The Hunting Stories Podcast: Hunter’s Brief – June 6th, 2025

Send us a text The Hunter's Brief delivers essential news updates on policy changes affecting hunters and anglers across America and internationally. We cover everything from public lands battles to state wildlife management decisions in a quick, informative format.• 500,000 acres of public land in Utah and Nevada saved from controversial sale• Growing federal deficit threatens future conservation funding• Florida considering reinstating annual bear hunt with over 4,300 black bears in the state• Washington State bans feeding deer, elk, and moose to prevent disease spread• Ohio raises antlerless deer limit on public lands from one to two• Utah increases non-resident hunting fees and requires licenses for wildlife management area access• California updates Black Bear Management Plan for first time in 27 years• Wales introduces environmental law targeting wildlife recovery• South Africa expands big game hunting permits for elephants and rhinosTune in next time for more wild updates and keep your boots muddy and your lines tight! Support the show Hunting Stories InstagramHave a story? Click here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Howdy folks and welcome to the Hunter's Brief on
the Hunting Stories Podcast,your quick hit for hunting and
fishing news.
I'm your host, michael,bringing you stories from
national to international,packed with what matters to
hunters and anglers.
Let's dive into the wild Publicland sales stripped from the
federal budget bill.

(00:25):
A controversial amendment tosell over 500,000 acres of
public land in Utah and Nevadarespectively.
The provisions targeted Bureauof Land Management, lands for

(00:47):
housing and infrastructure, butfaced pushback from
conservationists and lawmakerslike Rep Ryan Zink from Montana,
over 100 organizations,including the Theodore Roosevelt
Conservation Partnership,opposed the sale, citing risks
to wildlife habitats near ZionNational Park.
The Senate may still revisitthe issue.
Per Senator Mike Lee of Utah'scomment from Politico, this

(01:10):
matters because preserving theselands ensures continued access
for hunters, anglers andrecreationists, while protecting
critical habitats.
Public land saved.
Guess the auction blocks out ofbusiness.
Federal deficit concerns couldimpact conservation funding.
Economists warn that a growingUS deficit, potentially

(01:37):
exceeding 113% of the GDP, maylimit future conservation
funding, as reported by the NewYork Times on May 20th.
Proposed tax and spending billscould strain resources for
agencies like the US ForestService.
This might affect habitatrestoration and public land
access.
Michael Boren's nomination tolead the Forest Service raises
questions about balancingdevelopment and conservation.
This matters because reducedfunding could shrink wildlife

(02:00):
programs and access to huntinggrounds, hitting conservation
efforts hard.
Big deficits might mean fewerbucks, both deer and dollars.
Florida considers reviving abear hunt.
The Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission is
discussing reinstating an annualbear hunt.

(02:22):
This was last approved in 2015.
With over 4,300 black bears andthe population rising, with
human encounters also rising atleast 6,000 nuisance calls in
2024, a hunt could help tomanage these populations.
Wildlife advocates oppose it,however, citing outdated
population data.
A decision is pending at theFWC's Oskala meeting.

(02:44):
If you're in Florida, make sureyou attend.
This matters because a bearhunt could balance populations
but spark debate over wildlifemanagement ethics.
Bears and the birbs.
Florida's got a grisly decisionto make.
Washington bans feeding deer elkand moose.
As of May.
Washington State has made itillegal to feed deer elk and

(03:07):
moose.
To curb disease spread atfeeding sites, the law targets
human-created feeding spots thatconcentrate animals unnaturally
.
Violators will face penalties,though enforcement details are
still pending.
The Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife is leading
education efforts.
No snacks for Bambi.
Keep the buffet closed.

(03:33):
Ohio increases antlerless deerlimit on public lands.
The Ohio Wildlife Councilraised the antlerless deer limit
from one to two on public landsfor the 2025-2026 season,
starting September 27, 2025.
Deer management permits are nowvalid on these lands per a May
5th report.
The archery season runs throughFebruary 1, 2026.

(03:55):
Chronic wasting diseasesurveillance areas were also
expanded.
This matters because more tagsmean more opportunity, but CDW
monitoring could tighten futureregulations.
Utah's new wildlife laws havetaken effect.
Utah's 2025 legislative sessionpassed bills affecting wildlife

(04:18):
effective May 2025.
Non-resident hunting andfishing licenses fees have
increased and wildlifemanagement area access now
requires a valid license inseveral counties.
The law says it is fundinghabitat protection.
They also regulate huntingguides.
This matters because higherfees and stricter access rules
could impact out-of-statehunters but could also support

(04:41):
conservation.
Utah's wildlife laws pay up orstay out.
California updates blackatesBlack Bear Management Plan.
The California Department ofFish and Wildlife released its
first black bear management planupdated in 27 years in April.
Based on extensive research andpublic input, it addresses the

(05:04):
state's 60,000 black bears.
The plan balances conservationand hunting regulations.
Details on hunting seasons areforthcoming.
This matters because updateddata ensures sustainable bear
hunting and habitat management.
California's bears get a newplaybook.
Let's hope that they read it.
Welsh environment law targetswildlife recovery.

(05:24):
Wales introduced a law on June2nd to protect Welsh Environment
.
Law Targets.
Wildlife Recovery Walesintroduced a law on June 2nd to
protect rivers and reversewildlife loss.
Per the BBC, it sets ambitioustargets for public bodies to
create natural recovery plans.
One out of every six species inWales is currently at risk.

(05:46):
Per a 2023 stock take, specifictargets will be set
post-legislation.
This matters because healthierecosystems mean better hunting
and fishing opportunities for UKsportsmen.
Whales Wildlife gets a lifeline.
Hope the fish are hooked.

(06:11):
South Africa expands big gamehunting permits.
South Africa's Department ofForestry, fisheries and
Environment has issued new biggame hunting permits for 2025,
effective May 30th.
The policy targets sustainableculling of elephants and rhinos.
It actually follows a 2024population survey.
Strict oversight ensuresconservation.
This matters because expandingpermits offers hunters more

(06:34):
opportunity and it also helpsprotect these endangered species
.
Big game, big rules.
South Africa is keeping it wildbut wise.
That's a wrap for the Hunter'sBrief.
From new refuge access toglobal game laws.
We've got you covered.

(06:55):
Tune in next time for more wildupdates and keep your boots
muddy and your lines tight.