S3E1: 3.1 – Range Riding with CPW’s Max Morton

To kick off the first episode of Season 3, host John Livingston sits down with CPW Wildlife Damage Specialist Max Morton, who assisted the agency in standing up the range rider program in 2025.Range riders are eyes and ears on the landscape, collecting important information for livestock producers, wildlife managers, and biologists alike. In addition to providing human presence that can deter wolf conflict, riders collect data that allows CPW and CDA to determine best approaches for addressing conflict through adaptive, coordinated plans.CPW hired 11 range riders to assist in efforts to minimize wolf depredation of livestock on range in 2025. CPW opened the application process to as many as 24 range riders for the 2026 season.Morton, who discusses his past experience as a range rider in Arizona and New Mexico, details what range riding is, how it is most effective and why it was important for CPW to implement the program.