173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0N8epa2TaWtSa7vTf5h1nB I have been waiting for Tom Opre’s new film “The Last Keeper” since I learned in July 2022 that he and his team are working on it. Well, the wait was over for me at the beginning of February 2023, as I was the only person in Ireland to screen the film. The wait … Continue reading 173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre

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

147: Woodcock Research and Hunting with James O’Neill

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lJ0NUyd2J2FXQzjQLk5KT?si=c93bbd43a44942fb The woodcock is one of the most interesting birds. It is a wader that adapted to the woodland habitat. It has a range of unique characteristics like 360-degree vision, a flexible bill and white tail feathers that reflect up to 30% more light than the feathers of any other bird. It is also a … Continue reading 147: Woodcock Research and Hunting with James O’Neill

146: Multi-Generational Outdoors Teaching with Emanuel Rose

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hOsBDyZkH2ll9DoIDeZOX?si=ee676cae69e84c0c Once again we are coming back to the subject of getting the young generation educated about nature and involved in experiences they might otherwise miss. It’s a theme that has been discussed on my podcast several times. It also comes back time and time again during my conversations about the state of nature and … Continue reading 146: Multi-Generational Outdoors Teaching with Emanuel Rose

145: The Future of Hunting with Richard Prideaux

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HhwknMTL2usVF4tUmNQqm?si=931592636903417e With declining wildlife populations, expanding urbanisation and dwindling social acceptance of hunting I often question whether this activity has a future. Add to the list the ageing population of hunters and the minimal recruitment of new hunters from young generations and the picture doesn’t look pretty. So is hunting fading into the history books … Continue reading 145: The Future of Hunting with Richard Prideaux

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 … Continue reading The NARGC Seminar on The Open Seasons Order and Sustainable Hunting

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 … Continue reading How do you feel when you squeeze the trigger?

136: The Politics of Nature Restoration with Ariel Brunner

https://open.spotify.com/episode/77jBeEfcKE0aXaOMobx2dH?si=f05583dd51364e35 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 … Continue reading 136: The Politics of Nature Restoration with Ariel Brunner