Wild Life Outdoors

Where I've Been...

Why I have been silent.

Protecting Endangered Species | Kira Cates on Herpetofauna Conservation

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Kira Cates to talk about one of the most overlooked issues in conservation today, the decline of reptiles and amphibians.From habitat loss to public perception, this conversation breaks down why herpetofauna are struggling and why they matter more than most people realize. Kira shares insight from field work and research, explaining how these species fit into larger ecosystems and what happens when they start to disappear.We also get into misconceptions around reptiles, the role of land management, and how hunters, anglers, and everyday outdoorsmen can play a role in conservation.If you care about wildlife, biodiversity, and protecting public lands, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.Subscribe for more conversations on hunting, fishing, conservation, and the people working to protect wild places.Join Kira in Thailand here: https://www.worldpackers.com/epic/experiences/volunteer-with-kindred-spirit-elephants/slots/jd720260524KIRAC?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnIA0_DexaU9LuTdwhjTY3UNM1We3iR8ROmrvXVpdSThfTGY-t_mHzp1gVYi4_aem_XrL4vtNDf2uvYky8IRj_wgKira's YouTube:  @kiracates  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCMwZtCOPKZj8ULbZ10aGZ3g] Kira's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kira_fauna/#WildLifeOutdoors #Conservation #Herpetology #Snakes #Amphibians #EndangeredAnimals #EndangeredSpecies

The Truth About CWD That Hunters Need to Hear | Tim Horton Part 2

Chronic Wasting Disease is one of the most controversial and misunderstood issues in modern deer management. In Part 2 of our conversation, Tim Horton returns to break down the science, the myths, and the real challenges surrounding CWD in wild deer populations.In this episode we dive deeper into the biology of the disease, how it spreads through the landscape, and what current research is telling us about genetics and resistance within whitetail populations. Tim also explains the role that deer breeding operations and management strategies may play in the future of combating the disease.We also discuss how CWD is impacting hunters, land managers, and wildlife agencies across the country. From testing programs and surveillance to long term conservation implications, this conversation explores what the future of deer hunting could look like if the disease continues to spread.Whether you are a deer hunter, conservationist, or simply interested in wildlife management, this episode offers an honest and thoughtful look at one of the most important issues facing North American wildlife today.Wild Life Outdoors is a podcast about hunting, fishing, public lands, conservation, and the people who dedicate their lives to understanding and protecting the wild places we all care about.Subscribe for more conversations with scientists, guides, conservationists, and outdoorsmen who live close to the land.Timmy Horton Outdoors: https://www.facebook.com/TimmyHortonBass/02:15 How CWD actually spreads across landscapes06:30 The role of genetics in disease resistance11:20 What current CWD research is revealing16:45 The impact of CWD on wild deer populations22:10 How states are responding to the disease27:30 The role of deer breeding operations33:40 Management strategies moving forward39:15 What hunters should understand about CWD45:00 The future of whitetail deer and conservation#WildLifeOutdoors #Conservation #Wildlife #TimHorton #TimmyHortonOutdoors #DeerHunting #CWD #Conspiracy

The Current CWD Plan Is Failing Deer Populations

Chronic Wasting Disease is one of the most controversial topics in modern deer management. In this episode, Russell sits down with deer breeder and CWD researcher Tim Horton to unpack the science, the politics, and the real world implications surrounding CWD.What causes CWD to spread?Are current management strategies actually working?And could genetic resistance be the key to protecting wild deer herds?This conversation dives deep into the role of selective genetics, captive deer breeding, and how science is shaping the future of whitetail management. Russell and Tim discuss how resistant genotypes may influence herd survival, the differences between wild and captive testing, and why the conversation around CWD has become so heated among hunters, biologists, and policymakers.The discussion went longer than expected, so this episode has been split into two parts. Part 2 releases next week.If you care about the future of whitetail deer, hunting, and science based wildlife management, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.Subscribe for more conversations with hunters, scientists, conservationists, and outdoor leaders.Timmy Horton: https://www.facebook.com/TimmyHortonBass/0:00 Intro0:16 Welcome to the show8:58 CWD explained in simple terms16:41 Genetic resistance in whitetail deer20:27 Research and studies on CWD in Arkansas23:14 Deer populations and management challenges25:43 Scientific disagreements and study limitations31:50 Tim Horton background in captive deer breeding34:22 Testing and monitoring deer health36:06 Captive deer vs wild deer genetics38:11 Risk discussion and public perception of CWD41:43 State responses to CWD outbreaks42:01 Real world example from South Dakota elk wintering grounds#CWD #Hunting #Conservation #DeerHunting

If We Lose Biodiversity We Lose Everything | Dr. Reed Noss

In this episode of Wild Life Outdoors, Russell sits down with Dr. Reed Noss, one of the most influential conservation biologists of our time, for a deep conversation about biodiversity, public lands, and the future of wild places in America.Dr. Noss is widely known for his work on conservation biology, endangered species protection, and landscape scale preservation. In this conversation, we break down why biodiversity actually matters to hunters and anglers, how ecosystem collapse happens slowly and quietly, and why conservation decisions made today will shape access, opportunity, and wildlife populations for generations.We discuss the difference between preservation and conservation, how political pressure influences environmental policy, and why science is often ignored when it conflicts with short term economic interests. Dr. Noss also explains why public lands are critical not just for wildlife, but for clean water, resilient ecosystems, and outdoor recreation.This episode is not about fear or alarmism. It is about understanding reality, respecting science, and having honest conversations about what it means to be good stewards of the land. If you hunt, fish, hike, or care about the future of public lands, this is a conversation you need to hear.Learn More Here: https://conservation.dcp.ufl.edu/Sponsors:Bucked Up- https://bckd.co/vnjzgTkForetold Coffee Co.- https://www.foretoldcoffeeco.com00:00 Why biodiversity matters to everyday outdoorsmen01:30 Introduction to Dr. Reed Noss03:40 What conservation biology actually means06:10 How ecosystems collapse over time10:20 Why biodiversity loss affects hunting and fishing14:30 Preservation versus conservation explained18:50 The role of science in public lands decisions23:30 Political pressure and conservation outcomes28:10 Endangered species and habitat fragmentation32:45 What good stewardship really looks like36:30 Hopeful paths forward for conservation40:10 Final thoughts on responsibility and legacy#WildLifeOutdoors #ReedNoss #ConservationBiology #Biodiversity #BiodiversityLoss #PublicLands #PublicLandConservation #WildlifeConservation #WildlifeConservationScience #EndangeredSpeciesProtection #EcosystemHealth #EcosystemCollapse #EnvironmentalPolicy #ConservationPodcast #PublicLandsPodcast #OutdoorPodcast #OutdoorAdvocacyPodcast #HuntingAndConservation #FishingAndConservation #HuntersForConservation #AnglersForConservation #ScienceBasedConservation #ProtectPublicLands #WildlifeManagement #WildlifeManagementScience #ConservationScienceExplained #BiodiversityAndHunting