Bear Grease

MeatEater

The Bear Grease Podcast with host Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

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491 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes491

Newest first

Apr 20, 2022 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep. 50: Turkey Tales
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re doing something we’ve never done. We’ve assembled an eccentric flock of turkey hunters to tell their single favorite turkey hunting story. You’ll hear from the likes of Steve Rinella, Janis Putelis and Will Primos, but we’ll also hear from some backwoodsmen who ain’t been on the TV who’ve influenced me in significant ways. We’ll hear from Gary “Believer” Newcomb, Brent “Pretty Boy” Reaves, Moe “Mosely” Shepherd and the Brown boys hailing from down around Yocanna, Arkansas. Stories are an important part of the human existence, the oral stories of those we respect shape our lives. On this episode we’re going to let stories do. You’re not going to want to miss this one… Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 13, 2022 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep. 49: Bear Grease [Render] - One Thousand Bandaids, Mr. Leon, and Turkeys
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 6, 2022 · 59 min
Ep. 48: The Trouble with Lovin’ Gobblin’ Turkeys with Will Primos and Dr. Mike Chamberlain
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 30, 2022 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep. 47: Bear Grease [Render] - Steve Rinella on Jerry Clower and Trimming Mule Hooves
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 23, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep. 46: Jerry Clower - Southern Identity, Raccoon Hunting, and Comedy
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! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 16, 2022 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 45: Bear Grease [Render] - LIVE at the Bonanza
On this episode Clay and the gang are LIVE, for the first, from the Black Bear Bonanza in Northwest Arkansas. Clay, Misty and Brent Reaves are joined by James Brandenburg, longtime friend of the show, Myorn Means, Arkansas's Large Carnivore Biologist, and Moe Shepherd, a mountain man and real-deal woodsman. The crew gather to discuss in depth the history of black bears in Arkansas, hunting bears on public land, and the purpose of baiting bears as a management tool. You're not gonna want to miss Moe's close encounter with a mama bear and her cubs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 9, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep. 44: Where the Red Fern Grows (Part 2) - Character and Manhood
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 2, 2022 · 1 hr 40 min
Ep. 43: Bear Grease [Render] - Nine Miles In Reverse and Raccoon Camp
On the episode Clay and the guys are at raccoon hunting camp in East Arkansas with Brent Reaves. Michael Rosamond, owner of Sunspot Lights, joins the crew to discuss the last podcast “Where the Red Fern Grows” (part 1). Clay starts off by telling three stories of his early days Coonhunting including his misstep in dog his first hound partnership, the time the transmission went out and when he had to walk to his old English teachers house at one a.m. Brent also discloses his coonhound fund in elementary school - it had an odd twist. At the end of the podcast talk about the impact “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls. It’s a fun Render for sure. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 23, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 42: Where The Red Fern Grows (Part 1) - The Peculiar life of Wilson Rawls
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! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 16, 2022 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 41: Bear Grease [Render] - Burning Vehicles, Jack Hammer Day, and More Secrets
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 9, 2022 · 59 min
Ep. 40: Secrets and The Hidden World of Whitetail Hunters
On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re exploring the secret world of whitetail hunters. We want to know why these rascal’s keep secrets, who they share them with, but also who they’re holding out on. The answers might surprise you. If you’ll listen I’m sure you’ll learn something about the people you THINK are your friends, but also yourself. You may be more slippery than you think and not as pure in motivation as you think. We’re going to interrogate two whitetail hunters and wring the truth out of’em, we’ll talk with an anthropologist about deep human phycology, and learn how social media has changed how we distribute knowledge. You’re not gunna want to miss this one…. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 2, 2022 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 39: Bear Grease [Render] - Sky Busting, Gadwalls, and a Dying Forest
On this episode, Clay and Brent Reaves host four guests -- Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Austin Booth, Commissioner Anne Marie Doramus, as well as MeatEater's own Sean Weaver and Max Barta -- while on a duck hunt in Southeast Arkansas. The crew discusses the dying forests of the green tree reservoirs, along with Clay's habit of skybusting ducks. The conversation meanders from why Gadwalls don't have a soul to how public opinion can sway conservation decisions. These decisions on forest health are interesting topics because the solutions are so long term, it's hard to put a present value on them. This is the last podcast in our series on the Green Tree Reservoirs of Arkansas. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 26, 2022 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 38: Ducks - Saving the Legacy of Green Tree (Part 2)
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 19, 2022 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep 37: Bear Grease [Render] - Waterfowlers, AGFC Director, and Guarding the Gate
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! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 12, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 36: Ducks - The Duck Hunting Capital of the World (Part 1)
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 5, 2022 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 35: Bear Grease [Render] - Misty's Tell-All Squirrel Hunt, Alone-ish, and Folsom Fluters
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 29, 2021 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep. 34: The Folsom Site - The Unsolved Mystery of Fluted Stone (Part 4)
On this final episode in our series on the Folsom archeological site, we’ll explore the risky and mysterious process of fluting stone projectile points. For one thousand years these ancient bison hunters employed this process that some believe was entirely utilitarian, while others say it held greater significance. We’ll hear from the experts Dr. David Meltzer, Devin Pettigrew and Steve Rinella as we wrestle through the evidence. We’ll hear Rick Spicer knap out a fluted point and we’ll discuss the history of the atlatl with Devin. At the end, we’ll find our long awaited answer of why any of this ancient stuff is relevant to us in modern times. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 22, 2021 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep. 33: Bear Grease [Render] - Juju's Christmas Party
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! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 15, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 32: The Folsom Site - Antiquity of Man and Gourmet Butchering (Part 3)
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. Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 8, 2021 · 1 hr 19 min
Ep. 31: Bear Grease [Render] - Tough Bowhunting, OnX Dudes, and Analyzing Folsom
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! Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop Bear Grease Merch Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.