73.3K
Downloads
49
Episodes
Hunting ain't easy, but we love the challenge, the opportunity and the wild places it brings us. Hosted by California hunter Mike Costello, the podcasts digs into California hunting topics with specific focus on public land deer and bear hunting. We believe that habitat improvement, herd management and predator management are topics that need more attention. Look forward to guests who will shed light on what we can do as hunters and conservationists, to put more animals in the woods. Mike is an "adult onset hunter" and the score card going into 2021 seasons is: Deer 0, Bear 1. We're going to follow Mike's misadventures, scouting tactics and success. "Big buck down" is coming in '21!
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
This conversation is in regards to the 6/19 Commission meeting. Join the meeting via ZOOM if you can... hunters' voices are NEEDED in this forum.
Short notice but dig in and listen if you can. The Commission is proposing "Emergency Regulations" in response to 2 detections of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) in CA.
I want the Commission and Dept. to treat other known and pre-existing "existential threats" to deer herd success with equal response. Where is the concern for deer herds being decimated by unmanaged apex predators statewide?
And IF this is a crisis... why are we only focusing on the few zones where we know CWD exists? What about the rest of the state?
Finally, the Dept is proposing "mandatory testing" without any indication of penalty for non-compliance and without significant resources in place to support the hunter sample turn-ins. The dept is not ready to execute a good plan, and the Commission should be taking a higher level view of overall deer herd health, success and start implementing policy across the entire ecosystem.
Commission Meeting Agenda for 6/19 w/Zoom link
Complete set of Meeting Documents
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
This is an opportunity to proactively influence a management plan document that will impact bear hunting and ecosystem management for the next 10+ years! The Calif. Dept of Fish & Wildlife has provided a (draft) 2024 Black Bear Conservation Plan for public review and input.
Here at HOWL we have developed no less than 78 comments, questions and recommendations for this plan.
In this episode of @huntingainteasy I break down the core issues related to the Black Bear Conservation Plan and call upon you for fast-action to add your voice, add your HOWL so that the CDFW knows how passionate our community is about Black Bear Conservation and the use of hunting as tool which benefits bears, ungulates and humans!
Listen. Share. Take ACTION at www.howlforwildlife.org starting Wednesday 6/12!
Resources and links:
CDFW Black Bear Conservation Plan
**
#california #bearhunting #blackbear #conservation #predatorhunting #predatormanagement #bearconservation #wildlifemanagement #deerhunting #elkhunting #muledeer #blacktaildeer #bear
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Nearly 150 MILLION Americans live within 2 hours of an ocean... so the concept of "hunting the coastal waters" is something that we all need to be aware of and support. Just like hunting, angling opportunity is part of the basic human experience, and as a community we need to be concerned about habitat quality, access and opportunity.
Nearly 1200 pages of petitions have recently been submitted to the Calif. F&G Commission, most of them attempting to severely limit your opportunity to "hunt coastal waters" in California. Just like protecting the mtn lion hunt in Colorado, we need to become informed, and rally to support angling opportunity when it is arbitrarily threatened.
Please listen in follow the below links and and help us take action... **We need to stop these MPA expansions and closures in order to maintain angling access and opportunity in our coastal waters**
- Email the Calif. F&G Commission: fgc@fgc.ca.gov
- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif. - Action Item
- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif - IG
- HOWL for Wildlife - Action Center
#marine #angling #spearfishing #california #fishing #offshorefishing #surfing #sportfishing #surffishing #hunting #advocacy #backcountryhunters #bha #allwaters #howlforwildlife
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Nearly 150 MILLION Americans live within 2 hours of an ocean... so the concept of "hunting the coastal waters" is something that we all need to be aware of and support. Just like hunting, angling opportunity is part of the basic human experience, and as a community we need to be concerned about habitat quality, access and opportunity.
Nearly 1200 pages of petitions have recently been submitted to the Calif. F&G Commission, most of them attempting to severely limit your opportunity to "hunt coastal waters" in California. Just like protecting the mtn lion hunt in Colorado, we need to become informed, and rally to support angling opportunity when it is arbitrarily threatened.
Please listen in follow the below links and and help us take action... **We need to stop these MPA expansions and closures in order to maintain angling access and opportunity in our coastal waters**
- Email the Calif. F&G Commission: fgc@fgc.ca.gov
- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif. - Action Item
- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Calif - IG
- HOWL for Wildlife - Action Center
#marine #angling #spearfishing #california #fishing #offshorefishing #surfing #sportfishing #surffishing #hunting #advocacy #backcountryhunters #bha #allwaters
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
"The steal our tag funds and squander them away on BS that does nothing for wildlife!!!!"
This is THE rant we hear too often... but is it true? Listen in on this episode where Mike talks with the #1 expert on big game hunting regulatory process and topics in Calif. He's a hunter and has been working as a lobbyist to represent hunters and conservation groups in Calif. for many years. Listen in and tell me what you think.
ALSO: coming up in 2024 and 2025... expect new bear and deer mgmt plans. These are going to be EPIC projects that will certainly spur some big debate, but should advance wildlife management AND balance opportunity with sustainable populations of the critters we love.
Resources:
Hunting Ain't Easy - like, follow & share!
HOWL for Wildlife - join, take action and win for hunting and wildlife conservation!
CDFW - SHARE program
California Fish & Game Commission Calendar - get involved!
Cabins in the woods... "2 Dog Lodge" and "Camp Leland"
#california #wildlife #conservation #hunting #deerhunting #bearhunting #citizenadvocacy #blackbear #muledeer #elkhunting #blacktaildeer #californiahunting #howl #howlforwildlife
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Habitat matters.
Nothing else matters about wildlife populations and management if the underlying habitat isn't robust and healthy. On the bet that enhancing and restoring the forest and riparian areas of a chunk of burned land can add value and improve things for mule deer and other critters, I just bought myself a habitat project!
Listen in and follow along... as this multi-year project is just getting started!
"Plumas Headwaters Retreat" on IG
Camp Leland - Tiny Cabin for Big Adventures @ 6300'
2 Dog Lodge - Camp Connell @ 5000'
#conservation #habitat #dixiefire #timberstandimprovement #riparianhabitat #fireremediation #muledeer
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
The attacks from a global anti-hunting (anti-human) industry are ever present. They have incrementally shifted minds and hearts by defining words while our community was not looking. Now we must enter the arena, fight to share our stories, values and the success of hunting as a sustainable tool for wildlife success and conservation.
In this episode:
- Winning the minds of non-hunters
- Don't call them animal rights activists
- Consumptive and non-consumptive users have the same goals.
How to engage and participate as a hunter-advocate - go to HOWL for Wildlife
Looking for an amazing cabin to explore, relax and have fun in the Sierra Nevada... check out "2 Dog Lodge" and "Camp Leland".
Want to support hunting rights in Colorado in 2024... donate to Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Mgmt.
#trophyhunting #hunting #conservation #colorado #deerhunting #bearhunting #mountainlion #animalrights #wildlife #howlforwildlife
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
The team over at Vantage Point Archery reached out to talk shop and we went down all the rabbit holes. Listen along as we discuss the importance of advocacy, HOWL for Wildlife, archery and of course their lineup of premium American made broadheads. Are you a hand-gunner? You'll want to learn about the new compensator from Vantage Point Armory!!
Click through, comment, follow and engage!
Vantage Point Archery - online
HOWL for Wildlife - your fast & effective hunter advocacy portal
Camp Leland - D6 Zone Adventure Cabin
2 Dog Lodge - Camp Connell, D5 Zone
Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Mgmt
#archery #vantagepoint #americanmade #hunting #bowhunting #howlforwildlife #conservation #deerhunting #bearhunting #muledeer #2A #handgun #broadheads
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Calif. end of season mule deer hunting... chasing the buck after a cold and snowy fall storm, hoping to catch them on the way towards their migration routes. I talk about some of my winter gear setup, the mental break that I had and subsequent "quit" on the hunt. Some thoughts about staying in the game instead of giving myself an "out" from the grind of wind, snow and cold.
Let me know your thoughts @ Instagram "HuntingAintEasy"
#muledeer #californiahunting #backcountryhunting #nationalforest #deerhunting #muledeercountry #muledeerhunting #publiclandhunting
***
Camp Leland – Tiny Cabin for Big Adventure, surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest at 6300’ elevation this cabin in the woods is your perfect outpost for D6 zone hunting, scouting, hiking, fishing adventure and relaxation. Sleeps 2 to 4, plus offers garage access for vehicles, trailers and toys.
Howl For Wildlife – wildlife and conservation success are deeply intertwined with hunter rights and opportunities. As a community we must advocate for our interests. HOWL together to send messages supporting hunting and balanced wildlife management to the right stakeholders so that we can protect the lifestyle and the wildlife that we love to see on the landscape.
2 Dog Lodge – Camp Connell @ 5000’ – Our cabin in the woods off HWY 4 is the best family-friendly and dog-functional cabin you’ll find. With sleeping arrangements for up to 8 guests (including the sofa bed), easy access, year-round plow service and a fenced yard this cabin in the woods is relaxing, fun and located close to 4-seasons full of mountain adventures.