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Ignite Podcast Opener with Sunset and two hunters

Ignite Podcast

Ignite connects outdoor enthusiasts through authentic and bold conversations. This show dives deep and explores topics with adventurers, conservationists, leaders, storytellers, and trailblazers. We celebrate strength, resilience, and champions of wildlife and wild places.

Ignite your passions, expand your horizons, and be inspired by voices from around the world.

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Ignite Podcast Co-Hosts

DANA DYKEMA

Podcast Co-Host

British Columbia

Dana Dykema is a wife and mother to four teenagers. As a stay-at-home mom she is passionate about feeding her family scratch made, locally sourced food. In 2021, she started a farm to table distribution business that would later introduce her to people in the hunting world. Those relationships would be impactful in her decision to join them and become a hunter herself.

Dana first had the pleasure to podcast alongside Mark Hall at Wild Origins Canada in 2024. In 2025 she became the host of the new Ignite Podcast with the Women Hunt program which engages, educates, empowers, and inspires more women to enter the hunting and conservation space.

Dana is thankful to be part of the WSF family and is excited to develop her skills as a hunter and as a podcast host.

RENÉE THORNTON

Founder and Chair – Women Hunt
Ignite Podcast Co-Host

Montana

Renée Thornton is the Founder and Chair of the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt® program and committee, and the Women in Hunting® initiative. Originally from rural Alberta, Canada, she built a 30-year career in federal government and politics, serving in senior leadership and executive roles before retiring and relocating to Montana. Renée became a hunter in 2016 after a decade-long pursuit of ethically sourced, locally raised food, and her experience as a solo, adult-onset female hunter fuels her passion for helping more women enter hunting and conservation. A dedicated advocate for wildlife and wild places, she volunteers, speaks publicly, and works with state, provincial, and national legislators to advance the rights and heritage of hunters. Renée is a Summit Life Member of the Wild Sheep Foundation and holds numerous conservation life memberships, including the prestigious Marco Polo Society, supporting the future of wild sheep conservation. An avid outdoorswoman and world traveler who has visited all seven continents, she enjoys hunting, fly fishing, hiking, and camping, and in 2025 captained the first all-female championship team in the history of the Lander One Shot Antelope Hunt.

Dr. Peregrine Wolff and Helen Schwantje - The Art of Veterinary Medicine

Ignite - Episode 31

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Ignite Guests Helen Schwantje and Peregrine WolffIn this lively episode, wildlife veterinarians and longtime friends Dr. Peregrine Wolff and Helen Schwantje share how their careers were shaped by their love for animals, hunting, and a passion for making a difference. From navigating the evolution of veterinary medicine to breaking barriers as women in wildlife, their stories will inspire and challenge your perceptions. Discover how funding through the Wild Sheep Foundation has propelled vital research, saving wild sheep populations from disease and demonstrating the power of dedicated members—most of whom are hunters supporting conservation.

Helen’s journey from a childhood on Vancouver Island to influencing wildlife health across Canada shows that passion, persistence, and collaboration can change the world. She was British Columbia's Wildlife Veterinarian from 1992-2021.

Peregrine, past board member at the Wild Sheep Foundation, was also one of original members of the Women Hunt committee in 2021. Currently she works as the executive manager for the Wildlife Disease Association and has over 40 years in the field of veterinarian work.

The pair highlight how technological advances, like portable diagnostics, are transforming wildlife medicine—while emphasizing the importance of foundational skills in an age of rapid innovation.

This episode breaks down the inclusive evolution of the veterinary profession, the essential role of hunting in conservation, and how zoo and wildlife collaborations are advancing species recovery.

You'll learn the fascinating story of how these two remarkable women met—over a shared love of wildlife and a fierce commitment to conservation—culminating in a thrilling safari adventure in Africa plus many other endeavors over the years.

Perfect for conservation-minded hunters, animal lovers, and anyone interested in the future of wildlife health; this conversation highlights that collaboration and shared can bridge seemingly polarizing perspectives. Whether you’re new to hunting, curious about wildlife medicine, or a seasoned conservationist, you'll walk away with a fresh understanding of how community, technology, and passion come together to protect our planet’s most vulnerable species.

Dive in and be inspired to see conservation from a new angle—where every voice, every skill, and every passion count. Support meaningful research. Celebrate diverse perspectives. Join the movement to protect wildlife—because when we work together, the possibilities are endless.

This episode features in-depth stories from wildlife veterinarians Dr. Peregrine Wolff and Helen, two trailblazers whose careers span decades of conservation, research, and advocacy. Their insights shed light on progress made—and the road ahead—guided by collaboration across tradition and innovation.

Tags: Women Hunt