Hunt Talk Radio, Randy Newberg Unfiltered is a podcast covering hunting politics, public lands, and conservation topics; even a few things you didn’t need to know. The best hunters you’ve never heard of join Randy to answer questions from the Hunt Talk web forum, share ideas, reveal tactics, and give perspectives unique to public land hunting.
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In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy interviews Joe Rahn, the Director of Operations and Chief Pilot for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They talk through the complexities of managing the state's aerial wildlife survey fleet. These flights are vital for conservation efforts, enabling biologists to track herd populations and determine sustainable hunting tag quotas. This episode…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy sits down with wildlife scientist Jim Heffelfinger to discuss the complex factors impacting mule deer populations across North America. They cover significant conservation challenges, such as landscape-scale habitat changes, the impacts of human population growth, and the difficulties of managing herds amid changing environmental conditions. They…
In this episode of Leupold‘s Hunt Talk radio, Randy interviews Seth Bodnar, an independent candidate for US Senate. Like many of you, Randy is disappointed and frustrated with the two-party system. Is it feasible, when Senate elections cost hundreds of millions of dollars, to think an independent candidate can win? Seth believes that is possible, and he makes a very compelling case. Could this be…
In this episode of Leupold’s Hunt Talk Radio, host Randy interviews his longtime podcast editor, Joe Johnson. Joe talks about his background as a professional musician and circus performer, and how he eventually found his way into hunting. They discuss the "dark art" of audio editing, their shared commitment to public land advocacy, and the importance of fostering an "abundance mindset" to build…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Hal Herring. Hal was the host of BHA's podcast for several years and now he's setting out on a new project - Carrying the Fire. Carrying the Fire podcast features the voices of writers and thinkers, homesteaders and conservationists, explorers, historians and futurists-it is about reconnecting us to nature, and to each other. Randy…
On this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy joins MTNTOUGH coaches Sarah and Nick to discuss their new "Always Ready 50+" fitness program, a course designed to help older adults improve their mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. Randy talks about his own experience navigating injuries, and the value of having structured accountability to keep him hunting for years to come.…
In this episode of Leupold’s Hunt Talk Radio, Randy Newberg meets with Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management to discuss an effort to protect hunting and fishing in Colorado through a constitutional amendment. Dan explains how years of defending against ballot initiatives, legislative challenges, and wildlife policy battles have led Colorado’s conservation community to take a…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy hosts longtime public land advocates Bob Dennee and Kurt Alt, reflecting on decades of work to improve access to public lands in Montana. They share behind-the-scenes stories of major land conservation efforts and cover how collaboration between agencies, nonprofits, landowners, and engaged hunters helped secure millions of acres for public use.…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy interviews Ted Koch, Executive Director of the North American Grouse Partnership, about the rapid decline of prairie grouse, particularly the Lesser Prairie Chicken, due to large-scale grassland loss. They discuss how most remaining habitat is on private land, where economic pressures often discourage conservation even among landowners who value…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy and Ian Wargo (Montana FWP Fish and Wildlife Commissioner) talk about the challenges of wildlife management, particularly declining elk populations in northwest Montana. A major topic is how habitat quality, largely influenced by federal land policies, is one of the most critical factors in population dynamics. The conversation highlights how…
In this episode of Hunt Talk Radio, Randy welcomes back independent journalist Todd Wilkinson, co-founder of Yellowstonian, for a deep dive into the complex intersection of conservation, policy, and the future of the American West. Todd has a unique perspective on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a 24-million-acre landscape that remains the only region in the lower 48 states to retain all the…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy hosts Alison Fox, CEO of American Prairie, and Mike Kautz, AP's VP of Access and Infrastructure. They talk through some of the misconceptions and realities of AP's role in conservation, the impact of the BLM's proposed rule changes, how ranching and wildlife conservation can coexist, and how AP facilitates public access. Learn more about your ad…
On this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life's Hunting and Conservation editor. They discuss the history, purpose, and future of outdoor media, talking through how media has been beneficial to conservation, as well as some of the struggles and dangers of modern platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Randy sits down with ODFW's Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator Brian Wolfer at the PNW Sportsman's Show in Portland, OR to answer your questions. Topics cover the full range of wildlife population strategies, habitat, predators, and even why state agencies are often limited in what they are legally allowed to advocate for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by two of the lead minds behind Leupold's legendary gold ring: Tim Lesser and Dustin Miller. In a rare, deep-dive technical conversation, the trio explores what it really takes to build world-class optics in Beaverton, Oregon, and why American manufacturing remains the backbone of the brand. From the high-stakes "Moment of Truth" at…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy has returning guest Dr. Kevin Monteith from the University of Wyoming. In this episode, we dig into Kevin's knowledge and research to connect healthy mule deer herds to how fat the mothers are. Fat does have big fawns that grow to be bigger bucks. All of that depends on premium habitat availability, which Kevin explains in great detail. A great…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by long-time friend, Ryan Callaghan. Topics covered include their work to improve public lands and protect the conservation infrastructure necessary for habitat and hunting, the mirage of political parties being concerned, the importance of speaking up, how you can make a difference, challenges ahead, and Ryan's new role as CEO of…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio Randy and Marcus put a wrap on the 2025 seasons. Topics covered range from a mountain goat hunt resulting in a broken leg to a season disrupted by many policy changes that represent broken promises by our elected officials. Lots of good topics in between to describe what was the toughest season Fresh Tracks has ever had. Learn more about your ad…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by returning guest Theodore Roosevelt IV, the great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt. Following a successful elk hunt in Montana, they dive into a critical and urgent conversation about the future of hunting, conservation, and public lands.Ted brings a unique, non-partisan perspective forged by his family's legacy and his own…
The Wyoming corner-crossing case is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy Newberg is hosting the lawyer who made it happen. Attorney Ryan Semerad details the story of the four Missouri hunters he defended and the high-stakes legal battle that followed. They dissect the landowner's arguments, the potential outcomes, and why this case is so…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is at the HQ of Silencer Central to catch up with the CEO, Brandon Maddox and talk about the many updates since the last podcast six months ago. Topics covered include funding conservation, Silencer Central's effort to reform the National Firearms Act and pass the Hearing Protection Act, the difficulty of getting changes in DC, the benefits of…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy talks with Robert Mahaffey of the South Dakota Antelope Foundation. They discuss the background of the SD Antelope Foundation, antelope herd history in South Dakota, impacts of human expansion into pronghorn habitat, and a bit of trivia. You can learn more about the South Dakota Antelope Foundation at https://www.sdantelopefoundation.org/. Learn…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, host Randy Newberg is joined by Dylan Soares, an attorney and conservationist with the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), to dive deep into the legal and practical implications of corner crossing—a hot topic in public land access. The discussion begins with an overview of the high-profile Wyoming corner-crossing case, where four hunters…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy shares the mic with Pete Brownell, President of Brownell's. Brownell's has been a family name in hunting, shooting, and gunsmithing since 1938. Pete is the third Brownell generation to lead the company from its headquarters in Iowa. Topics covered include the history of Brownell's, Pete's volunteerism and commitment to shooting sports, Pete's…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy talks with Leupold CEO, Bruce Pettet, about leading an American company with 700+ amazing employees and dominating the rifle scope business by sticking to the core values of the company. In addition to the launch of the new VX5HD GEN2, topics covered include manufacturing in America, growing talent from within, the need for ingenuity, listening…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy spends a day with one of his friends and most admired mentors, Jim Zumbo. Jim needs no introduction, having introduced so many of us to the world of western big game hunting. Topics covered include Jim using his platforms to promote conservation, his lengthy career as a writer and advocate for wild things, his commitment to elk and RMEF, Jim's…
After over a dozen years of shooting Howa rifles, Randy convinces them to join him on a podcast to talk about Howa rifles, their support of shooting and conservation, and why neither value or accuracy will ever be part of a compromise. Darren and Chad join in to explain why they support a public land-centric platform and want Fresh Tracks to be out advocating for their customers. And like all…
In this episode (#266) of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy shares the mic with an old friend and world class wild game chef and cooking author, Hank Shaw. In addition to some old stories of hunts together in the Borderlands of Arizona, Randy and Hank discuss Hank's newest cookbook, Borderlands. Hank explains the roots of this unique food culture and its connection with native food sources, much of…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Dan Gates of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management. Topics covered include examination of how I-127 was defeated in Colorado, new attempts to circumvent the ballot initiative and use the legislature and Wildlife Commission, strategic communications for non-hunting voters, using a 501(c)(4) rather than a 501(c)(3), and many…
In this episode (#263) of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by members of the North American Pronghorn Foundation to discuss the launch of the organization and their efforts to "future-proof" pronghorn. Topics covered include the state of pronghorn, trends impacting pronghorn numbers, challenges of starting a new organization, goals, on the ground work plans, and many reasons why our…
Randy shares the mic with Ryan and Jillian Garrett of Washington. Ryan and Jillian share details of the path that has led them to be some of Washington's most successful advocates for hunting, conservation, and wild food. Topics covered include their tactics for success amidst daunting odds, speaking outside our own circle, finding common denominators (food), how everyone is an ambassador for…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by one of the most avid elk hunting US Senators, Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico. Randy is in DC to lobby on public land issues and was invited by Senator Heinrich to have a discussion about public lands, conservation, funding, the challenges ahead, the reality of the current political landscape, the Senator's connection to…
In episode 261 of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Brandon Maddox, founder of Silencer Central. The discussion covers Randy's journey from being an old school traditionalist to now hunting exclusively with a suppressed rifle, and losing most of his left-ear hearing along the way. Topics covered include the story behind Silencer Central, debunking myths around hunting with suppressors,…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Brant Chutter and Quynn Nielsen, two avid lion hunters from British Columbia, who Randy happened to spend a lot of time with last summer in the MacKenzie Mountains. Brant grew up in a home with two wildlife biologist-parents, who formed his view of science and sustainability. Brant and Quynn now own Rival Outfitting in British…
In this episode of Leupold’s Hunt Talk Radio, Randy had the opportunity to record a podcast in front of a live audience with the new Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Debbie Colbert. The conversation covers a wide range of topics - wolves, deer, elk, fish, endangered species, and more. Debbie talks about some of ODFW's achievements as well as the reality of how their work is…
Randy is joined by Charles Whitwam and Mike Costello of HOWL For Wildlife. HOWL is an organization designed to help hunters organize, communicate, and be effective when advocating for their cause. Using new technology and communication strategies, HOWL has built the infrastructure that brings hunters together on important issues. Topics covered include every hunter as an ambassador, strategy of…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy and Marcus sit down with Jim Baichtal to talk about the new conservation group known as the Blacktail Deer Foundation. Originating within the Mule Deer Foundation, Jim is leading the efforts for Sitka Blacktails in Alaska, while his co-workers lead the efforts for Columbia Blacktails in the Pacific Northwest. Topics covered include a lot of…
Randy discusses conservation easements with Jennifer Doherty of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Kendall Van Dyk of Montana Land Reliance, both who have extensive careers helping private landowners conserve their landscapes with conservation easements (CE). Topics covered include CEs, CEs as one of many tools working landowners need, willing-seller/donor exercising one of their property…
Randy and Marcus join Joel Webster of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partners (TRCP) on Joel's Nevada elk hunt. Topics covered include a great elk hunting story, conservation issues creating huge challenges for native wildlife, specifically feral horses, invasive cheatgrass, conifer encroachment, changing fire cycles, and the need to increase priority of those issues. Mule deer, elk, pronghorn,…
Randy sits down with three hunttalk.com regulars - Gerald Martin, Sean Clancy, and Eric Albus to talk about how a group of people with different backgrounds can talk about solutions and not just problems. How do you improve the health of Montana's mule deer herds while keeping the solution socially acceptable, maintaining hunting opportunity, and keeping Montana FWP's operating budget as-is?…
In this episode (#253) Randy is joined by David Willms, an attorney with the National Wildlife Federation and avid hunter from Wyoming. The guys explore Utah's latest attempt to demand 18 million acres of BLM lands be transferred to Utah. Utah is known for selling their state lands to fund their school system. What's the motivation? Why now? This is another repackaged effort to rekindle the…
In this episode (#252) of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Mike Kautz and Paul Kemper of American Prairie, known as AP. Topics focus on access and conservation. AP has enrolled 88,000 acres of their private land in Montana's Block Management access program, along with allowing access across their private land to reach otherwise inaccessible public lands. The focus is on an uncrowded…
This episode (#251) of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio is the first of hopefully four that explore statewide candidates and their views on hunting, fishing, public lands, and conservation. Both US Senate candidates have been invited as have both Gubernatorial candidates. In this episode Ryan Busse gives his views and ideas on hunting, fishing, conservation and public access. Invitations have been sent…
In this episode (#250) of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Curt Meine of the Aldo Leopold Foundation to talk about the legacy of Aldo Leopold as we celebrate 100 years of the Gila Wilderness and 75 years after the Sand County Almanac. Topics covered include expansion of the Land Ethic Leopold started, history of Gila Wilderness, revolutionary thinking, Wilderness Society, Thinking…
In this episode of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy talks mule deer, research, and migrations with Dr. Kevin Monteith from the University of Wyoming. In addition to some pronghorn and other points, topics covered include habitat being primary importance, fidelity to a core area, migrators learn from mom, fat does mean healthy fawns, mule deer as specialists, migration distance changes peak rut…
Randy and the crew (Marcus, Michael, and Jace) talk about the new video series Beyond Stock, where the guys built their own semi-custom rifles, competed in NRL matches, and share their learnings. Shooting skills are an important part of rifle hunting, and there is a lot to be learned from competitive shooting - everything from handloading ammunition to improving your form. Learn more about your ad…
In this episode (#247) of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy is joined by Doug Duren. Doug is a leading advocate for putting Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic into action. On his Wisconsin farm, Doug practices sustainable and regenerative land management with a focus on the land. He is famous for his motto. "It's not ours, it's just our turn." Topics covered include many of Leopold's essays, the relevance…
Randy shares bison hunting stories with Andy Morris and Jake Ahmann. Topics covered include their free-range bison hunts in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming, the amazing meat, field dressing challenges, bison history, bison tragedy as the conservation genesis in America, how to create advocacy for more bison, tribes leading bison restoration, concerns of those most impacted by bison, and a lot of other…
Randy is joined by long-time friend and past guest, Hal Herring. They summarize a day of walleye fishing that allowed them to discuss many topics, danger in focusing on abstraction, including do our actions mirror our words, how we can do better, paying more for the comforts we demand, society being subsidized by nature, spending the resource inheritance of future generations, getting people to…
Randy is joined by Gaspar Perricone, hunter, strategist, former Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commissioner, and influential member of Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, the group fighting ballot initiative 91 in Colorado. Ballot Initiative 91 would prohibit hunting for Mountain Lion, Lynx, and Bobcat in Colorado. In this episode, we talk about how hunters can effectively communicate to the 80% of…