swims Away With Giant Dead Python Watch: Alligator Swims Away With Giant Dead Python

Dall sheep in Gates of the Arctic NP

Conservation

Feds Close Dall Sheep Hunting in Alaska’s Central Brooks Range Feds Close Dall Sheep Hunting in Alaska’s Central Brooks Range

Greenland shark.

Conservation

Rare Arctic Shark Found in Caribbean Waters Rare Arctic Shark Found in Caribbean Waters

By Kristen A. Schmitt

bird dog leads way usfws

Conservation

The Grasslands Conservation Act Just Hit the Senate. Here’s What it Means for Hunters and Wildlife The Grasslands Conservation Act Just Hit the Senate. Here’s What it Means for Hunters and Wildlife

Maple hills farms

Conservation

More Than 300 Deer to Be Killed at Deer Farm Infected with Chronic Wasting Disease In Wisconsin More Than 300 Deer to Be Killed at Deer Farm Infected with Chronic Wasting Disease In Wisconsin

By Kristen A. Schmitt

Conservation

Alaska Aims to Regain Wildlife Management Authority from Feds on Kenai National Refuge Alaska Aims to Regain Wildlife Management Authority from Feds on Kenai National Refuge

Montana’s Controversial Pheasant Stocking Program Moves Forward

Conservation

Montana’s Controversial Pheasant Stocking Program Moves Forward Montana’s Controversial Pheasant Stocking Program Moves Forward

red sockeye getty

Opinion

This Year’s Record-Breaking Salmon Run in Alaska’s Bristol Bay Proves Why Pebble Mine Is Such a Terrible Idea This Year’s Record-Breaking Salmon Run in Alaska’s Bristol Bay Proves Why Pebble Mine Is Such a Terrible Idea

Smallmouth bass

Conservation

Why Smallmouth Bass Are One of the Most Dangerous Fish in the Country Why Smallmouth Bass Are One of the Most Dangerous Fish in the Country

wild burros on BLM land

Conservation

Beasts of Burden: Wild Horses and Burros Are Dying Hard Deaths in the West Beasts of Burden: Wild Horses and Burros Are Dying Hard Deaths in the West

By Natalie Krebs

Moose tag Wyoming.

Conservation

Can Wyoming Fix Its Preference Point Problem for Big Game Tags? Can Wyoming Fix Its Preference Point Problem for Big Game Tags?

By Andrew McKean

AK boreal wildfire

Conservation

The Federal Government Is Suing a Fishing Guide and His Employer for Allegedly Starting a Wildfire in Alaska The Federal Government Is Suing a Fishing Guide and His Employer for Allegedly Starting a Wildfire in Alaska

Florida Trapper and Wildlife Officer Find a Python Nest Motherlode in Big Cypress National Preserve

Conservation

Florida Trapper and Wildlife Officer Find a Python Nest Motherlode in Big Cypress National Preserve Florida Trapper and Wildlife Officer Find a Python Nest Motherlode in Big Cypress National Preserve

By Keegan Sentner

IDFG elk boneyard near lewiston

Conservation

Idaho Wildlife Officials Discover Elk Boneyard on Craig Mountain Idaho Wildlife Officials Discover Elk Boneyard on Craig Mountain

wild boar scotland

Conservation

Scottish Farmers Say Giant Wild Boars Are Eating Their Sheep Scottish Farmers Say Giant Wild Boars Are Eating Their Sheep

By Keegan Sentner

Alligator in Michigan.

Conservation

Alligator Sightings Close Michigan Nature Center Alligator Sightings Close Michigan Nature Center

By Kristen A. Schmitt

banff's white bear climbing fence

Conservation

A Lesson From Banff’s White Grizzly: You Can’t Control Wild Bears A Lesson From Banff’s White Grizzly: You Can’t Control Wild Bears

Conservation

Weed-Killing Chemical Used in Roundup Found in 80 Percent of U.S. Urine Samples Weed-Killing Chemical Used in Roundup Found in 80 Percent of U.S. Urine Samples

By Alex Robinson

Snow geese are more apt to contract avian influenza.

Conservation

Smoke a Goose with the Wing Still On? Waterfowl Importation Ban Could Cause Confusion for Hunters at Canadian Border Smoke a Goose with the Wing Still On? Waterfowl Importation Ban Could Cause Confusion for Hunters at Canadian Border

Wales fish poacher.

Conservation

Fish Poachers in Wales Busted After 20 Years of Illegal Harvest Fish Poachers in Wales Busted After 20 Years of Illegal Harvest

By Kristen A. Schmitt

California drones wildfire

Conservation

Unauthorized Drones Are Jamming Efforts to Fight Wildland Fires in California Unauthorized Drones Are Jamming Efforts to Fight Wildland Fires in California

By Keegan Sentner

alligator gar in Falcon Reservoir TPWD

Conservation

Giant Alligator Gar: Trash Fish or Trophy Gamefish? Giant Alligator Gar: Trash Fish or Trophy Gamefish?