The Hunting Stories Podcast: Hunter’s Brief – May 23, 2025

Send us a text We bring you the latest developments in hunting and fishing legislation, conservation efforts, and public land access across the United States. Key policy changes are reshaping how hunters access public lands and the regulations they must follow, from ammunition flexibility to expanded hunting opportunities.• US Fish and Wildlife Service proposing to ease lead ammo restrictions on 12 national wildlife refuges, balancing ecological concerns with hunting access• EPA awarded $1.2 million to five states for wetland conservation projects supporting habitat restoration for waterfowl and fish• BLM opening 50,000 acres in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming for public hunting, targeting elk, deer and upland birds• $200 million allocated from Pittman-Robertson Act taxes to support wildlife state agencies and habitat restoration• National Park Service banning bear baiting on Alaska's national preserves, affecting 13 million acres• Washington approving hunting and fishing license fee increases of 10-15% effective July 2025• Wyoming proposing expanded wolf hunting quotas following 15% population increase• Montana reporting record elk harvest up 8% from previous year• Colorado increasing mule deer tags by 10% following population rebound• Minnesota proposing 15% increase in bear hunting quotas• Michigan facing $4.4 million wildlife funding deficit• Florida implementing Amendment 2 rules protecting hunting and fishing as constitutional rights• Maine expanding Sunday hunting pilot program to five additional countiesDon't miss Monday's storytelling episode, where we'll share epic tales from the field and stream. Subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show with your hunting buddies, and keep your lines tight and your aim true. Support the show Hunting Stories InstagramHave a story? Click here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Howdy folks and welcome to the hunting stories
podcast, the hunters brief, yourweekly shot of hunting and
fishing news.
I'm your host, michael,bringing you the latest on
public lands, wildlifeconservation and, of course,
legislation impacting huntersand anglers.
From national headlines toregional updates, we've got
stories to keep you in the know.
Grab your gear and let's hitthe trail.

(00:25):
Us Fish and Wildlife ServiceProposes Lead Ammo Flexibility.
On May 14th, the US Fish andWildlife Service proposed easing
lead ammo restrictions on 12national wildlife refuges.
This adjustment aims to balanceecological concerns with
practical hunting access.
Following a 2024 pilot programin seven states, the proposal

(00:47):
encourages voluntary lead-freeammo use while maintaining
conservation goals.
Public comments are open untilJune 15, 2025 via regulationsgov
.
The change addresses hunterconcerns about ammo availability
and cost.
It also supports the $144billion economic impact of
hunting and fishing.
Hunters gain more ammo options,making refuge hunts more

(01:12):
accessible without harmingwildlife.
Lead or no lead your aim betterbe true.
Epa grants $1.2 million forwetland restoration.
On May 16th, the EPA awarded$1.2 million to five states for

(01:32):
wetland conservation projects.
The funds part of the WetlandProgram.
Developments Grants supporthabitat restoration.
Critical for waterfowl and fish.
Projects include monitoring andenhancing marsh ecosystems in
the Midwest and Southeast.
However, states must match 25%of these funds.
The initiative strengthensbiodiversity and water quality
and public input on projectpriorities is encouraged through

(01:53):
state agencies.
Wetlands are getting a glow upand the ducks are quacking with
joy.
Blm opens 50,000 acres forpublic hunting in western states
.
The Bureau of Land Managementannounced on May 12th that
50,000 acres in Idaho, montanaand Wyoming will open for public

(02:14):
hunting.
The decision follows a reviewof land use plans to enhance
recreational access.
Targeted species include elk,deer and upland birds.
The move addresses hunterdemand for more public land
access.
Environmental groups haveraised concerns about habitat
impacts, but BLM assuressustainable management practices

(02:34):
More land to roam, time to duskoff that old elk call.
Pittman Robertson Act funds$200 million for wildlife in
2025.
On May 15th, the US Fish andWildlife Service allocated $200
million from Pittman andRobertson Act taxes to wildlife

(02:55):
state agencies.
The funds are from hunting gearand ammo taxes.
Support habitat restoration andspecies recovery Projects
include deer and turkey habitatenhancements and species
recovery Projects include deerand turkey habitat enhancements.
The program has distributedover $1 billion annually since
2020.
States must submit projectplans by July 2025.
Your new rifle just helped savethe habitat.

(03:22):
National Park Service bans bearbaiting in Alaska.
On May 18th, the National ParkService finalized a ban for bear
baiting on Alaska's nationalpreserves.
The rule, effective immediately, aligns with federal
conservation goals but conflictswith state regulations allowing
the practice.
The decision follows years ofdebate between hunters and
wildlife advocates.

(03:42):
It affects 13 million acres ofpreserved land.
Public comments showed 70%support for the ban.
Hunters can still pursue bearswithout bait.
However, no more bear picnics.
Time to track the old-fashionedway.
Washington governor approveslicense fee increase.

(04:05):
On May 19th, washingtongovernor Bob Ferguson signed a
bill raising hunting and fishinglicense fees.
This is effective July 2025.
The first increase inWashington since 2011,.
It aims to fund the Departmentof Fish and Wildlife amid other
budget shortfalls.
Fees will rise by 10 to 15%depending on the license type.

(04:26):
The move supports habitatmanagement and fish stocking.
Conservation groups back thechange, though some anglers
worry about the costs.
Your license just got pricier,but so did the fish's rent.
Wyoming proposes expanded wolfhunting quotas.

(04:46):
The Wyoming Game and FishDepartment proposes increasing
wolf hunting quotas for 2025.
The plan responds to a 15% risein wolf populations in the
Northwest.
Quotas would increase by 20tags in select zones.
Public meetings are scheduledthrough June 2025.
The proposal balances livestockprotection and sustainable wolf

(05:08):
populations.
Wolves better start practicingtheir hide-and-seek.
Montana FWP reports record elkharvest.
On May 13th, montana Fish,wildlife and Parks reported a
record elk harvest for the2024-2025 season, up almost 8%

(05:29):
from the previous year.
Over 25,000 elk were taken thispast year, driven by the
expanded access to public landsand more hunters in the field.
Lands and more hunters in thefield.
This data reflects strong herdhealth in central and west
regions and hunters are urged toactually report their harvest
promptly.
The agency is continuing tostudy the impacts of hunting and

(05:50):
the elk populations.
Montana's elk are saying we'retoo.
Colorado increases mule deertags.
On May 16th, colorado Parks andWildlife approved a 10%
increase in mule deer tags forthe 2025 season.
The decision follows apopulation rebound in western

(06:12):
units.
Tags will be available startingJune 1st.
The agency urges hunters tocheck unit-specific rules and
data shows a 12% rise in fawnsurvival rates this year.
Mule deer are multiplyingfaster than our hunting stories.

(06:33):
Minnesota DNR proposes bearquota hike.
On May 14th, minnesota'sDepartment of Natural Resources
proposed increasing bear huntingquotas by 15% for the 2025
season.
The change addresses risingbear populations and
agricultural conflicts.
Public input is open until June10th.
The proposal expends no quotazones in northern regions.

(06:54):
Tribal consultations influencedthis decision.
Bears better bear down.
It's open season.
Michigan faces wildlife fundingshortfall.
On May 12th, michigan DNRwarned of a $4.4 million deficit
in its fish and wildlifedivisions for 2026.

(07:16):
The agency relies heavily onlicense sales, which haven't
kept pace with the costs.
Proposed license fee hikes areunder review.
Conservation programs and fishstocking may face cuts without
action.
Public meetings are scheduledfor June.
Why it matters?
Well, anglers and hunters maysee reduced services or higher
fees.
Michigan's wildlife budget istighter than a fish and nut.

(07:38):
Michigan's wildlife budget istighter than a fish and nut.
Florida implements Amendment 2rules.
On May 19th, florida's Fish andWildlife Conservation
Commission began drafting rulesto implement Amendment 2, passed
in 2024.
The amendment protects huntingand fishing as constitutional

(07:59):
rights.
The 2025 legislative sessionwill finalize these regulations.
Conservationists urge balanceto prevent overfishing.
Public input is open throughJuly.
Florida making hunting andfishing as sacred as sunshine.

(08:21):
Maine expands Sunday huntingpilot.
On May 15th, maine's Departmentof Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife expanded a Sundayhunting pilot program to five
additional counties.
The program, started in 2024,allows deer and bear hunting on
Sundays in select zones.
Data shows no negative wildlifeimpacts.
Public feedback is open untilJune 30th.
The pilot runs through 2026.

(08:43):
Sunday's just got a little bitwilder in Maine.
That's a wrap for this week'sHunter's Brief.
Don't miss Monday'sstorytelling episode, where
we'll share epic tales from thefield and stream.
Subscribe on your favoriteplatform.
Share the show with yourhunting buddies and keep your

(09:04):
lines tight and your aim true.
See you, guys next week.