The Origins Foundation Podcast: Roundup 167

(Released March 4, 2026)

Overview

In this episode, the Origins Foundation team gathers for a lively and insightful “roundup” on recent conservation issues and hunting-related legislation in the US and beyond. Hosts Robbie and Ashley bounce between news, policy updates, personal anecdotes, and playful banter, focusing on controversial political proposals such as Oregon’s IP28, legislative developments on Sandhill Crane hunting in Wisconsin, the ongoing saga of New York’s African trophy ban, California’s moves against Catalina deer, and more. The tone is relaxed and collegial, with an emphasis on advocacy, community mobilization, and sharing actionable information for conservation-minded hunters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exciting Developments for The Origins Foundation

• Robbie shares news about a high-profile upcoming presentation to Bugatti and Rimac, makers of the world’s fastest cars, signaling a major opportunity for the organization.
  • “Honestly, it arguably is the biggest week of our small nonprofit's life since we started.” (04:44, Robbie)
• Discussion of recent travel, trade show season, and the contagious illnesses that come from these gatherings.

2. Reflections on SCI Convention

• Both hosts attended their first or most recent Safari Club International (SCI) convention, describing its size, energy, and the impressive amount of money raised for conservation and hunting causes.

  • “Amazing convention... They are scoring touchdowns every single year. This year was even bigger.” (11:44, Robbie)
  • “That was your first SCI, right?... It was holy moly, gigantic. So, so huge.” (12:23, Ashley)

• Notable fundraising achievement with Donald Trump Jr. & Keegan McCarthy: two mountain goat hunts in Alaska auctioned for $400,000 each (12:18).

• Recognition for SCI’s large and active Hunter Action Fund/PAC, with a significant political footprint (12:55, Ashley):

  • “It’s phenomenal that hunters are having that big of a political footprint. Anti-hunters are engaged, so it’s great to see hunters engaged on that level.”

• The debut of Origins Foundation’s film “In My Footsteps,” highlighting the Amy Bell Foundation’s work providing educational opportunities for children in Africa (14:02–15:22).

  • “They're doing remarkable things... providing scholarships to students who not only can’t attend university, but just can’t attend even grade school.” (14:38, Ashley)

3. Humorous Interlude: Robbie’s (Lack of) Shooting Skills

• Lighthearted exchange about Robbie’s reputation as “the world’s worst wing shooter,” with even SCI’s CEO joking about it (16:26–17:34).

4. Wisconsin Sandhill Crane Hunting Bill

• Assembly Bill 117, which would legalize a regulated Sandhill Crane hunting season, passed the Wisconsin House. Optimism about Senate passage due to Republican majority.
  • “It passed along party lines in the House. I would probably wager that it is going to pass the Senate.” (19:41, Ashley)
• Multiple organizations supporting the measure: BHA, Delta Waterfowl, SCI, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited (19:25).
• The importance of advocacy, voter engagement, and swift action given the possibility of a Democratic governor veto (20:45).

5. Listener Engagement

• The team encourages texts and voice notes for show suggestions and feedback (21:34, Robbie & Ashley).
• Banter about hypothetical hunting competitions. Robbie jokes: “I'm terrible at that too. Terrible.” (22:00)

6. New York’s African Trophy Import Ban (Big Five Bill)

• Recap of the recurring “Big Five” African trophy import ban (Senate Bill 5014, 2026), which inches forward every year but tends to fail at the last moment (22:24–23:53).
  • “Classic scenario where these states are playing neocolonialists, thinking that they can dictate to African countries ... what they should be doing with their resources.” (24:01, Robbie)
• Discussion of precedent, federalism, and ongoing opposition strategies, including outreach from African leaders and legal threats by SCI (24:01–25:07).
  • “It’s largely a symbolic bill, but... it’s a precedence bill. That’s the problem.” (25:14, Ashley)

7. Oregon’s IP28 – The Most Extreme Animal “Protection” Initiative

• Detailed focus on the Oregon IP28 ballot initiative, which would remove exceptions for hunting, fishing, agriculture, and animal management from the state’s anti-cruelty statutes.
  • “What they are presenting ... reads like it’s an anti-animal cruelty bill... they don’t tell them what [the exceptions] are or the practical implications.” (27:28, Ashley)
• Far-reaching consequences:
  • Would criminalize common practices in pest control, agriculture (like egg production), artificial insemination, spaying/neutering, and potentially affect even rodent and insect control.
  • “It would literally, like, Oregon would immediately be overrun with dogs, cats, mice.” (30:16, Ashley)
• Alarm over deceptive signature gathering; paid companies collect over 100,000 signatures, pushing it onto the ballot.
• The challenge of fighting well-funded animal rights campaigns.
  • “You’re fighting billionaires that don’t care about the truth. They put out mass amounts of propaganda.” (33:06, Ashley)
  • “We can’t leave the people living in Oregon hanging out to dry by themselves.” (33:07, Ashley)
• Tension on whether to start anti-IP28 campaigning now or wait until closer to the vote (34:11–34:30).
• Described as “the most extreme... the worst of the worst” of any ballot initiative seen (34:35, Ashley & Robbie).

8. California: Catalina Island Deer Cull & Rewilding

• Update on plans to eradicate invasive deer from Catalina Island and parallel proposals to reintroduce grizzly bears to parts of California (37:06–37:56).
• Critique: Modern California is no longer suitable for apex predator reintroduction or wildlife management by these methods given high human population densities (37:56, Ashley & Robbie).
• The legislative trick of the California Environmental Restoration Plan (SERP) enables such actions without public comment (38:48–40:17).
  • “...They created the legislature, they were so smart politically... allows you to bypass the whole public comment process.” (38:48, Robbie)
• Local and organizational backlash, potential lawsuits (40:17–41:30).
• Shoutout to Charles Whitwam (Howl for Wildlife) and documentary “Killing Catalina.” Announcement that Charles will be on next week’s episode.

9. Quick Fire Legislative Updates

• Monitoring Mississippi’s mandatory deer harvest check bill and Senate bear harvest bill; both pending critical committee deadlines (42:05–43:09).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We need to champion our narrative. We need to champion the truth around what we do and who we are.” (00:50, Robbie)
• “Ivory, in my opinion, was the plastic of its age.” (01:10, Robbie)
• On Oregon’s IP28:
  • “This is crazier than anything we have seen... the worst of the worst, most extreme.” (34:35, Ashley)
  • “If this passes... I would be hitting the road and moving out of Oregon.” (35:06, Ashley)
• On New York’s trophy bill: “These states are playing neocolonialists... They can’t affect a hunting ban so they’re going after the trophies that are imported.” (24:01, Robbie)
• On advocacy: “It is a situation where we can’t leave the people living in Oregon hanging out to dry by themselves... we really have to mobilize the entire country.” (33:07, Ashley)

Important Timestamps

• 04:44 – Robbie discusses prepping for a pivotal week for the Foundation with Bugatti/Rimac.
• 11:44–14:38 – Reflections on SCI Convention and the Amy Bell Foundation film premiere.
• 17:01 – Humorous “worst wing shooter” banter.
• 18:20–20:17 – Detailed Sandhill Crane hunting legislation in Wisconsin.
• 22:24–26:15 – New York’s African trophy import ban (SB 5014) history, impact, and legal context.
• 27:11–35:21 – Oregon IP28 ballot initiative: what it is, signature process, dangers, and advocacy needs.
• 37:06–41:36 – California’s Catalina deer cull, grizzly reintroduction, and legislative context.
• 42:05–43:09 – Quick fire on Mississippi deer and bear harvest bills.

Next Week Preview

• Interview with Charles Whitwam of Howl for Wildlife on the Catalina situation.
• Robbie’s South Africa trip debrief.
• Updates on Mississippi legislative bills and any new policy developments.

Closing Action

• Hosts urge all listeners to spread the word about Oregon’s IP28, get involved in advocacy wherever possible, and keep up with evolving state conservation battles.
  • “Pass the word about Oregon craziness, please.” (44:05, Ashley)

Summary Takeaway

This episode provides an active, insider look into the American legislative battles shaping the future of conservation, hunting, and wildlife management. It’s both a call to action and a reminder that change—positive or negative—can come from local and state-level activism. The Origins Foundation stands on the front lines, rallying supporters to fund and defend sustainable wildlife policy, fight misinformation, and support communities at home and abroad.