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PODCAST

Connecting with Conservation

Do you enjoy angling, boating, hunting, recreational shooting or just getting outdoors and into the backcountry? Connecting with Conservation is the only podcast that delves into the business of conservation. We talk with state wildlife agency and industry experts about how conservation is achieved in the United States along with the tremendous impacts to local economies that driven by the recreational user. Join our hosts as they explore this often unknown or misunderstood aspect of how fish and

sports wilderness

All Episodes

32:59

Season 2: Episode 53: Wildlife Corridors, Migration,...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/12/30

Wildlife migration is one of the most fascinating, and urgent, challenges in modern conservation. Today we’re joined by Casey Stemler, former U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service leader and architect of the national Wildlife Corridor & Big Game Migration Initiative (Secretarial Order 3362). Casey’s background spans wildlife biology, policy development, and federal leadership, making him uniquely qualified to explain how major landscape-scale conservation happens.We discuss: Why wildlife corridors

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32:55

Season 2: Episode 52: ATA’s Fight for Fair...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/12/22

Hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto interview Dan Forster, VP and Chief Conservation Officer of the Archery Trade Association (ATA), on the podcast Connecting with Conservation. They explore ATA’s evolution from a business trade show to a key player in policy and funding for wildlife efforts. Forster details his wildlife biology background and Georgia DNR leadership before joining ATA.The episode dives into excise taxes on bows, arrows, and accessories, which generate $50 million annually for state

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33:55

Season 2: Episode 51: Restoring Elk in the...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/12/16

Elk once roamed much of the eastern United States but restoring them has taken decades of science, funding, and collaboration. In this episode, Steven Dobey, Mission Lead for the Eastern Region of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), joins us to explore how elk restoration has succeeded across Appalachia and the Midwest.We discuss the history of eastern elk extirpation, modern restoration efforts, and how states like Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina are

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37:47

Maine’s Wildlife Conservation Story—from Moose to...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/12/09

Commissioner Judy Camuso of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife joins us to explore one of the most wildlife-rich states in the U.S. We dive into the science, management, and on-the-ground conservation work that keeps Maine’s natural heritage thriving. From world-class target shooting programs and public shooting ranges, to ice-fishing traditions, brook trout and Arctic char research, and the nation’s longest-running black bear study, this episode highlights how conservation

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33:51

Season 2: Episode 49: Inside Modern Trapping with...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/12/02

Discover the essential role that regulated trapping plays in North American wildlife conservation. In this episode, Jon and Jim sit down with Jake DeBow of New England Naturals to explore how modern trapping works, why it matters, and how fur, meat, and other resources can be utilized in sustainable and ethical ways. We discuss the real science behind trapping, state wildlife agency needs, and how trappers contribute critical data to wildlife management programs. Jake also shares how he and his

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35:27

Season 2: Episode 48: West Virginia Elk Restoration,...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/11/25

Go behind the scenes of West Virginia’s wildlife management with Paul Johansen, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, we explore how elk restoration, big-game management, and healthy forests are funded and sustained through hunting and fishing license dollars, federal excise taxes, and powerful public–private partnerships.Paul shares how West Virginia successfully

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34:13

Season 2: Episode 47: Inside Smith & Wesson –...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/11/20

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Kyle Tengwall, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Strategy at Smith & Wesson. Kyle shares insights from more than 25 years in the shooting sports and outdoor industry, including his early days at Federal Ammunition, his time with Duck Commander at the height of Duck Dynasty, and his leadership role at one of America’s most iconic firearm manufacturers.Kyle discusses Smith & Wesson’s

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58:22

Season 2: Episode 46: Wild Turkey Conservation and...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/11/11

This episode of “Connecting with Conservation” features an in-depth conversation with Jason Lupardus, CEO of Turkeys for Tomorrow, alongside Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto from Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation. The hosts and guest discuss the challenges facing wild turkey populations across the southeastern United States. Jason shares personal stories from his early days turkey hunting in Alabama and his long career in wildlife biology, illustrating why

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28:43

Season 2: Episode 45 – Building the Next Generation...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/11/05

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto of the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation sit down with John Nelson, President of the USA Clay Target League, to explore one of America’s fastest-growing high school sports — competitive clay target shooting.Nelson shares how the league began around a Minnesota kitchen table in 2007 and has since expanded to nearly 2,000 school-sponsored teams across 39 states,

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35:13

Season 2: Episode 44: Understanding Hemorrhagic...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/10/28

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto from Outdoor Stewards of Conservation sit down with Dr. Mark Ruder, Director of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) at the University of Georgia. They explore the science, history, and management implications of hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer and other wildlife.Dr. Ruder breaks down how diseases like Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and

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35:30

Season 2: Episode 43: Conservation in the Caribbean:...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/10/22

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, Dr. Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and co-host Jim Curcuruto of Outdoor Stewards of Conservation travel (virtually) to the U.S. Virgin Islands to talk with Dr. Nicole Angeli, Director of the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife.Dr. Angeli shares her remarkable path from field researcher to leading wildlife conservation efforts across the Caribbean. She discusses the challenges of managing limited land and resources,

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32:15

Season 2: Episode 42: Boyd Duckett on Major League...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/10/15

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with legendary angler Boyd Duckett, co-founder and CEO of Major League Fishing (MLF). Boyd shares how MLF is reshaping tournament fishing through innovation, conservation, and youth engagement — from high-school and college programs to real-time “catch, weigh, and release” technology that protects fish and supports better data for state fisheries.They dive deep into how fishing licenses and excise taxes

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31:59

Season 2: Episode 41: Guns, Game, & Giving Back: How...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Jeff Sterner, a lifelong outdoorsman and the Channel Sales Manager for Benelli USA, to talk about how one of the most trusted names in firearms fuels conservation across America. From the legendary Super Black Eagle to the innovative Lupo Rifle, Jeff shares the history, technology, and reliability that make Benelli a favorite among hunters—and how their commitment extends far beyond the field.Hear how

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33:30

Season 2: Episode 40: Bass conservation - Gene...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Gene Gilliland, National Conservation Director for B.A.S.S. Gene shares his journey from fisheries biologist to leading national bass conservation efforts and explains how Bassmaster balances the excitement of tournament fishing with the responsibility of fish care and habitat protection. The conversation covers the history of B.A.S.S., the role of Bass Nation chapters, and the organization’s

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32:19

Season 2: Episode 39: From Confusion to Clarity: How...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/09/23

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, co-hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Ben Martin, founder of the Hunt Regs app. Ben shares his journey from a self-taught angler in Indiana and Florida to discovering the world of public-land hunting in college—and the challenges that came with navigating complex and often confusing hunting regulations.The conversation dives deep into how Hunt Regs was created to simplify the way hunters access laws and rules, ensuring compliance while

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34:27

Season 2: Episode 38: Blood Tracking Dogs: How...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/09/17

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Rachel Crume of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to explore the world of blood tracking with dogs. Rachel shares her personal journey into hunting and how she became a passionate advocate for game recovery using tracking dogs.The conversation covers the ethics of responsible hunting, why tracking is essential for conservation, and how dogs—ranging from bloodhounds to wire-haired dachshunds—play a crucial

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38:09

Season 2: Episode 37: Conservation Funding – Tom...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/09/09

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto talk with Tom Decker, Branch Manager at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Conservation Investment about how excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing gear, and motorboat fuels generate more than $1 billion annually to fund fish and wildlife conservation across the country.Tom explains how these funds drive habitat management, fish hatcheries, public access, shooting ranges, and

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34:10

Season 2: Episode 36: Dan Cabela on Hard Truths of...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/08/29

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto sit down with Dan Cabela, Executive Director of the Cabela Family Foundation and host of Hard Truths of Conservation. Dan shares his journey growing up in the legendary Cabela family, the founding of the Cabela Family Foundation, and how his work has evolved into one of the most compelling conservation storytelling projects on television.Together, they explore the concept of sustainable use of wildlife, the

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33:17

Season 2: Episode 35: Ammo, Advocacy and Access: Dan...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/08/19

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, co-hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Curcuruto welcome Dan Wolgin, CEO of Ammunition Depot, for an eye-opening discussion on how legislation can directly impact conservation, the outdoor sporting community, and Second Amendment rights.Dan shares the unique origin story of Ammunition Depot—from a commodity hedge fund to a leading retailer—and unpacks how the company navigated unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic while staying true to its

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31:31

Season 2: Episode 34: Brandon Maddox: CEO of Silencer...

Connecting with Conservation ·

2025/08/14

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett and Jim Cucaruto sit down with Brandon Maddox, founder and CEO of Silencer Central—the largest silencer dealer in the United States. Brandon shares his unique journey from pharmacist to leading the suppressor industry, making the purchase process simple and accessible nationwide. We bust common myths about suppressors, explore their benefits for hunting, shooting sports, and hearing protection, and discuss why they’re embraced by

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