Ndow Presents The Nevada Wild Podcast

In this week's Nevada Wild Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with NDOW Big Game Biologists Kari Huebner and Travis Allen to provide an update on Nevada's growing moose population. Kari and Travis fill us in on the number of moose they have collared to help learn more about the animals, the number of sightings in an ongoing database, and the work they're doing to continue to learn more! They also explain how you can help.

In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller are joined by NDOW Fisheries Biologist Travis Hawks and Granite Construction Environmental Manager Tina Mudd to talk about a new trail that improves access to a portion of state land along the Truckee River in Sparks. NDOW partnered with the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, Nevada Division of State Lands, Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space, Granite Construction, and a private landowner to complete the new trail system in an undeveloped, underused area that connects to Washoe County’s Lockwood Park trail system. Granite Construction made a substantial donation in material, equipment, and labor to lay base material for a foot path, construct two bridges and install fencing. Travis and Tina explain how this new access will allow anglers and other recreationalists the ability to more easily enjoy the Truckee River, and why this project was so important to all partners involved.

NDOW’s James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship program gives selected graduating Nevada high school seniors, college, or university students an opportunity to earn funds to support their college education, while receiving “on-the-job” training as a seasonal NDOW employee. This wonderful program is currently accepting applications! In this week’s Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller caught up with Wildlife Staff Specialist Russell Woolstenhulme and Nevada Bighorn Unlimited’s Chris Cefalu at the Sheep Show in Reno. They talk about the success of the program; explain how funding comes from two organizations, NBU and Nevada Wildlife Record Book; and highlight those organizations two founding members. Current NDOW biologist and former intern Josh Kirk joins the second half of the podcast to talk about his experience with the program and how it led to a career at NDOW. For an application and information on how to apply for the internship use the following link: https://www.ndow.org/blog/james

NDOW funds improvements at shooting ranges across Nevada to make them safer and more accessible to the community. We're now accepting applications for these funds from anyone who would like to see upgrades at their local shooting range. In this week's Nevada Wild, NDOW's Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller explain how this grant program works, how you can apply to have a shooting range near you funded, some examples of how this funding has worked in the past, and the need for safe, accessible shooting ranges throughout the state. View the application here: https://www.ndow.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Shooting-Range-Grant-Application-2022-1.pdf

This week's Nevada Wild was recorded on location at the Wild Sheep Foundation's Sheep Show, which takes place at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino through Saturday, January 15. In the spirit of Sheep Week, NDOW Bighorn Sheep Staff Specialist Mike Cox joined Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller to talk about the status of Nevada's bighorn sheep, the latest bighorn sheep hunt summaries, and work being done to keep the state's bighorn sheep populations healthy and growing! Learn more about the Sheep Show and register here: https://www.renoevents.com/events/detail/2022-wild-sheep-show

After 21 years of educating the public on NDOW's work, Conservation Educator Joe Doucette is retiring. Joe, a Nevada Wild podcast regular and familiar face to many Nevadans, ran educational programming in eastern Nevada. He spent years creating videos on NDOW's various projects and recording news segments to help share the agency's story. In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with Joe to look back at his time at NDOW, give NDOW's future employees some encouraging words, and talk about the adventures he's planning next!

The youth portion of the Wild Sheep Foundation's Sheep Show, the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE), is back! YWCE will take place during the Sheep Show at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on January 13-15. School groups will attend a private experience on the first two days, then on January 15, YWCE opens up to the public for FREE! In this week’s Nevada Wild NDOW’s Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Ryan Brock to talk what activities to expect at YWCE, and how there’s something for everyone from the outdoor enthusiast to the artist. Special guests Rilee and Dylan Brock(Ryan’s kids!), and their friend Gus join us to fill us in on their favorite activities at the event, and Dylan and Rilee tell us about some of the stations they’ll be leading for the first time this year! For more details on the event click here: https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/mission-and-programs/youth-programs/ywce

In this week’s Nevada Wild, we’re covering a perfect way to get outdoors this winter, snowshoeing! NDOW’s Ashley Sanchez, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with author of Snowshoeing Around Lake Tahoe, Kathryn Reed. Kathryn fills us in on great snowshoeing advice, the best places to go, and where you can find her book, along with her other books that focus on outdoor adventures around Lake Tahoe!

The cold weather and recent snow in northern Nevada means it's almost time for great ice fishing! In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller talk to Conservation Educator Joe Doucette about when waters will be safe for ice fishing, and which waters to head to when the time is right. They also go over ice fishing equipment and gear that could make great gifts for the angler in your life, and safety information to keep in mind when heading out on the ice. For fishing reports click here: https://www.ndow.org/get-outside/fishing/fishing-stocking-reports/database/?region=eastern&reports=fishing&show_all=false

In the spirit of NDOW’s 25 Days of Fishmas celebration, this week’s Nevada Wild covers Trout in the Classroom (TIC), a popular education program NDOW has put in classrooms for more than 20 years to teach students about the science, art, recreation and other values of fish and aquatic life. Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller talk with NDOW Angler Educators from across the state Abbey Czarnecki, Jan Nemec and Julie Gabrielson to explain what to expect for this year’s program, how your kids can join in on the fun even if they aren’t in a participating classroom, and how to sign up your student's class in the future. Learn more about TIC here: https://sites.google.com/view/troutintheclassroomonline/home

Black Friday weekend is here! That means people are rushing to the stores to find the perfect gifts for their family and friends. NDOW wanted to help you out with some gift ideas! In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Bobby Jones are joined by NDOW’s Amanda Perez and Eric Cachinero to share gift ideas for hunters, anglers, and anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving next week, this Nevada Wild covers all things turkey. Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with Upland Game Staff Specialist Shawn Espinosa to talk about the history of Nevada's wild turkeys. Shawn explains how they got here, and where you can find turkeys in the state. They also cover turkey hunting and some fun turkey facts, like explaining what a snoods and wattles are!

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Ashley Sanchez sit down with western Nevada’s former Supervising Fisheries Biologist, now Grant Coordinator for NDOW’s statewide Sportfish program, Kim Tisdale. Kim fills us in on her 27 years with the agency, how she started her career at NDOW, and the most memorable projects she’s been a part of. She also explains her new role and tells us about the state’s Trophy Fish and Native Fish programs, which are open to anyone to take part in. Learn more here: http://www.ndow.org/Fish/Angler_Recognition_Program/

In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones are joined by writer, angler, cook, forager, among many other titles, Hank Shaw! For more than a year NDOW has shared Hanks's recipes on social media for Wild Food Friday. Hank, who has five published cookbooks, manages the popular Hunter Angler Gardner Cook website, and hosts the Hunt Gather Talk Podcast, explains how he first started with wild game cooking, tells us about his cookbooks, gives great insight to help you become a great wild game cook, and more! Learn more about Hank and find his recipes and cookbooks here: https://honest-food.net/

This week's Nevada Wild celebrates Bat Week, the annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature! Hosts Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller are joined by Wildlife Educator Jess Brooks, who explains the educational programs NDOW runs to inform the public on bats and other wildlife. Programs include the popular bat walks that Jess and other wildlife educators organize around the state. Jess also shares some interesting bat facts and explains the important role they play in our ecosystem. Find events and learn more about NDOW's wildlife education programs here: http://www.ndow.org/Education/Wildlife_Ed/

In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with NDOW Biologist Heather Reich to talk about Nevada's black bears. She explains everything from their population size, where in Nevada they can be found and where the population comes from to their diets and behavior. She also covers how to live responsibly in bear country.

In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with NDOW's Wildlife Veterinarian Nate LaHue to talk about Chronic Wasting Disease(CWD), a transmissible neurological disease that is always fatal to animals in the deer family. Nate explains the state's efforts to prevent the disease from entering Nevada, and explains what hunters can do to help. For more information and a list of the check stations mentioned in this podcast, visit here: http://www.ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Health_and_Disease/Chronic_Wasting_Disease/

In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller are joined by Sara Gedo with Clark County Water Quality and NDOW Angler Education Coordinator Abbey Czarnecki to discuss Stormwater Pollution Awareness Month in October. Sara explains the importance of the campaign's slogan to put #OnlyRainInTheStormDrain to preserve the water quality of Nevada’s precious waterways. Abbey explains what you can do to prevent the impacts of stormwater pollution on Nevada's fisheries and highlights NDOW's Fish Camp, which will feature Sara as a guest speaker.

Upland game hunters have a lot to look forward to! The youth chukar hunt continues this weekend, ending on Sunday (Oct. 3), and the general season opens October 9! In this week's Nevada Wild, Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with NDOW's Upland Game Staff Specialist Shawn Espinosa, who breaks down the 2021 Chukar Forecast and gives great chukar hunting tips to hopeful hunters! He also talks sage grouse and quail. View the Chukar Forecast here: http://www.ndow.org/uploadedFiles/ndoworg/Content/Hunt/Seasons_and_Regulations/Upland_Game/2021_NV_Chukar_Forecast.pdf Buy your license at ndowlicensing.com so you can join in on the fun. Make it a combination license so you can do some fall fishing while you're on your hunt!

In this week’s Nevada Wild, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by spotlighting Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO), an organization created to provide a platform for Hispanics/Latinos to contribute knowledge and perspectives about public land conservation. Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller sit down with HECHO Program Manager Bianca McGrath-Martinez and NDOW Outdoor Connection Coordinator Bobby Jones to talk about the importance of HECHO’s mission and connecting more communities with the outdoors. They also provide information on how you can get involved. To learn more, connect with HECHO on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @hechoonline. You can also sign up for the HECHO newsletter at https://support.nwf.org/page/28220/subscribe/1?mode=DEMO and for our HECHO Advocacy Network at https://support.nwf.org/page/25620/subscribe/1?mode=DEMO. Feel free to reach out to Bianca at bianca@hechoonline.org.