Bear Grease

It's turkey week and Brent's got a tale hot of the presses from a recent trip to Mississippi. The ups and downs of chasing the King of Spring are well described oil this epic hunt with good friends down in the Magnolia State. This is so good it should be a movie, and it is! You’ll be able to see this hunt from First Lite very soon. Until then enjoy the narrative version right here on 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.

On this episode of Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb is joined by Dr. Misty Newcomb and Josh Spielmaker, along with special guest and Turkey Stories newcomer Holly Newkirk, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, in the Tecovas Hot Seat. Holly shares the full story behind her remarkable first solo turkey hunt, where she harvested her first gobbler and then turned heads by bringing it back to her sorority house lawn for photos, creating an unforgettable scene. The crew also dives into an unexpected but important thread from the Turkey Stories episode: hunting safety, and the lessons that surfaced along the way. 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.

Clay Newcomb answers your questions and breaks down his Utah mountain lion hunt captured in MeatEater's brand new "12 in '26" film series. He hunts with mules and hounds in the mountains, testing his fortitude in some seriously steep and rugged terrain. Presented by @Moultrie.Products and @onXHunt Watch the film now on MeatEater's YouTube channel Connect with MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and YouTube Clips Subscribe to MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of the state of Florida, a water crisis is likely not the first thing that comes to mind. However, There has been an ongoing fight for decades now centered around water, and more importantly how it is managed. In it's natural state, water would flow slowly south out of Lake Okeechobee, down through the everglades, and into the Atlantic ocean. Now, after some artifical damming and canal building- the water is released in large discharges to the St Lucie and Caloosahatchie Rivers, causing an aray of problems for those rivers, the residing wildlife, water quality, and neglects the everglades. 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 first encounter with a bear happened many years ago on a hunt with his dad and a longtime family friend. It is a favorite memory involving an animal to which he would form stronger ties as he got older. The annual celebration of black bears has also introduced Brent to a large number of people he now counts as family. He's sharing that first experience with his father and a special project that spawned from the annual Black Bear Bonanza in Arkansas.  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.

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, it’s Turkey Stories time! We’ve gathered a lineup of hunters from Arkansas, Alabama, Virginia, and Mississippi, both young and old, connected by a love of spring turkey hunting.  You’ll hear about a University of Arkansas student on her first solo hunt, a hunter who survived being shot in the back, bobcats crashing the scene at the worst possible time, a woman in pursuit of a Turkey World Slam with a flintlock shotgun and more. Plus, insight from turkey biologist Mike Chamberlain and voices shaped by a lifetime in the woods. If you love turkey hunting or just plain old good stories, don’t miss this one. Watch Clay's Utah Mountain Lion Hunt on YouTube 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.

Brent's got his young hound Jessi out in the woods and her learning curve is falling flat. Patience is paramount during these times but Brent's is running thin until he realized sometimes, it's just the way it is. He's got two examples of that for you and a coon hunt with some folks that he donated as a fundraiser, which may have given him more than he gave away.  Lily Beth's IG and Facebook page: FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557455325075 IG: https://www.instagram.com/lbs_cookie_co/?hl=en 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast after a full day of hog hunting in Oklahoma, host Clay Newcomb sits down with Dale Brisby of Rodeo Time and Turnpike Troubadours frontman Evan Felker along with Donnie Daytona, Andrew Stubbs, and Bear Newcomb to swap stories about catching yearlings in the woods, bronc riding, training horses, and the realities of ranch life.  Evan discusses what life is like on the road playing music and working on a new album for "The Troubadours." 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.

The Wild Turkey is one of the most beloved, and also most studied game birds. In this episode, Dr. Mike Chamberlain, also known as the Wild Turkey doc, gives us a look into one of the greatest new discoveries in the world of turkey science. A discovery that might have huge implications for the future of turkeys and turkey 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.

It’s a celebration of stories featuring ladies from both sides of the nation. One culminating in a single turkey season with her father and the other one taking a little bit longer. Brent thinks you’ll like them both and we do too.  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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb welcomes Rob Argue, a retired Canadian conservation office to share the harrowing events when he and his partner’s canoe capsizes in icy water in the Ontario backcountry. This life-threatening event tests his physical, mental, and emotional limits and capacity as hypothermia sets in as they put their trust in an emergency locator beacon. In this story you may even learn some life-saving tips if you find yourself in a similar situation. 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.

This week, Brent's talking about serving others and how the inspiration to do so can come at an early age. It can also come after a lifetime of taking when the realization to give back occurs. A listener story describes how a community served one another in the aftermath of severe weather. This is a good one and hopefully inspirational as well. 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb is joined by the OG Render crew—Brent Reaves, Dr. Misty Newcomb, Bear Newcomb, Gary “Believer” Newcomb, and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker. Clay shows off his new bear fur mittens for his upcoming Arctic expedition, and Brent and Bear detail their coin hunting with self bow exploits, along with a deep discussion of the Bear Grease loggers episode featuring Teddy Villines. 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.

Beavers are an animal that notoriously get a lot of press. However, more often than not, it's negative press. Their damming everything up, they're causing floods, they're a nuisance, and so on- that's what we normally hear when beavers show up in conversation. Well in today's episode of Backwoods university, we're going to look at beavers in a very different light by learning about two stories. One took places back in the 1940s, one is still playing out in present time, and both of them involve beavers being the hero of the story. 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.

This week's episode discusses a two-hundred-year-old fable about coon hunting in Arkansas and a seemingly impossible task. The lessons are flying around like the monkeys in The Wizard of Oz. Get comfortable and check out what's happening on 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb sits down with Teddy Villines, father to Cody Villines and uncle to Caylon Villines featured in the last episode.  He is a lifelong Ozark logger shaped by generations of hard work, handshake deals, and respect for the land. Teddy shares stories from a life spent in the woods, including close calls, brutal injuries, and a terrifying runaway log-truck wreck that forced him to confront who is truly in control. More than a logging story, this episode is about character, faith, and legacy. What it means to provide for your family, keep your word, and face life’s dangers with humility. 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.

For the past several weeks, Brent's been hitting the road from Tennessee to Pennsylvania as a goodwill ambassador, and meeting people from all over the eastern half of the country. We get the hunt and sports show stops, but guest lecturing at the University of Tennessee? What were they thinking? Pull up a chair and find out for yourself. It's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.  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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb along with Bear Newcomb and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker are joined by Bear Grease featured cousins Caylon and Cody Villines, as well as Waylon Villines. The Villines family has been logging Newton County, Arkansas, for generations, and they’ve got the stories to prove it. Join us as we talk about Ozark heritage, the transition from old-school timbering to the modern era, and the grit it takes to remain a woodsman in the 21st century. 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.

Back in the late 1960s a ground breaking initiative started in the wildlife conservation space that would lead to one of the greatest wildlife wins we have in the entire country. The restoration of the wild Turkey can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of many people across wildlife agencies and conservation organizations this week. We have the privilege of talking to Mr. Benny Herring he was among the first in the state of Mississippi to start the successful Turkey restoration program. 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.

For many of us getting our children and the younger members of our family outdoors is a priority. How we get them outside and what we do once they're there can set the stage for how they view that experience for years to come. Brent's sharing a listener's story along that theme. Brent's also offering his own thoughts how he handled getting his own children outside; what he did right and maybe what he could've done better. 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb visits Newton County, Arkansas, to talk to Cody and Caylon Villines. They're woodsmen, hunters, and the most recent line of generations of loggers cutting hardwood in the Ozarks. They talk about the craft of selective logging, the evolution from horses to heavy equipment, and the quiet code of contentment passed down from their fathers. They also talk about the danger. From freak accidents to lost friends to a moment witnessing a miracle in the woods, this is an honest, deeply personal look at life in one of the country’s deadliest professions. 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.

From a listener's story about passing down the appreciation for wild things to Brent's first solo squirrel hunt, this week's This Country Life is sure to be one of your favorites. As a bonus, the recipe of how Brent's mama fried all the squirrels she nor his dad would eat is in here along with the reason why neither one would partake. Get the grease hot! We've got squirrels to fry. 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb is joined by Dr. Misty Newcomb, Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, along with Backwoods University Podcast's Lake Pickle in the Tecovas Hot Seat.  Fresh off the release of the CBS Sunday Morning feature with legendary journalist Ted Koppel at Arkansas bear camp, the crew gives context and details of what happened behind-the-scenes. It was an unscripted weekend of uncertain expectations, tough hunting, and a turn-the-table conversation around the campfire leading to a tense moment where a missed shot at a black bear puts the spotlight squarely one particular hunter. The crew shares what the cameras didn’t show and their thoughts and impressions of their time with iconic news man Ted Koppel. Plus, Clay reflects on the black bear that helped inspire his upcoming book American Bear and the deeper history of bear reverence across cultures. 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.

It's officially February. During this month I know a lot of outdoors folks that find themselves wondering what to do. We're here to help! In this episode of Backwoods University, we're going back through some of the fascinating guests we've met along the way so far! From Grizzly specialists to marine biologist- from botanists to beekeepers, we've met a wide spectrum! On this episode we'll here about a bison charging a man, a man charging a grizzly, an age old debate about what kinds of ducks are edible, and here a great conversation story that will set us up for the next episode! 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.

It's no secret that snow and ice can disrupt the lives of people who don't get a lot of it. Brent's no different, and it may affect him more than most. He's snowed in at his studio and talking about a smorgasbord of things today that may or may not go together. You'll just have to listen and see what we mean. It's random stories time on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast. 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb dives deep into the world of mules, mule skinners, and the quiet kind of backcountry wisdom you only earn from miles in the saddle. Alongside legendary Arizona cowboy and Bear Grease Hall of Famer, Warner Glen, and mule trainer and clinician, Ty Evans, Clay explores why serious mountain hunters trust mules over horses, and how their self preservation instinct can be a virtue. They also discuss what these tough, insightful animals can teach us about grit, leadership, and self-control.   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.

This week Brent's trying his hand at competition gumbo cooking. He and his friends from the Cache Bayou Hound and Mallard Club have entered a gumbo cooking contest. If it was a gumbo eating contest they'd win easily but it's not. Do they have the right stuff to come out on top, you'll have to listen and find out for yourself. He's also sharing a listener story about the perils of extreme cold weather duck hunting that could've ended tragically and almost did.   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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb—alongside Bear Newcomb, Dr. Misty Newcomb, and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker—is joined by Clay’s squirrel-hunting “sensei,” Michael Lanier. The crew covers a wide range of topics, from Clay’s trophy deer “Jimminy Christmas” and his relationship with his Tecovas boots to the pressing question of whether he needs a haircut. The conversation eventually goes full mule when Michael brings his trusty mule, Willard, into the studio, sparking a deeper discussion about the recent Bear Grease Podcast episode on Ty Evans. 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.

This episode is a field report. Where we go and interview outdoorsmen, hunters, and anglers from all walks of life to get their opinions on different wildlife related issues. Today, we will be discussing the current hot topic of mallard declines in the lower Mississippi alluvial valley. We will be asking these different hunters about what they have seen through their own experiences duck hunting throughout the years, and what they think could be causing the declines. 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 talking about music this week and the role it plays in his life. We can all relate to the moment when a song from your past takes you to a remembered place or triggers a memory of people or events. Hearing new songs that describe what you thought was indescribable is another joy altogether. Having the opportunity to spend time with the artists that can do that makes for a great story we think you'll enjoy. 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Clay Newcomb interviews Ty Evans, one of the country’s top mule trainers and clinicians. After a broken femur in the arena benched Ty’s rodeo career, he began studying a different approach to training horses and mules than the "Cowboy Way". One based not on brute force, but on trust and understanding how animals actually think. What he discovered taught him that sometimes the solution to problems isn't doing more of the same, but adopting an entirely new way of seeing the world.   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.

Everyone needs help from time to time, and it's human nature to offer to do so. There are many ways to do it and this week, Brent's talking about how a conversation he had years ago with an unknown mentor continues to help him today. He's also issuing a challenge to help an organization that's helping people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors. Hands of a Sportsman non-profit: http://www.handsofasportsman.org/ 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 Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, host Clay Newcomb and Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker are joined by their primary care physician, Dr. Adam McCall, for a wide-ranging conversation on men’s health—physical, mental, and spiritual. With so much conflicting advice circulating online and across social media, it can be difficult to know what actually matters. Together, they offer a balanced, practical perspective on staying fit, healthy, and grounded in the modern world. 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.