(HOUSTON, TX – August 11, 2026) Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) welcomes wildlife biologist Matt Garrick for a global conversation exploring waterfowl conservation, wildlife management, hunting traditions, and the lifelong connection between hunters and the landscapes they cherish. This episode follows Garrick’s remarkable career journey from growing up on a small farm in New Zealand to becoming a respected wildlife professional working on two continents.
Garrick’s passion for wildlife began at an early age. Growing up surrounded by the outdoors, hunting, and agriculture, he developed what he describes as an obsession with wildlife and hunting—especially game birds. After moving to the United States at age ten, that passion continued to grow and eventually led him to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.
Garrick earned his undergraduate degree in Wildlife Ecology from Iowa State University before completing his master’s degree at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) at Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where he studied the nutritional ecology of northern pintails wintering along the Texas coast.
He is also a former recipient of the HSCF-Dan L Duncan Scholarship, a program created to support students pursuing careers in wildlife conservation, natural resource management, and related fields.
During the episode, Garrick shares insights from a career that has taken him across North America, including seasonal wildlife research positions focused on waterfowl and wetlands in Alaska, Alabama, Texas, Nevada, Illinois, and Alberta. He also discusses his experiences serving as Assistant State Waterfowl Biologist in Iowa and later as Waterfowl Program Manager in Nebraska.
In 2022, Garrick returned to New Zealand to continue his conservation work as a Game Bird Specialist for Fish and Game New Zealand, bringing with him decades of experience managing waterfowl and wetlands in North America.
In the episode, Garrick discusses how hunting culture and wildlife management differ between the two countries, what American hunters may not know about New Zealand’s game bird opportunities, and how both nations can learn from one another when it comes to conservation.
A passionate waterfowl hunter himself, Garrick also shares his love of chasing web-footed birds and the special relationship he has with his black dog in the field. He discusses why watching a well-trained retriever work is one of the most rewarding parts of the hunting experience.
The episode also explores the future of waterfowl and game bird conservation, including challenges related to habitat loss, climate change, hunter recruitment, and maintaining public support for wildlife management.
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. Hunting Matters is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms, as well as at https://hscfdn.org/hunting-matters-podcast/.
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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