Are Trails Changing Deer Habits? - Wildlife Pressure w/ BHA Ethan Dreissigacker

Dustin Martin and Connor Schellong sat down with Ethan Dreissigacker to talk about something we’ve been seeing more and more here in Vermont — the rapid growth of mountain biking and hiking trails, and what that might be doing to wildlife.

Ethan brings a unique perspective with his background in competitive skiing and time with the United States Biathlon Team, along with his work in conservation through Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA).

From our side, we share real, boots-on-the-ground observations from tracking and hunting whitetails — changes in deer movement, pressure in areas that used to feel remote, and what we’re seeing during critical times like winter.

This episode isn’t about pointing fingers — it’s about having an honest conversation around access, recreation, and how we balance that with the long-term health of wildlife and the land.

We also dive into:

• The impact of year-round recreation on deer behavior
• Winter pressure and survival for whitetails
• Where BHA stands on trail expansion, land access, and conservation
• What’s happening specifically here in Vermont
• How we can do a better job managing land moving forward

We wrap it up the best way we know how — with a story from the woods.

If you care about hunting, public land, and the future of wildlife, this is a conversation worth listening to.

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