Guest: Valerius “Val” Geist wa s a biologist, educator, author, hunter and expert on North American big game, their habits and habitat and true conservation.
Val Geist was an authority on wildlife in North America and should be a household name, but he refused to bend to mainstream media and so-called conservation experts who bristled at his belief that wolves are not endangered and must be managed like all predators.
Mr. Geist was a Canadian biologist and professor emeritus at the University of Calgary, but he spent as much or time in the wilderness as he did in the classroom. When he wasn’t teaching or learning, he was writing, He was author of 24 books on the big game species that roam North America.
Sadly, Professor Geist passed away weeks after this extended, 3-part podcast. His messages are timeless and important at many levels. His combination of wilderness field experience, book smarts and the common sense of an experienced hunter combine to provide our audience with a wealth of information and a valuable perspective.
Val was born in Russia to German parents shortly after World War 2 and took to the woods at a young age. In 1953, he moved to Canada and began his love affair with hunting and nature. He perused a career in biology by studying mountain sheep in the wild for six years. He continued his field studies, classroom learning and research and went on to become a professor.
He resents so-called “conservationists” who have never hunted or spent time in the wild with the wolves and other animals they claim to understand.
His research and real-world experience in the wild taught him that predator management is a crucial part of conservation. Along with colleagues around the globe, he helped define and spread the word on the concept of a “predator pit”. Predator pits occur when apex predators like the wolf go unmanaged. The results of predator pits are devasting to all wildlife.
Professor Geist warns the American hunter of the dangers of not being involved in the politics and points out a clear bias in most media sources. He clearly states the he feels the American hunter is all the still stands in the way of eliminating the 2nd Amendment.
Do not miss one minute of this extended, 3-part version of Right On The Mark and join us all here in wishing this unsung hero Godspeed and a peaceful repose of his soul.
