We often hear the phrase "for future generations" as one of the purposes for wildlife conservation and the long-term stewardship of game populations. But what about hunting itself?

In this episode, Shane Mahoney joins us for a thought-provoking conversation about the future of hunting in North America and beyond. What will public hunting look like 10, 20, or even 50 years from now? As science-based wildlife management increasingly faces challenges in the court of public opinion, hunters and conservationists must confront a growing reality: the future of hunting can no longer be taken for granted.

Shane explores the cultural, social, and political forces shaping public perceptions of hunting, the critical role sportsmen and women play in conservation funding and wildlife management, and why proactive engagement is essential if we hope to preserve hunting opportunities for future generations.

This is a timely discussion about the challenges ahead—and what it will take to ensure hunting remains a valued and relevant part of conservation's future.

The reestablishment of bighorn sheep in North Dakota was nearly shelved after numerous translocations of bighorn not suited to the terrain and harsh winters which hampered lamb recruitment. A phone call from WSF's Kevin Hurley, then with Wyoming Game & Fish Department to Brett Wiedmann, North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Bighorn Program Lead and Biologist, turned the tide when Hurley advised Wiedmann of an opportunity for some Missouri River Breaks bighorns from Montana. Similar in bloody size to the extirpated Audubon sheep that called the Mandan country home, and with financial support from the Minnesota-Wisconsin chapter of FNAWS, now Midwest WSF Chapter that initial translocation from Montana to North Dakota was what was needed.

Brett Wiedmann and Kevin Hurley join Sheep Fever co-host Gray Thornton for a conversation of the initial challenges, at times failures, and then success of the North Dakota bighorn comeback. Brett gives a history of bighorns in the state, he and Kevin discuss that fateful phone call, and they both share where bighorn sheep restoration and bighorn sheep hunting in North Dakota are today.

The 91st North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference recently concluded in Columbus, OH, hosted by The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI). Why a podcast about a conference? Because this is where the rubber meets the road as far as wildlife and natural resource conservation is concerned, for everything from whales to hummingbirds.

Sheep Fever sits down with WMI President & CEO, Tony Walsey, and WSF's own Corey Mason to share a glimpse of the incredible width and depth of conservation efforts taking place every day across North America and internationally.

Take what you see in the "media" with a grain of doubt. Not everything is in crisis. There is and has been a colossal effort taking place by people, businesses, departments, universities, agencies, institutions, and organizations working under the banner of wise use without waste – the true definition of conservation.