Bear Grease (MeatEater)

Fresh back from the MeatEater Live Tour, Clay Newcomb is joined by the Render Crew and Anthony Ballard, Bear Program Leader for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. He discusses the history, research, current status and developments of the black bear population in the state of Mississippi. Bear Newcomb talks about his new Mountain Feist puppy, Osage. Misty Newcomb shares about her new website, thenewcombfarm.com.  Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker and his wife, Kristie Spielmaker, tell about their experience attending the MeatEater Live Tour in Anaheim, California.

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This week on Bear Grease, Clay continues to explore the history of American ideals on wilderness with Dr. Dan Flores, Dr. Sara Dant, Steven Rinella, Hal Herring and Ben Masters.

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Brent's telling a tall tale this week about a coon that almost got away. He's got witnesses that the story's true and the video to back it up. Then he jumps the Big Muddy to visit with the folks at one of the biggest coon hunts of the year in Batesville, Mississippi. It's "Coon Hide & Seek and the UKC" on MeatEater's This Country Life Podcast.

Black Bear Bonanza

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Dog traders can describe people who specialize in selling dogs. The group Brent's talking about deals specifically with coonhounds. There's a lot of history in how selling was done in the past, as opposed to how it's done today. Hear how one community of Arkansas hunters did it and listen to a tale of how a hound made an impact on Brent and his family. Join us for Dog Traders on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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Bear Grease has been a surprising and rewarding journey of almost three years. Today we’re going back to the beginning with Episode 1: The Myth of the Southern Mountain Lion, with a peek into the genesis of Bear Grease.

There are two types of people in the South—those who’ve seen mountain lions and those who haven’t. Supposedly extirpated from the South, the native lion species has lived on through backwoods lore and many believe they’ve never left. But have they? Clay Newcomb explores the touchy topic, interviewing biologists, investigating two eye-witness sightings, and talking with a psychologist about how people can see things that aren’t real. This is a lesson in biology and human nature and a great story revealing the truth about South mountain lions. 

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This week on the Bear Grease Render, a very special crew braves the elements to meet up to talk about the famed orator and Shawnee leader of the pan-indian confederacy, Tecumseh. Misty, Clay and Josh are joined this week by first time guests Jessica Jessica Lewallen and Kristie Speilmaker, as well as returning favorite Terrell Spencer. Topics discussed include an AI generated biographic article that struggles with the Newcomb's first names, the APPA rooster calling championship, and the importance of language. I really doubt you're gonna want to miss this one...

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Opportunity knocks in some form all the time. How we handle it sets the course of our daily lives. Taking advantage or choosing to abstain can have big and long lasting impacts on you and those around you. We’re talking about the choices we make and how we deal with them this week on MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast.

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It's been a turkey season of firsts and Brent's still reeling from an incredible opener in Missouri. He's got two great hunts on tap for you, a movie review, and is sharing a listener-submitted tale that pairs well with this episode. Sit back and relax, it's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re exploring a great work of American literature whose plot rides on a most-peculiar, but beloved pastime of rural America – coonhunting. We’re diving deep into the book “Where the Red Fern Grows” written by Woodrow Wilson Rawls. How did this unlikely author, a one-hit wonder some might say, with such a mysterious past make it into the ranks of the American literary giants? We’ll hear from Professor Sean Teuton of the University of Arkansas as we search out the national impact of the book. We’ll talk with Stewart Peterson who starred in the original 1974 movie produced by Walt Disney studios who actually met Wilson Rawls, and we’ll cut some hounds loose on a starry Ozark night with a man who's been devoted to Redbone hounds his whole life, Ronnie Smith of Northwest Arkansas. The ride is guaranteed to be wild as we search out when coonhunting did a 360-slam-dunk on mainstream culture and they loved it. You’re not going to want to miss this one, boys. 

This is going to be good!

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Are you a duck hunter? Are you thinking about getting some buddies together for an A-1 guided experience? Well before you go, your buddy Brent -- a former Arkansas waterfowl guide himself -- wants to make sure you get the most out of your trip. On this week's episode, Brent's dropping an abbreviated masterclass on being the best client you can be and having a hunt so good, you and your buddies will be hugging over a pile of greenheads. Just don't hug Brent's brother -- more on that later. 

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In this episode Brent’s sharing a story from early on in his turkey hunting career, which made that one day long ago great  for him and bad for his host. Two listener stories reflect the respect we show those who serve and you're not going to want to miss them! We’re kicking off turkey season 2025 on MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast. 

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On this episode, Clay is joined by an entirely new Render crew while at deer camp in Arkansas. Zach Sandau and Jared Larsen of OnX join the conversation along with Clay's good friend Rusty Johnson of United Outdoors. You'll enjoy the guys talking about some tough public land deer hunting and about Rusty's hardcore whitetail hunting tactics. Clay talks about the details of his doe kill and the crew spends the last thirty minutes analyzing the previous podcast, Folsom Part 2. You're going to hear lots of laughs and hear some good perspectives on this one!

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On this episode of Bear Grease, the render crew gathers at Meateater South HQ to discuss a variety of things. Clay and Isaac discuss wild Bear Grease Hat sightings. Josh relates being recognized while fishing…by his voice. Brent talks about coon hunting with Clay’s dog Hoot. While Mist and Gary give their thoughts about on Target 2, Mr. Claude Maxwell. Make sure to catch our special guests bringing the Christmas well wishes. I really doubt you’re gonna wanna miss this one.

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If anyone could make a Christmas story out of fried eggs, hogs, and hunting pants, it would have to be Brent. He’s talking about presents received and ruined and a chance meeting that will warm your soul. It's the Season of Giving this week on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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Once a year in the small farming town of Gillett, Arkansas, people from the local and surrounding communities gather in the gymnasium of the de-commission high school for a fundraiser to provide scholarships for the towns high school seniors. Throughout the decades, this event has also become an epicenter for state and regional politicians to gladhand with the constituents. In this Bear Grease episode, Clay Newcomb discusses the link between the Gillett Coon Supper and the value of social capital and civic engagement with author, Timothy P. Carney.  Additional interviews with local resident Scott Place and a special appearance by former President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

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Brent's back from the Canadian bush of Manitoba and he brought a big color phase bear with him. Hear the tale of that hunt and get a teasing glimpse into a family that lives their lives close to nature. More on those folks in a future episode. Right now we're bear hunting and the bear hunting is good! All that plus a listener-submitted story showcasing the teamwork of three generations of turkey hunters on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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The details surrounding the imprisonment and death of Seminole War leader, Osceola, are so unusual that you may find yourself saying, "I didn't see that coming." Listen along as author and historian Dr. Patricia Wickman talks with host Clay Newcomb and elaborates on how his death was just the beginning of a story shrouded in mystery.

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On this episode, Clay and the crew discuss his new custom saddle, trends in the owl hooting world, Moe’s great-grandfather being bushwhacked in the Civil War, and the latest Turkey Stories episode. He’s joined by viral owl hooter Demi Whittinghill, her husband John, Moe Shepherd, Misty Newcomb, and Josh “Landbridge” Speilmaker. 

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In this episode of The Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb is joined by Oklahoma man Johnny Johnston as he shares the honest, transparent, and nitty-gritty details of his life story and his relationship to wildlife law, but more importantly about the transformation that he underwent that brought him out of this dark time in his life.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, the crew is joined by the director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Austin Booth and the waterfowl biologist for the state of Arkansas, Luke Naylor. Both of these guys were on the last Bear Grease podcast but came in to discuss waterfowl hunting and the agency's plan to become more accessible to people. Austin is a marine,a lawyer and public land duck hunter and is hoping to bring some change to the agency. He talks about the unique public meetings they've been having regarding the Green Tree Reservoir issues in Arkansas and we talk some more about the culture of waterfowl hunting. Aside from an intriguing conversation about footwear, the Render begins with a stand alone section by Clay regarding the recent attacks on hunting and what we can do. You'll enjoy this one!

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Born a slave in the 1850s, George McJunkin became an accomplished cowboy under the most trying of circumstances. He was self educated and had a life-long thirst for knowledge of the natural world. His life was wrought with accomplishment, as well as tragedy and injustice. In 1908, he discovered what would become the Folsom archeological site. On this episode we’ll mine into the old cowboys life to be inspired by who he was, be introduced to one of the most spectacular Bison kill sites ever found, and learn how a freed slave revealed this archeological find to the world without ever knowing it.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re going to the very footing of natural systems and human existence. Empires have risen and fallen because of soil health and the equalizing grasp of the topic at hand is inescapable from both the wealthy and impoverished people. We’ll be discussing the bewildering complexity of the soil and our connection to it. We’ll nerd out with Clay Newcomb's old soil science professor, Dr. David Miller exploring soil uniqueness. We’ll also talk with Dr. Grant Woods and learn how he transformed a degraded Ozark cattle farm into a whitetail paradise through building soils. And we’ll talk with an Arkansas farmer, Terrell Spencer of Across The Creek Farm who was inspired to live close the land because of what he saw in the Middle East. Understanding soils will upgrade as woodsmen as we’ll understand more about the heartbeat of wild places. 

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In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, we welcome the new year as host Clay Newcomb is joined by Dr. Misty Newcomb, Bear Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, as well as traditional bow hunter and self-bow builder, Caleb Flies. The room is lined with bows, and there's lots of discussion on the origin of the term "self-bow" and different build qualities of them. The crew also discusses their highs and lows from 2024.

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Prepare to take an unexpected turn in this week's episode of Bear Grease as Clay Newcomb goes on a deep dive into the topic of Paddlefish caviar. This prehistoric creature is cherished as a game species but is also targeted by poachers to produce black-market caviar. Retired Oklahoma game wardens, Jeff Brown and Keith Green, tell the stories of starting the revolutionary Paddlefish Research Center and catching a poacher who turned into a legitimate caviar producer for the State. Additional interviews with caviar expert, Alan Morris, and Oklahoma Fish Biologist, Brandon Brown.

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What does a homemade boat, a mule-drawn wagon, and coon hunting all have in common? Guessing the name Brent would be the obvious answer, and you'd be correct. How they all relate to our host and hunting heritage is this week's topic on MeatEater's This Country Life podcast.

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We're after flatheads this week and Brent's gonna tell you about a fun way to catch them. He's also gonna tell you the story of a different way to catch them without nets or hooks. His uncles employed this method back in the day, and it's very efficient but not recommended. All that and more on MeatEater's This Country Life podcast.

opelousasbankpoles.com
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It’s time to pause and give a salute to the dads out there. They do a lot for us, and this week we’re recognizing their efforts by putting them in the spotlight. Brent's sharing something special with us that we think you’re sure to enjoy. Plus, we’ve got a listener story that will have you covering your eyes just listening to it. It’s “Father’s Day” on MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast. 

Check out Brent's cousin Valerie's book Preserving Family Recipes.

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Steve Rinella, Ryan Callaghan, Phil Taylor and Corine Schneider join Clay this week on the Render episode. To Clay's surprise, Steve grew up listening to Jerry Clower and was surprised about not being invited as a primary guest. Clay starts off by talking about how he's being trolled on bee keeping and mule hoof trimming, and the crew jumps into the life and legacy of the southern comedian, Jerry Clower. 

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re diving deep into the heart of southern cultural identity and the mind of Jerry Clower. Does that name ring a bell? Jerry was thrust into national fame in the 1970s when a story he told about coonhunting topped the country charts. I’m interested in those odd places where rural culture -- and specifically hunting -- crosses tracks with the mainstream. Wilson Rawls bridged that gap with his book “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and Jerry did it with comedy about hunting varmints. He’s been gone for a long time, but I was able to meet up with his old Amite County neighbor in East Fork, Mississippi: a man named John Newman. He’ll give us a behind the scenes look into who Jerry was, and some of it may surprise you. And believe it not, Brent Reaves met Jerry Clower and saw his famed Gold Cadilac. Brent swears it was as long as a battleship. Trust me boys and girls, you’re not going to want to miss this one!

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This week on the Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by Gary “Believer” Newcomb, Brent Reaves of “This Country Life”, Andy Stanphill, Aaron Stanphill, and Luke Alston.

Topics discussed include: How Clay knows the Stanphill Brothers through Scott Brown, and how they met Luke. High country archery fall from grace - probably because they bought an airplane. Pulling back a 70 pound bow in the 90’s. Running dogs & Charley and Louie Dale Edwards. The dividing line of July Men and Walker Men. How running deer with dogs got banned from the Ozarks. When seeing a deer was worth interrupting the Sunday Church Service to go run deer dogs. The crew’s favorite stories from Deer Stories - The Unexpected (Part 1). What we do with our deer racks and how that’s evolved through time. Lum and Abner and the Dick Huddleston store in Pine Ridge, AR. Does anything other than a black panther drag its kill into a tree? We really doubt you’re gonna want to miss this one…

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On this week’s episode of Bear Grease, your host, Clay Newcomb, is bringing you the saga of the American Plott Hound - a story not without drama. Plotts are a breed of big game hound specializing in bear hunting. They were originally bred deep in the mountains of Southern Appalachia, specifically Haywood County, North Carolina. The breed, which carries the family name of Plott, was kept in isolation for nearly 150 years while being refined by the frontier mountaineers of Appalachia. The Plott Hound is anything but mainstream, but in his extensive travels to meet Plott Hound men and women, Clay has met some of the finest, salt-of-the-earth people in America. This is a fascinating story of true Americana and we really doubt you’re going to want to miss this one…

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Brent’s telling tales and detailing observations from his adventures north of the border. Bears, boats, and eyewitness accounts sum up the heart of this week's episode of MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast. 

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Get your hair slicked down and your shoes tied, it's time to catch the school bus with Brent! This week will bring back memories to a lot of you who rode the big yellow bus and give insight into what all went on within the confines of that mobile circus. Brent's telling stories that involve his brother Tim and we guarantee you won't want to miss them. Get your books and let's go! It's time for MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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On this episode of Bear Grease, Clay Newcomb and John Barry, author of Rising Tide discuss two Civil War veterans who pioneered the doctrine of controlling this great river, Charles Ellett and Andrew Humphries. They’ll show us how their obsession and rivalry shaped the way we manage the river and how that led to one of the most costly natural disasters in American history. We learn about Mark Twain, America's most celebrated writer, who was obsessed with being a riverboat captain on the Mississippi River. He bottled American culture in his writing and sent it to the world. We’ll also learn about the great Mississippi River flood of 1927. We're continuing down the river on the third episode of this series on the Mississippi River. Like William Faulkner, we're in pursuit of understanding the world. We really doubt you're gonna want to miss this one.

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In everything, there is a beginning and an end. We can usually control the onset of the things we choose to do, but our final day of participation is sometimes chosen for us. Brent's relating a listener's story about a first squirrel hunt and telling another one that describes a final deer hunt, which had quite an effect on him. Gather up and get easy, it's time for MeatEater's This Country Life podcast.

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On this episode of the Render it's all about big bucks.  We have Arkansas Deer Program Coordinator, Randy Meeker, as our guest as we talk white-tailed deer. We also have Rusty and Rusten Johnson of United Outdoors, Moe Shepherd and Brent Reaves all here to talk about deer hunting. We're recapping the recent "Whitetail Stories" podcast from last week! We talk about the release of Phelps Game Calls new line of deer calls!

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In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, we hear from storytellers Lake Pickle, Mitch Sikes, Myles Malone, and a one Mr. Clay Newcomb, as they recall some pretty unusual and unforgettable experiences in the deer woods. But, if there's one you're not going to want to miss, it's the last story by Med Palmer. You've never heard a deer story like this one.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’ll be exploring the ancient migration of mallard ducks and why the place they choose as a primary wintering ground -- Arkansas -- is called the “Duck Hunting Capital of the World.” We're exploring why this reputation has lasted the test of time. We’ll talk with the lead waterfowl biologist of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Luke Naylor, and the new director of the agency, Austin Booth. We'll get a good lesson in waterfowl biology and the Mississippi flyway. We’ll go into the flooded timber and hunt with a world-champion duck caller, Jimbo Ronquest, and lastly, we’ll talk with ornithologist and author, Scott Wiednesal about the mystery of migration. We’ll even hear from Sean Weaver of MeatEater. The lineup is stacked, the knowledge drop will be thick, and we’ll be getting an introduction to how the Green Tree Reservoirs -- the flood prone hardwood bottoms of Arkansas are in jeopardy, and what the plan is to save them. It would not be possible for you to intentionally want to miss this one. 

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On this episode, the crew exchanges gifts, eats Christmas cookies, dissects the Folsom site even more, and introduces a new guest. Clay makes an apology to early Christmas light hangers. The crew tries to understand why the Folsom hunters killed so many bison. Clay gives away Josh's muzzleloader in the gift exchange and Josh handcrafts a belt buckle for Daniel. This episode is full of good Christmas vibes, and though Brent couldn't make it, he leaves a special holiday tribute to the crew. Merry Christmas!

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re on part two of our look into the cultural impact of the book, “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls. He drove the bus to the game where the coonhunters showed pop culture what was up, and made us all proud. We’ll talk with the childhood actor, Stewart Peterson, who starred in the original 1974 Walt Disney movie and learn how he got into acting and why he got out. His reason might surprise and challenge you. We’ll talk again with redbone coonhound man, Ronnie Smith, to get some perspective on the real dogs used in the movie. We’ll have discussion around a key emphasis in the book with Dr. Sean Teuton of the University of Arkansas as we look into that period of life when an adolescent boy becomes a man (and we’ll talk about crying). Lastly, we'll talk with Misty Newcomb about the development of boys and how the system is sometimes rigged against them. If you haven’t watched the original movie or read the book, you ought to go check it out, but regardless you’re not going to want to miss this one. 

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By the 2000’s, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation had paddlefish poaching largely under control, but it wasn’t long before a new group of poachers hit the scene. In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Clay Newcomb continues his conversation with retired Oklahoma game warden, Jeff Brown, as he recounts the details of “Operation Russian Snag,” and the lengths that this group went to in order to acquire paddlefish caviar.

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On this episode, Clay Newcomb is taking us to what some Native Americans call the river beyond any age and others call the Father of Waters. He’s talking about the Mississippi river. To understand the river and its impact on America takes a diverse cast of storytellers. New York Times best selling author John M. Barry will be our guest, along with author Hank Burdine and a fellow by the name of Will Primos. We'll also be joined by two Army Corps of Engineers: David Biedenharn, a hydraulic engineer, as well as  fisheries biologist Jack Killgore. We might even hear the words of Mark Twain and T.S. Elliott.  This has been a long time coming and Clay is on a personal journey to understand the significance of this American river on this country and on his life. The current will be swift and muddy, but we really doubt that you're gonna want to miss this one...

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On this episode, we’re contrasting two eras of turkey hunting with Will Primos and Dr. Mike Chamberlain of the University of Georgia. Turkey populations peaked in modern times in the late 1990s, and with it, the innovation of call makers and outdoor media groups skyrocketed, forging the turkey hunting culture of the nation. Mr. Will Primos stood on the forefront of that innovation and he taught us how to call and hunt. However, recent decades have yielded dramatically decreasing turkey populations in much of the Southeastern United States. Dr. Chamberlain will detail the five biggest culprits of the decline and make some projections for the future.

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On this episode of The Bear Grease Podcast, we’re exploring the gruesome death of Erskine, an Ozark Mountain bear hunter killed by his quarry in the 1840s. You’ll hear the firsthand account of the incident from his comrade, Frederick Gerstacker. We'll also interview the leading historian of Ozarks (Dr. Brooks Blevins), hear from the man who found the only clue leading to Erskine’s grave, and go in search of the grave ourselves. This is one of my favorite stories of all time and its contents have affected my family and me for the last decade. I want to explore how stories impact us and why.

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The recent celebration of our nation’s Declaration of Independence got Brent thinking about heroes. Just what constitutes a hero? He’s gonna share his thoughts and give what he thinks is a prime example of one. If that’s not enough he’s sharing a heroic listener story and offering up suggestions to help baseball grow their audience and speed up the game. There’s a lot to unpack on this episode of MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast. 

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In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, host Clay Newcomb navigates the archaeological journey of the “peopling” of America and the mystery of the Clovis people. Archaeologists Dr. Metin Eren and Dr. David Melzer discuss the Pleistocene Overkill hypothesis, and how the Clovis First theory crumbled. Author and indigenous historian Taylor Keen explains how the insistence of the archeology establishment in the Clovis First theory was potentially politically motivated.

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People collect all sorts of things for all sorts of reasons. We know all about Brent's collection of knives, but this week, he's sharing a story about how he acquired a special shotgun for his gun collection, as well as telling stories of other people's collections. From old guns to loose change, we're talking Collections on this week's "This Country Life" podcast.

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Therapy can come from lots of places and some of the best are right out the front door. Brent’s telling us about one of his favorites this week on MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast.

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On this episode Clay is joined by Misty, Josh, Kobly Morehead and Arkansas Game and Fish wild turkey biologist, Jeremy Wood. The crew notes that Misty is the only person without a mustache so Josh brought her a stick-on-stache. Kolby Morehead talks about the Bear Hunting Magazine team in the campaign to raise money for a bear collaring study in Arkansas. Clay jumps on his soap box of picking up stone points on his own land, they discuss some new art he got of Warner Glenn, and a gift from Kolby. They all tell their favorite turkey story from the last Bear Grease Podcast. Then they jump into the issues surrounding wild turkeys in Arkansas with Jeremy. It's an action and information packed episode. 

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In this episode, Brent talks about the eclectic chores and jobs he had as a kid growing up in rural southern Arkansas.  Buckle up! We're hearing stories of Brent's childhood on this week's episode of MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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Just when he thought he was through investigating crimes, Brent gets called back to the job. This time someone has stolen from him and with Arkansas' 2024 Bear season drawing closer, the stakes couldn't be higher. It's time to sort through the clues and crack the case. You'll also hear a tale of two guys who made better television stars than criminals. You now have the right to listen to this week's episode of MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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Traveling out of state to turkey hunt is one of my most favorite activities, especially when I get to go somewhere I've never been before. I always come home with something, and more times than not, it’s a turkey. This time was no different and I brought back two things--one was an unused turkey tag and the other was a greater appreciation for home and family. On this trip, I met folks who value people and places just like I do and it wouldn’t have been better had I punched that tag. It’s turkey time in Alabama on MeatEater’s “This Country Life" podcast.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, the crew convenes in Missouri for some spring turkey hunting. Clay Newcomb is joined by veteran Meateater videographers Loren Moulton and Dave Gardner as well as Brent Reaves, who you can now hear every Friday on this same feed on his new podcast This Country Life. The crew recaps the triumphs and pitfalls of chasing those wisened longbeards in the spring woods before turning their attention to Forest, or should we say Asa, Carter’s “The Education of Little Tree.” The crew discusses how remarkable it is that Asa Carter was able to pull off this deception, whether or not this was an arc of repentance and redemption or if it was just a con, and the decision to give this to their kids to read or not. I really doubt you’re gonna wanna miss this one…

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Clay Newcomb and friends discuss the controversy surrounding the Donnie Baker Story, engage audience criticism around "glamorizing poachers," and call out America's premier bear conservation event–Bentonville, Arkansas' upcoming Black Bear Bonanza event, where Clay and Brent will record an episode of the Bear Grease Render podcast.

Featuring: Brent Reaves, Joe Wilson (World Championship Squirrel Cook Off), James Brandenburg (Black Bear Bonanza), Terrell Spencer (Across the Creek Farms), and Misty Newcomb. 

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On this episode of the Bear Grease [Render], Clay and the gang talk about their most recent podcast. They get to know a special guest -- Tavin Dillard -- who shows Clay how to call in a turkey salmon. Later, they meet another special guest, Joel Barry. Finally, they discuss Clay watching Instagram Reels like a dad, why Gary Newcomb had to aggressively fine-tune his Tik Tok preferences, and what that means for the future of society. I really, really doubt you're gonna want to miss this one. 

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What could a teacher, a trip to the principal’s office, a promise to an 11-year-old girl, the classic children’s book, “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and a hair salon all have in common? It’s a story that took Brent 46 years to live and about 15 minutes to tell. Come along with him this week as he navigates through that tale and others on how being respectful can be an investment, and a saving grace. It’s Part 1 of “Minding Your Manners."

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On this week’s episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by Misty Newcomb, Josh Spielmaker, Brent Reaves, and Joe Wilson, founder of the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off. The crew discusses the history of the Squirrel Cook Off, as well as the cultural significance and implications surrounding hunting and cooking small game. After fleshing out the finer details of, quite possibly, the most important annual event in North America, Clay springs a pop quiz on the crew to discover whether or not they’ve been paying attention - see if you can keep up - and after an intense battle, crowns a victor in a narrow race. The crew then discusses some of their favorite parts of the previous episode which followed the childhood and young adulthood of America’s first celebrity, David Crockett. You’ll also want to stay tuned for Joe telling the story of his Donut Man from his podcast Cooking’ up a Story. We really doubt you’re gonna want to miss this one…

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Deer Camp holds a lot of special memories for many and Brent is no exception. This week he’s talking about the traditions and legacy around his deer camp and how easy it is for you to start your own and do the same. He’s starting off with a story of deer hunting, bologna and underwear. That’s an unusual combination, but we’re sure it’ll all make sense when he explains it. Reasonably sure anyway. It’s Deer Camp time on This Country Life!

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Welcome to episode one of This Country Life! Today, we meet your host Brent Reaves: a family man and life long outdoorsman whose familial roots in rural Arkansas can be traced back over 150 years. As a way of introduction, Brent shares two of his favorite stories, taking us from schoolyard hi-jinx to riding out a lightning storm in a washed-out muskrat burrow. You're not gonna want to miss this addition to the Bear Grease lineup. 

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Clay, Misty, Josh, Brent, Isaac, and Gary talk about Clay's pawn shop of an office and his stack of most influential books before diving into Charlie, Louie Dale and Russ Arthur, the agent who went undercover with Louie Dale. They spend more time with the tension of liking someone (except Brent) while rejecting some of their actions as well as parsing out the nuanced differences between Poachers and Outlaws. Be sure to stay tuned until the end for a Black Panther update from Gary "Believer" Newcomb. 

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On this Render we've got the gang back together. Brent, Josh, Misty, and Gary circle back to Jerry Clower before moving on to that heart breaker, the turkey. Brent tells a couple stories about his turkey mentor, Mr. Leon, navigating the nuances of matrimony and Arkansas back roads, and Clay finishes it off with maybe the greatest FALL turkey story ever told.  

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On this episode, Clay Newcomb explores the personal benefits of wilderness, but also criticisms of this federally managed land. He's again joined by Dr. Dan Flores, Dr. Sara Dant, Steven Rinella, Ben Masters, and Adam Keith.

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On this episode, we’ll be talking more about the Folsom archeological site with Steve Rinella and Dr. David Melzter. We’re going to learn about gourmet butchering and what ancient hunters did with the meat. We'll discuss how the Folsom hunters likely lived and we’ll learn the science behind carbon dating. We'll bring up the controversy the Folsom site stirred up with those that believe the bible and we’ll even talk a bit about the arrival of man on planet earth. Host Clay Newcomb gives his personal positions on the book of Genesis as it relates to the age of the earth and the antiquity of humans, and we’ll be continuing to hack away at the question of why any of this is important or relevant. The story is robust, the drama is thick, and you could cut the suspense with Folsom stone point.

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On this episode of Bear Grease Clay Newcomb 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 supremicist, 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. I really doubt you’re gonna to wanna miss this one… 

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Luke McFadden is a 27-year-old, first-generation waterman on the Chesapeake Bay. In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Clay Newcomb invites Luke to tell his story of how determination combined with a love for the outdoors, fishing, and the water, propelled him down a one-way path to becoming a crabber. His experience shows how he embraced challenges, and with thinking outside the box, created a whole new way to engage with customers and create a social media empire.

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On this episode, the regular Bear Grease Render crew is joined by Rick Spicer, a bushcraft expert and flint knapper who was on the last Bear Grease Podcast. Rick talks about flint knapping and about being on the show "Alone: The Beast" where he spent thirty days in the Louisiana woods "sort of" alone. Misty gives a full on expose of her squirrel hunt when Clay gave her shooting advice and didn't buy her candy (JERK!). The crew ponders if the fluting of the Folsom point was utilitarian or had deeper meaning. Finally, we get to the end and answer the question we started with - why does the information about these ancient people matter? This episode is a great ending to a great series. 

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It won't be long before family vacations and interactions with nature increase. Schools are out for most, but for some the real education in the outdoor classroom begins. The temptation of getting that perfect profile picture with a seemingly docile bison can turn a vacation into tragedy. It can happen quicker than you can say, "Where'd Frank go, and why is that buffalo standing by his shoes?" It's "Messing With Critters" this week on MeatEater's This Country Life podcast. 

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Hunting flooded timber in Arkansas for mallard ducks is why this place is known as the Duck Hunting Capital of the World. On this episode, Clay interviews the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission director, Austin Booth, and waterfowl biologist Luke Naylor about why the trees are dying in the Green Tree reservoirs of Arkansas. There are some big decisions to be made about how to save them. Clay also talks with Bobby Martin -- a commissioner of the AGFC -- about the legacy of habitat conservation that waterfowlers have in this country. This is the final episode in our series on duck hunting.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re back in the Open Country of Southeast Arizona. This is part 2 in our series on life of a living legend – Warner Glenn. We’ll learn more about Kelly, Warner’s daughter, and her life in movies and modeling. We’ll dive deep into dry-ground lion hunting, which I believe will aid in us getting our PHD’s as American woodsmen. We'll learn about his dogs and what characteristics it takes to make a good mountain lion hunting hound. We’ll also learn about when Mr. Warner almost went to prison and how it impacted his life including his involvement in the founding a very influential conservation group called the Malpai Borderlands Group. You won't want to miss this one.

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We all like to hear a good dog story and Brent has some good ones for you this week regarding our favorite four legged hunting buddies. We’re chasing coyotes, ducks, and even talking about a turkey dog too. Throw a stick of stove-wood on the fire, sit back, and tune your ears to MeatEater’s This Country Life podcast. 

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This podcast was recorded live at the Black Bear Bonanza in Bentonville, Arkansas. The crew talks about some of the most recent bear research in the state, then ends with a recap on the American Wilderness series. Clay is joined by AGFC biologist Myron Means, BHA CEO Patrick Berry, James Brandenburg, Bernie Barringer, Brent Reaves, and Misty Newcomb. Andrew Wills of Hawken Horse ends with the debut of his and Clay’s new song, "Arkansas Mule."

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On this week’s episode of the Bear Grease Render, your host Clay Newcomb is joined by Isaac Neale, Gary “Believer” Newcomb, Brent Reaves of “This Country Life,” Josh “Land Bridge” Spielmaker, and Dr. Misty Newcomb. Topics discussed include: an update on Brent’s horse Ken’s Reward, a great mountain buck that Josh had the opportunity to take, a poll on the Origin Story of the Plotts, as well as a full breakdown of the previous Bear Grease episode focusing on Plot Hound Royalty, Berry Tarlton. We really doubt you’re going to want to miss this one…

Preorder MeatEater's new Audio Original "MeatEater's American History: The Long Hunters (1761-1775)" today.

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After 32 years Brent's hanging up his badge and retiring. In this episode, he talks about some events that happened that have had a lasting effect on his life. Probably not gonna be a lot of these police story episodes so if you want to hear them, here's your chance. Regulators, mount up! We're fighting crime this week on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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You knew it was coming. After two consecutive weeks of bagging turkeys like he's picking peas, the mighty hunter has stumbled. That he encountered turbulence might be a more fitting description. Brent's tales of woe aren't confined to turkey hunting either, but you probably knew that already. It's time for some humble pie on this week's episode of MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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It's a common misconception that success is only measured in material or money. But success can be assessed in many ways and to Brent, there's no better measurement than good experiences with good people in the great outdoors. He's gonna talk about his formula for reaping the rewards of a good investment and share a listener's Christmas survival story that you won't want to miss. 

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This week on the show, Brent's drawing on his history in the big woods of Arkansas to make the case that everyone -- from foresters, firewood cutters, hunters, and anyone in between -- ought to know their trees. Join him as he walks you through using tree identification skills to make the most out of his hunts, avoid extra labor in his firewood collecting, and shut up the high school loudmouth. 

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The gift of our time is a valuable commodity, as it's the one thing none of us know with certainty how much we have left of it to give. This week, Brent talks about how he values time and tells a story about how he and his brother occupied theirs on a turkey hunting trip to Kansas. Put on your deerstalker hat, like the one Sherlock Holmes made famous, and crack a case to win a Case pocket knife. Listen to the show for details on how to participate, as well as on how to get your favorite story told on a future episode of MeatEater's This Country Life podcast.

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In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, we begin a dive into the origin, life, and legacy, of The Seminole War leader Osceola. Many people know the name, but few know why. As we continue our pursuit to "explore things forgotten but relevant," listen as light is shed on the significance of a man who stood for what he believed in and it cost him his life. Osceola expert and historian, Dr. Patricia Wickman, describes his early life and culture, Jake Tiger of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma talks about his lineage to Osceola, and Seminole filmmaker, Sterlin Harjo, shares his personal impact from history and lore surrounding the life of Osceola.

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This week on the Bear Grease Podcast, we’ve got the third and final episode in our series on the extraordinary life of the former slave, confederate soldier, bear hunter and Mississippi native, Holt Collier. Many believe he deserves to sit in the saddle with the greats of American history, but his life is stacked deep in controversy, murder, fortunes won and lost, and unrivaled adventure. We’ve tracked all the data points we have on Holt, but like boar bear pursued by hounds, he’s difficult to course. This episode is dedicated to his famous Teddy Bear Hunt where he guided president, Theodore Roosevelt, AND we’ll discuss Holt’s lasting legacy. He lived in bold opposition to the trends of the age – he was a black man that overcame, endured and thrived in the South in a dangerous period, but even in the midst of victory, his life leaves us with a tragic aftertaste. The story of Holt’s life exemplifies core Bear Grease, it’s the finest renderings, the choice meat of the akern, the flash of the flashiest mule, the crescendo trill of the barred owl, it’s the black panther of all black panther stories and I’m honored to tell it to you….I doubt you’re going to want to miss this one.

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Brent's wrapping up his series on safety by giving more examples of how he tempted fate and luckily came through unscathed. Not everyone gets a second chance however, and Brent has a firsthand account that reminds him to stay ever vigilant. Brent's hoping you'll hear this one and take away the same lesson he did. It's safety first, always on this week's episode of MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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Turkey season is right around the corner, so on this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb will get you primed with some amazing stories by some amazing storytellers from Mississippi and Arkansas.  Listen along as Mark Sledge, Andy Brown, Robin Risher, David Huffman, Lake Pickle, and Med Palmer recall epic tales of turkeys with more beard than you can believe, busting poachers, dog collar-wearing bandits, becoming one with nature, and possibly the greatest turkey story ever told.

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On this 2nd episode in our Secret Agent Man series we’re going deep into the trenches of the darkside with undercover Ohio wildlife agent RT Stewart to get the full story on Operation Redbud, which at the time, was the largest turkey poaching sting in US history. RT is going to take us on a tour in the Poach Coach and we'll hear how he videoed over 100 illegal turkey kills in two springs. How would you like to see that on VHS tape? He’ll talk about the incredible owl hooting of his number one target, and take us right into the courtroom where the defense lawyers tried to discredit his character with accusations regarding drugs and alcohol. We’ll hear from Darth Vader, Bill Clinton and get the details of the coordinated bust involving 26 men and over 275 wildlife violations in Morgan County, Ohio. If you skip this story, you’re just plain yeller. I really doubt you’re gunna wanna miss this one.

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Flying deer have been a part of our culture since the first tracks were found on snow-covered roofs on Christmas Day. Turkeys that can do math are a wholly different animal in more ways than one. Brent’s sharing a listener's story and looking for answers to a 19-year-old mystery. Turn your ears on and let's see what you think. It’s time for MeatEater’s “This Country Life” podcast.

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On the episode of the Bear Grease [Render], Clay and the gang discuss an array of riveting topics including getting ninja kicked by a mule. They discuss how Clay got it wrong on the game warden story, and Kolby Morehead of Bear Hunting Magazine squeezes in a legitimate "bears, beets and Battle Star Galactica" reference. The guys are joined by writer Seth Haines, who was also a guest on the first episode of the Daniel Boone series. They discuss the tension created by Boone potentially having a Cherokee wife, and wrestle with "armchair valor" in saying how they wouldn't have done it. The discussion is rich as they render down the first episode of the Daniel Boone series. 

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, host Clay Newcomb brings together one last group of turkey stories for the season told by some of the best story tellers. Stories from custom turkey call makers Don and Sarah Clark, internet sensation Trent Ellis, “the greatest turkey hunter in the world” Med Palmer, story-teller-in-residence Andy Brown, Brother Robin Risher, up-and-coming outdoorsman Bear Newcomb, and newcomer to Bear Grease Johnny Johnston.

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This week, our buddy Brent is offering you one of his secrets to making life long friends -- saying hi to strangers. In a world of social media and text messages, there's still a lot of power left in a greeting. You never know who you're saying hi to, or who they might become to you later. 

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In this special episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, Clay Newcomb shares an extended version of the keynote speech he delivered at Pheasant's Forever's Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic on March 8, 2025. He tells the story of his grandfather Lewen Newcomb, a man who lived a life of principle and consistency and a passion for quail hunting that never diminished even when bird populations declined in his region. His love of the outdoors and passion for hunting left a lasting and undeniable impact and is carried on in and through the life of Clay to this day.

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Brent's taking us on a trip to the Case Knife factory in Bradford, Pennsylvania. He's also teaching us a game he used to play with his friends in elementary school that got his personal knife collection started. Leave it to Brent to have toothbrushes and pocket knives playing pivotal roles in one activity. All that and a homecoming story you don't want to miss on MeatEater's "This Country Life" podcast.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by the usual suspects - Brent Reaves, Misty Newcomb, Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker -  as well as new render guest Andrew Scott Wills, Nashville songwriter and creative force behind Hawken Horse. The crew starts off talking about Andrew’s interest in the American frontier and Mountain as well as what it’s like to be a professional songwriter before he plays a live rendition of “The Ballad of Warner Glenn” a song written by Clay and recorded by Hawken Horse. Afterwards the crew dives into the second edition of the Bear Grease Pop Quiz where they discuss topics like David Crockett’s political nickname, his near death experience in Alabama, and other topics from last week’s episode on Davy. You’ll want to stick around to hear what song the crew closes the show out with. We really doubt you’re gonna want to miss this one…

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On this episode, we introduce you to a new weekly podcast called Bear Grease [Render], where we dissect and distill the documentary-style Bear Grease Podcast. You’ll meet a cast of people, some of whom you’ll be familiar with if you listen to our podcast. This week, Clay is joined by Brent Reaves, Dr. Dan Rupp, Dr. Malachi Nichols, Josh Spielmaker and Gary Newcomb. These guys have an enlightening conversation about the Bear Grease Podcast. 

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, we’re going to continue building a
biographical sketch of Louie Dale and Charley Edwards, two Southern characters known for being turkey hunting outlaws, but also beloved men in their community – by most. We’ll be diving into the moonshine incident and give some backing for why people said they were “rough men” – you’re going to hear about some fighting and gun play, so if you’re sensitive to such talk – be advised - but if you want a small picture into the American south, these guys deliver. These men were connected to the land and it shaped their identity. Host Clay Newcomb, having known them his whole life, Is unashamed by how much he liked these guys, but conflicted because he disagreed with some stuff they did. Life is a paradox and linear equations built for judgement don’t always add up. This episode is a sketch of two modern colorful characters. Their lives were just straight up entertaining and intriguing, we doubt you’re gunna want to miss it….Hey, and if you’ll stick around the very end…You’ll hear Clay and game warden Jimmy Martin relive a run in they had when Clay was 16 years old.

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On this week’s episode of the Bear Grease Render your host, Clay Newcomb, is joined by Kristy & Josh “Landbridge” Spielmaker, Dr. Misty Newcomb, Gary “Believer” Newcomb, and Kolby Morehead, owner of Bear Hunting Magazine. The crew discusses the moon and its supposed power over human and animal behavior. Clay highlights the whitetail-focused First Lite's Specter Camo & how it’s benefiting conservation, the new Akern Grunt-n-Bleat from Phelps which sold out in hours, as well as the recent overwhelming success of the Auction House of Oddities (but more importantly Clay and Josh's Handmade Coonskin Hat). The renderers then transition to discussing the most recent Bear Grease episode, Alaska Stories (Part 1), as well as other harrowing tales from their own lives! We really doubt you’re gonna want to miss this one.

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This episode of the Bear Grease Podcast will be an exposé on two men in the outdoor industry that you may have heard of. We typically don’t like to air people’s dirty laundry, but we gained access to these hunters and you may know them, maybe even respect them, and their stories might shock you. The hunters we’re talking about are Clay Newcomb and Steven Rinella! They had a candid conversation about the way they were raised, their history with game laws, and a few of their regrets. The intent is to have some honest dialogue giving a data point to understand our cultural history as modern hunters that will allow us to dictate where we’re going. We’ll also talk Austin Booth, he’s a lawyer, a former marine, and now the director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. We want to understand the philosophy of wildlife law enforcement in 2022 and the status of poaching. We’ll also pick up two foundational components of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation that we all should know. If you want the dirt on Clay and Rinella, you’re for sure not going to want to miss this one.

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Today on the Bear Grease Render, Clay Newcomb is joined by Brent Reaves, Misty Newcomb, and a posse of game wardens from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.  Cap. Hank Jenks, Lt. Joe Alexander, Austin Jackson, and Kody Moore bring some law and order and regale the Render Crew with stories of retired game warden Keith Green, poacher-turned-legitimate caviar producer, Billy Wishard, and the success of the Paddlefish Research Center.

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On this episode of the Bear Grease Render Clay is joined by several of the regulars and two special guests, Moe "Mosely" Shepherd and Rusty "Curly" Johnson. The guys start off hot with three stories of burning vehicles, one which ends up with Clay in an auto parts store begging for water. Then Clay tells why February 13th is called "Jack Hammer Day" in his family. It's the story of a giant wild hog and how he won Misty's heart with the story it's escape. Lastly, the guys talk about the last Bear Grease podcast about secrets. This one is full of laughs and some good conversation. 

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Brent and his friend and colleague, Austin “Chilly” Chleborad, have been on a whirlwind tour with MeatEater events in Venice, Louisiana, Knoxville, Tennessee, and finally Brent’s home state of Arkansas. They made a big leap from Brent’s first experience of catching tuna, to Chilly’s first time treeing coons, and they’re here talking about their adventures.

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On this week's episode of Bear Grease, Clay Newcomb has curated a selection of stories about close calls and near death in Alaska. We've got five stories of raging rivers, charging grizzlies, boat wrecks, and nights on the mountain sleeping under a goat hide. You'll hear from hunting guide Billy Molls, Chad Ferguson, Carrie Kegler, and Meateater's own Randall Williams. We really doubt you're gonna want to miss this one.

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On this episode of Bear Grease, most of the regulars, Clay, Misty, Josh, Gary, and Isaac, gather at the Bear Grease Global Headquarters to discuss the great and enigmatic leader of the Pan-Indian Confederacy Movement, Tecumseh. But not before the crew, who is joined by James Brandenburg, Chair of the Arkansas chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, talk about the upcoming second annual Black Bear Bonanza which will take place March 4th from 9am to 5pm and feature, among other things, an owl hoot contest MC'ed by our very own Brent Reaves and judged by Clay Newcomb. Misty then dives into talking about her first duck hunt, before the outfit jumps back into discussing perhaps one of the most underrated, forgotten, and earliest American Folkheros - of whom was said "If it were not for the vicinity of the United States, he would perhaps be the founder of an empire that would rival in glory Mexico or Peru." We really doubt you're gonna want to miss this one...

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What do you take with you when you're out in the woods to keep you from getting so hungry that you feel like your belly is rubbing a blister on your backbone? It's usually pretty basic for Brent when he can remember to take them. He's gonna share a story and some experiences on what he likes and how to make some fun memories while doing it. We're talking about Hunting & Fishing Food on this week's episode of MeatEater's This Country Life podcast.

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