Podcasts

We are in the USA this week, continuing with our International hunting series of podcasts. We get to hear the low down on how the USA does things from Eric Strumski - a man who has his own 1 acre lake and access to his neighbours 100 acre wood! Lucky man.

With COVID effectively cancelling trade fairs, including those that take place in the countryside, for what may well be a year, 'someone' thought there needs to be an online platform for countryside business to reach their customers. That 'someone' is Nick Palmer. We chat to him about this great idea but also to find out more about the man himself.

Andy is simply fly fishing mad! He eats, sleeps and breathes fly fishing. He's also one of those guys who you see holding massive specimen fish on social media platforms! He's got a wealth of expertise, and its great to get to know more about how he became so good. Sorry about the occasional mobile phone interference. Its only on a couple of small sections of the audio recoding.

We speak with Chef Stephen Jeffers and hear how his career has taken him from owning and running his own pubs and restaurants, winning International Chef of the Year in Toronto, and then starting up his own cookery school in Forestside, Belfast. Better still he cut his teeth in his Chef's career working on an estate cooking up game dishes!

This week we find ourselves talking to Martin from the Czech Republic. Although he has lived in the UK for a long time he comes from a hunting family back home. This happy, larger than life character shares his thoughts with us. Hear how the Czech Rep insist on hunters being involved in conservation, something we should do in the UK perhaps?

Jim and Nick toss a coin to decide which side of the debate to argue. Jim ends up defending the rising costs of all things associated with game pursuits whereas Nick gets to argue that it's all getting far too expensive. What do you think?

Gediminas Vaitiekunas is a hunter through and through. He is Chairman of one of four hunting associations in Lithuania who fights for hunters rights! This is a wonderful insight into how this successful businessman discovered hunting quite late in life but has experienced hunting whales, bears, wolves as well as deer and moose! Keen to preserve traditions as well as ensuring he passes his skills on to his son, this was a fascinating 30mins. Enjoy.

This series of podcasts ask fellow hunters, fishermen and conservationists from a variety of countries to tell us how, where and what they hunt. How are the hunting community viewed, what laws govern firearm ownership and how does this compare with the UK? This week we speak to Beppe in Sweden, you might want to move there after listening to him!

Jim and Nick toss the coin again to decide which side of the argument to stand on. Jim gets to defend the current situation whereas Nick has to argue for tougher controls. Where do you sit?

What wine do we drink with game? Here we talk to Conor McMillen who is Director of Wineworks based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland to get his thoughts and recommendations. He supplies local shoots with quality wines that will not break the bank!

Jim and Nick toss a coin to take sides on the lead versus steel cartridge debate. Listen to find out who gets which side of the argument to present and hear two differing positions on this very topical, and sometime heated, debate.

St David’s Poultry Team is the leading and largest independent poultry veterinary practice in the UK and Ireland. Dr Kenny Nutting is a director of the game bird side of the business as well as a hands on vet in the team. Essentially however, he brings science and objectivity to the reality of the game farming industry. We explore Kenny's role within the organisation and also discuss challenging topics such as the use of antibiotics in game food.

Marcus, has been blessed to work within the industry he loves. He is a fly fishing addict, and has participated in all aspects of fieldsports from an early age. His career to date has seen him manage a Coenraad Vermaak Safari camp direct from school, then move through a career of journalism where he was editor of the Fieldsports Magazine, before moving to business where he is now the Brand Director for Schöffel Country, whilst keeping a hand in journalism as a freelancer.

Simon is well known for his shows, books and films. He is passionate about rabbits and has made a profession from them. However, this way of life is under pressure and not just the from the recent pandemic. Listen to this positive man explain how he will carry on promoting this underrated species, whatever the challenges.

This months Newsround with the two grumpy old gits isn't too grumpy! We have some refreshingly optimistic stories from the game pursuits world and also make an announcement of a beautiful large solid Irish oak chopping board giveaway.

Liam Stokes has recently replaced Tom Adams as the new CEO at the BGA. Here he explains to Jim his vision for the BGA over the coming years and the challenges he will face. We also find out more about Liam's background prior to him taking on this important role and of course examine his country pursuit credentials!

Jason is a well know, highly regarded gundog trainer on the international stage. He has worn a lot hats throughout his life, seen and experienced tough times but came through. His resilience and perseverance has to be admired. His success rate speaks for itself, refreshingly proud of his country, countryside and dogs. This is a good hour away from everything, enjoy.

We might have missed 'Duffers Fortnight' this May but we should hopefully be allowed to go out and fish in the not too distant future. Bob Wellard has been fishing or involved in fishing his whole adult life. He has fished worldwide and now looks after the wonderful chalk streams of Hampshire and Wiltshire. This positive podcast should entertain you until you can get your rod and get out there!

I thought the best way to introduce this was using the 'About Us info on the Talking Game website (https://talkinggame.co.uk):Game shooting is part of our national heritage. Talking Game is dedicated to playing its part in ensuring that it not only survives, but thrives. We firmly believe that all shot game should always be eaten and we hope that our pages actively encourage this objective, and that they reflect the many qualities and experiences associated with country pursuits. Above all, we celebrate those who support our aims.During the podcast we discuss the disconnected theme that appears prevalent in the UK and make comparisons to Europe where wild game is still in strong demand.

This months instalment of two grumpy old men trying to keep cheerful whilst searching out some controversial news stories related to the wide and varied pursuits of wild game. Don't take it too seriously!

Tom Garner is the Wildlife Ranger for the Clinton Devon Estates. When he started 15 years ago all wild venison was taken across the channel by a game dealer. Now all the produce is sold at local farmers markets. When Coronavirus struck and the markets closed, he simply got on the front foot and literally took the game to the customers. Another local business who quickly adapted to give his local, loyal customers wild venison.

This podcast shows how a manufacturer of country clothing has switched production to help the National effort against Coronavirus. Listen how the modest Oliver Massy-Birch has grown the company over the last 4 years and is now helping in the fight against Coronavirus. A British company doing it's bit he and his family should rightfully be very proud of his achievements.

This week we revisit Sophie Bagley from Glorious Game and Steve Frampton from Wild and Game to see if and how the coronavirus pandemic and associated lock down is affecting their businesses

Well, March 2020 will always be remembered, in the UK, as the month Coronavirus took hold. We've seen exemplary behaviour and commitment from our blue light organisations, especially by the NHS, but equally we've seen unbelievable acts of selfishness and stupidity within some areas of our population. In amongst all of that, we have found a few wild game stories to discuss as only two grumpy old men can!

This week we chat with John Davidson. After a full career in the Army, serving in the elite SAS, and a second career in the global security industry, this man is always ready for a new challenge. So much so that he has only just returned from a successful solo crossing of the Atlantic in a small rowing boat - The Mad Giraffe. He didn't do this just for the adventure though, his aim was to raise money for a Motor Neurone Disease charity - My Name5 Doddie Foundation. Please help him achieve his goal and donate on his charity page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/madgiraffeatlanticrow

This week we stay at home to maintain social distancing and Jim chats with his long-suffering wife Gloria. Glo, as she is affectionately known, is a newbie bee keeper. Although she’s had hives for a few years she only took up the actual bee keeping herself a couple of years ago. This podcast should hopefully quell the fears of anyone else who has thought about getting into bee keeping but always thought it would be too difficult.

The Pace Brothers are well known as filmmakers, conservationists, and of course veteran podcasters! Byron Pace kindly agreed to be the subject of a podcast for FGP. (No pressure) This 32 year old has packed a lot in, his filmmaking, love of Africa and thirst for adventure remains unquenched. From economics degree to hard hitting documentary maker Byron is on a journey that you feel has barely begun. Listen to this very knowledgeable hunter/fisherman discuss all these topics, and more.

Unbelievably another month has passed so Nick and Jim look at stories that made the news this month, ranging from dead badgers hanging on Chris Packham's gate to stroppy students not understanding democracy!

Robert Croft is a forward thinking career gamekeeper who sums up FGP ethos in this podcast. He is a countryman through and through, whose passion for his profession and the countryside is heartening. Humble but forthright, a great supporter of FGP who ensures every bird shot throughout the season finds its way onto a plate!

Adrian Morrow, is not just an estate manager. Hear how he and Lord Dunluce transformed Glenarm Estate over 4 decades into a leading and diverse business that now supplies award winning beef and organic salmon world wide. It was not all plain sailing, however his tenacious spirit shines through”

Barry Jones, an ex-British Army helicopter pilot with years of operational experience under his belt, founded Skyhunter to support anti-poaching operations in Africa. This pilot come conservationist is transferring his brilliant skills to those fighting the good conservation fight so they can use air assets effectively in the war against poaching and illegal hunting. Barry gives us his thoughts on the wider conservation challenges that he sees first hand. To help him in his task he needs the support of experienced pilots. Why not visit his website, www.skyhunter.global, and learn more? He’s also penned an article for our magazine. That’s scheduled posting in a couple of weeks so keep an eye out if you would like to read it.

Something a little different this week. Jim and Nick sit down to review a few of the stories of the great outdoors that made headlines during the month of January. They aren't necessarily specifically fieldsports but all have a link somewhere along the way to our passion for game.

The intrepid Sophie Bagley founded Glorious Game just over 12months ago. She now produces a selection of oven ready game meals from her garage while continuing to work full time. How does she do it? This FGP podcast finds out. This easy to listen to podcast highlights how a country girl is building a business that will leave you feeling hungry

Nick travels to Wales to meet Charles who runs possibly the finest duck shoot in the country. However, Charles is also the founder of the Cambrian Lapwing Recovery Trust and Nick wants to hear more about that. The trust was set up in 1999 and has managed to make at least some small contribution to the conservation of this beautiful bird.

A good taxidermist needs to have not just artistic flair and well-honed skills in the mechanics of conducting the preservation but, possibly more importantly, a detailed understanding of the nature of the animal. How it lives, moves, acts. The best taxidermists have a passion for wildlife and all that it provides. Ingrid is definitely in that category. However, not only is she running a business from her passion but she is also actively involved in Taxidermy organisations such as the Taxidermy Association of Ireland where she is the secretary for Northern Ireland.For you Game of Thrones fans, Ingrid was a regular advisor and provider of all things ‘skin’ over the years it was filmed to ensure authenticity throughout.

Jim is the founder of Fayre Game Pursuits. He has spent his life in the security industry where he founded a successful electronics development and manufacturing company – yes, here in the UK! He is passionate about game pursuits and wants the wider ‘urban’ public, especially in the UK, to understand and appreciate the good that comes from the fieldsports industry along with the benefits of sourcing ethically sustainable healthy wild game for the table.

Want to know a little more about the founders of Fayre Game Pursuits? Well, in this episode I talk with Nick to give you a little insight to who he is, what makes him ticks, his passions and concerns. We recorded the podcast in his garden in the countryside.

To those of you in the shooting world Charlie won’t need any introduction. We were very fortunate for him to give up some time one Sunday afternoon whilst he was travelling to have a chat about Charlie himself. As you would expect he was far more generous than that and the conversation was broad. It was a pleasure to chat and hear his views on shooting, fishing and hunting in the UK today as well as about the man himself.Fieldsports Channel TV is certainly leading the way for online broadcast of Fieldsports activities in the UK. Not scared to tackle the tough subjects or people, the channel delivers engaging weekly videos with up to data news and views. If you haven’t watched it then make sure you subscribe to their YouTube channel sharpish!

Marc is the managing director of John Rigby and Co, undoubtedly one of our finest London gunmakers. Marc has been at the helm since the company returned to London in 2013. Marc has synchronised his passion for hunting and guns into the road map of new Rigby guns. He is also passionate about the history of Rigby and has created a pride in the workforce that in turn helps deliver the fantastic new products that currently make up the portfolio.We caught up with Marc if the London workshop and managed to steal an hour of his time to chat about all things Rigby and gun making.

We meet with Tom Adams who is the founder and Managing Director of the British Game Alliance to learn more about the origins and evolution of this great organisation. The BGA is the official marketing board for the UK game industry. It's a not-for-profit organisation, working to promote the value of all feathered game to the public whilst exploring new markets at home and overseas. Tom is passionate about ensuring the future of game pursuits which comes across loud and clear in our podcast.

Whilst seafood isn’t really ‘game’ we think its really important to understand more about the environment that covers 71% of our planet and our use of it for food. Dr. Lynn Gilmore is a Marine Biologist working as the Head of International Trade and Regions for the Non-Departmental Public Body that is part of DEFRA and gives us a good insight on what the seafood industry means to the UK.

In this podcast Professor Jaimie Dick talks about the science relating to invasive species, re-wilding and other conservation efforts with practical and objective reasoning. He understands the challenges between the aspirations and the reality of conducting these exercises and explains it to us as laymen! Jaimie also talks about his own passion for hunting in the UK and Africa.

In this podcast Steve talks about how and why Wild and Game was set up and what its objective, and to a degree roadmap, is. Steve is an experienced hunter and has hunted in lots of interesting places. He has a deep understanding of the importance of hunting to conservation as well as the need to ensure game meat, resulting from hunting and shooting activities, is turned into healthy game food for all to enjoy and benefit from. Lets get the message out there!

Andrew is an award-winning wildlife photographer who is also passionate about conservation and game pursuits in equal measure. Through his extensive travel throughout Africa, Andrew has gained some very thoughtful insight into the complexities of conservation and hunting which we explore to a degree in this podcast.

We catch up with Peter Carr at the Game Fair 2019 to create our first ever podcast. Peter must have spent his entire life involved in game pursuits. From errant schoolboy out pigeon shooting instead of attending classes, to gamekeeper, to the Sporting Rifle editor and host of the Shooting Show, not to mention active roles in conservation especially in Africa, Peter has done it all – in fact still is! In this podcast we chill out and chat about his life, his thoughts on the issues facing the industry today and what he thinks we can do to put a positive light on our passions.