Episode 59 - Inside the Real Yellowstone debate shaping Western wildlife management

A groundbreaking new film exposes the real fight shaping America’s wild places—and every hunter should hear this. In this feature edition of The Sportsmen’s Voice, Fred Bird sits down with filmmaker and conservation advocate Tom Opre to break down The Real Yellowstone—a revealing new documentary that dives straight into the conflicts shaping modern wildlife management, ranching, predator recovery, and the future of hunting access across the American West. Tom unpacks the tension between rewilding movements, regenerative ranching, and the long-standing North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Listeners get an insider look at how producers, ranchers, and wildlife managers navigate issues like elk distribution, water resources, fair chase, and the booming presence of apex predators. Along the way, Tom explains how private land stewardship, rotational grazing, and habitat-first ranching practices are creating healthier grasslands that benefit both cattle and wildlife—from upland birds to pronghorn and other big game. The conversation also digs into the rise of American Prairie, bison restoration controversies, and the delicate balance between national food security, public access, and the cultural identity of rural communities. From grizzly bear conflicts to the economics of outfitting, shed hunting seasons, property taxes, and hunter opportunity, this episode pulls no punches. Whether you’re passionate about elk hunting, land management, big-picture conservation policy, or the future of hunting in the Lower 48, this conversation gives you the informed perspective most sportsmen never hear. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get the FREE Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices