Nevada Wild Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

What We Learned at the 2026 Nevada Mule Deer Summit Sep 11, 2026

What’s driving mule deer populations in Nevada and across the West?

In this episode of Nevada Wild, hosts Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW Mule Deer Staff Specialist Cody Schroeder to break down some of the biggest takeaways from the 2026 Nevada Mule Deer Summit.

They discuss the role habitat, weather, nutrition, migration, predators, development, and competition with other animals can play in mule deer populations, along with some of the latest research being conducted across the West. Cody also shares what Nevada can learn from long-term mule deer monitoring efforts in other states and why quality summer habitat may be even more important than many people realize.

The full presentations and panel discussions from the Nevada Mule Deer Summit are available on NDOW’s YouTube channel, giving anyone the opportunity to dig deeper into the science and topics discussed during the event.

Have a question after watching the presentations? Send us your questions or comments at bsjones@ndow.org or akeller@ndow.org. We’ll be answering questions and diving deeper into some of these topics in a future episode of Nevada Wild.

One More Story: A Farewell to NDOW’s Game Division Administrator Shawn Espinosa Sep 04, 2026

In the final installment of our “One More Story” retirement series, Shawn Espinosa reflects on a career that began as a seasonal conservation aide in 1993 and ultimately led him to serve as administrator of NDOW’s Game Division.

Along the way, Shawn worked as a game warden, moved into wildlife management and took on leadership roles that helped shape wildlife conservation across Nevada.

Hear Shawn look back on the experiences, people and stories that defined more than three decades with NDOW.

Congratulations on an incredible career, Shawn — and thank you for sharing one more story with us. 🎉

One More Story: A Farewell to NDOW's Bighorn Sheep Specialist Mike Cox Aug 28, 2026

After decades dedicated to Nevada’s wildlife, longtime Nevada Department of Wildlife biologist Mike Cox is closing out an incredible career.

In this episode of Nevada Wild, hosts Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with Mike to look back on his years with NDOW, the changes he’s witnessed in wildlife management and some of the people, places and experiences that made his career memorable.

From a lifetime spent working for Nevada’s wildlife to the stories collected along the way, Mike reflects on the career he’s built and what comes next as he heads into retirement.

Listen now and help us celebrate Mike Cox and his many years of service to Nevada’s wildlife and wild places.

One More Story: A Farewell to NDOW’s Mike Scott Aug 21, 2026

Nearly 40 years at NDOW comes with a lot of stories.

Before Mike Scott officially retired, Nevada Wild hosts Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sat down with him to look back on a career that began in 1986 as a seasonal conservation aide and eventually led him to serve as NDOW’s Deputy Director.

From the people he worked alongside to the changes he witnessed over nearly four decades, Mike shares some of the moments, memories and lessons that defined his career.

🎙️ One More Story: A Farewell to Mike Scott

Listen to the full conversation on the Nevada Wild Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

One More Story: A Farewell to Longtime NDOW Biologist Carl Lackey Aug 14, 2026

After 33 years of service to Nevada's wildlife, Carl Lackey has officially retired from the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

In the weeks leading up to his retirement, Nevada Wild hosts Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sat down with Carl to look back on an incredible career that began in 1993. Carl shares stories from more than three decades in wildlife conservation, including his work with Nevada's black bears and the creation of NDOW's Karelian Bear Dog program in 2001.

Join us as we celebrate Carl's career, hear some of the stories behind his 33 years with NDOW, and wish him well in retirement.

One More Story: A Farewell to Carl Lackey

Nevada Big Game Applications: Strategy, Bonus Points and Hunt Choices May 10, 2026

Still working on your Nevada big game applications? This week on Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with Data and Technology Services Administrator Matt Maples to talk all things big game draw strategy ahead of the May 13 application deadline.

The crew breaks down how Nevada’s draw system works, common mistakes hunters make when selecting hunt choices, why bonus points matter and how hunters can improve their odds by taking advantage of opportunity hunts and all five hunt choices.

Matt also shares insight into how the application process works behind the scenes, what hunters should be paying attention to before the deadline, and why getting your application submitted early can save a lot of stress later on.

Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a seasoned hunter looking to fine tune your strategy, this episode is packed with useful tips before Wednesday’s 11 p.m. PST deadline.

Apply for tags at ndowlicensing.com or call 855-542-6369 for assistance.

Junior Hunter Tips for Nevada’s Big Game Draw May 08, 2026

This week on Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW Conservation Educator Logan Klonicke to talk all things junior big game hunting in Nevada. From Nevada’s strong junior hunter opportunities to application strategies and changes coming to the 2026 season, this episode is packed with helpful information for young hunters and their families.

The crew also covers open hunter education classes, tips for navigating the draw process, and what junior hunters should know before applying.

If you know a junior hunter, or you’re a parent looking to get your kid into the outdoors, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

The Nevada Big Game Draw application deadline is May 13 at 11 p.m.

Apply today at ndowlicensing.com.

Nevada Mule Deer and Antelope Hot Spots - Cody Schroeder May 01, 2026

Nevada big game hunters, this one’s for you.

This week on the Nevada Wild podcast, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW Big Game Staff Specialist Cody Schroeder to talk all things Mule Deer and Pronghorn across the Silver State. From strong overwinter survival and rebounding deer herds in the Rubies to antelope numbers nearing all-time highs, there’s a lot to be excited about heading into this season.

Plus, Cody breaks down key updates to junior tags and even shares a few areas to keep in mind when you’re putting in your application.

Nevada's Elk Main Beams and Tooth Rings, Oh and Moose - Cody McKee Apr 24, 2026

This week Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with NDOW's Big Game Staff Specialist Cody McKee to hear how Elk and Moose are doing in the Silver State.
Cody shares how NDOW’s new adaptive elk management plan may affect tag quotas and gives some great insight into how these herds are managed. Spoiler alert, thanks to teeth collected from hunter harvested bulls in 2025 we can say that Nevada’s average bull elk age is the highest on record. He also talks about how well moose are doing across the state.

The Biologist, The Mentor, The Legend - Kim Tisdale Apr 23, 2026

In this week’s Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with outgoing fisheries biologist extraordinaire Kim Tisdale to reflect on her 31-year career with NDOW. Kim shares the different roles she’s held over the years, highlights some of her favorite projects, and gives us a peek behind the curtain at the exciting changes coming to the Nevada Native Fish Slam Program.

Kim is revered at NDOW not only as an exceptional biologist, but also as a friend and a mentor to many, and she will be sincerely missed. Be sure to give this week’s podcast a listen, and check out the link to the video below to learn more about Kim Tisdale and her incredible career.
Kim talks about the different jobs she’s had here, highlights some of her favorite projects, and gives us a peek behind the curtain at the exciting changes coming to the Nevada Native Fish Slam Program.

Kim is revered here at the Department as a biologist, a friend, and a mentor to many, she will be sincerely missed. Make sure to give this week’s podcast a listen and checkout the link to the video below to learn all about Kim Tisdale!

Everything Bighorn Sheep - Mike Cox Apr 23, 2026

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down with Big Game Staff Specialist Mike Cox to get into the weeds talking about everything bighorn sheep. Mike shares what bighorn sheep harvest data he recommends you review to help decide what sheep hunts to apply for.

He highlights ongoing bighorn sheep genetics work that has future management ramifications and details the approaching Northern Wild Sheep and Goat Council Symposium hosted by NDOW in Elko, Nevada this June. It will bring researchers and biologists from all over the western U.S. and Canada to Northern Nevada.

The guys also talk in-depth about Nevada’s new management ram hunt opportunities which will allow hunters to help manage two small herds that pose huge disease transmission risks to healthy bighorn herds. If you’re interested in bighorn sheep, make sure to listen to this week’s episode with Mike Cox.

Staff Spotlight - Jamie Roice-Gomes Apr 23, 2026

In this week's Nevada Wild, Aaron Keller and Bobby Jones sit down to talk with NDOW’s Publications Coordinator Jamie Roice-Gomes. She tells us about the work that went into combining NDOW’s two big game publications into one convenient publication.

She also shares her personal story of how she always wanted to go hunting but never had the opportunity, until she took matters into her own hands this past year.

Listen to this weeks’ episode to learn about the new publication and a story about how it’s never too late to try something new!

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