The Origins Foundation Podcast: Episode 583 - Mike Arnold || Bringing Back The Wild

Release Date: August 12, 2025
Host: The Origins Foundation
Guest: Mike Arnold, Professor and Conservation Geneticist

Introduction

In Episode 583 of The Origins Foundation Podcast, the host welcomes Mike Arnold, a Texas-born professor and conservation geneticist with a lifelong passion for hunting. Mike's unique blend of academic expertise and hunting experience provides a compelling perspective on the intersection of hunting and wildlife conservation. This episode delves into Mike's journey, his influential books, and the profound impact of hunting on ecological preservation.

Mike Arnold: Bridging Hunting and Conservation

Mike Arnold introduces himself as a geneticist specializing in conservation genetics, but his deep-seated love for hunting has taken him across Africa, particularly to Mozambique's Kutada 11. His inaugural book, Bringing Back the Lions, emerged from his profound experience visiting Mark Haldane in Kutada 11. Witnessing the conservation ethic and positive outcomes from regulated hunting inspired Mike to document these efforts beyond an academic audience.

[00:30] Mike Arnold: "There's a reason why I started Blood Origins, and that reason is simple, is that I wanted to convey the truth about hunting."

Mike's subsequent work, Bringing Back the Wild, expands the narrative by exploring approximately two dozen global examples where hunting has significantly benefited landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

Hunting as a Tool for Conservation

A central theme of the discussion is the role of hunting in conservation. Mike emphasizes that hunting, when managed responsibly, can contribute to ecological balance, support community development, and fund conservation programs effectively.

[16:10] Robbie: "But the actual line is only costing the client and I put the client in quotations marks. Like a typical line is $70,000 or $80,000."

Mike elaborates on how funds from hunting are reinvested into conservation efforts, ensuring sustainable wildlife populations and habitat preservation. He shares insights into how regulated hunting provides economic incentives for landowners to maintain wildlife populations, thereby preventing overpopulation of certain species that could disrupt ecosystems.

Anecdotes and Global Examples

Mike shares numerous anecdotes from his hunting and conservation endeavors worldwide, illustrating the multifaceted benefits of hunting:

1. Kutada 11, Mozambique:

   • Reviving Lion Populations: After the civil war decimated wildlife populations, Mark Haldane and his team revitalized the ecosystem by reintroducing lions. This effort not only restored the predator-prey balance but also attracted hunters, whose fees support ongoing conservation.

   [15:20] Mike Arnold: "They went from, say, estimated because they had done game counts, from 40,000 Cape Buffaloes in that area to an estimated 1,200."

2. British Columbia, Canada:

   • Engaging Indigenous Communities: Collaboration with Indigenous leaders like Michael Snyder focuses on educating and involving young Native Canadians in conservation through hunting, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering sustainable practices.

   [26:18] Mike Arnold: "Michael is the one that we went with there. And we actually went to the reservations and saw how he's reaching into that community."

3. England:

   • Managing Invasive Species: Mike discusses the deliberate hunting of invasive species like the Muntjac deer and Chinese water deer to protect native ecosystems. Hunting provides landowners with the resources to control these populations without resorting to more destructive measures.

   [28:05] Mike Arnold: "We hunted muntjac and Chinese water deer. They put up with them because Mike Arnold comes in there and pays them a lot of money to hunt."

4. Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico:

   • Cultural Integration and Ecosystem Restoration: Mike recounts his experience hunting rocket deer and participating in traditional Mayan cooking practices, highlighting the harmonious relationship between hunting, cultural practices, and environmental stewardship.

   [31:30] Mike Arnold: "We had dinner out of my first brocket deer. They cooked it for four hours with aromatic plants and palmetto leaves."

Impact of Mike’s Books and Advocacy

Mike’s books serve as vital resources for both hunters and non-hunters, providing evidence-based narratives that debunk myths surrounding hunting and conservation. His work equips readers with concrete examples and talking points to advocate for hunting's role in ecological and community well-being.

[21:40] Mike Arnold: "Hunting leads to restoration of ecosystems and habitats and rejuvenation, and it leads to the betterment of human lives with community outreach."

One notable story involves Kathy, a PETA member who, after reading Bringing Back the Lions, gained a deeper understanding of how hunting can support conservation, demonstrating the transformative potential of Mike’s writings.

Confronting Misconceptions and Educating the Community

The podcast addresses common misconceptions about hunting, emphasizing the importance of education within the hunting community to effectively communicate the positive impacts of hunting on conservation.

[23:17] Mike Arnold: "If somebody on social media says elephant hunting is abhorrent, we're giving people information so that they feel like they are confident enough to say something."

By providing scientifically backed examples and personal narratives, Mike empowers both hunters and non-hunters to engage in informed discussions about wildlife management and conservation strategies.

Future Endeavors and Continued Advocacy

Mike hints at upcoming projects, including a third book that will explore additional stories such as crocodile and hyena hunts, further illustrating the necessity of predator control in maintaining ecological balance.

[38:16] Robbie: "The human-wildlife conflict associated with crocodiles. Like the reality of it, the true reality of it."

This ongoing work underscores Mike's commitment to expanding the dialogue around hunting and its role in sustainable environmental practices.

Conclusion and Where to Find More

The episode concludes with Mike encouraging listeners to explore his books, available on his personal website, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. His collaboration with Blood Origins highlights a shared mission to convey the truth about hunting and its essential role in conservation.

[36:23] Mike Arnold: "But if they want a signed copy, they can get it at mikearnoldoutdoors.com."

Mike expresses heartfelt appreciation for the platform provided by Blood Origins, reinforcing the collective effort to change perceptions and promote informed conservation practices through storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Arnold at [00:30]: "There's a reason why I started Blood Origins, and that reason is simple, is that I wanted to convey the truth about hunting."
• Robbie at [23:17]: "When somebody on social media says elephant hunting is abhorrent or how can you hunt an endangered species? We are giving people information so that they feel like they are confident enough to say something."
• Mike Arnold at [36:23]: "But if they want a signed copy, they can get it at mikearnoldoutdoors.com."

Resources and Further Reading:

• Books by Mike Arnold:
  • Bringing Back the Lions – Available on mikearnoldoutdoors.com, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
  • Bringing Back the Wild – Available on mikearnoldoutdoors.com, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

This episode of The Origins Foundation Podcast offers an insightful exploration into how hunting, when ethically and sustainably managed, can serve as a powerful tool for wildlife conservation and community development. Mike Arnold’s experiences and scholarly work provide a robust foundation for understanding the symbiotic relationship between hunting and ecological preservation.