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

A 7 foot sturgeon caught in a canal was released to Lake Walcott in Idaho.

Conservation

Fish and Game Officials Capture and Relocate 8-Foot White Sturgeon in Idaho Fish and Game Officials Capture and Relocate 8-Foot White Sturgeon in Idaho

Ohio commissioner candidate floats the idea of a hunting season for feral cats.

Conservation

Could This Ohio County Actually Instate a Feral Cat Season? This Local Politician Wants One Could This Ohio County Actually Instate a Feral Cat Season? This Local Politician Wants One

A trapped saved a gator from a python in the everglades.

Conservation

Watch This Florida Trapper Save a Gator from the Grip of a Burmese Python Watch This Florida Trapper Save a Gator from the Grip of a Burmese Python

Deer numbers in urban and suburban parks are through the roof in D.C. and Maryland.

Conservation

NPS Considers Adding Wolves or Bears to Washington D.C. Area to Reduce Deer Population? Not Really NPS Considers Adding Wolves or Bears to Washington D.C. Area to Reduce Deer Population? Not Really

A poached sturgeon rescued from a trunk.

Conservation

7-Foot Sturgeon Discovered in Poacher’s Sedan, Nine Men Arrested in Connection with Massive Illegal Caviar Operation 7-Foot Sturgeon Discovered in Poacher’s Sedan, Nine Men Arrested in Connection with Massive Illegal Caviar Operation

By Keegan Sentner

California Is Building the World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing. It Could Prevent Mountain Lion Inbreeding

Conservation

California Is Building the World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing. It Could Prevent Mountain Lion Inbreeding California Is Building the World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing. It Could Prevent Mountain Lion Inbreeding

By Keegan Sentner

Why I’m Killing My Lawn and Turning My Yard Into Wildlife Habitat

Conservation

Why I’m Killing My Lawn and Turning My Yard Into Wildlife Habitat Why I’m Killing My Lawn and Turning My Yard Into Wildlife Habitat

By Scott Einsmann

Volunteers build oyster reefs in North Carolina.

Fishing

North Carolina’s New River Oyster Highway Turned a Dead Zone Into a Seatrout Fishing Hotspot North Carolina’s New River Oyster Highway Turned a Dead Zone Into a Seatrout Fishing Hotspot

Gobies Have Officially Invaded the Hudson River. That’s Bad News for Striped Bass

Conservation

Gobies Have Officially Invaded the Hudson River. That’s Bad News for Striped Bass Gobies Have Officially Invaded the Hudson River. That’s Bad News for Striped Bass

A new report from onx shows the scale of the corner crossing debate.

Conservation

More Than 8 Million Acres of Public Land in the West Is “Corner-Locked” and Inaccessible to Hunters More Than 8 Million Acres of Public Land in the West Is “Corner-Locked” and Inaccessible to Hunters

By Keegan Sentner

Snowstorm on the prairie pothole region

Hunting

Could North Dakota’s 30 Inches of “Duck Snow” Save Your Duck Season? Could North Dakota’s 30 Inches of “Duck Snow” Save Your Duck Season?

By Keegan Sentner

upper missouri breaks BLM

Conservation

Utah Senators Say Their New Bill Will Fix the Housing Crisis. It’s Really a Federal Land Grab Utah Senators Say Their New Bill Will Fix the Housing Crisis. It’s Really a Federal Land Grab

Poached antlers to be auctioned in Utah.

Conservation

Six Years Worth of Antlers and Bobcat Furs Seized from Utah Poachers Will Be Auctioned to the Public Six Years Worth of Antlers and Bobcat Furs Seized from Utah Poachers Will Be Auctioned to the Public

By Natalie Krebs

red wolf and whitetail deer

Conservation

Could Red Wolves Actually Improve Deer Populations and Hunting in the Southeast? Could Red Wolves Actually Improve Deer Populations and Hunting in the Southeast?

By Christine Peterson

male wolf from OR imnaha pack

Conservation

Washington Wolf Numbers Are Up and Livestock Depredation Is Down, But the State Still Spent $1.4 Million on Conflicts Washington Wolf Numbers Are Up and Livestock Depredation Is Down, But the State Still Spent $1.4 Million on Conflicts

By Keegan Sentner

Martha Williams on grizzly bears.

Conservation

Martha Williams, the New Director of USFWS, Talks Grizzly Bears, Hunting on Refuges, and the Challenge of Getting More Americans Outdoors Martha Williams, the New Director of USFWS, Talks Grizzly Bears, Hunting on Refuges, and the Challenge of Getting More Americans Outdoors

By Andrew McKean

More Than 1,500 Pheasants, Quail, and Ducks Euthanized as Texas Confirms Bird Flu Outbreak at a Commercial Game Bird Operation

Hunting

More Than 1,500 Pheasants, Quail, and Ducks Euthanized as Texas Confirms Bird Flu Outbreak at a Commercial Game Bird Operation More Than 1,500 Pheasants, Quail, and Ducks Euthanized as Texas Confirms Bird Flu Outbreak at a Commercial Game Bird Operation

basin range nevada blm

Conservation

Navigating Public Land Just Got Easier, Thanks to the MAPLands Act Navigating Public Land Just Got Easier, Thanks to the MAPLands Act

pronghorn and golden eagles blm

Conservation

The Most Important Wildlife Conservation Legislation in 50 Years Is Primed for Passage in Congress The Most Important Wildlife Conservation Legislation in 50 Years Is Primed for Passage in Congress

Hunting

Will Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Mean Fewer Pheasants This Fall? Will Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Mean Fewer Pheasants This Fall?

By Andrew McKean

Hunting

Minnesota Lawmakers Consider Cracking Down on Captive Deer Farms as Chronic Wasting Disease Continues to Spread Nationally Minnesota Lawmakers Consider Cracking Down on Captive Deer Farms as Chronic Wasting Disease Continues to Spread Nationally

By Keegan Sentner

blm checkerboard map elk mountain

Conservation

The Wyoming Corner-Crossing Lawsuit Is Headed to Federal Court, Where a Ruling Could Affect Public Access Across the West The Wyoming Corner-Crossing Lawsuit Is Headed to Federal Court, Where a Ruling Could Affect Public Access Across the West

By Keegan Sentner

ND bighorn sheep

Conservation

North Dakota’s Bighorn Sheep Populations Reach Record Levels for Second Consecutive Year North Dakota’s Bighorn Sheep Populations Reach Record Levels for Second Consecutive Year

By Keegan Sentner

video grab python

Conservation

Video: Florida Trapper Shows How to Grab a Python Without Getting Bitten Video: Florida Trapper Shows How to Grab a Python Without Getting Bitten

Federal Subsistence Board Just Voted on Closing 60 Million Acres of Public Land in Alaska to Non-Local Moose and Caribou Hunters

Conservation

Federal Subsistence Board Just Voted on Closing 60 Million Acres of Public Land in Alaska to Non-Local Moose and Caribou Hunters Federal Subsistence Board Just Voted on Closing 60 Million Acres of Public Land in Alaska to Non-Local Moose and Caribou Hunters

Fishing pressure is dwindling tuna stocks.

Conservation

Tuna Stocks Are Being Overfished According to a Recent Sustainability Report Tuna Stocks Are Being Overfished According to a Recent Sustainability Report

The Rhino Bond could save black rhinos.

Conservation

A $150 Million Wildlife Bond Could Help Save Africa’s Endangered Black Rhino A $150 Million Wildlife Bond Could Help Save Africa’s Endangered Black Rhino

Tennessee Wildlife Officials Relocate a 500-Pound Black Bear Living Near Tusculum University

Conservation

Tennessee Wildlife Officials Relocate a 500-Pound Black Bear Living Near Tusculum University Tennessee Wildlife Officials Relocate a 500-Pound Black Bear Living Near Tusculum University

After years of mule deer hunting, the author has realized how adaptable and resilient these animals are.

Hunting

Memoirs of a Mule Deer Hunter Memoirs of a Mule Deer Hunter

MI DNR walleye egg collection

Fishing

Michigan DNR Will Collect 24 Million Walleye Eggs from the Muskegon River to Support Local Rivers and Lakes Michigan DNR Will Collect 24 Million Walleye Eggs from the Muskegon River to Support Local Rivers and Lakes

getty retro california pig hunters

Conservation

California Hunters Push Back on Wild Pig Bill They Say Is a “Slippery Slope” to an Anti-Hunting Agenda California Hunters Push Back on Wild Pig Bill They Say Is a “Slippery Slope” to an Anti-Hunting Agenda

zavodnik walleye bust MDNR

Fishing

Minnesota Walleye Poacher Busted with 10 Times the Legal Limit, Warden Says He Kept Them to Serve During Vikings Games Minnesota Walleye Poacher Busted with 10 Times the Legal Limit, Warden Says He Kept Them to Serve During Vikings Games

Josh Widhelm NGPC

Conservation

Florida Resident with a History of Hunting Violations Sells Nebraska Property to Stay out of Jail Florida Resident with a History of Hunting Violations Sells Nebraska Property to Stay out of Jail

By Kristen A. Schmitt

A fish dealer was convicted of selling invasive carp illegally.

Conservation

Wisconsin Fish Dealer Convicted of Illegally Selling, Transporting 9,000-Plus Pounds of Invasive Carp Wisconsin Fish Dealer Convicted of Illegally Selling, Transporting 9,000-Plus Pounds of Invasive Carp

Wild burros brought in to target wolves.

Conservation

Officials Give Six Wild Burros to Colorado Ranch, Hoping to Protect Livestock from Wolves Officials Give Six Wild Burros to Colorado Ranch, Hoping to Protect Livestock from Wolves

By Keegan Sentner

Rats are a big invasive species problem in Alaska.

Conservation

Rats Are One of Alaska’s Worst Invasive Species. Centuries Later, Wildlife Managers Are Working to Eradicate Them Rats Are One of Alaska’s Worst Invasive Species. Centuries Later, Wildlife Managers Are Working to Eradicate Them

black bear in tall grass USFWS

Hunting

Washington State Just Voted to Cancel Its Spring Black Bear Season, Despite a Population of at Least 25,000 Bears Washington State Just Voted to Cancel Its Spring Black Bear Season, Despite a Population of at Least 25,000 Bears

A white sturgeon released in

Conservation

Video: 11-Foot White Sturgeon Caught (and Released) in Coastal Canada Video: 11-Foot White Sturgeon Caught (and Released) in Coastal Canada

Florida pompano bust

Conservation

Gill Netter Busted for 2,611 Pompano Over the Limit, Underscoring Frustrations Among Florida Sport Fishermen Gill Netter Busted for 2,611 Pompano Over the Limit, Underscoring Frustrations Among Florida Sport Fishermen

fall creek poached doe OR

Conservation

Think Poachers Get Off Easy? Oregon Just Hired Its First Anti-Poaching Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Convictions Think Poachers Get Off Easy? Oregon Just Hired Its First Anti-Poaching Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Convictions

HPAI wild birds map

Conservation

Avian Flu Spreads Across Southeastern U.S. and Beyond, Killing Hundreds of Wild Birds Along the Atlantic Flyway Avian Flu Spreads Across Southeastern U.S. and Beyond, Killing Hundreds of Wild Birds Along the Atlantic Flyway

By Kristen A. Schmitt

A California man took two bear cubs from their den.

Conservation

Northern California Man Pleads Guilty to Taking Two Bear Cubs from Their Den Northern California Man Pleads Guilty to Taking Two Bear Cubs from Their Den

mckenzie river map BLM

Conservation

The House Just Passed an Act That Will Make It Easier for Hunters to Find and Access Public Lands The House Just Passed an Act That Will Make It Easier for Hunters to Find and Access Public Lands

By Andrew McKean

whitetail deer in michigan

Conservation

Michigan Parks Authority Culls 330 Deer Around Detroit, Donates Nearly 10,000 Pounds of Venison Michigan Parks Authority Culls 330 Deer Around Detroit, Donates Nearly 10,000 Pounds of Venison

Wyoming wildlife crossing sign

Conservation

There’s an App for That: Wyoming’s New Roadkill App Makes Salvaging Dead Game Easier There’s an App for That: Wyoming’s New Roadkill App Makes Salvaging Dead Game Easier

national elk refuge usfws

Conservation

Is USFWS About to Walk Back Its Expansion of Hunting on Federal Land Because of Lead Ammo? Is USFWS About to Walk Back Its Expansion of Hunting on Federal Land Because of Lead Ammo?

By Andrew McKean

Illegal black bear baiting site

Conservation

Montana Man Convicted of Hunting Violations Still Wanted on Charges Related to Illegal Black Bear Baiting Montana Man Convicted of Hunting Violations Still Wanted on Charges Related to Illegal Black Bear Baiting

By Natalie Krebs

mexican wolf usfws

Conservation

Mexico Releases Four More Wolves into the Wild Mexico Releases Four More Wolves into the Wild

By Kristen A. Schmitt

bobcat fights python everglades

Conservation

Watch: Bobcat Fights a Python, Steals Its Eggs Watch: Bobcat Fights a Python, Steals Its Eggs

vermont moose usfws

Hunting

Vermont Will Issue 100 Moose Tags This Fall to Reduce Tick Problems Vermont Will Issue 100 Moose Tags This Fall to Reduce Tick Problems

By Kristen A. Schmitt

checkerboard public land

Conservation

Want to Understand the Corner-Crossing Issue? Listen to These Podcasts from Randy Newberg Want to Understand the Corner-Crossing Issue? Listen to These Podcasts from Randy Newberg

By Andrew McKean

Virginia Will Finally Allow Sunday Hunting on Public Land

Conservation

Virginia Will Finally Allow Sunday Hunting on Public Land Virginia Will Finally Allow Sunday Hunting on Public Land

By Kristen A. Schmitt

A study will healp researchers determine mallard health in the Atlantic flyway.

Hunting

A New Telemetry Study Could Solve the Mysterious Decline of Atlantic Flyway Mallards A New Telemetry Study Could Solve the Mysterious Decline of Atlantic Flyway Mallards

By Kristen A. Schmitt

Goliath grouper season now open.

Fishing

Florida Moves to Officially Lift 32-Year Ban on Goliath Grouper Fishery Florida Moves to Officially Lift 32-Year Ban on Goliath Grouper Fishery

whitetail buck glacier NP

Hunting

First Possible Case of Deer Spreading COVID-19 to a Human Discovered in Canada First Possible Case of Deer Spreading COVID-19 to a Human Discovered in Canada

acid mine drainage

Conservation

British Columbia’s Mega Mine Gold Rush Threatens Wilderness, Salmon, and the Outdoor Lifestyle in Southeast Alaska British Columbia’s Mega Mine Gold Rush Threatens Wilderness, Salmon, and the Outdoor Lifestyle in Southeast Alaska

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

If the Delaware Water Gap Is Designated as the Country’s Newest National Park, What Does That Mean for Hunters? If the Delaware Water Gap Is Designated as the Country’s Newest National Park, What Does That Mean for Hunters?

Hunting

Weed Growers: The Evolution of Food Plots, Roundup Spraying, and Deer Habitat Management Weed Growers: The Evolution of Food Plots, Roundup Spraying, and Deer Habitat Management

By Christine Peterson

NPS personnel fishing the Buffalo National River.

Conservation

50 Years Ago, the Buffalo Became Our First National River. How Well Have We Conserved Our Rivers Since? 50 Years Ago, the Buffalo Became Our First National River. How Well Have We Conserved Our Rivers Since?

By Keegan Sentner

Washington to close all steelhead fishing.

Fishing

In Unprecedented Move, Washington State Announces Full Emergency Closure of Steelhead Fishing on Coastal Rivers In Unprecedented Move, Washington State Announces Full Emergency Closure of Steelhead Fishing on Coastal Rivers

A mountain lion in Boulder Colorado under a porch.

Conservation

Colorado Officials Dart and Relocate a Mountain Lion Discovered Under a Porch in Boulder Colorado Officials Dart and Relocate a Mountain Lion Discovered Under a Porch in Boulder

criminal stuffs two crossbows down his pants

Conservation

Video: Florida Thief Stuffs a Ravin Crossbow into His Pants, Walks Out of Hardware Store Video: Florida Thief Stuffs a Ravin Crossbow into His Pants, Walks Out of Hardware Store

Lily a working dog can smell wildlife scents.

Hunting

“Working Dogs for Conservation” Is Training Rescues to Sniff Out Conservation Problems “Working Dogs for Conservation” Is Training Rescues to Sniff Out Conservation Problems

Python cowboy in Florida iguana hunting.

Conservation

Iguana Hunter Kills Giant Invasive Lizards in Florida Iguana Hunter Kills Giant Invasive Lizards in Florida