Corey Knowlton

Date: 2015-06-08 | Duration: 2h 31m

Episode Overview

Corey Knowlton, the hunter and conservationist who became the center of a global controversy after paying $350,000 for a permit to hunt an endangered black rhino in Namibia, joins Joe for a two-and-a-half hour conversation about big game hunting, conservation economics, and death threats from animal rights activists. Knowlton — a professional hunting guide since his teens — explains the counterintuitive argument that legal, expensive trophy hunting of select old black rhinos funds conservation and reduces poaching. They discuss the elephant crisis in Botswana, fermented walrus meat in indigenous Arctic cultures, and working with CNN journalists to document the hunt. Knowlton also recounts a near-death experience: more scared after landing a large shark than during any dangerous game encounter.

About Corey Knowlton

Corey Knowlton is an internationally recognized hunting expert and conservation advocate, best known for his controversial win in a $350,000 auction to hunt a black rhino in Namibia, an experience that sparked global conversation about wildlife management and conservation efforts. With a rich background in outdoor television, he has collaborated with renowned hunter Jim Shockey on hit shows like "The Professionals" and "Uncharted," showcasing his deep expertise and passion for the sport. Knowlton’s unique perspective on hunting as a tool for conservation, along with his engaging storytelling, makes him a captivating figure in the fields of wildlife management and outdoor adventure.

Key Moments

– Black Rhino Hunt and Conservation Economics
– Trophy Hunting Controversy and Death Threats
– Botswana Elephant Overpopulation
– Indigenous Arctic Food Traditions
– Shark Fishing and Near-Death Experience
0:00:00 – Corey Knowlton after yoga and vegan lunch — rare for a hunter
0:17:52 – 36 years old — guiding hunts since his teens
0:34:02 – Botswana elephants — like a tornado, destroying everything
1:53:19 – Fermented walrus meat — like Icelandic fermented shark
2:08:51 – Working with CNN journalists Jason Morris and Ed Lavandera
2:25:56 – Closer to death tethered to the boat than during the bear encounter

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Good? Alright, we're live. This is a perfect time for me to talk to you about this, because I just took a yoga class and had a vegan lunch. Awesome. How do you feel? I feel like namaste. I feel centered. I feel like my chakras are in line. I feel fine. Well, were you aware to have a vegan lunch, did you travel over there with like a car? This is a restaurant. I go to a... Starting point is 00:00:21 Like a car without leather seats? No. No. Yeah, it's not really a vegan lunch. My car had leather seats. Yeah, so then also on top of that, like your tofu, was it meat flavored? No, I didn't have tofu. I just had vegetables. Okay, well vegetables still taste like vegetables. I did kill a mosquito as soon as I got out of my car, so I don't think that's vegan either. Well, sounds like you're a murderer. Sounds like it to me. Corey, if you don't know, Nolton, the last way, right? Correct. Starting point is 00:00:50 Did I pronounce your last name? You got it. One of the reasons why I wanted to have you on this podcast is I'm a big fan of Jim Shockey. Jim Shockey's show, The Uncharted Show. And something's going on with my nose. And I'd seen you on that show. So when the controversy broke, CNN covered the story. For folks who don't know what we're talking about, Corey, you bid money do, especially with endangered species, is they have to sometimes protect endangered species from their own. Starting point is 00:01:36 And it seems very counterintuitive. For people who are on the outside looking in, you say, well, this is an endangered animal. Why are you killing one of these endangered animals and trying to call this conservation? But with rhinos in particular or a lot of aggressive animals, even giraffes, the older males, the older bulls, the older non-breeding members of these groups sometimes will attack the young males and kill them. And females. And females. And and calves they'll kill everything and it is just a natural part of being a wild anim...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #657?

Corey Knowlton was the guest on JRE #657. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #657?

On Joe Rogan Experience #657 with Corey Knowlton, topics include Black Rhino Hunt and Conservation Economics, Trophy Hunting Controversy and Death Threats, Botswana Elephant Overpopulation, and Indigenous Arctic Food Traditions.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #657?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #657 with Corey Knowlton is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.