The Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

The Michigan DNR’s Wildtalk Podcast — Government
The Michigan DNR’s Wildtalk Podcast

The Wildtalk Podcast is a production of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. On the Wildtalk Podcast, representatives of the Wildlife Division chew the fat and shoot the scat about all things habitat, feathers, and fur. With insights, interviews, and listener questions answered on the air, you’ll come away with a better picture of what’s happening in the world of Michigan’s wildlife. Thank you for listening.Email questions to: dnr-wildlife@michigan.govor call 517-284-9453

Copyright: © 2026 The Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Toads, dams, small fish and barrels Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we’ll shine our wildlife spotlight on the American toad, find out what habitat work is happening in the Northern Lower Peninsula, hear listener questions answered in the mailbag segment and get a sample of conservation officer activity reports from the field.

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Brian Mastenbrook
Law enforcement segment host: Katie Gervasi

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Eastern American Toad
Around the State Links
- Michigan.gov/Wildlife
- Prescribed burn information
Conservation Officer Reports
- Conservation officer bi-weekly reports
Mailbag Links
- Five-lined Skinks
- Michigan.gov/Bear

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

Ticks, ticks and more ticks Jul 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, find out what habitat work is happening in the southwest part of the state, learn everything you probably ever wanted to know about ticks, and hear listener questions answered in the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a sample of conservation officer activity reports from the field.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Holly Vaughn, Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Mark Mills
Main Interview Guest(s): Dr. Jean Tsao, Dr. Megan Porter and Dr. Dan O'Brien
Law enforcement segment host: Katie Gervasi

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Tiger salamander
Around the State Links
Interview Links
Mailbag Links
Conservation Officer Reports
- Conservation officer bi-weekly reports

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

Avian influenza Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, find out what’s happening with wildlife habitat in the Upper Peninsula, learn about avian influenza with Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Megan Moriarty, and hear listener questions answered in the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion about muskrats and how to avoid potential conflicts with them.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Karen Sexton
Main Interview Guest(s): Dr. Megan Moriarty

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Spotted turtle
- Herps of Michigan
Around the State Links
- Michigan.gov/Wildlife
- Black terns
Interview Links
- Wildlife Diseases
- Avian influenza
- Avian influenza testing numbers
- Eyes in the field
- Wildlife Disease Lab - 517-336-5030
- MDARD (domestic poultry) - 1-800-292-3939 or 517-373-0440 (after-hours)
Mailbag Links
Wildlife is Everywhere Links

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

Please Leave Wildlife in the Wild May 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, find out what’s happening with wildlife habitat in the Southeastern Lower Peninsula, learn about why natural resource agencies remove wildlife from people keeping them as pets or rehabilitating them without a license, and hear listener questions answered in the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion about how to handle nuisance geese.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Terry McFadden
Main Interview Guest(s): Dr. Dan O'Brien, Dr. Kimberly Signs and Dr. Jim Sikarskie

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Mallard
Around the State Links
- Michigan.gov/Wildlife
Interview Links
Mailbag Links
Wildlife is Everywhere Links
- N/A
Misc.
- Why the American Woodcock's Ears Are Below Its Big Eyes

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

Spring birding Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast, you’ll find out what work is happening for wildlife in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula, talk about birds with MiBirds coordinator, Erin Rowan, and hear listener questions answered during the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion about avoiding conflicts with migratory birds.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Rex Ainslie
Main Interview Guest(s): Erin Rowan

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Turkey vulture
Around the State Links
Interview Links
Mailbag Links
Wildlife is Everywhere Links
- 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.

Bear with us for a moment Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast, you’ll find out what work is happening for wildlife in Michigan’s Southwest Lower Peninsula, talk about bears and large carnivores with Cody Norton, and hear listener questions answered during the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion about how you can save yourself and the wildlife around your home from headaches this spring.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Mark Sargent
Main Interview Guest(s): Cody Norton

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Fox Squirrels
Around the State Links
- Managed Waterfowl Areas
- Gourdneck State Game Area Map
Interview Links
Mailbag Links
Wildlife is Everywhere Links
- 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.

Wildlife adaptations to a changing climate Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast, you’ll find out what work is happening for wildlife in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, talk about climate change and wildlife adaptation with Chris Hoving, and hear listener questions answered during the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion about avoiding nuisance skunk issues.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Holly Vaughn, Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Bill Scullon
Main Interview Guest(s): Chris Hoving

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Trumpeter swan
Around the State Links
Interview Links
Mailbag Links
Wildlife is Everywhere Links
- 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.

Harvesting the Fur Jan 01, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast, you’ll find out what work is happening for wildlife in Michigan’s Southeast Region, talk fur harvesting with Adam Bump, and hear listener questions answered in the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion about the approaching breeding activities of coyotes and foxes.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Terry McFadden
Main Interview Guest(s): Adam Bump

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Gray Fox
Around the State Links
- Michigan.gov/Waterfowl
Interview Links
- Michigan.gov/Trapping
Mailbag Links
- Michigan.gov/SOS
Wildlife is Everywhere Links

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

Michigan: A Winter Wonderland Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast, you’ll find out what work is happening for wildlife in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula Region, talk winter activities at Michigan State Parks with Maia Turek, and hear listener questions answered in the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion about winter bird watching activities and animal track identification in the snow.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: Rex Ainsle
Main Interview Guest(s): Maia Turek

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Bald Eagle
Around the State Links
Interview Links
Mailbag Links
Wildlife is Everywhere Links
- All About Birds
- Project Feeder Watch

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

The Deer Time of Year Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast, you’ll find out what work is happening for wildlife in Michigan’s Southwest Region, talk deer with Ashley Autenrieth and Chad Stewart, and hear listener questions answered in the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with some helpful hunter safety tips.
Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD). You can also email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov, and even send your question as a sound file that you record on your phone to be played on the air!
Episode Hosts: Hannah Schauer and Rachel Leightner
Producer: Eric Hilliard
Around the State Guest: John Niewoonder
Main Interview Guest(s): Ashley Autenrieth and Chad Stewart

Wildlife Spotlight Links
- Cottontail Rabbit
- Michigan.gov/SmallGame
Around the State Links
- Maple River SGA Map
- Michigan.gov/Waterfowl
Interview Links
Mailbag Links
Wildlife is Everywhere Links
- Michigan.gov/HunterSafety

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

Related Podcasts