This truly touching episode of Wild Things & Wild Places brings listeners into the heart of the Muley Fanatic Foundation's Putting the U in Hunt program — a life-changing experience for youth facing life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

Hosts Joey Faigl and Janet Crofts sit down with longtime volunteers John Grossnickle and Jason Faigl, who share deeply personal stories from their years helping with these special hunts. From emotional first encounters to unforgettable moments in the field, this conversation highlights the compassion, teamwork, and purpose that drive everyone involved.

You'll hear how the program brings families together, creates lasting friendships, and shows what can happen when people unite for something bigger than themselves. It's a reminder that sometimes, a single hunt can change many lives.

Learn more about the Muley Fanatic Foundation and the Putting the U in Hunt program at www.muleyfanatic.org.

In this episode of the Wild Things & Wild Places podcast, hosts Joy Faigl, Janet Crofts, and Chris Steffen sit down with Kerry Schultz, Program Director of the Green River Valley Jackson Hole Land Trust.

Kerry breaks down the concept of conservation easements, which are legal agreements between private landowners and a qualified entity such as a land trust to permanently protect the land from development. She explains how these agreements play a vital role in conservation, particularly on private lands that are essential for wildlife habitats and migration corridors.

The conversation dives into examples of easements in Wyoming, the process and challenges of putting them in place, and the financial side of things, including funding sources and potential tax benefits for landowners. Kerry and the hosts also highlight how conservation easements not only safeguard landscapes but also provide lasting benefits to ecosystems and communities alike.

You won't believe how much time will pass just listening to this conversation on conservation easements — it's that engaging!

The episode wraps up with some personal hunting plans and a look ahead at upcoming Muley Fanatic Foundation events, tying together the importance of conservation with the culture and lifestyle of those who cherish the outdoors.

In this episode of Wild Things and Wild Places, Janet, Chris, and Joey from the Muley Fanatic Foundation recap their busy and impactful summer of 2025. The team took part in fawn captures in the Wyoming Range to support ongoing mule deer monitoring efforts, gathering critical data on population health. They also tackled invasive species and habitat restoration through Cheatgrass spraying near Rock Springs and Juniper removal south of town—both essential to preserving quality mule deer habitat.

Additional efforts included sagebrush mowing in Kemmer, Wyoming, where the goal was to improve forage conditions by promoting the growth of new, nutritious plants. The group also previewed the upcoming Porcupine Creek project, which will reduce conifer encroachment in Aspen stands through prescribed burns.

Janet shared updates on a vegetation study with the Monteith Shop, focusing on mule deer browsing habits in the Big Piney area by analyzing vegetation and fecal samples. The episode wraps up with a look ahead at future restoration work and newly allocated funding...reinforcing the Muley Fanatic Foundation's dedication to conservation and habitat health across Wyoming.