Blood Origins Roundup 154 Summary

Release Date: July 23, 2025
Episode Title: Roundup 154 || DSC, “Green” Vs Conservation Rhino Hunts, the new Global Care Fund and more!
Host/Author: Blood Origins Inc.

Introduction to Rhino Conservation and Green Hunts

Timestamp: [11:17]

In this episode, hosts Melissa Bachmann (Speaker B) and Mike Axelrod (Speaker A) delve into the intricate relationship between hunting and conservation, focusing particularly on rhino hunts. They explore the concept of "green hunts" and its implications for rhino conservation efforts.

Key Discussion Points:

• Valuing Rhino Conservation Through Hunting:
  Melissa Bachmann: "We want rhino conservation to be valued properly. And hunting a rhino, killing a rhino, is valuing the rhino conservation effort properly." ([11:19])

• Understanding Green Hunts:
  Mike Axelrod: "A green hunt is the hunter gets to fire a vitamin, a vitamin dart into a rhino, checking the box that you have tagged, slash, killed the rhino. You have not." ([11:36])
  Melissa Bachmann: "The controversy is this. If that rhino needed to be dehorned, had a wound, needed veterinary care... the payment ranges from $3,000 to $19,000. It's pretty low." ([12:03])

• Ethical Concerns and Conservation Value:
  Melissa Bachmann: "There has been instances in the past where, where rhinos are just green hunted just because... there was no reason to tranquilize the rhino." ([13:08])
  Mike Axelrod: "If you're paying four and a half thousand dollars to Data Rhino and you're saying you're doing it for the protection of rhinos and conservation of rhinos, I'm going to say bullshit. Step up and pay $35,000 and kill that rhino." ([15:15])

Highlighting Successful Rhino Hunts

Timestamp: [16:04]

The hosts celebrate a significant achievement in rhino conservation funded through a successful auction.

Key Highlights:

• Record-Breaking Auction:
  Melissa Bachmann: "There was a Blaser rifle associated with it and it went for probably the most expensive rhino that I've seen go on auction in the last three years... he paid $55,000." ([16:04])

• Supporting Conservation Through Revenue:
  Mike Axelrod: "When I go hunting, I like to figure out how to get my trophies back home as expeditiously as possible... Safari Specialty Importers is working with us at Blood Origins and they are going to donate $100 from every shipment that they work with to conservation projects." ([16:04])

Introduction of the Global Care Fund

Timestamp: [17:27]

The episode introduces the newly launched Global Care Fund (GCF), a program designed to support those within the hunting and conservation communities facing unforeseen hardships.

Key Discussion Points:

• Purpose and Impact of GCF:
  Melissa Bachmann: "The DSC Foundation rolled out their new program, the new Global Care Fund. GCF is there to protect outfitters, PHS trackers, skinners, communities affected and that are tied in with the hunting fraternity." ([17:27])

• Fundraising Successes:
  Mike Axelrod: "Joel Swan's Champion ranch piece was 100% donation to Global Care Fund. That went for $40,000." ([18:02])

• Real-Life Applications:
  An immediate application for the GCF from Frontiersman, assisting a guide in British Columbia who was in a serious accident, exemplifies the fund's critical role. ([17:35])

Legislative Updates and Advocacy

Timestamp: [18:37]

The hosts provide an in-depth analysis of recent legislative developments affecting the hunting and conservation communities, emphasizing the importance of active advocacy.

Key Discussion Points:

• Budget Reconciliation Act and the "Big Beautiful Bill":
  Mike Axelrod: "The outdoor community did such a good job. The big, beautiful bill." ([18:54])
  Melissa Bachmann: "This is a budget reconciliation bill, which was all the things that either are adding money into the coffers or things that are going to save money in the coffers." ([19:13])

• Impact of the Byrd Rule:
  The Byrd Rule mandates that provisions in reconciliation bills must affect the budget's bottom line, leading to the exclusion of certain items like the suppressor and NFA amendments. ([19:27])

• Conservation Funding and Appropriations:
  Melissa Bachmann: "A lot of great projects get funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Act... right now there's a number of various fish commissions that receive funding from this." ([26:05])

• Grizzly Bear Delisting Efforts:
  Mike Axelrod: "Grizzly bear bill was moved forward out of the markup on July 15, which would delist the Greater Yellowstone grizzly bear population from federal protections." ([30:13])

Conservation Projects and Collaborations

Timestamp: [35:31]

The discussion shifts to specific conservation projects and the collaborative efforts between Blood Origins and other organizations to support wildlife and communities.

Key Highlights:

• HEN Act - Supporting Waterfowl Populations:
  Melissa Bachmann: "The HEN Act is designed to support and encourage and sustain more healthy waterfowl populations across America." ([33:59])

• Successful Implementation of Conservation Programs:
  Melissa Bachmann: "Our Conservation Club is of just good people that we've gotten to know. We're friends, we trust them." ([47:05])
  Mike Axelrod: "The Helix program is a value add for this conservation partnership... capturing benefit data and telling the world about it." ([49:27])

International Conservation Efforts

Timestamp: [51:06]

The hosts announce Angola's reopening for hunting after 50 years, highlighting the meticulous planning and collaboration involved in this significant conservation milestone.

Key Highlights:

• Reopening of Hunting in Angola:
  Melissa Bachmann: "Angola is open for hunting again after 50 years of being almost virtually closed the whole time." ([51:06])
  Mike Axelrod: "They have just reopened hunting in Angola with a very, very well thought out plan." ([51:28])

• Conservation Force's Role:
  Melissa Bachmann: "A lot of time and effort from conservation force has gone into this and working with the people over there and the ministers and the government over there." ([51:16])

Community Engagement and Future Plans

Timestamp: [45:11]

Concluding the episode, the hosts reflect on community engagement initiatives and share exciting plans for future projects.

Key Discussion Points:

• Introducing the Helix Program:
  Melissa Bachmann: "The Helix program is a value add for our corporate conservation club, our outfitters and operators." ([47:05])
  Mike Axelrod: "It's a partnership where we capture benefit data and help outfitters enhance their conservation efforts." ([49:27])

• Upcoming Hunting Trips and Collaborations:
  Melissa Bachmann: "The highlight is working with our friend Kate at Wildlife Partners on going to Namibia for my first hunting trip to Africa." ([45:28])
  Mike Axelrod: "We might film this one and share more about our adventures and conservation efforts." ([45:43])

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners to engage with Blood Origins through questions, ideas, and participation in conservation efforts.

Notable Quote:

Melissa Bachmann: "Carry on the good work and we hope Jay does too." ([44:40])

Conclusion

Roundup 154 of the Blood Origins podcast provides an insightful exploration into the balance between hunting and conservation. Through discussions on green hunts, legislative advocacy, and international conservation efforts, hosts Melissa Bachmann and Mike Axelrod emphasize the critical role that ethical hunting practices and community support play in preserving wildlife. The introduction of the Global Care Fund and the Helix Program showcases Blood Origins' commitment to fostering strong partnerships and sustainable conservation initiatives. This episode serves as a compelling resource for those interested in understanding the complexities of modern conservation efforts intertwined with hunting practices.