Shows
The Outdoor Communicators PodcastGlobal Conservation with Danielle BrigidaDanielle Brigida is the Senior Director of Wildlife Communications & Strategy at the World Wildlife Fund. Prior to that role, she was a Deputy Director of Digital Strategy at the U. S. Department of the Interior and the National Social Media Manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Your host, Tim Akimoff of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, first met Danielle in her earlier roles and has often bounced ideas off of her and leaned on her vast experience over the years. It seemed a long podcast conversation was overdue, so pull up a chair and...
2026-01-311h 07
The Outdoor Communicators PodcastGraphic Design with OKDWC's Smokey SolisGraphic design is a big part of communicating conservation, and even though it's a visual art, it often takes place behind the scenes in a busy communication team setting. Smokey Solis is the graphic designer for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and like many of us, he wears many hats and has other duties as assigned, but it all comes back to good design. Smokey talked with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Tim Akimoff, host of the Outdoor Communicators Podcast, about how he got started in graphic design for a conservation agency and about what good...
2025-05-2049 min
Beaver State PodcastHelping wildlife move in an increasingly fragmented OregonThe needs of humans and the needs of the wildlife that surround us are intensifying. Habitat loss and fragmentation due to human development keep wildlife from finding food, water and shelter. These factors also make adhering to daily, seasonal and life history needs extra challenging and inhibit migratory movements, like moving to and from foraging areas and breeding sites. Dr. Rachel Wheat has been working on the Oregon Wildlife Connectivity Plan, an effort to better understand wildlife connectivity in Oregon. The goal of the plan is to evaluate and map out existing landscape-level connectivity for 54 species that represent a...
2023-09-0738 min
Beaver State PodcastOcean Acidification and HypoxiaOregon was one of the first places in the world to observe the direct impacts of ocean acidification when the oyster hatchery production collapsed in 2007. Dr. Caren Braby, former Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Resources Program Manager and Laura Anderson, former ODFW Commissioner and founder of Local Ocean Seafoods in Newport, talk us through the history, science and ongoing efforts to study and minimize impacts of ocean acidification and hypoxia. We look at current and potential future impacts on Oregon’s ocean fisheries and talk about what Oregonians can do now to help protect our natural resources in...
2023-04-201h 07
Beaver State PodcastBeaver State Podcast Book Club - "The Feather Thief"We read Kirk Wallace Johnson's "The Feather Thief" for this inaugural episode of the Beaver State Podcast Book Club, and we really enjoyed it. It's a fantastic crime story, a first-rate science explainer about the Age of Exploitation and peek behind the curtains of a small group of fly tyers who collect exceedingly rare feathers. This first Book Club podcast episode features fly fishing author and historian John Shewey and biologist Emily Weidner, who recommended the book and inadvertently influenced us to start a book club. From top left - John Shewey, Emily Weidner and h...
2023-03-221h 34
Beaver State PodcastNicole goes huntingWelcome to the 4th season of the Beaver State Podcast! In this episode, Tim and Nicole talk about Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow, a program that provides natural resource professionals training in the diverse values and important roles of hunting and its impact on conservation. Tim went through the program in 2015, and Nicole completed the training this year. In addition to completing a Hunter Education course, Nicole learned about trapping and shotgun shooting and safety skills. She wrapped up her CLFT course in Utah by participating in her first-ever pheasant hunt. Learn more about Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow
2023-02-0721 min
Beaver State PodcastLiving in a Bear's WorldTim Akimoff and Beth Quillian teamed up with Ashley Sanchez and Aaron Keller, hosts of The Nevada Wild Podcast at the 6th Annual Human-Bear Conflict Workshop in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. We take you on a journey around North America to look at solutions to human-caused problems for bears in places like Arviat in Nunavut where the mayor, Joe Savikataaq Jr., talks about efforts to reduce polar bear conflicts by redirecting bears away from town as they wait for sea ice to form each year. We also talked to Chris Servheen, retired USFW national grizzly bear recovery coordinator, about...
2022-10-201h 12
Beaver State PodcastBeaver State Podcast: Oregon Wildlife Foundation with Tim GresethThe Oregon Wildlife Foundation has been raising money for fish and wildlife conservation projects in Oregon for a long time. An integral partner of ODFW, the foundation has put money into land purchases like the Lower Deschutes River Wildlife Area, an important habitat for mule deer and bighorn sheep, as well as the Herman the Sturgeon habitat at Bonneville hatchery and many other projects over the years. OWF executive director Tim Greseth met us out at one of the foundations first major purchases, Heritage Landing, at the mouth of the Deschutes River, to give us some more background on...
2022-10-0759 min
Beaver State PodcastFinding your voice as a hunter with Amy PatrickAmy Patrick is the policy director for the Oregon Hunter's Association. As such, she represents a lot of voices who are very passionate about the outdoors broadly and specifically about hunting. But many of us have forgotten everything we learned in that high school civics class we took 30 years ago. In this episode, we look at the various groups that give hunters a voice and a vehicle in the policymaking space and discuss just how important it is to join your voice with others at commission meetings or in front of the Oregon Legislature.
2022-09-021h 00
Beaver State PodcastRocky Mountain G.O.A.TsOregon's Rocky Mountain goats were extirpated from the state, like many other animals, in the 19th Century. Just a few years ago, Rocky mountain goats from re-established populations in the Elkhorn Mountains were released near Mt. Jefferson, completing a remarkable comeback for a very unique species. ODFW's ungulate species coordinator Don Whittaker fills us in on these spectacular, high country dwellers.
2022-08-2647 min
Beaver State PodcastFishing Oregon Hawaiian Style with PonoKameron "Pono" Kadookak is Hawaiian but has spent much of his life fishing Oregon waters. Partly because his father raised him up to follow in his footsteps and partly because fishing runs in his veins. He's also spent time fishing in Hawaii, where he learned traditional methods of using specialized gear or techniques to catch fish from shore or pelagic fish from a boat. Today, Pono likes to mix traditional fishing techniques with new ideas to pursue some of the best that Oregon has to offer while also using traditional techniques to prepare salmon, steelhead or surf perch Hawaiian...
2022-08-191h 02
Beaver State PodcastSnorkeling Oregon RiversSnorkeling in cold water isn't for the faint of heart, but it's also not that difficult with a few pieces of gear and some knowledge about how to stay safe. Snorkeling Oregon's rivers opens a window on a world very few people see. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists spend a lot of time snorkeling to count fish and document wildlife in rivers, creeks and lakes all over the state, but it can also be a fantastic recreational activity. ODFW's Beth Quillian and Tim Akimoff spent some time snorkeling with biologists and expert snorkelers and divers Pete Baki...
2022-08-121h 05
Beaver State PodcastWhere the pronghorn antelope playPronghorn are incredibly unique, and not just because they're the last-surviving member of the family Antilocapridae. They're the fastest land animal in North America. They have one of the longest land migrations of any animal in North America. Their eyesight is Swarovski-esque. They're not actually antelopes, but explorers familiar with African animals just had no idea what to compare them to when they first saw them. We talk all things pronghorn with ODFW's ungulate species coordinator Don Whittaker in this episode.
2022-08-051h 00
Beaver State PodcastBeaver State Podcast: Studying cougars in the central coast rangeWhen mid-coast district wildlife biologist Jason Kirchner starting seeing high numbers of cougar harvests and mortalities in the central coast range in Oregon, he wanted to know more about the population of cougars in his district. To do so, he'd need to capture and collar as many cougars as possible and then continue to take DNA samples of as many cougars as he could using teams of hounds to locate them. The first part of that study is now wrapping up, and it's time to analyze the data. But you can learn a lot during the field work portion...
2022-07-2942 min
Beaver State PodcastThe ban on hunting cougars and bears with houndsOregon voters passed Measure 18 in 1994, effectively ending the practice of using hounds to pursue cougars and bears for sport. In this episode, we talk to ODFW's Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator Kevin Blakely and Carnivore Coordinator Derek Broman about the evolution of wildlife regulations since the passage of that ballot measure and we answer one of the most common questions we get, which is: ODFW cannot re-instate hound hunting for cougars and bears, it would take another ballot measure voted on by the citizens of Oregon to change the current law.
2022-07-2234 min
Beaver State PodcastWhy does the controlled hunt draw take so long?The Controlled Hunt Draw has many moving parts. While a lot of it is accomplished through Boolean logic that applies to the business rules around things like preference points and non-resident tags, much of it is data entry and other human-oriented tasks that take many hours of application and error checking. And all of this begins after the change deadline on June 1. From June 1 to June 20th, it's a race against the clock to get a clean, error-free draw to publish by the deadline. ODFW's Angela Ward walks us through the process in this week's Beaver State Podcast. Learn m...
2022-06-1741 min
Beaver State PodcastAngler Education with Amanda BoylesA podcast in which we explore the origins of the saying, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." We also talk to ODFW's Angler Education Program Coordinator Amanda Boyles about the process of teaching someone to fish and the philosophies behind the angler who buys all the latest gear, and the traditional hook and worm angler.
2022-06-1044 min
Beaver State PodcastHunter Education with Jered GoodwinOregon's Hunter Education Program has been around for a long time. The early focus was on firearm safety, but today the program's many priorities have broadened out to encompass safety but also rules and regulations, game tracking, ethics, survival and many other aspects of being in the outdoors. ODFW's Hunter Education Coordinator, Jered Goodwin, sat down for a wide-ranging look at Oregon's Hunter Education Program and where it's headed in the future.
2022-06-0340 min
Beaver State PodcastAccess and Habitat with Travis SchultzThe Access and Habitat Program has been around since 1993. The legislature established the program as a funding mechanism to provide grants to private landowners, timber and agriculture corporations, sportsmen groups, natural resource agencies, and others for projects designed to increase public hunting access to private lands and/or improve wildlife habitat. Travis Schultz is the Access and Habitat Program Coordinator, and he sat down with us for this episode to talk about some of the lesser known aspects of Access and Habitat. Learn more about Access and Habitat. Check out the Oregon Hunting Map.
2022-05-2742 min
Beaver State PodcastTo all the trout I've loved beforeTrout is a classic first fish for many people. Whether that's a trout stocked in a lake by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or a wild trout in a rainforest creek, trout make up a lot of our fishing memories. Many anglers oriented their calendars around the April 22 trout opener, but today, you can fish for trout 365 days a year somewhere in Oregon. We explore the love of trout fishing and the many trout fishing opportunities in this episode. For additional resources, see our Trout Stocking Schedule, the weekly Recreation Report and how to get started trout...
2022-05-2035 min
Beaver State PodcastNorth Bank White-tailed deer with DeWaine JacksonThe North Bank Habitat Management Area rises out of the North Umpqua River on dramatic cliffs before rolling out into oak savannahs, hardwood and conifer forests, rocky outcrops, grasslands and ash wetlands over its 6,581-acres that are set aside by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for the once-endangered Columbian White-tailed deer. In this week's episode, we talk to ODFW's DeWaine Jackson about how he's used the special habitat management area to research ungulates over the course of his career with the agency. Learn more about North Bank at these websites. https://www.blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg...
2022-05-1352 min
Beaver State PodcastHow to choose a hunting or fishing companion Main1This is an episode you might want to share with those folks who are interested in tagging along on a hunting or fishing trip but who might not know the protocols yet. We talked to long-time hunting and fishing buddies Jay Remy and Chris Martin about how they navigate group dynamics and personal relationships when it comes to hunting and fishing with friends.
2022-05-061h 03
Beaver State PodcastBeaver State Podcast: Conservation psychology with Dr. Kathayoon KhalilZoos and aquariums are often the first places kids encounter some of the critters they will ultimately be fascinated with the rest of their lives. Dr. Kathayoon Khalil is a conservation psychologist who studies these interactions and works to improve the relationship that humans have towards nature through education. Of course many zoos and aquariums also play a quiet, behind-the-scenes role in conservation by raising and releasing threatened and endangered species back into their habitats. We talked to Dr. Khalil about her work in these spaces.
2022-04-2927 min
Beaver State PodcastPhytoplankton with Micah RogersMicah Rogers spends a lot of time looking through a microscope at the tiny world of phytoplankton, those microscopic, plant-like critters that make up the base of the marine food web. The reason she does this is to make sure none of those microorganisms is in such prevalence that it indicates a harmful algal bloom or HAB. When HAB's occur, they can raise toxicity levels in clams and crabs to the point of concern for public safety.
2022-04-2243 min
Beaver State PodcastSalamander stories with Chris CousinsHerpetology is the study of amphibians and reptiles, and herping is the practice of going out to find amphibians and reptiles, Chris Cousins explains in this episode of the podcast. Cousins is a PhD candidate at Oregon State University, where he focuses much of his attention on some of Oregon's most elusive salamander species. Cousins shares a lot of his adventures on his Instagram and sat down to talk with us about what it's like to make a life out of studying reptiles and amphibians.
2022-04-1554 min
Beaver State PodcastRepairing culverts to give fish access to more habitatThe Oregon Department of Transportation is the largest owner of stream crossings in the state of Oregon, and much of their culvert infrastructure is in need of repair. So, ODOT and ODFW developed the Culvert Repair Programmatic Agreement to address fish passage during temporary repairs to failing culverts. So far, the project has made more than 840 miles of newly accessible habitat available to fish, but there are thousands of culverts still in need of repair. We talk to ODOT's Fish Passage Coordinator Allen Gillette and ODFW's Fish Passage Liaison Pete Baki about the project in this week's podcast.
2022-04-0841 min
Beaver State PodcastBeaver State Podcast: A debunking of some of the top misnomers and mythsIt's April Fools! The perfect time to debunk some of the misnomers and myths around fish and wildlife management. This episode looks back at some of the persistant misinformation and incorrect assumptions about ODFW and some of the more complicated natural resource issues by revisiting some of the segments from our myth-busting episodes.
2022-04-0135 min
Beaver State PodcastFrom shotgun skills clinic to competitive trap shooting with Roscoe and Kenji ChangRaising kids on the outdoors takes all kinds. Roscoe Chang's approach to parenting kids in the outdoors is to make it as fun as possible. When Roscoe signed his young son, Kenji, up for an ODFW shotgun skills clinic a few years ago, he had no idea it would lead his son into competitive trap shooting, but he's happy it did, because it gave him and his son one more way to connect around their passions for the outdoors, hunting, fishing and shooting sports. And it's one more way for Roscoe to pass down his hunting and fishing heritage...
2022-03-2550 min
Beaver State PodcastWhy you should always leave young wildlife alone with Anne Mary MyersSpring means a new generation of wild animals on the landscape. With more people enjoying the great outdoors, that can mean more human/wildlife encounters. Wildlife biologist Anne Mary Myers talks about how those encounters often end badly for wild animals, especially young animals removed from the wild by well-meaning people. It’s important to understand that a young animal's chances of survival drop precipitously when they're removed from their natural environment.
2022-03-1850 min
Beaver State PodcastMaking use of hunt reporting data with Justin DionIs data a big part of your hunting experience? If not, you may want to think about adding it to your list of digital tools before putting in for controlled hunts. In this episode, we talk to ODFW's Justin Dion, the person responsible for compiling all the hunt reports and providing all of that information back to hunters in the form of Big Game Hunting Harvest Statistics. Be sure to check out the Point Summary Reports and don't forget about the Full Draw Report, available by going to Download Controlled Hunt Draw Reports in your Electronic Licensing System account.
2022-03-1140 min
Beaver State PodcastBeaver State Podcast: Backcountry Preparedness with Montana Pagano and Kyle BratcherMontana Pagano, a watershed restoration specialist with the Nez Percé Tribe and Kyle Bratcher, NE Oregon district fish biologist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife live in one of the best adventure spots in all of Oregon. The Eagle Cap Wilderness is the largest roadless area in the state, and of course their backyard is Hells Canyon. We chatted with Montana and Kyle about some safety and gear tips before heading out into the backcountry.
2022-03-0556 min
Beaver State PodcastHealth, climate change, hunting, fishing and trapping with Dr. Leslie KingDr. Leslie King's outdoor journey has taken her from the shores of Chesapeake Bay to Oregon's Sauvie Island. She's a medical doctor who has traveled throughout Oregon and around the world for her work. Dr. King is also an avid hunter, angler and trapper. As Black History Month winds down, Dr. King talks to us about the intersections of human health, climate change and increasing access to the outdoors for People of Color.
2022-03-011h 15
Beaver State PodcastHunters of Color with Lydia ParkerLydia Parker is the Executive Director of Hunters of Color, a non-profit dedicated to diversifying hunting, and an avid hunter, who along with co-founders Jimmy Flat and Thomas Tyner wants to spread the the joy of being People of Color outdoors through education, mentoring and advocacy. Parker talked to us about her work in starting the non-profit and about the importance of making the outdoors accessible and safe for everyone. Follow them on Instagram.
2022-02-1856 min
Beaver State PodcastSteelhead fly fishing history with John SheweyFly fishing for steelhead got its start in the Gold Rush days, according to author and fly fishing historian John Shewey, who walks us through the evolution from modified trout flies to today's modern steelhead flies.
2022-02-0742 min
Beaver State PodcastChristmas Bird CountsThe Christmas Bird Counts around Oregon will begin soon, so we sat down with Oregon Birding Association president Sarah Swanson, who is also the author of "Must-See Birds of the Pacific Northwest," to talk about opportunities to participate in long-running community science projects like the Christmas Bird Counts. To find a Christmas Bird Count near you, please visit the Oregon Birding Association's website.
2021-12-1735 min
Beaver State PodcastSturgeonGenerations of families saw Herman the sturgeon at the State Fairgrounds every year until the big fish retired to a tank at Bonneville Hatchery, where it remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. We explore Oregon's sturgeon, their biology, range and management with ODFW Columbia River Project Manager Tucker Jones.
2021-12-1050 min
Beaver State PodcastThe Minam AcquisitionODFW along with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Manulife Investment Management's timberland business (formerly Hancock Natural Resource Group) completed phase one of the Minam River Wildlife Area project adding more than 4,600 acres of public land to the state's wildlife area system. We talk to ODFW's East Region Manager Nick Myatt and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's Senior Conservation Program Manager Bill Richardson about how this project came together and what it will mean for wildlife.
2021-12-0347 min
Beaver State PodcastHow do you get to be a record bull elk in Oregon?Mark Penninger has been measuring animals for the record books for many years. But a set of elk antlers found by a crew of cone collectors for tree propagation and turned into ODFW, was a true jaw dropper for Penninger, who talks about how he measured the antlers for Northwest Big Game Records Inc. and how they rank as the second-largest typical Rocky Mountain elk antlers ever recorded in the state. Want to learn about how exactly antlers are measured for the record books? This episode is for you.
2021-11-2348 min
Beaver State PodcastCoastal elkODFW's North Coast District Wildlife Biologist Paul Atwood covers the basics of Oregon's coastal Roosevelt elk. They're quite a bit different than their Cascade relatives, and hunting them in the rugged, wet Oregon Coast Range is a very different kind of adventure.
2021-11-1936 min
Beaver State PodcastCascade elkThere are two main populations of Roosevelt elk in Oregon, the coastal Roosevelt and the Cascade Roosevelt. Cascade Roosevelt elk tend to act a little more like Rocky Mountain elk due to the landscapes they inhabit. ODFW's Big Game Manger Brian Wolfer talks about the biology, life history strategy and thoughts around hunting these Roosevelt elk in the Cascade Mountains.
2021-11-1946 min
Beaver State PodcastRocky Mountain elkODFW's Brian Ratliff hunts Rocky Mountain Elk mainly with archery equipment but also with a rifle often while exploring Eastern Oregon by horseback. He's also been the District Wildlife Biologist for Baker for more than a decade, which gives him a lot knowledge about some of Oregon's most iconic ungulates. Part two of our three-part series on Oregon's elk focuses on hunting Rocky Mountain elk on the east side of the state from sage brush steppe to the alpine regions and everything in between.
2021-11-1248 min
Beaver State PodcastThe science of elkDeWaine Jackson has researched a lot of Oregon's wildlife over the course of his career with ODFW. It's a different role than that of a district wildlife biologist, but the information he provides helps everyone understand the complex population dynamics so that they can make decisions that will help protect and preserve wildlife. Elk might be the most charismatic megafauna in the state, and Jackson's research is now using new techniques and technology to study fecal DNA to answer important questions about elk populations.
2021-11-0557 min
Beaver State PodcastLampreyWhile lamprey, with their eel-like bodies and suction cup mouths full of sharp teeth and vampire-like feeding habits might seem scary, they're actually not dangerous to humans at all. In fact, they're a very important part of the ecosystems they live in. These anadromous fish provide marine-derived nutrients to the stream systems they migrate into, and the protein-dense nutrition they provided for Native Americans may have also provided a buffer for salmon populations. We explore these amazing, older-than-the-dinosaurs fish with ODFW's Statewide Lamprey Coordinator Ben Clemens.
2021-10-2938 min
Beaver State PodcastOregon is goose richOregon has six species of geese that reside or pass through the state each winter, making the state fairly goose rich. Whether you're a birder looking to get your eyes on more than 11 different subspecies or a hunter looking for opportunities, ODFW migratory bird coordinator Brandon Reishus explains goose biology, habitat preferences, migration differences and what makes parts of Oregon so good for the goose and the gander.
2021-10-151h 17
Beaver State PodcastWater Part 1 - The Clackamas WatershedOregon’s rivers, streams, and aquifers support a wide range of benefits for both humans and the environment—sources of water for drinking, agriculture, recreation, and essential habitat for fish and wildlife. A clean and reliable source of water is critical for meeting Oregonian’s basic needs and for supporting Oregon’s economy, but it all hangs under the shadow of climate change. In this episode, we talk to ODFW's Ben Walczak, Clackamas River Water Provider's Kim Swan and PGE's Nick Ackerman about a partnership to tackle the impacts of drought.
2021-10-081h 17
Beaver State PodcastSage GrouseSage grouse may be known for their elaborate courtship displays in the Sage Brush Sea of Western North America, but conserving the species has raised their profile to the national level as private land owners, public land managers and state and federal fish and wildlife agencies worked together in partnership to change the paradigm of a species in peril. In this episode, we talk to ODFW sage grouse conservation coordinator Skyler Vold and OSU Associate Professor Christian Hagen about the species' profile in Oregon. We cover their biology, conservation efforts and hunting these fascinatingly iconic birds.
2021-10-011h 03
Beaver State PodcastFreshwater MusselsMussel fatigue, it's a thing. In fact, our freshwater mussels are strained and in need of some attention. This week's Beaver State Podcast looks at Oregon's freshwater mussels through the lens of a large-scale habitat improvement project along Murderer's Creek in the John Day Basin. This creek happens to have very high mussel populations, so biologists are studying the impacts of the habitat improvements on the local mussel populations and trying to answer the question: What happens when you move a mussel?
2021-09-1847 min
Beaver State PodcastHunting black-tailed deer in OregonBlack-tailed deer are called Pacific ghosts for a reason. They can be amazingly elusive thanks to a highly developed sense of place. We talked to Douglas District Wildlife Biologist Tod Lum and Charleston District Wildlife Biologist Stuart Love about black-tailed deer biology, life history strategy and what it takes to pursue these amazing deer across some of the thickest, rain-saturated terrain in the Oregon Coast Range or high up in the heavily timbered Cascade Mountains.
2021-09-111h 07
Beaver State PodcastBand-tailed pigeonsBand-tailed pigeons nearly went the way of their now-extinct cousins, passenger pigeons. But these mountain-dwelling pigeons got a reprieve from market hunting through the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and have since recovered as a species. For this episode, we talked to ODFW migratory gamebird coordinator Brandon Reishus and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Flyway Representative Todd Sanders to learn more about the biology and life history strategy of these fascinating forest pigeons that are among the most fun and challenging of gamebirds to hunt.
2021-09-0448 minBeaver State PodcastThe OchocosThe Beaver State Podcast takes you on a road trip through the Ochoco Mountains with district wildlife biologist Greg Jackle to explore the region's habitat, wildlife and recreational opportunities.
2021-08-2750 min
Beaver State PodcastSierra Nevada Red Fox with Jaime BowlesWe spent some time with biologist Jamie Bowles talking about her research of Sierra Nevada Red Fox in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. Populations of Sierra Nevada Red Fox in California are declining, so the Oregon research may end up helping any recovery efforts as biologists look at the life history strategies of these unique, high-elevation foxes in different states.
2021-08-1835 min
Beaver State PodcastSafe and responsible wildlife viewingJon Nelson and Alicia Wolfe use Instagram to communicate about Oregon's unique wildlife. As biologists and communicators, they translate the critters and the places they explore through the lenses of cameras and trail cameras to bring them to life while making sure they're protected and undisturbed. We talked to them about how to watch wildlife and explore Oregon's amazing places without leaving an impact or stressing out our amazing wild animals.
2021-07-3151 min
Beaver State PodcastWildlife rehab with ThinkWild's Pauline BakerPauline Baker, director of rehab at Central Oregon's ThinkWild, spends a lot of time talking to people on the phone, because many animals that people think they should take to rehab don't actually need it. But when they do need it, there are a few pathways to success that professional rehabbers like Baker can use to help increase the chances of a successful recovery and release back into the wild.
2021-07-2340 min
Beaver State PodcastHigh Lakes Trout StockingEvery two years, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff embark on a week-long process of hauling fingerling trout to ski resorts in the Cascade Mountains, where they have a date with a helicopter and a special Aerial Stocking Device and a sky dive into an alpine lake. Many of these fish spend the summer eating aquatic and terrestrial insects and growing larger, until they grow to legal size the next year. ODFW's Recreational Fishing Managers, Mike Gauvin tells us this reseeding the high lakes effort is popular with anglers seeking the solitude and beauty of fishing these remote...
2021-07-1724 min
Beaver State PodcastMythbusting the ODFW budgetNo, your hunting and fishing license fees do not go to the general fund. We're mythbusting the ODFW budget in this episode of the Beaver State Podcast with ODFW director Curt Melcher and Deputy Director Erica Kleiner. We tackle questions about ODFW's fancy, new-ish headquarters in Salem, which actually saves the agency money, the new Electronic Licensing System, which also saves money, where your license and tag money goes, how the budget gets approved and how you can get involved in that process. Rated slightly nerdy
2021-07-0946 min
Beaver State PodcastVegan to hunter with Carla BrauerWhen animal rights activist and practicing vegan Carla Brauer decided to look more deeply into animal agriculture to be more informed about it, it led down a rabbit hole and eventually to a chicken egg, which was the start of her journey towards hunting, taxidermy and small-scale farming. Brauer is now the Regional Director for Back Country Hunters and Anglers, a hunter education instructor for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the owner of Dermestidarium Skull Cleaning, a service that utilizes beetles to strip the meat off of bones. We talk LGBTQ representation in hunting, the many pathways...
2021-06-301h 04
Beaver State PodcastSo, you want to be a wildlife veterinarianThe job of wildlife veterinarian at state fish and wildlife agencies is only a couple of decades old, but it relies on skills picked up over years of working with many types of animals. From monitoring a nasty pneumonia in bighorn sheep to tracking a hemorrhagic disease in rabbits, Dr. Julia Burco is part disease detective, part infectious disease expert and part field/lab veterinarian. In this episode we explore her pathway to this job and talk about ongoing wildlife disease issues in the state and even finding love in in the midst of a busy career. Ra...
2021-06-2552 min
Beaver State PodcastBetter Ballistics with Nosler's Zach WatermanThe moose that was the impetus behind the formation of Oregon's own Nosler Inc. still hangs on the wall overlooking the production floor some 73 years after its famously tough hide led to a renaissance in hunting ammunition and the formation of Nosler. We talk to Nosler's Zach Waterman about the company's history, ammunition jargon and what new hunters need to understand about ballistics in this episode. Rated lightly nerdy
2021-06-1853 min
Beaver State PodcastCrabs and Crabbing with Mitch VanceThe Dungeness crab reigns supreme in Oregon, often the most desired fare for holiday meals. But there are many types of crabs in bays, estuaries and along Oregon's 300-mile coastline. We talk to ODFW shellfish project leader Mitch Vance about crab biology, habitat and just why they're so fun to go catch in this week's Beaver State Podcast.
2021-06-1144 min
Beaver State PodcastSooty Grouse Hooting SurveysSooty grouse are popular gamebirds in Oregon, but they're cryptic and tough to keep track of unless it's mating season and the male grouse are hooting. Starting in spring, biologists from all over western Oregon head up into the mountains driving forest service roads or logging roads to listen for hooting grouse. A recent partnership between Oregon State University and ODFW seeks to improve how we collect data about sooty grouse by utilizing acoustic audio recorders to better track when grouse are and are not hooting. Rated moderately nerdy
2021-06-041h 24
Beaver State PodcastKlamath Lake Redband TroutKlamath Lake redband trout are unlike any other trout. They are climate change masters that have survived glaciers and thrived in conditions that other trout could not survive in. They are unique in the world of trout and one of the most fascinating species in Oregon. We talked to ODFW Assistant District Fish Biologist Bill Tinniswood, PhD student Jordan Ortega and his adviser Jonny Armstrong about these amazing fish and the research their doing to help us learn more about what makes them so good at adapting changing conditions. Rated Moderately Nerdy
2021-05-281h 23
Beaver State PodcastFire, Fish and StreamsAfter a devastating 2020 fire season that saw the destruction of more than one million acres of land in Western Oregon alone, We explore the impacts of wildfire on fish and streams with Jason Dunham, an aquatic ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in this episode of the Beaver State Podcast. Rated Slightly Nerdy
2021-05-2135 min
Beaver State PodcastAll AntlersAntlers tell stories. They tell us about the animal whose heads they adorn. They tell us about the habitat the animal lives in. They tell stories about genetics. And of course, they are also the base of legend and myth. In this episode of the Beaver State Podcast, it's all antler talk with ODFW Wildlife Chief Doug Cottom and acting Game Program Manager Brian Wolfer. Rated Slightly Nerdy
2021-05-141h 03
Beaver State PodcastSo, you want to be a fish biologistLaura Green's path to assistant district fish biologist for Oregon's South Coast doesn't look the same as that of other fish biologists, but she likes it that way. There are many types of jobs out there for fish biologists. Laura's just happens to involve all the fish in a particular area, and that area is Oregon's Wild Rivers Coast. It's an amazing place with some of the most picturesque rivers in the state and some incredible fishing opportunities. Rated Slightly Nerdy
2021-05-0731 min
Beaver State PodcastAfter Football with Thomas TynerThomas Tyner is one of the few to play elite football at Oregon's two most high-profile college programs, spending three years with the Oregon Ducks before medically retiring and then coming back for a final season with the Oregon State Beavers. A powerful running back, he was highly recruited out of Aloha high school but found college football to be a busy, noisy world, so he would often retreat to the nearby lakes and hiking trails to clear his head. After football, hunting, fishing and wildlife photography became his enduring passions, and now he's hoping to bring more people...
2021-05-0151 min
Beaver State PodcastSalmon and Trout Enhancement Program biologist Antonio SalgadoAntonio Salgado was born in Texas but grew up in a landlocked state in Mexico. So how did he become a fish biologist working with kids and adults to increase the understanding of salmon and steelhead life cycles in Oregon? We sat down with Antonio to learn more about the life of a Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program biologist, or STEP bio for short. Rated slightly nerdy
2021-04-2345 min
Beaver State PodcastChukarAttempts to introduce these Central Asian partridges to Oregon began more than 100 years ago. But they finally took in the 1950s and 60s. Now chukar are one of the more popular gamebirds in the state as hunters chase these them over some of the roughest, most spectacular terrain the state has to offer. We talk chukar biology with ODFW upland gamebird biologist Mikal Cline and hunting them with avid chukar hunter Carla Gibson. Rated lightly nerdy
2021-04-1659 min
Beaver State PodcastPlaying the controlled hunt odds with Ron WoldRon Wold has been putting in for controlled hunt tags since the beginning. And when he didn't draw, he started exploring the process in-depth looking for a better way to apply each year. He learned that he could make math-based predictions (not guarantees) with the information ODFW puts out each year after hunting seasons end and started a website to help other hunters better understand the process. We talked to Ron about why he started the project and how others can benefit from his work. Rated moderately nerdy
2021-04-0851 min
Beaver State PodcastOregon's Pinnipeds with Susan RiemerThere are four species of seals and sea lions found in Oregon waters. By far the most common encounter most people have is with California sea lions, which can be found hauled out in places like Newport and the Sea Lion Caves near Florence. But harbor seals are also commonly spotted along jetties and basking on sand rocks or along sandy spits. But Oregon also has Steller sea lions and even some Northern elephant seals. This time of year it's possible to spot seal pups left on the beaches while mom hunts for food. This week's podcast features ODFW...
2021-04-0237 min
Beaver State PodcastODFW Premium HuntsAmanda Hubler often hunts Oregon's south coast for big elk. In 2020, she won an ODFW Premium Hunt tag and ended up with her largest bull elk yet. Premium Hunts were established during the 2016 big game hunting seasons to provide an alternative to typical highest-bid auction tags. Anyone can buy one application per tag series, and everyone has an equal chance of winning the tag. We walk through Amanda's hunt experience to learn more about hunting with a Premium Hunt tag. Rated not nerdy
2021-03-2524 min
Beaver State PodcastFish Passage and ScreeningSometimes natural disasters can block fish like salmon, steelhead and lamprey and keep them from getting upstream to spawn. But human development has lopped off thousands of miles of good spawning and rearing habitat over time. In this episode, we talk to ODFW biologists Greg Apke and Kenny Loffink, both of whom have worked in ODFW's Fish Passage and Fish Screening programs, about those programs and how they've worked with public advisors to solve some of the biggest problems that keep fish from reaching the best habitat. Rated slightly nerdy
2021-03-111h 10
Beaver State PodcastPeople of Color Outdoors with Pamela SlaughterPamela Slaughter was born and raised in Oregon. But her access to all of Oregon's beautiful natural resources has been limited by the color of her skin, the lack of representation of people of color in the outdoors and fear. As a result of this, she founded People of Color Outdoors, an organization geared towards empowering communities of color to redefine their relationship with the outdoors through multi-generation group outings and education events.
2021-02-2541 min
Beaver State PodcastAfrovivalist with Sharon RossSharon Ross started Afrovivalist to provide communities of color in Oregon with vital outdoor survival skills based on what she learned from a childhood spent hunting and fishing in rural Southwest Oregon, lessons from her military father and a lifetime of watching people suffer during natural disasters due to lack of preparedness. Today she takes people through specially designed experiences to provide them with the tools they need to be better prepared whether recreating outside or facing a devastating winter storm.
2021-02-2541 min
Beaver State PodcastForecasting SalmonSalmon forecasts are notoriously tricky both for the folks who make them and for the folks who depend on them. Forecasting salmon is all data, math and models, a dance of ever-changing variables and changing technology. ODFW Fish Division Deputy Administrator Chris Kern explains the who, when, where, what and why of salmon forecasting.
2021-02-111h 10
Beaver State PodcastPoachingPoaching isn't limited to game animals, the illegal taking of wildlife and other natural resources impacts all Oregonians. Oregon State Police Sergeant Erich Timko of John Day and Senior Trooper Marshall Maher of Oakridge, along with ODFW's Stop Poaching Campaign Coordinator Yvonne Shaw, join us for a wide-ranging conversation about poaching, enforcement efforts, new technology to combat poaching and about how all Oregonians can play a role in the fight to reduce poaching.
2021-01-281h 18
Beaver State PodcastAbout UsThis is a listener's guide to the Beaver State Podcast. If you're a podcast pro, go ahead and skip ahead. If you don't listen to podcasts very often and you want to know what this podcast is about, how it came to be and why you might be interested, this short episode will explain it all to you through an interview with hosts Tim Akimoff and Nicole Stuttgen.
2020-02-2821 min
Beaver State PodcastHistory of Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeIn this episode, we introduce the host of The Beaver State Podcast, Tim Akimoff, and talk to ODFW Director Curt Melcher about the history of the agency, his own family's deep history in the state and where the agency is after his five years as the director. It's also the 161st birthday of Oregon.
2020-02-1424 min
After WaterAfter Water: An interview with author Tim Akimoff"Water Men" by Tim Akimoff is the story of a political struggle over water in the Great Lakes region. A father tells his child about how the Great Lakes have shaped their family for generations before the world they know is changed forever.
Hear author Tim Akimoff talk about how he thinks fiction can be a tool for understanding the news and why a Great Lakes secession movement might not be as crazy as it sounds.
(Photo courtesy of Tim Akimoff)
2014-08-0110 min
After WaterAfter Water Fiction: Water MenWhat happens 100 years from now when, if climate change has brought us to a point where water has become one of our scarcest resources, and more precious than oil or gold? We've asked fiction writers to imagine the Great Lakes region a century or more on, and help us paint an audio portrait of that world.
"Water Men" by Tim Akimoff is the story of a political struggle over water in the Great Lakes region. A father tells his child of the generations that have come before them before the world they know is changed forever.
2014-07-3013 min
Chicago Newsroom[BLOCKED] Chicago Newsroom 04/03/14Ken Davis is joined by Charlie Meyerson, Rivet Radio, Jon Hansen, DNAInfoRadio and Tim Akimoff, Chicago Public Media. They discuss the affect of mobile platforms on terrestrial radio news.
This program was produced by Chicago Access Network TV.
2014-04-0328 min
Truth as I see itHow Death Is DoneThis is the final episode of the second season of the "Truth as I see it" podcast. And what's more final than death, right? In this episode, I explore death through a conversation with my then 3-year-old son Cole. That conversation still has ramifications today. Proving that there is no such thing as a small conversation. This is not an attempt to answer what happens after we die. It's an attempt to ask why that matters.
2013-09-1510 minTim AkimoffHow Death Is DoneThis is the final episode of the second season of the "Truth as I see it" podcast. And what's more final than death, right? In this episode, I explore death through a conversation with my then 3-year-old son Cole. That conversation still has ramifications today. Proving that there is no such thing as a small conversation. This is not an attempt to answer what happens after we die. It's an attempt to ask why that matters.
2013-09-1510 min
Truth as I see itThe Last Bad TripWhen you suffer from panic attacks, smoking weed is never a good idea. This is the story of a fishing trip gone terribly wrong. A 45-minute ambulance ride from a remote lake in the Cascade Mountains and a chance to talk about something most Americans are reticent to ever discuss - our mental health. So here it is, another look into the darker parts of my existence.
2013-09-0813 minTim AkimoffThe Last Bad TripWhen you suffer from panic attacks, smoking weed is never a good idea. This is the story of a fishing trip gone terribly wrong. A 45-minute ambulance ride from a remote lake in the Cascade Mountains and a chance to talk about something most Americans are reticent to ever discuss - our mental health. So here it is, another look into the darker parts of my existence.
2013-09-0813 min
2013-09-0211 min2013-09-0211 min
Tim Akimoff"I wondered what it would be like to date a fat guy"I was a fat kid. Or maybe chubby kid is more polite. The world of dating terrified me, and for good reason. I was lucky enough to find my one and only early on. The few adventures in dating that I did have were not my finest moments. This is one of them. Music: "Cupid's Revenge" by Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com.
2013-08-2509 minTruth as I see it"I wondered what it would be like to date a fat guy"I was a fat kid. Or maybe chubby kid is more polite. The world of dating terrified me, and for good reason. I was lucky enough to find my one and only early on. The few adventures in dating that I did have were not my finest moments. This is one of them. Music: "Cupid's Revenge" by Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com.
2013-08-2509 min
Truth as I see itMexicaliMexicali has long been the place for North American youth groups to focus their attention when it comes to doing "foreign" mission trips. It's conveniently close, for one thing, and it's a hub for the desperate and destitute looking for a better life just across the chain-link fence in Calexico. Mexicali has changed a lot in recent years. It's a big, bustling border town now. But 20 years ago, it was a different place entirely, and it had a big impact on me. (Image by Tommy Huynh - Flickr)
2013-08-1810 minTim AkimoffMexicaliMexicali has long been the place for North American youth groups to focus their attention when it comes to doing "foreign" mission trips. It's conveniently close, for one thing, and it's a hub for the desperate and destitute looking for a better life just across the chain-link fence in Calexico. Mexicali has changed a lot in recent years. It's a big, bustling border town now. But 20 years ago, it was a different place entirely, and it had a big impact on me. (Image by Tommy Huynh - Flickr)
2013-08-1810 min
Truth as I see itThe Witch DoctorI once saw a witch doctor for some help with some back pain. It wasn't as bad an experience as people might make it out to be. Proof once again that not all juju beads and shrunken heads are indications of dark magic. Sometimes a person just really knows which herbs will make you feel better.
2013-08-1314 minTim AkimoffThe Witch DoctorI once saw a witch doctor for some help with some back pain. It wasn't as bad an experience as people might make it out to be. Proof once again that not all juju beads and shrunken heads are indications of dark magic. Sometimes a person just really knows which herbs will make you feel better.
2013-08-1314 min
Truth as I see itKidnapped Missionary Survival TrainingIt was like Fight Club. Participants are not supposed to talk about it. So I call it kidnapped missionary survival training. It was a weeklong test of our survival skills, and I was 13 and trying to figure out my place in the world. I faced some serious monsters on this particular camping trip, the biggest one being myself.
2013-08-0414 minTim AkimoffKidnapped Missionary Survival TrainingIt was like Fight Club. Participants are not supposed to talk about it. So I call it kidnapped missionary survival training. It was a weeklong test of our survival skills, and I was 13 and trying to figure out my place in the world. I faced some serious monsters on this particular camping trip, the biggest one being myself.
2013-08-0414 min
Tim AkimoffThe RoyalContrary to popular opinion, there are moments when you can restart your life. Not your physical being, but the things that surround that which we call life. I had a pretty significant relaunch when Princess Diana died, because it coincided with a pretty horrific accident that required four surgeries to fix. Now as Diana's legacy continues in the life of little prince George, I reflect back on the days after the death of Princess Di.
2013-07-2811 minTruth as I see itThe RoyalContrary to popular opinion, there are moments when you can restart your life. Not your physical being, but the things that surround that which we call life. I had a pretty significant relaunch when Princess Diana died, because it coincided with a pretty horrific accident that required four surgeries to fix. Now as Diana's legacy continues in the life of little prince George, I reflect back on the days after the death of Princess Di.
2013-07-2811 min
Tim AkimoffThe Road HomeThere are many ways to go home. Many roads to drive. But at the end of every journey, the road home is always the same.
2013-06-2708 minTruth as I see itThe Road HomeThere are many ways to go home. Many roads to drive. But at the end of every journey, the road home is always the same.
2013-06-2708 min
Tim AkimoffElk CampFor Father's Day, I wanted to tell something about how dads, in this case, my father-in-law, can push you to do something that may not make sense at the time, but when you think back to it later in life, you find you're very thankful they did.
2013-06-1526 minTruth as I see itElk CampFor Father's Day, I wanted to tell something about how dads, in this case, my father-in-law, can push you to do something that may not make sense at the time, but when you think back to it later in life, you find you're very thankful they did.
2013-06-1526 min