Aaron and Bill sit down with forester, sportsman, and conservationist Alex Harvey to discuss a life rooted to the outdoors, hunting, and land management and restoration. We cover Alex’s family roots and hunting traditions while he helps us understand and unpack several historical and social contexts regarding Southern African American sporting traditions, barriers to land management and ownership, and how the tide is changing for the better. We tell hunting stories, share laughs, and ponder all the great ways hunting and the outdoors unite all people.

Links: https://www.legacylandmanagement.org/ ; https://www.huntersofcolor.org/ ; https://www.instagram.com/legacylandmgmt/ ; https://www.facebook.com/LegacyLM

Show notes:

4:54 – Introduction of Alex Harvey.

5:15 – What has Alex, Aaron and Bill been doing outside recently?

9:48 - Alex’s personal background. Where he grew up in Mississippi, cattle farming and growing up in the country #RabbitHunting

18:55 - Alex shares the story of his grandparents and reflects on his connections with ancestors and being on the right path.

24:05 - Highlighting Holt Collier, the hunter who influenced Theodore Roosevelt during a private bear hunt in 1902.

27:00 - Alex shares how he got to where he is today and then highlights his professional work as of right now.

34:01 - Alex shares some of the unique challenges for African American land owners in the South.

37:03 – Has Alex seen an improvement?

39:44 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!

41:02 – Thoughts on forestry restoration, management and what it’s like to think about forests 24/7.

44:38 - Alex’s introduction to Hunters of Color and how he became a board member.

53:12 - Alex shares his experiences as an African American man in the field.

59:13 – What is going on in Alex’s region? Much of it is involved with improving habitat and access for hunters and anglers.

1:00:35 – Closing statements.

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