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
  • Michigan.gov/Deer
  • Report your harvest
  • Disease and testing info

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

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
  • Michigan.gov/Deer
  • Report your harvest
  • Disease and testing info

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

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.

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
  • Kirtland's warbler
  • Brown-headed cowbird
  • Donate to nongame fund
• 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.

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
  • Michigan State Game and Wildlife Areas
  • Michigan's Wetland Wonders
  • Dams
  • Bat roosting survey info
• 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.

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.

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
  • State Wildlife Action Plan
  • iNaturalist
  • Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival
• 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.

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
  • Michigan.gov/Invasives
  • MISIN
  • Hemlock wooly adelgid
• 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.

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

• All things habitat
  • Michigan.gov/Invasives
  • MISIN
  • Lesser Celandine
• All things feathers
  • Bufflehead
  • Spring birding tour at Nayanquing Point
  • Spring birding tour at Portage Marsh
• All things fur
  • Michigan.gov/Cougar
  • Cougar dashboard
  • Cougar kitten press release

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

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

• All things habitat
  • Wildlife viewing
• All things feathers
  • Common raven
• All things fur
  • Moose
  • Moose capture project news report
  • Michigan moose lift (video)

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

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Mike Kowalski about habitat work happening in Michigan's Northern Lower Peninsula, fly away with a discussion about black-capped chickadees, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the elusive bobcat.

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

• All things habitat
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Prescribed fire explained
• All things feathers
  • Black-capped chickadee
  • Avian influenza
• All things fur
  • Bobcat

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

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Olivia Triltsch about MUCC's on the ground program, fly away with a discussion about snow geese, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the coyote.

TAKE THE LISTENER SURVEY

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

• All things habitat
  • MUCC's on the ground calendar
• All things feathers
  • Snow goose
  • Winter waterfowl identification webinar
• All things fur
  • Coyote
  • Video: coyote and badger

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

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Pete Kailing about all things habitat in the Southwest Lower Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about the great horned owl, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat about Michigan short-tailed weasel. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Hemlock wooly adelgid
  • Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development email
  • Prescribed burns
• All things feathers
  • Great horned owl
  • Christmas bird count
• All things fur
  • Short-tailed weasel

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

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Scott Eggeman about all things habitat in the Northern Lower Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about northern pintails, and we wrap up the episode with a lengthy chat about Michigan deer and deer management. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Michigan.gov/elk
  • Michigan.gov/bovinetb
  • Michigan.gov/cwd
  • Prescribed burns
  • American marten
• All things feathers
  • Northern pintails
  • Federal duck stamps
  • Wildlife refuge system
  • Wetland wonders
• All things fur
  • White-tailed deer
  • Deer Management Initiative
  • Natural Resources Commission
  • Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)
  • Current deer harvest reporting numbers

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

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Terry McFadden about all things habitat in the Southeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan, fly away with eastern screech-owls as we talk all things feathers, and we discuss the odorous, striped skunk in our all things fur segment. Pete Kailing also chimes in with hunting and trapping opportunities during the month of October. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Michigan.gov/Waterfowl
  • Michigan.gov/WetlandWonders
• All things feathers
  • Eastern screech-owl (All about birds)
• All things fur
  • Striped skunk (iNaturalist)
  • Nuisance wildlife information
• Hunting season calendar

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

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk with Ashley Cole-Wick from Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) about the work they do for Michigan's rare species. Then, we fly away with a discussion about the trumpeter swan, and wrap up the episode with a chat about the northern long-eared bat. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of September. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI)
  • Michigan threatened and endangered species list
  • Report a rare species
  • Karner blue butterfly
• All things feathers
  • Trumpeter swan
• All things fur
  • Northern long-eared bat
  • Lake States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation Plan
  • Nuisance wildlife information
• Hunting season calendar

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

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Heather Shaw and Tom Seablom about habitat work on GEMS in the Upper Peninsula, fly away with a discussion about the ruffed grouse, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the eastern and least chipmunk. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of August. 

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

• All things habitat
  • GEMS maps
  • MiHunt hunting lands locators
  • State Forest Management Plan info
• All things feathers
  • Ruffed grouse
  • Drumming grouse video
• All things fur
  • Eastern chipmunk
  • Least chipmunk
• Mug me
  • Spiny softshell turtle

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

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Greg Hochstetler about turtle conservation work, fly away with a discussion about the ring-billed gull, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the Virginia opossum. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of July. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Muskegon State Game Area map
  • Spotted turtle
  • Wood turtle
  • Michigan Natural Features Inventory
• All things feathers
  • Ring-billed gull
  • Avian influenza info
  • Eyes in the field
• All things fur
  • Virginia opossum

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

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Brian Mastenbrook about all things habitat in the Northern Lower Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about the common loon, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the American beaver. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of June. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Prescribed burns
  • Bovine tuberculosis 
• All things feathers
  • Common loon
• All things fur
  • American beaver

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

In this episode of the award-winning Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Bill Scullon about all things habitat in the Upper Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about the indigo bunting, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about the red fox. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of May. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Portage Marsh spring birding tour
  • Shore to shore birding trail
  • Michigan.gov/Bats
  • Michigan.gov/Wolves
• All things feathers
  • Indigo bunting
• All things fur
  • Red fox
• For Pete's sake
  • Hunting regulation summary booklets
  • Michigan.gov/Turkey
  • Michigan.gov/MIMorels

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

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Nate Levitte about all things habitat in the Southeast Lower Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about the Great blue heron, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about wood frogs. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in the month of April. 

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

• All things habitat
  • State Game and Wildlife Areas
  • Managed waterfowl areas
  • What is prescribed fire?
  • Subscribe to DNR emails
• All things feathers
  • Great blue heron
• All things fur (herp takeover)
  • Wood frog
  • Vernal pools
  • Gourdneck SGA frog walk (April 26)
  • MSU springtime frog walk (April 10)
• For Pete's sake
  • Hunting regulation summary booklets

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

• For Pete's sake
  • Hunting regulation summary booklets
• All things habitat
  • State Game and Wildlife Areas
• All things feathers
  • American woodcock
• All things fur
  • American black bear

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

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Scott Eggeman about all things habitat in the Northern Lower Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about crows, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about otters. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities available in the month of February. 

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

• All things habitat
  • Michigan.gov/elk
• All things feathers
  • American crow
  • Bird walk event registration
• All things fur
  • North American river otter

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

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, we talk to Bill Scullon about all things habitat in the Upper Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about snowy owls, and we wrap up the episode with a chat about bog lemmings.      

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

• All things habitat
  • Michigan birding trails
• All things feathers
  • Snowy owl
• All things fur
  • Southern bog lemming

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

• All things habitat
  • Gourdneck State Game Area map
  • Karner Blue Butterflies
  • Wetland Wonders
• All things feathers
  • Pileated woodpecker
  • The Amazing Secrets of Woodpecker Tongues
  • Nest box instructions
  • Winter Finch Forecast
  • Snowbirds article
• All things fur
  • Pine Marten

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