Podcast appearances and mentions of hunter safety

Send us a textThis week, Angeline and Rebecca start by discussing Karen Read and why she is a thing.  Then Josh joins to discuss having to go to hunter safety, and what he could do for work when we move to Arizona.Be sure to come and chat with us here:Website: www.icbympodcast.comFacebook: @icbympodcastTwitter: @icbympodcastInstagram: @icbympodcastDiscord: https://discord.gg/7Vu7WCn58J

Having taken several deer and turkeys with a crossbow, young bowhunter Joey Zarr sets out with a new goal to take his first deer with a compound.  After working hard all summer to become proficient with his new weapon, and having passed his Hunter Safety class, Joey hits the woods on opening day of the 2024 season and it doesn't take many hunts before he's presented with the opportunity he's been waiting for.  Join along as Joey makes a perfect shot on what will hopefully be the first of many successful bow hunts.

Hunting season is here, which makes it a great time to review firearms safety. Today, we are talking with Nebraska agent, Jim Fleissner, and Nebraska Television Host, Author, and Marketing and Communications Specialist for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Greg Wagner. Every hunter should brush up on firearms safety, especially if you have a few years under your belt. Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Iowa Hunter Safety Buy, Sell, Lease, or Auction Land

On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, former NFL player and Super Bowl champion, Derek Wolf, shares his background growing up in Northeast Ohio and his introduction to the outdoors through hunting. Despite the challenges, Derek's stepdad introduced him to hunting and football, shaping his passion for both activities. Tune in to hear more about Derek's unique upbringing, his deep connection to the outdoors, and how these things became integral parts of his life.Watch the Derek Wolfe DU Nation Episode Here!www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Matt Rinella talks with North Dakota hunter safety instructor Adam Miller just before making him some truely bitchin deer burgers. If you appreciate what we do and want to help pay our expenses, please consider giving a donation at: https://gofund.me/5adc6daa

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Caitlin Frederick (County Extension Agent for Ag/NR) and Malory Lindsey (Crosby and Garza County Game Warden) discuss everything you need to know for the upcoming hunting season.  These ladies have a great time discussing preparation for hunting season, licensing , requirments for mandatory testing in CWD zones, CWD in general, youth license requirements, digital licensing, available apps, Wast of Game regulations, and much more. This was a fun podcast loaded with outstanding information.

Steve Gruber discusses news and headlines.

Steve Gruber discusses news and headlines.

patreon.com/whiskeywineandtruecrimehttps://whiskeywineandtrue.wixsite.com/

We'll talk about one way you can learn more about natural resources and volunteering in Wisconsin. Plus, we cover the start of the hunting season a disease called mange.

We're going to open the show a little differently today, with an ode to friendships found in Vermont. Then, we'll learn about the Hunter Safety Courses being offered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. After that, we sit down with the host of Jazz with George Thomas (yes, that would be George Thomas). And we finish the morning with open phones. 

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel's biggest headlines quickly dispensed.  The perfect OTC for people on the go! For the subscription-strength version, sign up for Your Daily Dose newsletter.   For more on these and other stories, visit our official website. TODAY'S TOP NEWS STORIES: COO, COO, CA-CHING CHANGE DRIVERS CHANGING COURSE A THREATT TO WATCH ON THE COURT

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel's biggest headlines quickly dispensed.  The perfect OTC for people on the go! For the subscription-strength version, sign up for Your Daily Dose newsletter.   For more on these and other stories, visit our official website. TODAY'S TOP NEWS STORIES: CHANGING COURSE ARMY GREEN MAKING HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES AJ-OK

Rancher/cattle driving in the summer pro snowboarder in the winter! This week we talk farming, cattle, hunting, being a different kind of pro snowboarder, grounding yourself, hanging with Timberlake and Sir Elton John, Facing jail time, snake milking, river dicking and so much more. Mark Carter is one of the most unique pro's you will meet join us and hear first hand how this Cow Boy from Wyoming became a pro holding sponsors into his 40's and beyond on this weeks episode of The Bomb Hole!Special ThanksLiquid Death- https://liquiddeath.com/bombhole/ Free coosie's!Ten Barrel Pub Beer- https://10barrel.com/beer/pub-beer/ The Patreon Members, We would not do this without you!!- https://www.patreon.com/thebombhole Mammoth Mountian- https://www.mammothmountain.com Volcom- https://www.volcom.com post a good bail on instagram and #volcombombproof @thebombhole https://www.instagram.com/thebombhole/ @volcomsnow https://www.instagram.com/volcomsnow/ A Volcom rider will pick the best one each week and the winner will get a prize pack!!Manscaped- https://www.manscaped.com Promo Code bombhole save 20%Mybookie- https://www.mybookie.ag Roark - https://roark.com InstagramMark Carter's Instagram: @cartercountry https://www.instagram.com/cartercountry/@thebombhole: https://www.instagram.com/thebombhole... @Grendiesel : https://www.instagram.com/grendiesel/...@E_stone : https://www.instagram.com/e_stone/ Budz Print Shop- www.e-stonephoto.com https://307o96449135872.3dcartstores.com Hit Subscribe! Leave a comment, We love your feedback! If you like the show please leave us a review! It all helps us out a ton!!For all things Bomb Hole, go to : https://thebombhole.com/BOMB HOLE STORE: https://thebombhole.com/collections/allWatch the episode on YouTube- https://youtu.be/KnFrMyaq7nYJoin The Bomb Squad on our Patreon page! Props to all of our Patreon members for the support. We could not make these episodes happen without your help! Patreon members get the chance to ask guests questions and find out who we will be interviewing before anyone else. They also receive Bomb Hole merch and a custom Bomb Squad sticker!!! Find out more at https://www.patreon.com/thebombholeShow Notes-Mark Carter Driving Cows | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-MWTkDsgIo Black Snow | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Olot7DK5GIBig Jean Fantasy | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEFAeipj0fk The Community Project | https://www.snowboardingfilms.net/film/the-community-project Mark Carter Full Part | https://www.snowboarder.com/videos/mark-carter-2015-full-part/ Cow Tipping | https://modernfarmer.com/2013/09/cow-tipping-myth-or-bullcrap/ Snake Milking | https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/snake-milker The Far Out Ones | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7XRNjVPcPo Probation | https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/pro-snowboarder-gets-probation-in-wyoming-illegal-hunting-case/article_1d59abb2-ae80-11e1-b190-001a4bcf887a.html Hunter Safety | https://www.hunter-ed.com/utah/ Carter Country Meats | https://cartercountrymeats.com/collections/meats Mind Gym | https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Gym-Athletes-Guide-Excellence/dp/0071395970 Avi 1 | https://www.americanavalancheinstitute.com/courses/avalanche-level-1/ Range Finder Trailer | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgrDtXkxFYo Thanks For Listening!

We talk with Alan Lazzara, MD about hunter safety, tree stand safety, and an interesting study on tree stand injuries.

November 12, 2021 - Hunter Safety

Jacob Davis has a conversation with 2021 Outstanding Young Farm Family winners, Josh and Savannah McCoy, of Dale County and William Green provides information about the upcoming hunting season.Be sure to check out Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farmers Federation.

Foundation of Waterfowl Hunting Course: Module 2, Lesson 1 - Hunter Safety Course

In this hour: - If you had to pick one caliber for both a rifle and a handgun, what would it be? - After taking a Hunter Safety class, an 11-year old wants a lifetime hunting license - He went to the store for a pistol and ended up buying a shotgun, too! Tom Gresham's Gun Talk 07.11.21 After Show

On todays EP we are joined by Connor Thomas and Chris Mcgee to chat about Hunter Safety and Social media in the outdoor industry today. HUNTERED - https://www.hunter-ed.com/ Support BHP Donate - http://bit.ly/PatGAc​ JOIN TEAM BHP (LEVEL UP) - http://bit.ly/PatGAc​ JOIN TEAM BHP CHAT GROUP - https://bit.ly/3gzhjmK​ Video support provided by: DEADDOWNWIND - https://bit.ly/3oSUej2​ TINKS - http://bit.ly/2wSSdeE​ Podcast support provided by: DEADDOWNWIND - https://bit.ly/3oSUej2​ TINKS - http://bit.ly/2wSSdeE​ SHADOW HUNTER BLINDS - http://bit.ly/3o9r5js​ DEADRINGER - http://bit.ly/3caFJnY​ THE GRIND - http://bit.ly/3o9tL0c​ ELEMENT OUTDOORS - http://bit.ly/3960388​ REVEAL CELLULAR CAMERAS - http://bit.ly/307xZgo​ BLACK EAGLE ARROWS - http://bit.ly/366u2Ll​ HHA SPORTS - http://bit.ly/2M4GfHG​ HHA USA - http://bit.ly/398lkhJ​ Cobra Archery - https://bit.ly/2O0Rwvw Additional Support: Deer Camp Coffee - http://bit.ly/2EDtfGK​ Yeti - http://bit.ly/39ZhkiA​ FOLLOW -Subscribe to BHP http://bit.ly/2Djy5Tl​ -Follow us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2tAEqu3​ -Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2FBdNa4​ -Follow us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/bhptwit​ -Follow us on TikTOK: http://bit.ly/2MRnt98​ MERCH STORE/HATS - http://bit.ly/BHPSHOP​ STORE/SHIRTS - https://bit.ly/31sAU3I​ American Buck Club SWAG - https://bit.ly/3b02dFR​ Listen to the AUDIO Podcast -Listen to the BHP PODCAST - http://bit.ly/2FH8QzM​ -ITUNES - http://bit.ly/BHPpodcast​ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/bhp-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the Wisconsin DNR prepares to welcome another warden recruitment class, now, more than ever, diversity in the field is essential to make sure the warden service reflects the communities they serve. In this episode, we hear from DNR Conservation Wardens Vong Xiong and Juan Gomez who come from different walks of life and serve the same mission. Both share how they were introduced to the career field, the experiences they've had and why it's important to have people of color in the warden service. Learn more about becoming a Wisconsin conservation warden: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WardenRecruitment--------------------------------------TRANSCRIPTSARAH HOYE: [00:00:00] From the Wisconsin DNR, this is Wild Wisconsin. Bringing you inside voices on Wisconsin's outdoors.KATIE GRANT: [00:00:17] Welcome back to another episode of Wild Wisconsin Off the Record. I'm your host, Katie Grant. It's a new season. Spring has sprung and we're looking for our newest class of Conservation Wardens. At the Wisconsin DNR, we want to make sure our wardens represent our community. So today we're talking with wardens Juan Gomez and Vong Xiong about their experiences on the job and why diversity matters. So sit back and listen in.All right. Thank you guys for joining us today. On this episode, we really want to talk about what it's like to be a Warden, why you wanted to become a Warden, what some of the challenges are that you face as a Warden and what your favorite part of being a Warden is. So to get started, why don't you guys go ahead and, and each introduce yourselves. Tell me your name, where you're based, the region you cover and kind of, you know, what it is that you do here. Vong let's go ahead and start with you. WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:01:17] Thanks, Katie. Again, I appreciate you having us on the show here and, um... kind of about who I am. My name is Vong Xiong. I'm a Conservation Warden for Jackson County in Wisconsin and I cover all of Jackson County right now.There are two stations, technically one is vacant. So I do cover both sides of the County and, uh, that's... I'm a Field Warden so I spend every day out patrolling, enforcing ATV, boating, snowmobile laws. Uh, whatever the seasons bring is what I enforce. So that's pretty much the sum of what or who I am.KATIE GRANT: [00:01:55] Perfect. And Juan, why don't you go ahead. WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:01:58] Sure I appreciate it. Um, my name is Juan Gomez. I am a Lieutenant with the Department of Natural Resources. I started in 2008 as a Field Warden, very similar to Vong, uh, down in Kenosha. Um, I spent about a year and a half in the Kenosha station before transferring to Walworth County where I spent a larger bulk of my career.Um, when I was a Field Warden down there, um, I covered the county of Walworth by myself for, uh, a pretty extensive period of time, um, engaging with the public and enforcing recreational vehicle enforcement, environmental enforcement, um, uh, and a number of other areas that the department is responsible for.Uh, in 2017, I promoted and I supervise the Field Wardens in Sheboygan and Fondulac County. I've again, been here since 2017, uh, have enjoyed every minute of it. I've had the opportunity now to, uh, use the skills that I learned while in the field and working with the field members that are now, uh, under my supervision to kind of help, uh, you know, mold them to be the best Field Wardens that they can be.KATIE GRANT: [00:03:08] Absolutely. So DNR Conservation Wardens are credentialed law enforcement officers. You guys work across the state and are responsible for enforcing natural resources and recreation safety laws. You also educate the public on conservation topics and help patrol those state parks, forests and trails. Can you guys walk me through a little bit of what a typical day is? If there even is one. WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:03:34] You know, with, with a lot of our presentations, that's probably one of the most common questions that we received. You know, what does a typical day look like? And quite honestly, there is no typical day. So for example, right now, the fishing season is starting to become really hot. You know, fish are starting to swim up river and, and people are really starting to catch fish.I might be out there with the intention of working fishermen today, you know, checking licenses, checking bag limits, and, and that kind of enforcement. But my, um, direction might be changed. Like a couple of weeks ago when I had to respond to a vehicle that was on fire in the state park. So it's one of those situations where something like that can happen in a split second and it could change your day.You know, obviously we work closely with our, with our Sheriff's departments and we get dispatched, um, to help them out, you know, or we get dispatched to a traffic stop to help out the deputy with a traffic stop or whatever the case may be. So it changes almost daily.KATIE GRANT: [00:04:41] For sure. So, you know, when you say you might be out there, uh, checking for licenses, checking bag limits during fishing season, are you just kind of randomly doing that to ensure compliance or, you know, what, what is the, the thought process or the reasoning behind doing kind of random checks like that?WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:05:00] Yeah. So as everybody is aware of, as most people are aware, the Department of Natural Resources is tasked with enforcing laws, making sure that people abide by the regulations set forth by the, by the department to ensure that resources aren't being overused or, or being, um, over-utilized. And that everybody has a fair shake at these opportunities that Wisconsin provides as far as fishing, hunting, um, any of those recreational sports.So by having, or by, by. uh, patrolling and being out there on a daily basis or on a weekly basis, whatever the case may be based on workload. Um, it, it allows the public to see us in a light that is positive because realistically we're, we're checking licenses and, you know, flying the flag, quote-unquote you know, talking to folks from the community and, and showing the community who we are as a person.But the second part of that is to make sure that people do abide by those laws. So that those resources aren't being, um, spent, or aren't being used by somebody that may or may not have already caught their bag limit for the day, or have already caught their bag... uh, I'm sorry. possession limit for the two days that they were fishing.KATIE GRANT: [00:06:19] Right. Yeah. We're... The DNR isn't just some building in Madison or, or wherever. Uh, we're people too. Right? Uh, that's a really great point to make Vong. Both of you took unique paths to becoming Wardens. Juan, you grew up in Chicago in the Humboldt Park neighborhood with little exposure to the outdoors. And I read recently in Latino Outdoors that your family sent you to summer camp in Wisconsin to keep you away from gangs. How did your summer camp experience lead to your interest in the outdoors? WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:06:52] Sure. So, um at about the age of 11 in my local church, there was an opportunity for, uh, for me to go to a summer camp in Eagle River, Wisconsin and my family jumped on that opportunity, uh, just to get me out of the neighborhood.Uh, the neighborhood that we lived in was at that time, pretty rough, uh, with multiple, uh, gang units in the area and not necessarily gang units that, or, uh, for one another either. There is always gunshots at, at night, there was always rival gang, uh, issues that we had to deal with. Um, you know, I, I was always directed to be home before the lights got, uh, when went on in the street lights.Uh, so I had to make it home in the evening. Uh, just, uh, keep myself safe from getting involved with, uh, any of the crossfire or any of the fights that were happening with the local gangs. Um, so, you know, my family quickly realized that the environment that we lived in, uh, wasn't what they wanted me to be around.Uh, so they sent me away to the summer camp where, uh, it was my first exposure to the natural resources and the outdoors. Um, it was a recreational youth camp, uh, where we did everything from swimming, fishing, uh, kayaking, canoeing, uh, taking trips down the Wisconsin River in canoes and kayaks. Um, and archery and... and you name it. Um, so that, that was my first kick at the can here with the outdoor adventures, uh, that the great state of Wisconsin has to offer. KATIE GRANT: [00:08:25] Yeah. And I also read that you had, you know, an interesting ride home from college your freshman year. What did you see that changed your life path? Can you tell us a little bit about that story?WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:08:36] Sure. So, uh, obviously with my great experience in Wisconsin, I chose to, uh, go to a college in Wisconsin and, uh, of all colleges I picked UW  Lacrosse, uh, which is on the western side of the state, right along the Mississippi River there. And during my freshman year of college, I was driving home for our Thanksgiving break.And, uh, during that time of year, it's obviously our traditional nine-day gun deer season. And that was really my first exposure to hunting. Uh, I was, I was about 18 or 19 years of age at that time. I'd never seen, uh, you know, the number of dead deer that I had seen that day on my drive home. Uh, it sparked a, uh, you know, uh, a spark... something that caused me to go and ask my advisor at the multicultural office, uh, to learn what was going on. Because again, it just was very odd to me at the time, uh, to see all these dead deer being transported on vehicles. So on my, on my return, back to school that following Monday or Tuesday, uh, having my interactions with the multicultural advisor that I had, I had asked them what was going on.And he says, well, you haven't heard of the traditional nine-day gun season here in Wisconsin. It's huge. And I'm like, no, I've never, I've never, I've never heard of it. I've never seen it. Don't know what you're talking about. Um, so he encouraged me to take the Hunter Safety program and, uh,  I took them up on that.I took Hunter Safety that following spring, and, uh, that following fall, he introduced me to his deer camp, uh, where I have grown to be really good friends with him and his, his group of hunters that he hunts with and have had opportunities to return back to deer camp, to hunt with them, uh, since becoming a Conservation Warden.And then it's just something that has grown on me that, uh, uh, you wouldn't believe. I've taken everything on from deer hunting to trapping, to, uh, upland bird hunting. And those are all things that I would have never participated in had I not had that experience on my drive home from the university, uh, and nor had I had asked my advisor about what was taking place.KATIE GRANT: [00:10:51] For sure. So that made you interested in the hunting side of it. What was it ultimately that made you want to become a Conservation Warden? WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:10:58] Sure. So, you know, obviously during my Hunter Ed Pro... uh, course that I had to take, uh, as Wardens, we go into these courses and provide generally an hour, an hour and a half presentation.And that was actually my first exposure to a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Warden. Uh, you know, prior to that, I had never engaged with one, uh, here in Wisconsin, nor down in Illinois. Uh, I wasn't really aware of what the position was or what they did. Uh, so after their presentation, it sparked an interest, uh, in me that I actually started doing a little bit of research of what a Warden was and what they, what they're responsible for and what they do on a day-to-day basis.Uh, my, my research led me to want to do ride alongs. Uh, cause as a, as an agency, we do provide ride alongs for those that are 16 years of age and older. And I participated in two ride alongs with Wardens, just to get a perspective on what the job was like. Um, I took the opportunity to take the, uh, ride along in Eagle River, uh, and the Eagle River, Three Lakes area.Because at that time, uh, during my university years, I was, uh, working at the summer camp that I attended when I was a young child. Um, and I also took the opportunity to ride along with a Warden down in the Kenosha, Walworth area. Uh, because my wife, my now wife was from Kenosha and, uh, I just happened to be visiting her down there and made an appointment to do a ride-along with the Warden that was stationed down there at that time. And during my interactions with these Wardens, it really, uh, enhanced my want to be a Warden. Um, and I just started to prepare myself to apply for positions when positions became available. KATIE GRANT: [00:12:45] For sure. Yeah. Vong, you were born in a refugee camp in Thailand and came to the US as a small child before your family settled in Wisconsin. Tell me a little bit about how you became interested in the outdoors. WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:13:00] Yeah, so Katie, um, basically, you know, right there, I was born in a refugee camp. Um, my family moved multiple times. Uh, every time I asked my mom or, or my dad, the story changes of course, but, um, you know, they list anywhere from five to six times we moved. We landed in Charlotte, North Carolina, and then we moved multiple times ending up in Milwaukee and then moving eventually to Oshkosh, Wisconsin.And that's where a lot of my family resides. So as far as cousins, uncles, and stuff like that. Um, so a lot of the Hmong community, as most Wisconsinites know, are really big into hunting and fishing. I never got into hunting mainly because my mom was concerned about firearms. She was not fond of firearms.So I did not hunt growing up. But I participated in fishing and that comes from, you know, hanging out with my cousins, my uncles, my brothers, we fished all the time growing up. And that was primarily what sparked my interest in the outdoors was, was the fishing aspect. And of course, growing up in the, uh, childhood that I did.Coming from where I came from, we didn't have money. We didn't have money to spend on luxury items. So we obviously didn't have money to spend on snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, any of that stuff, because that's, that's really expensive to begin with. But we also didn't have those connections, even to folks that had access to those kinds of items.You know, obviously, I had friends at school that had access to those items. But being that I felt like I was different than everybody else. It was hard to connect with folks and, and reach out and, and kind of step out of my comfort zone to do some of those kinds of things. So I never got into that stuff until I became a Warden.Um, but prior to me becoming a Warden, um, when I graduated high school, I had wanted to get into law enforcement. And what really got me interested in law enforcement to begin with was a class that I took in high school. It's called Everyday Law. You learn about the constitution. You learn about policing in America.Um, you learn about, you know, laws that pertain to just every day, uh, lives. So, you know, something as simple as parking laws, something as simple as, um, speeding vehicle laws, any of that stuff. So that's, that's primarily what got me interested in the law enforcement realm. And then I attended Fox Valley technical college and obtained my criminal justice degree in law enforcement.And from there, I didn't, I still, uh, at this point, did not know that Conservation Wardens existed.  Much like Juan it wasn't until much later in my life that I learned about what Wardens were or what they even did. I actually remember this day vividly because it got me really interested. I was fishing on the banks of the Fox River in Oshkosh, uh, fishing for catfish at night.I think it was about nine or I think it was about eight or nine o'clock at night. And as I was leaving, I was with my cousin and his girlfriend and we were leaving and two officers came up to us and asked for fishing licenses. And I thought they were police officers and I thought they were, um, you know, city police officers checking fishing licenses.And it, it didn't dawn on me until I looked at the badge and looked at the patches and realized, wait, these aren't police officers, these are, these are Wardens. What, what are Wardens? So I started asking a couple of questions. And from there, it really got me interested now that, you know, now I had, instead of one route where I was going to go into law enforcement, I'll add two routes that I could go.Um, Knowing that Conservation Wardens do enforce laws. Um, and they do protect the public, you know, just like police officers do, um, with the specific direction of protecting the natural resources. So from there I attended, graduated from the Police Academy at Fox Valley technical college. Then I attended UW Oshkosh for my bachelor degree.And in attending UW Oshkosh, I took environmental courses like geology, geography, um, you know, you name it, just any of those, uh, any of those environmental courses. And so through those courses, I learned more about, you know, carbon footprint, the human impact on our natural resources, the importance of why we have natural resource departments to maintain.The integrity of those ecosystems. And that really got me interested because we are at a time right now where we can make a difference in how we use the resource, whether it's the biological side of it or the enforcement side of it. Obviously, the rules don't mean anything if we don't have an enforcement branch to it.So, um, with that being said, that really got me interested in and immediately following taken those courses that Spring, the position is opened up for our Deputy Warden position. And that's basically a LTE or a limited-term employment position as a Conservation Warden with the department. And I am, I applied for that and I was successful and was hired and worked on the Mississippi River in Lacrosse.As a Deputy Warden or a, a, an LTE Conservation Warden part-time and I worked with the full-time guys and I gained the experience with the boating, fishing or the boating, hunting, trapping, snowmobiling, ATV. Um, I learned a lot about that stuff and my, my climb was very steep, but I learned all that, you know, and I'm still learning today, but, um, I, I learned a lot of that stuff through that job, through that part-time LTE position. And then I was successfully hired as a full-time Conservation Warden in 2018. So that's essentially how I became a Conservation Warden. KATIE GRANT: [00:19:04] Yeah. I think it's really interesting to note that, you know, you, you really started here in that part-time... that LTE position, you know, that, that not being a full-time gig didn't scare you away. Do you feel like that has made you a better full-time Conservation Warden now?WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:19:21] I can tell you if I had gone into applying for a full-time Conservation Warden without ever being in a limited-term or an LTE Conservation Warden I would be 10 steps behind because I wouldn't have had the experiences with boating. I wouldn't have had the experiences with hunting, trapping,  ATV you name it. So that really excelled, I think excelled my application and my resume and not on paper, but in terms of experience and getting into a full-time Conservation Warden already having done the job, um, part-time for two years prior to being hired full time, um, that definitely helped out and it didn't scare me. You know, with a job like this with as much responsibility as Wardens have it didn't scare me, you know, getting into it and saying, holy crap, that's a lot of stuff I have to know. It was man, there's a lot of stuff I have to know and I'm, I'm willing to build on it and, and learn more about all the stuff that I have to enforce.KATIE GRANT: [00:20:28] Yeah, for sure. Juan, you mentioned that, you know, you spent a lot of your career here so far in Walworth County, which, you know, it's a, it's an area that sees a high level of boating traffic. In 2013, you were named the National Boating Law  Enforcement Officer by the National Association of State Boating  Law Administrators.So you've spent a lot of time you know, responding to search and rescue situations, many times involving intoxicated boaters. And you've done a lot of work around educating the public on safe boating. Especially because that boating is so prevalent in the area that you were working in. Why is educating the public on that safety perspective so important? WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:21:10] Sure. With the amount of presence that we as Field Wardens give, uh, we, we typically try and use that as a deterrent from, uh, people making poor decisions while they're out recreating. Um, you know, a number of the accidents that we respond to generally involve, uh, alcohol and or drugs. And if we can get out there and prevent an accident prior to it happening, uh, the better we are, um, uh, as a whole. You know, a lot of times, uh, the investigations that we are involved with, um, once the accident has taken place, it takes a lot of time and resource and energy from, uh, you know, a variety of, uh, individuals, whether it's the Field Wardens or the local Sheriff's department and, or the dive personnel that we have to utilize to recover a body that's now submerged under, underwater. Um, so if we can be out there, provide the presence, be the deterrent and provide a safety message at every contact that we make, um, the better we are as a whole. KATIE GRANT: [00:22:13] Absolutely. Yeah. Changing gears a little bit. Vong, you have two young nephews that you take everywhere. I can totally relate to that. I...my niece, when she was younger was basically my Mini-Me. So I totally get that. Why is getting them to enjoy the outdoors so important to you?WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:22:31] Yeah. So a lot of, well, not just for, um, the future of the department. You know, obviously, we are tasked with, as I mentioned before with, with, uh, the management of the resources, but the only way to continue that management, the only way to continue to ensure that we have access to those resources is, uh, funding obviously.And, and without people, without new faces coming into the sport, the funding obviously will decrease. Over the last decade, we've seen decreases at an average of 2% in recreational sports every year. And that's troublesome because that takes away money from the funding that will essentially manage those resources.So, um, not only is it important from that aspect of it, but from the personal aspect of having these kids get into the outdoors and, and taking that step like I did, out of their comfort zone to enjoy something that really is... as a resource that should be cherished. It's a resource that not everybody has access to.You know, some third-world countries don't have it as well as we do as far as the resource goes. And that's super important in my opinion, with, with that and, and introducing kids to, um, something that is a good pastime. Rather you know, uh, then spending time sitting at home, playing video games all day or, or getting into trouble with uh, drugs, alcohol, whatever the case may be. It gets them into, into the outdoors to enjoy something that will keep them out of trouble and put new faces into the sport as well as, as help manage the resource. KATIE GRANT: [00:24:15] And I think the, the pastime aspect you mentioned is really important. Uh, on our last episode we talked to...well, we talked to, uh, Dr. Shilagh Mirgain from UW Madison about the importance of getting outdoors for mental health. And, you know, right now we're spending so much time on Zoom, so much time on our computers, you know, virtual schooling, virtual work... whatever it may be and so giving them that pastime that gets them outdoors, yeah. Super, super important right now. So, this job isn't always easy. How do you guys take care of yourselves? When the work gets to be heavy emotionally? WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:24:51] Yeah, so I, I can start off. Um, so you see it a lot in the statistics that were published over the last decade, last 20 years with law enforcement and kind of the troubles that law enforcement runs into. And a lot of those involve alcohol. You know, it's a super stressful job. A lot of the decisions you have to make are very difficult and adding alcohol to the mix obviously does not help things. And that's why the suicide rates amongst police officers were so high for such a long time. And they're still really high.Um, the way that I cope with the stress of the job is as I get outside, I get outside and I, I do fish. You know, I participate in fishing. I participate in hunting. I participate in, in boating when I can, um, going for hikes at our state parks, any of that stuff. And then when I get home, say there's not enough time for any of that other stuff.I exercise, you know, I lift weights. I have lifted weights competitively now for, for 10 years, you know, in some fashion. Um, even when I haven't competed, so to speak, I've lifted weights to, to maintain that mental, mental health and mental awareness. WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:26:05] Yeah, for me, I would say that it starts at home with the family. I have a very supportive spouse. Um, she is the bedrock of the family and kind of can tell when I am, uh, kind of drawing that line where I need to get out and do something. Um, because obviously there is a lot of stress, stresses with the, uh, type of work that we get involved in, um, with our investigations, whether it's a, you know, fatal snowmobile or ATV accident or a hunting-related incident that takes place.And, uh, you know, we're dealing with either a deceased individual or a person that was severely injured and now we're having to deal with, you know, not only the investigation, but the emotional sides of that investigation and the families that are, uh, related to the individual that, uh, uh, was either injured or is now deceased.So my wife is very quick to kind of point those items out to me. Uh, and for me, what I ha, what I enjoy to do is to spend as much time outdoors. And actually, I, I enjoy woodland management. Believe it or not. Um, uh, while I was down in Walworth, I managed a 130 acre tree farm. And for me, it's running behind the chainsaw, uh, cutting, cutting wood.And for us now at home, it's for the fireplace, uh, and, or, uh, taking care of the invasives that are out on the property. Um, I also love to be on a lawnmower. Um, you know, between the, uh, the earmuffs and the hum of the machine there's nothing, no other stressors around. And for me, that's a reliever. Um, and then all the added recreational activities that we enjoy.So the hiking with the family, the biking, uh, the playing or throwing a ball with my three kids, um, and getting them involved outside, um, That's really how I kind of cope with the stresses is just, um, you know, interacting with the family as much as I can. And then doing the things that I enjoy doing, where there's very little thought or stress, stresses involved. KATIE GRANT: [00:28:09] Last summer, this country faced a racial reckoning with the spotlight on law enforcement becoming brighter. Were either of you impacted by the national discussion about race and law enforcement?WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:28:20] Katie. I think everybody is impacted by the discussion. Whether you're a police officer, whether you're a civilian, it doesn't really matter because realistically all our lives are governed by the government. Um, whether it's traffic laws, fishing, you know, DNR laws, um, ordinances, any of that stuff, it's governed by that.And whether you have positive or negative interactions with the police. So it impacts everybody. And it's super important to be part of that discussion, whether it's from the law enforcement aspect or it's from the civilian aspect, because change starts with every one of us. WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:29:03] What I would add is that the job has become a little bit more difficult, um, over the, you know, 12 plus years that I've been doing it. And, and as of late, you know, I've had experiences where, uh, individuals are more challenging. Uh, they, they challenge the law enforcement's authority. They challenge, uh, why you're stopping them. They're challenging why you're even having a simple, basic conversation during one of our compliance checks. Um, and that has really, uh, put a dagger into, into the work that we do, um, because the, the joyful conversations that we used to have about, Hey, how's your day going?Oh, how many fish have you caught? Um, you know, how is, how is it today in your world? Um, some of those conversations are no longer taking place and they're much shorter. Um, and they're very more direct and pointed and folks aren't engaged in those types of conversations, because I think that there's this kind of sentiment that they have to be kind of standoffish because now you're the authority.You're here interacting with them and they may be in trouble. Uh, and that's not always the case. You know, you know, 90 plus percent of the people that we deal with on a daily basis are nice people. They're enjoyable to a conversate with, and there's no violations or anything that, uh, we are there to write them a civil forfeiture for. Uh, you know, a lot of times it's just a simple conversation to see how your day's going, see what you have in your basket.Make sure that you're in compliance with the state law. And really just to have a conversation. Um, and I, those days I think are, are, are gone. Um, I, I, like I said, I've noticed a change in our conversations or a context are becoming a little bit more challenging. Um, as we do our work.KATIE GRANT: [00:30:55] You know, if we're being honest, Wisconsin's Conservation Warden service is not super diverse. Right? Why should a person of color want to be a Warden with us here in Wisconsin, if they don't see themselves in that group? If they don't see that diversity there?WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:31:10] A couple of things here. I think if a person has interest in the outdoors and managing or protecting the resource and they have a want to be a law enforcement officer, I don't think that not seeing yourself in those shoes should stop you for a couple of reasons. Because the saying is, if not me then who? If not now, then when? So if you don't take that step forward, nobody else will take that step forward and nothing will change. So don't look at it as, Hey, I don't see anybody that looks like me.Look at it as, this is an opportunity for me to show the world who I am. And for me to be that first person that other folks can look up to, that I can push for that, that you know, that I can push other folks to be.,Um, in the future.KATIE GRANT: [00:32:06] Bringing in more diversity is something that's really important to the DNR right now. Why do you believe having a diverse team of Wardens is crucial and how does it help the DNR better serve the community? WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:32:17] Because I'd start off by saying that if we don't have those diverse backgrounds we're viewing things with tunnel vision, Um, you know, when you look at the recreational activities, people recreate for variety of reasons. And if we were to hire the individuals of alike and they only see it one way, that's how that, that mechanism or that, uh, recreational activity is going to be governed.KATIE GRANT: [00:32:42] Yeah. Vong, did you want to add anything to that? WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:32:45] Yeah, the, um, I guess the only thing I would really add is when we better represent the public, we better represent the trusting relationship that can be there or that is there. KATIE GRANT: [00:32:59] Yeah. Yeah, for sure. For sure. And you know, the Wisconsin DNR serves really everyone who lives works and recreates in Wisconsin. How do you guys connect with people who are different than you while you're doing your jobs? WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:33:11] I really don't look at it as, Hey, you're different than me. I look at, as this is an opportunity to build another relationship with a person of the public. Whether it's somebody that I've talked to before, once before, twice before, whatever the case may be, it's an opportunity to build that relationship, provide my contact information if they ever need or have questions.Um, because really Wardens are here to help out the public. We're here to investigate obviously environmental, uh, crimes, wildlife crimes, and those sorts of things. But, we're a resource that the department has, um, to help out the public. KATIE GRANT: [00:33:52] We'll lighten it up a little bit here. What gets each of you excited to get out of bed and go to work every morning?WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:33:57] I said for me, it's, uh, you know, there's no two days alike. Um, I can. I can anticipate having a game plan for my day and having something pop up that completely changes what I thought I was going to do. Uh, I, I love to engage with my team now that I'm in supervision. Um, I have the opportunity to work with young Wardens that are just starting the career, uh, and provide a different perspective than I do. Uh, they have different ways of doing the job than I'm accustomed to and are always teaching me new tricks. Um, especially with like social media and, um, uh, internet-based investigations, the things that these guys think of, uh, to try and, and develop a case.It's just phenomenal. Those are things that I probably would never think of and, you know, rely on these guys to kind of guide me through some of these and kind of educate me. Um, I love the fact that my office is outdoors. You know, uh, as Wardens, we have mobile offices, you know, we live and breathe in our vehicles.The vehicles that we drive have everything that we need for the day and for the weather and for the circumstance. Um, we rarely spend time inside an office. And in the times that we do spend in the office is generally following up on casework or, uh, reports that we have to write. It's more comfortable sitting at a desk to type a report than it is to be sitting sideways in your, uh, vehicle, uh, trying, trying to type a report. Um, I love how the seasons change. Uh, there there's no, no two seasons alike. I just love uh, the opportunity to work outdoors. I love that I never know what my day's going to bring. WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:35:36] Yeah. I think it aligns a lot with what Juan has is that there's no two days alike. Um, the variety of the job is super fantastic. I mean, it's one where I don't wake up and say, man, it's time to go to my, you know, everyday boring, normal job. It's man. What, what is today going to bring? You know, and that being on your toes constantly is, is really important for not only professional development, but for mental development.Because if you'd never exposed yourself to a new challenge, a new don't learn from the new challenge, you never really change as a person. So that professional development is super important to me. I think we should always strive to be better in any position that we hold. Uh, whether it's coaching, whether it's sports, whether it's your job, you should always strive to be the best person that you can be.Um, not necessarily wanting to promote or anything like that, but just be a better employee. Um, because then people look up to you and. Uh, you know, people look towards you for advice and all that kind of stuff. So the other aspect of it is, is that I wake up and this job is so important because we do enforce and regulate the natural resources.Uh, and we are also coupled with protecting the public. And those two things to me are very important. Obviously, as a person that likes to hunt and fish, I think it's super important that we ensure that we have those natural resources for the future generations. Um, so waking up every day and, and being able to make a difference through every single contact. You know, pulling somebody out of the water that you know, who got overturned and their kayak or the canoe.  Or, um, responding... responding to an ATV crash where somebody breaks a leg and helping transport them out of the trail system so that they can get medical attention and, and start to, to, um, uh, heal. So all of that stuff is super important and that's really what gets me out of bed every day. KATIE GRANT: [00:37:50] What advice do you both have for anyone who's interested in becoming a Warden? WARDEN VONG XIONG: [00:37:55] My advice being that, you know, prior to, uh, being hired part-time in 2016, was don't be afraid to fail. Get into this job. Never be afraid to fail because you only learn from your failures. You'll learn that, hey that didn't work this time. Let me try it again. Next time doing it this way. So you learn from your failures. Um, again, you, you develop that professionalism, you develop that, that resume quote-unquote. And so my advice, my biggest advice is don't be afraid to fail and don't be afraid to take chances. WARDEN JUAN GOMEZ: [00:38:34] And I guess I'll add to that, that, uh, you know, our state has the opportunity to provide individuals with the ride-along opportunities that I spoke with prior.If someone is really interested in knowing what we do or how we do it, or someone is trying to determine if this is the right career path for them, I would encourage them to participate in those ride alongs. Vong had mentioned the LTE program. Uh, I look at the LTE program as a stepping stone to becoming a full-time Conservation Warden.The LTE program allows a person the opportunity to develop the skills that are necessary to be a Conservation Warden. Uh, Vong said it himself that without the LTE position, he would have been a lost soul, uh, coming through the ranks of, uh, as a Warden. Um, so I, I just, always recommend that, uh, you know, if a guy's interested in this position that they utilize the LTE position as that stepping stone to learn the job, uh, try and get, you know, a feel for what Wardens do for a day-to-day basis and apply the skills that they learned during that during their time in that position to better themselves in the interview process.Uh, or promote themselves during that interview process so that they're successful candidates getting offered the full-time position. KATIE GRANT: [00:39:57] The application period to become a Warden is now open through April 25th. Visit dnr.wi.gov and search "Warden Recruitment" for more information and to apply today. SARAH HOYE: [00:40:10] You've been listening to Wild Wisconsin. A podcast brought to you by the Wisconsin DNR. For more great episodes listen and subscribe to Wild Wisconsin wherever you get your podcasts.

Consider hunting and farming in 2021 Interview with Dr. Tantillo, Hunter Safety and Ethics TheGunFood.com interview with Patrick Collins   Happy Thanksgiving.  No show next week.   http://kennblanchard.com  http://patreon.com/blackmanwithagun     

Jacob Davis, executive director of the Alabama Peanut Producers, speaks with Mark Kieser, vise president of the Alabama Peanut Producers board of directors and district director of the Alabama Farmers Federation, about peanuts. More information can be found at the Alabama Peanut Producers website.In the Wrap-up, William Green, commodity director, speaks with Chuck Sikes, director of the Wildlife Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, about hunter safety.

November 18, 2020 - Hunter Safety

Hunting is a long-established tradition woven into the fabric of Wisconsin's culture. As hunters new and old make their way into the woods this November, we wanted to know what makes this season so special in Wisconsin. In this episode, we hear from Carissa Freeh, a wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever in central Wisconsin. Hunting since 2014, she shares advice for anyone interested in trying it but not sure where to start. Also joining the podcast is lifelong hunter Jim Wipperfurth, a retired DNR wildlife technician, hunter's safety instructor, and mentor for the DNR's Learn To Hunt classes. Hunting since his father first took him out in the '70s, Jim shares his love for the hunt.   Whether it's your first deer season or your 50th, there's something exciting about heading out to your treestand on a cool, crisp November morning. Listen in as these guests talk about their favorite time of year – Wisconsin deer season. Find more information on deer hunting in Wisconsin at dnr.wi.gov/adventure/deer  --------------------------------------TRANSCRIPTANNOUNCER: [00:00:00] Welcome to Wisconsin DNR's Wild Wisconsin "Off the Record" podcast. Information straight from the source.KATIE: [00:00:13] Welcome back to another episode of Wild Wisconsin, Off the Record. I'm your host, DNR's Digital Communication Section Chief Katie Grant. This year, many of Wisconsin's residents have found themselves connecting with our natural resources more than ever before. Many of our state parks had lines of people waiting to get in this summer.Overall the park saw 15% more visitors in 2020 than in 2019, and fishing license sales were up 21%.As the leaves start to crunch and the mercury drops we're seeing another interesting trend. As of 10 days before the start of this year's gun deer season, sales of gun deer licenses are up 9% over 2019. Whether they're new hunters or people who just took a couple of years off, we're certain these hunters will find something unique to enjoy in the experience that is hunting in Wisconsin.On today's episode, we spoke with a couple of hunters. One who got into the sport within just the last couple of years and one who has been doing it pretty much his entire life. To learn more about what makes deer hunting in Wisconsin so special. Though our two guests come from different backgrounds and have different experience levels one thing is clear. They are passionate about hunting. So sit back and listen in to hear their stories. First up is Carissa Freeh. CARISSA: [00:01:44] Yeah. Hello. My name is Carissa Freeh. Um, I am currently a Wildlife Biologist, uh, for Pheasants Forever and I work in central Wisconsin. Prior to my job with Pheasants Forever I held, um, a couple of different positions with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the Wildlife Health section. And then as a Field Biologist up in Merrill, Wisconsin. KATIE: [00:02:10] How long have you been hunting for?CARISSA: [00:02:13] I began actually hunting um, I believe in about 2014. Um, my first hunt was actually kind of unique. Um, It was... a mentored raccoon hunt. KATIE: [00:02:29] Very cool. Tell us a little bit how you, how you ended up going on a, a mentored raccoon hunt.CARISSA: [00:02:35] Sure. So I, uh, went to college at UW Madison and after a little bit of soul searching, ended up majoring in Wildlife Ecology and just absolutely fell in love with the major and my peers. And I actually didn't have a hunting background growing up. Um, my immediate family did not hunt and some of my uncles and distant relatives who did, um, we're not living in Wisconsin. So I just was really never exposed to it. And in one of my college courses it was just highly recommended that you know, those of us going into the field of wildlife management, um, to at least just take a Hunter Safety course with hunters being such a big stakeholder and important in the conservation world.Um, they just thought it would be really important for us, you know, in our careers moving forward that we understood kind of that, that hunting heritage that's so rich in Wisconsin. So that was kind of my intention. Um, so I, took Hunter Safety for that reason. And afterwards was still you know, very interested in hunting.And shortly after finishing my course, I started getting some emails and saw some flyers of Learn to Hunt courses that the DNR was hosting. And it, it just so happened that the first one I saw and a weekend that was available to me was a Learn to Raccoon Hunt course. So that was super fun. It was a weekend course where we just learned about the management of hunting in general, and particularly, um, hunting with hounds, raccoon hunting. And I was successful in the mentored hunt and harvesting my first ever animal, which was a raccoon. And really just fell in love with the comradery and the people just being so willing to teach and share and particularly fell in love with dogs. Because of that I now have my own hound and do a little bit of bird hunting as well. And deer hunting and turkey hunting, but it all really just kind of started with that first mentored hunt.KATIE: [00:04:40] So tell me about how you went from small raccoons to hunting something big, like deer.CARISSA: [00:04:47] So, after my first Learn to Hunt class I just really wanted to learn more. And I think what really sparked the next step, um, in particularly hunting deer, was the motivation of food. And so the next, uh, Learn to Hunt course again, that I actually took through the DNR was, a Learn to Hunt for Food class that was targeted around deer hunting. And this was a longer course. I think it ran a couple of months and we would, we would meet and have class, and it was much more in depth of a course. Um, because instead of, you know, some of our standards, like youth hunts, where a lot of the youth that maybe attend, um, have family members that have already exposed them to, you know, what to look for when hunting deer or the equipment you need.Or even how to properly butcher a deer. This class was really geared towards more of those adults who had the interest and motivation to hunt for sustainable meats. And so the class went into all those details and talked about firearms and firearm handling. And we had days that we got to go in the field together and basically scout for good deer hunting spots. And the teachers of that course you know, taught us what to look for, what signs to look for. We had a course on butchering the deer. Um, so that would, we would ultimately be self-sufficient in doing that once we completed the course. Like many of the Learn to Hunt classes, they culminate in a mentored hunt. And I was fortunate enough to get paired with a mentor who's actually a DMAP cooperator. So, the Deer Management Assistance Program. Um, he's a cooperator in that program, and I was paired up with him and on a September afternoon I harvested my first deer at his property. KATIE: [00:06:44] Tell me a little bit about what it was like to actually be successful in that, and what did it mean to you to be successful?CARISSA: [00:06:52] You know, it's really, it's really difficult to pinpoint what it means. And I think that that's something that I value so much about hunting is the fact that it is such a unique experience person to person. It's incredibly hard to describe like there are some tangible things that I can take away of why I enjoy hunting and continue to do it.And some that are a little bit less tangible and I guess, hard to communicate. Um, but I do recall on that my first deer hunt, it was... it was incredibly overwhelming. At first it was this feeling of, Oh, what did I do? You know, I absolutely love wildlife. I'm fascinated with wildlife. And so there's that, you know, moment of almost shock when you are responsible for taking a life.And so that lasted, you know, for the first half an hour or so, but that quickly changed and it quickly changed because of the support and comradery back at camp. And so ultimately what it meant to me is... I felt incredibly self-sufficient. Like, I had just been through a course and was able to retrieve that animal and get it back and butcher it and package it and, you know, eat that meat over the following year. There was just, you know, that yeah, the self-sufficiency of doing that on your own and knowing that I was eating sustainable, uh, local foods. KATIE: [00:08:22] Yeah, for sure. Would you say that for you it's that self-sufficiency that, that food aspect that keeps you coming back? Or is there something else that keeps you coming back to hunting year after year?CARISSA: [00:08:34] Um, it definitely originated with hunting for food. And that is one main reason that keeps me coming back. But it's kind of evolved since then. Um, you know, since hunting and this first mentored hunt back in like 2014, I have continued to deer hunt on my own now or with family and friends, um, assisting me.It has evolved in the motivations that keep me coming back year to year. And some of those that I've seen are how quickly I'm able... Like it wasn't that long ago that I was the student and I was the one learning. Um, and in the few short years that I've been hunting, I've already found myself in scenarios to help new hunters around me or even longtime hunters.Um, and so something that actually comes to mind that is such a motivation for me is just assisting others and seeing other people's joy, um, from harvesting a deer. Um, actually just last week a close friend of ours harvested his first deer ever. And so it was really fun to help him track, um, and be there and help him, you know, learn how to field dress that deer.And I got to assist in that, even though it wasn't that long ago that I was a student myself. Um, but again I would say one of the biggest motivations keeps looping back to that community aspect. And so our friend came and we helped him butcher the deer and help him package it and told him the different cuts of meat and gave him some ideas on recipes.And he just told me that this past weekend he made a venison roast for his family and had his entire family over for a meal. Which is something that he has never done before. And so it was just kind of such a joy to live through other people's successes as well. So that community aspect is big um, in terms of the motivation that keeps me coming back year to year. In my first few years of hunting, um, it definitely has evolved.And I was thinking about this a little bit and it's kind of a strange motivation, but it is definitely very valid in that is honestly the mystery behind it. So I was just thinking about this and you know, like, why am I excited to go out this fall? Why am I excited to get out in the stand? Because... just like the years before the intent is the same, ideally to get some sustainable meat on the table to ideally have some time with friends and family and share stories to just be in the natural world.Um, because I have such a fascination with wildlife. It's just so wonderful to be out there. But one of the best parts is the mystery. Every time you walk into the woods, you never know if you're going to see zero deer or 10 deer, if you might spot the biggest buck of your life, if you might see a bear or turkeys or other wildlife, maybe the chance that even seeing like an albino deer.Um, so one of, one of the biggest motivations and I guess which... what keeps it exciting is the fact that there's just so many unknowns and there's so much mystery. And every time you walk into the woods, it's just going to be a new experience.KATIE: [00:12:01] That's actually a really cool way of thinking of it that I've never heard anyone express before. So thank you for sharing that, you know, you don't know what you're going to find in the woods. You don't know if you'll be successful. Um, and I think that that adds to the challenge. And like you said, the excitement, so... very cool. So for you, I know you've talked a lot about the, the community side of things. What is that like to be a deer hunter in Wisconsin? What does that mean to you?  CARISSA: [00:12:28] To me specifically to be a deer hunter in Wisconsin, it feels like a love of place. I just feel like it is so ingrained in the history and heritage of the people around us now, and people many, many, many years before us. And so, yeah, definitely love of place.I just feel like a lot of Wisconsinites in general and particularly wisconsin hunters have this passion for where they live. A passion for where they recreate. This passion for the diversity and the landscapes that are offered in our state. Um, and so it definitely feels like to be a deer hunter it's just  have a love of home and a love of place. KATIE: [00:13:10] What are you most looking forward to in this 2020 deer season? I know 2020 has been a bit of a crazy time. Um, it's, it's a little bit, not what anyone has expected, but what are you most looking forward to this year? CARISSA: [00:13:25] Yeah. It is a difficult year. I guess I'll preface that a little bit with the fact that the last two years, a group of friends and colleagues of mine created our own little version of, um, deer camp.It's a ladies only deer camp. Since most of us there, um, didn't start hunting until a little bit later in life. Most of us, um, did not grow up, you know, hunting with mom or dad. And so we kind of have this connection and that, you know, we're all ladies, which not as many women are hunters and we all are more or less, relatively new to hunting.And so the past couple of years, we had this deer camp where we got together and just the comradery hunting together, helping each other, sharing equipment. But just that time, I just was probably the thing I looked forward to the most in the last two years. And so in a normal year I would say that that is again, what I would be looking most forward to was, um, our ladies deer camp.And unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we're not going to be able to get together like we have the last couple of years, but still, um... what I'm most looking forward to this season is finding a way for us to get together and enjoy hunting together. We're not quite sure how it might look yet, but what I'm most looking forward to this year is seeing friends I have not seen in a long time, um, and just celebrating the best time of the year.KATIE: [00:14:59] For sure. I know we've kind of here at the DNR, talked about different ways that people can still experience that community, that comradery, even if we can't physically get together. And one of the things we talked about, you know, was utilizing those group chats or, you know, I know we're all zoomed out. We spend too much time on the computer, but just, you know, doing a quick FaceTime after someone gets their deer and being able to celebrate that together.So I think there it's, like you said, it's going to look different, but there, there are ways to make that happen. For sure. So. Obviously, you know, as you talked about Wisconsin, hunting has been a thing in this state for many years. A lot of our, our residents have, have grown up hunting, but we also have a lot of people who have never hunted before much like you hadn't until recently. What would you say to someone regardless of age, sex, race, you know, wherever in the state that they're from, if they're on the fence about getting into the woods and giving hunting a try, what, what advice would you give them? CARISSA: [00:16:02] Yeah, if I was giving advice to, um, a non hunter who, who may be interested, um, I guess just kind of reflecting back on, on my early experience, the advice I would give is... there is no expectation. One of my biggest fears when kind of looking down this path and following my interest in learning how to hunt was that I didn't have the equipment.I had never handled a gun. I didn't know how to field dress a deer. And so I guess the advice I would give is that there is no expectation and there is no right way. I learned very quickly that, you know, old pair of Goodwill jeans and a hand me down orange coat from a mentor, um, is all you need. I've been very fortunate and I would want other people out there to know who may be interested, that there are lots of people willing to help.Our biggest challenge is connecting the right mentors with mentees. Like how do we find people who are close, you know, located or live near each other that we can make it work. But there's so much help out there. The other thing I would say is there's no expectation with harvesting an animal. In some of my early classes, there was at least one peer of mine that when a deer presented itself for a shot, uh, they were....they weren't comfortable with it. And so my biggest advice is there's no expectations. And just to kind of learn with yourself and go with your gut and that there are people out there willing to help.KATIE: [00:17:41] Thanks, Carissa. We can't wait to hear how your deer season goes. Next up is a conversation with Jim Wipperfurth. Someone who has been hunting almost as long as he can remember. He's also spent a good chunk of his time mentoring others through their first hunts. Take it away, Jim. JIM: [00:17:59] All right. So I am actually a retired DNR Wildlife Technician. I retired from there four years ago. Um, I'm a Hunter Safety instructor. Uh, also have taught the DNR's Learn to Hunt Turkey and Learn to Hunt Deer classes. And, uh, avid hunter. I've hunted pretty much all my life. Hunt, fish trap, all the outdoor stuff. KATIE: [00:18:21] Fantastic. So you said that you've hunted pretty much your whole life. Do you remember how old you were when you first started hunting? JIM: [00:18:27] Well, when I first legally hunted you had to be 12 years old. So that's how old I am. So, so now we can hunt earlier, you know, with the mentor hunting laws, but we didn't have that back then. So when I was 12 years old, I got my first hunting license and I have had a license, a deer license every year, since then. And I've also had small game licenses every year, since then. So that's been... I'm 61 now so that's been almost 50 years. KATIE: [00:18:53] There've been a few years in there for sure. Was it deer that you went hunting for first or was there something else? JIM: [00:19:00] I think... back then we all started with small game. So I was a squirrel hunter. I mean, it was when I was 12 years old I was a squirrel hunter first because that season opened first. That was open early in September or October and the deer season didn't open until November and there wasn't as much archery hunting back then as there is now. And my dad was not a bow hunter so I never bow hunted until I was at least, oh, I think I was 17 or 18. So it was a few years since I was a bowhunter. KATIE: [00:19:27] So was this something, you know, where you wanted to do it for a specific reason or were you interested in it because it was what your family had done? Or tell me a little bit about how you got started.JIM: [00:19:39] Yeah. For sure. My dad is, was a big hunter and still hunts. He's 86 and doesn't get around to hunt as much as he used to, but he still likes to get out. So that's what we did. All my cousins, all my uncles. That was the big thing. We hunted. When there, there was no computer games, no video games, you know, there was three stations on TV, so our entertainment was to go out and hunt. And so that's how I learned to hunt.KATIE: [00:20:03] For sure. Is there a favorite memory that you have from your childhood hunting that you  might mind sharing? JIM: [00:20:10] There are so many, but I will say my, I can remember my first deer, which was shot actually about half a mile from where I live right now. I can give you every detail of that one.It would be a long enough story, but, but, uh, I shot him... I was driving, my dad and I were driving. It was about lunchtime and we were driving back to our house and my mom was out. She always would drive around looking for deer. This is back in the day and we were in Dane County. And she was parked in the road in front of us and said, a deer just ran across the road right here.And she was excited to see it. So I was 14 at the time, so I could legally hunt by myself. So my dad and I took off across the field, the woods to get back where we expected that deer to run. And I, of course being 14, beat my dad back there and then the deer came running across the field where we expected it to, which never seems to work nowadays.But I remember I shot that deer. So like I say, it was a half a mile from where I live right now. So, so the first of everything is always one that I remember. So that was my first deer. Ever. And I think it was a nub buck. It wasn't a big deer, but it didn't matter. Your first deer doesn't matter if it's a nub buck or a 30 pointer, they're all, all special.KATIE: [00:21:24] For sure. That's very cool that you have such a fond memory. Do you have another favorite memory from all of your years hunting? JIM: [00:21:32] I will say one of my... I'm a big turkey hunter now. And back in... 50 years ago, we didn't have turkeys here. So this is, you know, these are the much more recent memories, but even those are 20...getting to be 25, 30 years old. But one of the best ones is... my wife actually shot a turkey and she is not really a hunter, but she was seeing all the fun we were having. I was taking my nephews out and she said she would go if it was going to be 70 degrees. Cause she doesn't like the cold weather. So we went and we hunted across the road from where we live now.And we tracked and tracked and tracked and never heard a turkey. And at that time you could only hunt till noon. So we were... I think it was 10:30, we were about probably a mile and a half from the... our house right now, from where we started. And I had three or four mouth calls and went thru all of them. And I had one that never, ever got a turkey to answer.I figured I got nothing to lose. It's 10:30. We haven't heard a turkey all morning. I put that in. Turkey gobbled back at me. And he wasn't very far away so we set up on him and he came right in, strutted in front of us. And my wife was sitting just a little bit below me and she couldn't see the turkey. I could see him plain as day, but she could not get a shot.And finally, I just let the turkey walk away. And then she's, I said, let's circle around and see if we can get a better angle on him. Maybe he'll come back in and we snuck around and came back at a different angle... and called and that turkey came right in and she shot him. That's the only turkey she's ever shot.And it was a 24 and 1/2 pound tom and it was 11... I think it was 11:25 or 11:30 um, when, when she finally got that bird and like I say, we could only hunt until noon. So that is a very fond memory of mine.KATIE: [00:23:14] You've been hunting, obviously for quite some time. You said about 50 years. What is it about hunting in general? Um, and and maybe specifically deer hunting, but I think we can talk, talk hunting in general, that keeps you coming back year after year.JIM: [00:23:30] Boy. That's a really complicated question. It's, it's kind of a drive. If you're a dyed in the wool hunter like I am. And there... I know quite a few people that are. It's just an inner drive that just keeps me coming back. I think all of... there's so many factors. It's the interaction with the animal... the, you try to fool their senses and their senses are, as anybody who hunts knows, pretty sharp. Um, just the challenge of getting close. I love archery deer hunting because you have to get close and I'm a traditional guy so I shoot a longbow.  So I really have to get them close. So, um, the comradery with hunting with family and friends, that's getting to be more and more of a, of a, a bigger part of my hunting. I'd rather hunt with somebody. And that doesn't mean necessarily sitting with me. If we're going bow hunting. But to get together and then go hunt and get back together and share stories and share experiences and help each other out.Um, mentoring new people is getting... is more and more important. I'd just love to do that. I love to see people get their first deer, their first turkey. Um, so many things. Being part of nature. Just being outside watching the seasons change. I've been hunting, bow hunting... now it's November. So we've been out since September.So I've seen the leaves go from green and the woods being thick. To watching the leaves fall down, turn brown, you know, all of a sudden it's cleared out. You know, animals getting more active now in November. So it's just so many things. So, I don't know if it's, it's not easy to explain it, but I can just say that it's a drive.KATIE: [00:25:06] Yeah. I can totally understand that. You know, we've talked to a couple of different people about this and in my time doing this podcast, I've talked to several different guests about similar things. And that is one thing that always comes up is that challenge. And that, you know, you don't know what you're going to end up with. So that's very cool. JIM: [00:25:24] It's kind of like, I think there's kind of like, Las Vegas gambling. Cause you put a little more in and put a little more in and sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn't. But when you do get the big payoff, which for a hunter would be, you know, getting, you know, a big buck or even any buck or... compared to being in Vegas, hitting the big payoff. Even when that finally happens, it just seems to make everything you've done worthwhile. KATIE: [00:25:51] That is a perfect analogy for it. What is it like to be a deer hunter in Wisconsin? JIM: [00:25:58] What is it like? That is a very difficult question. So for me, I don't know what people do in November if they're not deer hunting. To be a deer hunter in Wisconsin is, is a privilege for one. We have such a great deer population, a great tradition in Wisconsin that I guess I have a hard time coming up with what it's like to be a deer hunter because that's just who I am. And, you know, it's not, it's not a hobby if... it's just something that I am. It's part of me. So it's... for me, it's just exciting. KATIE: [00:26:30] I know, you mentioned that mentoring is, is something you've done a lot of and something that you're pretty passionate about. What would you say to someone, whether they, you know, come from a background where they've grown up with family hunting, or maybe they've never known anyone who's hunted before in their lives, what would you say to them if they may be on the fence and thinking about getting in the woods this season? JIM: [00:26:55] Yeah. Anyone who's on the fence. If you can find a way to hunt. And the way... really the way the hunt is to find a mentor. Find someone that will take you out. And that can be difficult. You might have to search around and maybe you don't know anybody that hunts, but the thing to do is find out who the Hunter Safety instructors are in your area and give them a call.And they may... may not be able to do it themselves, but they may have some suggestions for you. That is one of the hard parts of the COVID because we have not been able to do our Learn to Hunt classes. And we see it every year. People come in that want to learn to deer hunt. We see their enthusiasm and, you know, they look at deer hunting a little bit differently.A lot of that is more the food aspect, but once they get involved and see the excitement part of it, and just the pure fun of it... they're hooked. So, so the hardest part of becoming a new deer hunter is that first step. And a lot of that is just having a mentor to show you those steps, finding a place to go.So, so if you, if you think you want to go, you know, right now start asking around and find somebody that'll take you hunting. And even if they say, I'll take you along, but you can't bring a gun... go along. And that's one way to at least get a foot in the door, see if you enjoy it. Um, I guess, you know, try your best. Anybody that wants to hunt should try it. KATIE: [00:28:15] You've been listening to Wild Wisconsin, a podcast brought to you by the Wisconsin DNR. Interested in learning more about hunting in Wisconsin and how you can get started? Send those questions to dnrpodcast@wisconsin.gov and we'll work with our staff to get you answers. For more great content be sure to subscribe to Wild Wisconsin, wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review or tell us who you'd like to hear from on a future episode. Thanks for listening. 

Mike McKnight, Cherie Sintes-Glover TWAW Mother Lode Subjects discussed: Boat & PWC and ATV sales during COVID,Women driving gun sales in almost every state,women seeking training for new reasons,Millennial women,Training with other women as opposed to men,Women increase CCW applications,Shotgun training for women,The McCloskey Situation,Situational Awareness for women,Rural vs Suburban,Accessories for women,Sacramento is the largest US Chapter,Hunter Safety together,#notme,Dry Firing

Brandon Butler and Nathan “Shags” McLeod talk with Missouri Dept. of Conservation's Hunter Education & Shooting Range Coordinator: Justin McGuire.Topics discussed: Hunter Safety and Education; Fishing Trip Giveaway; Covid and Concerts; Bruno The Bear; Big Catfish; Online Hunter Education; Shooting Ranges; North American Model Of Wildlife Conservation; Hunter Education In Schools; Mystery Bait Bucket Question and More.Special Thanks to Fisher Space PenUse Promo Code: DRIFTWOOD for 20% offhttps://www.spacepen.com/Special Thanks To CZ-USA:https://cz-usa.com/For More Info:https://www.facebook.com/justinmcguire.jmachttps://www.facebook.com/jmcguirephoto/https://www.instagram.com/jmcguirephoto/https://mdc.mo.gov/Connect with Driftwood Outdoors:https://www.facebook.com/DriftwoodOutdoors/https://www.instagram.com/driftwoodoutdoors/http://driftwoodoutdoors.com/category/podcasts/Email:info@driftwoodoutdoors.comSponsors:http://scenicriverwayproperties.com/https://www.masonleather.com/#/

(8a) Drug trials seem now to be politicized; overnight shootings and a fire in the city of Rochester, crime seems to be ramping up instead of calming down; governments are tone-deaf when it comes to money; online hunter safety course available; religion is being overshadowed and replaced by marxism

On this episode guest Ryan Sanislo joins us to talk about gun ownership, gun safety, hunting, harvesting, and meat smoking.

Wisconsin is the birthplace of snowmobiling and continues to offer some of the best snowmobiling opportunities you are likely to find, especially in the northern part of the state. Eagle River is the Snowmobile Capital of the World and host of the Amsoil World Championship Snowmobile Derby. On this episode, Kim Emerson, Executive Director of the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, sheds light on the mecca of snowmobiling. With more than 200,000 registered snowmobiles hitting Wisconsin's 25,000 miles of groomed trails each winter across the state, safety is an important part of the ride. DNR Warden April Dombrowski has tips on how to ride smart from the start. Listen in and discover why Wisconsin is where it's at when it comes to snowmobiling. --------------------------------------TRANSCRIPTAnnouncer: [00:00:00] Welcome to Wisconsin DNR's Wild Wisconsin - Off The Record podcast. Information straight from the source.Katie Grant: [00:00:13] Welcome back to another episode of Wild Wisconsin - Off The Record. I'm your host DNR's digital media coordinator, Katie Grant. When it gets cold outside and the snow starts to fall, you might start to hear a familiar noise.Snowmobiles .At Wisconsin DNR we just finished  celebrating International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week. With over 18,000 miles of funded snowmobile trails in Wisconsin, we think it's an important topic to talk about. Northern Wisconsin is a haven for snowmobiles. I mean, what we think of as a snowmobile today was actually invented by Carl Elliason in Sayner, Wisconsin back in the 1920s. So it was kind of meant to be. But beyond that legacy, Northern Wisconsin gets a lot of snow. According to the Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce, thye average 65 inches of snow per year. Less than 30 miles away is the "Snowmobile Capital of the World" -- Eagle River. I called Kim Emerson from the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce to learn more about snowmobiling in the area. Kim Emerson: [00:01:26] I am the Executive Director of the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.Katie Grant: [00:01:31] Fantastic. So Eagle River is known as kind of being the "Snowmobile Capital of the World." Why is that? Kim Emerson: [00:01:39] Well, we are the "Snowmobile Capital of the World." We've got spectacular snowmobile trails here. And with all of that and how well they're groomed, and the many people who are aware of our trail systems, that's how we can be the "Snowmobile Capital of the World."Katie Grant: [00:01:55] Fantastic. And what about the Eagle River area? What makes it such an attractive place for snowmobiling and even other vacations throughout the entire year? Kim Emerson: [00:02:06] Sure. Eagle River area as an as a family destination, it's a four season family destination. There are activities for everyone... for any type of activity that they like to do.Uh, for instance, during the winter, we have our snowmobile trails. We've got over 600 miles of groomed trails right here in the Vilas County area. And then of course, so we're, we're seated right here next to the Nicolet National Forest. We have lots of county acreage of, um, County Forest. And we also have the Wisconsin American Legion Forest as well.The other thing we're known for is our chain of 28 lakes. And so that offers all kinds of activities during the summer. So if you hike, bike, snowmobile, fish, uh, we have it here in Eagle River area. Katie Grant: [00:02:58] Absolutely. So by your estimates, how many people visit the area every year in the winter for snowmobiling or other outdoor winter activities?Kim Emerson: [00:03:09] Well, I would say, um, winter activities is our second busiest season of the year. I would say there are, oh, I, I would gather close to...During the whole winter months, probably over a hundred thousand people. Katie Grant: [00:03:26] Wow. Kim Emerson: [00:03:27] It's a great activity area. Snowmobiling alone brings in over $40 million, uh, to the Vilas County area from December through March.Katie Grant: [00:03:39] Wow. That's a lot. How....How are trail conditions so far this year? Kim Emerson: [00:03:44] Trail conditions are in good shape. This year we've had some really good snow. Other parts of our state, unfortunately have not had snow. So if you are interested in snowmobiling, Eagle River is the place to be. Uh, we do... If you go to EagleRiver.org, we update our trail conditions continually. Uh, by 8:30 every morning. So for the most up to date reports, EagleRiver.org. Katie Grant: [00:04:10] Fantastic. So what are some snowmobiling must do's in the area? Is there like a specific trail or a place to go eat while you're out or if you come up there, what do you have to make sure you do. Kim Emerson: [00:04:24] Well, right here in Eagle River, again, we've got over 600 miles of snowmobile trail that you can enjoy. Uh, they do connect many different businesses. And, uh, for instance, you can go to, uh, you can snowmobile for breakfast, you can snowmobile for lunch, dinner. It's a great opportunity. There are so many different wonderful restaurants. It's hard to name them all.Katie Grant: [00:04:49] Now, before we go any further, we need to give a huge shout out to all of the volunteers and snowmobile clubs throughout the state who work to make sure these trails are maintained. The DNR also offers grants to these clubs to help make their work possible. The grants are funded by things like snowmobile registrations, the state trail pass program, and a small portion of the state's gas tax.These grants are used to fix things like old trails and bridges, to build new bridges and even to add new miles to already existing trails. There's plenty of snowmobile fun to be had, but our goal is to make sure that you do it safely and responsibly. That's why I sat down with Warden April Dombrowski. So sit back and listen in.April Dombrowski: [00:05:34] So I'm the section chief, uh, with the Recreation, Safety and Outdoors Skill Section within the Bureau of Law Enforcement here at DNR. Katie Grant: [00:05:42] So what all does that cover? April Dombrowski: [00:05:43] That in encom...encompasses a lot. So I oversee, um, our safety programs as it relates to boats, snowmobile, ATV, um, hunter education, off-highway motorcycles...Um, but then it also incorporates other, R3 programs, so the "Learn to Hunt," um, "Fish for Food," the shooting ranges, those type of things. So, um, a lot that covers, um, wwithin the recreational side of, of our program.Katie Grant: [00:06:10] All the fun stuff.April Dombrowski: [00:06:11] All the fun stuff. But then there's, so there's the educational component of, of, uh, um, those disciplines, but then there's also the enforcement side of those disciplines.Katie Grant: [00:06:20] Absolutely. What? Well, first of all, how long have you been here with the DNR? April Dombrowski: [00:06:25] I've been with the DNR in this, in this capacity with the Bureau of Law Enforcement for 22 years, and I've been in my current position, uh, for five years. Katie Grant: [00:06:34] Okay. And what got you interested in this world of becoming a warden? April Dombrowski: [00:06:40] Sure. Um, good question. I've always been, uh, really connected to the outdoors growing up, whether it was fishing, camping, hunting, mountain biking, ATV, snowmobiling, those type of things. But as far as, uh, becoming a conservation warden, it was really... I was inspired at a young age. I'm at the age of 15, um, I was actually working for the DNR in their youth conservation camps.They no longer exist. Um, but, uh, that was my first job. And, and, um, it was a summer job, uh, basically working in the parks, ah trail maintenance, fish habitat, uh, planting a lot of trees. And that's really where I was able to, uh, grow, um, into my interest of the, of the, uh, natural resources and, and what we have here in Wisconsin.Katie Grant: [00:07:26] Yeah. Fantastic. So you're here today because January is International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Month. Why is talking about this so important here in Wisconsin? April Dombrowski: [00:07:38] This is very important in Wisconsin because we're a unique state in the fact that we have a snowmobile season, and depending on where you are in the state of Wisconsin, you can have a long season or you can have a very short or a short season.We kind of have that magic belt of where the snow falls within a given season. So, um, it's very important, um, because obviously, you know, I believe snowmobile safety is important, um, because the, the people, uh, deserve, uh, to have a safe and enjoyable experience while they're out recreating, um, you know, on our landscape, whether it's, you know, on our trails or on our waterways.Katie Grant: [00:08:14] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:08:15] So, uh, Wisconsin is also the birthplace for this tradition that we have of snowmobiling. Um, and it involves friends and families, uh, being able to do this activity outside together. Uh, we do have a number of miles of trail, like probably over 25,000 miles of the trail.Katie Grant: [00:08:34] It's a lot. April Dombrowski: [00:08:35] Not to mention all, all our frozen bodies of water, uh, during this time of year.So it's just very important that, you know, people that are out there recreating, uh, they have that opportunity to enjoy it, to have those experiences and then being able to do it safely. Katie Grant: [00:08:49] Right, right. When we're talking snowmobile safety...What are the most important things that people should keep in mind when they're out snowmobiling?April Dombrowski: [00:09:00] So when people are out snowmobiling, uh, really what it comes down to a couple of categories I like to categorize, um, kind of, uh, uh, where, where people need to be thinking when they go out and doing that activity. Um, really being able to ride within your capabilities. And when I say that, it's operating at safe speeds, not only that the operator can handle, but what the terrain provides them.Um, the terrain is different when it, when you go from a groomed trail to a frozen body of water and all of a sudden it's glare ice. The snowmobile responds differently to those conditions. Um, and then also knowing the capabilities of the machine. Um, we have many different machines out there, many different year models, and they all handle differently.So it's being able to, uh, ride within the machine's capability, just as the user. Uh, this also includes ah riding at night versus daytime operation. When you're riding at night, you know, you got to slow down because you gotta be able to see and respond to any hazards that, that come out in front of you.And, um, you know, what, what, what we gotta be cautious on is that we're not overriding our headlamps. We override our headlamps, um, obviously that, that, uh, um, can end in just not being able to properly identify those hazards. Katie Grant: [00:10:15] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:10:17] Um, it's also, uh, important for snowmobilers uh, again, not to, um, really just, um, you know, being cognizant of, of other operators out on the trails.So, um, just being cognizant of the space that you're taking on those trails. Katie Grant: [00:10:34] Okay. Yeah. Playing nice with everyone out there.April Dombrowski: [00:10:36] Playing nice with ev--. It's a big playground, but we all got to play nice together. The other thing is really riding responsibly, and that is, I talked a little bit before about our trails and our groomed trails. It's staying on the marked trails. Um, there's a number of miles of trails that landowners open up their properties so that the, the trails can go through the property and really respecting those landowners and staying on the trails um in accordance with the signs. Um being courteous and safe when operating in a group.And then always remember to, you know, if you're following somebody, maintain a following distance that you're going to be able to respond and react if that snowmobiler in front of you has to make a sudden stop. Um, the other thing with, trail conditions is, um, you know, a snowmobiler in front of you can, can, uh, kick up, you know, snow dust and, and kinda, um, interfere with your vision of what you can see, um, at any given time.So just being cognizant of those things. Um, and then as I mentioned before, you know, really just staying to the right most side of the trail because there's other users out on the trail, you know, that may be going the opposite direction of you and in obviously, being courteous to that space. Katie Grant: [00:11:47] Right, right.April Dombrowski: [00:11:48] So, and then the other thing is really just practicing zero alcohol, uh, which is a personal choice, uh, to refrain from drinking any alcoholic beverages, um, until you're done operating, you know, your snowmobile for the evening.Um, whether that's going back to a hotel or a lodge, resort, you know, back to your residence, those types of things. Um, and then, uh you know, with more snowmobile traffic on the trails the last thing we want um to do is to, um, you know, have that, have your reaction time slowed down because of, um, you know, because of, of those beverages that, that you may have taken, uh, prior to, you know, to, uh, being done for the night.Katie Grant: [00:12:25] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:12:26] Um, and then the other thing is really, um, talks about that equipment. Uh, winter provides a uniqueness in the fact that, you know, the weather conditions can change. I mean, you got to dress for the conditions. So the most important thing is, you know, wearing that helmet, you know, protecting your head.Um, and then also, um protecting, you know, the other parts of your body from the elements. Um, you never know snowmobile goes down and you're standing out in the cold and you didn't anticipate that that's what you're going to be doing. Um, and then obviously if operating on a frozen body of water, wearing a life jacket, um, in case you would happen to find yourself in open water.Um, and that obviously helps with that flotation. And then also really, um, you don't go alone. Um, typically snowmobilers will go with friends, family, they'll have a partner with them. And that's always good to have that extra companion out there on the trails with you. Katie Grant: [00:13:15] Yeah. Yeah. So let's kind of shift gears a tiny bit. Uh, you mentioned riding on ice. Um, tell me a little bit about staying safe on the ice, whether you're on a snowmobile or out ice fishing, or even just going for a walk. April Dombrowski: [00:13:34] Sure. Um, and, and there's a number of recreationalists that utilize the frozen, uh, waterways during the wintertime, whether it be a snowmobiler, a fat bike rider, cross country skier.There's a lot of activities, ice fishing, you mentioned. Um, and really just keep it in mind that when you're out on those frozen bodies of water, uh, that, that brings another set of hazards. Um, and the best advice to follow is no matter what the month, what the temperature is, um, just consider all ice as unpredict...predictable.Because when you're in that, that element in the environment there's a lot of changing factors in the ice condition. And it can be, you know, four inches in one spot and then all of a sudden you have it really thin in another spot. And, and you know, obviously that can, um, uh, you know, have its own issues in it in itself.So. When we talk about ice and just the arm predictability, um, just, just being on a snowmobile too, I mentioned it a little while ago as far as, you know, uh, it, it presents challenges from going from a groomed trail to now you're on ice conditions. There could be cracks or heaves in the ice that all of a sudden throws you off a little bit.Um, the steering, the braking, um, and the overall control of the machine, um, it just changes its characteristics um, when you are go from groom trail to to ice conditions. Um, another thing is some lakes and rivers, um, you know, have, have notorious bad spots, whether it's a spring is there, um, a current runs through there, those type of things.So when that energy is still running through that system, um, you know, the ice ain't going to be as solid as maybe in a spot, um, that, that, uh, you know, is frozen up in a little bit harder. Katie Grant: [00:15:21] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:15:22] Um, so really using a high degree of caution while traveling on ice, um, and checking the ice conditions with, with the local, um, the, the local individuals that have that particular knowledge of that body of water. And that could come from bait shops, fishing clubs, I mentioned snowmobile clubs before. Um, and then if there's any local Outfitters that have a connection to that body of water, um, whether that be a sportsman's, um, you know, store or, or a bait shop type of thing.Um, they usually have those daily reports coming in, um, if not hourly reports coming in because the customers are coming in and out and those conditions change. And then as mentioned with ice, you know, making sure to either carry or wear a life jacket, um, have a cell phone. Handheld spikes are really good because if you would happen to fall through, um, some ice, uh, they just provide you some leverage and grip to get back up to a more solid surface.Um, if that would happen. And then again, um, riding with a companion is always. I'm good. And then the other thing is, if you're, if you're unfamiliar with the conditions, um, you should maybe think about, do I need to be out there now? Do, is it, is it, do I need to be out there in the evening hours? Those types of things.So that unfamiliarity, um, really needs to be in check when, when venturing out on, on those frozen bodies of water. Katie Grant: [00:16:45] Yeah. So in Wisconsin and a lot of states, we have required Hunter Safety courses that you have to take. Is there something like that for snowmobiling and what are the requirements to need to take that?April Dombrowski: [00:16:58] Sure, yeah. All, all riders, um, at least the age of 12 and born on or after January 1st of 1985 are required to complete a Snowmobile Safety course before they can legally operate. Um, so really what that means is, uh, anybody turning 35 this year, um, has to have that snowmobile safety certification. Um.Riders ages 16 and older, they can complete a course over the internet. So we have internet options for them to be able to take that course and get their certification that way. Uh, those that are under the age of 16, uh, we'll typically have courses set up around the state, and that'll be like a in-classroom, in-person with our volunteer instructors, uh, teaching... teaching that course.Katie Grant: [00:17:46] Right. And I assume it's just a like one day, several hour type thing, or is it a fairly long process? April Dombrowski: [00:17:52] No, it's not a long process. Um, typically, you know, courses can take place in about two days or two evenings. Um, whether it's a Friday evening, Saturday or breaking it up through the weekend type of thing, maybe a couple hours a evening, a night.Um, but it's really not uh, a long drawn-out process. It's just a, a familiarity for snowmobile safety and ethics, uh, for those, um, for those individuals coming in, um, requiring that certification. It provides awareness and really just a, a kind of a a starting point of where everybody, you know, kinda has that base knowledge, but then really the true experiences, um, come from then, you know, taking the rides out on the trail and learning things from friends and family, you know, as they continue to grow.Just like, just like an automobile, you know, um, you, you, you gain experiences the more time you're behind the wheel. Right? Katie Grant: [00:18:48] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:18:48] So, and then as far as information on safety classes, you know, we have them posted throughout the state. And, um, you know, we try to have them in every county, but, uh, we really rely on our volunteer instructors, uh, to perform, uh, and kind of, um, meet, meet the demand of our students.But if anybody is looking for more information on a snowmobile safety course, they can simply visit our website at www.DNR.wi.gov and then really just the typing in a keyword of "snowmobile safety." Um, and that'll get them to the homepage and they'll find a lot of information, um, that they can navigate, um, and learn not only what safety courses are in their area, but also safety tips, regulations, um, just that, um, information as they enter that snowmobile world. Katie Grant: [00:19:42] Yeah. And if you're interested in becoming a volunteer, I assume there's information on that there too. April Dombrowski: [00:19:47] Yep. There's information there on that. And then obviously part of our program is, uh, working with our volunteer instructors and providing those, uh, the training and the materials to be able to go out and conduct courses accordingly.Katie Grant: [00:20:00] Perfect. Anything else that you think we should know about snowmobiling in Wisconsin? April Dombrowski: [00:20:06] A snowmobiling  in Wisconsin is, it's really a great time. I mean, my family comes from, um snowmobiling there's again, a lot of great memories and great stories, uh, with that activity. But you know, at the DNR here in Wisconsin, we really just want everybody to be safe -- being able to enjoy that experience in the outdoors and really create, continue to create those, those memories with friends and family. Um, I think common sense is the greatest ally in preventing ah snowmobile and ice related, um, incidents. Um, and this really includes checking and ice conditions and riding responsibly, uh, when venturing out on our trails and frozen water bodies.So I guess I'd like to end with just, um, everybody to happy trails and, uh, um, have a great winter season. Katie Grant: [00:20:54] Yeah. Stay safe out there. April Dombrowski: [00:20:55] Yes. Katie Grant: [00:20:56] There is still plenty of winter left, so as you head out to enjoy it, keep these tips in mind and do it safely. We'd love to hear about your snowmobiling adventures.Email us to share your stories -- DNRpodcast@wisconsin.gov Thanks for listening.

In this inaugural episode of DSC’s Untamed Heritage, Larry and Ken discuss the importance of gun safety in hunting while recalling stories from their past. Hunter’s safety is very important to start learning from a young age and these men have stories to tell.  As the tales unfold, we her about near misses and first … Continue reading 001 – Gun and Hunter Safety →

In this episode we discuss local, state, and national events, as well as, the thought of teaching hunter safety in school..... Contact us: bcretrievers@gmail.com

Hooray for Thursday!!!!! Radio Ronin is on!!!!Kenny D wants to carry a gun, but first he needs to take his "Hunter Safety" class. The transition from Spinari to Chandler is NOT going well... It's Chunga's favorite time of year, when weak-minded fools complain about daylight savings for a week, Kenny gets caught using the women's bathroom at work... Yeah, he's pretty much fired. PLUS, this may the last week for his "Random Stories". Why? Sad, puppy stories, that's why!!! Deadpool 2 really sucks according to test audiences. Is Tomb Raider any good? Listen now to hear the review! It's on Podbash!!!!!!!

Hooray for Thursday!!!!! Radio Ronin is on!!!! Kenny D wants to carry a gun, but first he needs to take his "Hunter Safety" class. The transition from Spinari to Chandler is NOT going well... It's Chunga's favorite time of year, when weak-minded fools complain about daylight savings for a week, Kenny gets caught using the women's bathroom at work... Yeah, he's pretty much fired. PLUS, this may the last week for his "Random Stories". Why? Sad, puppy stories, that's why!!! Deadpool 2 really sucks according to test audiences. Is Tomb Raider any good? Listen now to hear the review! It's on Podbash!!!!!!!

Hooray for Thursday!!!!! Radio Ronin is on!!!!Kenny D wants to carry a gun, but first he needs to take his "Hunter Safety" class. The transition from Spinari to Chandler is NOT going well... It's Chunga's favorite time of year, when weak-minded fools complain about daylight savings for a week, Kenny gets caught using the women's bathroom at work... Yeah, he's pretty much fired. PLUS, this may the last week for his "Random Stories". Why? Sad, puppy stories, that's why!!! Deadpool 2 really sucks according to test audiences. Is Tomb Raider any good? Listen now to hear the review! It's on Podbash!!!!!!!

3.05 - How I Learned to Love Hunter Safety Class Lane and the sprouts discuss hunter education. Please subscribe and give us feedback on Stitcher and/or iTunes! This episode brought to you by Viking Strong and The Market at Indian Mound Ranch! #Texas #dove #hunting #fishing #outdoors #parenting #huntersafety #education

Listen in as Sarah-Jane Dunford from Riskology explains step by step how to run a great corporate event. In this episode we talk corporate sonsorship, media partners and all those one per center's that make events and experience. The post 307 – How to Run a Suucessful Event with Sarah-Jane Dunford of Riskology and The Hunter Safety Awards appeared first on Small Business Big Marketing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back with a NEW episode! I sit down with a cold along side my son Tyler to talk about our family’s Whitetail Deer Hunt. Tyler gives us some insight on his deer harvest, Hunter Safety, how his brother won’t sit still in  the woods and his liking for comedian Dave Landau. Tyler and I […]

Interview with MICHAEL SCOTT Co-Founder of the Hunter Safety Lab, Find out how it works, why it is needed and he even tells us a good hunting story. 67% of hunting accident victims  are shot by a member of their own hunting party. 100% thought it would never happen to them The Hunter Safty Lab's  mission is to eliminate the death and heartache caused by hunting accidents. Hunter Safety Lab is a New Zealand company founded by two product designers with a passion for hunting and the outdoors. We live for the excitement and challenge of the hunt, but hear too many heartbreaking stories of hunters killed or injured after being mistaken for game and shot. No hunt is worth the life of a friend or family member. This is they we founded Hunter Safety Lab and invented IRIS. http://www.huntersafetylab.com    

A night time coon hunt with my youngest daughter for her first big hunt. Our last hunter safety class for our kids and me trying to become an instructor Fan question:  What hunt impacted or changed you the most and what did it do to you to change your preparedness? Current Gun Control Measures in the U.S. Colorado New York Firearm companies refusing to sell to anti gun states governments and law enforcement.

Hunter Safety

Whatever happened to the City of Brotherly Love?  (Sun Tzu) Widows, Death and your Estate Zombie Strike #22 Interview with Dr. Tantillo, Hunter Safety and Ethics "How I Keep It All Together"  ebook notes available upon request. ( copy of "one in a million you"- music bed usedHere I share some thoughts on how I juggle a couple of things.  If it works for you, let me know.  thank you very much for listening and being my friend.Kenn