The Hunting Stories Podcast
Elk. Bear. Hog. Turkey. Deer and More. Hunting Stories that will make you laugh or maybe cry; real life chronicles from the field.
The Hunting Stories Podcast
The Hunting Stories Podcast: Hunter’s Brief – June 13th, 2025
This week's Hunter's Brief covers critical updates on public land threats, conservation funding, and state-level regulations affecting hunters and anglers across America. Senate Republicans' proposal to sell 3.29 million acres of public lands leads major headlines alongside conservation gains and industry controversies.
• Senate Republicans propose selling 3.29 million acres of BLM and Forest Service lands across Western states
• Federal class action lawsuit against archery manufacturers alleges price fixing since 2021
• Congress allocates $10 million for Chronic Wasting Disease research in 34 states
• BLM proposes new rule balancing conservation and recreation on 245 million acres of public land
• Interior Department blocks 211-mile mining road in Alaska, protecting caribou habitat
• North Carolina debates conservation access pass for non-hunters using game lands
• Washington Governor's Fish and Wildlife Commission nominees draw mixed reactions
• Pennsylvania Senate passes bill offering discounted licenses to volunteer firefighters
• New Hampshire's fish and game funding proposal stalls due to low public support
• Klamath River dam removal brings salmon upstream but Keno Dam remains blocked
Join us Monday for our full-length storytelling episode. You never know what epic hunter fish story you'll hear next, and if you found value in these news stories today, please subscribe, rate and share with your hunting and fishing crew.
Welcome to the Hunting Stories podcast. Hunter's Brief, your weekly dose of hunting and fishing news. I'm your host, michael, delivering the freshest updates on conservation, public lands, wildlife and legislation for hunters and anglers, from national headlines to regional reports. We've got you covered. Let's hit the trail.
Speaker 1:The Senate proposes selling 3 million acres of public land. This was supposed to be a story about how, last week, they removed selling public lands from the reconciliation bill, but that lasted about a day. Senate Republicans introduced a budget bill on June 11, 2025, proposing the sale of 3.29 million acres of BLM and forest service lands across western states, excluding Montana. The provision aims to offset federal spending, but has sparked outrage among hunters, anglers and outdoor groups. The land includes critical habitat for big game like elk and mule deer, as well as many fishing streams. Public lands advocates warn this could set a precedent for future sell-offs, reducing access to prime hunting and fishing areas. The bill also includes oil leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and a mining road in Alaska. Hunters and anglers face potential loss of cherished public lands vital for recreation. Three million acres on the chopping block that's a lot of lost elk hunts. That's a lot of lost elk hunts.
Speaker 1:Archery industry faces class action lawsuit for price fixing. A federal class action lawsuit filed on June 8, 2025 accuses major archery manufacturers of price fixing inflating costs for bows and the equipment. The suit claims companies colluded to limit competition, impacting hunters and recreational archers. Filed in the US District Court, it seeks damages for consumers who purchased gear since 2021. The allegations could lead to investigations into industry practices. For hunters, this means potentially overpaying for critical equipment like compound bows. The case is ongoing, with no settlement announced yet. Pricey bows Burning a hole in your wallet? Blame the archery bigwigs.
Speaker 1:Chronic wasting disease research gets $10 million boost. On June 9th, congress allocated $10 million to study CWD in deer elk and moose. The funding supports new detection methods and management strategies to slow the disease's spread in 34 states. Cwd threatens cervid populations critical to hunters. State agencies will use the funds to enhance testing on public lands. This is crucial for maintaining healthy deer herds and preserving hunting opportunities. Cwd is a buzzkill, but science is loading up for the fight.
Speaker 1:Blm proposes rule to balance conservation and recreation. On June 10, 2025, the BLM proposed a rule to prioritize conservation on 245 million acres of public land while maintaining hunting and fishing access. The draft emphasizes habitat restoration and limits industrial development in sensitive areas. Public comment is open until July 15th. The rule could affect big game hunting in many western states, but for hunters and anglers it ensures healthier ecosystems and sustained access. Conservation and access BLM's trying to keep everyone happy. Conservation and access BLM's trying to keep everyone happy.
Speaker 1:Alaska blocks mining road to protect subsistence hunting. On June 9th, the Interior Department finalized protections for 28 million acres of Alaskan federal lands, rejecting a 211-mile mining road. The decision preserves caribou and fish habitats vital for native subsistence hunting and fishing. The decision preserves caribou and fish habitats vital for native subsistence hunting and fishing. It reverses a Trump-era development plan, securing access for traditional practices. Hunters and anglers benefit from it by having an intact ecosystem in north-central Alaska. No road, no problem. Alaska's caribou are safe for now.
Speaker 1:North Carolina debates conservation access pass. On June 10th, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission discussed a conservation access pass for non-hunters using game lands. Hunters and anglers who fund these lands via licenses support the pass. To share costs with hikers and other recreationists. The proposal could fund habitat management and enforcement. It aims for equity among recreational users. For hunters, this means better maintained game lands, hikers ponying up. That's a win for the next deer hunt On June 11, 2025,.
Speaker 1:Washington Governor Bob Ferguson's Fish and Wildlife Commission nominees, including a conservation scientist and retired hunter and angler, drew mixed reactions. Hunters and tribes support their habitat focus, but some activists oppose the shift from traditional priorities. The nominees influence hatchery and public land policies. For anglers and hunters. This could shape future access. New commissioners, new rules Hope they love fish and game.
Speaker 1:Pennsylvania offering firefighter license discounts. On June 8th, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill offering discounted hunting and fishing licenses to volunteer firefighters. Standard licenses cost $20.97 for hunting and $27.97 for fishing. The bill awaits House approval and it encourages volunteers to join the outdoor community. For hunters and anglers, this supports local heroes Firefighters casting lines. That's a blazing good idea.
Speaker 1:New Hampshire funding debate stalls. On June 9th, the proposal to increase New Hampshire's fish and game funding stalled due to low public support. With only 3.2% of residents hunting and 10% fishing, non-hunters resist funding the department. This could limit future access for hunters and anglers in the state of New Hampshire. No cash, no catch. New Hampshire's in the pickle.
Speaker 1:Klamath Dam removal reaches milestone, but Keno Dam blocks. Salmon Removal of four dams on the Klamath River in California and Oregon has returned thousands of salmon upstream, marking the largest dam removal ever. But Keno Dam in Oregon is still blocked, stalling access to over 350 miles of spawning habitat. Federal agencies are currently investigating ladder fixes or dam removal with $4.5 million in grants that they have associated to the issue. Fish have miles to go before they sleep, and a damn too many.
Speaker 1:That's a wrap for this week's Hunter's Brief. Join us Monday for our full-length storytelling episode. You never know what epic hunter fish story you'll hear next, and if you found value in these news stories today, please subscribe, rate and share with your hunting and fishing crew. I also want to mention that there was a lot more news, a lot of small regional news that I couldn't fit into the format. So please go out there and do some research, check out what's going on in your neck of the woods. But we did touch on all the major issues. That's it, guys. Thank you so much. Stay sharp, stay ethical and get out there.
