175: SOTKA Wetlands with Veli-Matti Pekkarinen and Heikki Helle

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HmxkYJTJHmC3Jj5bjWBrO Finnish SOTKA is a large-scale habitat restoration project and a part of a larger Helmi Habitats Programme aimed at restoring Finland’s biodiversity. It is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of the Environment. SOTKA’s objective is large-scale habitat restoration through wetlands rehabilitation, restoration of mires and catchments, non-native (i.e. … Continue reading 175: SOTKA Wetlands with Veli-Matti Pekkarinen and Heikki Helle →

Hunters for Conservation, Goals and Ambitions

“Hunters are conservationists” or “hunting is conservation” are phrases that we hear so often that they might sound clichéd. I have discussed whether such generalisations are true or not countless times on my podcast. Regardless of your opinion, it is undeniable that hunters and hunting organisations across the world can and do contribute to great … Continue reading Hunters for Conservation, Goals and Ambitions →

168: Coexistence with Wolves in Estonia with Helen Arusoo

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SacXgnHbTR90b9C9AIjJQ On my podcast, we talk a lot about coexistence with large carnivores and the challenges it poses. Some of those challenges might seem insurmountable to some. To shed some light on overcoming these hurdles, I contacted Helen Arusoo, an Estonian nature journalist and the leader of the National Animal Working Group. In this conversation, … Continue reading 168: Coexistence with Wolves in Estonia with Helen Arusoo →

164: Shotgun Conservationist with Brant MacDuff

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qlUqB18FLvYGMlNJWVQlN The story of Brant MacDuff, the author of the book under the title “The Shotgun Conservationist: Why Environmentalists Should Love Hunting” is in many ways similar to mine. We were both born and raised in the city without any contact or access to hunting. We overcame not insignificant obstacles to get into hunting later … Continue reading 164: Shotgun Conservationist with Brant MacDuff →

163: The EU Review of Wolf Protection Status

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3TIXgTU3Rd1Lcn2moMsz0l The human-wildlife conflict with wolves has been brewing on the ground in the EU for some time. On the one hand, it has been fueled by a remarkable recovery of wolves across the continent, and on the other, by politicians trying to hijack it for their political gains. In September 2023 the European Commission … Continue reading 163: The EU Review of Wolf Protection Status →

161: Archery Insights with Jim Clark

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4efPhdLsUdSRCu95dDZjTq It feels like I’m one of the only very few who talks about bowhunting with European listeners in mind. Indeed, I would like to see hunting with archery tackle being legalised and popularised on the old continent. In my view, the notions that it’s inhumane or somehow unethical are ill-advised and plain wrong. It … Continue reading 161: Archery Insights with Jim Clark →

160: Safari Club International with Ben Cassidy

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fvtOmbU90f3oKNnIeiFOj Safari Club International (SCI) is one of the world’s most prominent hunting organisations. They pride themselves on being the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation across the world. Their tagline, “First for Hunters” says it all, really. Today, we continue the exploration of the public perception of hunting, the … Continue reading 160: Safari Club International with Ben Cassidy →

Animal Welfare and the Environment: Is Meat Consumption Still Possible?

Nutrition and meat consumption are probably two of the most controversial subjects on the entire Internet. I’m really not sure how we arrived at this point, but here we are. So, before I share some of my thoughts about these subjects a few disclaimers are due. First, I don’t pretend to have a societal solution … Continue reading Animal Welfare and the Environment: Is Meat Consumption Still Possible? →

154: Hunting Europe: The Present and Future with David Scallan

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vu8iaLhvQFOTVM6lrZn7g?si=123f01cb57744b4c It was my great pleasure to once again welcome to my show Dr David Scallan, the Secretary General of the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE). It has been over three years since the last time we spoke on the podcast. So I felt that it was high time to talk with David … Continue reading 154: Hunting Europe: The Present and Future with David Scallan →

152: From Anti-hunter to Advocate with Philippe Jaeger

https://open.spotify.com/episode/335rymlRadDGWjro4rOwyX?si=59ee6c211de54204 Hunting is a frequent topic on my podcast. It lies in the epicentre of the unnecessary divide in wildlife conservation space. It evokes strong emotions and is often the source of fierce debate and conflict. So today I’m bringing you my conversation with a man who has been on both sides of that argument. … Continue reading 152: From Anti-hunter to Advocate with Philippe Jaeger →