#2248 - Michael Waddell

Joe Rogan and Michael Waddell discuss the intricacies of bowhunting, emphasizing that it is a skillful, patient, and dedicated craft that is both physically and mentally demanding.

Bowhunting requires immense skill, patience, and dedication to master

Joe Rogan and Michael Waddell explore the complexities and differences between bowhunting and rifle hunting. Bowhunting requires specific skills, such as precise shot placement and reading the wind, which can be challenging and requires much practice to learn proper form and technique. Rogan reflects on the dedication of bowhunters like Pedro, who travels to remote locations like Greenland and Mongolia for hunting adventures.

The moment of taking a shot at an animal is nuanced and involves understanding animal movement, tracking, and coping with adrenaline surges. Rogan describes the significant investment of time in practicing archery and preparing for hunting as focused on one crucial moment when the shot is taken. Waddell discusses the craft of bowhunting, including skinning a deer and knowing the best parts to eat.

Despite technological aids such as the Garmin sight, which helps with range finding and angle compensation, the hosts discuss the traditional methods like using pins and the mental calculations required for estimating distances without modern range finders.

Bowhunting is a physically and mentally demanding pursuit that tests one's mettle

Bowhunters like Rogan train intensely, comparing the physical preparation to that of a fighter. He highlights the physical exertion of traversing difficult terrains and the necessity of being in top physical shape to endure long hikes and the elements. The discussion acknowledges the mental toughness needed, especially when hunting in remote or politically unstable regions without access ...

Michael Waddell and Joe Rogan discuss the importance of hunting throughout history and its impact on culture and tradition today, highlighting how central hunting has been to human existence and traditions for millennia.

Hunting has been a central part of human existence for millennia, shaping our evolution and traditions

Through his experiences with the Navajo Nation, Waddell emphasizes the tradition of hunting that reaches back through generations. He notes how some cultures risk losing these traditions among younger people who are preoccupied with modern distractions. Waddell elaborates on his diversified hunting experiences across landscapes, including Canada, Africa, and Mexico, illustrating the global cultural practice of hunting in various environments. He acknowledges hunting's appearance in modern media, dating back to the early '90s with hunting shows on television. Waddell also reminisces about the hunting culture of his childhood in Georgia, where communities would gather for rifle hunting—a tradition shared within families and local communities for generations.

Primitive humans relied on hunting as a primary means of obtaining food and resources

Waddell and Rogan touch on the primitive aspects of hunting when discussing the creation of ancient arrowheads and spearheads used by ancestral humans for obtaining food and resources. Hunting grounds have historically overlapped with significant cultural and historical locations, as evidenced by the discovery of ancient sites in places like Campeche.

Over time, hunting has evolved into a craft and cultural practice passed down through generations

Waddell speaks to the craft of making hunting tools and how over generations, the methods and artistry of hunting have been developed and shared culturally. He also touches on the concept of hunting rooted in understanding the Lord’s renewable resources and returning to fundamental survival skills.

Iconic figures in hunting history, like Ishi and Pope and Young, pioneered bowhunting and left a lasting legacy

Waddell holds in high esteem figures like Ishi, who made critical contributions to bowhunting. Ishi's teachings significantly influenced the practice of archery hunting, and Waddell cites bowhunting advocates like Pope, Young, and Fred Bear as prominent individuals who ensured the continuation of bowhunting, especially with the advent of firearms.

These early bowhunting ...

Michael Waddell and Joe Rogan shed light on the problematic public perception of hunting and the hunting community's efforts to counteract this image through education and advocacy.

Hunting is often misunderstood and unfairly maligned in mainstream media and popular culture

Hunting has often faced opposition and misunderstanding, partly due to the way it's portrayed in media. Waddell encountered anti-hunting sentiments when he moved to the city, where he was shocked to find people opposed to hunting by equating it to killing beloved characters like Bambi. Waddell also relates an incident with an individual who could only relate wildlife tracks to cartoon characters like "Chester Cheeto" from popular culture, showing a significant disconnect in understanding the wild.

Movies and TV shows often represent hunters in a negative light, consistently painting them as the bad guys. Rogan points out how this portrayal poisons public perception, contrasting it with the thoughtful and balanced way hunters engage with nature. Moreover, Waddell talks about the negative connotations of the term "trophy" in hunting and the stereotypical, stuffy presentation of hunting on TV, which doesn't reflect the true nature of the sport.

These distorted depictions have led to a disconnect between hunters and non-hunters, fueling misconceptions and even hostility toward the hunting community. Waddell has faced criticism and judgment as being barbaric, hillbilly, uneducated, or ruthless simply due to his involvement in hunting.

The hunting community has worked to educate the public and combat these harmful stereotypes

In response to these misconceptions, hunters have taken steps to showcase the ethical, sustainable, and community-building aspects of the sport. They have used platforms like podcasts, spearheaded by figures like Joe Rogan, to humanize hunters and discuss misconceptions candidly. Rogan battles against negative media representations and highlights the unfair comparison between unethical meat consumption from fast-food restaurants and the ethically sourced meat through hunting.

Waddell emphasizes the knowledgeable contr ...

Joe Rogan and Michael Waddell explore the profound personal and spiritual elements of hunting, emphasizing its transformative nature and the deep connections it fosters with the natural world and among hunters.

Hunting provides a deep connection to the natural world and a sense of personal fulfillment

Joe Rogan talks about the connection and spiritual aspect of bowhunting, mentioning the meditative benefits of archery practice as espoused by Fred Bear. Rogan also shares experiences of profound satisfaction when striking targets with arrows, touching on the deep historical resonance of honing this ancient skill. The discussion illustrates how hunting can be an immersive wilderness adventure offering an escape from modern conveniences and a personal fulfillment that echoes through history.

The immersive experience of being in the wilderness, observing and interacting with wildlife, can be profoundly transformative

The conversation captures the transformative power of hunting, from Rogan recalling his first backcountry hunt to Waddell's encounters with uncatalogued Mayan pyramids while hunting turkeys in a jungle. Hunting serves as a portal to the past, allowing hunters to imagine ancient lifestyles and feel like they are stepping into another dimension. This immersive wilderness experience comes across as deeply moving and often spiritual.

Successful hunts offer a sense of accomplishment and reverence for the life taken, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cycle of life

Hunting is portrayed as life-affirming rather than just a sport, involving life and death, and providing sustenance. Rogan and Waddell emphasize the emotional weight of personal hunting goals, such as taking down a particularly challenging animal, imparting a profound sense of respect for the life harvested. There is a strong sense of fulfillment and connectedness to the cycle of life attributed to hunting experiences.

The hunting community cultivates a culture of camaraderie, shared experiences, and mutual support

The hunting community creates strong bonds founded on shared experiences and mutual support. Hunters relish the therapeutic and purifying aspects of hunting trips, where disconnection from phones and the internet allows for reconnection with roots. The conversations between Rogan and Waddell illustrate a shared understanding and respect for the hunting profession, underlining the deep-seated camaraderie and bonds formed within the hunting community.

Hunters often form strong bonds ...