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

The Yukon River

Conservation

Retracing Jack London’s Journey to the Klondike Retracing Jack London’s Journey to the Klondike

Florida black bear killed by sheriff's deputies.

Conservation

Florida Wildlife Officers Clash with Sheriff’s Deputies for Shooting Black Bear That “Was Never a Safety Hazard” Florida Wildlife Officers Clash with Sheriff’s Deputies for Shooting Black Bear That “Was Never a Safety Hazard”

NAWA would help fund mule deer and other wild game habitat.

Conservation

The House Passed a Bill That Could Provide $1.4 Billion in Wildlife Funding Every Single Year The House Passed a Bill That Could Provide $1.4 Billion in Wildlife Funding Every Single Year

By Kristen A. Schmitt

A whitetail deer in the woods.

Conservation

High Deer Densities and Low Hunter Numbers in the East Could Mean Drastic Changes in Whitetail Management and Funding High Deer Densities and Low Hunter Numbers in the East Could Mean Drastic Changes in Whitetail Management and Funding

wildfire poudre river fish kill

Conservation

Forest Fires Are Contributing to Trout Kills in the West Forest Fires Are Contributing to Trout Kills in the West

By Keegan Sentner

Feral pigs in Italy.

Conservation

Could Wolves Save Rome From Its Feral Pig Problem? Could Wolves Save Rome From Its Feral Pig Problem?

Texas whitetail deer hunting

Conservation

Texas Drought Is a Problem for Deer Herds and Antler Growth Texas Drought Is a Problem for Deer Herds and Antler Growth

The biggest python ever captured in Florida.

Conservation

Largest Python Ever Captured in Florida Is Nearly 18 Feet Long Largest Python Ever Captured in Florida Is Nearly 18 Feet Long

Oregon elk poachers.

Conservation

Social Media Photo Leads to Charges for Men Who Poached Trophy Elk Social Media Photo Leads to Charges for Men Who Poached Trophy Elk

ODWC finds gator in north Oklahoma

Conservation

Game Wardens Trapped and Killed an Alligator That Mysteriously Showed Up in Northern Oklahoma Game Wardens Trapped and Killed an Alligator That Mysteriously Showed Up in Northern Oklahoma

screengrab DeSantis Python press conference

Conservation

In the Most Florida Press Conference Ever, Governor DeSantis Promotes This Year’s Python Challenge In the Most Florida Press Conference Ever, Governor DeSantis Promotes This Year’s Python Challenge

By Keegan Sentner

Two men were fined and sentenced for shooting a golden eagle.

Conservation

Two Idaho Poachers Banned From Hunting and Possessing Firearms for Killing a Golden Eagle Two Idaho Poachers Banned From Hunting and Possessing Firearms for Killing a Golden Eagle

Florida panthers in Southern Florida are killing tons of deer.

Conservation

Study Finds Panthers Are Now Top Predator of Whitetail Deer in Southwest Florida Study Finds Panthers Are Now Top Predator of Whitetail Deer in Southwest Florida

historic yellowstone flood

Conservation

Watch: Historic Flood Hits Yellowstone, Spurs Evacuation from National Park Watch: Historic Flood Hits Yellowstone, Spurs Evacuation from National Park

By Keegan Sentner

Alex Latzka WDNR walleye

Conservation

Wisconsin Waters Are Warming. Its Walleye Fishing and Stocking Programs Are in Trouble Wisconsin Waters Are Warming. Its Walleye Fishing and Stocking Programs Are in Trouble

By Keegan Sentner

Menhaden on a boat deck.

Conservation

50,000 Menhaden and Other Fish Species Killed Near Baltimore After Sewage Leak 50,000 Menhaden and Other Fish Species Killed Near Baltimore After Sewage Leak

Brown bears fall off mountain.

Conservation

Watch: Brown Bear Attacks Sow in Brutal Fight Over Cub, Dies After Both Fall Down Mountain Watch: Brown Bear Attacks Sow in Brutal Fight Over Cub, Dies After Both Fall Down Mountain

Two red foxes died of avian flu in Utah.

Conservation

Two Red Foxes in Utah Test Positive for Avian Influenza Two Red Foxes in Utah Test Positive for Avian Influenza

By Keegan Sentner

This doe died just feet from and animal hospital on Long Island.

Conservation

New York Public Hunting Area Set to Close After Hunter Shoots Whitetail Too Close to Wildlife Rescue Center New York Public Hunting Area Set to Close After Hunter Shoots Whitetail Too Close to Wildlife Rescue Center

Sutter Basin in northern California.

Conservation

USFWS Wants to Open 19 More Wildlife Refuges to Hunting and Fishing. Lead Ammo and Tackle Would Be Banned There USFWS Wants to Open 19 More Wildlife Refuges to Hunting and Fishing. Lead Ammo and Tackle Would Be Banned There

Elk herd in snowy mountains.

Conservation

Montana Land Purchase Could Unlock 100,000 Public Acres in the Big Snowy Mountains Montana Land Purchase Could Unlock 100,000 Public Acres in the Big Snowy Mountains

By Kristen A. Schmitt

Florida men charged after poaching deer at night.

Conservation

Two Florida Men Arrested for Poaching Deer in a Subdivision with a Pellet Gun Two Florida Men Arrested for Poaching Deer in a Subdivision with a Pellet Gun

combo bear trombone screengrab

Conservation

Canadian Music Teacher Scares Bear Off Campus with a Trombone Canadian Music Teacher Scares Bear Off Campus with a Trombone

By Keegan Sentner

A cow moose charged two hikers.

Survival

Colorado Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots, Kills Charging Cow Moose Colorado Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots, Kills Charging Cow Moose

By Joe Genzel, Tyler Freel

lake powell rockslide screengrab

Conservation

Watch: Boaters Flee Massive Wave Caused by Rockslide in Lake Powell Watch: Boaters Flee Massive Wave Caused by Rockslide in Lake Powell

By Keegan Sentner

Menominee River

Conservation

Three-State Fish Poaching Probe on the Menominee River Results in 29 Citations Three-State Fish Poaching Probe on the Menominee River Results in 29 Citations

pair of bowhunters in FL

Conservation

New Jersey Bill Would Require Landowners to Notify Neighbors Before Hunting Their Own Land New Jersey Bill Would Require Landowners to Notify Neighbors Before Hunting Their Own Land

By Kristen A. Schmitt

griz kills moose calf Glacier NP

Conservation

Watch: Grizzly Stalks and Kills Moose Calf in Glacier National Park Watch: Grizzly Stalks and Kills Moose Calf in Glacier National Park

a flock of sheep at Seedskadee

Conservation

143 Sheep Die Trying to Escape Two Wolves in Idaho 143 Sheep Die Trying to Escape Two Wolves in Idaho

cougar close-up NPS

Conservation

Mountain Lion Enters California High School, Is Trapped Inside Empty Classroom Mountain Lion Enters California High School, Is Trapped Inside Empty Classroom

By Kristen A. Schmitt

Pronghorn antelope in Wyoming.

Conservation

BLM Unlocks 75,000 Acres of Private and Public Land With Major Purchase in Wyoming BLM Unlocks 75,000 Acres of Private and Public Land With Major Purchase in Wyoming

By Christine Peterson

riparian brush rabbit in California

Conservation

Deadly Virus Spreads to Endangered Rabbit Populations in California Deadly Virus Spreads to Endangered Rabbit Populations in California

By Keegan Sentner

Black bear in Shenandoah NP

Conservation

After Canceling Its Spring Bear Hunt, Washington Sees Bear Conflicts in the Suburbs After Canceling Its Spring Bear Hunt, Washington Sees Bear Conflicts in the Suburbs

a fence on blm land

Conservation

Why Not Legalize All Corner Crossing in the West? Why Not Legalize All Corner Crossing in the West?

By Alex Robinson, Dac Collins

Brown bear research

Hunting

LaVern Beier: The Bear Man of Southeast Alaska LaVern Beier: The Bear Man of Southeast Alaska

osprey with alewife maine river

Conservation

Alewives Return to Maine Lake for the First Time Since Revolutionary War Alewives Return to Maine Lake for the First Time Since Revolutionary War

By Keegan Sentner

Shopping with a fawn at Walmart.

Conservation

After Walmart Shopping With a Fawn Whitetail, Georgia Couple Receives a Citation After Walmart Shopping With a Fawn Whitetail, Georgia Couple Receives a Citation

Fewer hunters bought licenses this year, but it was only a slight decline

Conservation

Hunting License Sales Saw a Slight Decrease in 2021 Hunting License Sales Saw a Slight Decrease in 2021

By Keegan Sentner

black bear baiting utah

Conservation

Utah Guide Faces Felony Charges Over Illegally Baiting Bears on Donald Trump Jr. Hunt Utah Guide Faces Felony Charges Over Illegally Baiting Bears on Donald Trump Jr. Hunt

Black bear hunting.

Hunting

Growing Black Bear Populations Could Mean a Bear Hunting Boom in America Growing Black Bear Populations Could Mean a Bear Hunting Boom in America

By Christine Peterson

Carp in the Connecticut River are considered trophy fish.

Fishing

Three Fishermen Fined Thousands of Dollars for Keeping Too Many Carp Three Fishermen Fined Thousands of Dollars for Keeping Too Many Carp

Mexican gray wolves will have no cap on population thanks to a new plan from the USFWS.

Conservation

Wildlife Officials Eliminate Population Cap on Mexican Gray Wolves Wildlife Officials Eliminate Population Cap on Mexican Gray Wolves

A wildfire in Michigan caused the evacuation of 13 individuals at a hunting camp.

Survival

13 Evacuate from Michigan Hunting Camp as Wildfire Burns Thousands of Acres 13 Evacuate from Michigan Hunting Camp as Wildfire Burns Thousands of Acres

By Keegan Sentner

Fishing

Illegally Stocked Walleye in Idaho Triggers Investigation Illegally Stocked Walleye in Idaho Triggers Investigation

Atlantic cod in certain areas of the North American Atlantic Coast have been overfished.

Fishing

Amid Declines in North American Atlantic Cod, Commercial Fishermen are Turning to Gamefish Species Amid Declines in North American Atlantic Cod, Commercial Fishermen are Turning to Gamefish Species

Colorado wildlife officers saved this doe from what could have been a fatal accident.

Conservation

Watch Colorado Wildlife Officers Rescue a Doe Trapped Between Two Cargo Containers Watch Colorado Wildlife Officers Rescue a Doe Trapped Between Two Cargo Containers

By Keegan Sentner

Endangered 400-Pound Stingray Caught and Released

Conservation

Endangered 400-Pound Stingray Caught and Released Endangered 400-Pound Stingray Caught and Released

bald eagle perched on top of a peak

Conservation

Bird Flu Has Reached Oregon and Washington Bird Flu Has Reached Oregon and Washington

By Keegan Sentner

Manatees in Florida have become victims of the state's poor water quality.

Conservation

Hundreds of Florida Manatee Deaths Spur Federal Lawsuit and Cleanup Funding from State Government Hundreds of Florida Manatee Deaths Spur Federal Lawsuit and Cleanup Funding from State Government

Jesse Reising is a congressional candidate from Illinois

Hunting

Illinois Congressional Candidate Runs Campaign Ad Showing Himself Hunting, Despite Not Having a Hunting License Illinois Congressional Candidate Runs Campaign Ad Showing Himself Hunting, Despite Not Having a Hunting License

Hunting black bears in Alaska comes with the need to obtain many licenses and have a resident or licensed guide come with you if you're from out to state.

Conservation

“The Bear Whisperer” Host Charged With Poaching Black Bear in a National Park, Airing the Footage on His Show “The Bear Whisperer” Host Charged With Poaching Black Bear in a National Park, Airing the Footage on His Show

Two cougar kittens were found shot and dismembered last week.

Conservation

Officials Investigate the Gruesome Poaching of Two Cougar Kittens on Vancouver Island Officials Investigate the Gruesome Poaching of Two Cougar Kittens on Vancouver Island

A mule deer hops a fence.

Conservation

What’s Next For Corner-Crossers and What Will the Outcome of the Civil Suit Bring? What’s Next For Corner-Crossers and What Will the Outcome of the Civil Suit Bring?

By Andrew McKean

Deer tags in western states are being cut due to drought and disease.

Conservation

Utah, Wyoming, and Oregon Are Cutting Big Game Tags Due to Drought Conditions. Will Other States Follow? Utah, Wyoming, and Oregon Are Cutting Big Game Tags Due to Drought Conditions. Will Other States Follow?

By Keegan Sentner

Pheasant hunting in CRP lands.

Conservation

The USDA Accepted 2 Million Acres into the CRP Program, but We Could Still See a Net Loss in Pheasant Country This Year The USDA Accepted 2 Million Acres into the CRP Program, but We Could Still See a Net Loss in Pheasant Country This Year

Polar Bear That Wandered into a Town Only 200 Miles from the Maine Border Is Killed by Authorities

Conservation

Polar Bear That Wandered into a Town Only 200 Miles from the Maine Border Is Killed by Authorities Polar Bear That Wandered into a Town Only 200 Miles from the Maine Border Is Killed by Authorities

Man frees deer from fence

Conservation

Video: Texas Man Tries to Free a Deer Stuck in His Fence with a Pool Skimmer, Folding Chair Video: Texas Man Tries to Free a Deer Stuck in His Fence with a Pool Skimmer, Folding Chair

A pack of Gray Wolves standing in the snow in a national park.

Conservation

Wyoming’s Gray Wolves Fully Recovered Beyond Original Parameters. NPS Is Still Worried About Hunting Near Yellowstone Wyoming’s Gray Wolves Fully Recovered Beyond Original Parameters. NPS Is Still Worried About Hunting Near Yellowstone

The Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act will help fund mine reclamation efforts.

Conservation

This Public-Land Mining Law Hasn’t Changed Since 1872. A New Bill Would Impose Royalties for Hardrock Mining on Federal Land This Public-Land Mining Law Hasn’t Changed Since 1872. A New Bill Would Impose Royalties for Hardrock Mining on Federal Land

Hunters Who Challenged Wyoming Corner Crossing Rules Found “Not Guilty” of Criminal Trespassing

Conservation

Hunters Who Challenged Wyoming Corner Crossing Rules Found “Not Guilty” of Criminal Trespassing Hunters Who Challenged Wyoming Corner Crossing Rules Found “Not Guilty” of Criminal Trespassing

By Alex Robinson

Whitetail deer antlers

Conservation

Five Men Face 78 Criminal Charges Related to Poaching Deer in Vermont Five Men Face 78 Criminal Charges Related to Poaching Deer in Vermont

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is home to waterfalls and scenic vistas, along with 40 miles of river, 100+ miles of trails, and 70,00 acres of huntable land.

Conservation

Pennsylvania’s Largest Sportsmen Federation Opposes Reclassification of Delaware Water Gap as National Park and Preserve Pennsylvania’s Largest Sportsmen Federation Opposes Reclassification of Delaware Water Gap as National Park and Preserve

Pronghorn are being negatively impacted by drought and disease in wyoming.

Hunting

Wyoming Cuts 11,300 Pronghorn, Mule Deer Tags Due to Drought and Disease Wyoming Cuts 11,300 Pronghorn, Mule Deer Tags Due to Drought and Disease

virginia whitetail doe

Hunting

The Senate Just Introduced the CWD Act, Which Would Secure $70 Million for Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Prevention The Senate Just Introduced the CWD Act, Which Would Secure $70 Million for Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Prevention