Podcast uses science to answer hunting questions

January 21, 2020

Marissa Carl-Acosta
907-455-2070

Bob Hunter (left), a hunter education specialist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, instructs students about proper techniques for butchering a moose. These students were part of UAF's Survey of Wildlife Science class taught by Mark Lindberg that assisted with the harvest and butchering of a moose for one of their labs in November 2019. Meat was donated to the food bank and the UAF student chapter of the Wildlife Society.

Moose hunters who ask questions such as "Why does a cow call sometimes work better than a bull call?" might find answers in a new podcast.

"Hunting Science," created by University of Alaska Fairbanks professor of wildlife ecology Mark Lindberg, uses science to answer questions about hunting. Each episode is about an hour long and features both scientists and hunters.

The most recent episode, airing today, is a chat with Tony Hollis, area biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and lifelong moose hunter, about the science of moose hunting. Bonus content includes footage of a moose harvest and butchering that Lindberg’s students did last semester as part his Survey of Wildlife Science course.

Survey of Wildlife Science is an online course offered every fall and is open to UAF students as well as anyone interested in wildlife science, which includes the science of hunting. Lindberg incorporates content from his podcast into his curriculum, including discussions about harvest management, small game hunting and predator management in Alaska.

Future podcast episodes will cover the science of nontoxic shot, care of meat in the field and conditioning for a backcountry hunt.

UAF eCampus is supporting Lindberg with the podcast production. "Hunting Science" is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Suggestions for subjects to cover in future episodes can be sent to Lindberg at mslindberg@alaska.edu.