We're forging a Conservation Nation this week on The Revolution with Jim and Trav presented by Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network, by celebrating and implementing exceptional stewardship practices that will largely benefit wildlife and the lands they inhabit for generations to come. Every species requires a certain set of environmental conditions to be able to live, feed and reproduce. Whether it's in the forest, grasslands, desert, or tundra, the place where each species finds the conditions it needs to survive and thrive is called its habitat. And with drastic cuts to CRP, severe droughts, an ever growing predator population, plus a widespread influx of wildlife diseases and parasites, it's essential that all hunters stand as a united front and address these ever growing issues with resolve and conviction. Furthermore, habitat loss and degradation from industrial development and urban sprawl, alongside a host of other contributing factors, has extensively contributed to the loss and fragmentation of prime wildlife habitats, which has negatively impacted some of America's most diverse game species that enrich our lives daily. Now listen in and join our Conservation Nation as we strive to give back to the great outdoors that provides so much for us.
David Morris
Tune in this week for a special extended interview with wildlife management pro and host of The Bucks of Tecomate, David Morris.
David sees the whitetail deer as quite possibly the greatest success story in wildlife. Nearly 75% of the hunting industry is based around the whitetail and because of that, this species alone has a tremendous impact on conservation. The rise in land prices, and especially recreational property, is paralleled by the increase in popularity of wildlife management, especially whitetail deer managment. The species also has a large economic impact which makes it a very valueable species.
So how does a person effectively manage their property for wildlife success? David will provide an all encompassing look at propety management and will tell us where to concentrate our efforts. He says that food and nutrition are only part of a management strategy and that you need to look at the bigger picture to manage your land for the greatest production possible. To begin with David says you have to address the weak factors on your property that are limiting your management success, most notably water and nutrition. He'll discuss how poor nutrition effects deer and their ability to reach their genetic potential and why culling young deer without solving nutritional issues first can be a mistake. David will also talk about predation and says that the engine that drives a deer herd is reproduction. Without healthy herds and mothers that can reproduce, as well as good ground cover to shelter fawns from predators, success will be limited. He'll also talk about an issue that most managers don't consider, parasites. David says that the tick load in some whitetails can be a major factor in a deer's stress level and their ability to use nutrition effectively and ultimately, their ability to realize their genetic potential.
He'll end with encouragement for property managers and says that a herd's genetic potential is always far better than you think is possible. What you need is to put the herd and your property under good mangament and keep removing the limiting factors until you reach the point where you are producing quality of deer.
David Allen
Since 1984 the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has been working to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. This week President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, David Allen, joins Jim and Trav with a look at how they are actively involved in conservation efforts across the country. Opening and securing public access is a key component of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's mission. Since its inception, RMEF has opened, secured or improved public access to more than 852,000 acres of elk habitat across the country for hunters, hikers, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. David explains why creating a giant untouched wilderness isn't a healthy solution and why proactive land management is essential for healthy lands, healthy elk and other wildlife. He says that the knowledge and resources to manage these lands well are available and doing so will keep them healthy for years to come and will also sustain the wildlife system we have in place for a long time. He'll then turn his attention to predators. It's no secret that wolf predation has had a devastating effect on big game populations in the west. Wolves in addition to other predators like bear and mountain lion are taking a heavy toll on wildlife that needs to be addressed. He says that wiping out a species isn't what they are suggesting, rather controlling the wolf population and keeping them at a reasonable level. Tune in for an interesting look at conservation from a group that knows how to do it right.
Jared Wiklund
What is the upland hunting season going to look like come this fall? That's what Jared Wiklund, the Public Relations Specialist for Pheasants Forever is here to tell us about. Jared says that broods are starting to pop up and they are optimistic. The winter was virtually non-existent for portions of the Midwest, southern Great Plains and out West. This mild weather translates to great carry over for birds and that could show in the form of great boosts in population this year.
Changing directions, Jared will discuss Pheasants Forever's conservation efforts. He says that habitat is number one and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plays a vital role in habitat. CRP is the nation's largest and most successful private land program with only one downfall, a 24-million-acre cap that has already been reached, leaving many land owners waiting to get into the program. In the meantime, Jared talks about how local Pheasants Forever Chapters are working with private land owners across the country to put great habitat back on the landscape. He'll then cap off his interview with the announcement of a new program called the, "Honey Bee and Monarch Butterfly Partnership". This program is forged out of the desire to create diverse, high quality upland habitat, that will also increase populations of native pollinators. Find out more about it, this week on The Revolution.
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About The Revolution with Jim & Trav
Airing on 445 radio and cable stations in the U.S., as well as on American Forces Radio Network, The Revolution with Jim & Trav is a popular radio show and podcast geared towards outdoor enthusiasts. The award-winning program is heard by a projected audience of more than 7.2 million listeners in 34 states in the U.S., in addition to all Canadian provinces. In 2013, The Revolution became the official radio show of Outdoor Channel, and has since expanded to be the official radio show for Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network. The Revolution also creates programming for SportsmansLife.com and VoiceAmerica.com, and produces podcasts for The Hunting Wire and iTunes. For program times, stations and other information, visit www.jimandtrav.com or www.OutdoorChannel.com/Revolution. Follow The Revolution on Facebook and Twitter. #TheRevolution
