Bringing Back the Wild with Mike Arnold

Mike Arnold
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Mike Arnold explores how science, tradition, and hands-on conservation come together to protect the wild places and wildlife we care about. Your host, Mike Arnold, is professor of genetics, a lifelong hunter, and a conservation biologist. As a genetics professor who spends as much time in the woods as he does in the lab. Mike studies wildlife, has a passion for hunting, and cares deeply about conservation. On this podcast, Mike dives into the science and stories behind bringing wildlife species back and keeping wild places wild.

  1. 3 days ago

    A discussion of Hornady manufacturing with Seth Swerczek

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, host Mike Arnold sits down with Seth Swerczek of Hornady to explore a life shaped by hunting, shooting, and service. Seth shares how he grew up along Nebraska’s Cedar River, learned to reload with his father, and harvested his first whitetail at age twelve. He explains how eight years in the United States Marine Corps sharpened his marksmanship and deepened his understanding of firearms fundamentals. Seth then traces his path from technical representative to Marketing Communications Manager at Hornady, detailing hands-on training in bullets, brass, ammunition, and ballistics.

    34 min

  2. 9 Jun

    A Conversation with Russell Stacy, CEO of Dallas Safari Club, on hunting, conservation and community outreach

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, host Mike Arnold sits down with Russell Stacy, CEO of the Dallas Safari Club, for an in-depth conversation about hunting heritage, leadership, and conservation impact. Russell shares how he grew up hunting in rural Louisiana and South Texas, learning the outdoors from his father and developing a lifelong passion for whitetails, quail, and waterfowl. He reflects on harvesting his first deer at seven years old and explains how hunting shaped his values, family traditions, and work ethic. Thanksgiving and Christmas hunts in South Texas still anchor his year and connect him to a tight-knit hunting community. The conversation traces Russell’s journey from first attending a Dallas Safari Club convention to becoming a dedicated volunteer, board member, foundation president, and ultimately CEO. He explains how volunteering opened doors and why the organization’s strong volunteer culture sets it apart. Russell also breaks down the roles of the Dallas Safari Club and the Dallas Safari Club Foundation, highlighting advocacy, conservation, and education efforts around the world. He discusses successful projects in Africa, Canada, and the United States, including anti-poaching initiatives, habitat restoration, and wildlife research. Throughout the episode, Russell emphasizes community, mentorship, and the responsibility hunters carry in sustaining wildlife for future generations. Sponsors of Bringing Back the Wild include: Dallas Safari Club, Royal Outfitters UK, Life-Form Taxidermy, Zambeze Delta Safaris, and Choctaw Hunting Lodge.

    41 min

  3. 26 May

    Erica Tergeson, Dallas Safari Club Government Affairs Director discusses the advocacy protecting hunting

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, Mike Arnold sits down with political strategist and Dallas Safari Club Government Affairs Director, Erica Tergeson, to explore why hunters must stay engaged in Washington, D.C. Erica shares her upbringing on a Colorado ranch, where she learned to shoot a Ruger .22, hunted prairie dogs, and developed a deep respect for rural life and wildlife. She explains how that background led her to Capitol Hill, where she now fights daily to defend hunting from federal restrictions and trophy import bans. Erica breaks down how excise taxes through the Pittman-Robertson Act fund state wildlife agencies and why many lawmakers still misunderstand that system. She details her work building relationships with key committees, supporting pro-hunting candidates, and countering well-funded animal rights campaigns. She urges hunters to visit their representatives, engage across party lines, and support DSC’s political action committee to protect conservation, hunting traditions, and the future of wildlife management.

    32 min

  4. 19 May

    Cecil Corringham of Life-Form Taxidermy discusses conservation and community outreach funded by hunters

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, Mike Arnold sits down with South African master taxidermist Cecil Corringham to explore a life shaped by resilience, artistry, and a deep love for wild places. Cecil shares how he grew up in an orphanage and discovered hunting during weekend trips to friends’ farms, where he learned independence, bushcraft, and respect for wildlife. A survival course under renowned conservationist Dr. Ian Player cemented his passion for Africa’s wild landscapes. Cecil traces his unexpected path into taxidermy, where natural artistic talent and relentless work ethic helped him build Life-Form Taxidermy into a world-class operation employing more than 100 people. He explains why hunters drive conservation across Africa, support rural economies, and protect habitat from poaching and corruption. Beyond business, Cecil funds anti-poaching units, supplies critical gear, and leads wheelchair initiatives that serve rural communities in Mozambique, South Africa, and Kenya. This conversation highlights hunting’s role in conservation, the responsibility that comes with success, and the power of giving back. #BringingBackTheWild #CecilCorringham #LifeFormTaxidermy #HuntingConservation #AfricanWildlife #EthicalHunting #AntiPoaching #SustainableUse #WildlifeManagement #Mozambique #SouthAfrica #HuntersForConservation #RuralCommunities #ConservationLeadership #WildlifeArt

    28 min

  5. 12 May

    Larry Weishuhn discusses all things Coues and Carmen Mountain Whitetails...and everything else...

    Larry Weishuhn—Mr. Whitetail—returns for our first-ever repeat guest episode, and he delivers a masterclass in deer, habitat, and conservation. Larry takes us deep into two extraordinary hunts for the smallest whitetail subspecies in North America: the Carmen Mountain whitetail (Odocoileus virgininianus carminensis) and the Coues deer (Odocoileus virgininianus couesi). He breaks down their biology, behavior, and habitats—from the rugged, high-elevation mountains of West Texas and northern Mexico to the oak- and pine-covered Sierra Madres of Durango. This conversation goes far beyond hunting stories. Larry explains how exotic species like aoudad and elk reshape fragile desert ecosystems, compete with native deer, and force landowners and biologists to rethink wildlife management. He ties it all back to habitat, conservation economics, and responsible harvest—straight talk from decades of field experience. If you care about whitetails, wild places, and doing conservation the right way, you don’t want to miss this episode. #BringingBackTheWild #LarryWeishuhn #WhitetailDeer #CouesDeer #CarmenMountainWhitetail #Conservation #WildlifeManagement #HuntingHeritage #HabitatFirst #DSC #BackcountryHunting

    45 min

  6. 28 Apr

    John Rigby & Co.'s Marc Netwon Discusses Rigby's History and Future

    At the Safari Club International Convention in Nashville, we sit down with Mark Newton, Managing Director of John Rigby & Co., for a powerful conversation about heritage, leadership, and the future of the British gun trade. Mark traces his roots back to stalking roe deer with his father in the English countryside, where hunting shaped his character and forged lifelong family bonds. Today, he pours that same intentionality into raising his own daughters, teaching them gratitude, responsibility, and respect for wild game. Mark shares the remarkable story of Rigby’s revival—how mentorship under Paul Roberts, bold backing from the Blaser Group, and relentless commitment to authenticity brought the 250-year-old brand back to life in London. He explains why he refuses to reinvent Rigby and instead builds on its legacy of craftsmanship, adventure, and conservation. We also explore his big-picture vision: a new headquarters, expanded training academies for young gunmakers, and a long-term plan to unite historic British gun brands under shared ownership. Mark leads with humility, passion, and deep gratitude—and his vision reaches far beyond rifles to the preservation of culture, craft, and ethical hunting itself. #BringingBacktheWild #Rigby #JohnRigbyAndCo #SafariClubInternational #SCIConvention #BritishGunmakers #Gunmaking #FineRifles #HuntingHeritage #Conservation

    36 min

  7. 21 Apr

    Daniela Fanzoj discusses the heritage of conservation reflected in Johann Fanzoj firearms

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, host Mike Arnold sits down with Daniela Fanzoj of the historic Johann Fanzoj in Ferlach, Austria. Daniela shares how she grew up surrounded by mountains, hunters, and a 300-year family legacy rooted in a 500-year gunmaking tradition. She recounts taking over leadership after her father fell ill and describes how she and her brother transformed the company into an elite, niche manufacturer that produces only 20 to 24 handcrafted firearms each year. Daniela explains how Ferlach’s gunmaking heritage earned recognition from UNESCO for preserving generational craftsmanship. She details the firm’s commitment to in-house production, rare Circassian walnut, and master engraving that can require hundreds of hours per project. Through their “Majesty of Nature” line, she channels art into conservation messaging, emphasizing that hunting sustains wildlife. Daniela outlines a bold vision: elevate meaning over decoration, mentor the next generation, and use functional art to champion conservation worldwide. https://fanzoj.com/

    30 min

  8. 14 Apr

    Discussion with Joe Croot of Royal Outfitters UK

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, Mike Arnold sits down with his longtime friend Joe Croot, a professional gamekeeper, outfitter, and founder of Royal Outfitters UK. Joe shares how his grandfather introduced him to hunting, land stewardship, and harvesting food from the wild, setting him on a lifelong path outdoors. Joe explains how strict firearms laws in England shaped his early hunting career and pushed him toward rifle clubs, predator control, and eventually professional gamekeeping. He describes cutting his teeth on fox control, earning land access through trust, and building a reputation as a skilled and reliable hunter. That experience led him into large-scale estate management, where he worked on intensive conservation and game recovery projects in Scotland, including deer management and upland grouse restoration. The conversation highlights Joe’s mentorship under an innovative gamekeeper who shaped modern driven shooting practices in the UK. Joe also walks listeners through the leap from employee to entrepreneur, detailing how he built a successful outfitting business and rural sporting goods store to serve hunters and shooters in remote areas. Throughout the episode, Joe emphasizes responsibility, land management, and conservation as the foundation of ethical hunting. His story reflects a life built on hard-earned skill, mentorship, and a deep respect for wildlife and wild places. Sponsors of Bringing Back the Wild include: Dallas Safari Club, Royal Outfitters UK, Life-Form Taxidermy, Zambeze Delta Safaris, Travel Express, Dorchester Shooting Preserve, and AfricaSky Boutique Hotel.

    51 min
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About

Mike Arnold explores how science, tradition, and hands-on conservation come together to protect the wild places and wildlife we care about. Your host, Mike Arnold, is professor of genetics, a lifelong hunter, and a conservation biologist. As a genetics professor who spends as much time in the woods as he does in the lab. Mike studies wildlife, has a passion for hunting, and cares deeply about conservation. On this podcast, Mike dives into the science and stories behind bringing wildlife species back and keeping wild places wild.

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