Episode 13 - Fair Chase Leadership: Mary Webster on Conservation, Policy, and Hunting’s Future

From duck blinds to boardrooms, a lifelong hunter shapes the future of conservation. Mary Webster’s path into hunting and conservation started the way it does for many upland and waterfowl hunters, in a family rooted in the outdoors. Growing up in Minnesota around bird hunting, duck camps, and working dogs, she developed an early appreciation for wildlife that would eventually evolve into a career at the intersection of conservation policy, environmental law, and sustainable resource use. That foundation carried west, where time spent hiking, fishing, and studying wildlife in Colorado sharpened her understanding of how landscapes, wildlife biology, and human use all collide. Her work as an environmental attorney and oil and gas commissioner brought real-world experience in balancing development, habitat conservation, and long-term ecosystem health. Now serving as the first female president of the Boone and Crockett Club, Webster offers a clear-eyed perspective on the future of hunting. She breaks down the critical difference between conservation and preservation, explains why fair chase ethics remain central to modern hunting, and outlines how policy, science, and hunter education must work together to protect wildlife. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation policy, the North American Model, and how today’s hunters play a role in shaping the future of big game hunting, habitat management, and ethical outdoor traditions. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and conservation conversations.   Get more from Boone and Crockett Club: https://www.boone-crockett.org              Sign up for FREE newsletter: https://www.boone-crockett.org/user/login#