In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto of the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation sit down with Shane Meisel, President of Christensen Arms — the Utah-based company that pioneered carbon fiber rifle barrels in 1995 and has grown into one of America's premier precision rifle manufacturers with approximately 200 employees. Shane traces his career from early outdoor experiences outside Eugene, Oregon through 11 years at Leupold — where he rose to head of marketing — followed by a stint as president of Field Ethos Journal, before landing at Christensen Arms. The conversation covers what carbon fiber does for a hunting rifle (weight reduction without sacrificing rigidity or accuracy), why a sub-6-pound mountain rifle is a game changer for backcountry hunters, and how Christensen Arms has expanded beyond its bolt-action roots into carbon fiber stocks, MSR platforms, and a new walnut-stocked safari line in 375 H&H.The episode takes a deeper look at the financial backbone of American wildlife conservation — specifically the Pittman-Robertson excise tax, which requires firearms and ammunition manufacturers to contribute 11% of revenue to conservation funding. Shane and the hosts connect that tax directly to the $1 billion annually that flows from the firearms and ammunition industry into state wildlife agencies, alongside another $1 billion from hunting license sales. Jon shares the origin story of the Wildlife Management Institute, founded in 1911 by the firearms industry precisely because manufacturers understood that without healthy wildlife populations, there would be no hunters to sell to. The group also discusses Christensen Arms' conservation partnerships with organizations including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Safari Club International, and Ducks Unlimited.The conversation rounds out with a look at emerging trends in the firearms industry — ammunition and caliber innovation, suppressor growth and potential NFA reform, the modern sporting rifle market, and the troubling rise of ballot-box biology in states like Oregon and Colorado where anti-hunting initiatives bypass the science-based wildlife management system entirely. Shane and the hosts agree that lowering barriers to entry for new hunters and shooters — access to land, tags, ranges, and education — is as important to the future of conservation funding as any policy fight.FOR MORE INFORMATION:_____________________Wildlife Management Institute: https://wildlifemanagement.instituteOutdoor Stewards of Conservation: https://conservationstewards.orgChristensen Arms: https://www.christensenarms.com--------------------------------------------------#wildlifeconservation #ChristensenArms #CarbonFiberRifle #pittmanrobertson #conservationfunding #huntingindustry #precisionrifleseries #FirearmsInnovation #boltactionrifle #mountainhunting #huntersforconservation #NorthAmericanConservationModel #wildlifemanagement #outdoorindustry #longrangeshooting #Suppressors #HuntingAndShooting #RMEF #MuleDeerFoundation #ducksunlimited #outdoorpodcast #BallotBoxBiology #wildlifemanagementinstitute #ConservationStewards #ScienceBasedManagement

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto of the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation sit down with Kevin Paulson — founder of HuntingLife.com, creator of the Outdoor Hive newsletter, and Executive Director of AGLOW (Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers). Kevin traces his career from litigation work in Washington, D.C. through outfitting in Idaho and Montana, to building one of the outdoor industry's most recognized media platforms. He discusses how storytelling has shifted from newspaper columns and legacy print magazines to blogs, podcasts, YouTube, and digital newsletters — and why that evolution is critical to growing hunting and fishing culture in a country where fewer than 10% of the population hunts.The conversation covers the outsized role outdoor media plays in shaping public perception, including a focused discussion on the Boone and Crockett Club's poaching research led by Jon and his wife. The hosts and Kevin agree that public attitudes toward poaching must shift the same way drunk driving did over the past 40 years — from tolerated to socially unacceptable — and that effective storytelling is the primary tool to drive that change. Kevin also breaks down the trade show circuit, explaining how events like SHOT Show, the Archery Trade Association show, SCI, and the Western Hunt Conservation Expo serve as essential networking hubs where he runs up to 65 meetings in a single week across his three organizations.Finally, Kevin introduces Outdoor Hive, a free weekly newsletter now in its 77th issue that lists outdoor industry jobs from the factory floor to the C-suite — filling a gap that LinkedIn and other general job platforms have never addressed for the hunting, fishing, and shooting industries. He also previews AGLOW's upcoming annual conference in Lewiston, New York near Niagara Falls, which will feature a fishing tournament on the Niagara River — one of the premier freshwater fisheries in North America.For more information:Wildlife Management Institute: https://wildlifemanagement.instituteOutdoor Stewards of Conservation: https://conservationstewards.orgHuntingLife.com: https://huntinglife.comOutdoor Hive : https://outdoor-hive.comAssociation of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers: https://aglowoutdoors.com#wildlifeconservation #huntinglife #outdoormedia #ConservationStorytelling #HuntingIndustry #OutdoorHive #OutdoorJobs #OutdoorCareers #aglow #OutdoorWriters #huntingandfishing #NorthAmericanConservationModel #PoachingAwareness #wildlifemanagement #huntingcommunity #outdoorpodcast #conservationfunding #wildlifeprotection #HuntersForConservation #outdoorindustry #OutdoorNetworking #SHOTShow #wildlifemanagementinstitute #outdoorstewards #OutdoorStorytelling

Scott Linden, creator of Wingshooting USA and host of the Upland Nation podcast, joins Jon and Jim to explore the cultural, economic, and conservation impact of upland bird hunting. With decades of experience across radio, television, and outdoor media, Scott shares stories about his start in journalism, his transition into outdoor broadcasting, and how bird dogs became the central passion that shaped his entire career. From pointers to Labradors, he discusses why dogs are the top reason many hunters take to the field and how they both attract newcomers and keep long‑time hunters active.

The conversation also examines how hunting fuels the broader conservation economy through licenses, excise taxes, and the lesser‑recognized budgets tied to dog ownership, gear, and travel. Scott reflects on years of promoting R3 principles, creating content that inspires hunter recruitment, and advocating for a broader outdoor‑recreation “funnel” that welcomes newcomers at every level. Whether you love dogs, upland hunting, or the business side of conservation, this episode offers an insightful look at the traditions and motivations that continue to shape America’s outdoor community.

For more information

Wildlife Management Institute: https://wildlifemanagement.institute

Outdoor Stewards of Conservation: https://outdoorstewards.org

Wingshooting USA: https://findbirdhuntingspots.com

#uplandhunting #birddogs #wingshooting #hunting #outdoors #huntingdog #gundog #huntinglife #outdoorlife #whatgetsyououtdoors #wildlifeconservation #huntingisconservation #nature #wildlife #pointerdogs #retrievers #huntingseason #dogtraining #outdoorstewards #wildlifemanagementinstitute