HOUSTON, TX – January 12, 2026 — The Hunting Matters podcast, presented by Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to welcome Rob Kern, a respected leader in the global hunting industry whose work spans outfitting operations, professional standards, conservation advocacy, and media.
Kern currently serves as President of the International Professional Hunters’ Association (IPHA) and conducts direct operational and advisory work through Hunting Consortium, where he collaborates with hunters, outfitters, professional hunters, and service teams to promote transparency, realistic expectations, and accountability across international and domestic hunting. His work consistently emphasizes that hunting’s long-term viability depends not only on sound wildlife biology, but on public trust, professional conduct, and the industry’s willingness to police itself.
In this episode of Hunting Matters, Kern joins the conversation to address critical issues facing modern hunting, including public perception, hunter behavior, and the impact of imagery and social media on policy and public opinion. The discussion explores why self-regulation and professional standards are essential, how the industry can better engage the “middle ground” audience, and what responsible conservation storytelling should look like in an increasingly polarized environment.
The episode also highlights Kern’s recent work through Wild Strongholds, a conservation-focused media initiative dedicated to telling stories that center local communities, subject-matter experts, and measurable conservation outcomes rather than performative hunting content. Listeners will gain insight into a recent Wild Strongholds film project in Austria that examines wildlife management and conservation through the lens of Alpine Ibex management.
Additionally, Kern discusses Hunting Consortium’s long-standing involvement in Marco Polo sheep conservation in Central Asia, including the organization’s role in supporting scientific collaboration following the 9th World Conference on Mountain Ungulates. That work contributed to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service approving import permits for Marco Polo sheep after a five-year suspension—an outcome that underscores the connection between credible science, transparency, and trust-based policy decisions.
This episode of Hunting Matters offers a thoughtful and candid examination of where hunting stands today—and what must change to ensure its future.
Hunting Matters is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms, as well as at https://hscfdn.org/hunting-matters-podcast/.
About Hunting Matters
Hunting Matters is the official, award-winning podcast of the Houston Safari Club Foundation. Featuring hunters, conservationists, outdoor professionals, and thought leaders, each episode dives deep into the stories that shape the future of wildlife and hunting heritage.
About Houston Safari Club Foundation
HSCF is a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. Learn more at wehuntwegive.org.
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