The Trail Less Traveled

Dr. Jim Halfpenny is a renowned scientist, educator, and author specializing in carnivore ecology, tracking, and the natural history of cold climates. With a Ph.D. in biology, he has conducted extensive research on wildlife, particularly bears, wolves, and mountain lions, and has contributed significantly to the study of animal tracking and forensic wildlife investigations. As the president of A Naturalist’s World, he has led numerous workshops and expeditions, sharing his deep knowledge with students, researchers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Dr. Halfpenny has authored several influential books and field guides, helping to advance the understanding of animal behavior and ecosystems. His passion for conservation and education has left a lasting impact on wildlife science and outdoor learning. Show notes: 00:03:00 - Growing Up on the River and Becoming an Outdoor Guide00:06:44 - Surviving the Coldest Winter in Yellowstone00:09:55 - Yellowstone Ski Trips and Survival Experiences00:12:27 - T

Hal Herring is an award-winning journalist and writer renowned for his work in conservation and investigative journalism. His writing has appeared in notable publications such as The Atlantic, The Economist, and Orion. He is also a contributing editor at Field & Stream and a regular contributor to High Country News.Beyond his writing, Herring has made significant contributions to the podcasting world as the host of the "Podcast & Blast with Hal Herring," produced by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. This podcast delves into topics related to conservation, hunting, and the outdoors, reflecting Herring's commitment to these issues. Herring's dedication to conservation and the outdoors is evident not only in his writing but also in his active involvement in related communities and initiatives. His work continues to inspire and inform those passionate about the natural world and its preservation. https://www.halherring.com/SHOW NOTES:00:03:36 - Formative Years of an Outdo

Lisa Barill, a wildlife biologist and science writer, shares the fascinating story of ice patch archaeology and how melting glaciers are revealing a trove of ancient artifacts around the world. She earned a B.S. in biology from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2000 and a master's degree from Montana State University in 2009. Baril has extensive experience writing about natural resources and science for national parks across the southwestern United States. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers, the Society of Environmental Journalists, and the Outdoor Writers Association of America. In 2024, she authored "The Age of Melt: What Glaciers, Ice Mummies, and Ancient Artifacts Teach Us about Climate, Culture, and a Future Without Ice," exploring the deep-rooted cultural connection between humans and ice throughout history. Show Notes: 00:02:16 - Growing Up Adventuring in Connecticut00:05:30 - From Discovery Channel to Yellowstone: A Wildlife Biologist's Journey00:07:26 - Rap

Discover the remarkable story of how a Greek immigrant's fruit stand in early 1900s Missoula blossomed into Caras Nursery, a thriving family business spanning over 100 years. Bill Caras shares heartwarming tales of growing up in a close-knit community during the 1950s and 60s, where childhood adventures and family values shaped his future. Beyond the nursery, Bill reveals his passion for historical maps, sharing insights into rare cartographic treasures dating back to the 1500s. His collection offers fascinating glimpses into Montana's early development and the evolution of the American West.Join us for this captivating episode that weaves together family heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and the deep roots that connect one family to their community.Show notes:00:04:18 - Family Business Transitions and Expansion00:06:43 - Returning to the Family Nursery00:08:43 - From Nursery Catalogs to Greek Roots00:11:24 - Family's Fruit Store and Nursery History00:13:05 - Childhood Home and Family History00:17:21 - Explor

Ramona Holt grew up in Montana’s ranching and rodeo scene, participating in youth, intercollegiate and professional rodeo. As an adult, she dedicated her life to promoting the western way of living, and for 30 years Ramona and her husband, Bill, traveled throughout the western United States, Canada and Australia promoting professional rodeo and the West. They started their own herd of Texas Longhorn Cattle in 1967 and were the first to export those cattle from the U.S. to Australia in 1985—leading to the government honoring them at an exposition in 1986 in Mackay, Australia.Today, as a trustee representing Western Montana for the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, Ramona recommends people and ranches to be honored each year. In 2018, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association honored her as the “Notable Lady of the West” at their World of Rodeo Reunion in Las Vegas. Her life has been dedicated to telling the story of the western way through many avenues including the creation of the Holt

Dr. Diane Boyd is a wildlife biologist who has 45+ years of applied expertise on behavior, conservation and management of wild wolf populations. She is the author of "A Woman Among Wolves: My Journey Through Forty Years of Wolf Recovery." She began her career in 1977 with Dr. L. David Mech’s wolf research project in Minnesota. She moved to Montana in 1979 to study gray wolf recovery in the Rocky Mountains from the first natural colonizer to approximately 2000 wolves today in the western U.S. Her work has focused on wolf ecology, dispersal, habitat use, prey selection, behavior, morphology, genetic relationships, and the social dimensions of wolf-human conflict resolution. She has collaborated on research in the Rocky Mountains of the U.S., British Columbia, Alberta, the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, and wolf research projects in Italy and Romania. She has published numerous articles in scientific journals, invited book chapters, and articles in popular literature. She received her M.

Marilyn Marler holds a Bachelor's degree from University of California, Davis and a Master's degree from the University of Montana, both in Biology. She has been a Natural Areas Specialist at the University of Montana since 1998. Marilyn brings 25 years’ experience in land stewardship, science education, and public service to her role at MNHC. She grew up in the Sierra Nevada foothills, attended UC Davis for her biology degree, and moved to Missoula in 1994 for a master’s in biology at the University of Montana. For the last 28 years Marilyn and her husband David have enjoyed Missoula’s vibrant community spirit and Montana’s unmatched outdoor pursuits. She has served on the boards of many state and local non-profits and has served in elected office in both city and state government.Show notes: 00:04:28 - Growing Up in the Sierra Nevada Foothills00:07:02 - Hunting, Conservation, and Personal Journey00:10:39 - The Role of Hunters in Conservation00:12:24 - Promoting Nature Appreciat

Bart Henderson, a retired international river guide, shares his experiences growing up in Utah and being part of the early river rafting industry. He describes how the town of Vernal and the Green River were central to the development of companies like Hatch River Expeditions, which pioneered commercial rafting. Bart's early exposure to the river guiding business sparked his lifelong passion for adventure and exploration, leading him to guide expeditions in diverse ecosystems around the world, from Alaska to Ethiopia.Experience the thrills and challenges of navigating remote waterways, from battling powerful winds to managing wildlife encounters, as Bart shares insights from decades of guiding experience across diverse ecosystems. His story culminates in the successful establishment of Chilkat Guides, proving that adventure tourism can breathe new life into local economies.Join us for this fascinating journey through the history of river rafting and discover how one man's passion for adventure helped chart ne

Step into the fascinating world of mountain lions with Jim Williams, a veteran wildlife biologist with over 30 years of experience in large carnivore conservation. Often referred to as the "ghosts of the forest", in this episode Jim shares captivating insights about these magnificent predators that roam the Americas.Through his remarkable career journey, Jim has championed wildlife conservation efforts in the Northern Rockies, fighting to protect crucial habitats from increasing development pressures. His work has been instrumental in securing conservation easements that preserve both public access and wildlife corridors, especially during the recent pandemic-driven population surge in the region.The episode delves into mountain lions' unique hunting strategies, their solitary nature, and their ability to thrive across diverse landscapes. Jim also addresses common misconceptions about large carnivores and shares wisdom gained from decades of field experience. Ready to discover the secret life of America's mos

Discover how a small Montana city became a thriving hub of culture, entrepreneurship, and community connection. From the iconic Big Dipper Ice Cream celebrating its 30th anniversary to the bustling Caras Park hosting over 100 community events annually, downtown Missoula exemplifies the perfect blend of historical preservation and modern vibrancy.Linda McCarthy, Executive Director of the Downtown Missoula Partnership, shares how Missoula has evolved into a pedestrian-friendly destination where strangers still greet each other on the street. The city's commitment to inclusivity shines through initiatives like zero-fare public transportation and free community events.The "hip strip" showcases the entrepreneurial spirit of local businesses, while the University of Montana adds a dynamic educational dimension. Whether it's exploring the farmers markets, enjoying outdoor recreation, or sampling unique local flavors at Big Dipper Ice Cream, Missoula offers what Teresa Cox describes as "not just a place to make a li

Tom Puchlerz is married with two children, two grandchildren, and three English setters. Retired after 38 years with the U.S. Forest Service as a biologist and administrator with assignments in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, Tom is a member of numerous local and national wildlife and fisheries conservation organizations. He is an avid hunter, angler, and advocate for wild places and wild things. Tom is a past president and current board member for the Montana Wildlife Federation. You can become a member of the Montana Wildlife Federation for $35 per year! Click HERE to become a member today! You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.The radio version of the show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally

Patrick Farneman is the executive director of Bridges to the Past, the non-profit parent organization that hosts the annual "Between the Rivers" skills gathering near Valley, Washington. Patrick has been published in Survival Quarterly Magazine, and in The Bulletin of Primitive Technology. He has been an instructor at Rabbitstick, Wintercount, Echoes in Time, and Saskatoon Circle Gatherings, and has taught classes in ancestral skills privately and for multiple organizations for over 30 years. Learn more here: https://www.betweentheriversgathering.com/ You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.The radio version of the show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail 103.3 FMWhy listen to the

Moses Chiguta has been guiding professionally for the past 25 years. He currently works as a guide for Chiawa Camp, located on the banks of the Zambezi River, under a grove of evergreen Mahogany trees. Chiawa Camp holds the prime position in the heart of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park.Moses comes from Kabwadu village in Chiawa chiefdom and he started his guiding career in 1999 as trainee guide. By 2005 he was a fully qualified guide in the fields of game drives, walks, canoeing and boating/angling. Moses’ favorite animal is a Baboon as traditionally he hails from the “Baboon” clan and he therefore enjoys watching them as they play around while feeding. You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.The radio version of the show pre

Jim Vashro serves on the board of directors for the Montana Wildlife Federation and worked for 39 years with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks before retiring as the regional fisheries manager in Kalispell where he lives with his wife Sandi. In the last 20 years, he focused on aquatic education and access, still active with Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW), Hooked on Fishing, Casting For Recovery and Bowhunter Education as well as crusading against illegal fish introductions. Currently, he is the president of Flathead Wildlife, Inc. when not fishing, hunting, hiking or paddling somewhere. You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.The radio version of the show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail

Russ Lyman grew up in northwest Washington State. He received a B.S. degree in Visual Communications from Western Washington University and then spent a couple of years in Ketchum, Idaho. In 1989 he began his river guiding career in Haines, Alaska, and started guiding on the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers in 1990. He has also worked as a river rafting guide in the Arctic, Chile, Indonesia, Nepal and Ethiopia. He lives in Haines, Alaska with his wife Cynthia, where he runs his publishing business, Cloudburst Productions. Russ draws maps and gathers inspiration from the majestic Saint Elias and Coast Range Mountains which surround him. He began his river guiding career in Haines in 1989 and has made over 40 trips down the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers since then, as well as guided on rivers in other parts of the world. Russ has been a volunteer DJ at KHNS since 1990, covering a variety of different shows over the years. Russ is one of the coauthors of The Complete Guide to the Tatshenshi

The Northern Rockies region is home to the largest collection of pristine free-flowing rivers and native trout fisheries left in the lower 48 states. The headwaters of these pristine rivers originate in three sprawling wilderness complexes – the Crown of the Continent along the US-Canadian border; the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem where the Missouri, Snake, and Green rivers are born; and the Salmon-Selway Ecosystem in central Idaho, where endangered salmon and steelhead still migrate 900 miles from the Pacific Ocean to spawn.These rivers are defined by their WILD, FREE-FLOWING CHARACTER, clean water, intact native fish and wildlife assemblages, and world-class recreation opportunities. All of the native fish species that were present here two centuries ago can still be found here today, including five subspecies of cutthroat trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, steelhead, Chinook salmon, and white sturgeon. Among the iconic wildlife species that call these rivers home are grizzly and black be

As the Northwest Regional Director, Sarah Dyrdahl leads the regional team working to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. This is part one of our two part series featuring the work of American Rivers. Sarah has been working with communities on river conservation and restoration in Alaska and Oregon since 2004, as a staff biologist for a Native Alaskan Tribe and 15 years as a restoration program manager, and then executive director, for Oregon watershed councils. Most recently, Sarah served as the aquatic & riparian specialist and interim deputy division chief for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Before migrating upstream to freshwater ecosystems, Sarah studied nearshore marine ecological communities along the Oregon Coast with the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO). Sarah grew up in the country, on the banks of the Applegate River in southern Oregon, an experience that she

Missoula Housing Authority (“MHA”) is an independent nonprofit public organization with a portfolio of 1,178 rent-restricted apartments and housing choice vouchers, providing affordable housing to more than 4,500 very low-, low and middle-income veterans, families with children, elderly and disabled, foster youth and homeless, as well as working Missoulians. MHA is the second largest public housing authority in Montana and is recognized as a progressive, forward-thinking agency that creatively implements services and uses innovative development financing. Missoula Housing Authority’s mission is to provide quality housing solutions for low and middle-income households in Missoula and the surrounding area through creative partnerships and innovative development. MHA has been creating quality housing solutions since 1978. Since 2005, Missoula Housing Authority (MHA) has operated Valor House, Montana’s first transitional apartments for homeless veterans, in partnership with the Veterans Administration and the Pov

Tama Raihania has been drawing and studying Maori artwork and Moko patterns since his early childhood. This interview tells the story of the evolution of tattooing. Tama is a "Tohunga Tā Moko" (Ta Moko tattoo artist). The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian "tatu" which means "to mark something." It is arguably claimed that tattooing has existed since 12,000 years BC. The modern pronunciation of the word is due to a mispronunciation by earlier explorers such as Lieutenant James Cook. You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube!!!The radio version of the show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail 103.3 FMThis episode was recorded on location i

For this episode, we sit down in the village of Klukwan, known to be the capital of the Tlingit national - located near Haines, Alaska. This interview features an indigenous elder named Lani Hotch, the culture bearer for the Tlingit Nation. Lani Hotch is a leader and activist. Lani is the culture bearer for the Klukwan community. She is a traditional and contemporary weaver who lives a traditional Tlingit lifestyle based on the seasons. Learn more about ways in which you can work collectively to stop the Palmer Mine Project by visiting: https://chilkatforever.org/the-threatShow Notes:00:00:03 - Lani Hotch intro00:00:40 - Podcast intro00:01:31 - Tlingit greeting and intro for Lani Hotch00:03:50 - Lani describes what she sees when she looks out her window in the village of Klukwan, Alaska.00:05:00 - Lani talks about her early adventures and the ways in which conservation played a role in her upbringing.00:13:00 - Lani sings a song that reminds her of her early years.00:14:16 - Lani shares a background