Advertise on podcast: The Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Kelsey and Eric have a conversation with Kristie Sitar about habitat work happening in the UP. That's followed up with an overview of the barred owl, before a lengthy discussion of Michigan's deer season with Samantha Courtney and Brent Rudolph.  Episode Hosts: Kelsey Beatty and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatMichigan.gov/MiHuntDeer wintering complexesAll things feathersBarred owlAll things furMichigan.gov/DeerEHDQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Kelsey and Eric start off with a conversation about the monarch butterfly migration. That's followed up with an overview of the ruffed grouse, before wrapping things up with a discussion about the porcupine.  Episode Hosts: Kelsey Beatty and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatMichigan.gov/MonarchsGrowing milkweeds for monarch butterfliesAll things feathersRuffed grouseVideo: Ruffed grouse drummingGrouse Enhanced Management Sites (GEMS)All things furNorth American porcupineQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Rachel and Eric talk fire with Jesse Lincoln. That's followed up with a discussion about the Carolina wren before we wrap things up chatting about the gray fox.  Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatPrescribed fireKirtland's warblerAll things feathersCarolina wrenMerlin appAll things furGray foxSubmit a gray fox observationQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Katie Grzesiak talk invasive species, and Ryan Wheeler pops in for a bit to talk about nutria, armadillo and the invasive species watch list.  Episode Hosts: Katie Grzesiak and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatStiltgrassMichigan.gov/EGLEMichigan.gov/MDARDCooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA)Midwest Invasive Species Network (MISIN)All things feathersEastern TowheeAll things furMichigan Invasive Species WatchlistNutriaQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Melinda Cosgrove start off the show with a brief history of the wildlife disease laboratory. That's followed up with a chat about wildlife diseases affecting birds, before finally talking about wildlife diseases that affect mammals.  Episode Hosts: Melinda Cosgrove and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatWildlife disease laboratoryAll things feathersWildlife Disease ManualHighly Pathogenic Avian InfluenzaWest Nile VirusBotulismReport diseased wildlifeAll things furRabiesPublic health directory for rabies testingCanine and feline distemperBovine tuberculosisQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Shelby Adams start off the show with a discussion of the impacts to wildlife habitat from the 2025 ice storm. That's followed up with a chat about the northern shrike, before finally talking about Michigan elk and changes to hunting regulations this year.  Episode Hosts: Shelby Adams and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitat2025 Ice storm recoveryAll things feathersNorthern shrikeAll things furMichigan.gov/ElkQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Fahimeh Baziari start off the show with some background on costal plain marshes. That's followed up with a chat about the spruce grouse, before finally flying into the world of the Indiana bat.  Episode Hosts: Fahimeh Baziari and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatCostal plain marshAllegan State Game AreaRoss costal plain marsh preserveAll things feathersSpruce grouseRuffed grouseSharp-tailed grouseAll things furIndiana batWhite-nose syndromeQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Caleb Eckloff start off the show with some background on commercial forest lands. That's followed up with a chat about the duck hunting regulations process. Finally, the show is wrapped up with some discussion about year two of the moose project.  Episode Hosts: Caleb Eckloff and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatCommercial forest programAll things feathersMichigan.gov/WaterfowlMississippi FlywayAll things furMooseQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host John Darling talk about water control structures at Harsens Island. That's followed up with a chat about the mallard duck, before diving into the world of the muskrat.  Episode Hosts: John Darling and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatHarsens IslandAll things feathersMallardsMississippi FlywayAll things furMuskratsQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Ryan Soulard and Pat Brickel about a long habitat project wrapping up at Fish Point. We follow that up with a chat about the snow goose, before diving into the tiny world of the least shrew.  Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard All things habitatFish Point State Wildlife AreaAll things feathersSnow gooseSnow goose ID sheetMichigan.gov/WaterfowlWetland WonderseBirdAll things furNorth American Least shrewQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

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 habitatKarner blue butterflies All things feathersWilson's snipeAll things furMichigan.gov/DeerReport your harvestDisease and testing infoQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

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 habitatKarner blue butterfliesAll things feathersWilson's snipeAll things furMichigan.gov/DeerReport your harvestDisease and testing infoQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

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 habitatMichigan.gov/BearsAll things feathersWood ducksMichigan.gov/WetlandWondersAll things furStriped skunkNuisance wildlife informationQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

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 habitatKirtland's warblerBrown-headed cowbirdDonate to nongame fundAll things feathersBlue-winged tealMichigan.gov/WetlandWondersAll things furAmerican ElkQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].

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 habitatMichigan State Game and Wildlife AreasMichigan's Wetland WondersDamsBat roosting survey infoAll things feathersPeregrine falconAll things furAmerican badgerMichigan.gov/TrappingQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email [email protected].