Western Bird Biologist

In this weeks episode we learn about the importance of wetlands in SONEC (Southern Oregon and North Eastern California) to waterfowl, waterbirds and a way of life on private lands. This is my old stomping grounds where I cut my teeth as a private lands habitat biologist. How is the NRCS and Intermountain west joint venture helping to protect this important migratory corridor? What does it take to get a cool job like Ed has? Listen in to find out!

In this episode Bill and I get a little nostalgic about NAVHDA and Wirehairs long since passed to the happy hunting grounds. We talk about changes in the boise valley, Blue grouse hunting and about some of the wirehairs and wirehair breeders we have known. Some of our favorite dogs which became the foundation dogs for several kennels. Bill had Black Canyon kennels but we talk about Grossklaus, three devils, Blue collar and Bachman bay kennels a bunch of rich bird hunting history with this line of dogs. I hope to interview all the wirehair breeders in the west.

Jeremiah and Johanna both have some interesting perspectives on the future of hunting and cooking wild game. Jeremiah challenges the traditional way we have been recruiting new hunters. The ethics of posting photos on social media. We cover some of the philosophy of why locavores and millennials are getting so interested in hunting for food.We have a great discussion about ways to mentor a new hunter through their first hunt. The wild game cooking discussion will have you thinking about recipes and how you are gonna process the meat before you even pull the trigger.

***Challenge yourself to be a bean burrito!!!

Check out Jeremiah's Field to plate website!

https://fromfieldtoplate.com/

NWTF is working hard to recruit hunters!

http://www.nwtf.org/about/outreach

Monty Gregg a career Forest service biologist that holds the coveted title of game bird centers of excellence biologist covering Oregon and Washington. He has 20 years experience in central Oregon and is the lead for partnerships with the National Wild Turkey Federation. We cover some history of the Forest service, fire management and some current projects we are working on.

I pinned down the very busy Christian Hagen a research professor with Oregon State university who also is doing work with the NRCS on Prairie Chickens. We talk about life in central Oregon, sage grouse and other upland birds, hunting with his munsterlanders and his recent NAVHDA test.