Episode 48: Green Party with Pippa Hackett

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ff8KCu6dcLl0TIVzmn1n9?si=wWXFES1nR8W7_bzrKzMpdA&dl_branch=1 This is another episode of the podcast where I talk with the representative of a political party. The goal is, as always, to dig a little deeper into some of the issues affecting the outdoors lifestyle. This time our guest is Pippa Hackett who is a Green Party Councillor and a spokesperson on Agriculture, … Continue reading Episode 48: Green Party with Pippa Hackett →

Episode 47: The Killing of Hen Harriers on Grouse Moors

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bn9fEC64Gh52mrcNEgNgG?si=rhzzBX9uQWW7GqC2EDIlrQ&dl_branch=1 Hen harriers are ground-nesting birds of prey whose UK population is in critical condition. Unfortunately, time after time we hear that a hen harrier has been killed illegally on grouse moors, a heavily-managed grouse habitat used for driven grouse shooting. In this episode, I discuss this hot issue with a field sports journalist Matt … Continue reading Episode 47: The Killing of Hen Harriers on Grouse Moors →

Episode 46: Shark Trust with Ali Hood

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hk5S5EJf5Wc26CefoHoIB?si=m02PG-NCSsmk1jQcwiLyRQ&dl_branch=1 You have probably heard a dozen times that I am a semi-retired, obsessive, shark angler. So, ever since I started the podcast I wanted, one day, to have an episode with someone from the Shark Trust. Well, that day is today. Our guest is Ali Hood the Director of Conservation in Shark Trust and … Continue reading Episode 46: Shark Trust with Ali Hood →

Episode 40: Pleistocene Megafauna with Richard Doran Sherlock

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7eoaQhhc6JFAgdxMTz8Xw7?si=koYqycGNSSyUzDSOVVHFAg&dl_branch=1 This episode of the podcast is going to take you back in time to the Pleistocene epoch of the Quaternary period, an epoch often referred to as the Ice Age. Our guest is Richard Doran Sherlock who has a particular interest in Quaternary science and megafaunal collapse. Over the years Richard has worked in … Continue reading Episode 40: Pleistocene Megafauna with Richard Doran Sherlock →

Wolves and foxes

I want to add a few comments to a recently published blog post about fox hunting with hounds. The issue has to do with opposition to fox hunting. I hit on this briefly in that previous post because there is no way to talk about fox hunting without mentioning its opponents. I have had a … Continue reading Wolves and foxes →

Episode 37: Mountain Biking in South Africa with Shaun Emslie

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sAtMQlh5mhS6OLf7oc3HC?si=GFz9qRQMQ-etydRckovm9Q&dl_branch=1 It all started on Twitter. Shaun contacted me and casually suggested that I record an episode of the podcast from South Africa. We exchanged a few messages and Shaun sent me a few photos. It quickly became obvious that he can talk for hours about riding a mountain bike in the stunning landscapes of … Continue reading Episode 37: Mountain Biking in South Africa with Shaun Emslie →

Fox Hunting with Hounds

Recently I have read a lot of articles, blogs and press releases about fox hunting with hounds. The vast majority was negative. They were pointing out the cruelty of the endeavour and the callousness of participants. There were even reports about protesters clashing with hunt supporters. Also in my own circle, fox hunting with hounds … Continue reading Fox Hunting with Hounds →

Episode 35: Whittled Away, Ireland’s Vanishing Nature with Pádraic Fogarty

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7AHJjW6Kwid79oAD4c5dUY?si=FOs-4C3eRwC0D4zU2zkxPg&dl_branch=1 Today we’ve got something a little bit different. Instead of a guest, I have brought you a recording of a live talk by Pádraic Fogarty from Irish Wildlife Trust titled: Whittled Away, Ireland's Vanishing Nature. Pádraic is also the author of the book with the same title and I had the pleasure to chat … Continue reading Episode 35: Whittled Away, Ireland’s Vanishing Nature with Pádraic Fogarty →

Episode 33: Game Management with Aaron Turner

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BVHChbAo9me2hF9VPs1gu?si=DSx_VrYISZKS-dQykiHL1Q&dl_branch=1 Aaron is a professional gamekeeper, farmer, veteran of the war in Afghanistan and all around badass. I keep meeting Aaron at various outdoor events and training courses. Since our interests are definitely aligned, we finally decided to get together and record an episode of the podcast. During our conversation, we talk about general game … Continue reading Episode 33: Game Management with Aaron Turner →

Episode 31: Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland with Aideen Magee

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2AQmb2Qqp6DSlIuDVLme39?si=2vxnKq6pSVmi64ipCgbKhg&dl_branch=1 Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland is an organization dedicated to helping injured wild animals return to the wild in full health. But that’s not all. WRI’s mission is to develop a coordinated approach to wildlife rehabilitation in Ireland. They are also involved in efforts to fight wildlife crime. Since the topic of wildlife is an important … Continue reading Episode 31: Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland with Aideen Magee →