379: Croc & Spotted Hyena In Mozambique With Mike Arnold
Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Release Date: 07/10/2025
Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
We’re talking about the best bullets for hunting plains game in Africa in this episode. I’ve hunted a lot of plains game with a wide spectrum of bullets, so I’ll talk about some of my noteworthy experiences with those different models and provide some recommendations for plains game hunting bullets based on those experiences. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no...
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Lipsey’s and Ruger have teamed up to release a couple of new Hawkeye and No. 1 rifles in 35 Whelen and 9.3×62. Those are outstanding rifles (especially in 9.3x62mm) for hunting the whole spectrum of game ranging from whitetail adeer and feral hogs up to cape buffalo and elephant in Africa. Jason Cloessner from Lipsey’s joins me on the show today to discuss these new rifles in detail. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain...
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Kevin Robertson shares some insights on gemsbok hunting in this podcast interview, focusing on gemsbok biology, where they live, what they eat (and how that affects their behavior), how trophy quality varies from region to region, and some fascinating stories involving gemsbok hunting in Africa. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We just opened...
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We’re talking about the 405 Winchester today, which is President Theodore Roosevelt’s legendary medicine gun for lions. To this day, that statement remains one of the most effective presidential endorsements of any product ever. We will discuss more details of how that cartridge performed for Theodore Roosevelt in Africa, plus I’ll also cover the history and performance specs of the cartridge, it’s strengths and limitations, some other hunting stories involving it, and some recommendations on the best use cases for the round. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa...
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Phil Massaro shares some insights on the 404 Jeffery in this podcast interview, focusing on the history of the cartridge, its performance specifications, and some fascinating stories about his hunts equipped with the 404 on game like black bear, water buffalo, cape buffalo, and elephant. Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We...
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I got the chance to sit down with Andrew Marlin from The Dove Guy podcast in this episode and he shares the story of his successful, muzzleloader self-guided elk hunt in Arizona this year. Sponsor: Go to and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. Get in touch with Grant McCune of to book an elk, antelope, deer, or bear hunt in Arizona. (928) 713-3412 Get in touch with Rob Massa at to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. They can also...
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Here are my thoughts on the entire Creedmoor family: the 22 Creedmoor, the 6mm Creedmoor, the 25 Creedmoor and the 6.5 Creedmoor. We'll discuss how they stack up next to each other on paper, how they perform afield on game, and what the ideal use cases are for each one. I'll also share my picks for the "Best Creedmoor" and the "Worst Creedmoor". Sponsor: Go to and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe...
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Richard Mann is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you’ll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We’re play little game where Richard and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and elephant and almost everything in between like mule deer, elk, black bear, etc. The catch is we cannot reuse a cartridge for multiple species. Even so, our discussion provides an interesting glimpse into the thought...
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I discuss all of the 40 caliber SAAMI standardized rifle cartridges (plus one other noteworthy CIP round) in this episode. As always, I’ll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Where appropriate, I’ll also share some personal anecdotes involving these rounds as well as some observations involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well. Cartridges covered: 44-40 WCF, 45-70 Government, 577/450 Martini-Henry, 405 Winchester, 44 Remington Magnum, 444 Marlin, 450 Marlin, 450...
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I am honored to be among those nominated for the Podcast of The Year award at the 2026 Gundies. Thank you to all of you who nominated me for this award. Voting for the Gundies begins TODAY, 1 December 2025 and I need your votes again to win it. Cast your vote at and help me take home the win! You can vote once each day from now until 15 December 2025. Thanks for your vote!
info_outlineMike Arnold is back on the show to discuss his safari in Mozambique for spotted hyena and crocodile. Mike shares the story of that hunt (where, among other things, he took a monster crocodile) along with his new book: Bringing Back The Wild.
Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We have space remaining for a Free State hunt in October 2025 and for Limpopo/Free State hunts in April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.
Pick up a copy of both of Mike’s books at https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/mikearnold/
In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Bringing Back the Lions & Bringing Back The Wild author Mike Arnold.
They discuss Mike’s recent safari in Mozambique where he successfully hunted crocodile and spotted hyena. Mike also shares a few details about his brand new book: Bringing Back The Wild.
Their takeaway? That part of Mozambique is a fantastic area for crocodile hunting and hunting hyena at night with a thermal is an exciting way to pursue those wary creatures. Plus, Mike’s new book is a great read for those who want to learn more about how sustainable hunting can benefit both local communities and wildlife populations.
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Resources
Get a signed copy of Mike’s books via his web site: MikeArnoldOutdoors.com
Ep 213: Africa’s Most Dramatic Conservation Success Story – Mike’s previous interview referenced in podcast
Ep 253: Hunting In Cameroon With Mike Arnold– Mike’s previous interview referenced in podcast
Ep 330: Hunting In Nyala And Bushbuck With Mike Arnold– Mike’s previous interview referenced in podcast