Description: There are numerous barriers to entry for new hunters and those returning to the activity after a long absence. Recruiting a good mentor can help shorten the learning curve. Access to knowledge provided by a mentor can provide guidance regarding when, where and how to pursue our quarry. It's also important to be equipped with the right gear when entering the field, especially in remote, backcountry hunting situations. In this episode Jesse Deubel talks with Sam and Natasha Wallick as they unpack the process they recently followed to get ready for their very first mountain hunting experience in search of elk in Northern New Mexico. The conversation includes valuable insights regarding the differences in access and availability to gear for women versus men. While countless clothing brands make high quality outdoor clothing for men, options for attire specifically designed for hard-charging female hunters can be much more difficult to find. From clothing selections to choosing the right firearm, ammunition, backpacks and optics, this discussion covers a lot. There were a lot of firsts for Sam and Natasha on this hunt including seeing their very first elk and camping in the backcountry for the first time. It takes a bit of courage and an adventurous spirit to take the plunge and dive into the magnificent world of western big game hunting. Huge thanks to these new recruits for sharing their fresh perspectives. Enjoy the listen! For more info: http://www.proishunting.com/ http://www.mysteryranch.com/Packs/Outdoor/Womens-Outdoor-Packs

In the last episode [episode 30] Jeremy Romero and Jesse Deubel covered the pre-hunt planning and preparation that ultimately contributed to confidence and success during the hunt. In this episode, the conversation turns to the series of events that occurred in the backcountry while pursuing the bull of a lifetime. The conversation continues on to discuss meat care, the pack-out and an array of other topics that will benefit any elk hunter. Combined, Jeremy and Jesse have roughly 50 years of experience chasing elk in the backcountry. Whether you are planning your first elk hunting trip or just fine-tuning skills you've spent decades learning, this discussion is for you. This is the exciting story about how a team of determined elk hunters worked together to convert the magnificent "Neanderbull" to a freezer full of delicious protein. Enjoy the Listen! For more info: https://nmwildlife.org/

In spring of 2023 Jeremy Romero, Regional Connectivity Coordinator with the National Wildlife Federation received the news that he had drawn a coveted public land elk tag through New Mexico's big game public draw. Jeremy immediately went to work on building a plan so he could make the most of this tremendous opportunity. Hall of fame automobile racer Bobby Unser said, "Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." With immense appreciation, Jesse Deubel, NMWF's Executive Director accepted an offer by Jeremy to accompany him on this hunt. There is A LOT to cover from how the pre-hunt planning and preparation contributed to confidence and success during the hunt. In this episode, Jeremy and Jesse discuss all of these details and continue on to discuss meat care, the pack-out and an array of other topics that will benefit any elk hunter. Combined, Jeremy and Jesse have roughly 50 years of experience chasing elk in the backcountry. Whether you are planning your first elk hunting trip or just fine-tuning skills you've spent decades learning, this discussion is for you. From meal planning to gear selection there is so much covered that this conversation is going to be Ahi Va's very first two-part episode. There is so much more that could be written about this, but stop reading and Enjoy the Listen! https://www.firstlite.com/ https://argalioutdoors.com/

In this episode Jesse Deubel interviews his good friend Matthew Monjaras about the tremendous work Matt is doing as the founder of Impact Outdoors. The mission of Impact Outdoors is to impact communities through education, conservation, and meaningful outdoor opportunities. Their team achieves this mission through strong relationships, community involvement, dedicated volunteers, and a strong passion for the outdoors. Jesse has had the privilege of participating in outings with Impact Outdoors focused on youth education and also on hunts designed to provide our nation's veterans with powerful and transformative outdoor experiences. You'll be amazed as you listen to Matt describe how Impact Outdoors supports individuals who refuse to allow obstacles to prevent them from enjoying hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. Enjoy the Listen! For more info: https://www.impactoutdoorsnm.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ImpactOutdoors.NM https://www.instagram.com/impactoutdoors.nm/ https://nmwildlife.org/

In the summer of 2022 the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish successfully acquired nearly 55,000 acres of previously private land and added it to the Marquez Wildlife Management Area. This public land expansion has already proven to provide significant benefits to wildlife and to New Mexico's human residents. This property was purchased by a willing buyer from a willing seller. In this episode, Jesse Deubel speaks with Jon Graham about Jon's recent hunting experience on the newly expanded Marquez Wildlife Management Area. Jon is a New Mexican resident currently serving in the United States Air Force and stationed in Missouri. Last April, as the lucky recipient of a Marquez WMA turkey tag, Jon didn't hesitate to drive the thirteen hours back to this magnificent landscape to pursue a Merriam's gobbler. This episode is full of hunting stories, recounted memories, thoughts on conservation, appreciation for public lands and so much more. Enjoy the listen! https://nmwildlife.org/

Dr. Blair Wolf is a professor of biology and as an ecological physiologist-animal ecologist is interested in how animals cope with challenges of desert environments. He is also a long-time member of the board of directors of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Recently, Blair Wolf helped to recruit the newest member of NMWF's board. Blair refers to Dr. Carlos Martinez del Rio as one of his mentors. Carlos recently retired from his position as a professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming. He now serves on the board of NMWF from Silver City, NM. What a treat it was for Jesse Deubel and Ray Trejo, NMWF staffers to share in a conversation with these two highly accomplished scientists. We discussed a wide range of topics including climate change, the nuances around the term "best available science," potential changes in elk rutting behavior, how hunters can kill animals they love, the importance of habitat and habitat connectivity, and so much more. NMWF is excited to provide the listeners of this episode of the Ahi Va Podcast with access to the knowledge so brilliantly articulated by these two wildlife focused scientists. Enjoy the Listen! For More Info: https://nmwildlife.org/

In this episode Jesse Deubel shares a conversation recently had by Randy Newberg and Shane Mahoney. Herein, these two conservation leaders begin a deep dive into Conservation Vision's "Wild Harvest Initiative." This discussion is the first in a five-part series.The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is a proud partner of the Wild Harvest Initiative. We are honored to introduce you to the most comprehensive explanation of the Wild Harvest Initiative ever to be articulated. Enjoy the listen! For more info: https://randynewberg.com/ https://nmwildlife.org/

https://nmwildlife.org/ has become the poster child for the privatization of wildlife in the United States. The privatization, commodification and commercialization of wildlife, which is supposed to be managed as a public trust resource has countless consequences to the future of hunting. How is it that this state, with such a deep hunting culture and tradition allowed the opportunity to pursue wild game to become increasingly available to the wealthy regardless of residency status at the expense of New Mexicans? In this episode, Jesse Deubel and Adrian Angulo sit down with a man who was selling hunting opportunities and lobbying elected and appointed officials to provide him and his colleagues more private supply of that publicly owned product before either of these co-hosts were even born. A long-time outfitter and one of the first New Mexicans to work as a lobbyist for that industry, Ronnie DeMasters walks listeners through the process that got NM to where it is today. In his reflections, Mr. DeMasters acknowledges the damage that privatization of our public wildlife has on the future of all hunting. As we continue down this dangerous path, it's New Mexico resident hunters who pay the price through their inability to obtain a permit to hunt big game in their home state. There is a lot of history captured in this discussion and you might hear some familiar names. Enjoy the listen and please sign up at http://www.takebackyourelk.com/ if you haven't done so already.

In this episode Jesse Deubel and John Stallone talk about the importance of reclaiming the wolf. As apex predators, human hunters and wild wolves have much in common. Over the years though, many hunters have perceived wolves as competition for the prey species that human hunters also pursue to feed our families. Perhaps because of this relationship that some hunters view as adversarial, the image of the wolf has been embraced and adopted by many organizations who use it to portray an anti-hunting agenda. Nothing is more pro-hunting than the wolf. No sound in nature is a more powerful announcement of the importance of hunting for survival than the sound of a wolf's howl. HOWL for Wildlife is working to help unify human hunters so that we can use our collective howl to communicate in unison to decision makers across the country about the importance of respecting and protecting our hunting and angling cultures and traditions. As Howl for Wildlife points out, "North America’s wildlife & fisheries are constantly under threat. These threats are often based on misguided emotions, anthropomorphism, misunderstandings, and lack of scientific evidence. We aim to protect all wildlife from what could be their destruction if management practices are removed, however we cannot achieve our goals without the pack coming together as one to Howl For Wildlife."

In a major victory for public access, the Supreme Court of the United States has declined to hear arguments from landowners who claimed that a New Mexico court ruling upholding the public’s right to access rivers and streams that flow over private property amounted to an impermissible government taking. The supreme court on Monday denied a petition filed by Chama Troutstalkers, LLC and Z&T Cattle Co., LLC. The companies’ owners, who have ties to Texas, had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review last year’s decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court upholding public access to rivers and streams. The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a written decision on Sept. 1 reaffirming the longstanding right of New Mexicans to walk or wade on the streambeds of water that flows over privately owned lands for fishing or other recreation. “We hold that the public has the right to recreate and fish in public waters and that this right includes the privilege to do such acts as are reasonably necessary to effect the enjoyment of such right,” the New Mexico Supreme Court stated in its unanimous opinion. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruling came in response to a legal challenge brought by the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, the Adobe Whitewater Club and the New Mexico Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. The groups had challenged a regulation adopted by the New Mexico State Game Commission that went into effect in 2017 that purported to allow landowners to close streams over their properties. Seth T. Cohen, a Santa Fe lawyer, is among the lawyers who represented the NMWF and other groups. Cohen said Monday that the supreme court’s denial of the landowners’ petition to review the state court ruling is a great outcome for all who enjoy recreating on New Mexico’s rivers. “It preserves the New Mexico Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the public’s constitutional right to use our rivers for recreation,” Cohen said. “This should hopefully put an end to the efforts by a fortunate few to privatize New Mexico’s rivers.” Jesse Deubel, executive director of the NMWF, said preserving the right of public access to public waters in New Mexico is vitally important. “New Mexico is a dry state and there’s increasing demand for recreation on our rivers and streams,” Deubel said. “The New Mexico Wildlife Federation and our allies won’t stand by and watch our public waters be fenced off to become private playgrounds exclusively for the wealthy.” Deubel expressed appreciation for the work of Cohen, Santa Fe lawyer Gene Gallegos and the O’Melveny and Myers law firm in California. “Our lawyers did a tremendous service for the people of the state of New Mexico,” Deubel said. “Other states in the West have seen their own state governments stand up for the rights of citizens to use public waters, but in New Mexico the burden fell to our organizations. We very much appreciate all the work that our attorneys have done.” In ruling for public stream access, the NM Supreme Court has emphasized that it wasn’t recognizing a new right, but rather restating its longstanding position. It noted in its ruling last year that it already had addressed the public’s right to access the waters of the state in its 1945 landmark case, State ex rel. State Game Commission v. Red River Valley Co. In the 1945 case, the court recognized the public’s right to use streams and streambeds where they run through private property as long as the public doesn’t trespass across private land to access the waters, or trespass from the stream onto private land. The court noted that under the Indian, Spanish and Mexican law that governed New Mexico before statehood, everyone had the right to fish in streams. The game commission regulation purported to allow landowners to get certificates from the game commission that “non-navigable” rivers and streams that cross their private property were private water and closed to the public. The commission had granted five applications from out-of-state landowners to certify waters as “non-navigable” on New Mexico waterways, including stretches of the Rio Chama and Pecos River. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the game commission regulation and the “non-navigable” certificates the commission had issued were void because they violated the state constitution. For more info: https://nmwildlife.org/ Special thanks: https://www.nwf.org/outdoors