Conservation Unfiltered

On today's episode of the Conservation Unfiltered podcast, Jason talks with Kathi Filar of the Westmoreland County Obedience Training Club. Kathi is one of the best dog trainers I know. She has been teaching classes on obedience, agility, and scent work for years and it shows. Today, we will focus on training dogs in scent. Many of the principles discussed can be applied to different types of working dog. The WCOTC hosts classes and events for obedience, scent work, and agility dogs and their handlers. To learn more and join the WCOTC, check out their website and facebook page.

In today’s episode of the Conservation Unfiltered podcast, Jason talks about learning more about deer. He reviews the Deer Steward 1 course offered by the QDMA. To learn more about the Deer Steward 1 course, click here To join the Quality Deer Management Association, click here

In today's episode, Jason is joined by Hank Forester of the QDMA. Hank is the assistant director of Hunting Heritage for the QDMA and a general wiz as a Hunter Recruitment Specialist.  Hank discusses his brain child, the Field to Fork program. This program uses food as a way to introduce non-hunters to the hunting community. Items also discussed include trends in hunting and the importance of mentoring new hunters. You can find information about the Field to Fork program and contact Hank on the QDMA website. To join the Quality Deer Management Association, click here!

In today's episode of the Conservation Unfiltered podcast, Jason and Talan have an unwanted BS session. The main topics include the recent viral video of 2 individuals abusing a whitetail deer and the first Saturday opener for the PA Rifle Deer season. Join us as we express our disgust with the teenagers who posted the video and share concerns we have with the opening day move. To read our Statement of Condemnation and connect with us, find us on Twitter, Instagram, or on our website!

In today's episode, Jason recounts information about the "Wild About Bears" seminar he attended. This seminar was hosted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Some of the information presented in this episode includes bear biology, bear behavior, bear mating, history of the bear within the state, and how the PAGC is adapting seasons to help manage their population. For more information about available wildlife seminars hosted by the PAGC, visit their website.

In this episode, Jason and Talan talk about their PA Archery season. Both detail snippets of their seasons and share the successes of their season's final hunts. Jason and Talan also share some of the recipes they plan to use to for the organic, ethically sourced meat. To learn more about the North American Model of Conservation, click here. If you want to connect with Jason about how hunting fits in our current American society, please contact him at our website here.

In today's episode, Duane Diefenbach and Jeannine Fleegle join us to talk about important research going on in the woods of Pennsylvania. The Deer-Forest Study brings together researchers from Penn State, U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry. Together, they have been monitoring deer populations and forest changes in Rothrock, Bald Eagle, and Susquehannock State Forests for the past 7 years. Results from this study will help in making future decisions on how to best manage deer and the forests for overall the overall health of Penn's woods. Duane is active in The Wildlife Society and a Certified Wildlife Biologist. He has served as associate editor for The Journal of Wildlife Management, vice president of the Northeast Section, and chair of the Biometrics Working Group. Currently, he is an adjunct professor of Wildlife Ecology at Penn State University and Leader of the PA Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit. Jeannine is a certified wildlife biologist thr

In today's episode, Marcus Gray joins us for a second time to talk about a personal passion of his: Feist dogs. Marcus is a Feist dog owner and has his own breeding line through Gray's Mountain Feist. We will discuss the history and usefulness of the Feist dog breed, how Marcus uses this breed to hunt squirrels, and his book, The Mountain Feist. To get in touch with Marcus, you can find him on twitter, youtube, and his website. Snag a copy of his book here: www.Graysmountainfeist.com If you missed Marcus' first appearance on the podcast, give episode 21 a listen!

In today's episode, Chad Hough joins us to talk about the state of Pennsylvania's Native and Wild trout. Chad is an avid fly fisherman and conservationist. He has been a Trout Unlimited Member since 1989 and is the former Chapter President of Arrowhead 214. Among the items discussed are: the difference between Native, Wild, and stocked trout, wild brown trout, how to find a stream with fishable populations of wild trout, tips and tactics for fishing wild trout. To find out more about the conservation work of Trout Unlimited, visit their website. To contact Chad directly, send him an email: grayco2014@gmail.com

In today's episode, Gabriella Hoffman shares her insight on outdoor writing, politics, and conservation. Gabriella is a Virginia transplant and adult onset hunter. She details her transition from a SoCal girl who loves fishing, to a Mid-Atlantic hunter and some difficulties she found along the way. Gabriella also tells us how she got into freelance writing about the outdoors and conservation, as well as her "newish" podcast: District of Conservation. We wrap up the episode talking about how politics impacts conservation and what actions hunters need to take to ensure the tradition continues for decades to come. To learn more about Gabriella, visit her website. Be sure to follow Gabriella on twitter, facebook, instagram, and check out her podcast!

In today's episode, Marcus Gray from Audubon International joins us to discuss how this non-profit found a creative way to increase butterfly habitat. Marcus is a wildlife biologist and the program manager for the Monarchs in the Rough Program. This program brings butterfly habitat to golf courses as a way to help Monarch Butterflies in their natural flyway as well as diversify the landscape without interfering with day to day operations. To learn more about Audubon International, visit their site: https://auduboninternational.org/ For a detailed look at the Monarchs in the Rough program and where it has been implemented, go here: https://monarchsintherough.org/ Be sure to follow Audubon International on twitter, facebook, and instagram!

In today's episode, Jason and Talan embark on a good ol' fashioned BS session. Their discussion revolves around how they plan to hunt this upcoming season and what goals they have in mind. Wives, kids, and jobs affect their plans, and in turn, their goals. They bring up Hunters Sharing the Harvest, thoughts on management goals, and an extended trip for one of them towards the end of season. To share in their season, be sure to follow Conserve the Wild on twitter and instagram! For more articles and updates from Jason , Talan, and the crew, visit the Conserve the Wild website!

In today's episode, we explore the history and opportunities of the Allegheny National Forest. Join Jason as he delves into one of the best kept secrets of public land east of the Mississippi! Jason brings history to life as he details the path of the Allegheny Plateau from original virgin timber through destruction from growing industry to a rebirth of second growth timber. Be sure to stick around for the second half of the episode as Jason details the opportunities this mixed use land has to offer. Activities range from non-consumptive watersports and exploring to consumptives such as abundant hunting and fishing experiences. To learn more about the Allegheny National Forest and plan your visit, be sure to check out its page on the U.S. Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny/

In today’s episode, Jason and his father talk about the current work being done at their cabin property. They also discuss some of the issues they face working on a property 60 miles from home.

In today's episode, we discuss the opposing views to PA Senate Bill 147; the Sunday Hunting bill. Jason interviews Joe Neville, Executive Director of the Keystone Trails Association. During the interview, Joe details the main purpose of the KTA, the issues Pennsylvania hikers have with the removal of the prohibition on Sunday hunting in PA, how hunters can help make hikers feel more comfortable sharing the woods, and much more. You can learn more and join the Keystone Trails Association at KTA-hike.org.

In today's episode, Jason and Talan talk to Pennsylvania Senator Dan Laughlin about PA Senate Bill 147...the Sunday Hunting Bill. Senator Laughlin is a Republican representing PA Senate District 49 which encompasses Erie, PA and part of Erie County. He is the Chair of the Game & Fisheries committee and was one of the leaders in introducing SB 147. Along with Pennsylvania Senator Jim Brewster (D), they worked together to introduce a bill that would make lawful the hunting for fur bearers or game on 14 Sundays, as the Pennsylvania Game Commission deemed appropriate. Since the introduction of the bill, it faced opposition and has been amended to include harsher trespass language and reduced approval to 3 Sundays in a calendar year. Since amendment, it has been approved by the State Senate and will be debated and voted in the State House as early as September. Join us as Senator Laughlin takes us through the details of the bill, why he feels it was an important bill to introduce, how it will help ALL Pennsylv

BONUS FULL INTERVIEW with biologist Jeannine Fleegle. Jeannine Fleegle has worked with white-tailed deer in 3 states for almost 20 years.  She joined the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Deer & Elk Section in December of 2004. Fleegle earned her bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of New England and her master's degree in fisheries and wildlife science from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining the Game Commission, Fleegle was as a natural resource specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, coordinating and managing the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program. As part of the Deer & Elk Section, Fleegle is responsible for public outreach and communications producing numerous Game News articles, blog posts, brochures, and other outreach materials; maintaining the agency Ask the Deer Biologist account; and presenting on a variety of topics related to white-tailed deer.  Her other duties include urban deer management; coo

 In this episode, Jason concludes his interview with biologist Jeannine Fleegle. Jeannine Fleegle has worked with white-tailed deer in 3 states for almost 20 years.  She joined the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Deer & Elk Section in December of 2004. Fleegle earned her bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of New England and her master's degree in fisheries and wildlife science from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining the Game Commission, Fleegle was as a natural resource specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, coordinating and managing the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program. As part of the Deer & Elk Section, Fleegle is responsible for public outreach and communications producing numerous Game News articles, blog posts, brochures, and other outreach materials; maintaining the agency Ask the Deer Biologist account; and presenting on a variety of topics related to white-tailed deer.  Her other duties include urban dee

In this episode, Jason interviews biologist Jeannine Fleegle. Jeannine Fleegle has worked with white-tailed deer in 3 states for almost 20 years.  She joined the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Deer & Elk Section in December of 2004. Fleegle earned her bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of New England and her master's degree in fisheries and wildlife science from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining the Game Commission, Fleegle was as a natural resource specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, coordinating and managing the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program. As part of the Deer & Elk Section, Fleegle is responsible for public outreach and communications producing numerous Game News articles, blog posts, brochures, and other outreach materials; maintaining the agency Ask the Deer Biologist account; and presenting on a variety of topics related to white-tailed deer.  Her other duties include urban deer managem

Father’s Day Special!!! In this episode, Jason hosts some special guest to celebrate Father's Day. Joining Jason are his father, Jeff Crighton, and his grandfather, Jim Bowman. Together, the three of them discuss how they started hunting, their love for the outdoors, some disagreements on the politics of hunting, and how important time in the woods is for all of them. They share how hunting has changed during their lifetime and give each other thanks for being a part in each other's outdoor lives. Happy Father's Day to all the outdoor dads!!!