The Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast

Latest Episodes:

2025: a year in review with the chief and assistant chief of the Wildlife Division. Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we have a lengthy conversation with Sara Thompson, Wildlife Division chief, and Keith Kintigh, Wildlife Division assistant chief, about where the division has been this year and where it is going in 2026.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

All things habitat
- Karner blue butterflies
All things feathers
- Wilson's snipe
All things fur

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Southwest habit, the Wilson's snipe, and firearm deer season Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Michael MacEachron about the work going on in southwest Michigan. We follow that up with a chat about the Wilson's snipe. Finally, we have a lengthy talk with Brent Rudolph about all things deer here in Michigan.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

All things habitat
- Karner blue butterflies
All things feathers
- Wilson's snipe
All things fur

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Hunters feeding Michigan, UP bears, wood ducks and skunks Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk briefly to Joe Presgrove about the Hunters Feeding Michigan program. We follow that up with a robust chat about Upper Peninsula black bears with Don Brown. Finally, we wrap things up talking about wood ducks and the striped skunk.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

Hunters Feeding Michigan

All things habitat
- Michigan.gov/Bears
All things feathers
- Wood ducks
- Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders
All things fur
- Striped skunk
- Nuisance wildlife information

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Kirtland's warblers, blue-winged teal, and the mighty Michigan elk Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, In this episode, we talk to Erin Victory about work being done to manage Kirtland’s warbler habitat. We follow that up with a discussion about blue-winged teal and the cap things off with a chat about the mighty, Michigan elk!

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

All things habitat
All things feathers
- Blue-winged teal
- Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders
All things fur
- American Elk

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Wacky weather habitat impacts, peregrine falcons and badgers Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Chris Hoving about how Michigan's wacky weather affects habitat and wildlife, fly away with a discussion about peregrine falcons, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about badgers.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

All things habitat
All things feathers
- Peregrine falcon
All things fur
- American badger
- Michigan.gov/Trapping

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Nighthawks, black bears and southeast habitat work Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Nate Levitte about habitat working going on in southeast Michigan, fly away with a discussion about the eastern common nighthawk, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about black bears.

Turkey brood survey — Invasive species survey

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

All things habitat
- Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders
- Nuisance wildlife information
All things feathers
- Common nighthawks
All things fur
- Black bears
- Nuisance wildlife information

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Rare species, blue birds and the bat man Jun 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Tony Henehan about habitat working going on in southwest Michigan, fly away with a discussion about the eastern wild turkey, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the humble muskrat.
Licensed wildlife rehabilitator directory

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

All things habitat
All things feathers
- Bluebirds
All things fur
- Michigan.gov/Bats
- Bat roosting survey info

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Southwest habitat work, turkeys and the muskrat May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Rachel Kanaziz about habitat working going on in southwest Michigan, fly away with a discussion about the eastern wild turkey, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the humble muskrat.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

All things habitat
All things feathers
- Michigan.gov/Turkey
- Eastern Wild Turkey
All things fur
- Michigan.gov/Trapping
- Muskrat

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Cougar kittens, invasive species, and the bufflehead. Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Katie Grzesiak about invasive species and their impact on Michigan habitat, fly away with a discussion about the bufflehead, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat with Brian Roell about the cougar kittens recently spotted in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

UP habitat work, ravens and the Michigan moose Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Caleb Eckloff about habitat work happening in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, fly away with a discussion about the common raven, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat about Michigan moose.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

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