There are big black bears and then there are World Record Black Bears. You may or may not have heard of Brian Melvin and his amazing black bear out of New Jersey - dressed out at 770 pounds, but Robbie gets the scoop from him in this episode of Blood Origins. You would be mistaken to think that this Black Bear would have had to come out of the great north, but in fact it came out of New Jersey, the state with the high density of black bears in North America, but also now can claim the largest bears too! With a little math, it works out to be the unofficial biggest black bear in the world, and Brian dives deep into the incredible journey this bear took him on, and the reward of finally connecting with him in a Jersey swamp in October. This is a fascinating episode as Brian describes how he hunts for big black bears like someone would hunt for a big mature whitetail - Robbie had never heard of people hunting particular bears like that and lends itself for an amazing conversation.

It’s just Robbie flying solo today since Ashlee is out with pink eye (sorry Ashlee, Robbie did you dirty on this roundup!) and after showing off his hat collection and blasting the Washington State conservation disaster, he reflects on a great - but crazy - show season, shares some cool stuff he’s seen from exhibitors, and issues a special call to action for outdoor groups to work TOGETHER. Listen in and shoot a text to our call-in line at 601-790-0607 to wish Ashlee a speedy recovery.

Robbie and Tana have been in connection for a couple of years now. Tana and her family live up in Alaska, have a super unique household, fostered and adopted kids and just an incredible heart for hunting, living, and connecting with the land. Tana knew as she got more and more involved in the Alaskan wilderness and what that time spent there was doing for her - mentally, physically, spiritually, that she wanted to share that with other women. Tana shares with Robbie about her woman-only hunts in Alaska - and the broader landscape of woman hunt programs writ-large from organizations including Wild Sheep Foundation, SCI, Wahine Wapiti in New Zealand, She Hunt and others around the world. Woman hunters and woman hunt programs are becoming more and more common and dominant as woman are the fastest growing demographic of hunters in the world!

Wahine (AKA “woman” or “girl” in Maori, the native language of New Zealand) Wapiti, is a brand new woman’s outdoors program that takes women out in one of the most formidable, grueling backcountries in the world, the Fiordland on the South Island of New Zealand. This podcast is not to be missed as it explains what these amazing women are getting out of the experience. From not knowing each other at all to celebrating the great outdoors together, reconnecting with nature and the landscape, is what it is all about. For the vast majority it leads to a life changing experience.

After a few minutes of absolute technological genius by Ashlee and an update on the upcoming show season, Robbie and Ashlee take it to all the news around the world as it pertains to hunting, including record javelina’s, firearms laws in Canada, and more. 

Robbie connected with returning guest Doug Cockroft, of Splitting Image Taxidermy, while he was in South Africa to talk about the recurring issue of trophy importation bans around the world, the evolution of taxidermy, 3D printing, and the cyclical nature of these controversies being pushed forward, then pushed back, and around we go. Trophy hunting bans are an indirect measure to stop people hunting and it will greatly affect the taxidermy industry specifically that is often employing individuals without formal educations.

CIC X BO Our Voice is back with a one-on-one discussion between Robbie and his cohost, Bupe Banda. Bupe is from Zambia and works hand in hand with local peoples and indigenous communities. Bupe and Robbie discuss living in Zambia, challenges facing conservation, and her work advocating for native peoples. In this short, sharp podcast, you’ll hear some golden truths about who the “Keys” are to conservation of wildlife around the world. Remember, if you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@bloodorigins.com or DM us through our social media platforms.

Chef Jean Paul Bourgeois and the Duck Camp Dinners Crew joins Robbie and the Blood Origins podcast to talk about his Youtube/television series, which is a deep dive into Louisiana duck hunting, food and eating culture called Duck Camp Dinners. This entire episode made me salivate with talking about the cool things that they cook. Then, after the podcast watching all of the episodes of them cooking Louisiana style in the bayou, and the things they prepared - oh lawd. A very appropriate podcast with the middle of the duck season on the Mississippi Flyway. 

Robbie was sitting down about to have a banquet at the Hunters Ball in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe when he received a text message. Now that is a feat unto itself, since Zimbabwe does not have a cell carrier that is compatible with Verizon, but somehow Robbie had connected to WiFi and got this text message. All it said was - "Louisiana State Record Whitetail has been broken." The pictures on his phone halfway around the world made his mouth drop. As Tyler Jordan says in this podcast, "probably the biggest typical whitetail that is likely going to be seen." Well, of course we had to podcast about it. It's not often that you get to record right after a history-making buck hits the ground, but that's exactly what we did. Robbie catches up with Drew and Tyler out of the Bayou State about their incredible achievement harvesting the new state record whitetail of Louisiana, a record that has stood since 1939. Hear their incredible story, the heart of the hunt behind it, and the incredible conservation work that goes into producing state record animals for us to enjoy.

It has been a long time since Robbie talked to someone who decided to change their lifestyle and move from the non-hunter ranks to the hunter ranks. Its one of our favorite podcast styles to really get to grips with someone who has made this decision. Why did they make that decision? Why did they decide to span the chasm of someone who just consumes meat to someone who is the executioner in the activity? Robbie interviews Jared Brown and Ashley Carillo about Ashley’s journey from non hunter to hunter. Ashley (a vet tech by trade who grew up in a non-hunting household) discovered hunting through her relationship with Jared, a keen hunter, and how her first hunt just happened to be a draw for a once-in-a-lifetime Oryx tag on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Share this episode with those in your community that are non-hunters - as they can relate to Ashley and understand from her why she decided to become a hunter.

Robbie and Ashlee chop it up after a hectic Holiday Season, wrap up Robbie’s recent South Africa trip, talk about new deer records this season in the Deep South, a Colorado wolf update, elephant euthanization, and more! By the way, we LOVE Cody, what are you guys talking about?! Text us on the new text line at 601-790-0607!

There are hunters giving back to communities all over the world. In discussions with our Conservation Club member, Monarch Hunting out of the South Island of New Zealand, we learned about an incredible duo of individuals that have taken it upon themselves to give back. This program has been called Hunters 4 Hope. Hunters 4 Hope, what is essentially a Hunters For The Hungry program out of Christ Church, New Zealand, joins the Blood Origins podcast to talk about New Zealand’s abundant deer resource and how that can contribute to food security in the nation by distributing organic venison into food banks and, by extension, people’s homes when they need it the most. It’s these kinds of conversations that inspire us to tell these stories and see what we can do to help raise funds for programs like this. Listen to this podcast and if you are interested and feel stirred to give please reach out to Blood Origins to see how you can help this incredible program in New Zealand.

Jeb Linscombe, is the alligator program lead for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Jeb and Robbie have been talking for some time about the incredible success story that is Louisiana Alligators. Recently, Robbie and Jeb connected in person in Louisiana on a secret filming project (with an A List Celebrity no less!) tied to the sustainable use of alligator leather. The two discuss one of the top conservation success stories across the world, the recovery of the American alligator, and about sustainable use of alligator leather. There is such a strong connection with conservation and utilization of wildlife - this story is the poster child for it!

Since Robbie is in South Africa working on some pretty big documentaries for the hunting community and has no phone signal, the roundup is taken over by Ashlee and guest cohost, Jim Inglis, this week. Jim, who used to be the government affairs for Pheasants Forever, is a good friend of Blood Origins and is the perfect person to talk about what the future of hunting looks like with the change in administration in the US. Ashlee and Jim dissect the current state of politics post-election and walk through Trump’s cabinet nominees, current legislation being passed to advance sportsmen’s interest and natural resources conservation, and analyze the new leadership in the Senate and House and how it will affect hunters as we head into 2025 under a new administration.

Benji Backer, author of ‘The Conservative Environmentalist’ and founder of the American Conservation Coalition, joins Robbie to talk about his middle ground political approach to environmentalism - a mantra Blood Origins itself is deeply familiar with. Benji and Robbie have been trying to connect on a podcast for some time, first through Blood Origins’ podcast producer Cody McLaughlin and then a second time through a common connection of Toby Lavigne. The two discuss Benji’s bird hunting hobby, his big game ambitions, growing up with vegans, what it means to be a conservative environmentalist, and much more. It’s a strong narrative discussion between two individuals that passionately believe in a middle ground to pushing a narrative of sustainability forward

Eric Michel, Sam Oberfores, and Tyler Obermoller join the podcast to talk with Robbie about their Minnesota deer fawn survival study. Eric Michel and Robbie know each other from Robbie’s days at Mississippi State University when he was a professor, and Eric was a PhD student working in the MSU deer lab. Eric is the deer biologist for Minnesota DNR and has published a fantastic study on predator dynamics and foreign survival of whitetail in Minnesota. You don’t often see a DNR agency putting out great interaction science like this. Eric invited a DNR colleague Tyler to come onto the podcast, as well as Sam who is the master student on this project. They discuss deer fawn mortality on the farmland, and the science behind the study.

CIC X BO Our Voice is back with Satau, of Botswana, to talk about his 17 years of community based natural resources management. In this episode, Robbie, joined by cohost, Bupe Banda, and Satau talk about the feelings of communities in Botswana towards wildlife and the challenges they face in owning and managing wildlife resources. Satau highlights the historical displacement and marginalization of indigenous communities and the need for their inclusion in conservation efforts. They also discuss the role of international collaborative efforts in addressing these challenges and the importance of informed decision-making. Satau emphasizes the need for communities to benefit from wildlife and the importance of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into conservation strategies. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@bloodorigins.com or DM us through our social media platforms.

John Koleszar is a sustainable wild horse management advocate in Arizona - a key difference from the wild horse advocates you may initially be thinking of. John and Robbie discuss the fascinating history of Apache’s Sitcrees National Forest, horse management, and sets the scene for this issue going forward.

Robbie is joined by new presenting sponsor and conservation stalwart Brandon Maddox, Founder and CEO of Silencer Central. Brandon is asked to be on a long list of podcasts, but Robbie wanted to hear something completely different from Brandon. Rather than talk about ballistics, silencer configurations, and general gun nerdy conversations, Robbie dives into a conversation with Brandon on the company’s conservation legacy, how supporting the outdoor community is central to the business model of Silencer Central, and what we can expect from this new partnership.

While on the road you have come to expect some unique Round-Ups. Currently Robbie is in South Africa doing some pre-planning around some up and coming documentaries. While traveling around South Africa Robbie landed in the middle of nowhere in the Northern Cape of South Africa in a town called Phillipstown. There Robbie met long time supporters Oliver, Carl and Gustav from their new hunting operation in the Karoo of the Northern Cape. This operation covers over 70,000 acres of low fence sheep farming that has abundant wildlife. They discuss managing wildlife in South Africa, how the operation came about, their support for Blood Origins as a conservation club member, and more!

AG Gregoroff, from ToeHold flip flops, is arguably the world-wide king of flip flops. Robbie went to Las Vegas to see what makes these flip flops so special, and had AG join him to talk about sustainably-sourced leathers such as ostrich, rhino, elephant, stingray, and more and how he uses these renewable resources to craft and market thousand-dollar-plus pairs of flip flops. Now Toehold's marketing strategy may not be for everyone, but beneath that exterior there is something very unique about AG, his philosophy about flip flops and how that extends to sustainability of natural resources. Oh ... and he hunts.

Wyatt Fetner and Ian Bradley Johnson of Safari Specialty Importers join the podcast to discuss the state of trophy importation. This is Wyatt’s second time on the show, and he is a certified expert in trophy importation. Wyatt and Ian give us the lay of the land as it regards to trophy importation...what’s being allowed, how long it’s taking, anticipated challenges to it, and so much more!

Andy Galpin, a tenured professor at Parker University, joins the podcast to talk with Robbie about his efforts to stand up a truly incredible human performance lab, a 65,000 square foot facility with education components and more. Andy is also a huge hunter, lifelong in fact, and is preparing for a public land hunt in Wyoming. Andy agreed to sit down with Robbie for a trademark, classic open ended conversation in true Blood Origins style.

In this special post-election wrap-up roundup, Ashlee and Robbie delve into some big WINS for hunters on Tuesday night, along with recapping the long and arduous process that got us there. From the complexities of the ballot initiative process, particularly in Mississippi and Arizona, highlighting the legal implications and the importance of citizen engagement in shaping public policy, to the complexities of wildlife management, the implications of ballot initiatives on conservation efforts, and the reality of recent victories in Colorado and Florida against anti-hunting measures. They explore the value of public voting in wildlife management, the interplay between humans and wildlife, and the emotional connections people have with different species. 

CIC X BO Our Voice is back with Doug Chiasson of the Fur Institute of Canada to talk about native perspectives of the far north and the Inuit people of Canada and how they are affected by issues around wildlife. In this episode, Robbie, joined by cohost, Bupe Banda, and Doug Chiasson. Talk about Doug’s experience working with Indigenous people in Canada and ensuring those he advocates for are represented in policymaking decisions. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@bloodorigins.com or DM us through our social media platforms.