Latest episodes and posts
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The NARGC Seminar on The Open Seasons Order and Sustainable Hunting
When I received the invitation to attend the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) seminar on the Open Seasons Order and Sustainable Hunting, I accepted without hesitation. The seminar featured an outstanding lineup of guests and speakers from Ireland and mainland Europe. The timing of the seminar was not coincidental. Ireland is obligated to comply with the European Union’s Birds Directive, and the latest data on the number of species under conservation threat suggests that some species may be…
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How do you feel when you squeeze the trigger?
On several occasions, I have been asked by non-hunters how I feel when I squeeze the trigger. Obviously, this question is meant to ascertain how I feel about taking an animal’s life. When I get these questions I often refer back to the very first animal I harvested. A female feral goat that I shot on a rugged and hilly piece of land. I go back to this moment for two reasons. First, like for everyone else, my very first…
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142: Treated Like Animals with Alick Simmons
The subject of the humane treatment of animals is not an easy one. As hunters, anglers, conservationists, farmers and pet owners we like to think that we instinctively know which interactions with animals are humane and okay, and which are not. And when someone questions our actions or intentions we often tend to get irritated and defensive. The epithets like “bunny hugger” or “animal rights brigade” get thrown. The subject, however, is neither simple nor intuitive if you examine it…
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141: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna with William Roche
Join me for the conversation with Dr William Roche, a senior research officer at Inland Fisheries Ireland, about angler-driven fish tagging programmes. We put a particular focus on the Tuna CHART programme but we also talk about the Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme which is aimed at elasmobranch species of fish like sharks, skates and rays. And as you might expect I did not forget to enquire, albeit briefly, about the bass tagging program too. During our chat, we discuss the…
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The Demise and Recovery of The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna is one of the iconic species of big game fish. It is a large-bodied fast swimming fish that feeds on small fish and invertebrates. It can grow up to 1500lb (800kg) although some official bodies like the Smithsonian or the U. S. National Marine Fisheries Service estimate that the fish can reach a weight of over 2000lb. When swimming it can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. There are three recognised subspecies: Atlantic bluefin tuna, Pacific bluefin…
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140: Salmon Aquaculture and Coastal Communities with John Aitchison
I knew that salmon farming was bad but I didn’t realise quite how bad it really is. Salmon aquaculture creates massive ecological and welfare issues for the fish. Both farmed fish as well as wild fish populations are negatively affected by open-net aquaculture. And that is even before I mention the impacts the industry has on coastal communities. The massive amounts of toxic waste, misuse of pesticides, diseases and spread of parasites that negatively affect wild salmon are just the…
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139: Tommy’s Outdoors Year End Show
This is the final show of the year 2022. So, instead of examining another complex subject from the realm of conservation or ecology, I decided to record a solo episode and summarise what this year has been like for the podcast. I will also reveal some of the changes that are coming to the show. I look forward to bringing you more wildlife, conservation, hunting and fishing, rewilding and ecology content in the coming year. All the very best and…
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138: Marine Mammals and Aquatic Soundscapes with Denise Risch
There is an entire world hidden under the surface of the ocean and, as the common saying goes, we know more about space than we do about the deep ocean. We are even less aware that there is a rich and diverse underwater landscape of sounds. With modern technology and data analysis methods we can now record those sounds and use them to learn about the creatures living in the ocean. To introduce this topic, in this episode I am…
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137: Salmonid Studies with Richard Kennedy
Salmonids are fascinating fish and that’s not only because of their life history strategy. They also have huge importance for the health of ecosystems. And, albeit to their detriment, they are also important for the economy. Of course, I cannot omit the fact that they are prized by anglers as sport fish. Even though we already had a general discussion about salmon in episode 63 and a talk with men facing the dangers of fighting with salmon poachers in episode…
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136: The Politics of Nature Restoration with Ariel Brunner
Successful nature restoration, species conservation and even access to hunting grounds depends on land management policies. They are the foundation of everything we do in nature and to nature. Unfortunately, this means politics. No matter how much time conservationists spend in the field, planting trees, rewetting bogs or rewiggling rivers and streams, without solid backing from policymakers the effects of these efforts will not be long-lasting. In this episode, our guest is Ariel Brunner, Head of EU Policy at the…