What makes someone kill an animal and still claim to care deeply about nature? Can the act of hunting foster environmental stewardship? These somewhat provocative questions lie at the heart of my conversation with Thorsten Gieser, an anthropologist studying hunting practices and their deeper meaning in modern society.

Our discussion explores the complex emotional landscape of hunting and challenges common misconceptions about hunters taking pleasure in killing. Through personal accounts and research findings, Thorsten explains how the difficult experience of taking an animal's life, when approached mindfully, can lead to deeper environmental awareness and connection with nature. We also discuss how various factors, from hunting traditions to modern technology, influence the relationship between hunters and the natural environment.

Our conversation takes a turn when we discuss hunting rituals and their role in modern society. Rather than dismissing them as outdated customs, Thorsten explains their crucial function in creating space for reflection and processing the weight of taking life. We end the episode with a discussion about how hunters can better engage in public debates about their practice, suggesting that acknowledging the moral complexity of killing might lead to a more productive dialogue about conservation and our relationship with nature.

Further reading:

• Thorsten Gieser | The BOAR Project
• Recreational killing of wild animals can foster environmental stewardship | Nature Sustainability

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How to Get Started in Deer Hunting in Ireland

What happens when Pacific salmon invade Atlantic waters? How does a Soviet-era experiment from the 1950s continue to impact Norwegian rivers today? We’re answering these questions in conversation with Jude Isabella, founder and editor-in-chief of Hakai Magazine. This episode was inspired by her three-week journey along Norway's border with Russia, documented in her article ‘Where the Rivers Run Pink’. The article tells the complex story of pink salmon that have established themselves in Norwegian rivers after straying from Russian waters. Our conversation, however, goes beyond the article itself and reveals the details and stories that didn't make it into the article.

In our discussion, we explore Norway's evolving approach to managing this invasive species. While initial reactions focused on eradication, the situation has developed into a more nuanced strategy of population control. Jude shares insights about local initiatives to handle the influx of pink salmon, from volunteer-run fish traps to commercial processing operations, and how these invasive fish are becoming part of the local food chain.

We also examine the broader ecological implications of this invasion. While pink salmon are often viewed as a threat to native Atlantic salmon, Jude reveals surprising findings about their potential benefits to river ecosystems. The episode concludes with thought-provoking reflections on novel ecosystems and how we adapt to inevitable environmental changes in our rapidly transforming world.

Further reading:

• Hakai Magazine - bioGraphic
• Where the Rivers Run Pink | Hakai Magazine

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Can hunting be an effective way to manage human-wildlife conflict? What happens when well-intentioned wildlife protection measures backfire? I spoke with Jens Ulrik Høgh, a Scandinavian hunting journalist, to find answers to these questions through the lens of Romania's bear management crisis. When hunting was banned in 2016 under pressure from animal rights groups, it led to an unexpected surge in human-wildlife conflict, with 300 people being mauled and 26 killed by bears that had lost their fear of humans.

Through many examples from Romania, Africa and Scandinavia, Jens explores how regulated hunting can serve as a vital conservation tool. He challenges common misconceptions about trophy hunting and explains how hunting tourism provides critical financial incentives for protecting wildlife habitats. We discuss how local communities in various parts of the world depend on hunting not just for wildlife management but also for economic sustainability. This highlights the complex relationship between wildlife conservation and local people's livelihoods.

The conversation concludes with an optimistic outlook on the future of hunting, supported by growing public acceptance. Jens also provides valuable insights into how hunters can better communicate about their activities, emphasising the importance of honesty, factual accuracy and sensitivity to others' feelings. His practical advice focuses on building bridges between hunters and non-hunters rather than creating further divisions.

Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter

Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.

Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/books

Merch: tommysoutdoors.com/shop

Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook