Wildlife Politics in California: What’s Really Going On?

⏱️ Timestamps & Topics00:00 – 01:00 | 🎧 Intro & Sponsor Shoutout– Alpha Dog Nutrition promo– Podcast setup chaos and technical difficulties01:01 – 07:00 | 🐾 Mountain Lion Hazing: SB 818 Explained– What the bill would have allowed in El Dorado County– Use of hounds for non-lethal cougar hazing– How "adverse conditioning" works in practice07:01 – 13:00 | 🧑‍⚖️ Taylor & Wyatt’s Law and a Political Gutting– Tragic story of Taylor and Wyatt– Committee overrides bill author and guts the legislation– Replacement language adds ineffective, pre-existing measures13:01 – 17:00 | 💥 Broken Politics and Losing Trust– Disappointment from the family and advocates– Mounting frustration with lawmakers and advocacy groups– Calls for more honest collaboration17:01 – 24:00 | 🦁 What Works, What Doesn’t, and the Need for Dialogue– Friction with the Mountain Lion Foundation– Personal experiences of mountain lion threats in rural communities– The idea of "Hound Day" at the Capitol to educate legislators24:01 – 31:00 | 🧠 Changing Minds with Dogs & Science– Stories of skeptics converted after seeing hounds in action– The need to bridge emotional and political gaps with firsthand experiences31:01 – 40:00 | 🐻 Assembly Bill 1038 – Bear Hazing & Public Safety– Pursuit-only vs. take provisions– Bear population explosion and increased conflicts– Opposition to including a harvest clause40:01 – 48:00 | 🗳️ Legislative Challenges & Political Strategy– Committee vote breakdown– The bill fails narrowly, but is granted reconsideration– Strategy for 2025 and potential amendments48:01 – 55:00 | 🔁 Why Keep the Bear and Cougar Bills Separate– The importance of not combining efforts legislatively– Discussing cross-house strategies to gain traction55:01 – 1:02:00 | ❤️ Personal Reflections & Advocacy Fatigue– Lori’s 40 years with hounds– Her role as president of CHC since 2013– A call for younger leadership in the hound community1:02:01 – End | 📅 What’s Next & Hope for the Future– CHC banquet and continued lobbying– The changing political landscape and reasons for hope– Final thoughts and encouragement to stay engaged🔗 Links & ResourcesLearn more about California Houndsmen for Conservation (CHC)Use code alphadog15 at dusupply.com for 15% off Alpha Dog Nutrition products We would like to thank those who support this podcast.  Special thanks to Double U Hunting Supply for sponsoring this episode.  www.dusupply.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@DoubleUHuntingSupply/podcasts