Wildtalk Podcast

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, Eric and guest host Fahimeh Baziari start of 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

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: Caleb Eckloff and Eric HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

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: Rachel Lincoln and Eric HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, In this episode, 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardHunters Feeding MichiganAll 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 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll 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 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 surveyEpisode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatMichigan.gov/WetlandWondersNuisance wildlife informationAll things feathersCommon nighthawksAll things furBlack bearsNuisance wildlife informationQuestions 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 directoryEpisode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatState Wildlife Action PlaniNaturalistPleasant Peninsula Mural FestivalAll things feathersBluebirds All things furMichigan.gov/BatsBat roosting survey infoQuestions 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatMichigan.gov/InvasivesMISINHemlock wooly adelgidAll things feathersMichigan.gov/TurkeyEastern Wild TurkeyAll things furMichigan.gov/TrappingMuskratQuestions 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatMichigan.gov/InvasivesMISINLesser CelandineAll things feathersBuffleheadSpring birding tour at Nayanquing PointSpring birding tour at Portage MarshAll things furMichigan.gov/CougarCougar dashboardCougar kitten press releaseQuestions 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatWildlife viewingAll things feathersCommon ravenAll things furMooseMoose capture project news reportMichigan 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatWildlife viewingPrescribed fire explainedAll things feathersBlack-capped chickadeeAvian influenzaAll things furBobcatQuestions 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 SURVEYEpisode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatMUCC's on the ground calendarAll things feathersSnow gooseWinter waterfowl identification webinarAll things furCoyoteVideo: coyote and badgerQuestions 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatHemlock wooly adelgidMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development emailPrescribed burnsAll things feathersGreat horned owlChristmas bird countAll things furShort-tailed weaselQuestions 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatMichigan.gov/elkMichigan.gov/bovinetbMichigan.gov/cwdPrescribed burnsAmerican martenAll things feathersNorthern pintailsFederal duck stampsWildlife refuge systemWetland wondersAll things furWhite-tailed deerDeer Management InitiativeNatural Resources CommissionEpizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)Current deer harvest reporting numbersQuestions 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatMichigan.gov/WaterfowlMichigan.gov/WetlandWondersAll things feathersEastern screech-owl (All about birds)All things furStriped skunk (iNaturalist)Nuisance wildlife informationHunting season calendarQuestions 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 HilliardProducer/editor: Eric HilliardAll things habitatMichigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI)Michigan threatened and endangered species listReport a rare speciesKarner blue butterflyAll things feathersTrumpeter swanAll things furNorthern long-eared batLake States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation PlanNuisance wildlife informationHunting season calendarQuestions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.