Bringing Back the Wild with Mike Arnold

Mike Arnold
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  • WILDERNESS

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.

Episodes

  1. APR 28

    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

  2. APR 21

    Daniela Fanzoj discusses the heritage of conservation reflected in Johan 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

  3. APR 14

    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

  4. MAR 24

    Interview with Dan Cabela

    In this episode, Mike sits down with Dan Cabela, one of today’s most influential voices in hunting-led conservation. Dan shares the origin story of Hard Truths of Conservation and explains how a conversation around a campfire in Mozambique sparked a television project that now reaches global audiences. What began as documentation of lion reintroductions evolved into a cinematic series carried by History Channel and now Discovery Channel. Dan explains why the show targets non-hunters, how it presents conservation challenges without preaching, and why honest storytelling matters more than advocacy slogans. He previews Season 4, which opens with a powerful bison relocation project near Kodiak Island that blends science, Indigenous culture, food security, and sustainable use. The conversation then turns to one of the most ambitious wildlife projects in Africa: the reintroduction of lions, cheetahs, and hyenas into Coutada 11 in the Zambezi Delta. Dan details the risks, setbacks, and ultimate success of rebuilding apex predator populations that will fund their own conservation through regulated hunting. Throughout the episode, Dan reinforces a clear message: science, local communities, and responsible hunting drive real conservation outcomes. Sponsors of Bringing Back the Wild include: Dallas Safari Club, Royal Outfitters UK, Life-Form Taxidermy, Zambeze Delta Safaris, Travel Express, and AfricaSky Boutique Hotel.

    36 min

  5. MAR 10

    A discussion on Hunting, Conservation, and Policy with Governor Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, Governor Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota joins the conversation at the Dallas Safari Club to talk hunting, conservation, and the real-world intersection of land use, agriculture, and public policy. Governor Armstrong shares how his upbringing in western North Dakota shaped his lifelong passion for bowhunting, bird dogs, and wild places, while teaching patience, humility, and respect for the land. He traces his path into politics from frustration with a single legislative issue to service in the state senate, Congress, and now the governor’s office. Governor Armstrong explains why conservation matters to him not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical partnership with farmers, ranchers, and energy producers who live on and work the land every day. He makes a clear case that working lands create habitat, support wildlife, and sustain rural communities when policy respects local knowledge and economic reality. The discussion also dives into youth hunting, access to private land, and the importance of keeping hunting available to everyday families. Throughout the episode, Governor Armstrong emphasizes one core idea: if conservation, agriculture, and hunting all work together, communities thrive and wildlife follows. #BringingBackTheWild #KellyArmstrong #ConservationWorks #HuntingHeritage #WildlifeConservation #LandStewardship #WorkingLands #RuralAmerica #OutdoorTraditions #HuntersForConservation #YouthHunting #NorthDakota #DallasSafariClub

    30 min

  6. FEB 24

    Interview with Tim Lowe & Duane Harris - Memorable Outdoors Moments

    Episode Overview While visiting College of Coastal Georgia to give a seminar, Dr. Mike Arnold sat down with Tim Lowe and Duane Harris—the two visionaries behind an innovative speaker series within the college’s Environmental Sciences program. Their shared goal was both bold and intentional: to bring forward voices willing to discuss the often-misunderstood importance of consumptive sports, including hunting and fishing, in modern conservation.   In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, Tim and Duane trace the origins of their “brainchild” and explain why exposing non-hunting students to the central role of hunting and angling is essential to understanding conservation success in North America and beyond. Thoughtful, educational, and timely, this conversation highlights how honest dialogue and academic courage can help bridge cultural gaps and secure a future for wildlife conservation. Sponsors of Bringing Back the Wild include Royal Outfitters UK, Life-Form Taxidermy, Zambeze Delta Safaris, and Safari Specialty Importers.

    28 min

  7. FEB 10

    An interview with Outfitter and Conservationist, Mark Haldane of Zambeze Delta Safaris

    In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, host Mike Arnold talks with longtime friend and professional hunter Mark Haldane about one of Africa’s most remarkable conservation success stories—Coutada 11 in Mozambique. Haldane traces his path from a free-roaming childhood in South Africa to nearly four decades in the safari industry, culminating in his work restoring a war-ravaged landscape. When he first entered Coutada 11 in 1994, wildlife barely survived. Buffalo numbered in the hundreds, sable antelopes clung to a single small herd, and zebra nearly disappeared. Through protection, habitat recovery, and disciplined management, wildlife rebounded dramatically. Today, tens of thousands of animals roam freely across an unfenced ecosystem. As the land healed, Haldane made a deliberate choice to restore balance by reintroducing apex predators. Lions, supported in part by Mary Cabela and her family, returned to the landscape under rigorous scientific monitoring. Hunting now removes less than one percent of the population while funding long-term protection. The conversation also highlights community-driven conservation, including a thriving beekeeping program that empowers local women and a successful pangolin rehabilitation effort. Throughout the episode, Haldane delivers a clear message: when conservation creates real value for people, the wild comes back—and stays. Sponsors of Bringing Back the Wild include Royal Outfitters UK, Life-Form Taxidermy, Zambeze Delta Safaris, Safari Specialty Importers, Travel Express, and AfricaSky Boutique Hotel.

    44 min

  8. JAN 27

    Interview with Diana Rupp from Sports Afield Magazine

    Episode Overview In this engaging and wide-ranging conversation, Mike sits down with Diana Rupp, Editor-in-Chief of Sports Afield, for a fun, thoughtful, and insightful discussion. From stories of Diana as an eight-year-old helping her parents field-dress deer, to her professional journey in outdoor media, the episode traces how a lifelong hunting heritage shaped her worldview. The conversation goes deeper into Diana’s understanding that hunting is the most effective tool for conservation worldwide—supporting wildlife management, habitat protection, and community engagement. With humor, mutual respect, and plenty of authenticity, this episode highlights how tradition, science, and storytelling intersect to help “bring back the wild.” Sponsors of Bringing Back the Wild include Royal Outfitters UK, Life-Form Taxidermy, Zambeze Delta Safaris, and Safari Specialty Importers.

    56 min

  9. JAN 13

    Legendary Interview with Larry Weishuhn "Mr. Whitetail"

    Episode Overview In the inaugural episode of Bringing Back the Wild, Dr. Mike Arnold sits down with legendary outdoorsman Larry “Mr. Whitetail” Weishuhn. From walking Texas woods alongside his father to taking his first whitetail from a tree stand some 30 feet above the ground, Larry’s story is one of curiosity, grit, and a lifelong devotion to the wild. That early passion set him on a remarkable path—one that would lead him to become a wildlife biologist, international hunter, television personality, and prolific author.   In this wide-ranging conversation, Larry and Mike reflect on the experiences that shaped Larry’s career, the evolution of ethical hunting, and the critical role hunters play in conservation.   Along the way, listeners will hear hard-earned wisdom, memorable stories, and plenty of laughter as “Mr. Whitetail” recounts the journey that earned him his place as one of the most respected voices in the outdoor world.   This episode sets the tone for Bringing Back the Wild: thoughtful conversations about conservation, hunting, and the people who live at the intersection of both. Learn more about Larry Weishuhn at http://larryweishuhn.net/ and check out his Patreon at http://patreon.com/MrWhitetail. Sponsors of Bringing Back the Wild include: Royal Outfitters UK Life-Form Taxidermy Zambeze Delta Safaris Safari Specialty Importers

    57 min
  • 9 Episodes

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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