Latest podcast episodes

In this episode, DWR Northeastern Region Assistant Wildlife Manager Randall Thacker explains why biologists make the difficult trek out to snowy bear dens early each spring to check on hibernating black bears across the state. He also shares one of his own nerve-wracking experiences of being face to face with a bear.

In this episode, DWR Fish Culture Coordinator Roger Mellethin and DWR Northern Region Aquatics Manager Chris Penne explain what goes into managing the state's fishing. They talk through the overall process from extracting eggs from wild fish to growing them in fishing hatcheries to eventually stocking the fish. They also explain the management of why we raise and stock the fish species we do and the factors that play into some of those decisions, as well as how the DWR is making proactive changes to address drought impacts on fishing in Utah.

In this episode, DWR Native Species Coordinator and Herpetologist Drew Dittmer and DWR Wildlife Conservation Biologist Scott Gibson take a serious deep dive talking about Utah rattlesnakes: the myths about them, interesting facts and what you should actually do if you happen to be one of the few who gets bitten by one.

In this episode, DWR Biometrician Heather Bernales explains why the Division requests that hunters send in teeth sometimes from animals they have harvested. She talks about what we do with the teeth, what we learn, and how that helps shape certain wildlife management plans in Utah.

In this episode, DWR Hunter Education Program Manager Ralynne Takeda and DWR Wildlife Recreation Coordinator Gary Cook go in-depth about the two public shooting ranges that the Division manages: the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City and the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range in Logan. They talk about the amenities at each facility, some unique things that people may not know about the ranges and some of their favorite memories there.

In this episode, DWR Utah Prairie Dog Recovery Biologist Adam Kavalunas and DWR Impact Analysis Biologist Jessica Kinross talk about the unique balancing act of managing prairie dogs in Utah. There are three prairie dog species in Utah, one of which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. DWR and its partners are working to help the species recover, which often includes trapping and relocating the animals when they cause damage to private property with their elaborate burrows.

In this episode, DWR Central Region Sportfish Project Leader Mike Slater talks all about electrofishing — what it is, how it works, and what this unique fish surveying method tells biologists about fish in different waterbodies around Utah.

In this episode, DWR Wildlife Conservation Biologist Adam Brewerton talks about what is possibly Utah's most misunderstood species: bats. He explains what goes into surveying these animals, debunks some of the myths surrounding bats and talks about some of their unique features.

In this episode, DWR Habitat Restoration Coordinator Danny Summers talks about a one-of-a-kind facility in Ephraim, Utah: The Great Basin Research Center and Seed Warehouse. He explains the purpose of the facility and how it benefits landscapes — especially those burned in a wildfire.

In this episode, DWR Law Enforcement Capt. Wyatt Bubak explains some misconceptions that people have about conservation officers, some of the various duties they perform, and the most common mistakes hunters and anglers make (and how to avoid them).