Bringing Back the Wild with Mike Arnold

Tanzania’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Elsie Kanza, reveals how regulated, science-based hunting protects wildlife, safeguards habitat, fights poaching, and supports rural communities. Discover how hunters help Tanzania conserve more than a third of its land and secure a future for some of Africa’s greatest wildlife populations. #BringingBackTheWild #HuntingIsConservation #Tanzania #CarbonTV

Michael Schneider of Driftwood Valley Outfitters joins me to share how a hunting heritage born in Germany led him to British Columbia, where he now combines ethical hunting, wildlife stewardship, and partnerships with First Nations communities to conserve wild country and strengthen the next generation. Through his groundbreaking youth apprenticeship program, Michael helps Indigenous students build cabins, track wildlife, master outdoor skills, develop confidence, and reconnect with the land—proving that conservation thrives when people invest in wildlife, community, and one another. #BringingBackTheWild #DriftwoodValleyOutfitters #ConservationLeadership #CarbonTV

Award-winning hunter, author, ranch owner, and eighth-generation Texan Victor Bretting joins me to explore how hunting can forge character, strengthen conservation, serve veterans, mentor young people, and create a legacy that reaches far beyond the trophy. From Texas whitetails and African dangerous game to faith, family, hardship, caribou conservation, and the deeply personal story behind The Man That I Would Become, Victor reveals how purpose, stewardship, and giving back can define the hunter we choose to become. #BringingBackTheWild #HuntersWhoConserve #WildlifeConservation #CarbonTV

Terance Boss of Boss Outfitting takes us deep into wild Alberta, where he hunts giant black bears, moose, wolves, whitetails, and massive wood bison across some of North America’s wildest country. Drawing on decades in the field, Terrance tackles predator-prey dynamics, caribou declines, sustainable hunting, and wildlife management—and reveals how hunters and outfitters actively conserve Alberta’s iconic wildlife and wild places. #BringingBackTheWild #WoodBison #HuntersForConservation #CarbonTV

Step into South Africa's breathtaking Great Karoo as I sit down with professional hunter and conservationist Kyle Hartley of Wenlock Safaris. Kyle shares how a childhood spent on a family farm grew into a lifelong commitment to wildlife, ethical hunting, and habitat restoration. We dive into the realities of managing sustainable game populations, balancing agriculture with conservation, and creating an ecosystem where wildlife thrives for generations.

Matt Burgess joins the podcast to share his journey from a young elk hunter in Colorado to a guide, outfitter, and conservation advocate. He credits mentor Mike LaRose for shaping his passion for hunting, public land, and the outdoors. Matt reflects on decades of elk hunting, guiding in Alaska, and building relationships with hunters and indigenous communities around the world.

Rans Thomas joins Bringing Back the Wild to share his journey from a Georgia farm to a career in wildlife biology, land management, and conservation leadership. He explains how early exposure to hunting and habitat stewardship shaped his path and fueled his passion for whitetail deer management. Rans dives into HuntPro, the AI-powered platform he helped build, which transforms trail camera data into actionable insights.

When a hunting podcast leaves you fighting back tears, you know you've heard something extraordinary. This episode of Bringing Back the Wild shifts from outdoor communication to one of the most inspiring conservation and service stories you'll ever hear. Brandon Butler shares the remarkable journey of Retrieving Freedom, a nonprofit that trains exceptional service dogs for veterans with disabilities and children with autism—always at no cost to the families they serve.

On this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, I sit down with my friend Shane Jahn for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, handguns, and a life built around shooting and conservation. Shane shares how he grew up hunting whitetails in Texas, learned patience the hard way under an oak tree, and carried those lessons into a career with the U.S. Border Patrol in some of the roughest country in the Trans-Pecos. Shane walks us through his passion for handguns, his work covering revolvers for Gun Digest, and his role as a co-founder and editor of Gun Tales. He explains why traditional handguns still matter, how they perform in the field, and what it takes to hunt everything from Texas whitetails to Cape buffalo in Africa—with a revolver. This episode blends stories, hard-earned experience, and honest talk about hunting culture, shooting skill, and conservation on the ground. If you love firearms, wild places, and conversations that don’t pull punches, this one belongs on your playlist. #BringingBackTheWild #ShaneJahn #Gun Tales #HandgunHunting #Revolvers #WhitetailDeer #AfricanHunting #GunDigest #HuntingCulture #Conservation #Firearms

In this episode of Bringing Back the Wild, Mike Arnold sits down with Dusty Vickrey, wildlife operations manager at Choctaw Hunting Lodge, to explore how passion, stewardship, and science drive one of Oklahoma’s premier hunting properties. Dusty shares how he grew up deer hunting and bowhunting whitetails before building a 17-year career in the school bus industry. A chance hunting trip and the COVID shutdown redirected his path and led him into full-time wildlife management. Dusty explains how the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma manages more than 22,000 acres of free-range habitat alongside a 1,000-acre high-fence operation. He details a strict, biology-driven approach to conservation, including aging harvested bucks, spotlight surveys, habitat burns, and collaboration with wildlife biologists. Mentorship from Larry Weishuhn plays a key role in shaping long-term management decisions. The conversation also covers elk, bison, exotic species, and turkey hunting, along with partnerships through Dallas Safari Club. Dusty emphasizes discipline, restraint, and teamwork as the foundation for growing mature animals and sustaining exceptional hunting experiences year after year. https://choctawhuntinglodge.com/