Ep. 499: Backwoods University - Bear Talk

You only get so many firsts in your life and to witness a good one with your kids—well, that's something really special. Brent's sharing a listener story about a first fish, and one of his own that happened with his youngest daughter Bailee. He's also sharing exciting family news and details about how we can help a great kid oriented non-profit. There's news about the World Championship Squirrel Cook Off as well. It's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. www.themayflyproject.com Thank you to our sponsors, Case Knives and Stor-Mor. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some stories are just too good to only hear once, so we are going back to listen again to Clay Newcomb as he ask talks with New York Times best selling author Steve Rinella and Dr. Dan T. Carter, professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina about black-listed book “The Education of Little Tree.” The book, an alleged semi-autobiographical story about a Cherokee boy growing up in southern Appalachia, was written by Forest Carter, which was the false identity of famed white supremacist, Ku Klux Klan chapter founder and speech writer for Governor George Wallace, Dan Carter. In part 1, Clay reflects on the honest, insightful, and empathetic context of the book and explores the nuance and dissonance of what to do with with art in light of an artist’s beliefs. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Bryan Burrough exhumes the gritty history of Old West gunfighters. From Billy the Kid to Wyatt Earp to John Wesley Hardin and dozens more, this collection of stories proves how very violent America's nineteenth century frontier actually was, and traces the blood-soaked history of the troubled men who made it that way.  Follow now on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, and YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria Davidson is the North American large carnivore program coordinator for the Safari Club International Foundation. She has spent the vast majority of her career working with bears, including helping the restoration work with black bears in Louisiana, and now currently working with grizzlies in British Columbia. This conversation includes details of her past work, her current work in darting and collaring grizzlies, as well as discussing the several controversies surrounding bears and bear hunting. Connect with Lake Pickle and MeatEater Lake Pickle on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and YouTube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Brent Reaves and Josh Spielmaker in this Q&A interview to hear behind the scenes details from Brent's Manitoba Moose hunt that didn't make the film. Brent chronicles the trip from start to finish and shares some surprising insights gleaned from his experience. He also answers some viewer questions about the hunt. Watch the film now on MeatEater's YouTube channel. Presented by Can-Am: maker of the best ATVs, SxS, and Utility Vehicles www.can-am.brp.com Connect with MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and YouTube Clips Subscribe to MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brent's opening up the police files for this one. He's detailing a case that turned dangerous and quick reactions saved the day. You have the right to remain silent get a rare glimpse into Brent’s past that he seldom talks about. Thank you to our sponsors, Case Knives and Stor-Mor. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Clay Newcomb and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker are joined by Dr. Adam McCall and Dr. Jason Lofton in the Bear Grease Studio to continue the discussion on men’s health and tips on what it takes to maximize your longevity. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the final and triumphant chapter of one of the best wildlife comeback stories in the history of North America. From 1200 individual deer in Mississippi in 1929 to over 1.5 million in 2026, this story is one you don't want to miss. Including, the story of a first ever deer hunt on public land that involved over 3300 hunters, a vehicles lined up for miles waiting to check deer in! Connect with Lake Pickle and MeatEater Lake Pickle on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and YouTube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brent’s writing his own rules again and making up an imaginary theme for this week’s show. This week’s theme is “It’s my show and I do what I want”. Regardless of his shenanigans the stories this week are great and we think you’ll really enjoy them. Sit back and relax. It’s time for MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast. Thank you to our sponsors, Case Knives and Stor-Mor. Shop This Country Life Merch Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For men, taking care of your body can often slip down on the priority list, but your health is a savings account you can either make deposits or withdraws. On this episode, host Clay Newcomb is joined by Dr. Jason Lofton an Dr. Adam McCall as they discuss the most important things that we as men can do to remain healthy, fit, and provide maximum longevity of the bodies we have been given. It's the most important gear we have to be good husbands, fathers, friends, and outdoorsmen and it takes work to maintain. Tune in to hear helpful info, hot tips, and the truth about how to keep that bank account full and maintain the edge we need in a world that is trying to drag it down. Thank you to our sponsor, Tecovas. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.