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Is conservation at a crossroads? If challenges to wildlife and the environment are evolving and, in many cases, mounting. If we believe that conservation is everyone's responsibility and that it is a progressive journey rather than a final destination, then we are at a crossroads.
The conservation movement in the early 1900s was born out of crisis. We were taking too much off the land and taking too much for granted. The Environmental Revolution of the 1906s and 70s was another gut check. Both resulted in the establishment of new laws, organizations, and institutions to address the challenges of those days. We knew what was bad and wasnât working, and we set out to fix things with nothing more than the motivation that using natural resources wisely and not wasting them was the right thing to do. In those days, there wasnât a roadmap to follow, nor was there a conservation policy or constitution to hold up as a litmus test for decision-making. Would something like an overarching conservation policy, something a board cross-section of stakeholders could agree upon, take conservation into the next century?
In this episode of Sheep Fever, we talk with Conservation Visions president and CEO Shane Mahoney about where conservation is today, what it is facing, how it is being pulled in all directions, and the need, for the lack of a better term, a conservation template that puts wildlife, the environment, and people all in the same house. After all, we are living in the same house.
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Bill Pastorek, author of Dream Rams of British Columbia will soon release his recent and highly anticipate work, Dream Rams of the North. Bill caught the sheep bug early in his life and his chosen career path of self-employment and building a successful gardening business allowed him plenty of time in the mountains to pursue his passion for wild sheep.
An avid conservationist, and one who walks the talk of giving his time, talent, and treasure to the resource he loves and the organizations focused on their conservation, Bill has dedicated Dream Rams of the North to those volunteers, staff, and organizations focused on putting and keeping wild sheep on the mountain.
Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton sits down with Bill to talk about his new release, its inspiration, how he curates the stories in it, and his plans for at least two more books in his Dream Rams series.
Dream Rams of the North in the regular, limited, and conservation editions are available to pre-order at www.dreamrams.com. Bill will also be doing book signings and sales alongside his friend and fellow author Jim Manley at the January 16-18, 2025 Sheep ShowÂź in Reno Thursday, Friday, and Saturday near the WSF Membership Booth.
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Spike Camp is an online community of hunter conservationists. On Wednesday, September 16th Spike Camp founders Chuck and Blake Peeling conducted a live stream podcast featuring WSF Ambassadors Jana Waller Bair and Rachel Ahtila as well as WSF Women HuntŸ Committee members Julie Chapman, Brandi Love, and Women HuntŸ founder & chair, Renée Thornton. The seven of them talk hunting, conservation, the Wild Sheep family, the Sheep ShowŸ, and the impact hunting has had on their lives. They also covered the three current programs under the WSF Women HuntŸ umbrella: 1) Women HuntŸ sponsored FTW/SAAM Field to Fork class in Texas, 2) the Women in HuntingŸ community, and 3) the Ruby Mayflower Blake Legacy Fund.
Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton visits with Chuck and Blake on their vision for Spike Camp and they tee up their guest podcast featuring these exceptional women hunters and leaders.
For more information and to join Spike Camp visit https://spikecamp.com.
For more information on WSFâs Women HuntÂź programs visit https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/womenhunt
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In this episode of Sheep Fever, co-host Keith Balfourd visits with Mountain Tough Fitness Lab founder Dustin Diefenderfer to learn more about their specific fitness programs for mountain athletes and the new TOUGH SHEEP workout scheduled for the 2025 Sheep ShowÂź in Reno on January 17th.
Inspired by modern-day military readiness and NFL training programs, MTNTOUGH designed physical and mental fitness programs geared for the mountain athlete/hunter that better prepared them for the strenuous weighted pack movements encountered and the duration on the mountain these hunts represent.
When we are tired and worn down mentally and physically after just a few days on a long hunt, even though weâre still in the field, we can quit hunting or are, at a minimum, not as sharp, alert, and willing as we were on Day 1. With so much invested in these hunts, investing in yourself and your preparation can make all the difference.
Taking this readiness and the success of their fitness programs to the next level, MTNTOUGH has engineered a multi-stage TOUGH SHEEP workout for the 2025 Sheep ShowÂź where anyone who registers and completes the workout will be in a drawing for a 2025 Dallâs sheep hunt in NWT with Stan Steven and Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters.
TOUGH SHEEP is limited to 500 participants, so the odds of winning are tough to beat. 100% of the registration fee ($100) will be donated to WSF to help âput and keep more wild sheep on the mountainâ.
Visit this link to learn more and register before TOUGH SHEEP is sold out.
https://mtntough.com/pages/tough-sheep
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New Chief Operating Officer and Executive VP of Conservation, Corey Mason joined the WSF Team in August, bringing decades of conservation and industry experience.
Spending time on his grandfatherâs farm and hunting with his father, Corey quickly grew into a passionate hunter. Continuing to avidly hunt, but now largely enjoying time afield with his wife and daughter and making family memories.
At an early age, Corey desired a career in wildlife conservation. Beginning with undergraduate and graduate studies in wildlife conservation followed by years at Texas Parks and Wildlife and Dallas Safari Club, he has worked on private and public lands and across the globe on international conservation issues and opportunities.
In this episode, Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton visits with Corey on his background and family, professional career, and plans and goals at WSF. Corey also shares some of his past experiences and perspectives on conservation, policy, work in international arenas and many of the relationships built and maintained along the way.
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Wild sheep matter, and so does selecting the future leadership of the Wild Sheep Foundation in our upcoming fall 2024 WSF Board of Director elections.
Last year, we started something new by introducing the candidates, not only in print with their biographies on our website and mailed ballots, but with brief interviews on this podcast.
We have four (4) current director terms expiring April 30, 2025. The Nominating Committee approved five (5) candidates for the fall ballot for these four open director positions.
The fall elections open October 1, 2024, and close on December 15, 2024.
New this year is a hybrid-style election process to make voting even easier. All WSF members in good standing will receive a paper ballot with a postage-paid envelope. Plus, members for which we have a valid email address will also receive their ballot and bios via email. You can vote by email or mailed ballotâŠbut of course, only one ballot will be allowed per member.
In alpha order, by last name, the 2024 candidates with recording time codes are:
Bralli Clifford from Wyoming 4:09
Larry Johns from Nevada 15:54
Kevin Kehoe from Alaska 25:40
Kyle Stelter from British Columbia 35:57
Dr. Peregrine Wolff from Florida 46:50
Lastly, as a special thank you to all WSF members who vote in this fall 2024 election, our independent election vendor, YesElections, will randomly draw one name to win a WSF/Weatherby Bighorn Edition rifle package valued at $5,400.
Read candidate bios and learn more about the Election and the Weatherby Bighorn Edition drawing on our Elections page.
https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/about/board-elections?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=podcast
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Acclaimed and award-winning journalist and author, hunter, and sheep hunter Craig Boddington had this to say about WSF Summit Life Member Jim Manleyâs first book:
âTracks On A Mountain is one manâs mountain hunting odyssey. Jim Manley and I have climbed some of the same mountains, enjoyed some of the same triumphs, suffered the same disappointments, and so often wondered why we are doing this to ourselves. Jim far exceeded my efforts in North Americaâs mountainsâŠWish weâd shared some campfires on chilly mountain nights out, but through his book, we all can.â
In this episode, Sheep Fever hosts Gray N. Thornton and Keith Balfourd sit down with Jim to talk about his inspiration for the book and the 12 hunts over six decades contained in it. Jim shares the how of his uncanny ability as a first-time author to bring the reader with him on the mountain, experience the climbs, taste the food, smell the smells, feel the burning legs and lungs, rejoice in the victories, as well as the anguish of the defeats. In his book Jim captures the essence of sheep hunting and the sheep fever infliction in spades - youâll see why when you listen to this episode.
To order Tracks On A Mountain go to www.tracksonamountain.com. Jim will be conducting book signing sessions at the 2025 WSF Sheep ShowÂź convention January 16-18, 2025 in Reno.
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Azyre Gear founder and accomplished sheep hunter Cari Gossâ goal is to inspire and empower women to pursue their hunting and outdoors passions with confidence. A great deal of that confidence comes from functional clothing that fits, keeps one warm, and dry.
For years Cari felt that the hunting apparel industry had overlooked women and that she and others had been left to wear apparel designed for men only later to be modified for women. She also feels that women have been often offered designs that donât reflect their true femininity.
Rather than complaining about the status quo, she wanted to do something about it. It became clear to her that she needed to create apparel as capable as the women who would wear it. In 2016 Azyre Gear was born.
Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton visits with Cari on the inspiration for her brand, what makes Cari tick, and how her passion for sheep hunting helped launch her clothing line. Cari and Gray talk sheep and sheep hunting and whatâs next for Cari and her brand.
For more information on Azyre Gear and to order visit www.azyregear.com.
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Andy Moeckel is well known in the hunting and conservation community as The Flip Flop Guy and his unique cooking style called the Flip Flop. He has turned a culinary technique, that has been passed down for three generations, into a thriving business that sells a full line of sauces, spices, flip flop mops, and even whole bone in Maui Nui Venison legs perfect for Flip Flop.
It all started with his grandfather, Al Giddings shortly after WW II when he got off the ship in San Francisco and decided to join the California Department of Fish and Game in 1948. He became the main warden for the North Bay area, Marin, and Sonoma counties. He knew all the ins and outs of Marin countyâs big game hunting, from mountain lions that he issued bounties on, to blacktail deer.
In his time spent in west Marin, Al helped oversee fish ladders coming into the streams for the spawn as well as became familiar with all of the local hunting clubs and ranches. It was at a small sheep ranch in Nicasio, CA where it is believed that he picked up this amazing style of cooking from a Portuguese rancher. This family would do entire sheep legs on a spit and feed their families and local community. Al being the outdoorsman instantly had the idea that, âif sheep is this goodâŠvenison will be better.â And it isâŠ
Andy is a third generation Flip Flopper learning the technique from his grandfather and father. Andy performs Flip Flop BBQs around the country for special events as well as industry and political celebrities.
In this episode of Sheep Fever, Co-Host Gray N. Thornton talks with Andy about his past, an amazing turn of events and life challenges, Flip Flop cooking, sheep hunting, gear, calibers, long range shooting, and Andyâs recent role as Sales Director for Best of the West Arms out of Cody, WY.
This episode has plenty of short dirt roads, unanticipated nuggets, and antics you will be sure to enjoy! For more information on Best of the West visit www.bestofthewestarms.com. For more information on Flip Flop visit www.flipflopguy.com.
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Sadly, wild sheep numbers are down in many of their ranges. For our thinhorns up North, environmental factors, some of which are beyond short-term human control, have taken a toll in recent years. In other wild sheep ranges, fragmentation, contraction, and loss of habitat, both from a changing climate and land use policies (fire suppression, conifer/shrub encroachment, human footprint, public land grazing allotments, feral horses and burros), as well as disease from exotic and domestic ungulates in bighorn range, are all contributing factors.
What can we do? Ensuring wild sheep have quality habitat is #1, but can we improve the resiliency of wild sheep to environmental factors? Can we âgrowâ wild sheep? These are contemporary and often controversial topics that wild sheep advocates and some agency/ministry wild sheep managers are trying to define and address.
In this episode of Sheep Fever, co-host Gray N. Thornton speaks with WSFâs âTres Amigos of Conservationâ - VP of Conservation Kevin Hurley, Conservation Director Kurt Alt, and retired Conservation Director Clay Brewer, on these topics.
With nearly 150 years of combined wild sheep management and experience, the three speak of âgrowingâ desert bighorn in the US southwest and Mexico and the successes, challenges, and failures experienced. They also speak of attempts to do the same with Rocky Mountain bighorns, and whether intensive management practices for desert sheep (water developments, captive propagation facilities, supplemental nutrition and minerals, etc.) are feasible, practical, sustainable, or even possible for thinhorn sheep.
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There is no question that forces are being placed on our systems, institutions, philosophies, and the science that manages wildlife. Situations and conditions change over time, and adjustments are necessary improvements. Balancing change and maintaining stability is crucial to ensuring the best outcomes for wildlife and people. But this doesnât appear to be where weâre heading.
Sheep Fever co-host Keith Balfourd visits with two guests who keenly understand historical precedents and the current pressures calling to rewrite wildlife management policy. Is all coming from anti-hunting efforts? What about wildlife commissions being stripped of diversified stakeholders to change the game against sustainable use? Is the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation a complete handbook, or is it vulnerable to criticism, misuse, and a tool for misdirection?
If you're pushing for change in the court of public opinion and using ballot initiatives, does acknowledging ecological and social realities, past achievements, and who was responsible for these successes undermine your narrative? Is what's being left out of the conversation by design? Are there things that we, as hunter-conservationists, can do better? Are there things we should be distancing ourselves from? As a significant minority of the population, do we have allies? If doing right by wildlife is our mantra, does digging our heels in on everything sustainable?
Change is inevitable. Sportsmen and women have had the lead in wildlife conservation. How do we maintain this lead? These are all good questions. Some, but not all, were answered in this episode. Like conservation itself, this topic is on a continuum.
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The Wild Sheep Foundation is growing and is pleased to announce the formation and official charter of the Southeast Chapter of WSF!
The mission of the Southeast Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation is to build a community of conservationists to raise resources in support of scientific wild sheep management practices and habitat improvement. This is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the healthy populations of North America's sheep herds. We are a volunteer organization dedicated to sharing our passion for mountain hunting, educating the public and youth about the sustainable use of mountain resources, and highlighting the important role hunters play in wildlife conservation, regardless of where we live.
Sheep Fever co-host Gray N. Thornton visits with SE Chapter Steering Committee member Patrick Morse of Ponte Verde, Florida, on why the chapter was started, its goals, plans, and events for the coming year, as well as the inaugural chapter banquet in May/June of 2025 in Islamorada, FL which will coincide with the Chapter & Affiliate Summit XVII. While the chapter will serve members from Louisiana to Virginia and down to Florida, membership is open to everyone. Join us today! For membership options: https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/memberships/chapters-and-affiliates/southeast-wsf
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Weâre going to Texas in this episode to talk about restoring desert bighorn sheep to a mountain range that hasnât seen sheep since the early 1900s. Sheep Fever co-host Keith Balfourd visits with Texas Bighorn Sheep Society president Sam Cunningham, WSFâs VP of Conservation Kevin Hurley, and Texas outdoor writer and WSF contributor Chester Moore to discuss the Franklin Mountains State Park desert sheep restoration project. From water guzzler installations awaiting the translocation of 80 sheep to herd surveillance and predator management, there is a lot of ground to cover in what will be a historic move for the Lone Star Stateâs desert sheep population. The goal is a new nursery herd in a disease-free range for future translocations across the state.
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Jana Waller Bair is the Host and Executive Producer of Skull Bound TV and Skull Bound
Chronicles, a hunting and conservation series on Carbon TV that is currently in its 15th season.
Jana has been a lifelong hunter and was appointed as a Wildlife Commissioner in Montana in
2021. After serving her term, she moved to Utah, where she resides with her husband and WSF
auctioneer, John Bair.Jana is a proud member of the Wild Sheep Foundation as well as many other conservation and
hunting organizations. Jana is an active supporter of WSFâs Women HuntÂź program and serves
on the recently launched Rubye Mayflower Blake Legacy Fund committee, a program of
Women HuntÂź, which provides healing hunts, and other outdoor experiences, to women who
have experienced abuse or other life trauma.In this episode Jana and Sheep Fever co-host Gray N. Thornton talk bear hunting,
conservation, her start, leadership, and award-winning work in outdoor media, as well as the
pivotal role women play in, and the powerful narrative they give, to the traditional outdoor and
shooting sports.Jana also talks on a current Epic Hunt Series collaboration with WSF where a lucky raffle
winner will join her in the Northwest Territories in the fall of 2025 for a bucket list all expense
paid mountain caribou hunt with Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters. Both the winner and Jana will
hunt caribou. Tickets are only $60 and non WSF members receive an annual membership with
their first ticket purchased. The raffles concludes June 30, 2024 so donât delay! Get your tickets HERE. -
In this episode of Sheep Fever, we visit with Mark Truax, President and CEO of Pac/West Strategies, to discuss the attempted ban on mountain lion, bobcat, and lynx hunting in Colorado. This ban, proposed through a voterâs ballot initiative and backed by out-of-state animal rights groups, raises important questions. Why mountain lions? Why Colorado? Why a voterâs ballot process? The answers; because itâs winnable. Mark and his company are on the ground in Colorado, trying to prevent this measure from becoming the law of the land and opening the door for other attempts in other states.
As sportsmen, we understand the role of predator/prey relationships, ecological realities, and the necessity of science-informed wildlife management to prevent situations where too many are just as bad as too few, regardless of the species. But do Coloradoans have all the facts, especially those who have recently moved to this western state? Or does saving these beautiful cats from âtrophy hunters,â as this initiative is being sold, look like the right thing to do?
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Conservation has increasingly become a global topic and a global effort. In this episode, Sheep Fever co-host Keith Balford visits with Shane Mahoney, CEO of Conservation Visions, to discuss various topics, including the growing connectivity between conservation efforts here in North America and those happening beyond our borders. You'll learn how influential our North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is in other countries struggling to do what is best for wildlife and people, especially in the context of how important internal hunting is to these countries when most of their revenue comes from US sportsmen. The conversation shifts to an informative discussion on how hunting and sustainable use are being challenged like never before, who and what's behind these increased efforts, and what can be done.
The question is raised: is our current suite of hunter-conservationist organizations built to take on such challenges when the focus for many is species conservation, not bumper sticker campaigns and ballot initiatives being proposed by anti-hunter groups? Shane believes it's time for an overarching wildlife conservation policy to codify successes to date that can't be denied, one that accounts for the challenges wildlife faces today and into the future and guards against those pushing for change for the sake of change yet are offering no durable solutions other than they don't like hunters hunting.
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Preparation, readiness, and confidence are everything, especially on backcountry hunts. WSF recently became the title sponsor for the next three years of Western Hunt Fest (WHF) events, and WSFâs Women HuntÂź program became the title sponsor of the womenâs division for the same period. WSFâs Sheep Fever host Gray N. Thornton, and Women Hunt founder and chair RenĂ©e Thornton, visit with WHF co-owners Jeffrey DeVaul, Guy Duplantier, and Efren Gonzalez to discuss their motivations behind establishing this next-level archery shooting, fitness, and backpack challenge across Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada this summer, as well as what shooters can expect. Archery hunting readiness has rightfully become a year-round pursuit. Giving bowhunters specialized events tailored for the type of shots and conditions they will encounter in the field elevates this preparation beyond just shooting foam in the backyard. Plus, friendly competition with like-minded hunters adds an element of community while helping duplicate the stress of making the shot count.
2024 Events:
April 13-14 Raton, NM May 4-5 Palisade, CO May 25-26 Reno, NV June 1-2 Colorado Springs, CO June 27 Championship Baily, COwww.westernhuntfest.com
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Rifles, cartridges, loads, and bulletsâthe tools of trade for hunters, competition, and recreational shootersâhave advanced rapidly in the past ten years. Sheep Fever host Keith Balfourd sat down with Bozeman local John Snow, Shooting Editor for Outdoor Life, to talk shooting tech and the âEra of Marksmanshipâ weâre experiencing today. Is Grandpaâs -06 still a player? Are longer projectiles better at longer range, and what about external performance? Whatâs with the 6.5 craze? Are military snipers or competition shooters behind what is arguably some of the best shooting tools weâve ever had? They cover it all but should have booked two hours.
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Since the inaugural WSF Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE) in 2012, and with the addition of the Shooting, Hunting & Ethics Education Program (S.H.E.E.P.) in 2013, WSF has impacted the lives of more than 114,000 young men and women introducing them to the wonders of the outdoors. The life skills they have been taught and learned include archery, shooting, game calling, fly tying and casting, tracking, game identification, and conservation principles. The numerous WSF-hosted events led by WSF Youth Programs Director Dr. Ryan Brock now also include rock climbing, kayaking, and field hunting trips.
In this episode, Sheep Fever co-host Gray N. Thornton visits with Dr. Brock on the genesis of the YWCE, its phenomenal growth under his leadership, the launch of S.H.E.E.P. and its reach and focus, Ryanâs work launching a WSF-sponsored youth archery team, and new hunting programs currently in development.
You will be inspired by Dr. Brockâs enthusiasm, drive, and relentless pursuit of youth outdoors education.
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Unlike a traditional story where fathers, grandfathers, mothers, and grandmothers handed down generations of stories, hunting locations and secret spots, techniques, ethics, ethos, and even weapons, Blood Origins Founder Robbie Krögerâs story is a little different. He had everything of the hunting life given to him, all but the personal experience of it. He was surrounded by the tools, the trophies, the stories, and even a letter from his grandfather telling him that the hunt was âIn My Blood.â
Born and raised in South Africa, conservation and hunting was in his blood, but access to it was a dream. Now a proud American and avid hunter and conservationist, and with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Ole Miss, Robbie created Blood Origins, a global non-profit whose mission is to convey the truth about hunting and conservation to the non-hunting majority.
Sheep Fever Co-Host Gray N. Thornton visits with Robbie on his vision for Blood Origins, its messaging, its impact, and most important, how Blood Origins and Robbieâs voice can move the needle to ensure our hunting heritage remains not only in our blood, but as a pursuit, passion, and privilege all can enjoy if we choose.
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