#1122 - Donnie Vincent

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00:00

  Donnie Vincent Introduction and Experience with Floating

  • Donnie Vincent shares his excitement about floating and the benefits of float tanks
  • Discussion on the relaxation and meditative qualities of floating
  • Focus on spreading awareness about floating and its positive effects on relaxation
• 00:02:33

  Reflecting on the Transcendental Experience of Nature and Hunting

  • Reflections on the calming and appreciative aspects of nature and hunting
  • Importance of slowing down and appreciating the details in surroundings
  • Discussion on the spiritual and intense experience offered by hunting and outdoor adventures
• 00:10:55

  Ethical Treatment of Animals and Captive Orcas

  • Discussion on domesticated animals and their inability to survive in the wild
  • Critique on the captivity of orcas and other marine animals in swimming pools
  • Support for ethical treatment of animals and condemnation of captive orcas in places like SeaWorld
• 00:12:04

  Personal Encounter with a Killer Whale

  • Narrative of a close encounter with a wild killer whale in a boat
  • Description of the killer whale's behavior and eye contact during the encounter
  • Reflections on the parallels between captive orcas and ethical treatment of animals
• 00:21:30

  Ethical Considerations for Animal Treatment and Hunting Dilemmas

  • Reflecting on the treatment of animals and the ethical implications of hunting.
  • Discussing the contradiction of caring for animals while participating in hunting practices.
  • Exploring the complexities of sustainable wildlife management and human impact on animal populations.
• 00:22:52

  Challenges of Wildlife Conservation and Agricultural Impact

  • Examining the dynamic relationship between public lands, hunting, and wildlife conservation.
  • Highlighting the impact of large-scale agriculture on wildlife habitats and ecosystems.
  • Addressing the consequences of agricultural practices on soil health, biodiversity, and water pollution.
• 00:31:47

  Hunting and Conservation - The Gray Area of Ethics

  • The speaker reflects on his ethical dilemma while hunting woodland caribou in Newfoundland.
  • Discusses the cyclic nature of caribou populations in relation to thriving and overpopulation.
  • Emphasizes the importance of hunters, vegetarians, and vegans alike in asking critical questions regarding wildlife and habitat conservation.
• 00:33:00

  Factory-Created Meat and Environmental Impact

  • Exploration of the emergence of laboratory-created meat as a potential solution to environmental issues.
  • Raises concerns about the broader implications and possible negative effects of mass-produced artificial meat.
  • Discusses the potential consequences of shifting away from traditional farming and its impact on wildlife and natural resources.
• 00:42:00

  Bear Meat Preparation: From Cooking Medallions to Roast

  • Cooking bear meat in different ways
  • Describing the reactions to the taste of bear meat
  • Understanding biases and preconceived notions about bear meat
• 00:43:59

  Gourmet Bear: Purple Fat from Blueberries and Unusual Diets

  • Experience of eating bear meat that had only blueberries in its diet
  • Comparison of unique tastes due to different animal diets
  • Reflections on the impact of dietary habits on food taste
• 00:50:57

  Ben Storek's Lion Hunt Experience

  • Participating in a lion hunt challenged preconceived stereotypes about hunters and houndsmen.
  • Met Ben Storek, a gracious and conscientious hunter who values the animals.
  • Tracked a lion over 21-22 kilometers, encountering ranchers' concerns about predator management.
• 00:52:18

  Insights from Lion Hunt

  • Killed a lion per predator management guidelines set by biologists.
  • Discovered the delicious and unique taste of mountain lion meat.
  • Learned about the lion's behavior to evade wolves and maintain peace while hunting.
• 01:00:05

  Lion Hunting in Original Territories - Data Exploration and Moral Debate

  • Donny advocates for lion hunting in an area with minimal lion activity
  • Discussions on people's emotional response to predator hunting
  • Controversy surrounding trophy hunting, particularly the case of Cecil the lion
• 01:01:02

  Controversial Trophy Hunting Practices and Legal Implications

  • British Columbia's ban on grizzly bear hunting due to trophy hunting practices
  • Disapproval of hunting practices where animals are killed solely for trophies
  • Criticism of hunters who exploit controlled environment hunts for trophies
• 01:09:36

  Bear Meat Culinary Experience on Kodiak Island

  • Hunting for brown bears on Kodiak Island but didn't kill one
  • Classically trained chef served brown bear meat in different ways
  • Preparation involved soaking bear meat in milk bath multiple times before cooking
• 01:13:06

  Debunking Myths about Bear Meat and Animal Perception

  • Enjoying black bear stir fry cooked by Jen from Alberta camp
  • Discussion on misperceptions about bear hunting and animal behavior
  • Debate on animal cruelty, veganism, and disconnect from food sources
• 01:19:40

  Debate over Vegetarianism and Carnivorous Human Nature

  • Discussion on the ability of humans to sustain on a vegan diet without supplements like B12 and fat-soluble vitamins.
  • Exploration of the human history tied to meat consumption and evolution as hunters.
  • Reflection on the disconnect in modern society between food sourcing and preparation.
• 01:21:08

  Ethical Dilemmas and Perception of Veganism

  • Examination of the ethical stance of veganism and the perception of moral superiority.
  • Discussion on the diversity of personalities within the vegan community.
  • Exploration of human tendencies to judge dietary choices and the effort behind food sourcing.
• 01:29:23

  Discussion on Hunters and Vegans

  • Engagement with hunters on the topic of hunting practices
  • Concern about uninformed hunters and their impact
  • Comparison with vegans and ethical concerns about meat sourcing
• 01:30:56

  Encounters with Wildlife in Arctic

  • Engaging experiences in the Arctic environment
  • Interactions with wolves during hunting expeditions
  • Reflection on the connection between nature and human presence
• 01:38:27

  Researcher's Encounter with Wolves in Canada

  • - Farley Mowat sends a biologist to study wolves in response to caribou herd decline
  • - Biologist finds wolves not killing caribou, instead eating redback voles and small animals
  • - Wolves develop inquisitive relationship with the researcher, following and engaging with curiosity
• 01:39:36

  Building Relationship with Wolves Through Food Sharing

  • - Researcher starts feeding wolves salmon, growing relationship over time
  • - Wolves' presence and behavior suggest ancestral connection to Inuit beliefs
  • - Researcher prevents Eskimo hunters from shooting wolves by invoking ancestral ties
• 01:47:47

  Observing Wildlife in its Natural Habitat - Buffalo in Australia

  • Buffalo in Australia are overpopulated and causing harm to the country
  • The experience of being in the woods and observing wildlife in its natural environment is unique and valuable
  • Discussing the idea of creating experiences for non-hunters to appreciate wildlife up close
• 01:49:01

  Elk Hunting Experience in Utah

  • Recalling a hunting trip in Utah with specific details and interactions with elk
  • Highlighting the excitement of being close to elk without being noticed
  • Emphasizing the impact of experiencing animals in the wild over a zoo setting
• 01:57:51

  Filmmaker killed by giraffe in South Africa

  • Filmmaker dies after being head-butted by a giraffe in South Africa.
  • Incident described as brutal and unexpected.
  • Filmmaker's death brings attention to dangers in the wildlife.
• 01:58:21

  Debate Over Grizzly Bear Hunting in British Columbia

  • Controversy arises over banning grizzly bear hunting in British Columbia.
  • Discussion highlights lack of understanding among the public about wildlife population management.
  • Concerns raised about consequences of eliminating hunting as a population control measure.
• 02:07:04

  Hunting Axis deer in Lenai

  • Hunting Axis deer in Lenai with a population of over 20,000 deer on the small island
  • Experience of hunting deer on Lenai, an island with limited human population
  • Efforts to control the deer population due to the imbalance in the ecosystem
• 02:08:10

  Challenges of Wildlife Conservation and Hunting

  • Efforts to maintain the balance in the ecosystem by controlling deer population
  • Discussion on the evolution and adaptation of animals like Axis deer to survive against predators
  • Exploring the relationship between hunting, wildlife conservation, and the study of animal behavior
• 02:16:04

  Deer Hunting Narratives: The River's Divide and the Naming of Steve

  • Introduced to a different approach in film creation by focusing on personal narratives and experiences.
  • Started writing and filming more authentically, leading to the success of the film 'The River's Divide' in 2012.
  • Discussion on the practice of naming deer and wildlife, exemplified by the story of naming a deer 'Steve'.
• 02:18:22

  Wilderness Intrusion: Impact of ATVs on Elk Hunting in Nevada

  • Narrative of elk hunting in Nevada revealing the negative effects of excessive ATV use on wildlife and wilderness.
  • Overpopulation of hunters due to limited tags and subsequent environmental intrusion in the Shell Creek Range.
  • Advocacy for restricting ATV access in hunting areas to preserve wilderness and reduce disturbance to elk.
• 00:00:00

  Hunting Shows and Wild Sheep Foundation Auctions

  • A discussion on extravagant hunting shows and auctions at events like Wild Sheep Foundation where tags can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Anecdote about a person who hired a team to track a specific big horn sheep for months until the hunting season opened.
  • Contemplation on buying tags and immersing oneself in the wilderness for a genuine hunting experience.
• 01:27:38

  Ethics and Challenges in Hunting

  • Exploration of the ethical considerations and challenges in hunting, including the debate between rifle hunting on public land versus bow hunting on private land.
  • Discussion on the rewarding aspects of hunting that involve physical effort, skill, and getting close to wildlife.
  • Reflection on the importance of genuine experiences in hunting, contrasting with the commercialization and trophy culture.